Botanicals

Blackmores’ full year growth dragged down by sluggish China performance and rising costs

31-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

A lacklustre China performance and rising operating costs have dragged down Blackmores’ full year net profit by 24% to $53m.

Cheap and good? JD launches new social commerce platform to capture group buying in low tiered cities

24-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

China’s e-commerce giant JD.com has launched a new social commerce platform for selling low priced products, including health foods, in a bid to capture the market in low tiered city markets.

No beer belly: Kirin releases non-alcoholic beer with fat-reducing function

24-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Kirin is preparing to launch its non-alcoholic beer with a Food with Functional Claim (FFC) label in Japan.

HI Japan 2019

Swell results: Sapporo conducts first clinical on lemon and facial swelling

24-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Polyphenols from lemon have been found to reduce facial swelling in healthy Japanese subjects, according to a clinical trial by Sapporo Holdings.

Reprogramming the microbiome: Anatara Lifesciences targets the human health space with dual targeted formulation

22-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Australian firm Anatara Lifesciences has developed a supplement that seeks to address gut problems by reprogramming the microbiome.

Tropical plant shows neuroprotective potential due to high polyphenol, phytochemical content – review

21-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The tropical plant Melicope lunu-ankenda has demonstrated neuroprotective effects, according to a scientific review.

Hot Right Now: See the health and nutrition stories trending on the social media

18-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, read about the popular health and nutrition stories trending on our social media right now, including the features on our NutraIngredients-Asia award winners and Amway's plans to internationalise the use of TCM.

Researchers alert: BASF’s upcoming research grant to focus on HMO for immunity and metabolic benefits

16-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

BASF is placing a greater emphasis on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for its upcoming Nutrition Asia Research Grant.

Berries for respiratory and skin health: Anagenix to conduct human clinical study in China

16-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand firm Anagenix will conduct a human clinical study in China this winter with its Boysenberry-based health food ingredient.

Excessive intakes of saw palmetto extract still safe for consumption: BGG Japan-backed study

14-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

The consumption of saw palmetto fruit extract has been determined safe for use in healthy adults, even at excessive levels.

Brand New: Latest industry developments from big brand names

10-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Read about the new projects that Amway and Bayer have embarked on in the space of TCM, personalised nutrition, and sports nutrition. This round up also features R&D and market strategies from South Korean firms CKD Bio, Nutrione, and Singaporean firm...

NutraIngredients-Asia award 2019

WATCH: NutraIngredients-Asia Award winner Pharmactive sees huge Asia potential for eyecare product

09-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The winner of the 2019 NutraIngredients-Asia award for Ingredient of the Year for Healthy Ageing, Pharmactive Biotech Products, has highlighted South East Asia as one of its biggest growth opportunities.

NutraIngredients-Asia awards

WATCH – NutraIngredients-Asia awards winner Enovate Biolife wants to move beyond sports nutrition

08-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Enovate Biolife is tapping on its galalnga-based ingredient, EnXtra, which has been backed by three clinical studies, to branch into several applications beyond sports nutrition, including weight loss and cognitive care.

Amway China partners with government-led R&D project to internationalise TCM

08-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Amway China has entered into a partnership with a government led R&D initiative to promote the use of TCM worldwide.

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019: The full details on our special award winners

02-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Pioneers in personalised nutrition, the start-up sector, research products, innovation plus our 2019 NutraChampion were crowned at the second NutraIngredients-Asia awards.

Hopping into Asia: Australian energy drink Kanguru banks on ‘real’ ingredients and local experience

30-Sep-2019 By Pearly Neo

Australian energy drink brand Kanguru is making its debut in Korea next month, with big plans for the local market banking on its ‘real’ ingredients, strong local know-how and understanding of domestic consumer preferences and trends.

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019

Gallery: Meet the NutraIngredients-Asia awards winners and their innovations

30-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The 2nd NutraIngredients-Asia awards held last Tuesday (Sep 24) seen more than 40 finalists vying for 12 award categories. Take a look at the recipients of each award category.

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019: Find out more about our finished product winners

27-Sep-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Three companies took home the Product of the Year awards at the second NutraIngredients-Asia Awards…and here’s the full details on the products that wowed the judges.

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019: Meet the four winners of our ingredient awards

27-Sep-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Four companies took home the highly-coveted Ingredient of the Year awards at the second NutraIngredients-Asia Awards…and here’s the full lowdown on the ingredients that took the top spot.

China Focus: Infinitus' market expansion plans, a2 Milk expands offerings in China and more

27-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly round-up of industry developments in China, we feature how Chinese companies such as direct-selling firm Infinitus is expanding into South East Asia, and how a2 Milk is benefiting from growing product premiumisation trend in China.

Chinese herbs focus: Direct selling firm Infinitus sets out stall for South East Asia expansion

26-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese direct-selling firm Infinitus has entered the Philippines market as a part of its expansion strategy.

Nutrition Asia

WATCH: Science-backed tradition – What are the benefits of Ayurveda and TCM for healthy ageing?

26-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Natural botanicals, such as those used in Ayurveda and TCM, have a long history of use in Asia, but there is renewed interest in their benefits for Healthy Ageing.

NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019

Winners revealed! Find out who took home the top prizes at the NutraIngredients-Asia awards 2019

24-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

APAC’s brightest and best finished products, ingredients and research projects have been revealed at the second NutraIngredients-Asia awards, held in Singapore.

Science shorts: Probiotic intake complements UTI treatment, Indian herb Brahmi improves cognitive functions and more

20-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this round up, read about the new scientific research findings, including how probiotic intake can complement UTI treatment, how Indian herb Brahmi and EPA have shown evidence for providing cognitive health benefits and more.

Brand New: Herbalife’s nutrition opportunities in APAC, Nestlé China’s tin recycling machine, Pure Nutrition’s airport retail presence

18-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will feature our coverage on different brands, including the nutrition opportunities that Herbalife sees in APAC, Nestlé China’s environment-protection efforts with its tin recycling machine, Indian dietary supplement brand Pure Nutrition’s...

Ayurveda and Alzheimer’s: Bacosides from Brahmi display cognitive benefits– Malaysian review

18-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The Ayurvedic herb, bacopa monnieri (B monnieri), has shown to protect against Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a new scientific review.

High-achiever: Aussie’s complementary medicine industry exceeds $5bn, growth outpace general economy

18-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The Australian complementary medicine industry is now worth AUD$5.2bn (US$3.5bn), growing at a speed that outpace the general economy.

‘Top-tier evidence’: Major Australian meta-review backs EPA for improving mental health

16-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has shown the strongest evidence for improving cognitive disorders, such as depression, according to a meta-review.

Trend Tracker: Hemp and CBD gaining interest in Asia, functional foods the key driver of Australian market growth, yogurt for skin health

13-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this round up, we feature the current and upcoming health and nutrition trends, including supplement firms' interest in Thailand's hemp and CBD market, functional foods and supplements becoming a key contributor to Australian market by 2030...

Promoting Thai herbs: Organisations join forces as regulators pledge to fast-track approvals

12-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Two Thai agencies have joined forces to promote Thai herbal products to the global markets, in a move backed by the nation’s deputy PM and health minister.

Offline still king: Indian online supplement brand Pure Nutrition expands airport retail presence

11-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Indian online nutraceutical brand Pure Nutrition has opened new retail stores at Delhi International Airport to capture the offline consumer market, in what the firm’s CEO told us was “the next logical step”.

Seeking acceptance: Taiwan FDA drafts GMP to help locally-made supplements gain global recognition

10-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Taiwan FDA has drafted guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for health supplements, which is expected to help smoothen export procedures for locally-made health supplements.

Supplement firms express interest as Thai authorities relax rules on the use of hemp and CBD

09-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

A number of hemp and CBD product manufacturers have expressed interest in doing business in Thailand, after the country recently announced changes to its regulations.

Functional foods and supplements to contribute towards $25bn Australian market by 2030

09-Sep-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Australian ‘health and wellness’ products including functional foods, supplements and personalised nutrition, along with more sustainable products such as alternative protein, will become a AU$25bn billion market by 2030, according to new data.

Regulatory Review: Thailand approves hemp and CBD use, China adds product labelling requirements, India mandates compulsory safety audits

06-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Read the latest regulatory developments in the health supplement scene, including the Thai authorities’ recent approval of hemp and CBD use in herbal products, Chinese authorities adding new requirements to health supplements product labelling and more....

Science Shorts: Bod Australia’s discovery of new proteins, Malaysian firm Davos exploring tocotrienols for IBS and more

05-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this round up, we present scientific findings from both the academia and the industry, including Bod Australia’s discovery of protein carrier for CBD skin care, Malaysian firm Davos Life Science exploring the potential of tocotrienols for IBS, ginseng’s...

Ginsenoside provide broad spectrum protection against neuro diseases – Chinese review

05-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Ginsenoside – the bioactive ingredient in ginseng – is able to protect against a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, according to a Chinese review on existing research.

Better quality: China adds new requirements to product labelling and health food raw materials filling

04-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Health foods firms selling to China will need to adhere to more product labelling requirements in January next year and new guidelines for raw material filling process will kick in from next month.

Cash crop: Thai authorities approve use of hemp in food, cosmetics and CBD in herbal products

04-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Hemp and CBD are now allowed for use in herbal products made in Thailand after the authorities relaxed restrictions on their use.

Brand New: Popular brands on Tmall, infant nutrition fuelling H&H’s growth, and Fonterra’s upcoming launch in China

30-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this feature, we bring you some of the latest brands developments in the APAC region, ranging from the bestselling kids supplements brands in Tmall, to H&H’s financial updates, and Fonterra’s move to capture China’s premium consumers’ market.

Japan Focus: BRAND’s Suntory strategies for chicken essence business, Kewpie’s plans to expand functional salad dressings and more in the spotlight

29-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this country round-up, we bring you the latest business developments happening in Japanese health food manufacturers and retailers, featuring brands such as BRAND’s Suntory, Kewpie, Morinaga, and Welcia-BHG.

Chinese firm HMI opens tech centre in Kunming to drive R&D of CBD and hemp health products

29-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese firm HMI Group has opened a tech centre in Kunming to speed up the R&D of CBD and hemp-based health foods.

Nutrition Asia

WATCH: Why Amorepacific and VLCC are moving into the nutricosmetics market

22-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Skincare and beauty brands such as South Korea’s Amorepacific and India’s VLCC are branching out into the nutricosmetics segment, instead of merely focusing on products for external application.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

CBD potential in APAC: Regulations and history have laid strong foundation for market growth - Elixinol

19-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The regulatory framework and the history of using medicinal cannabis in the APAC market have laid a strong foundation for the expansion of CBD supplements in the region, according to manufacturer Elixinol.

Trend Tracker: Blackmores' challenges in China and opportunities in South East Asia, APAC's sports nutrition trends and more

16-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Find out more about the ongoing market trends in the nutraceutical industry, ranging from the market challenges in China and growth opportunities seen by Australian supplement giant Blackmores in the South East Asian markets to sports nutrition insights...

China struggles see Blackmores’ profit drop 24% but sales surge in Vietnam and Indonesia

15-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s biggest supplement firm Blackmores saw profits drop 24% over the last year, with struggling performance in China cited as the key factor.

Drink for hydration: Brewed roselle promising for skin hydration - Vitafoods Asia speaker

15-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Daily consumption of brewed roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) could improve skin hydration and reduce wrinkles, according to a study from Taiwan.

Diabetes fight: Entity Health seeks to tackle Singapore’s top health concern with new launch

13-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Australian supplements firm Entity Health is seeking to tackle diabetes, a key health concern in Singapore, with its newly launched blood glucose regulating supplement.

Astaxanthin from Indonesia: Country’s first microalgae firm competes with global rivals for local market share

12-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Indonesia’s first microalgae firm PT Evergen Resources is on a mission to meet the country’s astaxanthin demands across the nutra, pharma and cosmetics sectors.

Science shorts: The effects of A2 milk, tea, mushroom, chilli, and other ingredients on cognitive health

08-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

In this scientific round-up, we shine the spotlight on cognitive health, with studies showing how A2 milk could benefit gut and cognitive health in pre-schoolers, the potential of tea and mushrooms in reducing cognitive decline, and how high chilli intake...