Botanicals & Herbals

Supplementation with a blend of botanical extracts found to increase muscle strength and endurance post-resistance training – GNC-funded study

29-May-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Daily supplementation of an extracts blend derived from East Indian globe thistle and mango tree bark could optimise muscle adaptive responses to resistance exercise training (RET) in men, according to new research findings.

Throat relief: Botanical lozenges ‘good alternatives' to antibiotics for treating pharyngitis - RCT

28-May-2024 By Audrey Yow

Botanical lozenges are effective in treating chronic pharyngitis, making it a good alternative to antibiotic treatment, which can cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, hypertension and weight gain, according to a new trial.

A new functional foods category in China? Proposal draws mixed reactions from regulatory experts - In-depth analysis

27-May-2024 By Audrey Yow

A proposal by Feihe Dairy’s chairman to add a new functional foods category to China’s regulatory system could offer financial and innovation benefits to brands, but there are concerns around its practicality and industry compliance.

Brand new: Wanglaoji, Dose & Co, Nestle India in the spotlight

24-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including China herbal tea brand Wanglaoji’s South East Asia expansion plans, New Zealand collagen brand Dose & Co bought over by UK's Vector Consumer, Nestle India and...

Swisse’s owner H&H Group reports double-digit growth in China’s adult nutrition market

22-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Swisse’s parent company Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) is seeing strong demand for its adult nutrition products in China, where the company has reported 12.3 per cent year-on-year (yoy) growth in Q1.

Black seed marvel: Anlene Indonesia targets Muslim consumers with new herbal infusion milk powder

21-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

Anlene Indonesia has launched a new adult milk powder infused with habbatussauda, a black seed claiming to have multiple health benefits, which has long been revered by the Muslim community.

Two in five pharmacists believe more expensive dietary supplements are more effective – Malaysia study

20-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Two in five pharmacists believe there is a correlation between the efficacy and price of dietary supplements, new findings from a study that took place in Malaysia reveal.

China’s BGG establishing new HQ in Switzerland to pursue double business growth in five years

16-May-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Beijing-based branded ingredients supplier BGG recently announced the establishment of a new global headquarters in Switzerland as part of a major restructuring move to accelerate expansion and business growth.

VitamINSIGHTS

Taiwan nutra market: Eye health, beauty, probiotics trending, with food firms, influencers entering business

15-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Eye care is consistently cited as one of the top trending health supplement categories in Taiwan, alongside beauty-from-within, and functional probiotics that serve purposes beyond gut health, say leading industry players in our latest deep dive into...

‘Growing rapidly’: Indonesia could become SEA’s largest herbal tea market– Wanglaoji

15-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

China herbal tea brand Wanglaoji says Indonesia is one of its fastest growing markets in South East Asia (SEA) and could potentially become its biggest market in the region in the next couple of years.

Big bang: Pill-and-shot supplements trending in South Korea with major brands jumping on the bandwagon

14-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Major dietary supplement companies such as CJ Wellcare and CKD Health are launching new products that come in the pill-and-shot format across South Korea – in what is considered an emerging trend sweeping across the country’s nutraceutical sector.

Bringing into focus: Japan’s natural tech releases new eye supplement amid ‘skyrocketing demand’

14-May-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese wellness firm natural tech Co Ltd says that lifestyle changes of modern consumers and the country’s ageing population have led to increasing eye-related problems, which it aims to address with its new supplement.

Urgent action needed: NZ natural products industry demands action to boost exports as Therapeutic Products Act repealed

13-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

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.

GK Bio plans expansion in neighbouring SEA countries with fungi, probiotics launch

09-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia headquartered GK Bio International, which specialises in fungi and probiotics supplements, says it is expanding into the neighbouring South East Asian countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Nutrachampion podcast

“Hidden talents”: Malaysia’s biopharma firm sees vast R&D opportunities in over 3,000 local medicinal plants

08-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

There are vast R&D opportunities in the botanical health supplements and therapeutics sector across Malaysia, where there is already a pool of over 3,000 known medicinal plants to be tapped on, says the CEO of local biopharma firm Medika Natura.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in Apr 2024

07-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

From Japan's Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice supplement scandal to Unilever's hydration brand Liquid I.V. making its way into more markets, including China and Australia, here are the most-read stories on NutraIngredients-Asia...

Ginseng, brahmi, coffee fruit extract could improve mood, working memory – USANA-funded trial

07-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

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.

Korean angelica-derived probiotic strain shown to be effective in reducing body fat – Kolmar-funded RCT

06-May-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

A plant-derived probiotic strain has been found to be effective in reducing body fat, and could potentially be a safer alternative for weight loss management compared to existing drugs, say Korean researchers.

AYUSH products should not claim nutraceutical value – Indian authorities

01-May-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Ayurveda and other related drugs or products are not allowed to claim nutraceutical value, the Indian authorities said.

Sweet relief: Amorepacific’s Vital Beautie adds new functional jelly product to body fat reduction range

30-Apr-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Amorepacific-owned brand Vital Beautie says that its “diet line-up” is now complete with the launch of a new jelly product that helps manage blood sugar levels for people who have difficulty controlling carbohydrate intake.

‘Mislabelling and contamination’: Almost 70% of protein products tested in India don’t meet label claims

29-Apr-2024 By Audrey Yow

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.

Don’t miss out: Register for our Healthy Ageing APAC webinar to gain insights from major industry players

26-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

You can gain exclusive insights on healthy ageing from leading nutraceutical players, including H&H Group, Himalaya Wellness, Senescence and more in NutraIngredients-Asia’s upcoming editorial webinar.

Third pathway: Malaysia’s new ‘modern claims’ system could drive more clinical research and business

22-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

The introduction of a new ‘modern claims’ system in Malaysia has been welcomed by industry players as it could drive more clinical research, expand new product options for consumers, and open local and international market opportunities.

Mānuka honey helps reduce functional dyspepsia symptoms – Comvita study

22-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of mānuka honey has been shown to reduce symptoms of functional dyspepsia, New Zealand-based mānuka honey maker Comvita announced.

Behind the Big Story

WATCH: Japanese firms pursuing overseas expansion via M&A – the case of Rohto and Eu Yan Sang

17-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Japanese companies are actively seeking overseas expansion through mergers and acquisitions, as seen in Rohto’s and Mitsui’s acquisition of Eu Yan Sang recently.

Supplier news: Spotlight on Sami-Sabinsa, PhytoGaia, Synbio Tech, Kaneka

12-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we look at some of the latest updates and insights from functional ingredients suppliers, including leadership changes at Sami-Sabinsa, PhytoGaia’s plans for a trial that examines multi-carotenoids’ benefits for weight management, Synbio...

Beyond NMN: New longevity supplement brand makes its debut in Singapore

08-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Elivity, a new longevity supplement brand, has made its debut in Singapore and it aims to move Asia’s understanding of the category beyond the use of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).

Trend tracker: A closer look at nutra markets across Vietnam, India, and South Korea

05-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including exclusive analysis in Vietnam and India market trends, and how South Korea is seeing a fast growth for its functional probiotics market.

VitamINSIGHTS

Vietnam nutra market: Bone, cognition health trending, with botanicals and traditional formats popular – Exclusive insights

03-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Bone and cognitive health needs are cited as the trending nutraceutical categories in Vietnam, but companies should keep in mind how the market is still heavily rooted in herbal formulations with a preference for basic dosage formats, despite its rapid...

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in March 2024

02-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

From NMN supplements quality to new launches from Nestle China, Meiji, and FY23 results of Haleon and Bayer, here are the most-read stories on NutraIngredients-Asia in March 2024.

Red yeast rice saga: Japan authority urges all FFC businesses to declare health hazards

02-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), which oversees the Foods with Function Claims (FFC) sector, is asking all businesses to declare any health hazards linked to their products in the wake of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice saga.

Anju and Shaheen Majeed to lead Sami-Sabinsa Group

01-Apr-2024 By Asia Sherman

Multi-national health sciences company Sami-Sabinsa announced that Dr. Muhammed Majeed’s children will carry on their father’s legacy at the helm of the business he founded 36 years ago. Dr. Majeed died March 13 at age 75 following complications from...

Japan red yeast rice extract crisis: The three key elements that require safety tests during production

01-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Red yeast rice extract production would need to fulfill three key elements of testing to ensure product safety, industry experts highlighted amid an ongoing crisis involving products made using Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice raw...

NAD+, liver health needs driving China’s adult nutrition revenue jump – H&H Group

01-Apr-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Health & Happiness Group (H&H Group) says demand for its high-end adult nutrition brand Swisse Plus+, especially its nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and liver health products, is key to the 37.4 per cent revenue jump for its adult nutrition...

Brand new: Nin Jiom, Nestle, Morinaga Milk, Cheong Kwan Jang in the spotlight

28-Mar-2024 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Nin Jiom's debut in the healthy ageing space with the upcoming launch of a nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplement in Singapore, Nestle China's...

Chronic kidney disease patients in Taiwan embrace alternative medicines despite physician non-disclosure

28-Mar-2024 By Cheryl Marie Tay

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in Taiwan often do not disclose their complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use to their physicians, risking potentially adverse side effects or unintended interactions with conventional medications, say local...

Red yeast rice supplements scandal: Kobayashi Pharmaceutical halts production, recalls all products amid kidney disease, death cases

27-Mar-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical is halting the production of all its red yeast rice raw material and supplements containing the raw material, following consumer complaints of kidney disease. The company is also recalling all of its products that contain...

Lack of communication on chronic disease patients’ herbal supplement use concerning: Saudi study

25-Mar-2024 By Cheryl Marie Tay

Chronic disease patients in Saudi Arabia may consume an excessive amount of herbal supplements, with a lack of communication between them and their healthcare providers risking potential drug interactions, according to a recent study by researchers in...

Give when needed: Medical practitioners on the role of supplements and how to select the right ones

21-Mar-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Health supplements could play a role in medical practice but there are still various challenges that need to be overcome for more widespread use, according to a group of medical experts during a healthy longevity conference held in Singapore.

‘Participant characterisations’ could affect placebo response in trials that assess the impact of nutraceuticals on depression

19-Mar-2024 By Audrey Yow

Variations in the placebo response have been linked to participant characterisations in research assessing the impact of nutraceuticals on depression, in a first-of-its-kind study.

Instagram posts by nutrition brands under fire for lacking in quality and accuracy – Aussie researchers

18-Mar-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Instagram posts on nutrition are lacking in quality and accuracy, especially those that are posted by brands, says a group of researchers who undertook a study on Australian Instagram accounts.

Regulatory review: China’s electrolyte drinks, TGA’s safety advisory on ashwagandha and more

15-Mar-2024 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across APAC, including China’s food industry association planning to set industry standards for electrolyte drinks, Taiwan’s harsher penalties for firms...

Rise of retro: Cheong Kwan Jang rides “grandmillennial” trend to launch red ginseng-infused traditional snacks

14-Mar-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)-owned brand Cheong Kwan Jang is actively expanding its red ginseng snacks line-up to target young consumers amid a thriving retro craze.

Crocetin creation: Meiji launching functional milk beverage that supports vision and sleep

13-Mar-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese dairy giant Meiji is set to release a new Foods with Function Claims (FFC) product that it says would support eye accommodation and improve sleep quality.

VitamINSIGHTS

India market opportunities: Weight, beauty, sports driving growth, but more attention needed on FSMP, glucose control

12-Mar-2024 By Tingmin Koe

India’s nutraceutical sector is rapidly expanding with start-ups, local players, and international brands entering the space, but the market is far from overcrowded and there is still growth space, according to insiders.

Australia’s Savvy Beverage calls for greater honesty and transparency about ingredients content among functional beverage firms

22-Feb-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Aussie brand Savvy Beverage has called out what it believes is the prevalence of highly priced functional beverages that contain inadequate beneficial ingredients, imploring greater honesty and transparency among companies to advance the emerging category....

Crataegus extract shows promise for weight management

19-Feb-2024 By Olivia Brown

A recent study has found that supplementation with a mixture of Crataegus pinnatifida leaves and Citrus unshiu peels, resulted in significant improvements to body weight and fat percentage in overweight adults.

London Nootropics brews startup success with adaptogenic coffee blends

13-Feb-2024 By Olivia Haslam

Adaptogenic-coffee baristas and 'Dragon's Den' investment winners have crafted organic growth with ‘healthy buzz’ brews.

‘Huge consumer segments’: India’s Ishaanav sees nutra opportunities for pre-diabetes, PCOS

13-Feb-2024 By Tingmin Koe

India’s Ishaanav Nutraceuticals is seeing opportunities for the use of health supplements to manage conditions that currently do not have a specific pharmaceutical intervention, such as pre-diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

VitamINSIGHTS

Breaking barriers: How to crack Indonesia’s supplement market with new formats, retail channels, and digital power – Exclusive analysis

07-Feb-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Indonesia’s dietary supplement market is still at a nascent stage as compared to several other South East Asian (SEA) neighbours, but industry players are seeing opportunities in attracting new consumers by introducing products in lifestyle formats, tapping...