China focus: Infant formula market, SAMR's proposal, BY-HEALTH's APAC expansion
Formula for success? More children and student formulas launched in China amid shrinking birth rates
Milk formulas for children and young teens are gaining traction in China, with both local and foreign companies rushing to compete in this emerging market.
Just last month, Nestle China unveiled two of its latest stage-four formulas for children age three to six under the NAN range.
One of the formulas Rui Bo NAN (瑞铂能恩) is an A2-milk base containing Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, while the other, Chao Qi NAN (超启能恩), is the firm’s first partially hydrolysed stage-four formula.
China beverage rules change: Regulator SAMR proposes clearer distinctions for powdered / granule drinks
The China authorities have proposed a set of regulations to better distinguish so-called ‘solid beverages’ from infant formula and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs).
Solid beverages are in fact, powdered beverages, and are regulated as general foods in China.
The SAMR defines it as a form of general food prepared by processing raw food materials and food additives into powder, granules or lumps.
Alibaba inspiration: Forbidden Foods develops walnut and macadamia oil fortified with algal omega-3 based on e-commerce trends
ASX-listed firm Forbidden Foods has launched a range of walnut/macadamia oil fortified with algal omega-3 in China and Australia based on consumer trends seen on major e-commerce platform Alibaba Tmall.
Launched under the brand FUNCH, the new products consist of walnut oil fortified with algal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil in a 50ml dropper format or a 250ml bottle, and the same formats are available for the macadamia oil.
The oil could be added to cereals, cooked grains, cooked mashed vegetables, and salads, but the dropper version is specially designed for parents to add to the meals of their babies age six months and above, while the 250ml bottle version is meant for family consumption.
BY-HEALTH’s APAC expansion: China brand sees beauty-from-within and female health markets as first steps
BY-HEALTH sees huge opportunities in the beauty-from-within supplement category and the wider female consumer market – two categories it will focus on as it expands its presence in Asia-Pacific.
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange listed company currently has both online and offline retail presence in Australia and New Zealand since 2019. Last year, it also expanded into Hong Kong.
According to Jesse Gu, head of sales and marketing – BY-HEALTH International at BY-HEALTH Co. Ltd, the company’s women’s health products such as Cartidyss Collagen Gummies and Flashnutri Iron Sachet have been its bestsellers in these markets. The company's flagship brand is known as BYHEALTH.
China ingredient data: Calcium tops popularity list in dual, triple nutrient health food formulations
Calcium was the most commonly used ingredient in the formulation of dual and triple nutrients health foods approved via the filing route in China last year.
This is according to data collated by China Nutrition and Health Food Association’s (CNHFA).
Based on the serial numbers of health foods approved via the filing route last year, the CNHFA said that there were 2,300 health foods approved last year.
