Japan focus: FFCs exclusive market analysis, Asahi’s paraprobiotic RCT, government-funded survey findings

Japan’s FFCs popular ingredients revealed: GABA tops the chart, while soybean beta-conglycinin on the rise​​

GABA was most popular ingredient used in Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) products in FY21, while soybean-derived β-conglycinin has made its debut as one of the popular ingredients, exclusive new data reveals.

Analysis from Japan-based nutraceutical and cosmetics consultancy firm Smooth Link Inc shows that there were 78 processed foods FFCs, 54 supplements and 12 fresh foods FFCs that contained GABA. 

Black ginger derived polymethoxyflavone and indigestible dextrin were the second most popular functional ingredients used in FFCs in FY21.

Japan’s functional foods dilemma: Just over one-third of approved FFC products successfully launched in FY21​​

Only about one-third of approved Foods with Function Claims (FFC) had made it on to the market in FY2021, with more than 60 per cent pending launch, exclusive new data has shown.

Only 495 out of 1,445 FFC approved for sale were successfully launched in the market between April 2021 and March this year.

One possible reason for companies not launching a FFC soon after it has been approved by the CAA, is because there is simply too many similar products launched in that period, and companies have decided to delay their launch to avoid intense competition, industry expert Hisaaki Kato, president at Smooth Link Inc told NutraIngredients-Asia.​

Opportunities abound: Asians more open to natural products but seek science-based ingredients – Pharmactive MD​

Asia is more open than any other market in trying natural products due to its long history of traditional remedies, but scientifically backed and clinically trialled ingredients are now fast becoming a key consumer demand.

This trend is going especially strong in South Korea and Japan, according to Madrid-based Pharmactive Biotech Products Managing Director Marguerite Gerritsen.

For instance, the firm itself if conducting nine studies on its flagship saffron extract, including cell-based studies, animal studies to human clinical trials on sleep and mood to meet the demand for scientific evidence.

Compensating for poor diets? Japanese kids who take supplements eat less healthily – government-funded study​

Japanese children who consume dietary supplements were found to eat less healthily than non-users, such as consuming more oils, confectionary and lower amounts of fruits and vegetables.

This was according to a school survey supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The dietary supplement users were significantly older and participated less frequently in sports than non-users. The income per capita was also significantly higher for dietary supplement users than for non-users.

Paraprobiotic intake improves mental and physical symptoms of menopause: RCT​

The supplementation of paraprobiotic Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 has shown to improve mild psychological symptoms and common vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes unique to menopausal women, according to a RCT by Asahi.

They recruited 80 women between the ages of 40 and 60 and the intervention group took L. gasseri ​CP2305 tablets and the control group took placebo tablets over six consecutive menstrual cycles.

It was found that the intake of L. gasseri ​CP2305 “may alleviate the most common psychological symptoms, such as irritability, depression, insomnia and dizziness, as well as vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, chills, excessive sweating, and palpitations” in menopausal Japanese women.