Health

Futureproofing the Food System

Will ‘healthy’ iconography help consumers select better options?

17-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While the FDA is updating its current definition of healthy and exploring voluntary iconography for packaging, the term means many different things to many different people, which could complicate the impact of the icon and product marketing, suggests...

More than half of consumers are ‘climatarians’ and show concern for environment, Tetra Pak Index suggests

30-Oct-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Consumers are adapting their attitudes about food to a changing climate and aiming for more sustainable eating habits, research in Tetra Pak’s 2023 Index suggests. The research also indicated that consumers are gravitating towards healthier products,...

Health, environment or lactose intolerance: Why do people drink plant-based milk?

05-Jun-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Plant-based milk is one of the most successful categories of alternative protein, predicted to reach a value of $47 Billion by 2030. But why is it so successful? The driving force behind any alternative protein’s success is the motives people have for...

Danone’s 2023-2025 DINA Sustainable Food Systems program opens for submissions

24-Apr-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Up to five teams will benefit from the funding, which is said to be Danone North America’s largest contribution to the initiative to date.

FDA explores front-of-pack labeling again, but early discord suggests uphill battle

31-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA once again is considering front-of-pack labeling “to help consumers interpret the nutrient information on food products,” including testing a controversial traffic light approach to show when a product is high or low in select nutrients and a design...

$Vegetarian women one-third more likely to fracture hips, study finds / Pic: GettyImages -Hinterhaus Productions$

‘Vegetarian diets often have lower intakes of nutrients linked with bone and muscle health’: Vegetarianism associated with 33% higher risk of hip fracture

16-Aug-2022 By Katy Askew

Fresh research suggests that vegetarian women face a higher risk of hip fractures. While lead author James Webster stresses that not all vegetarian diets are of equal nutritional quality, he notes some commonalities that could contribute to this increased...

Danone supports microbiome research ‘critical’ for future innovation

09-Jun-2022 By Katy Askew

Danone marked a ‘decade of commitment’ to exploring the link between human health and the microbiome through its latest Fellowship Grant Program. We caught up with Dr Miguel Freitas, VP of Scientific Affairs, to find out more about what we’ve learnt over...

Natural Products Expo West

Health, wellness products drive outsized sales growth as organic outpaces conventional

23-Mar-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Health and wellness positioned products may account for only a small portion of the food and beverage industry’s overall dollar share, but they are disproportionately driving dollar growth alongside organic, which often outpaced its conventional counterparts...

Dietitians forecast a future of food innovations, warn against Tik Tok pseudoscience

11-Feb-2022 By Asia Sherman

Food innovations fueled by the pandemic will answer consumer demand for snacks, immunity and comfort, but beware of nutrition misinformation shared on social media, says the 10th annual What’s Trending in Nutrition survey.

Move over immunity: Weight management, mental health rise as consumers remerge from lockdowns

16-Jul-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

As consumers become vaccinated and more comfortable venturing out of their home after months of lockdowns, their health remains front of mind, but their priorities are expanding from a laser-focus on immunity to include weight management and their state...

Consumers’ evolving understanding of wellness creates marketing opportunities for retailers, brands

23-Jan-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

As consumers’ focus on health and wellness deepens, their understanding of the concept also is evolving and diversifying based on their life stage and unique circumstance – creating new marketing opportunities for retailers and brands that can offer more...

NEWS IN BRIEF

DanoneWave opens applications for $50K grant in yogurt, probiotics, and gut microbiome research

13-Dec-2017 By Adi Menayang

Food and beverage giant Dannon, as a part of DanoneWave Public Benefit Corporation, announced it 6th Annual Yogurt, Probiotics, and the Gut Microbiome Fellowship Grant, which awards two $25,000 research grants for use in 2018.

Nestlé buys Atrium for $2.3 billion

05-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

Food giant Nestlé has agreed to acquire Canadian supplement maker Atrium Innovations for $2.3 billion.

BASF teams up with InsideTracker for personalized nutrition & supplementation recommendations

18-Sep-2017 By Stephen Daniells

BASF and Segterra have announced a collaboration for BASF’s health ingredients brand, Newtrition, to provide personalized nutrition and dietary supplementation recommendations and scientific support for Segterra’s InsideTracker.

$16.8 million in government grants aim to encourage SNAP spending on more produce

16-Aug-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

After efforts earlier this year to use a stick to discourage SNAP beneficiaries from buying unhealthy products was met with resistance and doubt, the government is trying another approach – a carrot in the form of $16.8 million in grants to boost purchases...

13 personalized nutrition companies on the market today

15-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

As more studies on human nutrition suggest 'one-size-fits-all' isn't the way of the future, more companies are springing up peddling personalized nutrition solutions. We collected 13 personalized nutrition services and products that are...

Chosen Foods products get ‘Glyphosate Residue Free’ certification from The Detox Project

11-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

San Diego-based Chosen Foods' flagship products—100% Pure Avocado Oil, Chosen Blend Oil, and four Avocado Oil Mayo flavors—have been certified ‘Glyphosate Residue Free’ from The Detox Project.

Trust in nutritional science ‘deflating’, claim Dutch scientists

20-Jul-2017 By Will Chu

Nutrition science appears to be in crisis with a public reluctance to trust nutritional insights, according to a Dutch group of scientists, who also believe the subject’s boundaries are hampering progress.

Another personalized nutrition testing firm attracts investment capital

18-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

Investment capital continues to flow into the personalized nutrition space with the announcement of another infusion of cash into Orig3n, a company that offers genetic testing kits.

Is single-serve packaging also a health-halo?

10-May-2017 By Adi Menayang

Serving sizes of packaged food can affect a consumer’s health perception and intended consumption, according to a new study in the Journal of Business Research.

Health advocates argue for a tax on sugary drinks in Canada to save lives and healthcare costs

29-Mar-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Twenty-four public health advocates and organizations are calling on the Canadian government to levy a significant tax on manufacturers of sugary drinks to discourage consumption and help fund healthy living initiatives.

Canada sugar drinks levy would save 13,000 lives, say researchers

20-Mar-2017 By Rachel Arthur

Health organizations in Canada are calling for a sugary drinks levy, with new research suggesting the measure would save 13,000 lives over the next 25 years. But the Canadian Beverage Association questions the data used by the research: and says that...

KIND CEO launches Feed the Truth to shine light on food policy research funding & influence

22-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite increased transparency into how food is sourced, who makes it and how, much of the research on which nutrition policy is based and how it is funded remains notably opaque – a situation that the founder and CEO of KIND Healthy Snacks wants to change.

R&D

Nestlé develops natural method to cut sugar in chocolate by 40%

01-Dec-2016 By Oliver Nieburg

Nestlé plans to introduce a faster-dissolving sugar across some of its confectionery range from 2018.

A shifting perception of responsibility for healthy diet makes food policy political touch point

06-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

A significant shift in the percentage of Americans who now believe society, rather than individuals, hold primary responsibility for choosing healthy food to promote wellness and prevent disease is mirrored by an increase in people who believe food policy...

Green packaging makes food seem healthier - but not for discerning organic shoppers

17-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Discount shoppers believe a product tastes healthier if it comes in a 'healthy', green packaging - but organic shoppers have a more critical eye and are less affected by packaging, researchers have found.

Chr Hansen delivers 10% growth as revenues hit €859 million for full year

21-Oct-2015 By Nathan Gray

Chr Hansen has reported ‘very satisfactory’ overall growth of 10%, as stronger performances in cultures, enzymes, and nutrition balance out below per performance in natural colours.

A look at first year of implementing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

Healthy school standards take effect; waivers an ‘outrageous’ threat to progress, RD says

10-Sep-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

From crowded hallways to pop quizzes, cliques and assemblies, the 2014-2015 school year will likely look a lot like previous years—except when it comes to the food served to students.

Now is a great time to sell your F&B business: Anchin

15-Jul-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Despite tight margins and even tighter competition, it’s a great time to be in the food and beverage industry—and an even better time to be a seller, according to New York accountant and advisory firm, Anchin, Block & Anchin.

Pre-soaked ancient grain mix hits on health and saves time, says Corbion Caravan

12-Dec-2013 By Kacey Culliney

Bakers can save production time and win health-conscious consumers with pre-soaked ancient grains, according to creator Corbion Caravan.

Parents seeking balanced approach to nutrition in bakery: Cargill

10-Oct-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

As parents look to strike a balance between healthy and unhealthy foods in their childrens' diets, bakery manufacturers have an opportunity to innovate with healthier products in the cookies, breads/rolls, crackers and snack bars categories, according...

Live from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Global healthcare systems are failing; nutrition policy needs to change now, says leading academic

16-May-2013 By Shane Starling

Nations and populations are in peril of being swamped by the cost of their healthcare systems unless a severe nutrition policy rethink can occur, says a leading academic.

California officially adds BPA to its dangerous chemicals list

16-Apr-2013 By Jenni Spinner

The state of California has placed bisphenol-A (BPA) on its ranking of dangerous chemicals that should not be used in products consumers are exposed to.

SNACKING ON IDEAS: SALLY LYONS WYATT SNAPSHOT

Frugal foodies, quick serve competition and health quests: Snack firms take heed…

29-Mar-2013 By Kacey Culliney

Snack firms must battle with frugal consumers, expanded competition and the challenge to remain innovative, exciting and healthy, a leading sector analyst says.

Chobani is the perfect example of getting teens in their ‘four screen world’: Marketing expert

07-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The shining star of Greek yogurt, Chobani, has figured out the ‘four screen world’ of teenagers and Millenials, giving food and beverage marketers a case study on how to connect with these key demographics, says a marketing expert.

ACC slams Californian plan to list BPA as developmental toxicant

28-Jan-2013 By Joe Whitworth

A move by a Californian public health agency to list bisphenol A (BPA) as a developmental toxicant has been called “scientifically unjustified” by the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

More snacks = healthier diet, report finds

13-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Americans are snacking more than ever, and the more they snack, the healthier their diets, according to a new report.

Traffic light-style labeling could encourage healthier choices: Study

25-Jan-2012 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Color-coded labeling and rearranging products in-store could lead consumers to make healthier choices, according to a new study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers.

Campbell Soup: We are still committed to reducing sodium

21-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

Campbell Soup has reiterated its commitment to sodium reduction following its high-profile move to add some salt back into its Select Harvest soup range.

Human exposure to bisphenol A much higher than previous estimates - study

22-Sep-2010 By Rory Harrington

A leading scientist honoured for his research into bisphenol A (BPA) has urged regulators to take immediate action on the chemical after a new study indicated human exposure to the substance is higher than previously believed.

World Cup is an own goal for food culture

14-Jun-2010 By Jess Halliday

Sorry guys, the World Cup is not all about football. It’s about food too, and this year’s tournament should kick off a whole new debate about our sporting food culture.

California may name and shame BPA as toxin

18-Feb-2010 By Mike Stones

The controversial chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) could be listed as a toxin by the Californian Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

Doctors resign over Coca-Cola funding

30-Oct-2009 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Nearly 20 doctors have resigned from the American Academy of Family Physicians after it accepted a grant from Coca-Cola to pay for education about the dietary role of beverages and sweeteners.

Communities offered $650m to cut junk food, promote health

21-Sep-2009 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that reducing poor food choices and improving nutrition is a top priority for a $650m locally led initiative to improve health in US communities.

Americans don’t know they’re unhealthy, says Mintel

04-Sep-2009 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Americans have an unrealistic perception of their health and are particularly unaware of their weight problems, according to a new survey from Mintel.

BPA causes reproductive health defects at levels currently considered safe - study

19-Jun-2009 By Rory Harrington

Bisphenol A (BPA) causes significant reproductive health effects at levels equivalent to or below the dose that that has been thought not to produce any adverse results, new research has said.

Network seeks healthy investment for small companies

16-Apr-2009

An organization dedicated to raising capital for small companies in the fields of health, wellness and green, natural and organic nutrition has announced its fourth investors’ meeting, due to take place in New York City on April 21.

Top NMI health and wellness trends: Part I

18-Mar-2008 By Lorraine Heller

As health, wellness and sustainability in the food sector continue
to move into the mainstream, market research firm Natural Marketing
Institute (NMI) has identified eight major trends it expects will
drive these sectors.

News Focus: Health and Wellness

Nestle pursues human nutrition through acquisition strategy

30-Aug-2007 By Lorraine Heller

The third in a series of FoodNavigator-USA.com articles on the
health and wellness approach of major US companies examines
Nestlé's increasing focus on research and development as a means to
improve human nutrition.