Oct. 16 is World Food Day, a global campaign to celebrate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization 80 years ago, and to work toward a healthy, sustainable, food-secure future. More than 670 million people in the world are facing hunger. Millions of others are facing rising obesity rates and struggle to get healthy food for proper nutrition. World Food Day calls on not only world governments, but business, academia, the media, and even the youth to take action to promote resilient food systems and combat hunger. This year, the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Laboratory (J-WAFS) is spotlighting an MIT researcher who is working toward this goal by studying food and water systems in the Global South. J-WAFS seed grants provide funding to early-stage research projects that are unique to prior work. In an 11th round of seed grant funding in 2025, 10 MIT faculty members received support to carry out their cutting-edge water and food research. Ali Aouad PhD '17, assistant professor of operations management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, was one of those grantees. 'I had searched before joining MIT what kind of research centers and initiatives were available that tried to coalesce research on food systems,' Aouad says. 'And so, I was very excited about J-WAFS.'...

The two firms are competing alongside Nutreco, a Netherlands-based animal nutrition company, according to Dutch outlet Financieele Dagblad. Binding offers are due by 24 July, with dsm-firmenich aiming to complete the deal later this summer. The sale is part of dsm-firmenich's plan to streamline its portfolio by carving out the Animal Health and Nutrition division before the end of 2025. The move is expected to reduce the company's exposure to earnings volatility associated with the vitamins sector and sharpen its focus on higher-margin segments like fragrances and flavours. This deal marks the latest example of private equity's continued interest in high-growth, carve-out opportunities across Europe. Both CVC and Apollo have extensive track records in cross-border corporate carve-outs and sector-specialist buyouts. Subscribe to our Newsletter to increase your edge. Don't worry about the news anymore, through our newsletter you'll receive weekly access to what is happening. Join 120,000 other PE professionals today....

Whenever the keto diet is discussed, there's going to be beef. But this time it's different. A new research paper on the diet's effects has whipped the nutrition field into a frenzy. Researchers behind the study say it supports keto's health credentials; opponents claim the research shows the exact opposite. Cue public spats on social media, questions about the study's rigor, and calls for it to be withdrawn. 'It's a collective mess,' says Kevin Klatt, an assistant research scientist and instructor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences and Toxicology at UC Berkeley. Published on April 7 in JACC: Advances, the paper examines the relationship between cholesterol and the ketogenic diet'the practice of consuming low-carb, high-fat foods to try to push the body into 'ketosis,' where cells burn fat instead of carbs for energy. Keto diets have become a popular strategy used by millions for losing weight, though detractors have questioned how healthy it is to consistently consume high amounts of fat....

Founded in 2011 by CEO Georges Devesa, Nutrisens has rapidly grown into one of Europe's leading providers of clinical nutrition products. Its offerings target medical conditions such as malnutrition, dysphagia, and muscle loss, with a focus on supporting elderly and vulnerable patients. The company now operates in over 30 countries and employs more than 750 staff. Cinven's French regional and healthcare sector teams jointly identified Nutrisens as a compelling opportunity, citing its robust organic growth, international footprint, and scalable business model. Nutrisens has delivered double-digit growth and margin expansion, backed by a strong management team that will reinvest alongside Cinven post-transaction. 'Nutrisens is a standout player in the clinical nutrition space, with a strong track record of innovation and a deep commitment to improving patient health,' said Pierre Estrade, Partner and Head of Cinven's French Regional team. 'Together we see significant opportunities to expand Nutrisens' reach and impact.'...