May in review: Healthy aging trends at Vitafoods Europe, Republicans move to cut SNAP benefits

In May’s major health and nutrition industry news, we looked at healthy aging innovations and trends at Vitafoods Europe 2025. At the same time, we spoke with Bioiberica about its latest collagen certification. We also talked with experts about the dangers of influencer-led misinformation on nutrition and diets.

In our May review, Nutrition Insight highlights some of the month’s biggest stories, including Nexira’s sustainability award for its acacia gum initiative, Nestlé’s decision to phase out Nutri-Score in Switzerland, and a recent study on the dangers of low neonatal vitamin D levels.

We also looked at the move by the US Republican party to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by US$290 billion, warnings from WHO and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) about starvation in Gaza, Plans to turn Nextida into its own company, and experts warnings about a coming global omega-3 shortage.

Vitafoods Europe 2025: Healthy aging innovations in muscle, gut, eye, and women’s health
At Vitafoods Europe 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, the spotlight was on healthy aging, with companies showcasing nutraceuticals aimed at supporting muscle health, digestion, immunity, metabolism, vision, and women’s health, particularly during menopause. We spoke with industry leaders from IFF Health Sciences, Lallemand Health Solutions, Epax, and Givaudan about this expanding sector and the company’s latest science-backed advancements and solutions that are tailored to the evolving health needs associated with aging.

Bioiberica becomes the first to attain NutraStrong Collagen Verification
Bioiberica achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first collagen manufacturer to receive the NutraStrong Collagen Verification for its native (undenatured) type II collagen ingredient, Collavant n2. This certification, awarded by the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) and managed by Alkemist Labs, validates the ingredient’s quality and authenticity. We discussed the company’s certification with its R&D and quality director, who explained the verification, which involved rigorous testing to confirm the presence and concentration of undenatured type II collagen, ensuring it meets established standards.We spoke with ADM’s marketing director for EMEA about its ES1 postbiotic, which won the Vitafoods Innovation award in gut health and immunity.

Experts call for crackdown as influencers’ nutrition misinformation put millions at risk
A recent study revealed that nutrition advice from 53 social media influencers could endanger up to 24 million people, as these individuals often lack formal health or nutrition qualifications. These “super-spreaders” promote unverified practices, including extreme diets and unproven therapies, for personal gain. We caught up with experts from the Rooted Research Collective, who emphasized the urgent need for stricter regulations to combat this growing trend of misinformation. They also highlighted the importance of relying on evidence-based guidance from qualified professionals to ensure public health safety.

Vitafoods Europe 2025: Nexira’s acacia gum program wins sustainability award
At Vitafoods Europe 2025, Nexira showcased its latest innovations in natural health solutions, focusing on women’s health, microbiome support, and sustainable practices. The company introduced a new range of acacia-based ingredients designed to promote gut health and overall well-being and its commitment to sustainability was recognized with an award for its acacia gum program, highlighting its efforts in responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. We talked with Nexira’s marketing and communication manager about how these developments underscore its dedication to advancing health and nutrition through natural, science-backed ingredients.

Nestlé Switzerland ditches Nutri-Score and opts for QR codes on select brands
Nestlé Switzerland revealed plans to gradually remove Nutri-Score labels from its locally sold brands. The decision was attributed to declining support for Nutri-Score in Switzerland, and Nestlé said its products were often the only ones displaying the Nutri-Score labels in their categories. The company said it plans to replace Nutri-Score with QR codes on the packaging that will direct consumers to detailed nutritional information. Nestlé said the phase-out is specific to the Swiss market and will not affect its use of Nutri-Score in other EU nations where the system is still supported.Novonesis’ VP of strategy, portfolio, and marketing and its director of strategic marketing and branding spoke with us about the company's latest innovations and future focuses.

Infants lacking vitamin D at higher risk of ADHD, autism and schizophrenia
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry revealed that newborns with vitamin D deficiency faced a significantly higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and schizophrenia. Researchers analyzed health data from over 70,000 Danish individuals born between 1981 and 2005, finding that low vitamin D levels at birth correlated with increased incidences of these conditions. We examined the results, which estimated that adequate neonatal vitamin D levels could potentially prevent 15% of schizophrenia cases, 9% of ADHD cases, and 5% of ASD cases.

Republicans seek US$290B SNAP cut despite health and nutrition experts’ outcry
The Republican-led US House Agriculture Committee proposed cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by US$290 billion over ten years and redirect the funds to farm policy. Health and nutrition organizations warned this could harm public health and the economy. We looked at the proposal, which included stricter eligibility criteria, increased work requirements, reduced state reimbursements, and program eliminations. House Agriculture Committee chairman Glenn Thompson argued that SNAP had strayed from its original purpose and needed reform to reduce inefficiencies, encourage employment, and ensure accountability. He believed the changes would restore SNAP as a temporary support system rather than a long-term dependency for US households.

WHO and IPC urge immediate action as one in five people in Gaza faces starvation
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that the entire population of Gaza had been experiencing severe acute food insecurity, with approximately half a million people at risk of starvation. We looked at the IPC analysis that warned of a high risk of famine in the coming months without urgent intervention. The IPC emphasized the need to end hostilities, allow unrestricted humanitarian aid, restore essential services and commercial activity, and deliver lifesaving support. At the same time, WHO, an IPC partner, noted that the risk of famine continued to rise due to the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid during the blockade.The CEO and founder of Qina, sat down with us to discuss the future of ethical and inclusive AI in nutrition.

Rousselot and PB Leiner to combine collagen and gelatin know-how in new Nextida company
Darling Ingredients, the parent company of Rousselot and its Nextida collagen peptide platform, announced that it had entered a partnership with Belgium-based Tessenderlo Group’s PB Leiner division to establish a joint venture named Nextida. The initiative, outlined in a non-binding term sheet, aimed to merge their collagen and gelatin operations into a single global company focused on health, wellness, and nutrition. We examined the deal, which plans to have Darling Ingredients hold an 85% stake, while Tessenderlo Group retains 15%. The new venture projects an annual revenue of US$1.5 billion, a production capacity of 200,000 metric tons, and operating 23 facilities across four continents.

Researchers warn of global omega-3 deficiencies and supply shortage
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University warned of a global omega-3 shortage driven by rising ocean temperatures, overfishing, and pollution. We look at the study’s results that revealed 85% of the global population failed to consume adequate omega-3 levels. The study’s lead author and a research scientist at the university’s School of Medicine, emphasized that the findings had serious and far-reaching health implications. The study also highlighted environmental challenges affecting marine ecosystems, which in turn threatened the availability of omega-3-rich sources like fish. The researchers called for urgent strategies to address both the environmental and nutritional aspects of this growing public health concern.