A study claiming the prevalence of mislabelling and contamination in protein powder sold across India had caused an uproar among the industry and public earlier this year in April.
The study, authored by Dr Cyriac Abby Phillips, claimed that out of the 36 protein supplements analysed, 70 per cent were mislabelled as having more protein than advertised.
He also claimed the presence of fungal toxins, pesticides, and heavy metals in some of the samples.
NMN quality in question: Singapore researchers call for industry effort in meeting label claims
Commercially available NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) supplements were called out by a group of researchers in Singapore for failing to meet label claims.
First reported in March, the analysis on 18 NMN products found that three of them contained no NMN, six had NMN at levels that were 20 per cent to 100 per cent lower than what was claimed.
The products were tested at least a year before their expiry dates, and the researchers have called for an industry-wide effort in addressing product quality issues.
Amway’s Nutrilite banks on regenerative agriculture and farming partnerships to meet “ever-increasing” consumer demand
Amway said it has been focusing on regenerative agriculture to maintain a “steady provision” of botanicals for its supplement brand Nutrilite.
According to the company, regenerative agriculture refers to farming that restores soil and ecosystem health, addresses inequity, and leaves the land, waters, and climate in better shape for future generations.
This was in response to climate change and its side effects of heat stress on plants.
Breaking barriers: How to crack Indonesia’s supplement market with new formats, retail channels, and digital power – Exclusive analysis
Indonesian consumers tended to be more reactive than preventive when it comes to taking care of their health, and industry experts have urged nutraceutical firms to consider launching “lifestyle format” products when attempting to crack the market.
According to DSG Consumer Partners, the average vitamin and dietary spend per capita for the Indonesian consumers is US$7.60.
This was behind Vietnam’s US$10, China’s US$21, Malaysia’s US$31.80, and Singapore’s US$90.90.
‘India’s nutra industry could die’: Experts not in favour of drug regulator taking over governance of thriving sector
There has been extensive debate in India on whether the drug authority should take over the regulatory control of nutraceuticals since February this year.
The debate was sparked by the government’s formation of a five-member panel in examining the possibility of shifting nutraceutical regulatory control from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
One of the concerns that the industry had, was their worries of how the arrangement could stifle the development of the nutraceutical sector.
Uncle Frog’s Mushroom Gummies recall: THC likely cause of hospitalisations in Australia - Experts
Australian authorities had recalled a range of Uncle Frog’s products back in June, following reports of adverse effects such as hallucinations and seizures.
The products recalled included functional gummies containing lion’s mane and cordyceps.
At least five people have been treated in New South Wales hospitals, and there have been hospitalisations interstate reported as well.
Red yeast rice supplements scandal: Kobayashi Pharmaceutical halts production, recalls all products amid kidney disease, death cases
Apart from India’s protein powder saga and Australia’s functional gummies recall, Japan - globally recognised for its high quality standards - has come under the spotlight for Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals' red yeast rice scandal.
Reports of kidney disease and death had led to the Japanese company recalling its red yeast rice products.
The incident also caused a ripple effect to neighbouring markets like Taiwan, where local importers also had to recall products from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024: The finalists are revealed!
The annual NutraIngredients-Asia Awards announced its finalists for year 2024 on July 29.
There were a total of 16 award categories, including Innovations in Women’s Health Award, Product of the Year Awards and Ingredient of the Year Awards.
The winners were announced on September 18 in Bangkok.
Growth 2024: Why South East Asian countries are the emerging nutrition markets to look out for this year
Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam were earmarked by industry experts and companies to be the emerging nutrition markets to look out for for year 2024.
Vietnam and Thailand for example are countries where infant and maternal health companies could consider as birth rate in China declines and regulatory rules tighten.
Cambodia, on the other hand, could offer opportunities for premium products, with Swisse setting its sights on this particular market.
Shiseido to launch beauty-from-within ampoule drinks in Japan, China from April 2024
Japan’s beauty giant Shiseido had launched a beauty-from-within supplements in ampoule drinks format both locally and in China in April this year.
These products were an extension to its existing beauty-from-within brand INRYU.
