China focus: Amway removes unnecessary additives, Infinitus upgrades testing centre, Biostime’s LPN-containing infant formulas, health foods advertisements and more
‘No benefit, no use’: Amway China reveals efforts to reduce artificial colouring, preservatives and excipients in health foods
Amway China launched its 2022 Sustainability Report during a company event in Beijing during end May, highlighting plans for reducing carbon emission and improving its formulation for supplements.
One of the goals is for its Nutrilite dietary supplement range to be 100% “pure without additives” by next year. This means that the firm will reduce the use of artificial essences, colouring, and preservatives.
For instance, it has removed the colouring used in its calcium, magnesium, vitamin D chewable tablets for kids, as well as removing hydrogenated vegetable oil, fructose, and glucose, reducing the use of non-necessary excipients.
Quality control: Guangdong direct-selling firm Infinitus invests over $1m in testing centre upgrading
Infinitus has invested RMB$8m (US$1.13m) in upgrading one of its testing centres located in Xinhui, Guangdong that covers health foods, foods, cosmetics, and personal care products testing.
The direct-selling firm is a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Lee Kum Kee Health Products Group (LKKHPG). Outside of China, it also operates in Canada and South East Asia, including Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia.
A number of new technologies will be introduced into the upgraded centre, including 3M mold rapid detection technology, automatic colony counter, and automatic culture medium packaging equipment, the firm told NutraIngredients-Asia.
Immunity benefits: China adds soy protein isolate, whey protein to health foods raw material directory
China health foods authorities are adding soy protein isolate and whey protein to the country’s Health Food Raw Material Directory – Nutrition Supplement.
Products containing these two ingredients could make specific health claims of “strengthening immunity” from October 1, 2023.
Dietary protein has garnered attention in China during COVID-19, with a survey showing that over 95% of the Chinese population believe that dairy protein could confer immunity-boosting benefits.
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 four pending approval.
The four series approved are Biostime Pi-Star, Biostime Organic Milk (Healthy Times), Biostime Goat Milk (Cute Betty’s Care), and Biostime Alpha Star infant formula series.
Scientific research reports, clinical evidence might be prohibited on health foods advertisements – China regulator
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has proposed new regulations for health foods advertisements, to keep up with the fast-evolving advertising models and better protect the rights of underaged consumers.
The first proposed change is that advertisements of health foods, Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP), drugs, and medical devices should refrain from using “theories, opinions or the use of scientific journal publication, research reports, clinical evidence and etc. beyond what is present in the user manual.”
Secondly, the advertisements should not involve underage individuals in introducing these products.
