Botanicals

Trend tracker: Singapore nutra market, fish oil in China, beauty-from-within in the spotlight

03-Nov-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, featuring the top health and wellness concerns in Singapore and consumer behaviour, how the demand for high purity fish oil in China is set to grow, and emerging beauty-from-within...

VitamINSIGHTS

No compromise: Singapore nutra market leans towards premium, science-backed products – exclusive insights from Swisse, QN Wellness

01-Nov-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore’s nutraceutical market is showing a preference for premium, science-backed products, with consumers refusing to compromise on quality and efficacy, even under the pressure of inflation.

Demand driver: Satisfying Gen Y’s appetite for premium sports and active nutrition products key to sector growth – Growth Asia Summit

31-Oct-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Asian millennial consumers’ demand for novel and higher-value sports and active nutrition products could play instrumental role in accelerating growth of the sector, insights from GlobalData reveal.

Brand new: Swisse, Bayer, Heliocare in the spotlight

27-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Swisse’s launching its first ‘assessed listed’ complementary medicine in Australia next year, Bayer Consumer Health Division’s approach to infant nutrition innovation,...

Nutrachampion podcast

‘Very much conservative’: How India’s regulatory approach can pose innovation problems – Ex-FSSAI director

25-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

India is still taking a “very conservative” approach in its regulations of nutraceuticals since it introduced the first set of policies seven years ago, which can pose problems for brands and suppliers seeking to introduce innovative new products.

Holistic approach: New Singapore e-pharmacy aims to break the mould with strong supplement focus

24-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A newly launched e-pharmacy, Glovida-Rx, is on a mission to provide holistic healthcare in Singapore, with pharmacists advising consumers on the use of both health supplements and pharmacy medications.

Growth Asia Summit 2023

Healthy ageing in Asia: Metabolic health, cognition, mobility rank top for consumer need – expert panel

23-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Nutrition products designed for healthy ageing in Asia-Pacific would need to address the most pressing concerns surrounding metabolic health, cognition, and mobility, said an expert panel staged during our recent Growth Asia Summit.

Korea innovation: AI model to speed up identification of new ingredients for health functional foods

18-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

An artificial intelligence (AI) model has been developed to identify new active ingredients in botanicals that could be used to develop new types of health functional foods (HFF) in South Korea.

Malaysia issues advisory on oral aloe vera and links with adverse kidney reactions

18-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia’s health ministry has issued an advisory on oral aloe vera products and its alleged links with kidney-related adverse reactions.

Hemp for active nutrition: Regulatory support and debunking of myths ‘crucial’ to unlock potential

18-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Stronger government regulatory support and the ‘debunking’ of myths surrounding hemp are still at a ‘crucial’ stage in Asia, the success of which is key to unlocking its active nutrition potential.

Is personalised nutrition truly the future? Suntory on the challenging journey to ‘full personalisation’

16-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Global megabrand Suntory has highlighted consumer confusion and production time as some of the key challenges standing in the way of achieving ‘full personalisation’ in the nutrition and food manufacturing spaces.

Science shorts: Cognitive health, COVID-19, vitamins' role in skin immunity and more

13-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research, including how the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and encapsulated curcumin supplementation could support cognitive function in older adults, how vitamin D deficiency...

Growth Asia Summit 2023

‘It’s not too late’: Singapore Chinese Health Study lead investigator reveals protective impacts of diet on cognition

11-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Data from the large-scale Singapore Chinese Health Study has shown that all consumers can reduce their risk of later cognitive impairment by switching to a healthier diet at any age, as revealed by the study’s principal investigator at the recent Growth...

Nutrition Asia Video Series / Vitafoods Asia 2023

Asia’s huge women’s health opportunity: Think holistic and cover all life stages to secure market gains - WATCH

11-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The health and nutrition industry has a vast opportunity to meet women’s health needs beyond fertility and menopausal concerns, with experts believing there is still a huge gap in the range of products targeted at women’s wellbeing holistically.

Asian skin health innovation: Heliocare’s new supplement to combat hyperpigmentation via multiple pathways

11-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Heliocare has launched a new supplement that claims to target multiple pathways of melanogenesis, which the brand believes is crucial in addressing skin hyperpigmentation effectively.

Encapsulated curcumin improves cognitive, locomotive function in mild dementia patients – six months RCT

10-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of curcumin encapsulated within fenugreek mucilage has shown to improve cognitive and locomotive function of patients suffering from mild dementia, according to a six-month-long RCT conducted in India.

‘Definite demand’ for menopause category, but accelerating market growth depends on consumer perception – Growth Asia Summit

09-Oct-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

South Korea-based nutra firm Yuhan Care says that while there are large untapped opportunities in Asia’s menopause market, the rate of growth is dependent on how effectively brands can change consumer perceptions about the topic.

Hydration and hemp: Kommunity Brew sees innovation potential in Australia’s healthy beverage space

05-Oct-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Australia’s Kommunity Brew believes that hemp has the potential to feature more widely in its NPD and innovation strategies, amidst the addition of more local acquisitions to its healthier beverage portfolio.

Women’s woes: Targeted supplementation for different life stages crucial to tackle unmet needs – Growth Asia Summit

04-Oct-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

The unique health and nutritional needs of women throughout their life span, which remain a significant gap to fill, could be addressed with science-backed ingredients and targeted supplementation.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in September 2023

03-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From the announcement to the list of NutraIngredients-Asia 2023 winners to China's new function claims system and South Korea's health functional food import trends, here are the most-read stories in September 2023.

The best of both worlds: Eu Yan Sang on complementing TCM with health supplements and Western medicines

02-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) company Eu Yan Sang has introduced health supplements from the US to its offerings, as well as Western medical practices in its newly-launched One Wellness Medical clinics, as part of its efforts in "demystifying"...

‘Revive with exports’: Japanese associations gearing up for functional foods export opportunities

02-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Several Japan health foods associations are gearing up for export opportunities for Foods with Function Claims (FFC), such as providing export consultation services and establishing networks with regional dietary supplement associations.

Regulatory review: A closer look into Japan's FFC, South Korea's GM foods, and China's new function claims system

29-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at Japan’s Foods with Function Claims framework, South Korea’s new public consultation on genetically modified soybean, China’s new function claims system and more.

Family focus: Singapore’s QN Wellness looks to enter healthy ageing market in Vietnam, China

28-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore plant-based supplement brand QN Wellness is on track to expanding its overseas presence, especially Vietnam’s and China’s healthy ageing market.

And the winners are…Check out who took the top prizes at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023

26-Sep-2023 By Gary Scattergood

We have announced the winners of the 2023 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, held to recognise the brightest and best products, ingredients and initiatives across the nutrition industry.

Brand new: 3C Group, Eu Yan Sang, Yiling Pharma in the spotlight

15-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including how Thailand's 3C Group is eyeing growth in the prebiotic sector, TCM firm Eu Yan Sang's strategies for the North American market and more.

VitamINSIGHTS

Can Japan’s Foods with Function Claims keep up with demand for more science and ethical advertising?

13-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s vibrant Foods with Function Claims (FFC) sector will need to keep up with the demand for rigorous scientific evidence and ethical advertising for it to continue its phenomenal market growth, say experts from the country’s health foods associations.

Post-COVID impact: South Korea's health functional food imports decline for first time in four years

12-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s imports of Health Functional Foods (HFF) saw a decline for the first time in four years, with volumes shrinking 9.5 per cent in the first six months of this year.

Beyond Chinese diaspora: TCM firm Eu Yan Sang pursues new audience in North America’s health and wellness market

06-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore-headquartered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) company Eu Yan Sang is actively pursuing growth in North America’s health and wellness market by targeting not just the Chinese diaspora, but also those who are willing to give the category a...

Regulatory review: India on sugar and weight loss, Taiwan to limit ashwagandha consumption and more

01-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at India’s stance on sugar, sweeteners and weight loss, South Korea’s support for slow-release supplements, and Taiwan FDA’s plans in limiting ashwagandha consumption amounts.

Food Ingredients India (FI-India)

Keep it simple: Incorporate new functional ingredients into familiar formats – Brenntag

30-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Food and beverage companies should incorporate functional ingredients into products that consumers are already familiar with, instead of attempting to change their dietary habits when introducing healthier products.

Postbiotics and AMPK activators: Germany’s Princess Luna launches new weight management supplement in China

30-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A supplement brand from Germany-based firm Mom's Garden GmbH is pursuing further growth in China with the launch of its new weight management supplement formulated with postbiotics and botanical extracts that act as AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)...

Curcumin and liver injury risk: Australia trade body stresses that correlation does not imply causation

29-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A correlation between curcumin, turmeric consumption and liver injury risk does not imply causation, trade body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has pointed out, in response to reports on how the ingredient could have been linked to a fatal outcome.

Trend tracker: India's nutra sector, krill oil rise in China, FFC in Japan

25-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including how opportunities in India's nutraceutical sector are seen as 'far bigger' than the pharmaceutical sector, the growing krill oil supplement market in China,...

TCM opportunity: China firm Yiling Pharmaceutical tapping Africa’s herbal medicine tradition for commercial partnerships

24-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Yiling Pharmaceutical has secured a deal with Nigeria to provide traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exports to the country and sees a strong opportunity to partner with African herbal medicine manufacturers for new product development.

Nutrition Asia / FI-India

Growth agenda: India’s nutraceutical market opportunities ‘far bigger’ than the pharma sector

23-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Growth opportunities in India’s nutraceutical industry are far greater than the pharmaceutical sector, according to industry experts, who also describe its trajectory as ‘a phenomenon’.

New product launch: China’s health foods manufacturers preferring Lingzhi to coenzyme Q10, fish oil

22-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Health foods manufacturers in China are preferring Lingzhi cracked spores powder to coenzyme Q10 and fish oil when it comes to bringing new products into the market.

Decline in use of supplements and oriental medicine in managing psoriasis – South Korea data

17-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The percentage of individuals who are using health supplements or oriental medicines in managing psoriasis has declined over the decade, according to new data from South Korea.

US expansion fuelled by demand for ‘natural solutions’ and consumer receptivity – HK’s TCM supplements brand

16-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Hong Kong-based NOOCI has launched in United States first through its website and an online distribution platform and is expanding offline via its practitioner’s programme – with over 100 practitioners across the country signed up thus far.

India’s Arjuna Natural extends application of pain-relieving botanical blend to tackle menstrual cramps

14-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

India-based nutraceutical company Arjuna Natural is hoping to meet growing consumer demand for natural solutions to menstrual pain management with its turmeric-frankincense formulation.

Taiwan FDA to set consumption limits on ashwagandha and seven other botanicals

14-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration will be setting consumption limits and usage warnings on ashwagandha and seven other botanicals that are used as food ingredients.

South Korea reviews regulations for nine ingredients, including oat fibre, CoQ10, inulin

08-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is collecting public feedback on changes to consumption warnings, daily intake, and heavy metal limits for health functional foods containing nine kinds of functional raw materials, including oat fibre...

Healthplex Expo and Natural & Nutraceutical Products China

Nutra success: China consumers care most about brand recognition, not formulations / ingredients – Pharma exec

07-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China consumers pay more attention to brand recognition than formulations, ingredients, or scientific evidence when it comes to nutraceuticals, says a leading pharma exec from a firm that has been seeing strong growth from its nutra business.

Pain-free period: Singapore’s Moom Health extends supplements line-up to battle PMS and menstrual woes

07-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

After more than a year of development and 13 versions of the prototype, Singapore’s Moom Health has completed the formulation of a new supplement that is specifically targeted at relieving premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and painful period cramps.

Regulatory review: ASEAN harmonisation, Japan’s FFC, China infant formula in the spotlight

04-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at the progress in ASEAN harmonisation of technical standards for health supplements, how Japan’s authorities are reviewing the scientific assessment of Food with Function Claims (FFC), and...

Credibility doubts arise: Japan set to revise Foods with Function Claims scientific evaluation

31-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), which regulates the Foods with Function Claims (FFC) market, is reviewing the methods that companies use to support the science behind their goods, following the recent removal of two products from the market.

Nutrition Asia

Sports nutrition in India: Rise of local brands, new formats as consumer knowledge increases

26-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

India’s sports nutrition sector is seeing the rise of local brands, new product formats, and consumption beyond protein powder as consumer knowledge of the category increases, according to Fast&Up and Steadfast Nutrition.

Seeing kava in a new light: NZ study to explore therapeutic potential of traditional kava use in trauma

26-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Pacific health researchers are starting clinical trials in early 2024 to explore kava as an alternate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Positive participation: Singapore’s HSA to expand types of supplements applicable for voluntary notification

25-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is expanding the types of health supplements applicable for voluntary notification from August 1, 2023, having received “positive participation” since implementing the initiative a year ago.

Personalised nutrition round-up: Latest updates from APAC companies, associations, and regulators

25-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here we shine the spotlight on the very latest developments in APAC’s thriving personalised nutrition sector, including updates from India, South Korea, China, and Australia.