South East Asian countries, especially Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia present good opportunities for krill oil consumption growth in the next three to five years, says krill oil supplier Aker BioMarine.
Singapore-based meal replacements brand Sustyfoods says that convenience and functionality are key purchase drivers, and expects rising demand for savoury options and product formats that are more similar to “real meals”.
Thai nutraceutical firm 3C Group aims to boost the growth of the local prebiotics sector, which it says is significantly less recognised than probiotics, through their application in functional products targeting children and people with gut issues.
Malaysian researchers say that intake of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17648 leads to higher eradication rates of H. pylori bacteria, making the probiotic an effective adjunct treatment.
Singapore start-up Altimate Nutrition has developed a range of cricket-based products that are ready for mass manufacturing and distribution, except that it continues to be hindered by regulatory approval delays.
Malaysian newcomer postbiotic firm My Myracle has commercialised a series of postbiotics using solely bacteria from plants instead of other common sources, such as faeces of healthy individuals or animals. It says that using plant-derived bacteria is...
Singapore-based REVIT is eyeing a bigger market share in the anti-hangover category with its gummy product, on the back of sales numbers that have been tripling month-on-month since its launch in January this year.
Singapore-based precision gut microbiome company AMILI is aiming to expand its footprint regionally, on the back of recent funding and positive responses from the local market.
After more than a year of development and 13 versions of the prototype, Singapore’s Moom Health has completed the formulation of a new supplement that is specifically targeted at relieving premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and painful period cramps.
Singapore-based nutra firm Daily Nature has developed a supplement that claims to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of alcohol consumption while improving liver health.
The harmonisation of traditional medicines and health supplements technical standards in South East Asia is yet again delayed, but a regulatory expert has advised companies to start following the standards if they want to market their products to the...
Thailand is the latest Asian market to establish a fully digitalised express customs processing service, which is hoped to greatly accelerate food and beverage import operations at its checkpoints in line with the national Thailand 4.0 strategy.
The supplementation of tocotrienols has shown to significantly reduce glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in type II diabetic patients, according to a new meta-analysis and systematic review from Malaysia.
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is expanding the types of health supplements applicable for voluntary notification from August 1, 2023, having received “positive participation” since implementing the initiative a year ago.
Danone is beefing up research around iron deficiency anaemia among young children in South East Asia, including Malaysia and Cambodia, as well as launching new milk formulas that are designed to help children meet their dietary iron requirements.
Singapore’s anti-hangover supplement company DrinkAid has expanded into the pharmacy retail chain through an exclusive agreement with Unity – the pharmacy arm of grocer FairPrice – and is also planning to launch new product formats later this year.
One in three children aged six to 36 months old is at risk of anaemia, according to a new study from Malaysia. In our latest Nutrachampion podcast, a prominent paediatric endocrinologist who led the study discusses the prevalence of anaemia in young children...
Thai researchers have developed a novel rice-based medical food, which can help reduce glucose and insulin responses among adults at risk of diabetes or with early type 2 diabetes.
Malaysian brand Amazin’ Graze’s says the addition of probiotics into its protein powder line-up has provided a more ‘complete nutritional profile’ as consumers look for a wider range of health benefits.
Collaboration across key stakeholders such as researchers, hospitals, and the industry is crucial when running human clinical trials, according to an exec from Abbott Nutrition who spoke about the firm’s experience in Asia-Pacific at a symposium co-organised...
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.
Thai research team is embarking on a long-term journey to commercialise a herbal tea that has been shown to boost breast milk production in a clinical trial.
The sports performance-enhancing properties of tempeh should be further explored for application in functional foods such as sports drinks, say researchers.
To keep pace with the changing needs of consumers, the Vietnamese dairy company has secured the expertise of ingredient suppliers including DSM, Beneo and Chr. Hansen as it seeks to bring ‘milk powder closer to the golden standard of breast milk’.
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.
ADM says that consumers are increasingly looking for sports beverages that support both physical and emotional well-being, including focus, mood, energy, immunity, and digestive health.
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.
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.
Singapore mint specialist firm Haldy recently hit the market with its turmeric-based, Ayurvedic-inspired mints, which it believes has the potential to appeal to both younger and older consumers alike.
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has advised health supplements firms to warn consumers the association between excessive vitamin B6 intake and the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy.
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.
Singapore maternal and infant nutrition firm 2NutGuys has developed a range of low sugar lactogenic products designed for women who are preventing or are suffering from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
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.
Children are the ‘toughest food critics’ meaning that healthy snack firms have to pay equal attention to taste and nutrition if they are going to attract mass appeal and help improve the diets of young people.
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.
Singapore-based kombucha firm Wild Boocha is tapping its expertise in stainless steel vat brewing as well as its unique keg retail format in order to effectively capture local consumer interest.
Synbiotic supplementation helped improve body composition, antioxidant status, and the gut microbiota of overweight and obese individuals, but had little impact on obesity.
The supplementation of mulberry leaf extract, along with fibre, vitamin D, and chromium, has been shown to reduce post meal glucose spike, according to a study funded by Nestle Health Science on one of its products.
Functional beverage company Curated Culture is looking to raise funds to support its expansion plans in the sports nutrition sector, after experiencing its first taste of success with its dairy- and sugar-free probiotic teas.
Taking protein supplementation with resistance exercise training has shown to shorten the time needed to acquire normal speed walking speed in elderly suffering from knee osteoarthritis and sarcopenia, according to findings from a 12-week study.
The Indonesian food safety authority has published a set of strict standards to govern the presence of microorganisms - including probiotics – in general processed foods and beverages such as yoghurt or kombucha.
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.
The Little Rice Company says its low-GI brown rice is gaining popularity in Myanmar, but the firm is faced with challenges in wooing consumers of its home market in Singapore.
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.
Singapore-based Wellchem Pharmaceuticals has launched a day and night dual set for sleep and energy under the brand Miriqa, as it seeks new growth avenues beyond pharmaceuticals.
Supplementation of curcumin extract has shown to reduce body mass index (BMI), body weight, as well as the waistline more effectively than whole compounds or bioavailability-enhanced forms, according to a meta-analysis conducted by researchers from Thailand.
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has outlined its functional beverage ambitions across South East Asia after a spate of new ready-to-drink (RTD) product launches under the Anchor and Fernleaf brands.
