Skin health

Regulatory review: New VMS formats in Korea, probiotic regulations in APAC and more

17-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we will look at the regulatory updates across APAC, from new formats allowed for OTC vitamin and minerals in South Korea to probiotic regulations in different parts of this region.

Tmall Global data: Food and OTC supplements topped most purchased Singapore products in China

15-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Food and OTC supplements are the two most purchased categories when Chinese consumers buy products from Singapore, according to the latest data from Tmall Global.

Collagen collection: Japan’s Tenshi no RaRa maker aims to increase Taiwan sales fivefold, secures Thai approval

14-Dec-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

The Japanese manufacturer of the popular Tenshi no RaRa brand of collagen drinks and soaps is aiming to increase sales by fivefold in Taiwan next year.

China focus: Our top 10 most-read China stories of 2021 revealed

14-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Yiling Pharmaceutical’s Lianhua Qingwen, NMN market boom, Nestle China’s ‘blue-hat’ certified health foods for seniors, and a2 milk market potential are some of the most popular China-related stories this year.

Probiotics and health care pros: Retailer Watson’s beta-tests online database among pharmacists

13-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Retail pharmacy chain Watson’s has conducted a beta-testing of an online probiotics database among in-house pharmacists in Singapore, which it hopes will boost awareness among healthcare professionals.

Science shorts: Plant-based diet problems, gut microbe that triggers immune-signalling cascade and more

03-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we will look at new research findings surrounding plant-based diet and depression, the links between microbiome and immunity, autism, and ear infections.

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

01-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See the 10 most-read stories in the month of November, including Nestle China's insights on the country's infant liquid milk market, Malaysia's Holista Colltech NPD plans for its highly popular probiotic brand Lacto-5, consumption trends...

Patent pending: Hong Kong’s Govita to expand metabolic tests and personalised nutraceutical business in China

01-Dec-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Hong Kong’s Govita is looking to expand its patent pending metabolic testing and personalised nutrition business into China, with talks underway with potential partners and investors.

Brand new: Shiseido's new beauty-from-within range, Nestle's infant liquid milk in China and more

26-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round of industry update features insights from Shiseido, Nestle, Australia's Melrose, and Hoslita Colltech.

Beauty-from-within in China: Shiseido doubles down on category as ingestible beauty market gathers pace

24-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Shiseido believes that China’s ingestible beauty market has become stronger post COVID-19, and the Japanese beauty and skincare giant plans to double down on its efforts with the launch of a new beauty-from-within brand.

China’s double 11 trends: Top-selling supplement brands revealed as TikTok takes-off as retail channel

22-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The biggest-selling supplement brands in China’s mammoth Double 11 shopping festival have been revealed, while insights from Swisse have revealed the growing popularity of TikTok as an e-commerce channel.

H&H Q3: Swisse and Biostime owner reports China probiotics slump, but overall growth in ANZ

17-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group), the parent company of Swisse and Biostime, has reported slowing sales of probiotics in China, although growth remained robust in its infant formula and adult nutrition businesses in the first nine month of this...

Microbiome and personalised nutrition: Japan’s KINS expanding overseas and explores gut and vaginal testing, alongside skin

16-Nov-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese personalised nutrition and beauty company KINS Co Ltd is expanding to Taiwan and Singapore, and branching out from its core skin microbiome test kit and supplement service.

Study: Breast milk probiotic delays skin ageing

11-Nov-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled study found that eight-weeks supplementation with a probiotic newly isolated from human breast milk can delay several signs of skin ageing.

Loving local: Malaysia's bestselling probiotic brand Lacto-5 on NPD plans, sales strategies, and consumer trends

03-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia headquartered biotech company Holista Colltech has outlined the new product development plans for the country’s bestselling probiotic brand Lacto-5, including a new product for immune health and the plan to combine probiotics with other functional...

Increasing NMN awareness: Next Miracle Nutrient opens first retail outlet / experience centre in Hong Kong

03-Nov-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Next Miracle Nutrient is opening its first retail outlet in Hong Kong selling its nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplement, with the firm also hoping it will serve as an ‘experience centre’ to educate the public on NMN.

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

02-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See the 10 most-read stories in the month of October, including new innovation opportunities for glucose control supplements according to Nestle Health Science, Esperer Nutrition, Chromadex on Tru Niagen's potential in China's NAD+ market, new...

Probiota Asia: Experts assess pioneering microbiome research on immunity, bone and joint health amid COVID-19

28-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Exclusive findings on microbiome research centred around vaccine immunogenicity and gut microbiota changes in COVID-19 patients were revealed at the first edition of our Probiota Asia digital summit for 2021.

Pre/probiotics and TCM: Singapore wellness group launches functional beverages, cookies combining East-West concept

13-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

JOYRE, a Singapore TCM wellness company specialising in spa services, has developed its first range of functional foods and supplements based on traditional Chinese medicine concepts and modern science, with both local and overseas markets in sight.

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

05-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Catch up on the top 10 most read stories in September, including the adult functional gummies sector, developments in the infant formula industry, The Vitamin Shoppe's Asia expansion, and how beta-glucans could control biomarkers of COVID-19 severity...

Women’s focus: New Singapore personalised nutrition firm Moom Health outlines ambitious growth plans

29-Sep-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Recently-established personalised nutrition firm Moom Health has outlined plans to ship internationally as well as craft pre-packed supplements targeted at specific concerns.

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.

NUTRITION ASIA

WATCH: How functional gummies bring ‘happiness’ across different age groups – Swisse and Power Gummies

24-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Functional gummies are not only for kids, with Swisse and Power Gummies developing products for adults and emphasising how a twist in formats can evoke a sense of ‘happiness’ and make consumers look forward to their daily dose of nutraceuticals.

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.

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.

Probiota Asia 2021: Region’s pioneering microbiome summit returns online next month – register for free!

15-Sep-2021 By Gary Scattergood

The Probiota Asia 2021 Digital Summit will return next month to bring together experts from the worlds of business and science to discuss the latest developments in prebiotics, probiotics and microbiome modulation for better human health.

Gummies for adults: Nature’s Way pushing portfolio in China with category now well-established

14-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Australia's nutraceutical brand Nature’s Way is on track to expand its adult gummy products in China, believing that the category is now well-established due to a slew of new market entrants in the past year.

Malaysian E-commerce firm Limitless Technology expands women’s supplement brand LYLA with anti-stress and beauty range

09-Sep-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

E-commerce company Limitless Technology has expanded the product range for its women’s supplement brand LYLA, with new items targeting stress relief and skin health.

Red honey: Fortified egg firm NuYolk launches antioxidant ‘Elixir’ to support skin health and well-being

09-Sep-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Fortified egg company NuYolk has launched a honey ‘Elixir’, banking on its antioxidants to support skin health and overall well-being.

‘First-mover advantage’: LemonBox serves up personalised nutrition recommendations to one million users in China

06-Sep-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Personalised nutrition company LemonBox has serviced more than one million users in China with dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

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.

Dual benefit: Herbal formulation improves ageing skin in post-menopausal women – Thai RCT

30-Aug-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

A herbal blend formulation of soy germ, black cohosh, chase-tree berry and evening primrose seed was found to improve skin roughness and other skin parameters in post-menopausal women.

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.

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.

Korea focus: Krill oil, probiotics, beauty-from-within in the spotlight

13-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up of developments in South Korea's nutraceutical industry features MFDS' increased inspection of imported krill oil products, Amorepacific growing its global green tea probiotics business, and a look into beauty-from-within trends...

India’s RDA levels: Regulator again revises vitamin and mineral rules with increase in magnesium, biotin

11-Aug-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has again amended its rules on Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals, a matter of weeks after originally publishing updated regulations.

Trend tracker: Beauty-from-within and infant formula in focus

30-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The rise of weight management needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the 'paradoxical' increase in both breastfeeding and infant formula are the key themes covered in this trends round-up.

Rising problem: Viagra and other ED drugs disguised as vitamin C, bromelain supplements to enter South Korea

28-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has uncovered products containing Viagra and other medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) entering the country under the guise of vitamin C and bromelain supplements.

Hyaluronan supplementation suppresses wrinkles and improves dry skin – 12-week Kewpie-funded RCT

26-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The daily supplementation of hyaluronan, also known as hyaluronic acid, was shown to suppress wrinkles and improve dry skin in a 12-week RCT funded by Japanese firm Kewpie.

India’s new RDA rules see increase in vitamin A, C, zinc levels, while biotin remains unchanged

26-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published new rules on the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals which will come into force from July 1, 2023, with increases in the RDA of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin...

Nutrition Asia

WATCH: Amado Group and COSMAX on beauty, weight management trends amid COVID-19

23-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Companies are still seeing opportunities in developing supplements that address the evergreen needs of weight management and skin protection, even as consumers tighten their purse strings and spend more on hygiene and immune health supplements.

‘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.

Beauty-from-within boom: Check out APAC’s latest product launches featuring ceramides, probiotics, and white tomato extracts

21-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

From major names to start-ups and a dermatologist brand, various new beauty-from-within products using ceramides, pre/probiotics, white tomato extracts, and not forgetting collagen, have made their market entry across APAC in recent months.

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.

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.

From general foods to functional foods: How a NZ organisation is creating opportunities for exporting indigenous functional ingredients

07-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand has long enjoyed a good reputation for high-quality and safe food exports, and the industry is now beefing up its efforts in the functional ingredient and foods space, with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and China top of mind.

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.