China Focus: Fonterra, Blackmores and Honest Dairy's light protected packaging in the spotlight
Upgraded Anmum: Fonterra China targets ‘super-premium’ market after Hong Kong launch
Fonterra China is targeting the “super-premium” consumer market with an upgraded version of Anmum – its flagship formula powder for mothers.
Selling under the brand name Assura, the upgraded product was first launched in Hong Kong earlier this year.
In China, the launch will take place in October, NutraIngredients-Asia understands from Arthur Kong, the firm’s general manager of business development.
Dairy sees the light: New protective packaging for functional yoghurt in China
Guangzhou-based probiotic yoghurt producer Honest Dairy and light protection technology company Noluma have developed what is claimed to be China’s first functional yogurt product contained in a light-protected packaging.
Their yoghurt product, Body Knows, contains the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG) which contribute to good digestive function, preventing constipation and bloating.
Light is known to degrade food and packaged goods, but new research have proved protective packaging can protect against taste and nutrient damage from all light sources.
Blackmores’ CFO exclusive: ‘Pharmacy sales, probiotics and beauty-from-within key to boost China fortunes’
Blackmores has reiterated its commitment to China in the wake of weak full year results in the country, with its CFO telling us in an exclusive interview that it is determined to strengthen its presence in in-country retail, such as pharmacies, alongside e-commerce platforms.
In its FY2019 financial report released last Thursday (Aug 15), the firm report fast growth in the South East Asian markets, but this was offset, by a lacklustre performance in China.
The overall key export accounts and in-country sales in China went down by 15% yoy to $122m and stricter Chinese e-commerce law was cited as a key factor.
Consumption of A2 milk has positive effect on gastrointestinal system and cognition in pre-schoolers: China study
A new study has found that replacing conventional milk with A2 milk greatly reduced gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lactose intolerance in Chinese preschool children, and saw improvements in their cognitive performance.
Researchers from Australia and China’s universities compared the effects of five days consumption of conventional milk (containing A1 and A2 β-casein) and A2 milk (contain A2 β-casein only).
“Conventional milk increased serum inflammatory and immune biomarkers, as well as an increased cognitive test error rate compared with A2 milk in the pre-schoolers.”
Feeling the heat: High chilli intake linked to cognitive decline in Chinese adults
Chilli consumption above 50g a day has been linked to cognitive decline in Chinese adults, according to researchers from Qatar, Australia and USA.
The 15-year study enrolled 4852 adults in China and is the first population study investigating the association between chilli intake and cognitive function.
Capsaicin, the active component in chilli, has previously been found to have benefits in relation to mortality, obesity and hypertension. But its effect on long-term cognition function had yet to be elucidated in animals and humans.
