Dairy-based ingredients

a2 milk financials: Sales in China up 8%, firm to focus on growth in lower tier cities and CBEC

23-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) said its infant milk formula business in China grew 8.4 per cent for the financial year ending on June 2023 and that it would focus on growing its cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) and lower tier cities presence.

Beefing up on sustainability: NZ firm ‘upcycles’ male calves into protein-rich beef bar

16-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand’s Alps 2 Ocean Foods is launching a protein-rich and nutrient-fortified beef bar made from male calves that are otherwise killed shortly after birth or made into lower-value ground beef – a move that the firm believes is more sustainable for...

Nutrition Asia

Sports nutrition in India: Rise of local brands, new formats as consumer knowledge increases

26-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

India’s sports nutrition sector is seeing the rise of local brands, new product formats, and consumption beyond protein powder as consumer knowledge of the category increases, according to Fast&Up and Steadfast Nutrition.

Danone for iron: Firm to step up iron deficiency anaemia research in SEA and the case for supplementation

25-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

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.

FSMP growth potential is huge, but entry barriers remain high – Nestle Health Science China

24-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

There is huge growth potential to China’s Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) sector, but barriers of entry remained high, says Nestle Health Science China.

Healthplex Expo and Natural & Nutraceutical Products China 2023

Declining intake: Protein still a key area for FSMP innovation for the elderly – China CDC expert

18-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Companies should explore the role of additional protein fortification when developing new Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) for the elderly amid declining intakes, according to a researcher from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention...

“Imported raw ingredients” and similar terms banned in China’s infant formula product labelling from Oct 1

17-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese authorities are imposing stricter rules on the infant formula industry, with terms such as “imported raw ingredients” and “imported milk source” banned on all product labelling from October 1, 2023.

China CBEC phenomenon: Tmall Global on overcoming supplements supply chain woes as products hit peak popularity

11-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Overseas supplements sold into China via cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) can get popular easily, but supply chain pain points are making it difficult for brands to replenish their goods in time, says the head of Tmall Global.

Milk formula shown to improve nutrient intake in picky eaters – Abbott 90-day trial

10-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Consuming oral nutritional supplements rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) has shown to improve nutrient intake in children who are picky eaters, as compared to those who only received dietary counselling, a 90-day Abbott...

Trend tracker: New Zealand's pharmacy retail, China's electrolyte drink and South Korea's probiotic market

30-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including how pharmacies are increasingly preferred over supermarkets for natural health products purchase in New Zealand, the growth of electrolyte drinks sector in China, and the...

Raising the bar: Vinamilk inks strategic partnerships with six ingredient giants, wins Purity Award for clean-label products

27-Jun-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

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’.

Plant-based trends not slowing down: Danone ANZ develops dairy and plant milk blend for infants and toddlers

27-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Danone has launched a dairy and plant milk powder blend designed for infants and toddlers in Australia and New Zealand – the first of its kind that the firm has introduced in Asia Pacific.

Biostime newly approved infant formulas in China highlight LPN as key ingredient

20-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Biostime’s newly approved infant formulas in China are using osteopontin from bovine milk, also known as lactopontin (LPN), as one of the key ingredients, said parent firm Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group).

Regulatory review: Latest updates on Malaysia’s supplement registration trend, Singapore’s vitamin B6 warning and more

09-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at the health supplement registration trends in Malaysia, warning against excessive vitamin B6 intake in Singapore, South Korea’s plans in setting national guidelines for the personalised...

China proposes stricter protein requirements for milk powder products targeted at older children and adults

06-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese authorities have proposed stricter protein requirements for milk and formulated milk powder products designed for children, adults, and the elderly.

Infant formula in ANZ: Regulator calls for second public consultation subcategory proposals

18-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is conducting a second public consultation on infant formula regulations.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in April 2023

10-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From Fonterra's functional beverages launch plans in South East Asia to Danone China's partnership with Qingdao University to drive gut health R&D, here are the most-read stories in April 2023.

Infant, adult nutrition-led: Danone's sales growth highest in China, North Asia, Oceania in first quarter 2023

02-May-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China, North Asia, and Oceania contributed the highest sales growth for Danone at 16 per cent in the first quarter of year 2023, led by increased purchases of its key products, including infant nutrition and adult specialties.

Trend tracker: Self-care in Japan, most searched supplements in Korea, healthy ageing R&D in China

28-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including how demand for self-care and ‘efficient nutrient consumption’ is driving sales growth for Asahi, how omega-3, vitamin D are the most searched supplements in South Korea,...

Brand new: Avesthagen, Kirin, Yakult, Miriqa in the spotlight

21-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Avesthagen’s launch of its first preventive health product, Kirin’s first Food with Function Claims (FFC) sports nutrition drink, and Yakult’s reformulation of...

Nutrition Asia video series

Relax and rest: Sleep aid R&D opportunities abound in bars, smaller pack sizes - WATCH

19-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The usual energy, protein, and collagen functional bars could be reinvented as snacks for supporting sleep, with two firms from Australia and Malaysia seeing the category benefitting from the influence of Korean dramas.

Science shorts: Latest findings on essence of chicken, medium GI rice, curcumin and more

14-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research on the benefits of Essence of Chicken and hydrolysed collagen type II on muscle and joint health, how medium GI rice could reduce the need for insulin therapy in women with gestational diabetes,...

From babies to seniors: How Chinese firms are applying concepts from infant formula, sports nutrition into healthy ageing products

13-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Companies in China are increasingly developing formula milk for the aged population by using natural-origin raw materials, as well as applying nutritional concepts from the infant formula and sports nutrition sectors, according to insights from Glanbia...

Bone / muscle health and nutrition: Prof Marlena Kruger on promising deer milk findings and plans for vegan studies

12-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A leading researcher from New Zealand’s Massey University has detailed how new findings show that deer milk could be promising base for a healthy ageing formula, as well as revealing plans to study the impact of vegan and vegetarian diets on bone health.

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.

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.

Fonterra’s SEA functional future: NZ brand outlines strategies for success after new beverage launches

03-Apr-2023 By Si Ying Thian

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.

Tradition and science: China’s Junlebao launches new yogurt containing 10 probiotic strains

27-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China dairy firm Junlebao launches a new yogurt containing 10 probiotic strains, including the firm’s patented strain and others derived from kefir.

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...

Sports nutrition, vitamins form bulk of ‘illegal supplements’ sold on Aussie ecommerce sites – new data

21-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Sports nutrition and vitamins form the majority of illegal supplements sold on third-party e-commerce sites in Australia, industry body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has revealed.

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.

High-tech inspections: South Korea deploys AI in national food imports plan to boost safety

14-Mar-2023 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has announced a new food imports plan to be enforced in 2023 which will involve the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve its monitoring and inspections processes.

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.

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.

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.

Boost-ing optimism: Unilever India confident in beverage nutrition potential despite setbacks

15-Feb-2023 By Pearly Neo

Hindustani Unilever Limited (HUL), the Indian arm of international FMCG giant Unilever, has stressed that its beverage-based nutrition or health food drinks (HFD) portfolio will remain a major area of focus for the business despite current setbacks caused...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

Functional future: Premium milk brand Koita eyes NPD spurt to maintain Asia momentum

07-Dec-2022 By Hui Ling Dang

UAE premium milk brand Koita is doubling up on efforts to introduce new product lines, including functional beverages, as it seeks to maintain its growth in Asia.

Calcium innovation: Junlebao’s new adult powder aims to improve bio-accessibility and bioavailability

05-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China dairy firm Junlebao has launched a new milk powder targeted at supporting calcium absorption in middle and old-aged consumers, and hopes to rejuvenate the well-established category by improving bio-accessibility and bioavailability.

Sleep quality, cognitive, immune health are top wellbeing concerns – Fonterra survey

29-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Consumers are most concerned about sleep quality, cognitive and immune health when it comes to taking care of their wellbeing, a new survey from Fonterra’s health and wellbeing brand Nutiani has found.

Dairy self-sufficiency in Asia: Baladna eyes more South East Asian markets after Malaysia success

23-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

Qatari dairy giant Baladna is looking at more markets in South East Asia to bring its sustainable dairy self-sufficiency model to, after successfully securing and setting up its joint venture in Malaysia.

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.