Dosage forms & delivery formats

Study: pasta fortified with parsley brought limited antioxidant values

25-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in Poland fortified pasta with parsley leaves. Though the phenolic level and antioxidant potential of the product was effectively enhanced, the values were significantly lower than predicted.

New non-dairy Flora spread introduced

25-Jan-2016 By Jim Cornall

Flora, Unilever UK’s spreads brand, has announced a $17.8m (£12.5m) brand repositioning campaign, ‘Powered by Plants,’ and a new dairy-free variant, ‘Flora Freedom.’

New kid on EU sports nutrition block?

Finish line in sight for D-ribose novel food application

25-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has called for feedback on its positive draft novel food opinion for sports nutrition ingredient D-ribose.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 a concern among elderly

22-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

Lack of vitamin B12 among the elderly has been linked with serious health conditions, and researchers in Canada found that vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent in long-term care facilities.

Health claim watch

French firm files claim for omega-3 & age-related cognitive decline

22-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

French pharmaceutical firm Pierre Fabre Medicament has filed a health claim for an omega-3 product and the reduction of age-related cognitive decline.

Smart policy? If UK breastfeeding rates rose by 1%, kids would earn £33m more collectively

22-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Even marginal increases in breast feeding rates could be worth millions to society when considering the benefit to cognitive development, UK and German researchers have calculated using over 10,000 school exam results.

Scotland pushes for UK-wide mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid

22-Jan-2016 By Vince Bamford

A renewed call for UK-wide mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid has been made by the Scottish government.

Global whey protein market worth €12bn+ by 2020: Report

21-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The global whey protein market will be worth $13.5 billion (€12.39bn) by 2020 – up from $9.2bn (€8.44bn) in 2015, according to a report from BCC Research.

Don't ignore different flavour preferences of older consumers: Study

21-Jan-2016 By Niamh Michail

Certain flavours, such as ginger or mint, appeal to older consumers more than younger ones, and should be considered along with texture when targetting seniors in new product development (NPD).

Mangosteen rind ups 'cheap chocolate' polyphenols by 50%: Research

21-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Adding a mangosteen fruit by-product to cheaper low cocoa chocolates could improve their nutritional content without compromising flavour, researchers have discovered. 

Study finds berry pigments may decrease bad cholesterol in overweight individuals

20-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

The anthocyanins found in berries help decrease bad cholesterol in overweight individuals, but don’t affect the levels of individuals considered to have a healthy weight.

EFSA approves sweetener sucralose for infant medical foods

20-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

It is safe to include the sugar-derived sweetener sucralose in special medical foods for young children, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded.

Oral supplement associated with 50% lower deaths in older malnourished patients: Study

20-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Giving oral nutritional supplements for 90 days after leaving hospital could reduce death rates for older malnourished patients with a heart or lung disease by 50%, according to a study published in Clinical Nutrition.  

Chr. Hansen targets diabetes with next-generation probiotic deal

20-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

A collaboration between Chr. Hansen and Caelus Health will focus on the development of Eubacterium hallii as a next generation probiotic for prevention and treatment of metabolic disease. 

EC study reveals carcinogenic PAHs in supplements

19-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Levels of carcinogenic PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in EU supplements vary widely from under safe limits to way over, according to a European Commission study ahead of new regulation on the issue.

GEA to equip new Danone production plant

19-Jan-2016 By Jim Cornall

GEA has received a major order from Danone to equip a new state-of-the-art facility for its international Early Life Nutrition brands with several production lines.

EFSA uncorks EU market for DSM’s synthetic trans-resveratrol

18-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said synthetic trans-resveratrol is safe for use in supplements following a novel food application from multinational DSM.

Norwegian researchers catch herring's hidden health benefits

18-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

A fatty acid present in herring could boost conversion of omega-3, food scientists have discovered. 

Sesame oil reduces TAG, but not cholesterol: Review

18-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Sesame significantly reduces triacylglycerol (TAG) levels, but does not affect cholesterol, according to a review.  

Researchers to test faecal pill efficacy in treating obesity

18-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

Faecal matter from a healthy, lean person can help obese individuals lose weight by transferring intestinal bacterium via a 'stool transplant,' a study intends to show. 

Dietary flavonoids reduce erectile dysfunction risk, say researchers

15-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Increasing intake of berries and citrus fruits may improve erectile function as well as reduce heart attack risk, researchers at the University of East Anglia and Harvard Medical School have said. 

European Parliament committee to vote on three objections

MEP urges rethink on ‘outrageous’ new formula marketing rules

14-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A member of the European Parliament (MEP) has urged fellow politicians to support his objections to new rules on the marketing of baby foods, formulas and foods for special medical purposes in a vote today, which he says fails to safeguard the practice...

Crowdsourcing: Fostering openness and innovation

13-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

Outsourcing in the nutraceutical industry has traditionally involved partnering with contract research organisations (CROs) to prove new concepts or differentiate unique product formulas - but more recently the industry has seen a shift in its use and...

EFSA panel says UV-treated milk is safe

12-Jan-2016 By Jim Cornall

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has delivered its opinion on ultra-violet (UV)-treated milk, and it concludes that the dairy product is safe for the target group, which is the general...

EFSA rejects Echinacea extract and anxiety claim

12-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected a health claim application from two Hungarian companies for an Echinacea root extract and the reduction of anxiety.

Food-based probiotic may inhibit pneumonia-causing bacterial growth

12-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

A probiotic found in foods such as yoghurt and miso soup has been found to inhibit the development of a pathogen that causes middle ear infections in children and pneumonia, a study has shown. 

Light intensity turbo charges nutritional contents of vegetables: Researchers

08-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The nutritional composition of leafy vegetables could be boosted by altering light intensity at harvest, Italian researchers have found. 

Winemaking waste shows antioxidant and anti-cholesterol benefits: Study

08-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Researchers say polyphenols from winemaking by-product red grape pomice has potential as a functional ingredient in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. 

Dispatches from FiE, Paris

Refreshment and nutrition drive demand for vegetable ingredients

08-Jan-2016 By Rachel Arthur

Vegetable ingredients are winning favor with consumers who value them as a healthy part of their diet, but how will the category evolve in 2016 and beyond?

Is aegeline still at large in the EU?

07-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Two shipments of aegeline were blocked last month at the EU borders – begging the questions, is this illicit substance still at large and if so what should be done to stop it?  

Oat extract may improve cognitive function and memory: Study

07-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

A wild green-oat extract has demonstrated cognitive function improvement in middle-aged adults, who exhibited increased speed of performance and episodic memory in a clinical study. 

Researchers look at lasting effects of early-life exercise on gut microbes, brain health & metabolism

07-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

The immature gut may be more sensitive to environmental influences and provide a 'window of opportunity' for better health, say researchers behind a study in rats. 

Date seed protein has food potential but may not be economically viable: Researchers

06-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Scientists say protein from date seeds could used as an alternative to soy protein isolate or whey protein in foods, however commercial viability needs to be further assessed. 

Omega-3 not omega-6 linked with lower depressive symptoms: 2000-strong Japanese study

05-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Even in countries with higher fish intakes, omega-3 may lower depressive symptoms, according to Japanese research in over 2000 people.

Frutarom invests €2.25m in algae start-up

04-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Swiss-Israeli flavours and ingredients house Frutarom Industries has invested 10 million Israeli Shekel (€2.25m) for a 50% stake in the biotech start-up Algalo.

Pulses, purple and portable protein - key baked goods trends for the year ahead

04-Jan-2016 By Claire Nuttall

Branding and innovation expert Claire Nuttall – who has worked with many global food and drink businesses – reveals her pick of the trends set to shape the global baked goods market in the coming 12 months.

Planning a slim 2016? UK agency warns against ‘dangerous' herbal diet pills

04-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s medicines agency (MHRA) has warned the public against using so-called herbal diet pills bought online to meet New Year’s weight loss targets after hundreds were found to be adulterated with pharmaceutical ingredients. 

Black raspberries a contender for best antioxidant fruit, says study

04-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

Black raspberries grown in Central Europe show greater health benefits than its closely related cousins the red raspberry and blackberry, research suggests. 

NutraInterview: Dominique Speleers, Beneo executive board member

Beneo: EFSA forced us to change our strategy

23-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

Dominique Speleers is a long-time Beneo man who has seen a lot in his 15 years with the European ingredients giant from back when it was Belgian inulin and chicory player Beneo-Orafti and now as a board member of the more European, more international,...

Dear Santa…Nutrition industry writes its wish list for 2016

23-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the bloc not a firm was stirring, not even the Brussels flock. Nutrition industry stakeholders have hung up their stockings by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there… but...

ASA ruling

Hare today, gone tomorrow: Nestlé boots Nesquik healthy bunny claims after UK challenge

23-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Nesquik is no longer "a great start to the day" after the UK advertising authority ruled the product too high in sugar to bear health claims. 

Step away from the buffet: The recipe to eating a healthy festive dinner

23-Dec-2015 By Will Chu

It’s no secret that people eat more than usual during the festive season, but the buffet holds nutritional promise too. We visited a few...

Peek inside probiota 2016: Amsterdam, February 2-4

Restoring the damaged baby microbiome: ‘This is the biggest development in infant nutrition in years’

22-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

The biochemist instrumental in making DHA omega-3 near-mandatory in infant formula 15 years ago says discoveries about the ‘baby microbiome’ are set to revolutionise our view of infant and embryonic feeding.

Iron supplements improve infant birth weight – under certain maternal conditions

22-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Whether iron-containing supplements improve infant birth weight depends on baseline maternal haemoglobin levels, according to research in 18,775 pregnant women.

Healthy eating tipped to drive $600m growth in global baking ingredients

22-Dec-2015 By Douglas Yu

Rising demand for healthier and nutrition-rich products has been tipped to drive $600m growth in the global baking ingredients market in the next five years.

Marketing to the ‘elderly’: Overcoming the taboo of getting old

21-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is a need for public health strategies and products to address Europe's rapidly ageing population – but how easy is it to market such products when nobody wants to admit that they’re getting old?

Study: High dose omega-3 protein juice shows muscle wasting benefits

21-Dec-2015 By Lynda Searby

An omega-3, protein and vitamin juice formulated by Norwegian biotech firm Smartfish has become the first nutrition product to demonstrate a positive effect on the disease related wasting syndrome cachexia.

DuPont nutrition & health chief: We want to work with start-ups

18-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

DuPont’s nutrition & health president, Matthias Heinzel, tells NutraIngredients his multi-billion euro division wants to speed product-to-market time and is “totally open” to working with start-ups in open collaboration.

When should pregnant women take folic acid?

18-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Taking folic acid supplements pre-conception may lower the risk of preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age, but post-conception may be too late to have an effect, according to research in 240,954 pregnant women.

Special edition: Battling malnutrition. Exclusive with Nestlé head of public health nutrition

Nestlé: Profit is not a dirty word in the race against global malnutrition

17-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

Commercial and public health gain needn’t be opposed bedfellows in the battle against malnutrition among the world’s poorest people, says the chief of public health nutrition at the world’s biggest food firm.