Maternal & infant health

Medium GI rice intake reduces insulin therapy in women with gestational diabetes – Thailand study

12-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The intake of rice with a medium glycemic index (GI) has shown to reduce the need for insulin therapy among women with gestational diabetes, according to a four-week clinical trial conducted in Thailand.

Danone China partners with Qingdao University to drive gut health, early life nutrition, healthy ageing R&D

11-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Danone China and Qingdao University has set up a new innovation center to drive research and development across gut health, early life nutrition, and healthy ageing.

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.

Formula milk containing only A2 beta-casein improves gut health in Chinese children – Wyeth Nutrition-funded RCT

10-Apr-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Growing-up milk that solely contains A2 beta-casein protein is associated with reduced constipation and improved gastrointestinal symptoms within one week of intervention, say Chinese researchers.

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...

Food safety and traceability: South Korea pilots QR code labelling on infant formula, fruit juice

03-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea is piloting a QR code program that provides consumers with information on the ingredients and traceability of products such as infant formula, fruit juice, and noodles.

Trend tracker: Functional foods in Japan, pea protein market in New Zealand, bundled oral and topical products

31-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including the preference for functional foods among Japanese consumers, factors driving pea protein market in New Zealand, and the emerging number of nutraceutical firms bundling...

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...

Market consolidation? Only major domestic brands and MNCs to thrive in China’s tougher infant formula market – experts

20-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

It will mostly be the major domestic players and MNCs that will thrive in China’s infant formula market in the upcoming years, claim experts, citing a raft of reasons such as a more stringent regulatory environment, negative population growth, and an...

Science shorts: Latest findings from Maeil, Yili, Meiji

17-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research from regional dairy firms in Asia-Pacific, namely South Korea’s Maeil, China’s Yili, and Japan’s Meiji.

Sprouting up: Aussie plant-based formula firm Sprout Organic on Malaysia, Saudi expansion

16-Mar-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Australian plant-based formula firm Sprout Organic is debuting its global expansion in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, and eyes growth opportunity of dairy-free infant formula market in Asia-Pacific (APAC).

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.

Regulatory review: Hong Kong CBD ban, China’s mass fortification of staples and more

10-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at Hong Kong CBD ban, China’s plans in mass fortification of food staples, Singapore’s launch of food safety standards for online businesses and more.

Fish oil intake did not benefit body composition of obese women's newborns – NZ trial

06-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A trial conducted on pregnant women who are obese or overweight showed that taking fish oil did not benefit their babies’ body composition.

Brain, joint, maternal health…EZZ launches new products to fulfill market market gap

01-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

EZZ has launched five new products ranging from brain to joint and maternal health based on consumer demand coming from major markets such as China.

Prebiotic supplementation could benefit gut microbiota of pregnant women – China RCT

23-Feb-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Prebiotics could improve the composition of gut microbiota in pregnant women, but did not show robust effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, a new RCT has reported.

Shrink survivors: a2 milk snaps up greater market share in China’s infant formula sector

22-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The a2 Milk Company has managed to snap up a greater market share in China, despite the country’s shrinking infant formula sector, the firm said in its latest financial report.

Faster pregnancy: Probiotics, myo-inositol, micronutrients intake quickens conception in overweight women – 12-months trial

21-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A year long trial showed that the daily intake of a supplement containing probiotics, myo-inositol, and micronutrients could shorten the time needed for overweight women to conceive.

Taiwan allows use of 2’-FL fermented from genetically modified strains in special medical infant foods

15-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) fermented using two types of genetically modified E. coli can now be used in infant formula for special medical purposes in Taiwan.

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.

Science shorts: Diets and CVD risk, protein and cognitive health in the spotlight

10-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research, including how poor diets are linked to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), how extreme reduction in animal-based protein intake could affect cognitive health, the link...

New logo mandatory for infant and follow-up formulas sold in Taiwan from 2025

08-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has made it mandatory for infant and follow-up formula sold in the market to be printed with a new logo from January 2025.

COVID-19 disruption: Bubs’ gross revenue in China down 66% in Q2, new sales channel delayed

06-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Infant formula producer Bubs Australia said its gross revenue has China dropped by 66 per cent, and its new Manufacturer-to-Consumer (M2C) sale channel in the country has been delayed, due to disruptions caused by China’s prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns.

Cutting the red tape: Singapore urges baby cereal manufacturers to update food safety management

06-Feb-2023 By Pearly Neo

The Singapore food authority has introduced a new voluntary scheme for baby cereal imports in a bid to encourage manufacturers to update their food safety processes.

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.

Prenatal folic acid may lower risk of obesity among children born small for gestational age

25-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of obesity among children born small for gestational age (SGA) by the time they are pre-schoolers, a new study reports.

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...

'New frontier in protein innovation': FrieslandCampina Ingredients joins forces with biotech firm Triplebar

09-Jan-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Through microbial fermentation, the two companies will develop proteins, which will be used for adult and infant nutrition ingredients.

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...

Folic acid and iodine supplementation speeds up conception rate – new study

04-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Dietary supplementation of folic acid and iodine could boost fertility rate, while evening primrose oil is associated with a longer time to pregnancy (TTP), say Singapore researchers.

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.

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.

Kirin’s first HMOs facility goes live in Thailand, foresees China to occupy half of market size

14-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Kirin’s first human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) production plant has commenced operation and the company anticipates that half of the market will be dominated by China in the future.

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...

Study: Vitamin D during pregnancy mitigates risk of bacterial vaginosis

02-Dec-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Pregnant women should consume an average 600 IUs of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate serum levels and reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV), according to newly published data.

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.

Life stage focus: Norwegian herring caviar omega-3 brand’s strategy to further fuel China business

28-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Norwegian herring caviar omega-3 brand Romega says sales volume in China has quadrupled in the past year, and the firm will be looking at fulfilling the demand for life stage needs to further fuel its growth in the country.

Paw-some: Swisse and pet nutrition brands Solid Gold, Zesty Paws driving growth at H&H Group

21-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) says supplement brand Swisse and pet nutrition brands Solid Gold, Zesty Paws were the key contributors of its revenue growth in the first nine months of this year.

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.

Next gen probiotics? Nestle’s latest study finds novel B. longum bacteria in infants in weaning period

16-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Three novel groups of Bifidobacterium longum have been found to grow in numbers when infants are introduced to solid foods during the weaning period, said a new study from Nestle.

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.

US infant formula shortage: FDA approves two products from Australia’s The a2 Milk Company

08-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Two products made from Australian and New Zealand-listed The a2 Milk Company (The a2MC) were granted entry into the US market under an expedited process, the US FDA announced.

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.

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.

Oversupply of infant formulas expected in China during Double 11 shopping festival – Bubs

02-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The oversupply of infant formulas by various brands has led to a slowdown in revenue growth for Australian organic goat milk specialist Bubs, and the firm foresees that the situation will continue to include the upcoming Double 11 shopping festival.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

East meets West: Yili on how dairy is improving public health in China – exclusive Growth Asia Summit insights

01-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

Chinese dairy giant Yili has highlighted the vital, science-backed role that dairy is playing in improving consumer nutrition and public health in the country, by combining both Eastern and Western technologies.

Probiotics may improve post-partum gut, metabolic health in women with gestational diabetes

31-Oct-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Probiotics supplementation can improve post-partum metabolic outcomes and the gut microbiota in women with a history of gestational diabetes, say researchers in Malaysia.