From India's nutraceutical regulations to consumer behaviour in Indonesia, and FY23 financial results from Kirin, Danone, and Otsuka Holdings, here are the most-read stories on NutraIngredients-Asia in February 2024.
Indian nutraceutical experts are not in favour of the government’s potential plan to give the country’s drug regulator control over the category, arguing that this would stifle industry development in the thriving sector.
Indonesia’s dietary supplement market is still at a nascent stage as compared to several other South East Asian (SEA) neighbours, but industry players are seeing opportunities in attracting new consumers by introducing products in lifestyle formats, tapping on the power of social media, and growing their presence in lower tier cities.
An analysis of Google Trends has found that Australia has the highest number of searches for the terms “gut microbiome”, “gut probiotics”, and “dysbiosis” globally, signifying the country’s interest in this category.
Meiji has joined hands with skincare and cosmetic brand Albion in launching chocolates and jelly drinks containing glucosylceramide, which Meiji claims is a moisturising ingredient derived from cacao.
Kirin has reported strong revenue growth for its non-alcoholic beverage business, driven by demand for health functional drinks and especially those in small-volume PET bottles, the company said in its FY2023 financial results.
Danone’s CEO says that its business in China has been “extremely strong” in FY23 with growth propelled by its specialised nutrition portfolio, which consists of infant and medical nutrition products.
Electrolyte drink Pocari Sweat is seeing strong demand, especially in China in the post-pandemic era, having surpassed the growth rate of sports drinks in the APAC market by more than five times.
Taiwan is set to add new functional claims for health foods containing selenium and zinc, with regulators stating this will bring them into line with international standards.
Increased dietary intake of vitamin B1 has been linked to better cognitive function in individuals aged over 60, according to a cross-sectional observational study by academics in China.
Convenience chain 7-Eleven Singapore has included local dietary supplement brand Ocean Health’s products, including gummies and fast melt powder, into its offerings.