The rapid rise of social commerce has brought along a host of problems related to the advertising of dietary supplements and functional foods in Vietnam, according to statistics from the industry association.
There is an ongoing discussion between India’s food and drug regulators, as well as industry, on whether vitamins and minerals above one recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and upper limits should be regulated by the drug regulator instead.
We look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across Asia-Pacific, including Vietnam’s Ministry of Health reviewing functional foods advertising rules, new requirements for Japan’s FFC manufacturers, and ANZ authorities’ push for Health Star...
Taiwanese authorities have drafted a new set of regulations for milk product labelling in the country, in the hope of reducing consumer confusion regarding the various items available on supermarket shelves.
Food firms in Australia and New Zealand have been told that that if current 70% Health Star Rating uptake targets are not hit by November next year, it is likely to lead to mandatory implementation.
We look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across APAC, including what's next for New Zealand's natural health products regulatory landscape, Japan requiring all Food with Function Claims (FFC) in tablets, capsules forms to comply...
The South Korean government has set up a regulatory committee to implement an ‘instant sales’ direct-to-consumer food commercialisation industry project, hoping to help small businesses and reduce national food waste.
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has made it mandatory for companies making Food with Function Claims (FFC) in the supplement format, such as tablets and capsules, to follow the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). They are also required to report...
New Zealand’s associate health minister has attempted to assure industry players that they will have a modern regulatory regime that will boost exports while cutting red tape, but refused to commit to exact timelines for both quick wins or longer-term...
Health functional foods imported into South Korea can now go through automatic document screening which takes up to only five minutes – an initiative that is also expected to help importers lower logistics costs when crossing the customs.
A proposal by Feihe Dairy’s chairman to add a new functional foods category to China’s regulatory system could offer financial and innovation benefits to brands, but there are concerns around its practicality and industry compliance.
Vitamin D intake of 10 mg per day is appropriate for children under four years of age to maintain serum 25OHD concentrations, twice what was previously recommended.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is clamping down on e-commerce websites selling “health drinks”, as there are currently no regulations set in place for such products.
The New Zealand natural health products industry is calling for urgent action to protect and boost exports after the country's health minister said the government would repeal the Therapeutic Products Act due to come into force in 2026.
The South Korean regulator has permitted the individual resale of health functional foods via online platforms from May 8 in a one-year long pilot project.
India’s protein sector is beset with misleading labels and there is also a worrying level toxin and heavy metal contamination, according to a new study, with calls being made for tighter regulatory oversight.
The introduction of a new ‘modern claims’ system in Malaysia has been welcomed by industry players as it could drive more clinical research, expand new product options for consumers, and open local and international market opportunities.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across APAC, including South Korea's plans in implementing a customised health functional food system following the success of a four-year pilot program,...
South Korea is on course to implement a “Customised Health Functional Food System” next January, which aims to meet personalised nutrition needs, boost the country’s health functional foods industry, and enhance product safety control.
Vietnam has completed and recently launched its new digital food safety management system which was developed in partnership with South Korea, with a particular focus on food poisoning outbreak monitoring across the country.
Hair loss prevention is not yet approved as a benefit claim for health functional foods in South Korea, warns regulator Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), which caught 146 online advertisements making related claims.
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), which oversees the Foods with Function Claims (FFC) sector, is asking all businesses to declare any health hazards linked to their products in the wake of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice saga.
Taiwan has finalised the labelling requirements when making nutrition claims for prepackaged foods, after completing two public consultations across more than two years of deliberation.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all manufacturing firms of fortified rice to integrate a new national traceability application into their operations in order to prevent adulteration of the final product.
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has found 259 cases of problematic online food advertisements claiming to benefit “height growth”, “height promotion”, or positioned as “height nutrition” products for children.
Members of the Philippines government are calling for regulations that would officially ban manufacturers from using added sugar as an ingredient in foods for young children aged three and below.
An abundance of innovation in the grey space between food and supplements has led to a ‘graveyard’ of innovative companies ill-prepared for the hurdles they must jump, a regulatory expert has warned.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across APAC, including China’s food industry association planning to set industry standards for electrolyte drinks, Taiwan’s harsher penalties for firms...
Mainstream food and beverage firms flouting Taiwan advertising rules and regulations will now be subject to harsher punishments, with repeat offenders warned their businesses could be closed down.
China National Food Industry Association (CNFIA) is to set industry standards for electrolyte beverages, including its definition, technical and manufacturing, testing, labelling, and packaging requirements.
Australian regulators have warned of the risks of purchasing supplements from overseas in its latest safety advisory for products containing Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).
Indian nutraceutical experts are not in favour of the government’s potential plan to give the country’s drug regulator control over the category, arguing that this would stifle industry development in the thriving sector.
The Chinese government’s new draft regulations governing the labelling of pre-packaged foods and beverages contains stricter guidelines, including mandating manufacturers to include clearer information on compound ingredients as well as more country of...
The insect protein sector in Asia Pacific still has ‘much to learn’ from its plant-based counterpart when it comes to the development of regulations and policies palatable to both governments and consumers in the region.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we look at the latest regulatory announcements in South East Asia and North East Asia, including The Philippines' plans in replacing its 33-year-old vitamins and minerals regulations, Thailand enforcing new...
Taiwan is set to add new functional claims for health foods containing selenium and zinc, with regulators stating this will bring them into line with international standards.
There is an ongoing trend of processed sugar products being advertised as Health Functional Foods in South Korea, with products making fatigue recovery and blood sugar control claims sold on e-commerce platforms, warned the country’s food and drug safety...
The Japanese government has announced plans to implement more stringent standards for milk products that do not require chilling, meaning that exporters of these items will need additional certificates from the country of origin before being allowed into...
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is planning to allow the reselling of Health Functional Foods (HFF), including red ginseng, probiotics, and vitamins, between individuals.
Thailand is the latest market in South East Asia to implement new nutritional labelling policies for the food industry, with the authorities also issuing more stringent ‘science-based’ guidelines for on-pack health claims.
South Korea is re-evaluating the safety and functionality of evening primrose seed extract and eight other raw materials that are used in health functional foods, said the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).
Philippines is set to replace a 33-year-old vitamins and minerals regulation which essentially reclassifies the category as food or dietary supplement, instead of the existing arrangement where it is categorised as either food or drug.
Thailand is enforcing new maximum levels for the Recommended Daily Intakes (RDIs) of nine vitamins and minerals from July 2, including increasing the RDI of vitamin C, D, and biotin.
China’s recent removal of tariffs on all dairy products from New Zealand, including milk powder used for both general consumption and processing to infant formula, could spell huge potential for brands that have a strong focus on quality and sustainability.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we look at the latest regulatory announcements regarding caution statements for vitamin C Health Functional Foods in South Korea, the addition of American ginseng, ginseng, and ganoderma into China's Health...