Immune support

Regional opportunity: Singapore distributor banking on clinical trial evidence to drive growth of Japanese King Agaricus brand

06-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Singapore distributor Inspire Healthcare says extensive clinical trials for immunity support and cancer management will aid the success of Japanese supplement brand King Agaricus 100 across South East Asia and China.

Bayer Consumer Health looks to tie-up precision health innovation with existing supplement brands

05-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The Consumer Health Division of Bayer is looking for a tie-up between its flagship health supplement brands and its newly formed precision health group – which it believes will occupy 10 to 20 per cent of the consumer health care industry within the next...

Double functionality: Kirin and Kellogg’s join hands for new cereal product with gut health and immunity benefits

05-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Kirin Holdings and Kellogg’s Japan have co-developed a functional food with “double health claims”, which could also serve as a meal substitute, to meet the rising demand for products that improve intestinal environment and provide immune support at the...

Immunity benefits: China adds soy protein isolate, whey protein to health foods raw material directory

26-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China health foods authorities are including soy protein isolate and whey protein to the country’s Health Food Raw Material Directory – Nutrition Supplement, which means that products containing these two ingredients could make specific health claims.

Brand new: Youvit, Biostime, Wellversed in the spotlight

23-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Youvit's plans in developing new product formats with investment from Unilever, the formulation of Biostime's China-approved infant formulas, and Turkish...

New formats, new markets: Indonesia’s Youvit on a roll in wake of US$6 mn Unilever-led funding boost

21-Jun-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Indonesian supplement brand Youvit is innovating with new product formats after expanding significantly in the Malaysian market on the back of funding led by the venture capital and private equity arm of Unilever.

Positive momentum: Probi eyes Thailand’s bone and immune health probiotic market

07-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Swedish probiotic firm Probi is seeking growth in Thailand’s bone and immune health supplement market after its proprietary probiotic strain was added to the country’s positive list.

New Malaysia data: Health supplements registered on the rise while natural products hit five-year low

07-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The number of health supplements registered in Malaysia has been on the rise in recent years, but those classed as natural products, which consist of herbal remedies, has hit five-year low, according to a report released by the country’s health ministry.

‘Slow down ageing’: NZ’s SRW on continuous R&D in cellular health and personalised nutrition prospects

07-Jun-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand biotech firm SRW is capitalising on global partnerships to stretch the R&D and NPD potential in the healthy ageing space, and says growing APAC demand is coming from China and South East Asia.

VitamINSIGHTS

South Korea: Nutra sector thriving despite economic slowdown as body fat reduction remains top concern

06-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The nutraceutical market in South Korea is thriving despite inflationary pressures and an economic slowdown, largely due to the ‘evergreen’ demand for body fat reduction, immune support, as well as rising interest in joint and bone health supplements,...

H&H Group appoints former Coty, Reckitt Benckiser exec as CEO as Swisse hits $1bn milestone

05-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) has appointed a former Coty, Reckitt Benckiser exec as its new CEO, while its flagship nutra brand Swisse has smashed the $1bn sales barrier.

Innovation and expansion: Japan liposomal vitamin C brand Lypo-C seeks overseas growth

30-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s liposomal vitamin C supplement brand Lypo-C is hoping to grow its overseas presence, including in Singapore where its local partner firm is looking to launch the product with more retailers and distributors.

LC-Plasma’s symptom-relief effects show promise as adjunctive treatment for COVID-19 – Kirin and Nagasaki University

29-May-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Joint research by Kirin Holdings and Nagasaki University has found that Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) could hasten recovery of smell and taste dysfunction caused by COVID-19, which will further drive R&D in the postbiotic’s use in pharmaceutical...

‘Refreshing, convenient, effective’: Fonterra’s NPD targets SEA’s gut-conscious consumers

23-May-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Fonterra has launched a probiotic powdered drink in Singapore, and is looking to scale up SEA distribution to cover the ‘growing middle class’ in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Brand new: Herbs of Gold, Shinryo, Jerôsse, Fiji Kava, Swisse in the spotlight

19-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from the health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Herbs of Gold’s plan to debut in Vietnam via mum-and-baby chain, Japan’s Shinryo to relaunch hydrogen-rich jelly sleep supplement, and Taiwanese brand Jerôsse's...

Nutrachampion podcast

Transforming science into action: Immunity probiotic pioneer Prof Francis Chan on innovating for human health

17-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Understanding and fulfilling pressing health needs is just as important as making ground-breaking scientific discoveries, said a leading professor behind probiotic products for immune health.

Functional future: Kirin to double down on immunity beverage range as sales surge in Q1

17-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Kirin says that functional drinks from its health science domain are the “particular focus” for its beverage business this year after sales of its LC-Plasma immunity range increased by 8.5 per cent to 1.71 million cases in Q1.

Bayer Q1 results: CEO confident of ‘return to healthy growth’ amid steep drop in nutritionals sales

16-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Bayer, the company behind supplement brands Redoxon and Berocca, reported a “significant decline” in its nutritionals category in APAC and other major markets, but the CEO is still confident that sales would “return to healthy growth” for the full year.

Precision prebiotic makes headway in Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan amid extensive gut health-focused NPD

11-May-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

A prebiotic being used by pharma giant Bayer has “game-changing potential” due to its ability to negate common side effects, claims supplier NutriLeads, which is reporting growth in key APAC markets.

No store, not MLM: Taiwan supplement brand Jerôsse to expand in Singapore, Malaysia with novel distributor model

10-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Jerôsse , a supplement and skincare brand from Taiwan firm Biotech Lab Inc, has embarked on an expansion mission in Singapore and Malaysia which heavily relies on social media platforms operated by individual distributor to retail its products.

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.

C-sec and probiotics: Intake benefits microbiome development in 6–12-month-old infants - China RCT

08-May-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (Lp N1115) supplementation for 12 weeks improved the gut immunity and helped maintain faecal pH levels in infants born via C-section, a new RCT reveals.

Oral strips revolution: India’s Soul Strips eyes global opportunities with Middle East as first stop

03-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

An oral strips nutraceutical firm from India has set itself on a journey to build its international presence, following strong market demand in the Middle East which was its first overseas market.

VitamINSIGHTS

Australia nutra trends: Market leaders Blackmores, Swisse gearing up on mental health, sleep products

03-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The Australian nutraceutical market is poised for growth, especially in the areas of mental health and sleep aid products, while consumers are preferring big value-packs and increasing their basket sizes, according to Blackmores, Swisse, and Herbs of...

Korean wave: CJ Wellcare sets sights on US and Vietnamese beauty, probiotic supplement markets

25-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s CJ Wellcare is eyeing growth in the lucrative beauty-from-within and probiotic supplement markets in the US and Vietnam, believing that the success of the Korean wave would put it in good stead in its overseas expansion ambitions.

Efficacy booster: Korean red ginseng found to improve and maintain antibody-mediated responses after COVID-19 vaccination – new study

19-Apr-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Korean red ginseng could raise post-vaccine antibody formation rate, particularly in people aged above 50, underlining its potential as an adjuvant for greater COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, says researchers.

Omega-3, vitamin D, biotin the most searched health supplements in 2022 – South Korea’s NAVER

18-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Omega-3, vitamin D, and biotin were the most searched health supplements online, said South Korean search engine firm NAVER, which also operates a same name shopping site.

Clean and convenient: Aussie personalised gut health firm My Way Up details NPD and export hopes

18-Apr-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Australian personalised gut health firm My Way Up hopes its NPD strategy of ‘clean formulas with convenience’ will lead to domestic growth as well as open export doors to Europe and the United States.

A balancing act: Yakult on achieving the right taste for new reduced sugar product and gut-brain axis research

10-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Hitting the right balance between the sourness of lactic acid bacteria and sweetness is the crux behind the development of Yakult’s latest launch in Singapore, says the firm’s managing director.

Herbs of Gold, Vita Health maker reports record revenue in Australia and Malaysia

05-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Vita Life Sciences, the company behind supplement brands Herbs of Gold and Vita Health, has announced record revenue in the domestic Australian market as well as overseas in Malaysia.

Postbiotic promise: Consensus among industry players needed before policymakers and consumers can help fulfil potential - experts

04-Apr-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

The opportunities in postbiotic development and application are abundant, yet challenges including regulatory policies, consumer awareness and even the definition of postbiotics need to be overcome before the sector can truly realise its full potential.

Super-premium: Swisse outpaces industry growth in China, ANZ, and taps top-end segment for future boom

27-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Swisse says that the sales of its vitamin and mineral supplement products are growing faster than the market rate in key markets such as China, Australia and New Zealand, and that it is expecting more room for growth in South East Asia.

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...

Nutrachampion podcast

Beyond the gut: Singapore’s AMiLi to drive microbiome science in immunity, allergies, cancer care

22-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore biotech start-up AMiLi is driving microbiome science in the areas of immune health, allergies, and cancer care, on top of its existing expertise in gut microbiome research, says the founder and CEO Dr Jeremy Lim in our latest Nutrachampion podcast.

Whole egg consumption promotes growth and gut microbiota in young children - Thailand RCT

20-Mar-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Prolonged whole egg supplementation has been found to positively impact adolescent growth by promoting HDL-cholesterol and health-promoting bacteria growth, according to a study on Thai rural children.

VitamINSIGHTS

Exclusive Malaysia nutrition sector analysis: From vending machine trend to fears over unregistered products online

15-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From emerging sales channels for functional foods and supplements such as vending machines, to fears over unregistered products being sold online, as well as industry concerns over advertising and ingredient rules, the Malaysian industry is currently...

Cooking on gas: Singapore lingzhi firm enters China via petrol station online site

15-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Listing products on cross-border e-commerce marketplaces is a common way that overseas firms use to enter the China market, but one Singapore firm is also exploring a novel way of cracking the country - such as working with a major petrol station company.

India nutra enforcement: Regulator sets sights on non-compliant ingredients, exceeding RDI levels, and misleading claims

14-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

India’s food and nutraceutical regulator is ordering a special enforcement drive to curb the flow of non-compliant products, such as those exceeding the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) nutrient levels, containing ingredients that are not permitted, and...

Thailand to drive exports of Andrographis, turmeric, black ginger to neighbouring SEA markets

07-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The Thai government will be ramping up the export of Andrographis, turmeric, and Thai black ginger into the neighbouring South East Asian markets for use in both herbal medicines and topical applications.

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.

Trend tracker: Thailand, South Korea, and plant-based nutra trends in the spotlight

03-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including the growing popularity of TCM-infused supplements in Singapore, Thailand’s nutra sector attracting interest from local conglomerates, and South Korea’s health supplements...

TCM-infused supplements gaining popularity amid rising demand for plant-based products – Singapore brand

02-Mar-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

The widespread adoption of veganism has propelled growth of the plant-based supplements market, which has in turn inspired NPD to satiate consumer appetite, says Singapore firm QN Wellness.

VitamINSIGHTS

What’s trending in Thai nutra space? Conglomerates enter, the power of celebrity, and CBD opportunities

01-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Thailand’s nutraceutical market is witnessing an influx conglomerates entering the space, the engagement of K-pop celebrities in product marketing, as well as a boom in the much-talked about cannabidiol (CBD) business, our exclusive in-depth report reveals.

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

28-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From Herbalife's curcumin immune-support supplement launch to Taiwan's new rules on Eucalyptus globulus leaf and extract use, here are the 10 most-read APAC nutrition industry news in February 2023.

‘Functional and tasty’: Kirin on ‘bridging the gap’ between awareness and action in immune category

28-Feb-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Japanese beverage giant Kirin says it wants to close the “gap between consumer awareness and action” in immune health on the back of a new product launch and tweaks to two of its existing products.

‘Still too early to tell’: Blackmores says post-COVID shopper behaviour remains uncertain

27-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

It is “still too early to tell” how a post COVID-19 pandemic consumer environment will look like, says Blackmores, which has seen a mixture of gains and losses across Asia-Pacific in its latest financial results.

Brand new: Renovatio, Hemp Foods Australia, Blackmores in the spotlight

24-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from nutraceutical brands across Asia-Pacific, including Renovatio incorporating activated phenolics into pantry foods, Hemp Foods Australia’s expansion strategies, and Blackmores’ new product for mental focus.

Nutrition Asia

Opportunity in the Middle East: How Manuka honey and Lingzhi firms are tapping on strong immune, plant-based demands in the Gulf

22-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

APAC companies are starting to tap into growing demands for health foods and dietary supplements in the Middle East after the COVID-19 pandemic stirred consumer interest in preventive health.

Immune support, alleviating physical fatigue dominated China’s health foods registration approvals last year

14-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Immune support and alleviating physical fatigue were some of the most common claims made by health foods approved by the China regulators via the registration route 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.