Gut/digestive health

Japan’s functional food insights part 1: Products with multiple health claims on the rise – exclusive data

16-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Products with multiple health claims are on the rise in Japan’s Food with Function (FFC) market with numbers expected to surpass 300 this year, according to exclusive data revealed in the first of our spotlights on the market.

South Korea functional foods growth: Probiotics booming but ginseng still tops chart – new data

15-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Probiotics and ginseng are two key categories driving functional food growth in South Korea last year, according to a new government report.

Healthy Dahi: India’s Milky Mist rolls out probiotic curd with immunity and digestion benefits

10-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

India-based dairy company Milky Mist has launched a probiotic curd, also called Dahi, with claims of boosting the immune system and aiding digestion.

Molson Coors launches probiotic seltzer

09-Sep-2020 By Rachel Arthur

Molson Coors is launching non-alcoholic HUZZAH Probiotic Seltzer in the US, promising more innovations in the non-alcoholic category are to follow.

Mid-year import report: China demand up by a third with big hikes in seal oil, bird's nest

09-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China imported dietary supplements worth US$2bn, up 32.1%, with a new report highlighting edible bird’s nest and seal oil as categories with big growth.

‘Time is running out’: Four-pronged approach for firms to meet Australian TGA’s new health claim rules

08-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Nutra firms preparing to meet Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) new health claim rules should follow a four-pronged approach to ensure they meet the looming deadline.

China probiotics research results: Studies largely ‘foundational’ and lacking technical insights

07-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

There is a lot of foundational research on probiotics in China, but few studies on their technical application, a leading Chinese academic institute has ruled as the sector continues to boom in the country.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2020 winners revealed

04-Sep-2020 By Gary Scattergood

The winners of the 2020 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards have been announced via a live online broadcast, where the region’s brightest and best products, ingredients and projects were revealed.

Brand new: Amway's tech for health goals, H&H's and Blackmores' financials

04-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at Amway's social commerce, big data ambitions for its health and nutrition business in APAC, H&H's and Blackmores' latest financial updates and more.

Half-year report: ASEAN is China’s biggest dietary supplements export destination, with good growth in Middle East

02-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was China’s biggest export destination for dietary supplement ingredients and products in the first half of this year, while the Middle East is likely to offer further growth potential, says a report...

Thinking out of the box: Tea, coffee and honey come to the boil for probiotic beverage innovation

01-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

APAC’s probiotics sector is continuing to soar, but consumers are increasingly seeking applications beyond supplements and dairy, with honey, tea and coffee emerging as potential formats for innovation.

Supplement side-effects in South Korea: Probiotics, omega-3, garcinia cambogia linked to most cases - officials

01-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Probiotics, omega-3 DHA/EPA, and supplements containing the garcinia cambogia extract are linked to the majority cases of unwanted side effects linked to nutraceutical use in South Korea, health officials have reported.

WATCH: Tech for health – Amway on its big tech, social commerce, big data ambitions

31-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Amway has identified digital transformation, social commerce, and big data analytics as key in its development of new nutrition products and services.

Japan focus: Three-part functional food insights, Kirin-Dentsu JV, Eminet's liquid collagen sachet

28-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up includes a three-part feature on Japan's Foods with Function Claims (FFC) market, Kirin-Dentsu JV launching a hop extract supplement for cognitive health, Eminet entering the Thai beauty market with a liquid collagen sachet product...

Supplements for Indians: Nutrova to drive clinical trials for existing and upcoming new products

27-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Mumbai-based nutraceutical brand Nutrova is planning to conduct more clinical trials on the Indian population, as it seeks to build its reputation as a scientifically backed industry player.

Probiotics for endurance: Four-week trial shows improvement in exercise endurance and GI health

26-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The consumption of the proprietary probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 has shown to increase exercise endurance in triathletes by improving gastrointestinal health (GI), according to a four-week RCT.

Japan’s functional food insights part 3: Why do so many products not stand the test of time? – Exclusive data

18-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

End-of-sale, product reformulation, and the lack of a positive sales outlook are the top three reasons for the withdrawal of Foods with Functional Claims (FFCs) from the market, according to exclusive data revealed in our third spotlight on the Japan...

Knowledge gap: Consumer awareness of Japan’s health and functional food categories remains low – new data

18-Aug-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Recently published survey findings from Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) have revealed that a high percentage of consumers were not actively taking health or functional foods, with a local expert attributing this to a lack of knowledge, unmet health...

Probiotics in the Middle East: Functional dairy foods contain fewer multi probiotic strains than pharma products - study

18-Aug-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A cross-sectional study has found that functional foods contain fewer multi probiotic strains compared to over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products in the Middle East.

Japan’s functional food insights part 2: GABA, indigestible dextrin, omega-3 most popular ingredients - exclusive data

18-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), indigestible dextrin, and omega-3 are three of the most commonly used ingredients in Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) in Japan, according to exclusive data revealed in the second of our spotlights on the market.

Recovery-associated bacteria: Research highlights potential benefits of Alistipes, Ruminococcus species

12-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A five-year-long research has identified 21 recovery-associated bacteria (RABs) from the Alistipes, Ruminococcus, Parabacteroides species, as well as the more well-known Bifidobacterium species, as key in restoring microbial balance in the gut.

Shanghai inspections: New health foods and infant formula rules won’t increase red tape - expert

11-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Shanghai authorities have introduced new rules for health foods and infant formula production, with an industry expert assuring this won’t lead to extra red tape or cost for the manufacturers.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in July

05-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

See July's 10 most read stories, including new findings on the types of health supplements that could reduce COVID-19 severity, products that consumers in China have been taking during the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as brand stories.

Practitioner-brands alert: Australian regulator stresses ads for professionals should not be viewed by consumers

05-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australian regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has doubled-down on its stance that online supplements and nutritional adverts intended for health professionals should not be accessible by the public and tools such as username and password...

Personalised nutrition retail stores: Herbalife, Amway, Pulmuone among groundbreaking South Korea pilot project

04-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea will see the opening of 150 brick-and-mortar stores specialising in selling personalised nutrition products in the next two year as part of a pilot project, said the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

Trend tracker: Popular nutra brands in China, India leading APAC in immune health foods launch

31-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we highlight the ongoing trends in the health and nutrition industry, including the best-selling vitamin, calcium, Q10 brands in China, how India is leading APAC in terms of new immune health foods launch and more.

Unmet skin health needs: South Korea’s Youguth to target pregnant women with new probiotic products

29-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

South Korean probiotic brand Youguth is planning to launch new products for pregnant women, to tap into what it believes to be the unmet needs of skin health as well as the more widely-known gut problems among these consumers.

Data bank: China’s most imported vitamins, calcium, probiotics, Q10, glucosamine revealed

27-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s Blackmores, Swisse, and GNC from the US were China’s most imported health foods brands across a range of top-selling product categories, according to a new report.

Regulatory review: FSSAI's PABA ban, China's first livestreaming regulations, and more

24-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up features regulatory updates across India, China, Australia, and South Korea's dietary supplement market.

Morinaga’s innovation focus: Yoghurt NPD, lactoferrin immunity research and e-commerce efforts revealed

21-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese dairy product company Morinaga Milk Industry has revealed plans to expand its yoghurt range by introducing more products with functional benefits, accelerate its lactoferrin research and e-commerce business as part of its key initiatives for...

Nano’s big ambitions: Singapore supplement start-up sets sights on booming ASEAN market

21-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Singapore supplement start-up Nano Singapore Wellness Innovation has outlined plans to expand across the rest of the ASEAN region, with the firm keen to court the younger demographic via its social media strategy.

‘Staying ahead of the curve’: Probiotics firm Beijing Scitop Bio-tech outlines expansion plans amid IPO

20-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Major China probiotics firm Beijing Scitop Bio-Tech is to list publicly on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, with the bulk of the investment received set to be channelled to the construction of a R&D centre.

Not just fibre: Sensus touts chicory root fibre’s digestive benefits in Thailand with new health claim

16-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Netherlands’ ingredients supplier Sensus is eyeing the digestive health market in Thailand with its chicory root products after securing a new health claim.

3D-printed supplements: Nourished taps vitamin deficiency in Middle East to expand personalised nutrition business

16-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

UK-based personalised nutrition company Nourished is eyeing the high vitamin deficiency levels in the Middle East region as an opportunity to expand its operations across the region.

Japan’s FFC labelling gap? Study says blood pressure management products lack complete health claims

15-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Researchers claim Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFC) rules need to be overhauled, with four in five (79.5%) blood pressure management products ‘lacking’ clear label claims, a study has found.

Future-state probiotics: Australia’s Bioclinic Naturals launches ‘scobiotics’ range for gut, allergy, SIBO woes

15-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australian brand Bioclinic Naturals has launched a range of ‘scobiotics’ – consisting prebiotics, probiotics, yeast, spirulina and enzymes – designed to address gastrointestinal problems ranging from inflammation to bringing homeostasis in the gut microflora.

‘Double-edged sword’: Supplement firms need to be wary of China’s new livestreaming regulations

14-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China’s newly introduced regulations on livestreaming marketing is being viewed as a double-edge sword by the supplements and health foods industry.

Supplement warning statements: South Korea proposes new label rules and testing methods

07-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea is proposing to add in ‘precautions for use’ warnings for nutraceuticals containing nine kinds of ingredients, including vitamins and potassium. It is also proposing new testing methods for vitamins.

Science shorts: Probiotics, active nutrition, glucose control in the spotlight

03-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up of new scientific developments, we look at how orange juice could be a non-dairy carrier for probiotics, opportunities for active nutrition NPD and more.

Juice boost: Why orange juice may be a potential non-dairy carrier for probiotics - study

01-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Orange juice may be a potential non‐dairy based carrier for the probiotic Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia.

Gut-liver axis: Probiotics and prebiotics show promise against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - review

30-Jun-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Researchers say a new review reveals that probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics exhibit potential to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by targeting the gut microbiota.

‘Exceptional opportunities for smaller brands’: Chinese millennials looking for new supplement stars

24-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australian e-commerce platform BuyNatural believes there are “exceptional opportunities” in China for local dietary supplement brands, with consumers eager to purchase “newer and smaller” brands.

Harmonisation hold-up: Lack of join-up regs still hindering ASEAN’s growing nutraceutical market

17-Jun-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A lack of harmonised regulations continues to pose challenges for businesses looking to market their nutraceutical products across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, as well as consumers access to such products, according to...

Yakult ‘sachets’ into shelf-stable probiotic supplement space in Japan with new launch

16-Jun-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Yakult Japan has launched its first shelf-stable probiotic supplement – a sachet containing two of its exclusive probiotic strains, its lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota) and bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult).

Probiotics still bang on trend in China, but consumers lack product understanding - Report

15-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese consumers see health benefits in probiotics, with probiotics in fermented dairy and beverages most popular, but misconceptions about the fast-rising ingredient are also rife, said a newly released consumers report.

Female first: South Korean probiotic brand Youguth expands e-commerce business Singapore

11-Jun-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

South Korean probiotic brand Youguth is expanding its e-commerce reach in Singapore, with women the key target demographic for its symbiotic products.

Booze you lose? Industry slams beer ad playing on probiotics and good for gut claims

10-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The probiotic supplement industry has slammed an online beer advertisement for capitalising on therapeutic terms such as ‘pro-biotic’ and ‘good for the gut’ which were permitted for being only “tongue-in-cheek” by an alcohol marketing regulator.

Convenience and simplicity: Sales boost for Singapore supplement subscription service amid Covid-19

09-Jun-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A Singapore-based online customised supplement firm says the COVID-19 pandemic has helped consumers overcome scepticism to subscription services in the nutra space, after recording 60% year-on-year boost in sales over the last 30 days.

Maintaining momentum: Australian supplements sector secures domestic and exports growth

09-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s complementary medicines sector continues to surge, with the sector officially valued at AUD$5.6bn last year (US$3.9bn), up from AUD$5.2bn (US$3.5bn) in 2018, while exports grew by another 15% to AUD$1.1bn (US$766m).

Immune, beauty and anti-stress: Nestle Health Science China’s focus for ‘Garden of Life’ new launches

08-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Nestle Health Science aims to launch nine new products from the Garden of Life series – a US health foods brand which it previously acquired – into the China market this year. Of which, immune, beauty, and anti-stress are the key product priorities.