Japan focus: Meiji’s sports nutrition goals, FANCL’s personalised supplement, and chilli power

Meiji eyes 30% growth in sports nutrition business as Tokyo Olympics draws near​

Meiji is aiming for a 30% growth in sales of its sports nutrition products​ this year, with the firm hoping to capitalise on the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Last year’s full-year sports nutrition sales for the company grew 20% compared to FYE March 2018.

Meiji’s two main brands in sports nutrition are VAAM and SAVAS, which together account for a market share​ of 53.9% in Japan. SAVAS is a whey-based supplement, while VAAM is an amino-acid supplement.

Personalised nutrition in Japan: FANCL launches ‘Personal One’ supplement service​

Japanese supplements and cosmetics firm FANCL is launching a new personalised supplement service​, Personal One, using data from consumer questionnaires and urine tests.

FANCL believes is the first major supplement manufacturer to provide such a service, according to Toshihiro Tomita from the public relations group at FANCL Corporation.

He told NutraIngredients-Asia​: “Personalisation optimising services according to personal interests such as beauty, health and fashion is advancing. Some venture companies have already implemented personalised supplements. However, we are the first service provider for a major supplement manufacturer.”​

Mitsubishi-backed spirulina: Brunei’s first producer eyes Japan before going global​

Tavelmout Biofarm (TVMB), the first company to open a factory for spirulina production in Brunei​, is eyeing commercial success in Japan, with frozen raw spirulina soon to be launched in spring.

The firm is a subsidiary of Japanese biotech company Tabérumo Corp which received  investment amounting to JPY$1.7bn​ (US$15m) from two major Japanese companies - Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) last year. 

The investments were injected to the construction of the spirulina factory in Brunei.

Consumption of chilli pepper may increase physical activity and reduce fat in older adults – Japan study​

Capsinoids from non-pungent chilli peppers have been reported to increase physical activity​ (PA), reduce body fat mass, and promote metabolism in older Japanese adults.

According to a study conducted in Japan, researchers said this effect was more pronounced in participants with sedentary lifestyles.

The study was published in the journal, Nutrients​.

Big in Japan: Probiotics most popular non-vitamin / mineral pick for children – major survey​

Probiotics are the most popular​ non-vitamin and non-mineral dietary supplement given to Japanese boys and girls, according to a new nationwide internet survey.

Researchers from Japan found probiotics consumption was 18.2% in boys and 18.5% in girls, and that intake was especially higher among children suffering from allergic diseases.

The findings were published in the journal, Nutrients​.