China focus: H&H on ‘HMObiotics’, ‘blue-hat’ logo requirement, mother and kids health

“HMObiotics”: H&H deepens research on specific HMOs, probiotic pairings for health benefits​

Major nutrition company Health and Happiness (H&H Group) is pioneering research on how the right pairings of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotics – a novel category known as ‘HMObiotics’ – could bring about health benefits for consumers across different age groups.

‘HMObiotics’ is defined as the combination of HMOs and probiotics that interact directly or indirectly in “a specific way”​ to confer or enhanced health benefits, Dr. Jonathan Lane, senior manager, global research at H&H Group told us.

Recently, the Hong Kong-listed firm completed a study which showed how the combination of four Bifidobacterium ​strains could better utilise HMOs and produce beneficial metabolites through specific pathways.

China proposes ‘blue-hat’ logo to be printed on all smallest individual packs​

China’s health foods regulator is proposing that all smallest individual product packs should be printed with the ‘blue-hat’ logo.

The new proposal aims to strengthen its control on product labelling and protect consumers’ right, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said on March 21.

Aside from individual packs, the regulator is proposing the manufacturers to print the ‘blue-hat’ logo on the product’s main display – specifically the top left-hand corner – to help consumers identify the product as an approved health food easily.

Maternal health innovation: Probiotics and algal oil DHA help move market on from multivits - WATCH​

The maternal health dietary supplements category is diversifying with the introduction of products containing probiotics and algal oil DHA – although multivitamins and folic acid remain the mainstays.

German-based Mom’s Garden, for example, has developed Prenatal Bird’s Nest DHA – a chewable soft gel containing algal oil DHA and sialic acid from edible bird’s nest. It is currently sold in China. Outside of Asia, it is also sold in Germany. 

“In China, over 70 per cent of pregnant women tried edible bird’s nest when they were pregnant, according to our survey,”​ said Naeyoung Kang, director of innovation and branding, Mom's Garden GmbH.

Swisse cushions H&H’s baby nutrition challenges by growing double-digit in China​

Swisse’s double digital growth in mainland China and growing business in APAC have cushioned parent company Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) from a challenging baby nutrition market.

Swisse, which is the key portfolio of its adult nutrition business, reported strong growth in China, ANZ, and other regions in APAC.

The Australian heritage brand led a growth of 10.8 per cent for H&H’s adult nutrition business in mainland China.

Big ambitions for China: Healthy Heights targets growth on back of NZ partnership​

The firm behind the Healthy Heights nutrition products for kids has outlined how it hopes to secure success in China after sealing a manufacturing deal in New Zealand.

In addition to using milk from the New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, the Israel-based outfit NGS recently signed an agreement with kiwi manufacturing company NIG Nutritionals and hopes the country’s strong reputation for quality will be a major sales driver among Chinese parents.

CEO and Managing Director of NGS Liron Fendell said: “New Zealand is globally renowned for producing quality dairy and is held in the highest regard by parents in China and Asia. This also has a logistical advantage as manufacturers can export and ship to China quickly".​