Nestlé officially completed its acquisition of baby food brand
Gerber, bringing the company one step closer to achieving its
evolving aspiration to be the world's leading nutrition, health and
wellness company.
Probiotics, friendly bacteria with known benefits for intestinal
health, may boost the number of bowel movements and relieve
constipation, suggests a new pilot study from the Netherlands.
High levels of vitamin B6 prior to falling pregnant may boost
conception rates and reduce the odds of losing the baby during
early pregnancy, suggests new research.
Orafti has announced the launch of a new long-term study into the
potential effects of prebiotic infant formulae on the development
of the infants immune system and the incidence of allergy in
infants.
The board of the UK's Food Standards Agency yesterday gave the
go-ahead for the recommendation on mandatory folic acid
fortification be made to health ministers, but it remains unclear
whether the nutrient will be added to flour...
Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and then for the infants
after birth could reduce the incidence of eczema, suggests a new
clinical trial from Sweden.
Folic acid does not decrease the risk of benign colorectal tumours
and may increase the likelihood of contracting some types
of tumours, say researchers - but the supplements industry urges
caution in light of documented benefits.
In the interest of global public health the world's cereals should
be fortified with iron, says the senior nutritionist of a US-based
non-profit health organisation.
The results of the EU Childhood Obesity Programme indicate that
low-protein content in infant formula may have metabolic,
endocrinal and developmental benefits for babies - which may also
have an impact on obesity at a later age.
Martek has added a new patent to its store of European intellectual
property on ARA from Mortierella alpine microorganisms for
infant formulas, reinforcing its position after an opposition
hearing in 2005 narrowed the scope of the...
A new study examining the potential of Pycnogenol to reduce
endometriosis has yielded positive results, building the data to
support the antioxidant pine extract's use in addressing the
condition.
Tomatoes, genetically engineered to contain high levels of folate,
could provide the recommended daily amount in one standard serving,
says new research.
Friesland Foods is to enter a joint venture with Australian dairy
group Warrnambool as part of plans to help meet growing demand in
the country for prebiotic ingredients.
BioGaia has reported significant gains in full year 2006 that tip
it into profit, thanks largely to deals for finished probiotic
products in a widening geographical sphere.
Debate over fortification of certain foods with folic acid has been
initiated at EU-level, as various member states mull public health
strategies for reducing pregnancies affected by neural tube
defects.
Supplement makers are hearing the news about the benefits of
omega-3 during pregnancy, suggest data from Mintel, which lists
more pregnancy-specific product launches in 2006 than in previous
years.
The effects of increased folic acid intake amongst the elderly may
be a double-edged sword, with benefits and harm dependent on the
person's vitamin B12 levels, says a new study.
Young children may be at risk of iron and zinc deficiencies as they
are weaned off milk or formula, according to two reports that may
highlight opportunities in products formulated to meet the
nutritional needs of older infants.
The nutrition supplement industry has received formal support from
the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) in the form of
a resolution recommending local governments to provide dietary
supplements to children.
Simple apple pieces may be a simple and inexpensive method of
supporting probiotics, as well as expanding the range of
applications, suggests new research from Greece.
Formula containing both pro- and prebiotics is well tolerated and
may have added benefits on weight gain in infants, says a new study
sponsored by Nestlé.
Tate & Lyle is introducing a new formulation service that
facilitates the addition of nutrients to food products, but without
compromising on taste - an all-important factor in persuading
consumers to switch to healthier alternatives.
Nestle has confirmed its interest in buying Novartis' Gerber baby
foods business, according to reports, and is aiming to increase
sales from its nutrition division by 10 per cent.
A multivitamin and mineral supplement boosted the birth weight of
children born to undernourished women, says a trial from India,
results that could have lifelong implications for the offspring.
The UK's Food Standards Agency has launched a final consultation
into mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid - an action
that coincides with publication of the SACN recommendation to press
ahead with the measure.
Using prebiotics as carriers could protect probiotics during
processing and storage, as well imparting their own beneficial
effects in the finished product, suggests new research from
Finland.
Chinese researchers have reported that alginate oligosaccharides
(AOS) have significant prebiotic activity in rats and, if the
results can be reproduced in humans, could offer an novel source of
the health promoting ingredients.
UK omega-3 company Equazen has been purchased by Swiss pharma
company Galenica, a move that looks set to take the brand to new
heights in the competitive global market - and free up its founder
to focus on new research in the field.
Women expecting twins or their second child inside two years are at
an increased risk of vitamin A deficiency and could benefit from
beta-carotene supplementation, says a study based in Germany.
Researchers from Aglient Technologies and UC-Davis have developed a
technique to enable the rapid analysis of oligosaccharides in
individual samples human milk, which could prove a useful tool for
the food and infant formula markets.
Milk, fortified with four minerals and three vitamins, cut the
occurrence of respiratory infections and days with severe illness,
and could be a well accepted means of improving health, especially
amongst pre-schoolers in the developing...
Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are
at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and could benefit from
supplements to avoid the health problems associated with not
getting enough of the vitamin.
Speculation that Swiss food group Nestle is mulling the acquisition
of Novartis' Gerber baby foods business at the same time as the
planned buy of the pharma giant's medical supplements unit is
gaining momentum, with analysts...
When the idea of fortifying staple foods with vital nutrients is
raised, the battlecry goes up from industry groups and advocates of
consumer choice: "Why should we bear the costs?" "Educate, and
let people make their...
US scientists have identified a gene from wild wheat that could
increase protein and micronutrient content of its cultivated cousin
by 10 to 15 per cent, and could soon be used in food products with
enhanced nutritional value.
Ocean Nutrition Canada is aiming to extend the reach of its Meg-3
fish oil ingredient to embrace the whole of Asia - a strategy that
may prove shrewd given estimates of a 200 percent increase in
market value in the next six years.
LycoRed is bolstering its UK premix capabilities with a new lipid
formulation facility at its plant in Kent that will extend its
scope from powder blends for cereals to infant formula and other
oil based products.
Swedish biotech BioGaia has signed an exclusive agreement with a
major OTC and pharmaceutical company for the distribution of
probiotic tablets and oral health products in Indonesia.
A combination of probiotics and prebiotics for newborns reduced the
incidence of eczema by 34 per cent in high-risk children, says a
new study from Finland.
Despite the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification of
grains as much as a third of women of childbearing age are not
getting the recommended amounts, says a study from Canada.
According to Grandview Research, the global omega-3 market is a $2.62 billion market and is one of the fastest-growing segments in the dietary supplement...