Japan focus: Shiseido’s beauty-from-within ampoule drinks, Meiji study on NMN for infants, GMP guidelines, Kirin-Kao collaboration
Shiseido to launch beauty-from-within ampoule drinks in Japan, China from April 2024
Shiseido will be launching a set of beauty-from-within supplements that come in the form of ampoule drinks in Japan and China from April 2024.
The new range, consisting of three SKUs, is an extension to the existing line-up under INRYU, which is available in Japan and via cross-border e-commerce in China.
Speaking to NutraIngredients-Asia, Carol Zhou, senior VP, China Business Innovations and Investments at Shiseido, emphasised that the beauty-from-within category was “a key strategic area” that the company was focusing on.
NMN for infants: Meiji study suggests this could be ‘important nutrient’ for early childhood development
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is known for its longevity-related health claims, but a new observational study from Meiji suggests that a higher concentration of NMN in breast milk is linked to significantly better motor and communication skills in breastfed babies.
Writing in Nutrients, researchers from Meiji and Tohoku University believes that NMN may be “an important nutrient” for early childhood development.
The study is said to be the first of its kind that examines the concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-related substances in breast milk on a large scale.
Kale consumption significantly improves bowel movement and alters certain gut microbes – Japan RCT
The intake of kale has been found to modify the gut microbiota and increase defecation frequency, especially among those with low stool amounts, according to a four-week trial that took place in Japan.
Twenty-four women aged 20 to 59 with constipation tendencies were randomised to consume kale (collard-type kale and powdered whole kale leaf) or the control food.
It was found that kale consumption for four weeks had significantly increased the frequency of stool defecation in the control group, compared to that in the placebo group.
Japan to implement self-inspection and GMP guidelines for health foods businesses
Japan is to implement self-inspection and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards for companies in the health foods business, with a particular focus on tablets, capsules and liquids.
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare expects to implement the self-inspection and GMP guidelines in the second part of January.
The guidelines will help companies self-inspect the safety of the raw materials used for making health foods, and also apply to firms that manufacture, process, and sell finished products containing natural extracts.
Kirin and Kao launch dual-function supplement for immune support and visceral fat reduction on the back of joint research
Kirin Holdings and Kao Corporation have collaborated to introduce a dual-function supplement targeting immunity and visceral fat.
The new product, named Kirin iMUSE Immune Care and Healthya Visceral Fat Down, was born from a joint research project between Kirin and Kao.
“Kirin has been actively expanding its line-up of functional food products with immunity claims. Since obesity and immunity are important and familiar concerns for Japanese people, we believe there is a strong need for consumers to address both issues simultaneously and easily,” Sumiko Oi from Kirin’s Corporate Communications department told NutraIngredients-Asia.
