Beyond The Headlines: Dutch grocer rolls out Nutri-Score on all products, India reveals plan to combat obesity

This week in nutrition news, Albert Heijn moved to implement the Nutri-Score label on all products offered in its stores across the Netherlands. At the same time, India’s government unveiled plans to combat the rise of obesity in the nation, while Canada implemented initiatives to help members of the country and its Armed Forces eat healthy, even in challenging situations.

Nutrition news

Albert Heijn, the Netherlands’ largest grocery store chain, made Nutri-Score available on all its products to help customers make healthier choices. The Nutri-Score rating is now on electronic price tags in stores, online in the webshop, and in the chain’s “AH” app. The company stated that since early 2022, over 6,000 of its Albert Heijn-brand products have been displaying Nutri-Score to help guide customers toward better and more nutritious options. The supermarket began implementing Nutri-Score for A-brand products in phases, starting with dairy, breakfast cereals, and snacks, and emphasized the importance of small, achievable steps in promoting healthier and more accessible eating for everyone.

Obesity has emerged as a major public health challenge in India, affecting all age groups and increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Driven by unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles, obesity rose rapidly in both urban and rural areas. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address, called for nationwide awareness, emphasizing the importance of reduced edible oil consumption. The government has also launched initiatives like the Fit India Movement and the Eat Right India to promote healthier lifestyles. According to Modi’s administration, 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men were overweight, with childhood obesity also rising.

The health and nutrition organization Dietitians of Canada marked March as the Nourish to Flourish Nutrition Month and highlighted how healthy food supports health, mental well-being, and social connections. Canada’s Strengthening the Forces (STF) program provided resources like the “Essential Nutrition Course,” designed to help individuals eat well even in challenging environments. The course covered topics such as fueling the body, protein, and fiber intake, budgeting for healthy eating, and meal planning. It also included insights on food labels, mindful eating, and grocery savings. Participants registered through local STF health promotion teams, who also organized briefings and nutrition initiatives to support the health and well-being of Canada’s Armed Forces members.

Business news

Garden of Life revealed it has successfully recertified as a B Corporation (B Corp), achieving its highest B Impact Score — 106.2. This places the brand among the top companies in the vitamin, mineral, and supplement category. Garden of Life emphasized that the recertification demonstrates its commitment to uphold high standards in governance, environment, workers, customers, and community. Its latest score, nearly 15 points higher than before, reflected increased sustainability efforts like increased use of renewable energy and carbon footprint reduction. The company also maintained certifications such as USDA-Certified Organic and Non-GMO Verified.

iPRO Hydrate continued its global expansion by making its hydration beverages available in South Africa. The company said the launch was made possible through an exclusive partnership with Gordon Sweets, a Cape Town-based distributor with national reach. The premium hydration drink became available in a 500 ml format across four flavors, offering a caffeine-free, naturally sweetened option with added electrolytes and vitamins. iPRO stressed that its global presence has grown rapidly, especially in the Middle East, and its South African launch aligns with the country’s rising demand for functional beverages.

Nutrabolt, owner of C4 Energy, unveiled its “Made for Athletes, Certified for Sport” campaign. The initiative was created with the agency Flower Shop and showcases C4 Energy’s clinically studied ingredients, including CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine and BetaPower Betaine Anhydrous, designed to enhance strength and endurance. Nutrabolt said C4 Performance Energy has met many rigorous safety standards, is trusted by major sports organizations, and the campaign featured athletes like Bijan Robinson and CJ Stroud. The campaign rolled out across digital, retail, and social platforms.

Product launches

Demolish revealed that its Gen4 platform for replicating meat’s structure has made a major leap in precision and scalability at a time when the alternative protein sector had struggled to compete with conventional meat in taste, texture, nutrition, and price — particularly in whole cuts. It recreated meat’s complex textures and juiciness, making its plant-based whole cuts “nearly indistinguishable from real meat.” Additionally, the company said that with threats like bird flu and climate change impacting meat supply chains, the need for high-quality whole-cut alternatives became urgent. Gen4 is now certified for commercial production and offers a clean-label, non-GMO chicken breast with a comparable nutrition profile. Operational improvements included a sixfold increase in production throughput and a 35% cost reduction. Gen4 also provided supply chain flexibility and cost-optimized formulations.

Stryve Foods introduced four new high-protein meat snacks to meet the growing consumer demand for clean, flavorful options. The new lineup includes Stryve Original Brisket Slices and grass-fed versions of its Original and Hickory flavors, along with Vacadillos Carne Asada, a new take on the classic Mexican flavor. The company emphasized its commitment to high-quality, minimally processed protein sources and highlighted its focus on innovation and consumer trends. The new products debuted at the Natural Products Expo West 2025 and are set to be available across the US and online later this month.

Scientific studies

Kemin Industries revealed the benefits of its natural sleep nootropic, DailyZz, after a study demonstrated its positive post-sleep effects on cognitive performance. This company said its proprietary blend of spearmint and green tea extracts improves mental speed, focus, working memory, and decision-making during the day. Quality sleep is essential for overall health and also affects physical and cognitive functions, but many adults suffer from poor sleep, which impacts productivity and daytime performance. The study showed that participants taking DailyZz experienced twice the improvement in sleep quality compared to a placebo group, with a fivefold increase in focus, a 20-millisecond improvement in reaction time, and a 60% improvement in working memory.

A study from the University of Waterloo, Canada, found that one-third of Canadian adults aged 55 and older are nutritionally at risk, potentially leading to increased hospital stays and healthcare visits. Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 adults using the Seniors in the Community Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition-8 (SCREEN-8) tool to assess nutrition risk. Those with higher scores, indicating better nutrition, had significantly lower odds of hospital stays, emergency visits, or doctor consultations for infections after three years. The study highlighted the value of tools and nutrition in improving healthcare outcomes and costs, recommending the SCREEN-8 in routine use in primary care. The research underscores the importance of addressing nutrition risk to prevent malnutrition and related health issues.