Linked banner for FIC 2026 in Shanghai, Mar 17–19, featuring grandfather and child with “Better lifelong health starts here” by Novonesis
scientist in lab gear dropping liquid under microscope

Animal-free protein digestibility tests provide low-cost alternatives for novel ingredients

Nine laboratories are proposing cruelty-free alternatives to animal-based testing for protein digestibility in food labeling. Nutrition Insight speaks with the scientist whose team carried out tests using new methods to support this transition, as current US and Canadian regulations rely on using animals for specific food ingredient tests. The new methods come amid a rise in alternative protein innovations. Supporting the study, the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences points out that companies creating new food and ingredients cannot back them with existing data that do not cover these new items. Thus, animal-based digestibility tests become a costly and ethical hurdle.
Old happy woman stretches arms in the air outdoors
R&D on health span targets aging pathways and solutions for lifelong vitality
The consumer need for ageless vitality, or health span, is driving several transformations in the industry, from shifting the language and mindset about aging to evolving R&D priorities and approaches in this sector. Nutrition Insight speaks with Gnosis by Lesaffre, Valio, Lactalis Ingredients, Sirio, Balchem Human Nutrition and Health, and Akay Bioactives to uncover more. “For decades, the discussion centered on the promise of turning back the clock. Now, a more nuanced and responsible paradigm is emerging — lifelong vitality. Rather than focusing on how long we live, the emphasis is shifting toward how well we live at every stage of life,” explains Silvia Pisoni, global operational marketing director at Gnosis by Lesaffre.
Mushroom supplement capsules
Hifas da Terra strengthens mushroom supplements through clinical research
With mushroom supplements growingly available and recognized by consumers for broad immunity and brain health claims, Hifas da Terra emphasizes the growing focus on clinically backed claims and traceable ingredients for health and wellness. The European biotech company recently launched its medicinal mushroom supplements on the US market. The company’s solutions are based on over 25 years of research and clinical development and include products with mushrooms’ fruiting bodies and full mushrooms, including their mycelium or root network.
The Many Problems of One Heart
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Balchem Human Nutrition & Health video thumbnail: Portrait of a middle-aged man in a circular frame over a background of colorful assorted pills and supplements
Balchem: Emerging and underestimated forces shaping nutrition industry over the next decade

Dominik Mattern, VP of Science, Business Development, and Marketing at Balchem, discusses major trends shaping the nutrition industry. Overseeing the Human Nutrition & Health division, he highlights metabolic health amid the rise of weight management and active nutrition and demands for nutrient-dense and clean label formulations. Consumers are also seeking mental health solutions, while social media influencers drive trends in the supplement industry. Mattern reflects on “underestimated forces” shaping the industry and Balchem’s future directions.

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Expo West 2026 review: Functional nutrition for GLP-1 support, gut health & women’s wellness
At the Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show (Mar 3–6), the nutrition, food, and beverage industries showcased innovations in functional, tasty wellness products in consumer-friendly formats. In Anaheim, California, US, solutions supporting women’s health, gut microbiome, GLP-1 use, and weight management took center stage. Exhibitors spotlighted nutrient-dense products focusing on protein, postbiotics, probiotics, fiber, natural colors, and clean label solutions. We look back at some of the key innovations and companies at Expo West this year.

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Danone expands functional nutrition portfolio with Huel acquisition
Huel product range
Danone has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Huel, an international company offering complete, nutritionally balanced meal solutions. The French F&B company says the acquisition is in line with its Renew Danone strategy and will enhance its presence in functional nutrition. Acquiring Huel will enable Danone to extend its portfolio into the Complete Nutrition space, with Huel’s range of food forms, such as ready-to-drink beverages and powders. 
Ultra-processed foods linked to infertility among US women
couple struggling with infertility
A study has found an association between ultra-processed foods consumption and infertility in US women. The patterns remained consistent when accounting for factors such as obesity and lifestyle. The research team stresses that the findings reflect a larger problem than obesity and cardiovascular health from consuming ultra-processed foods.
Arla Foods Ingredients’ hydrolyzed whey protein supports healthy infant growth
Person making infant formula bottle
Clinical research reveals that infant formula with Arla Foods Ingredients’ Lacprodan IF-3070 supports healthy growth similar to that of breastfed babies. The partially hydrolyzed whey protein ingredient is designed to support gastrointestinal comfort in healthy infants. The triple-blind, randomized clinical study compared infant formula with intact protein only to a combination of intact protein and Lacprodan IF-3070 and breastfed babies during their first six months of life. 
Little Spoon launches organic baby milk to improve infant formula transparency...
Little Spoon
Little Spoon has entered the infant formula category with its new Organic Grass-Fed Whole Milk Infant Formula. The brand highlights its robust safety standards, noting that each batch of infant formula undergoes independent testing for more than 500 potential toxins and contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbiological pathogens. The company claims it is the first infant formula brand to publicly define its own safety standards, which it says are more strict than industry-wide used standards. This includes defined thresholds for microbiological and chemical contaminants. It also discloses batch-level testing results against those standards.
Beyond GLP-1: Metabolites in snake blood show weight loss potential
a ball pythons and Burmese python
Research has discovered an appetite-suppressing compound in python blood, allowing them to consume large meals while remaining metabolically healthy for long periods without needing to consume more. They believe that para-tyramine-O-sulfate (pTOS) could inspire chemically synthesized analogs to inspire weight loss and sarcopenia therapies.
Cargill chief economist warns “food security is global security” as index...
Food plantation.

Food Ingredients First

Global food systems are far more vulnerable than policymakers assume, a new 60-country resilience benchmark warns, with no nation scoring above 80 out of 100 and climate risk emerging as a universal weak spot. The findings have emerged as the Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupts a third of globally traded fertilizer, threatening major knock on effects for the F&B industry worldwide. The inaugural Resilient Food Systems Index (RFSI), published by Economist Impact and supported by Cargill, evaluates resilience across four pillars — affordability, availability, quality and safety, and climate risk responsiveness — using 71 indicators, and identifies a 42-point gap between the most resilient system (Portugal, 76.83) and the least (Democratic Republic of Congo, 34.86). 
Highlighted features
Indian man standing at grocery shop looking into freezer
Nutrition & Health News
LabelBlind: India’s packaged foods hit by nutrition label...
LabelBlind Solutions has found several instances of claims noncompliant with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations across staple and new food categories in India. The nation’s first AI-led digital food labeling service flags the trend, which increases the risk of consumer confusion about what is truly nutritious and healthy, especially regarding products made for children. Nutrition Insight speaks with LabelBlind’s founder, who urges stricter governance, especially amid India’s long battle against undernutrition, while obesity, non-communicable diseases, and metabolic disorders are rising.
Bragg Metabolism Support Supplement
Key interview
Can supplements mimic GLP-1? Bragg’s metabolic support...
As rapid weight-loss GLP-1 medications gain more mainstream attention, consumers are increasingly asking whether supplements can “do the same thing,” highlights Bragg. The wellness brand has recently launched a Metabolism Support Supplement that blends its apple cider vinegar with a hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) flower extract and a lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) leaf extract. Nutrition Insight speaks to Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, professor emeritus at Tufts University, US, and the scientist behind Bragg’s Metabolism Support Supplement, who details the nuances between pharmacological and nutritional solutions for weight loss.
Expo West 2026 trade show floor
Nutrition & Health News
Expo West 2026: Gut health and weight management...
Weight management, gut and women’s health, alongside nutrient-dense formulations dominated innovation at Natural Products Expo West 2026 (Mar 3–6) in Anaheim, California, US. Companies showcased new protein-forward concepts, combinations of probiotics and postbiotics, and clinically-backed ingredients. At the trade show, Nutrition Insight caught up with Saanroo, Kerry, Aker BioMarine, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, and ADM to discuss multifunctional ingredients, delivery technology to improve bioavailability, and new supplement formats. 

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Ageless vitality solutionsMar2026

Innova Market Insights data shows the rising influence of healthy aging solutions as consumers globally boost their protein intake to support longevity and well-being. This trend has driven innovation...

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Lactalis Ingredients

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Botanical wellness boosts Mar 2026

Innova Market Insights’ data indicates that botanical/herbal supplements accounted for 20% of global supplement launches in 2025. More than a third of these launches featured a brain-mood health claim, while a whey-free claim witnessed a 100% CAGR (2021–2025). Ashwagandha ranked highest among herbal ingredients, and lion’s mane mushroom extract showed the fastest growth.

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Omega-3 supplement market trendsMar 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers are actively including omega-3 in their diets. It remains a steady performer in supplement innovation, but new product development is accelerating as sustainable, eco-friendly, and vegan omega-3 options begin making waves in the market. Most often, omega-3 supplements come in soft gel format, but there has been an increase in omega-3 capsule supplement launches.

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Balchem Human Nutrition & Health video thumbnail: Portrait of a middle-aged man in a circular frame over a background of colorful assorted pills and supplements
Video17:50
Balchem: Emerging and underestimated forces shaping nutrition industry over the next decade

Dominik Mattern, VP of Science, Business Development, and Marketing at Balchem, discusses major trends shaping the nutrition industry. Overseeing the Human Nutrition & Health division, he highlights metabolic health amid the rise of weight management and active nutrition and demands for...

Kyoko Saito, Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Expo West 2026, Natural Products Expo West, Probiotics, Postbiotics, Gut Brain Axis, Microbiome, Functional Ingredients, LAC Living, Digestive Health, Mental W
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Expo West 2026: Morinaga Nutritional Foods’ probiotics and postbiotics target the gut-brain axis
Maggie McNamara, Saanroo
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Expo West 2026: Saanroo showcases delivery technology to improve ingredient bioavailability 
NPEW 2026 Gelita video thumbnail: Trade show booth for GELITA collagen featuring a fitness poster promoting active beauty, active aging, and nutrition, with a smiling woman displayed in a circular ins
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Gelita spotlights collagen peptides for mobility and healthy aging at Expo West 2026
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