Australia’s vitamin B6 saga: Legal firm considering claims against more brands
The law firm behind a potential class action against Blackmores in relation to a product containing Vitamin B6 is also considering investigations into other brands.
The proposed class action by Polaris Lawyers claimed that lead plaintiff Dominic Noonan-O’Keeffe has been experiencing neuropathy caused by excessive B6 levels in the Blackmores supplements that he was taking.
The law firm claimed that Blackmores Super Magnesium+ - one of the products that Noonan-O’Keeffe had been taking - contained approximately 29 times the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin B6.
Amway deepens partnership with Korean microbiome firm HEM
Amway is developing new probiotic products and bringing microbiome testing and research to new markets as part of its expanded partnership with HEM Pharma.
The two companies’ partnership started about a decade ago. In 2022, they launched a gut microbiome testing and personalised nutrition products branded “My Lab by Nutrilite” in South Korea.
So far, the companies have collected about 95,000 samples from the South Korean consumers who had subscribed to the gut microbiome testing and personalised nutrition service.
Four major trends from China Healthplex Expo 2025
From next generation probiotics to short video app Douyin snapping up health supplements sales, NutraIngredients-Asia brings you four major trends seen at last week’s Healthplex Expo 2025 in China.
The annual expo was held in National Convention and Exhibition Center, Shanghai from June 24 to 26.
Some of the key trends include the emergence of next-gen probiotics Akkermansia muciniphila, infant and kids nutrition continuing to drive market growth, and consumers’ preference in using Douyin for product purchase.
Nestle Health Science opens retail store, customized nutrition in South Korea
Nestle Health Science has opened a retail store in South Korea, where customized health supplements services, alongside its flagship brands such as Vital Proteins, are available.
The retail store is located within the Hyundai Department Store in Mokdong, Seoul.
A key feature of the store is the use of digital tools to help consumers understand their health status and obtain customized health foods recommendation.
Australia manufacturing gets a boost from US-China trade uncertainty
The ongoing US-China trade war has given the Australia nutraceutical manufacturing sector a boost, as companies look to shift their operations to regions with safe and quality production capabilities, alongside stable trade policies.
Australian nutraceutical manufacturers have seen a spike in interest after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement on April 2.
As of July 9, the Trump Administration introduced a new wave of tariffs on 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia which would face 25% tariffs on imports to the US starting from August 1.
Mengniu to explore bone, joint, anti-oxidation for sports nutrition range
China dairy giant Mengniu Dairy is exploring bone and joint health, as well as anti-oxidation as it expands its sports nutrition range.
Mengniu launched the sports nutrition brand M-Action (Mai Sheng, 迈胜) two years ago in February 2023.
It has so far developed pre-, during, post-workout nutritional products for active lifestyle seekers as well as professional sportsmen.
Vinamilk talks trends, opportunities in Vietnam’s infant formula market
Vietnam’s infant formula market is highly competitive but leading local company Vinamilk believes that there are opportunities to breakthrough via product differentiation, premiumization, and playing it smart at the retail end.
Vinamilk was one of the keynote speakers at the Growth Asia Summit organized by NutraIngredients-Asia and FoodNavigator-Asia last week.
The summit was held in Singapore Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on July 15 and 17.
Prebiotics for sleep? Calbee to build personalized nutrition for gut and sleep
Japanese snack and cereal company Calbee believes that prebiotics could be used for a personalized approach to gut support, which studies have shown can also link to sleep quality.
The company believes that personalized nutrition would become more common in the future.
It plans to hone its existing gut microbiome testing services and leverage prebiotics as an essential part of nutrition.
Pine-derived vitamin D3 gains entry approval from Indian regulator
China’s functional ingredient supplier INNOBIO hopes to target India’s vast vegetarian and vegan populations with the approval.
This would build on the ingredient’s existing presence in the European and the US markets which similarly targeted vegans, vegetarians and consumers who are into organically-certified products.
Vitamin D3 supplements are mostly from animal sources - typically lanolin derived from sheep’s wool. Food sources include fish and fish liver oils which are not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Jung Kwan Jang addresses men’s health, andropause with red ginseng-based innovations
Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC)-owned Jung Kwan Jang is addressing various men’s health concerns, including prostate issues and andropause, through different lines of red ginseng-based products.
Through continuous consumer research and trends analysis, KGC aims to meet evolving health needs by developing customized products supported by decades of accumulated expertise and technological capability, and collaborating with reputable university hospitals and research institutions to back its product efficacy.
At Growth Asia Summit 2025 co-organized by NutraIngredients and FoodNavigator, held in Singapore from July 15 to 17, Kai Lee, Team Leader of Global Market Development Team at KGC, shared how Korean red ginseng is being repositioned as a modern, multifunctional health supplement, as well as the company’s innovation highlights.