Immune support

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.

Herbalife overcomes solubility barriers of curcumin to roll out new immune-support supplement

08-Feb-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Herbalife has incorporated nanotechnology to develop a new immune-support supplement, Immunoturmeric, which recently debuted in Indonesia and will soon be available in the other Asia-Pacific markets.

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.

Ayurvedic approach: Indian firm seeks to popularise cordyceps nutraceuticals with practitioners

30-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A Bangalore-based company specialising in the cultivation and development of nutraceuticals made of cordyceps is hoping to popularise the use of the medicinal mushrooms within India’s Ayurveda practitioners.

‘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.

Exclusive Japan FFC data: Weight management, stress relief, cognitive health products trending

11-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) that claim to support weight management, fatigue and stress relief, and cognitive function are trending in Japan, according to exclusive new data we can reveal today.

Anti-colorectal cancer effects of spice compounds warrant further human study: Review

10-Jan-2023 By Gary Scattergood

Bioactive spice-derived compounds require studies using dietary doses to properly determine their preventive effects against colorectal cancer (CRC in humans), according to a review by Asian, European and South American researchers.

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...

Top 10 most watched health and nutrition news videos of year 2022 revealed

20-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Here we summed up the 10 most watched health and nutrition news videos of the year, including Fonterra’s cultured milk drink launch in Singapore, Vinamilk’s and Health and Happiness Group’s analysis of Vietnam’s infant formula market and more.

DSM reduces vitamin C production in China amid economic uncertainties, weakened demand

19-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

DSM has reduced the production of its vitamin C in its factory at Jiangshan, China, as a string of factors, including economic uncertainties, inflation, and weakened demand has cause existing output at the current pricing to become unsustainable.

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...

‘China-centric approach’: Melrose CEO outlines new distribution and product strategies for key market

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Australia health foods company Melrose Health Group is aiming for bigger gains in China with a fresh market strategy and new product pipeline.

Expansion push: South Korean postbiotic supplier seeks overseas entry after domestic boom

07-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea-based postbiotic ingredient and finished product firm Bereum is now pursuing growth in overseas markets following steep growth in the domestic market in the past two years.

China focus: Top wellbeing concerns, cavier omega-3 rise, and Double 11 bestsellers

06-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A Fonterra consumer survey on wellbeing concerns, the growing popularity of herring cavier omega-3, and Double 11 online shopping festival’s bestselling nutrition products are the key highlights of this China industry round-up.

‘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.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

Clear benefits: Why the gut-organ axis a real opportunity for probiotic innovation – H&H Group

30-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The gut-organ axis is a key innovation opportunity for probiotics, according to Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) – the company behind health supplement brand Swisse and infant nutrition products Biostime.

Sleep quality, cognitive, immune health are top wellbeing concerns – Fonterra survey

29-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Consumers are most concerned about sleep quality, cognitive and immune health when it comes to taking care of their wellbeing, a new survey from Fonterra’s health and wellbeing brand Nutiani has found.

These go to 11: Australian practitioner-only firm launches scobiotics for heavy metal detox

29-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Australian practitioner-only supplements firm Bioclinic Naturals ANZ has launched a ‘scobiotics’ designed for heavy metals detoxification.

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.

Brand new: Singapore postbiotic innovation, Australian coffee launch and Korea sachet expansion revealed

18-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at how brands from Singapore and Australia have formulated postbiotic supplements and coffee, as well as how a South Korean vitamin sachet brand is planning to expand its presence in South East Asia.

Pre, pro, and postbiotics: Singapore researcher formulates local strains for human, pet, agricultural use

17-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A Singapore researcher has developed a technology for formulating prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics that can be made into supplements and food for human, pets, and agricultural use.

Seven up: Kerry reveals the top health and nutrition categories to grow ProActive Health business

15-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Kerry has identified seven health categories that it hopes to focus on for its ProActive Health ingredient business across Asia.

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.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

Beyond pre- and probiotics: Combination products and personalisation driving innovation – Exclusive Growth Asia Summit insights

08-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

Combination products and customisation look set to be key drivers for product innovation in the microbiome health space, moving the sector far beyond the conventional prebiotics and probiotics products of today.

Liquid goal: Korean vitamin sachet brand eyes expansion into South East Asia

03-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean firm SuperNaturals is eyeing expansion in the tropical South East Asia region with its range of vitamin liquid sachet products.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

Immunity partnerships: Kirin targets SEA dairy, functional drinks collaboration with award-winning ingredient

01-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Japanese firm Kirin is expanding its presence in South East Asia with its flagship postbiotic ingredient, with collaborations with major dairy companies underway.

Vitafoods Asia 2022

‘Stability and flexibility benefits’: Gnosis discusses first prebiotics derived from yeast at Asia expo

26-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Gnosis by Lesaffre has developed its first prebiotic ingredient using yeast, with the firm banking on its stability credentials to enable it to be incorporated into a wide range of formats.

Brand new: Latest news from Nestle, Danone, award-winning probiotic and start-up firms

21-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up features the latest news, including new product launches and development strategies from industry big names Nestle, Danone, as well as award-winning probiotics and start-up companies.

Doctors ‘the best advocates’: Our Probiotic Product of the Year winner to replicate medical strategy in new markets

19-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Hong Kong-based probiotic specialist G-NiiB Geniebiome, winner of this year’s NutraIngredients-Asia Award Probiotic Product of the Year, said that its commercial success in its home base could be attributed to endorsement from the medical doctors, and...

Danone China adds low GI milk formula to healthy ageing brand Ganmai

18-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Danone China has added two low glycemic index milk formulas to its recently launched healthy ageing brand Ganmai.

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

10-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The announcement of NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022 winners, Nestle's Garden of Life new probiotic launches in China, and news from Fonterra and Megmilk Snow Brand are some of the most-read stories in September.

China focus: See new developments from Watsons, Yili, Garden of Life, Fonterra

03-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will look at the latest developments in China’s health and nutrition sector, including updates from Watsons, Yili, Garden of Life, and Fonterra.

NutraChampion podcast episode 34

Innovation opportunity: Newly crowned NutraChampion sees huge scope to cater to Thailand’s ageing population

03-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Like several Asian countries, Thailand is experiencing a greying population. While interest in healthy ageing is high, the level of innovation for this category of products remains relatively low.

Science shorts: COVID-19 trial in India, defatted rice, berries for glucose control

30-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Read the latest scientific research on health and nutrition, including a new trial assessing the effects of vitamin D, zinc supplementation in COVID-19 patients, as well as the use of defatted rice and berries for glucose control.

Fonterra enters cognitive performance supplement market with new brand – WATCH

28-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra is diversifying its business with the launch of BioKodeLab – a supplement brand aimed at improving cognitive performance.

Controlling inflammation: Gencor eyeing NPD opportunities for post COVID-19 infection

28-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Gencor Pacific is eyeing new product development opportunities aimed at improving the quality of life in individuals who experience the lingering effects of COVID-19 infection, following new trial findings on one of its trademarked ingredients.

Broadening appeal: NZ probiotic firm Blis reveals positive findings for upper respiratory health

26-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A New Zealand probiotic company is aiming to broaden the health claims applicable for its flagship probiotic strain BLIS K12 in the area of upper respiratory health, following favourable findings published recently.

Under investigation: Vitamin D, zinc supplementation to be assessed among COVID patients in India

26-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A new trial in India is set to assess if vitamin D and zinc supplementation could be a safe, inexpensive and effective regimen when caring for COVID-19-positive patients.

Trend tracker: Growth opportunities in immunity, beauty, healthy ageing, and oral spray VMS

23-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Find out what’s trending in Asia-Pacific’s health and nutrition industry, especially in the areas of immunity, beauty, healthy ageing, as well as the growing interest in the novel vitamin and mineral oral spray sector.

Grave concern: Severe malnutrition rising in Afghan kids and mums – Kabul researchers

22-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Afghanistan continues to battle extreme stunting and maternal malnutrition, with a combination of economic, political and social factors creating a perfect storm that shows no signs of abating.

Insights for brands: Watsons China establishes new centre to gather consumer data

21-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Retailer Watsons China has established a brand centre which uses multiple offline plus online (O+O) touchpoints, such as its store outlets and Enterprise Wechat, to gather consumer insights for partnering health and nutrition brands.

Blis Technologies highlights respiratory health benefits of its oral probiotic

20-Sep-2022 By Asia Sherman

New research shows that the BLIS K12 probiotic for oral health may fight viruses and bacteria responsible for respiratory tract infections.

Growing gains: Four key categories for growth highlighted by thriving Australian supplements sector

20-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Australian trade body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has identified four health areas, namely immunity, natural beauty, healthy ageing, and pet health as categories for growth opportunities.

Nutrition Asia

Seize the spray: Why oral spray vitamins are gaining traction across APAC – WATCH

19-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Oral spray vitamins and mineral supplements are gaining interest across Asia-Pacific markets beyond the novelty factor, due to the ease of convenience and efficacy that they can provide, according to two pioneering firms in the category.

Goodness from Greece: New olive oil, pomegranate-based functional food enters Singapore

15-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Six new functional food products made using Greek-grown olive oil and pomegranate were introduced into Singapore recently.

Japan focus: Kirin, Fuji Chem crowned NutraIngredients-Asia Awards winners, Kao’s new launch and more

13-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we will shine the spotlight on the Japanese firms that have took home NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022, Kao’s supplement launch, government survey on supplement use, and more.

‘Specific Chinese needs’: Nestle’s Garden of Life launches two new probiotics for kids’ growth and immune health

13-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Nestle Health Science’s probiotics brand Garden of Life has launched two new probiotics targeted at kids’ growth and immune health on China’s offline retail market.

Fonterra eyes booming wellbeing and medical nutrition markets in China, SEA with new portfolio

12-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The wellbeing and medical nutrition sectors are booming in China and South East Asia (SEA), says New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, which has introduced a new portfolio aimed at tackling these needs.

Science shorts: Novel botanical blend for fatty liver, COVID-19 adjuvant, mother-and-baby health

09-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Read the latest scientific research on health and nutrition, including the benefits of a novel botanical blend in improving fatty liver, the role of vitamin C, D in supporting COVID-19 treatment and more.