Brand new: Youvit, Biostime, Wellversed in the spotlight

Over the wall: Turkey’s Sunny Fruit seeks to break into China market after pro-, prebiotics launch​​

Turkey-based organic snacks brand Sunny Fruit is focusing on extending its functional dried fruits range, following the debut of its prebiotic- and probiotic- fortified products, with cracking the China market its number one priority.

At the recent THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023, the brand introduced its latest “functional fruits” range, which include Prebiotic Organic Dried Apricots, Prebiotic Organic Dried Figs, and Organic Fig & Walnut Balls with Added Probiotics & Prebiotics.

The dried fruits are infused with prebiotics from chicory root fibres, while the fruit and nut snack contains oligofructose-enriched inulin and Bacillus​ coagulans GBI-30 6086.

New formats, new markets: Indonesia’s Youvit on a roll in wake of US$6 mn Unilever-led funding boost​​

Indonesian supplement brand Youvit is innovating with new product formats after expanding significantly in the Malaysian market on the back of funding led by the venture capital and private equity arm of Unilever.

The firm, which specialises in gummy nutraceuticals, will be exploring new formats to allow the incorporation of a wider range of active ingredients. So far, it has launched a high fibre powdered drink and a collagen powdered drink. 

The firm raised raised US$6 million in a series B funding round led by Unilever Ventures at the end of last year. Existing investor DSG Consumer Partners and several undisclosed new backers also participated in the round.

Biostime newly approved infant formulas in China highlight LPN as key ingredient​​

Biostime’s newly approved infant formulas in China are using osteopontin from bovine milk, also known as lactopontin (LPN), as one of the key ingredients, said parent firm Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group).

Out of the eight Biostime infant formula series, four have been approved under China’s new national or Guobiao (GB) standards for infant formula effective from February 22, 2023​, with the remaining series pending approval.

“Inspired by the breast milk research, LPN – which is a key breast milk protein proven to help babies’ immunity – is one of the key ingredients used in the new Biostime formulas,” ​Akash Bedi, interim CEO and chief strategy and operations officer said in response to NutraIngredients-Asia’s ​queries.

‘Full stack wellness’: Indian brand Wellversed on ‘owning the ecosystem’ to understand the consumer​​

Delhi-based digital retailer Wellversed is tapping on its market insights to create its own line of nutraceutical products.

According to Co-founder Aanan Khurma, the Indian consumer likes to experiment with new products and wants to know what is on the label of the supplements that they are taking.

Other trends driving growth include an increasing demand for functional food, such as protein powder mixed in milk and nutrient-specific supplements that address nutritional deficiencies in one’s diet, such as iron, calcium, and Vitamin D.

Consumer-led NPD: Aussie supplement firm The Fix on ‘not putting up’ with period symptoms​​

Aussie supplement brand The Fix says that there is huge unmet demand for preventive nutritional solutions to tackle symptoms experienced during menstruation.

Citing a YouGov survey conducted in Australia, co-founder Julie Moulder said that 93 per cent of over 1,000 women aged 16 to 50 had experienced mild to unbearable symptoms.

Moulder added that consumers were well-aware of the symptoms that they were experiencing, but were unsure of ways to relieve the symptoms.