Aronvit banner promoting next-generation gut health ingredients from Greenvit, with digestive imagery and a woman holding her abdomen.
Man shopping pet food

RL Labs urges pet food companies to overhaul labels with new AAFCO guidelines

US-based RL Labs urges pet food brands to generate new labels in compliance with Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines. Its publication of the Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) initiative in January 2024 kicked off a transition period up to 2030 to overhaul pet food packaging, but RL Labs cautions that most brands have not started the process. The company offers testing services, performed using internationally recognized methods. It also has a complete PFLM compliance testing package in place. 
man wearing headphones, eats chocolate bar, in outdoor environment
Industry experts reveal how to balance sugar reduction demands with health and taste
Sugar reduction strategies involve more than just removing sugar from products to make them healthier. The food industry has to balance healthiness, taste, and texture to ensure that foods remain enjoyable and nutritious for consumers. Additionally, formulators are experimenting with multifunctional ingredients with added health benefits that deliver more than sweetness. 
Dumbells attached to a clock
Niagen Bioscience study links NAD+ supplement to slower muscle aging markers
Longevity brand Niagen Bioscience spotlights new findings from one of the first human studies suggesting that restoring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels through supplementation can slow epigenetic aging in skeletal muscle following high-intensity exercise. However, researchers caution that accelerated markers of DNA aging right after physical activity could be an indicator of temporary cellular stress rather than signals of actual aging.
M-GARD logo over a brightly lit Arctic coastal city beneath green northern lights and snow-covered mountains.
From yeast cell walls to immunity: The beta-glucan journey
Yeast beta‑glucans unlock a new approach to immune health, training innate defenses for greater efficiency. Pioneering research for more than 45 years, this document presents the key milestones for M-Gard®.  With a unique structure and strong scientific backing, M‑Gard® delivers daily immune resilience and helps consumers stay prepared for everyday challenges.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Lallemand Bio-Ingredients.
Whey Collagen The Protein power couple
Whey & Collagen: The Protein Power Couple
A perfect match. Whey and collagen blends are stepping into the spotlight, driven by economic strains in the whey market but also by the undeniable, increasing awareness of collagen peptides and their benefits. Discover how the right blend can offer comprehensive joint support, promote holistic well-being—spanning beauty from within, gut comfort, and even improved sleep—or drive metabolic wellness through effective glucose spike management and natural GLP-1 production.By adding value through price optimization, formulation advantages, and additional health benefits, blending whey protein with premium, science-based collagen peptides such as Peptan® or Nextida® GC holds the potential to be a game-changer. Whether you are developing sports nutrition beverages, functional foods, or holistic health supplements, this session will reveal how leveraging this dynamic mix can help your products stand out on the shelf.
Mónica Gómez Navarro, Bioiberica
Bioiberica: Formulating with multifunctional healthy aging ingredients

Mónica Gómez Navarro, marketing manager of Branded Ingredients at Bioiberica, shares how functional ingredients support long-term wellness. She details how Bioiberica’s Mobilee targets joint mobility and muscle health for active seniors, Dermial and Collavant n2’s support for skin health over time, and how DAOgest connects gut health to broader healthy aging goals, offering brands a range of multibenefit solutions.

Latest headlines

View more
Glucose spotted as key driver of human brain evolution in study
Fruits at market
Scientists have found evidence that fruit, honey, and other naturally sweet foods have helped fuel the evolution of the human brain, challenging the popular scientific standpoint of meat consumption being the main driver of human evolution. By modeling the glucose needs of humans, tracing back four million years ago, the researchers found that natural sugar may have supplied energy for our growing brains before cooking made certain foods such as grains and tubers easier to digest.
Dairy matrix may explain full-fat health benefits, researchers say
Father and daughter drinking milk
A Canadian study has demonstrated that full-fat dairy might be healthier than low-fat dairy, challenging decades of advice. Full-fat dairy is commonly associated with negative health effects such as weight gain, energy metabolism, blood lipid levels, and body composition. However, the study found that three daily servings of full-fat dairy caused none of these effects over the study’s 12-week time period, but instead brought health benefits. Dairy products contain saturated fats, linking them to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and higher cholesterol. To reduce this, low-fat or no-fat dairy products have been encouraged and recommended in dietary guidelines across multiple countries.
Synergy Flavors taps taste modulation for high-protein and low-sugar drinks
Sugar cubes in a glass
Amid a consumer demand for healthier, reduced-sugar drinks and high-protein options, Synergy Flavors highlights the importance of taste modulation. The company says its Smart Sugar Control technologies can improve sweetness perception in beverages with limited or zero sugar. Solutions within this proprietary platform are designed to influence how consumers perceive a product’s sensory attributes, such as sweetness, mouthfeel, texture, and aftertaste. The company explains that taste modulation can reduce the presence of off-notes and undesirable textures, such as the astringency or “chalkiness” common to high-protein beverages or the unpleasant taste left by some synthetic sweeteners, to offer a “cleaner” taste.
USDA adds watermelon rind’s nutrition profile to FoodData Central
Fresh watermelon
Watermelon rind has been assigned an official nutrition profile in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Central database. The new USDA nutrient profile outlines that a third of a cup serving (50 g) of diced raw watermelon rind contains 10 calories and offers 1 gram of dietary fiber, as well as 140 mg of potassium and 4 mg of vitamin C. While the rind is not a replacement for watermelon’s nutrient-dense flesh, the USDA profile highlights its complementary nutritional value as an underutilized source of nutrients. The guidance offers registered dieticians, researchers, and recipe developers a benchmark for using the ingredient in recipes, encouraging the utility of the whole fruit.
P&G to acquire supplement company Thorne for US$3.8B to boost health portfolio
Thorne on phone and website
P&G has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thorne, which will join its Health Care portfolio. With the acquisition, P&G expects to better meet growing consumer demand for preventive and personalized health. Investment firm L Catterton has reported that it is selling Thorne for US$3.8 billion. P&G’s CEO, Shailesh Jejurikar, confirmed this purchase price in an interview with CNBC yesterday.
Blackcurrant carves out premium niche in food and beverage innovation
Glass of blackcurrant juice on a chopping board with blackcurrants.

Food Ingredients First

Blackcurrant may not have the global scale of strawberry or raspberry, but its distinctive flavor, intense color, and premium positioning are creating new opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers. As brands and manufacturers seek ingredients that deliver multiple benefits — from flavor and visual appeal to clean label credentials — blackcurrant is gaining traction across beverages, confectionery, dairy and functional foods.
Highlighted features
July in Review
Nutrition & Health News
July in review: Gray market peptides, teen GLP-1 use &...
Metabolic health, supplement safety, AI-powered innovation, and global nutrition security were key topics shaping the nutrition industry last month. Debates over the health impacts of plastic food packaging and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) continued, as scientific research explored the benefits of creatine for mental health. In our July review, Nutrition Insight explores some of the month’s biggest stories, including warnings that gray market peptides are blurring the boundaries between drugs and supplements. 
mother breastfeeding baby on chair at home
Nutrition & Health News
World Breastfeeding Week: Studies find gut, ADHD & sleep...
For World Breastfeeding Week, Nutrition Insight explores some of the latest research on breastfeeding benefits. A review breaks down stigmatized myths in the medical sector, while other research papers reveal how the nutrition source makes infants’ gut bacteria resilient into adulthood, may prevent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and could improve sleep. 
Woman checking supplements in store
Business News
PharmaLinea sees China shifting from nutraceutical...
The Chinese nutraceutical market is increasingly relevant for international brands and manufacturers, says supplement manufacturer PharmaLinea. The company observes opportunities for international companies that want to expand their reach and connect with a large and increasingly health-conscious consumer base. Citing data from Innova Market Insights, PharmaLinea notes that more than 25% of Chinese supplement users have increased their intake over the past year, while 80% purchase supplements at least once a month. 

Nutrition focus

View more
Image

Beauty-boosting nutritionJul2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers are increasingly prioritizing skin health, with many already using supplements to support it. This growing interest is driving innovation in the beau...

Brought to you by:

Verisol

Product innovation

View more
Image

Smart sugar control Aug 2026

According to data from Innova Market Insights 44% of consumers globally are reducing sugar to eat healthier. Sugar reduction is increasingly moving beyond traditional “low sugar” claims, with brands combining reduced sugar formulations with added functional benefits such as protein, fiber, probiotics, and electrolytes.

Trend analysis

View more
Image

Advanced immune supportAug 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers globally sought to improve their immune health over the past year. Reflecting this demand, global supplement launches with immune health claims grew by +5% YoY, comparing April 2025–March 2026 with April 2024–March 2025. The Lion’s mane mushroom was the fastest-growing ingredient, with a 19% CAGR (Apr 2021–Mar 2026), while gel formats gained momentum in immune health supplement innovation.

Multimedia

View more
Mónica Gómez Navarro, Bioiberica
Video05:46
Bioiberica: Formulating with multifunctional healthy aging ingredients

Mónica Gómez Navarro, marketing manager of Branded Ingredients at Bioiberica, shares how functional ingredients support long-term wellness. She details how Bioiberica’s Mobilee targets joint mobility and muscle health for active seniors, Dermial and Collavant n2’s support for skin health over...

Denisse Colindres, Beneo
Video09:39
IFT FIRST 2026: Beneo targets different GLP-1 stages and fiber diversity
Image
Video04:18
IFT FIRST 2026: Nexira debuts functional mushroom extracts for adaptogenic beverages
Marina Crocker, Hilmar
Video04:53
Hilmar: Tight supply and growing demand boost US whey protein competitiveness in Europe
Subscribe to our newsletters
PlatformsFood Ingredients FirstNutrition InsightPackaging InsightsPersonal Care InsightsThe World of Food Ingredients
About usContact usAdvertisingPrivacy statementSitemapArchiveEditorial Team
Follow us
Image