Hot Right Now: Nootropic innovation, Asian demand for probiotics and lactoferrin, and the effects of China's daigou clampdown

Kiwi nootropic firm aiming to become 'world's most iconic brain health brand'

Kiwi food technology company Ārepa has plans to become "the world's most iconic brain health brand"​, with its patented nootropic formula​ and science-backed claims driving this goal.

According to founder Angus Brown, the formula was developed with the help of world-renowned neuroscientists and food technologists.

It contains four main ingredients: polyphenol- and flavonoid-rich Enzogenol (a pure New Zealand pine tree bark extract produced by Kiwi firm ENZO Nutraceuticals), antioxidant-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract, and 100% pure L-theanine and green tea extract — both sourced from Japan.

Chapati for weight loss? OptiBiotix outlines Indian plans for SlimBiome after FSSAI approval

UK firm OptiBiotix is looking to increase its APAC presence​, with Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) approval the latest development in its expansion plans with its weight management product, SlimBiome.

Through its manufacturing partner, Zeon Life Sciences, the FSSAI granted the company a licence for the product to be manufactured and sold in India.

This approval will permit Zeon to manufacture and sell SlimBiome as an ingredient to brands, as well as a health product, and in finished products under OptiBiotix's GoFigure range of meal replacement shakes, snack bars, and muesli.

Freedom Foods expects lactoferrin production to meet rising domestic and Asia demand

Australian firm Freedom Foods has started lactoferrin production​ at its Shepparton plant, with the goal of commencing sales of its lactoferrin in Q4 2019.

Earlier this month, Freedom Foods completed a key commissioning step at its Shepparton site for the production of the dairy protein lactoferrin, with an initial installed annual capacity of 16 tonnes.

According to the firm, it has received "strong market inquiry"​ for its lactoferrin capacity, which it expects to sell into FY 2020.

Daigou disruption: Cross-border changes hit Swisse owner H&H's Q1 adult nutrition sales in Australia and New Zealand

Swisse owner Health & Happiness (H&H) International saw a dip of 25.2% in its Australia and New Zealand adult nutrition sales​ in the first quarter of 2019, despite a slight overall revenue increase.

This came in the wake of new cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) rules, which again highlights how sales performance in Australia in particular are at the mercy of  daigou ​trends.

According to H&H, China's new e-commerce regulations​ — which were implemented at the start of the year — resulted in many daigou​ sellers de-stocking their inventory and reducing trading activity.

Consumption of cordyceps extract can improve immune health through cell mediation: South Korean RCT

An extract from the traditional Chinese herb cordyceps may have protective effects​ on the human immune system, according to South Korean researchers.

Cordyceps has been said to possess multiple biopharmaceutical effects, some of which benefit immune health.

Researchers at Chonbuk National University conducted a study using a preparation of a cordyceps mycelium culture extract, Paceilomyces hepiali​, CBG-CS-2, to test the herb's efficacy in enhancing the immune system, as well as its safety in healthy adults.