The importance of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotic interventions for microbiota throughout all stages of life were emphasised at Probiota Asia 2018.
NUS (National University of Singapore) scientists have developed a patented fermentation process to turn a waste by-product of tofu and soy milk production into a probiotic-rich functional beverage.
Our monthly review of the latest brand news reveals the big-name firms set to debate Asia's probiotics future, a bumper Australian retail deal for functional beverage firm VitHit, and more.
The ASEAN market presents a wealth of opportunity for Australian functional food firms, according to a joint report by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and auditor KPMG.
New product development for functional drinks, coupled with innovations at the economy end of the market, could help Indonesia's soft drinks market bounce back from a recent slump in growth.
The health benefits of tocotrienols — chemicals in the vitamin E family — extend beyond the cosmetic, and may have significant benefits for the brain and liver.
Singapore-based e-commerce portal Fitlion has become the official nutrition partner of English Premier League club Burnley FC, in a deal that will focus heavily on a personalised approach for each player.
AstaReal has unveiled two functional beverage prototypes — one to aid stress management and the other to boost muscle health in seniors — and picked up a Vitafoods Asia award in the process.
Modern dietary changes have affected gut microbiota functionality in children, who might benefit from more traditional, plant-based diets, according to researchers in Japan and Thailand.
China firm ICS Biological Technology (Shanghai) is fermenting coffee beans with a human probiotic strain to reduce the amount of caffeine and increase the beans' nutritional value.
Thai regulators and industry have been "engaged in very serious discussion" over which types of products for children should be allowed to be registered and sold as dietary supplements, as current regulation may be hindering innovation.
The local government in the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte in Laoag City is seeking to promote greater consumption of iron-fortified rice, amid fears that higher costs are hampering efforts to increase uptake.
Pregnant Vietnamese women urgently need suitable nutrient intervention, with over 50% failing to meet the recommended daily intake for essential micronutrients, say researchers in Vietnam and Australia.
Blackmores recorded 9% year-on-year revenue growth to A$601.1m for the financial year ending in June, with China and overall Asia sales contributing significantly to this increase.
Singapore chiropractic centre Elite Spine Centres is employing personalised nutrition to supplement its treatments after partnering with Imagene Labs to provide genetic testing services to its patients.
