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A pinch of salt? UK health report reflects “mixed progress” by food industry on salt reduction

19 Dec 2018 --- Public Health England (PHE) has described the results of its first salt reduction report as a “mixed picture,” with just over half of salt reduction targets being met by the food industry. Companies were asked to meet average and maximum targets for salt content per 100g, with the maximum targets ranging from 0.13g in canned vegetables, to 3.75g in curry pastes. The foods covered by the program provide more than half the salt in the nation’s diet.

“Landmark day”: GSK and Pfizer to form new Consumer Healthcare Joint Venture

19 Dec 2018 --- Pharma heavyweights GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Pfizer Inc. have reached an agreement to combine the two companies’ consumer health businesses into a “new world-leading” Joint Venture, with combined sales of approximately £9.8 billion (US$12.7 billion). As a result of this JV, GSK intends to split into two businesses in the next three years – for prescription drugs and vaccines and for OTC products, including vitamin and mineral supplements. GSK is to hold a majority controlling equity interest of 68 percent, while Pfizer will have an equity interest of 32 percent in the Joint Venture.

“No added sugar” claims to be removed from several products in The Netherlands

19 Dec 2018 --- Seven manufacturers and retailers will have to remove “no added sugar” claims from several of their products sold in the Netherlands. The Dutch Advertising Authority (RCC) reviewed complaints filed by industry watchdog Foodwatch and has ruled certain “no added sugar” claims to be false. The products in question contain sweeteners like date paste, apple juice concentrate and sugar beet syrup, which Foodwatch deems to be as harmful as sugar.

Not just for pregnant women: Folate deficiencies can cause irreversible DNA damage across demographics, study warns

18 Dec 2018 --- Folate deficiency creates more problems in connection with DNA replication than previously assumed, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have reported. The findings show that once a person is folate deficient, the “chromosomal abnormalities” and damage caused cannot be reversed. The research widens the scope of people who should be aware of their folate consumption from pregnant women to all demographics, especially in regions where the supply of folate in the food supply may be low.

“Super water”: Flow Alkaline Spring Water launches CBD infused beverages

18 Dec 2018 --- Flow Alkaline Spring Water, a Canadian brand of spring water, has launched a line of Cannabidiol (CBD) infused beverages called Flow Glow, that are touted by the company as having antioxidant properties. According to a survey conducted by the company, 67 percent of Canadians are interested in consuming CBD at some point in the future.

Tropical freshwater fish collagen holds strong wrinkle reducing capabilities, Vietnamese study finds

18 Dec 2018 --- Vinh Hoan, supplier of pangasius and marine collagen peptides, has documented substantial improvements in skin health and appearance in study participants treated with 10g a day of Vinh Wellness Collagen. The Vietnamese company supplies the “next generation” of freshwater collagen, sourced from tropical, food-grade freshwater fish. As consumers increasingly seek skin health products that work “from within,” those concerned with the aging process’ impact on skin, such as wrinkles, may be drawn to collagen supplementation.

One in 10 US parents say their child has gotten sick from spoiled or contaminated food

18 Dec 2018 --- Parents cite restaurants as the most common source of food sickness in kids, but just one in four check inspection reports before dining out, a report from C.S Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at the University of Michigan has found. One in 10 parents say their child has gotten sick from spoiled or contaminated food, and foodborne illness affects more than 75 million people a year. These are often caused by toxins, parasites, viruses and bacteria – such as salmonella and E. coli – and the researchers recommend that parents use simple precautions to avoid illness, such as checking restaurant inspection reports and following food safety rules when cooking and storing food.

EMA: Omega 3 fatty acid medicines no longer seen as effective in preventing heart disease

17 Dec 2018 --- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded that medicines containing omega 3 fatty acids are not effective in preventing further heart and blood vessel problems in patients who have had a heart attack. As a result of this finding, omega 3 fatty acid medicines will no longer be authorized for such use. These types of medicines had been authorized for use after a heart attack at a dose of 1g per day, in combination with other medicines, in several EU countries since 2000.

Eisai enters deal with Eurofarma for its “holy grail” weight-loss agent for the Brazilian market

17 Dec 2018 --- Eisai has granted Brazilian pharmaceutical company Eurofarma the exclusive marketing and development rights for lorcaserin, an anti-obesity agent, in Brazil. Eisai reports the move will provide the means to leverage Eurofarma’s strong business foundation throughout Latin America to accelerate the delivery of lorcaserin to more patients.

Promoting nutrition in school is key to mitigating child obesity, study finds

17 Dec 2018 --- School-based nutrition programs and recommendations promote healthier eating habits and result in a lower body mass index (BMI) among middle schoolers, says a recent study by the Yale School of Public Health and the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut. The findings indicate the importance of promoting health in schools to help mitigate childhood obesity rates, note the researchers.

Scalable model for reducing anemia in girls: Indonesian study highlights collaboration as key

17 Dec 2018 --- A multi-sectoral approach that goes through the schooling system is key to reducing iron deficiency in girls, according to a project trialed in Indonesia and published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Seeking to implement a successful program that would be scalable in other geographic regions, the team began a project in West Java, Indonesia, which followed the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) to reduce anemia in adolescents aged 10-19 years and women of reproductive age.

Obesity-related cancer cases on the rise, study finds

14 Dec 2018 --- Excess body weight was responsible for roughly 4 percent of cancers worldwide in 2012, and that number is likely to rise, an American Cancer Society peer-reviewed study has found. The report says that calorific, nutrient-poor food and physically inactive lifestyles are driving up the percentage of overweight people worldwide and promoting noncommunicable diseases, including cancer. By contrast, smoking and infection-related cancers, on the other hand, have reached a plateau or decreased in prevalence.

Weekly Roundup: Low risk of hospitalization for moderate alcohol drinkers

14 Dec 2018 --- In nutrition research this week, a study has found that the relationship between poverty and obesity is about 30 years old, only becoming observable in the early 1990s. Secondly, moderate alcohol drinkers, in the general framework of the Mediterranean diet principles, have a lower risk of being hospitalized compared to heavier drinkers, but also to the teetotallers. Lastly, a large three-generational study from Stockholm University has found that a paternal grandfather's access to food during his childhood is associated with mortality risk, especially cancer mortality, in his grandson.

DuPont Nutrition & Health synbiotic touted to reduce health risks linked to obesity

14 Dec 2018 --- DuPont Nutrition & Health’s Howaru Shape synbiotic may help reduce health risks for overweight consumers, according to a recent clinical study on synbiotic dietary supplements. Howaru Shape combines the benefits of a probiotic with prebiotic fiber and is touted as capable of improving metabolic health and promoting weight loss.

Counting calories: UK restaurant meals often contain more calories than fast-food meals, study finds

13 Dec 2018 --- The average calorie content of a restaurant meal in the UK is 977 kcal, with meals offered by full-service restaurants delivering 268 kcal more than the average fast-food option, a University of Liverpool study has found. With 39 percent of UK adults eating out at least once a week – according to a UK Food Standards Agency 2016 report – the health focused spotlight on energy content may now require a shift from fast-food to sit-down restaurants chains.

Fast-growing pharmaceuticals: Roquette acquires majority stake in Crest Cellulose

13 Dec 2018 --- Roquette has acquired a majority stake in Crest Cellulose, a major pharma packaging company in India from Pravesha Industries. As a supplier in plant-based ingredients for food, nutrition and health markets, Roquette says the move will reinforce its position as a major supplier to the pharmaceutical industry and strengthen its position in Asia and India, which are both key markets for the company in the fast-growing generic pharmaceutical sector.

Rousselot targets sports nutrition segment with collagen peptides ingredient

13 Dec 2018 --- Supplementation with the collagen peptide Peptan before and after intense exercise can reduce muscle damage, research led by Rousselot has found. Conducted with Newcastle University researchers in the UK, the study shows how the collagen ingredient can help repair connective tissues after physical activity, thereby preventing the risk of injury when used as a food supplement in sports nutrition. As the first clinical study showing the beneficial effects of collagen peptides for exercise recovery, the findings support the ingredient’s positioning as suitable for sports nutrition.

Allergen labeling: Coop rolls out NiceLabel solution across bakeries, strengthening traceability and food safety

12 Dec 2018 --- Swiss retailer Coop is collaborating with developer of label design software NiceLabel to enhance the company’s labeling processes at its factories and in-store bakeries. The system helps food & beverage manufacturers to meet regulatory and regional label requirements and improves food safety. It comes as industry reviews labeling allergens in the wake of two allergy-related deaths of Pret a Manger customers and while an increasing amount of global consumers are reportedly suffering from food allergies.

“Triple burden of nutrition” a cause for concern in Europe and Central Asia, FAO report finds

12 Dec 2018 --- More than 14 million adults and 4.7 million children in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) suffer from “severe food insecurity,” as highlighted in a report released this week by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The region has made good progress on eradicating hunger but continues to be thwarted by the persistence of the triple burden of malnutrition – overweight and obesity in combination with undernourishment and micronutrient deficiencies. Largely, populations suffering from undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are located in Central Asia and the Caucaus, while European countries are afflicited by overnutrition issues.

Low salt diet benefits women more than men, study suggests

12 Dec 2018 --- Following a low salt diet is more effective in lowering blood pressure in women than men, according to a study from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Even though the levels of salt retention are similar in both sexes, the researchers found that blood pressure was more elevated in females.