Japan focus: Kirin, Fuji Chem crowned NutraIngredients-Asia Awards winners, Kao’s new launch and more

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Flag of Japan. ©Getty Images (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In this round-up, we will shine the spotlight on the Japanese firms that have took home NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022, Kao’s supplement launch, government survey on supplement use, and more.

Winners revealed: Find out who took the top prizes at this year’s NutraIngredients Asia Awards!

We have announced the winners of the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards for 2022.

The event was broadcast live on the website, where we revealed the 16 winners of our highly sought-after awards.

Some of the winners were companies from Japan, including Kirin and Fuji Chemical Industries.

Golden opportunity: White spaces for mineral-fortified functional foods in Japan – government study

A Japanese government-funded study has revealed new opportunities for brands to develop functional foods and increase awareness among mineral-deficient consumers in Japan.

The study, titled “The Perception of Minerals and Their Prevalence in Fortified Foods and Supplements in Japan” showed that only 18.4 per cent of the 15,000 participants were aware of the amount of minerals that they have consumed.

Most participants did not consume mineral-fortified food, supplements or both due to economic concerns, according to the study conducted in November last year.

Calcium, iron, zinc the most consumed minerals in Japan – Govt-funded survey

Calcium, iron, zinc were the most consumed dietary minerals among Japanese, an online survey funded by the government found.

However, the survey also found that the number of people consuming mineral supplements or mineral-fortified foods remained low.

Price, the belief that they could consume sufficient amounts from their usual diet, and the unwillingness to spend it on supplements were the reasons for not consuming mineral supplements or fortified foods.

Sleep and skin: Kao launching first supplement product under skincare, cosmetic brand est 

Kao will introduce its first Food with Function Claims (FFC) product in Japan for its skincare and cosmetic brand est on October 7.

Known as ‘est Liquid Supplement +’, the product contains GABA and coffee-bean derived chlorogenic acids – an ingredient which the firm has been studying extensively.

The pomegranate flavoured product claims to improve sleep quality, skin elasticity, and maintain peripheral body temperature and is recommended to be taken before sleep.

Learning from Japan: Kirin to reveal its tips to maximise healthy ageing among world’s oldest population – Growth Asia Summit

A senior exec from Japanese nutrition and beverage giant Kirin will be sharing exclusive insights on how the firm is meeting healthy ageing needs among the world’s oldest population at our forthcoming Growth Asia Summit in Singapore.

The three day event will take place at the iconic Marina Bay Sands venue in SIngapore from 11-13 October.

It will feature extensive expert insights from a raft of big-name brands, leading academics, policy experts, and the most innovative suppliers, on topics regarding 1) Healthy Ageing 2) Probiotics, Prebiotics, and the Microbiome, and 3) Protein.