Healthy ageing

China proposes stricter protein requirements for milk powder products targeted at older children and adults

06-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese authorities have proposed stricter protein requirements for milk and formulated milk powder products designed for children, adults, and the elderly.

‘Second business category’: South Korea’s AceBiome identifies joint health as its next major focus

29-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean probiotics firm, AceBiome, popular for its weight management probiotic BNRThin, is adding joint health as one of its core business focuses amid an ageing society.

Trend tracker: NPD for hair, gut health, and omega-3 consumer demand

26-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including the new product development opportunities for hair and gut health products, as well as consumer preference for omega-3 products in South Korea.

Eyeing the elderly market: DyDo DRINCO’s new FFC seeks to fulfil demand for dual-function supplements in Japan

23-May-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese firm DyDo DRINCO intends to delve further into the health foods category targeted at the aged population, following the launch of its dual-action supplement that it says helps reduce eye fatigue and improve sleep quality.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in April 2023

10-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From Fonterra's functional beverages launch plans in South East Asia to Danone China's partnership with Qingdao University to drive gut health R&D, here are the most-read stories in April 2023.

Reaching the endgame: Korea Ginseng Corp views success in the US as final step of its globalisation strategy

08-May-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Korea Ginseng Corp has opened a new R&D centre in a major push to establish itself as the world’s biggest herbal health company, while strategies such as diversification of product categories and formats are in motion to fuel its bold ambitions.

Infant, adult nutrition-led: Danone's sales growth highest in China, North Asia, Oceania in first quarter 2023

02-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China, North Asia, and Oceania contributed the highest sales growth for Danone at 16 per cent in the first quarter of year 2023, led by increased purchases of its key products, including infant nutrition and adult specialties.

Trend tracker: Self-care in Japan, most searched supplements in Korea, healthy ageing R&D in China

28-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including how demand for self-care and ‘efficient nutrient consumption’ is driving sales growth for Asahi, how omega-3, vitamin D are the most searched supplements in South Korea,...

Doctor’s Best parent firm annual profits slide 67% as vitamin A and coenzyme-Q10 prices dip

26-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Xiamen-based Kingdomway, also the parent firm of dietary supplement brand Doctor’s Best, said net profit had plummeted 67 per cent last year, largely due to a drop in the selling price of vitamin A and coenzyme-Q10 – two of its largest raw material businesses.

Super-aged success: South Korean government lauds scientific validation of senior-friendly food strategy

25-Apr-2023 By Pearly Neo

A new scientific report highlighting the success of South Korea’s national senior-friendly food industry strategy claims the initiative can improve frailty, nutrition, and malnutrition rates.

Protein for walking speed: Intake with resistance training benefit elderly with knee osteoarthritis, sarcopenia

25-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Taking protein supplementation with resistance exercise training has shown to shorten the time needed to acquire normal speed walking speed in elderly suffering from knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia, according to findings from a 12-week study.

Next frontier in nootropics: Australia’s Yootropics targets healthy ageing market

25-Apr-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Sydney-based nootropics start-up Yootropics is eyeing opportunities in the healthy ageing space, with China and Taiwan identified as two promising Asian markets for growth.

Science shorts: Latest findings on essence of chicken, medium GI rice, curcumin and more

14-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research on the benefits of Essence of Chicken and hydrolysed collagen type II on muscle and joint health, how medium GI rice could reduce the need for insulin therapy in women with gestational diabetes,...

From babies to seniors: How Chinese firms are applying concepts from infant formula, sports nutrition into healthy ageing products

13-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Companies in China are increasingly developing formula milk for the aged population by using natural-origin raw materials, as well as applying nutritional concepts from the infant formula and sports nutrition sectors, according to insights from Glanbia...

Combination of chicken essence and hydrolysed collagen could improve muscle and joint health in seniors – Suntory-funded RCT

13-Apr-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

A new study has found that hydrolysed collagen supplementation reduces knee osteoarthritis-related pain in 14 days, and when taken with chicken essence, could have a protective effect on muscle and joint health.

Bone / muscle health and nutrition: Prof Marlena Kruger on promising deer milk findings and plans for vegan studies

12-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A leading researcher from New Zealand’s Massey University has detailed how new findings show that deer milk could be promising base for a healthy ageing formula, as well as revealing plans to study the impact of vegan and vegetarian diets on bone health.

Centenarians have a ‘youth-related aging pattern of the gut microbiome’: Study

11-Apr-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The gut microbiota of centenarians is populated by higher levels of beneficial bacteria, and lower levels of potential inflammatory bacteria, says a new study from China.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in March 2023

10-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From Thailand's botanical export strategies to China's infant formula market forecast, here are the 10 most-read APAC nutrition industry news in March 2023.

Regulatory review: Latest nutra updates from India, China, South Korea

07-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at India’s requirements for vegan products and the special enforcement drive on non-compliant nutraceuticals, South Korea’s crackdown on fake health functional foods, and the impact of China’s...

Brand new: Wellous, Sprout Organic, Junlebao in the spotlight

24-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Wellous' and Sprout Organic's market expansion plans, as well as Junlebao Dairy's launch of Nutrition Science Strategy to beef up the science behind...

‘2023 best time to reposition’: BYHEALTH reveals strategies to tap into China’s new growth areas

22-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China dietary supplement giant BYHEALTH believes that 2023 could be the “best timing” to reposition its business develop new strategies to succeed in the post-COVID era.

Beyond the gut: New probiotics could explore heart health, mobility for healthy ageing – expert panel

15-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

There is considerable scope for probiotic new product development that bring benefits beyond gut health, such as heart health and improved mobility as part of a healthy ageing regime, says a group of experts.

Dig deep: Junlebao launches nutrition science strategy to enhance science of infant, healthy ageing products

13-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Junlebao Dairy Group has launched its Nutrition Science Strategy, aiming to strengthen the science behind its products, as well as to identify novel functional ingredients.

Haleon’s first full year results: VMS revenue climbs 20% in SEA, Taiwan, India

06-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Haleon, the maker of vitamin and mineral supplement brands Centrum and Caltrate, said revenue growth haw gone up by over 20 per cent for its VMS portfolio in South East Asia, Taiwan, and India.

Healthy ageing impact: Country-of-origin labelling mandated for more supplements sold in South Korea

01-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean authorities have mandated nutrition supplements for the elderly aged 65 and above, as well as six functional raw materials used in Health Functional Foods, to come with country-of-origin labelling.

Healthy ageing FFCs bringing strong revenue growth for Suntory’s health foods business in Japan

20-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Food with Function Claims (FFC) aimed at healthy ageing have been singled out for driving Suntory’s health foods business growth in Japan last year.

Fortified future? China set for mass fortification of staple foods to combat deficiencies – consultation open

13-Feb-2023 By Pearly Neo

China is considering mandating mass nutritional fortification for various staple foods in order to boost public health and combat nutrient deficiencies.

“The unfilled gap is there; it is only going to get worse” – CJ CheilJedang’s subsidiary tackles muscle health with natural extracts

07-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean food and nutrition firm CJ CheilJedang is seeking to address what it claims is a market gap for dietary supplements that promote muscle health through its newly formed food and nutrition ingredient subsidiary.

Specialised nutrition boost: Australia’s milk powder manufacturer sets sights in functional ingredients business

31-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s milk powder manufacturer ProviCo says that demand for specialised nutrition across different life stages has been growing and it is hoping to cater to such demand by utilising its expertise in milk protein fractionation.

Nutrition, taste, texture: Singapore’s Nurasa seeks to drive innovation of ‘silver diet’ and alternative proteins

31-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore firm Nurasa is seeking to drive innovation in alternative proteins and nutritional options available to the seniors on the back of an ageing population in Singapore.

Study: Nitrate supplementation improves muscle performance

30-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

New research from the University of Exeter and the U.S. National Institutes of Health showed that consumption of dietary nitrate significantly increased muscle force while exercising.

‘Not so dire?’ China NMN supplier hopeful of US opportunities despite regulatory roadblock

24-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A Shanghai-based nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) ingredient firm is hopeful of NMN’s application and business opportunities in the US, despite recent news of the USFDA retracting its status as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI).

Trend tracker: Hyaluronic acid jelly popularity, Japan’s functional foods analysis, year 2023 nutra outlook

20-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is a round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including the popularity of RTE hyaluronic acid jelly in Singapore, analysis on Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) new product launches, and big brands’ take on nutraceutical...

‘Go-to-market innovation’: Amway delves deep into gut microbiome and digital tech with new Singapore hub

16-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Amway says it will double down on innovation across the gut microbiome at its newly launched Singapore Business Innovation Hub, which the firm hopes will serve as a springboard for its expansion plans across the region.

2023 outlook: The must know nutraceutical regulations on the horizon in APAC this year

09-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Check out the new nutraceutical related regulations that will kick in this year in various parts of Asia-Pacific, from the use of aloe vera in Taiwan to Hong Kong’s Amendment Regulation regarding harmful substances in food, and Malaysia implementing Quantitative...

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in December 2022

05-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From a study comparing curcumin and coenzyme Q10 in lowering cholesterol levels, to the opening of Kirin's first human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) production plant and DSM's temporary reduction of vitamin C production in China, here are the...

Exclusive in-depth analysis

Nutra trends 2023: Industry experts on what’s next for healthy ageing, beauty, mental health and infant nutrition

03-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

For the first week of 2023 we are revealing exclusive insights on the nutraceutical trends for this year, featuring interviews with several industry experts across five of the hottest industry topics.

Brand new: Latest developments from Melrose, Amorepacific, DKSH

16-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from nutraceutical brands across Asia-Pacific, including Australian firm Melrose's strategies for the China market, Amorepacific's new product development pipeline for healthy ageing, and probiotics launched by DKSH...

China focus: Our 10 most-read China stories of 2022 revealed

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group)’s new product development priorities, Nestle launching infant formulas containing a novel nutrient blend and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and Danone’s healthy ageing products are some of the most popular...

Functional food innovation: Amorepacific to expand healthy ageing portfolio with threonine-rich products

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean beauty and skincare conglomerate Amorepacific has revealed its ambitions in expanding its healthy ageing supplement portfolio, and is developing threonine-rich new products, following positive findings on the amino acid.

‘Great step forward’: Haleon to beef up Centrum’s digital marketing and e-commerce sales in Thailand

06-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Haleon, formerly GSK Consumer Health, has entered into a partnership with CREA – an e-commerce enabler to increase the presence brands such as Centrum across Thailand’s e-commerce and social media platforms.

Calcium innovation: Junlebao’s new adult powder aims to improve bio-accessibility and bioavailability

05-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China dairy firm Junlebao has launched a new milk powder targeted at supporting calcium absorption in middle and old-aged consumers, and hopes to rejuvenate the well-established category by improving bio-accessibility and bioavailability.

Healthy longevity: Accessible diagnostics and integrated data tools two key challenges – China-based expert

30-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

More accessible diagnostics and tools that integrate data from the various body clocks are two key challenges that experts seeking to optimise health span, as well as life span, need to overcome, says a China-based pioneer in the field.

GROWTH ASIA 2022

Maintaining control: Why consistency and quality control is paramount in postbiotics production

23-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

All production processes to make postbiotics products need to have consistency and quality control as crucial components during manufacturing, to ensure the resulting metabolite mixes are unique yet reproducible and safe for consumption.

FDA’s takedown of NMN raises fairness, transparency concerns

15-Nov-2022 By Hank Schultz

NMN, an anti-aging ingredient, has been disallowed by FDA because of its prior investigation as a drug. The determination, which came as something of a surprise given the ingredient’s market history, has raised questions of fairness and transparency.

Trend tracker: China, SEA, and Saudi supplement markets in focus

11-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest consumer trends in the health and nutrition industry across Asia-Pacific, including how kids eye health supplements are becoming more popular in China, why Thailand is the ‘supplement’ market of South East Asia and more.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

“Postbiotics promise’: Morinaga on huge opportunities across functional food and beverages

09-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Japanese dairy giant Morinaga has detailed how it believes postbiotics hold great promise in the future of functional food and beverages.

End of daigou era? Social media e-commerce strengthens its status for supplement sales in China

07-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

Social media e-commerce marketing is emerging as a crucial marketing platform for health products such as supplements to appeal to consumers in China in the post-COVID-19 era, while the role of daigou in Chinese cross-border e-commerce has drastically...

Science shorts: Latest research news in vitamin D, probiotics, and longevity studies

04-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest research news in the study of vitamin D, probiotics, and healthy ageing.

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

02-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The most-read stories last month include proposed changes to the scheduling of melatonin and green tea extract in Australia, Nestle's novel infant formula launch in China, and product trends in anti-hyperpigmentation across Asia.