Brand New: Blackmores and Sirio Pharma featured among our latest brand stories

Brand-New-Blackmores-and-Sirio-Pharma-featured-among-our-latest-brand-stories.jpg

From Blackmores' sliding shares and Sirio's sports nutrition progress to new innovations from Israel, China and Singapore, read our latest brand news in this month's round-up.

China conundrum: Shares slide as Blackmores in-market sales slow but daigou channel still delivers

Blackmores' in-market sales in China dipped in the first half of the financial year, causing its shares to slide and emphasising the difficulty in shifting from a daigou-based model to domestic Chinese trade.

Shares fell by 23% to US$67.70 (A$95.12) today (February 19) amid the release of its latest half-year report, despite the firm reporting record revenues.

The latest results showed that sales in China were down 11% in the half to US$46.3m (A$65m), compared to the previous corresponding period.

Sports nutrition success for Sirio Pharma as firm receives China licence approval

Chinese firm Sirio Pharma has had its sports nutrition product licence approved in China, signalling new expansion opportunities for the company and its clients in the country's growing market.

The nutraceutical contract manufacturer announced that this approval allowed it to produce sports nutrition food in China, and it could therefore add special ingredients into its products.

This covers six functional classes: protein supplementary, speed and power, endurance, energy control, energy supplementary, and post-exercise recovery.

Hemp health products boost revenue by 50% at China Health Industries Holdings: Exclusive interview

China Health Industries Holdings saw its revenue jump by 50% year-on-year during the second quarter of its FY 2019, ending December 2018, on the back of strong demand for products containing hemp.

The financial results released on February 14 showed that revenue grew to US$2.7m from US$1.8m from October and December 2017 to October and December 2018.

In an interview with NutraIngredients-Asia, Xin Sun, CEO of the Heilongjiang-based firm, pointed out that revenue growth was fuelled by sales of its new hemp derivative products, including health foods and cosmetics.

Vegan probiotic yoghurt: Israeli start-up driving APAC ambition with proprietary formula

An Israeli start-up is using a proprietary formula to develop a range of vegan-friendly, allergen-free and dairy-free probiotic products alternatives in Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Yofix Probiotics, which recently began selling ONLY, its dairy-, soy- and gluten-free yoghurt, in Israel, says it uses no additives, processed ingredients, or artificial flavours or colours in the product.

Instead, it relies on the fermentation of what it calls its Bio 5 Formula — a proprietary mix of coconut, oats, lentils, sesame, and sunflower seeds — to produce the yoghurt, which currently comes in three flavours: apple and cinnamon, banana and maple, and berries.

MCT power: Singapore brand aiding cognitive and metabolic awareness around 'essence of coconut oil'

A Singapore-based firm is tapping into the science behind medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to develop and commercialise food supplements that are both nutritious and convenient to consume.dr. MCT, a brand belonging to Singaporean health food company Keto Science, carries a line of MCT products in two delivery formats: oil and powder.

Its 100% MCT oil comes in 250ml and 500ml bottles, while its MCT powder comes in either 350g tub, or a box of 30 7g sachets. These former is recommended as a salad dressing, and the latter can be added to food and drink, such as coffee, tea, smoothies, soup, stew and curry.