China focus: Formula milk insights, Danone China and Qingdao University’s partnership, Amway’s Guangzhou investment and more
From babies to seniors: How Chinese firms are applying concepts from infant formula, sports nutrition into healthy ageing product
Nutrition companies in China are adopting nutritional concepts from the infant formula and sports nutrition sectors when developing products for healthy ageing, according to insights from Glanbia Nutritionals.
This is also why companies specialising in infant formula products also tend to be market players in the adult and elderly milk formula categories.
Examples include Yili, which has developed a range of formula products under the brand Xin Huo (欣活) as well as Danone China’s low glycemic index (GI) milk powder launched under the Ganmai brand last year.
Danone China partners with Qingdao University to drive gut health, early life nutrition, healthy ageing R&D
Danone China and Qingdao University has set up a new innovation centre to drive R&D across gut health, early life nutrition, and healthy ageing.
The two parties will conduct research around the entire lifespan, especially on gastrointestinal health and the gut microbiome. In addition, they would take into consideration the unique needs of Chinese consumers in tailoring nutrition products for them.
Danone China highlighted that gut function, digestive health and gut microbiome have been the company’s key strengths and ongoing research areas both globally and in China.
Formula milk containing only A2 beta-casein improves gut health in Chinese children – Wyeth Nutrition-funded RCT
Growing-up milk (GUM) that solely contains A2 beta-casein protein is associated with reduced constipation and improved gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms within one week of intervention, say Chinese researchers.
The study was funded by Wyeth Nutrition China and published in Nutrients.
It was also found that participants who consumed GUM containing only A2 beta-casein were more sociable and easily soothed, but less active than those who took conventional milk.
Knowledge block? New rules for internet advertising of health foods in China from 1 May 2023
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is implementing stringent new rules on the advertising of health foods, Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs), and medical devices from May this year.
It comes after SAMR announced the Measures on the Administration of Internet Advertising, which consist of 32 measures designed to keep up with new developments across China’s online advertising scene.
Among them, the sharing of knowledge on health and wellness in an attempt to advertise health foods and FSMPs on the internet will be prohibited. Also, health foods and FSMPs advertisements are not allowed on internet webpages and apps, social media, and other online channels that are targeted at the underaged population.
Amway China invests nearly US$90m in five-year long upgrade works in Guangzhou
Amway China is investing RMB$600m (US$87m) for a five-year-long upgrading project of its production base in Guangzhou.
The funds injected will be used to upgrade the basic infrastructure and production facilities, and implement modern production techniques.
Amway China and Guangzhou Hi-Tech Industry Development Zone Administration Committee have also signed a partnership agreement on Amway R&D Centre and Big Health Sharing platform partnership (安利研发中心及大健康共享平台).
The platform will strengthen Amway China’s existing R&D capabilities, promote R&D cooperation among companies in China’s health industry, as well as leverage the advantages of Guangzhou’s biomedical industry.
