China Focus: COVID-19 and vitamin C sales boost, Sirio Pharma's 'blue-hat' probiotics, and Danone's traceable infant formula
COVID-19: China retailers and suppliers report surge in demand for Vitamin C supplements
Chinese e-commerce giant, JD has reported that sales of vitamin C dietary supplements on its platform were up five-fold, after the announcement of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Sales of health products including vitamin C effervescent tablets, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) brand Banlangen, and Xiao Chaihu (herbal formula) saw big increases.
These supplements are used to help prevent fever, cold, and other respiratory symptoms. JD said the virus outbreak was the cause of the surge consumption, and its higher online sales was attributed to consumers preferring to order delivery online instead of going to supermarket to purchase products.
‘Blue-hat’ charm: Sirio Pharma gains approval for three probiotics formulations
Sirio Pharma has obtained the ‘blue-hat’ approval for three of its probiotic formulations. The company now has ‘blue-hat’ certificates for four of its probiotic formulations in total.
The three probiotics, trademarked as Quan xin, An Yijia, and Wewow, come in powder form and their ‘blue-hat’ status is effective until early 2025.
Both Quan xin and An yi jia use the probiotic strains La-5 and BB-12 and are approved for strengthening the immune system in children and teenagers. Wewow is approved for modulating the gut microbiome.
China infant formula traceability: Danone launches dual-QR service
Danone is launching a new traceability service for its infant formula in China, followed by other Asia-Pacific markets as well as Australia and New Zealand throughout the year.
The service called Track & Connect is a combination of several technologies, which aims to offer consumers and retailers greater transparency on the farm-to-fork journey of the company’s infant formula.
David Boulanger, senior vice president of operations at Danone Specialised Nutrition told NutraIngredients-Asia, “There is a growing appetite from consumers, and parents who want to know more about what is in the food they eat and what they give to their babies,
‘The third alternative’: Israeli firm eyes APAC entry with plant-based toddler formula
A plant-based toddler formula made from three key ingredients: almond, buckwheat, and tapioca, is set to launch in APAC within the next 12 months.
Developed by Israel-based Else Nutrition, the product’s greatest differentiation from conventional products, lies in its non-soy and non-dairy components.
Speaking to NutraIngredients-Asia, Hamutal Yitzhak, the company’s co-founder, director and CEO, said that the product catered to toddler aged 12 to 36 months, would be available to Asian consumers within the next 12 months.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2020: Entries open for region’s best products, ingredients and projects
Entries are now open for NutraIngredients-Asia's third annual awards, held to recognise the best supplements and functional foods products, ingredients and research across Asia Pacific.
The awards ceremony will take place in Singapore on September 22, the evening before Vitafoods Asia 2020 gets underway.
They are open to companies across the globe, providing its products or ingredients are available in at least one APAC market.
