News, Analysis & Insights on Nutrition, Supplements, and Health
Blackmores is capitalising on white spaces in vitamins and dietary supplements (VDS) for sleep support, as it believes that nutritional interventions need to play a “much bigger role” in the holistic management of this growing problem.
The dose and timing of caffeine intake is known to affect sleep patterns, but a new study from Australia found that taking 400mg at four hours before bed would be significantly disruptive to sleep.
A̅repa is conducting further research on how a novel molecule discovered from New Zealand blackcurrants, which it has also patented, could benefit mood and cognition in healthy populations.
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Swisse Wellness is adding new dosage formats to its vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) range in Australia, with orally disintegrating tablets targeted at the younger demographic its latest endeavour.
Australia-based Cauldron Ferm has received funding from the Queensland Government to develop a first-of-its-kind precision fermentation facility in Mackay, which is expected to reduce costs and raise production capacity significantly.
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Australia’s Tummy Buddies believes that healthier product innovation for children needs to focus on bright colours and visual appeal in order to secure that crucial first purchase.
Swisse is seeking to pioneer Australia’s nootropics consumption with the launch of three new SKUs designed for focus, memory, and stress management.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering allowing the use of vitamin K2 in the form of menaquinone-7 in Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP).
An extract from bitter hops may reduce hunger and food cravings in fasting women, says a new study from New Zealand that found the product reduced energy intake by up to 14%.
The use of probiotics to improve the gut microbiota of infants that have been exposed to antibiotics has strong potential to boost the extent of immune protection conveyed by vaccination, according to recent research data.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering making the Health Star Rating (HSR) mandatory after sluggish uptake from brands, while also reviewing updates to the nutrition information panel (NIP) information on packaged foods.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
New research from New Zealand has identified a bioactive from blackcurrants that could boost mood in healthy adults.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Australia’s researchers are studying the potential of barley grains as a prebiotic to support the development of a healthy gut microbiota in babies who are transiting from full formula or breastmilk feeding to consuming their first solid foods.
A study by Australian researchers finds that older adults who consumed more zinc and iron in their diet had lower risk of incident tinnitus, but further studies are needed to confirm the association.
Kava is seeing a rapid uptake in Australia as consumers are looking to replace alcohol with a healthier alternative, says kava firm The Calmer Co.
The founder of Australia-based JSHealth Vitamins, which is expanding across Asia, says beauty-from-within success has to start by targeting the gut, and predicts that microbiome-focused innovations will continue to grow in popularity.
Powerade grew an impressive 12% in Australia over the last year. As a result, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is ramping up production capabilities for the sports drink with its largest ever investment in Australian manufacturing.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is proposing to add liver injury warnings to complementary medicines containing the popular weight management ingredient Garcinia cambogia – also known as Garcinia gummi-gutta.
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra is looking to further explore innovation opportunities for protein and phospholipids targeted at addressing mobility concerns, including muscle and joint health, amid “massive” ageing populations in Asia-Pacific.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
The combination of prebiotics and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) is gaining traction in Asia for infants, alongside prebiotics and protein for the ageing population, says Friesland Campina.
Mental wellbeing is one of the key trends driving the kids supplement industry as consumers move towards targeted formulations for children’s needs, says child-focused brand I’m Nutrients.
LittleOak is set to launch a ready-to-drink (RTD) goat milk product in Asia, which it claims to be the first in the region not to contain palm oil.
Singapore start-up Nyva is aiming to broaden sales channels of its AlcoBlock anti-hangover gummies, including convenience stores, while setting sights on expansion to markets like the US and Australia.
Swiss longevity start-up Avea is seeing strong growth in China on the back of a livestreaming event, alongside Singapore and Japan, and is eyeing entry into South Korea with its NMN and collagen products.
New Zealand-based Ārepa is doubling down on ensuring compliance with regulations regarding health claims and product labelling through submission of a scientific dossier, repackaging, and continuous research.
A study has found that 12 weeks of multi-nutrient supplementation, comprising astaxanthin, vitamin E and grape juice extract, resulted in improved episodic memory and several biomarkers associated with cognitive health.
Prebiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation has positive effects on the gut microbiome of mothers and their offspring, indicating that it is possible to intervene and modify the development of an infant’s health by regulating the gut...
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Australia is aiming to topple the US as China’s number one health supplements exporter – a title which it first held in 2018 – on the back of warming political relations and market-focused NPD.
Industry and nutrition experts in Australia suspect THC was included in a lion’s mane and cordyceps range of Uncle Frog’s Mushroom Gummies, which caused consumers to suffer symptoms including hallucinations and seizures.
Aussie health food firm Melrose Health is debuting a series of longevity-focused dietary supplements that target the declining health span of Australia’s ageing population.
New Zealand-headquartered biotech firm Nutrition From Water (NXW) is scaling up production of its microalgae-based whey for multi-market launch within the next 12 months, with first targets set on Japan, Europe, and the US.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is proposing new labelling requirements for health supplements that come in a larger dosage size.
Food firms in Australia and New Zealand have been told that that if current 70% Health Star Rating uptake targets are not hit by November next year, it is likely to lead to mandatory implementation.
Antioxidant supplementation has been found to benefit the treatment of kidney disease caused by aflatoxins, a new study reports.
Swedish probiotics specialist BioGaia is setting up two subsidiaries to oversee direct distribution of its products in Australia and New Zealand.
Swisse has taken the top spot in the Vitamins & Supplements category for Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Australia Awards 2024 for the first time in 10 years. We find out how a change in its strategy proved to be crucial, and how this influences its Asia...
New Zealand start-up Daisy has launched gingerol drink for morning sickness and says it has more science-backed products in the pipeline that support mental health for maternal wellness.
New Zealand’s associate health minister has attempted to assure industry players that they will have a modern regulatory regime that will boost exports while cutting red tape, but refused to commit to exact timelines for both quick wins or longer-term...
Singapore headquartered sports nutrition brand Lecka has tweaked its business strategy to focus on the premium, niche market of endurance sports across the region.
Vitaco has launched a new sports nutrition brand ATHENA that is dedicated to helping women achieve their sporting and fitness goals, with products specifically formulated to meet the unique needs of female athletes.
Australia’s goat infant formula specialist Nuchev is branching into the complementary medicines sector with the acquisition of bWellness – a distributor of European supplement brands and its own branded products.
The New Zealand natural health products industry is calling for urgent action to protect and boost exports after the country's health minister said the government would repeal the Therapeutic Products Act due to come into force in 2026.
A nutritional audit of more than 700 plant-based foods in Australian supermarkets has found high levels of salt and saturated fat, with researchers also calling for a more up-to-date food database to be used in the country.
A supplement formulated with American ginseng, Brahmi, and coffee fruit extract could improve mood and working memory, according to a 28-day trial funded by direct-selling company USANA.
A ‘moderate’ dose of 6 mg/kg caffeine enhances the performance of female athletes for short-term high intensity exercises, according to a new study.
Else Nutrition, which specialises in plant-based but soy-free infant and toddler formulas, has launched in Asia-Pacific with Australia as its first stop.
India’s protein sector is beset with misleading labels and there is also a worrying level toxin and heavy metal contamination, according to a new study, with calls being made for tighter regulatory oversight.
Not only is it the world’s most expensive spice, but saffron may help reduce vision loss and the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when taken as dietary supplement over an extended period.
Researchers at Deakin University Australia are planning a fully remote trial to investigate the health beneficial properties of polyphenols in sugarcane extract and their potential to improve gut, heart and mental health.
A study has found multi-nutrient inadequacies within the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) populations, including nutrients associated with diet-related disease, highlighting the need for public policies and food-based recommendations to promote intake.