Proteins, peptides, amino acids

nutraingredients-asia awards 2021

WATCH: India’s MuscleBlaze unveils probiotic and format innovation for sports nutrition

14-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Indian sports nutrition brand MuscleBlaze is planning to include probiotics in its new product formulations, as well as exploring new dosage formats that can be fitted into consumers’ daily diet.

Shaking it up: Pre-sales of Sprout Organic’s latest kids plant protein shake surge

13-Oct-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Australian children's nutrition company Sprout Organic has launched its latest product, a junior plant protein shake, which has sold close to 2,000 units in the first four days of pre-sales.

In-depth analysis

Nutra in Asia’s FMCG sector: ‘Disruptive’ innovations key to sustain surging growth, says Swisse and OLLY distributor

04-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Health and wellness brands will need to take on “disruptive” innovations to sustain consumers’ increased uptake of vitamins and supplements as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, says Swisse, OLLY, and IsoWhey distributor DKSH.

South East Asia focus: Probiotics e-commerce market, Yili, The Vitamin Shoppe's expansion in the spotlight

01-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up on South East Asia will look at the probiotics e-commerce market, including the fastest growing brands in the region, Yili's and The Vitamin Shoppe's expansion plans, and more.

Digitalised and mature market: BYHEALTH extends Asia expansion with Singapore collagen gummy debut

27-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

BYHEALTH says it is on track with its APAC expansion, with Singapore’s highly digitalised and mature market its latest new venture.

Higher costs, longer delays: Nutra firms ramping up inventory to steady supply chains amid COVID-19 logistics woes

22-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Nutraceutical ingredient suppliers and manufacturers are continuing to ramp-up their inventory to keep their supply chain stable amid ongoing uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, including port closures and delayed vessels.

Hemp exports: India Hemp Organics opens up food and cosmetics trade with North America, Oceania and GCC

21-Sep-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

One of India’s pioneering hemp companies, India Hemp Organics (IHO), is gearing up to export its nutritional, medical and skin care products containing hemp and CBD products this year.

‘Highly promising’: The Vitamin Shoppe eyes omnichannel expansion in Asia after launches in Korea and Vietnam

20-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

US retailer The Vitamin Shoppe says it is eyeing omnichannel expansion in Asia, after making its first steps into South Korea and Vietnam this year.

Science shorts: Probiotics for sleep, omega-3, nanocurcumin for migraine and more

17-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up of new scientific findings looks at how probiotics could be used to reduce insomnia symptoms, how omega-3 and nanocurcumin could alleviate migraine, and new product development potential based on the concept of chrono-nutrition.

Probiotic for sleep? Duo-strain mixture found to decrease insomnia symptoms in eight-week RCT

15-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

A probiotic mixture has been found to decrease insomnia symptoms in an eight-week RCT conducted in South Korea.

Nutrachampion podcast episode 22

LISTEN: More Japanese companies adopting chrono-nutrition concept in NPD – Prof Shigenobu Shibata

10-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The concept of chrono-nutrition is gaining traction amongst companies in Japan, with our guest on the latest Nutrachampion podcast developing such products with the industry.

Microba Life Sciences to analyse microbiome effect of Anatara’s dietary supplement in IBS patients

08-Sep-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Microba Life Sciences is applying its gut microbiome analysis platform to measure the effect of Australia’s Anatara Life Sciences’ dietary supplement on patients suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D).

Brand new: a2MC, Blackmores, H&H, and Elixinol's financials in the spotlight

03-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest financial performance of nutraceutical and infant formula brands, including PERKii, The a2 Milk Company, Blackmores, Swisse's parent company H&H Group, and CBD specialist Elixinol.

Alt Protein Watch: Australia's plant-based labelling war, Shandi's new Singapore facility, Plant Power's online launch and more feature in our round-up

01-Sep-2021 By Pearly Neo

Australia's plant-based labelling war, Shandi's new Singapore facility, Plant Power's online launch and more feature in this edition of Alt Protein Watch.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in August

31-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

New research on vitamin D, analysis on a2 milk's long-term growth potential in China, and Sabinsa's trial on curcumin and black pepper supplementation in speeding up recovery in COVID-19 patients are some of the most-read stories in August....

Make it snappy: Thai company expanding crocodile blood supplement for sports after trial findings

30-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

A company specialising in crocodile products is attempting to expand into the sports nutrition market for its supplement product – a capsule containing pure crocodile blood – after a recent human clinical research yielded favourable results.

Blackmores FY2021 financials: Profit up 61% driven by growth in South East Asia and China CBEC sales

30-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores’ FY2021 profit was up 61 per cent yoy, with South East Asia and China highlighted as regions with good growth.

Japan focus: Suntory, Meiji, Kirin half-year financials, Ajinomoto study in focus

27-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The half-year financial performance of major Japanese health foods companies, including Suntory, Meiji, and Kirin, as well as a new study on umami and stress reduction by Ajinomoto are featured in this Japan industry round-up.

Packing a bigger punch: India’s energy and protein bar firm takes on US market with Amazon listing

25-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Fitsport Nutrition Foods, a Hyderabad-based company specialising in energy and protein bars, has ventured into the highly competitive US market with a bigger bar via a listing on Amazon US.

South Korea’s personalised nutrition sandbox: COSMAX to open fifth store and predicts further consumer momentum

25-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

COSMAX NBT is opening its fifth and final personalised nutrition store in October under the South Korean government’s personalised nutrition sandbox project, with the firm believing that the concept is rapidly gaining traction with consumers.

a2 milk in China: Analysts divided on brand’s long-term growth potential amid Nestle takeover rumours

24-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Regional analysts are divided on The a2 Milk Company’s long-term growth potential, especially in China – its current largest market – amid acquisition rumours.

New normal? Meiji reports sales growth in sports nutrition and gummies, while functional yogurt and formula decline

18-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Sales of sports nutrition, chocolates and gummies in Japan have increased for Meiji, while functional yogurt and formula sales have slumped in comparison to last year’s pandemic-induced spikes.

Active approach: Kirin rolls out personalised and premix supplement service at Gold’s Gym outlets in Japan

17-Aug-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Kirin is launching a nutrition service featuring personalised and premixed supplements for users at Gold’s Gym outlets in Japan.

Joint health trends: Major industry players see growing interest beyond senior consumers

16-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Joint health is gaining prominence amongst consumers from all age groups and life stages and is not just a concern amongst the seniors, according to new industry insights.

BY-HEALTH half-year results: Revenue from ‘online direct sales stores’ soaring for China giant

10-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

BY-HEALTH’s revenue from online direct sales stores, such as Tmall, has increased six-fold in the first half of FY2021, and has already surpassed the total achieved in 2020.

Allergies and microbiome: Amino acid and synbiotic formula helps develop tolerance to cow’s milk – Danone RCT

09-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

An amino acid based infant formula with synbiotics could help infants allergic to cow’s milk develop tolerance, restore disrupted gut microbiota, and lower their risk of hospitalisation due to infections.

Nutrachampion Episode 21

LISTEN: Philippines taps nutrigenomics to address persistent stunting, malnutrition – New DOST-FNRI chief

06-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The Philippines will tap on cutting edge technologies including nutrigenomics and metabolomics to develop nutritional strategies to address the persistent issues of stunting and malnutrition in the country.

Chrono-nutrition: Breakfast the best time to consume protein for muscle building – Japan study

29-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Breakfast is the best time to consume proteins to maximise its benefits in muscle building, says a new study led by Japan’s Waseda University.

‘Candy counter’ for functional drinks: New personalised beverage service seeks to mimic sweet shop excitement

22-Jul-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Malaysian supplements and personalised nutrition outfit Nourished Asia has launched a new brand, Daile Food, focusing on customising milk, coffee, tea, fruit juice, and yoghurt with added functional ingredients.

Healthy ageing: Nestle China launches company’s first set of ‘blue-hat’ certified health foods for seniors

21-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Nestle China has launched its first set of ‘blue-hat’ certified health foods for seniors – a milk powder containing glucosamine and a probiotic protein powder.

Middle-age memory boost: Japan’s Ajinomoto launches RCT-backed amino acid supplement for cognitive decline

21-Jul-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Ajinomoto has launched a supplement, backed by a clinical trial, to reduce the risk of cognitive decline in healthy middle-aged persons and elderly experiencing some form of memory impairment.

‘No coincidence’ that South Korea continues to crackdown on probiotics and krill oil as non-compliance cases increase

20-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) will continue with its high profile crackdown on non-compliant probiotic and krill oil products, with a market expert telling us it is ‘no coincidence’ that these categories remain in the spotlight.

Protein and ADHD: Year-long RCT to assess Healthy Height shake impact on kids aged three to nine

20-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The effects of Healthy Height – a protein shake for kids three to nine years old – on improving height and weight in youngsters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will be studied in a year-long trial.

From supplements to snacks: Australia’s Nuzest goes global with Good Green Vitality multivitamin bar

19-Jul-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Australian nutra firm Nuzest will launch a multivitamin snack bar in APAC, the UK and USA this July, expanding its portfolio beyond powdered supplements for the first time.

Malaysian supplements policy: Trade body MADSA calls for sales tax removal and less stringent rules for new formulations

19-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia’s dietary supplement industry body is pushing for the removal of sales and service tax (SST), import taxes, and the approval of innovative supplement products in its efforts in promoting the use of supplements in the country.

China focus: Infant formula market, SAMR's proposal, BY-HEALTH's APAC expansion

16-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up covers new developments in China's infant formula market, SAMR's proposal to distinguish solid beverages from infant formula, and BY-HEALTH's plans in expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific.

Korean regulator strong-arms websites selling protein bars with ‘fake’ fat reduction, muscle strength claims

15-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is taking action against 21 e-commerce websites selling protein bars marketed with ‘fake’ claims, including body fat reduction and muscle strength related statements.

‘Make the effective solution the easy solution’: How the industry can drive NPD to aid digestive and metabolic health

13-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Food, beverage and nutrition solutions to aid digestive and metabolic health are becoming increasingly popular as Asia’s population rapidly ages, but future NPD needs to make these “effective solutions the easy solutions,” according to experts at the...

Hunger games: Long term study shows high protein-low GI diet significantly reduces appetite

08-Jul-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

A high protein-low GI diet prevented hunger better than a moderate protein-moderate GI diet among overweight and obese people, according to data derived from the 3-year PREVIEW randomised intervention study.

Automated personalisation: Australia’s Vitable going global with data-driven supplement service after $5.5m funding boost

07-Jul-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Australia-based personalised nutrition firm Vitable is gearing up for international expansion starting with a launch into the UK later this year, and major Asia nation’s on its hitlist for 2022, after its latest funding round.

‘Delighted with growth’: Aussie supplement firms increase market size despite pandemic trials and tribulations – new data

05-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s supplements industry has continued to grow amid the pandemic despite a dip in export revenue, with firms finding success by pivoting to immunity products and finding inroads into several new markets, including Iran, Israel and Brazil.

WATCH: Protein ice cream pioneers LightWhey unveils significant retail expansion in UAE, plans to enter 1,000 outlets

30-Jun-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

The UAE’s first protein ice cream brand, LightWhey, is targeting listings in in 1,000 retail outlets in the country by the end of this year.

COVID-19 nutrition in Indonesia: Survey shows nine in 10 dietitians recommended vitamin C, B complex to patients

30-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Nine in 10 dietitians in Indonesia have recommended supplements to hospitalised COVID-19 patients, with vitamin C and B complex the most common recommended supplements, a new survey has found.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in June

29-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Our most-read stories for June include a Philippines COVID-19 trial on how virgin coconut oil could reduce inflammation and provide symptom relief, the role of gut microbiota in affecting vaccine efficacy, and Nestlé Health Science China's launch...

Prebiotic for reducing pigmentation: Singapore’s Doki Doki’s unveils latest beauty-from-within puree innovation

24-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Functional juice company Doki Doki has developed a beauty-from-within product that reduces photosensitivity and hyperpigmentation using prebiotic as the key ingredient.

Understanding the mechanisms: Supplement firms upping their game in weight management, sports nutrition trials – Vedic Lifesciences

24-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Supplement firms are raising the bar to better understand the mechanism of actions of weight management and sports nutrition products, claims Indian contract research organisation Vedic Lifesciences.

Teeing off for success: How PGA-backing is helping Tom Oliver Nutrition swing into golf shops in Singapore, UK and UAE

24-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

UK dietary supplement brand Tom Oliver Nutrition is making inroads into golf pro shops across Singapore, UK, and the UAE – markets where it already enjoys a presence – to tackle declining sales from pharmacies in high streets and shopping malls due to...

Functional foods in Japan exclusive 2: GABA, black ginger, indigestible dextrin most popular ingredients, weight and blood sugar claims top chart

22-Jun-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), black ginger and indigestible dextrin are the top three most popular ingredients used in products notified under Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFC) in fiscal 2020.

Unilever’s exclusive insights: Four key trends driving APAC’s online supplements growth

21-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Unilever has identified four emerging trends from online sales of health supplements across Asia Pacific, including the younger generation viewing vitamins and supplements as lifestyle products, and how online shopping events such as Super Brand Days...

Brand New: BYHEALTH, HempFusion, Vital Proteins in the spotlight

18-Jun-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will look at the strategies of big brands BYHEALTH, HempFusion, Vital Proteins, and Tipco in expanding their market reach and developing new nutritional products.