Beyond The Headlines: US’ growing nutrition insecurity, Tate & Lyle dubbed “Climate Leaders”

17 May 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, Feeding America revealed the results of its “Map the Meal Gap” study. At the same time, Tate & Lyle was recognized as a European climate leader by Statista and the Financial Times. Meanwhile, Symrise revealed the results of the company’s annual general meeting.

Nutrition News
Feeding America unveiled its annual “Map the Meal Gap” study showing that Americans facing hunger now require an additional US$24.73 per week to afford sufficient food, the highest increase in 20 years. In total, the increase represents a national need of US$33.1 billion, a 43% increase from previous years, which is largely attributed to rising food prices and the end of pandemic-era aid programs. The study, which offers local-level estimates of food insecurity for every US county and congressional district, underscores an urgent need for action against food insecurity in the country. Feeding America emphasized that the impact of high food prices on families could force many to choose between food and other essentials like healthcare and utilities. The report calls on Congress to strengthen federal nutrition programs to help alleviate this growing issue. The study also points out that food and nutrition insecurity is prevalent in all US regions, with significant disparities noted in rural and Southern counties and among communities of color.

Tate & Lyle has been recognized as one of Europe’s Climate Leaders due to the company’s efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change. The recognition comes from a report created by the Financial Times and Statista, which listed 600 companies in Europe that have shown the most considerable reduction in their Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity from 2017 to 2022. Tate & Lyle’s said its proactive steps include reducing emissions and collaborating with the Science Based Targets Initiative and Carbon Disclosure Project to accelerate the decarbonization of its business and supply chain. The company’s CEO said Tate & Lyle is committed to setting ambitious, science-based targets to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure sustainable operations for future generations.Tate & Lyle were named “European Climate Leaders” by the Financial times and Statista.

Business News
Symrise held its Annual General Meeting, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability — aiming for net-zero status by 2045 — and discussed the performance of the company despite geopolitical uncertainties. The 2023 fiscal year saw stable organic sales growth of nearly 8% across its Taste, Nutrition & Health, and Scent & Care divisions. For 2024, the company projects continued success with an expected organic growth of 5–7%, outpacing market averages. Symrise also announced an efficiency program aimed at boosting profitability by €50 million (US$54.2 million). During the meeting, shareholders voted on several agenda items, including the appropriation of profits, discharges for board members, auditor appointments and modifications to corporate governance that allow for virtual meetings and new financial authorizations. All of the proposals were passed.

ADM released its 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report, which showcased the company’s sustainability and innovation progress. ADM’s CEO emphasized its expanding role in decarbonizing its industries and harnessing the bioeconomy’s potential to revolutionize food, feed, fuel and products. The report focuses on three main areas — “Feeding the World,” “Protecting Nature” and “Enriching Lives.” ADM said it leverages its extensive global assets and expertise to enhance global food access and partnering with organizations like Concern Worldwide to improve food security for farmers in Kenya while promoting its “Sustainable Affordable Nutrition.” ADM also said it has made strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a 14.7% reduction in Scope 1+2 emissions and a 7.7% decrease in Scope 3 emissions. ADM said it is also advancing regenerative agriculture and setting new goals for supply chain management. The company also donated US$20 million through ADM Cares to foster an inclusive workplace culture.

PLEZi Nutrition, co-founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama, has partnered with actress Kristen Bell, who joins as an investor and brand partner. According to the company, the collaboration will promote healthier food and beverage choices for children in the US and aid parents in creating a healthier generation. Kristen Bell shared her personal challenges in encouraging her kids to choose healthy foods and expressed her excitement about the practical solutions offered by PLEZi Nutrition, noting the appeal of PLEZi products to her children due to their taste, which meets kids’ preferences while still being a healthier option. PLEZi Nutrition said its purpose is to address the US’ nutrition-related health crisis by offering products like PLEZi FiZZ and PLEZi, which significantly reduce sugar content compared to leading brands and include essential nutrients.Kristen Bell partnered with PLEZi as an investor and brand partner (Image Credit: PLEZi).

Product Launches
GenoPalate, a nutrigenomic platform in the US, has launched GenoBlend, a plant-based protein and fiber powder tailored to an individual’s genetic nutritional needs. The company said it utilizes advancements in nutritional genetics and is formulated based on consumers’ genetic profiles to optimize protein and fiber intake and boost digestive health, weight management and energy levels. The product includes high-quality organic ingredients such as pea protein, brown rice protein, citrus fiber and oat fiber. The company emphasized personalized nutrition as “the future of wellness” and said it looks to make personalized nutritional science practical for daily use, catering to the modern consumer’s need for convenience and effectiveness in wellness products.

MuscleBlaze launched Koshaveda, a new brand that merges Ayurveda with modern science for holistic wellness. According to the company, the brand is focused on consumers looking to achieve peak performance in physical strength, mental clarity and inner balance. Koshaveda health supplements include traditional Ayurvedic formulations like Ashwagandha and Shilajit and innovative products such as T-Surge and Prash Pro. The products are designed to deliver the benefits of Ayurvedic ingredients effectively and conveniently using high-quality ingredients proven effective in Ayurvedic practices.

Scientific studies
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior focused on US firefighters’ understanding of cancer risks and their perspectives on diet as a preventative measure. Conducted by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the research explored how dietary interventions could mitigate cancer risks among firefighters, who face a higher incidence of digestive and respiratory cancers compared to the general population. The study utilized a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, recruiting participants from professional networks across the US to gather quantitative and qualitative data on their cancer history and views on nutrition’s role in cancer prevention. The study also incorporated the Health Belief Model to predict health behaviors and used the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy Version 1 to translate dietary change desires into evidence-based interventions. Out of 471 participating firefighters, nearly half strongly acknowledged their increased risk of cancer, and 44.6% believed that dietary changes could reduce this risk. Education on how to alter diet and action planning were the primary areas where participants sought guidance and concerns were raised about misinformation and the need for clear, actionable information on diet-related cancer risk reduction. The researchers said the study underlines the importance of providing targeted, reliable information and individualized support to help firefighters make effective dietary changes, suggesting a broader application of these findings in developing interventions for other high-risk occupational groups.A new study looked at how firefighters’ diets may help mitigate the risks of developing cancers, which the demographic is vulnerable to.

Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany, analyzed the diets of children and adolescents to assess their ecological sustainability, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water use. The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, highlight the significant potential and pressing need to shift younger generations toward more sustainable dietary habits. The study utilized data from the DONALD (DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed) study, which has been collecting detailed dietary, metabolic, development and health information on children since 1985. Analysis of over 5,000 3-day-weighed dietary records from 856 schoolchildren aged six to 17 between 2000 and 2021 revealed trends in greenhouse gas emissions associated with their diets. Results indicated an increase in emissions from 2000 to 2010, followed by a decrease, suggesting that changes in dietary habits could further reduce emissions. The research team also evaluated the nutrient adequacy of children’s diets, finding suboptimal levels of calcium and iron. This nutritional analysis showed that diets higher in nutrient adequacy did not necessarily correlate with reduced environmental impact, particularly in diets high in animal-based foods. The results emphasize the importance of developing context-specific nutritional guidelines that cater to the unique needs of children and adolescents and the need for more research to refine recommendations for an ecologically sustainable and nutritionally adequate diet for young people.

By William Bradford Nichols

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