Botanicals

Promoting homegrown botanicals: Korea’s MFDS plans to include local liquorice variety in pharmacopeia

16-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is planning to amend the Korean Pharmacopoeia to include a new variety of liquorice bred locally.

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.

Cannabis commotion: Thailand tightens use of hemp and CBD in foods three months after decriminalisation

07-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Thai government has announced new regulatory edicts specifying tighter regulatory control over the use of hemp and CBD in food and seasonings, just three months after announcing the decriminalisation of cannabis in the country.

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.

Vitafoods Asia 2022

Lack of competition? Japanese firm finds opportunities in overseas hair growth supplement market

01-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A Japanese firm is introducing its hair growth supplement – a category which it deems as a less competitive category – in overseas markets including South East Asia.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

Longevity research funding boom: Prominent researcher on why healthspan should be the focus

26-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Prolonging health span – the number of years when one spent healthily – is the direction to work towards to when it comes to longevity research, a world-leading academic told our Growth Asia Summit.

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.

Banana and blue pea flower: Thai researchers develop formula for reducing risk of urinary stone formation

11-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A group of Thai researchers has developed product that reduces the risk of urinary stone formation in animal models, and is currently in the progress of conducting phase I and II clinical trials to validate its benefits in humans.

Curcuma longa reduces fasting blood glucose in people with chronic low-grade inflammation – House Wellness research

05-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of a hot water extract of Curcuma longa L. has been shown to reduce fasting blood glucose in individuals with chronic low-grade inflammation, according to an analysis of two clinical trials by House Wellness.

‘Double approach’: Skin care brands launching oral supplements for anti-hyperpigmentation as awareness grows

04-Oct-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Skin care firms are increasingly launching supplements that claim to reduce skin hyperpigmentation, giving consumers an alternative to traditional topical creams.

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.

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.

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.

Brand new: Garden of Life’s new probiotics, Greek firm launches functional foods in Singapore and more

16-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up features the latest developments from nutrition brands, including Nestle’s Garden of Life formulating new probiotics for kids in China, Greek-firm launches new functional foods in Singapore and more.

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.

Berries for glucose control: New supplement on the cards after Korean researchers record positive RCT results

14-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A group of South Korean researchers plan to develop new supplements with functional claims using a mixture containing berry extract and soybean for controlling hyperglycemia, following positive human clinical trial results.

COVID-19 concern: Academic unease at almost one in 10 Japanese taking supplements as preventive measure

14-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A Japanese government-backed study has questioned the use of dietary supplements as a preventive measure against COVID-19.

Tapping potential: Indian nutra firm Diabliss to develop 10 new herbal water products

13-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Chennai-based nutraceutical and food firm Diabliss Consumer Products is developing another 10 herbal water supplements – on top of its five existing products – to tap the lucrative potential of the general wellness market in the country.

Botanical oil extract supplementation shows gradual improvement in knee osteoarthritis – 8-week RCT

12-Sep-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of a botanical oil extract for eight weeks has shown gradual improvement in knee osteoarthritis and pain, according to an eight-week RCT conducted in India.

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.

Winners revealed: Find out who took the top prizes at this year’s NutraIngredients Asia Awards!

06-Sep-2022 By Gary Scattergood

We have announced the winners of the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards for 2022.

More choices: Aussie plant-based formula brand Sprout Organic on packaging and NPD innovation – CEO interview

01-Sep-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Australia’s plant-based infant formula brand Sprout Organic aims to introduce new packaging sizes and widen its offerings in the infant formula and supplementary food categories for young children, according to its founder and CEO Selasi Berdie.

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

31-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China dairy firm Junlebao's latest infant formula launch, findings of Swisse's krill oil RCT on knee osteoarthritis, as well as Vinamilk's and H&H's insights on Vietnam's infant formula market are some of the most popular...

Beyond milk thistle: Gencor novel botanical blend improves fatty liver index in 12-week RCT

31-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of a novel botanical blend has been shown to improve fatty liver index in non-alcoholic and overweight adults in a 12-week RCT.

South Korea’s MFDS proposes blood pressure claim for health foods containing garlic

31-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has proposed to allow a blood pressure related claim in health functional foods (HFF) containing garlic.

Acquisition boost: McPherson’s reports strong growth for former Blackmores brand Fusion

29-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

ASX-listed Australian firm McPherson’s has reported almost 90 per cent annual growth in its health business in FY22, with the herbals brand Fusion – previously owned by Blackmores’ Global Therapeutics – performing particularly well.

Safety first: NMN, protein powder, product traceability round-up

24-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the initiatives put in place to safeguard supplements safety and quality across the APAC health and nutrition market, including the Chinese industry issuing self-regulating standards for controlling nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)...

Inventory, packaging innovation and NPD: Blackmores CEO sets out stall for next financial year – Exclusive

23-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores will beef up its local inventory for the 13 markets that it currently operates in, design new pack sizes for markets such as Thailand, and target eye health growth in China over the next year, the company’s CEO told NutraIngredients-Asia.

New data: South Korea’s health functional food production value up nearly 20% last year

17-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Health Functional Food (HFF) production value was up nearly 20 per cent in year 2021, latest data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) showed.

Welcome move: New Zealand health ministry plans to regulate supplements via self-assessment - Updated

17-Aug-2022 By By Tingmin Koe and Gary Scattergood

New Zealand’s Ministry of Health is intending to regulate natural health products via a self-assessment / declaration process, a move welcomed by the local industry body.

NutraChampion podcast

Local food sources for sports nutrition: Rice biopeptides and palm oil among prospects – Malaysian expert

16-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Sports nutrition research coming out of Malaysia could explore local foods sources, such as palm oil, goat’s milk, and black pepper, said the vice-president of Nutrition Society of Malaysia, who has previously studied biopeptides extracted from locally...

Business round-up: Updates from Asmara, BYHEALTH, hy Co

12-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will look at business updates across APAC’s health and nutrition sector, including a potential MNC acquisition deal for Singapore functional food firm Asmara, financial results of China’s BYHEALTH in the first six months of this year, and...

Science shorts: Swisse’s krill oil, Amway's personalised nutrition RCT findings, India’s CBD research

05-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will feature scientific findings from big brand names, including Swisse and its study of krill oil supplementation on knee osteoarthritis, Amway’s personalised nutrition, and India’s national research agency’s plans for studying cannabidiol...

Regulators urged to update policies for ensuring folate sufficiency in childbearing women

04-Aug-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Policymakers need to review the current methods of ensuring folate sufficiency among women of childbearing age, said a group of Australian researchers who found that food and supplements could not provide optimal folate intake.

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

03-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

hy Co.'s (formerly Korea Yakult) clinical trial on how the supplementation of two Lactobacillus strains could alleviate obesity, Nestle Health Science's acquisition of GO Healthy, and the list of NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022 finalists are...

New Zealand blackcurrant specialist sets sights on China’s healthy ageing market

03-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The cGP Lab Ltd, a New Zealand firm specialising in developing dietary supplements containing cyclic glycine-proline (cGP) – a molecule extracted from New Zealand grown blackcurrants – is eyeing China’s healthy ageing market with its products.

Reduce ‘hangxiety’: Anti-hangover brand Bounceback targets 700% growth and US entry

03-Aug-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Singapore anti-hangover remedy brand Bounceback aims to attain 700% growth and entry to the West by 2023 after hitting a “sizeable seven-digit annual revenue”, said its Co-Founder and CEO Roy Ang.

Brushing up: South Korean authorities considering hair health claims for functional foods

01-Aug-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean food and drug authority is planning to expand the current list of health claims under the health functional foods (HFF) system to include hair health.

Health-conscious: 34.4% Japanese female nurses consume supplements – new data

01-Aug-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A total of 34.4% of Japanese female nursing professionals regularly consume supplements, especially those who are older, non-obese or pregnant, new data has shown.

Regulatory review: Updates from China, New Zealand, India, Thailand

29-Jul-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China seeking new methods to test laxatives, beta-blockers in health foods, New Zealand industry body objecting government’s recommendations to schedule levomefolate, and India’s mandatory traceability policy on vegan products are some of the latest APAC...

NUTRACHAMPION PODCAST

CBD and cancer pain relief: India’s national research institute boss outlines study plans – LISTEN

27-Jul-2022 By Tingmin Koe

India’s national research agency is hoping to study cannabidiol (CBD) and its effects on cancer pain relief, the director of the agency has revealed in our latest NutraChampion podcast.

Potential combo: Spirulina supplement with resistance training could prevent obesity, trigger weight loss in men

25-Jul-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Spirulina supplementation, combined with eight weeks of circuit resistance training, could lead to reduced weight among overweight and obese men.

Brand new: Amway’s traceability program, Meiji’s healthy ageing launch, Blackmores’ COVID-19 trial

22-Jul-2022 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we look at the latest developments from big brand names, including Amway’s Nutrilite traceability program, Meiji’s healthy ageing product launch in Japan, and a clinical trial assessing Blackmores’ products in Singapore.

VitamINSIGHTS: Traceability and quality control – Exclusive in-depth analysis

Not just the data: Amway, BYHEALTH, Danone on bringing product traceability to life for consumers

20-Jul-2022 By Tingmin Koe

How can traceability technologies safeguard product quality and safety, and to what extent are APAC consumers concerned about these developments? We take a deep dive with Amway, Danone, BYHEALTH and more to find out.

Aim for the skies: Malaysian nootropic beverage firm Eureka Drinks aims for 45% growth in 2023

20-Jul-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Malaysian nootropic firm Eureka Drinks is targeting a 45% growth next year based on a new strategic expansion, distribution and retail plan.

Thai cannabis teething troubles: Authorities vow tough approach to food products amid THC concerns

19-Jul-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Thai authorities have stressed that stringent control measures will be enforced as more food and beverage firm seeks to use cannabis-derived ingredients, amid claims that 30% of products contain higher than permitted tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels.

SEA focus: Blackmores and Singapore's COVID-19 study, Tipco on healthier beverages, Malaysia regulatory updates

15-Jul-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up on developments in Southeast Asia include Blackmore's largest ever single product donation for supporting a COVID-19 clinical research in Singapore, Tipco's assessment of the healthier beverages market, and Malaysian authority's...

Regulators failing to match consumer demand for natural products supporting mental well-being – Watch

12-Jul-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Our first Mind and Mood Interactive Broadcast has heard that regulators are failing to match consumer demand for natural products to aid mental well-being spanning cognition, sleep, stress and anxiety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.