Vitamins & premixes

Kiwi then kip: Consuming kiwifruit with evening meal linked to improved sleep and mood – study

29-Mar-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand researchers have found that consuming fresh or dried kiwifruits, alongside a standard evening meal, led to significant improvements on the sleep quality and mood scores of participants.

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.

‘2023 best time to reposition’: BYHEALTH reveals strategies to tap into China’s new growth areas

22-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

China dietary supplement giant BYHEALTH believes that 2023 could be the “best timing” to reposition its business develop new strategies to succeed in the post-COVID era.

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.

VitamINSIGHTS

Exclusive Malaysia nutrition sector analysis: From vending machine trend to fears over unregistered products online

15-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From emerging sales channels for functional foods and supplements such as vending machines, to fears over unregistered products being sold online, as well as industry concerns over advertising and ingredient rules, the Malaysian industry is currently...

India nutra enforcement: Regulator sets sights on non-compliant ingredients, exceeding RDI levels, and misleading claims

14-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

India’s food and nutraceutical regulator is ordering a special enforcement drive to curb the flow of non-compliant products, such as those exceeding the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) nutrient levels, containing ingredients that are not permitted, and...

Filling the gap: Experts seek to boost knowledge of ingredient science and functions in India’s nutra sector

13-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

There can be lack of knowledge in the functions and scientific evidence of nutraceuticals across India’s health supplements sector, says an industry advocacy group which is hoping to resolve the problem with the launch of a compendium.

Regulatory review: Hong Kong CBD ban, China’s mass fortification of staples and more

10-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at Hong Kong CBD ban, China’s plans in mass fortification of food staples, Singapore’s launch of food safety standards for online businesses and more.

Competing with the big guys: Thai uni spin-off to launch locally formulated supplement into US and China

09-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A Thai firm is on a mission to boost the overseas profile of the industry by launching its blood sugar-regulating product in the world’s two largest economies – the US and China.

Curcumin, vitamin D, fish oil shown to prevent progression to diabetes in pre-diabetics – Thailand trial

08-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of curcumin, vitamin D, and fish oil together has shown to reduce the progression to diabetes in pre-diabetic individuals, according to the findings of a 24-week trial conducted in Thailand.

Haleon’s first full year results: VMS revenue climbs 20% in SEA, Taiwan, India

06-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Haleon, the maker of vitamin and mineral supplement brands Centrum and Caltrate, said revenue growth haw gone up by over 20 per cent for its VMS portfolio in South East Asia, Taiwan, and India.

Trend tracker: Thailand, South Korea, and plant-based nutra trends in the spotlight

03-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including the growing popularity of TCM-infused supplements in Singapore, Thailand’s nutra sector attracting interest from local conglomerates, and South Korea’s health supplements...

VitamINSIGHTS

What’s trending in Thai nutra space? Conglomerates enter, the power of celebrity, and CBD opportunities

01-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Thailand’s nutraceutical market is witnessing an influx conglomerates entering the space, the engagement of K-pop celebrities in product marketing, as well as a boom in the much-talked about cannabidiol (CBD) business, our exclusive in-depth report reveals.

Brain, joint, maternal health…EZZ launches new products to fulfill market market gap

01-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

EZZ has launched five new products ranging from brain to joint and maternal health based on consumer demand coming from major markets such as China.

Faster pregnancy: Probiotics, myo-inositol, micronutrients intake quickens conception in overweight women – 12-months trial

21-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A year long trial showed that the daily intake of a supplement containing probiotics, myo-inositol, and micronutrients could shorten the time needed for overweight women to conceive.

Optimal NMN dose? India trial says 600mg per day boosted NAD+ level and physical performance

21-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A 60-day trial in India found that taking nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) at 600mg per day is the optimal dose for boosting the body’s nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) level and physical performance.

Immune support, alleviating physical fatigue dominated China’s health foods registration approvals last year

14-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Immune support and alleviating physical fatigue were some of the most common claims made by health foods approved by the China regulators via the registration route last year.

Copper chlorophyll could be permitted for use in vitamins, CoQ10 in South Korea

14-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is considering the use of copper chlorophyll as a food additive in Health Functional Foods (HFF).

Vitamin D supplementation could prevent postmenopausal conditions in women – systematic review

13-Feb-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Large, single doses of up to 300,000 IU of vitamin D per day may significantly improve vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women, say researchers.

Fortified future? China set for mass fortification of staple foods to combat deficiencies – consultation open

13-Feb-2023 By Pearly Neo

China is considering mandating mass nutritional fortification for various staple foods in order to boost public health and combat nutrient deficiencies.

‘Trends are rapidly changing’: South Korea’s health supplements and ingredients imports up 20%

07-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s import of health supplements and functional ingredients was up 20 per cent between 2021 and 2022, signifying the country’s persistent demand for health foods.

Korea to re-evaluate nine functional raw materials including theanine and Vit B6, C

01-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is re-evaluating the health benefits of nine functional raw materials used in health functional foods (HFF).

Brand new: Suntory’s foray into personalised nutrition, Amway’s gut microbiome R&D plans and more

27-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from nutraceutical brands across Asia-Pacific, including Suntory’s foray into personalised nutrition via its partnership with UK start-up Remedy Health, Amway’s product expansion plans for its pre-, probiotics range and more.

VitamINSIGHTS – Exclusive in-depth analysis

Investment, innovation and demand: Why India is experiencing a nutra boom, with more growth to come

25-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

With heightened MNC interest to local firms receiving funding boosts, coupled with increased innovation and consumer demand across three key categories, we take an in-depth look at why India’s nutra market is booming…and primed for further growth.

Co-enzyme Q10 hot in demand in China amid sharp jump in COVID-19 cases

25-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Co-enzyme Q10 dietary supplements are the latest hot-selling item in China following a sharp jump in COVID-19 cases across the country.

‘Not so dire?’ China NMN supplier hopeful of US opportunities despite regulatory roadblock

24-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A Shanghai-based nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) ingredient firm is hopeful of NMN’s application and business opportunities in the US, despite recent news of the USFDA retracting its status as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI).

Diversified approach: Blackmores’ new chair on the lookout for directors to broaden expertise – exclusive interview

10-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores’ new chair says she is looking to appoint new directors who can diversify the board’s skill set and expertise, as the firm looks to achieve ‘sustainable, profitable growth’ and improve shareholder returns.

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...

Regulatory round-up: South Korea’s customised nutrition, Hong Kong’s fish oil inspection, New Zealand’s policy revamp

06-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See new developments in APAC’s supplement regulatory landscape, including South Korea’s plans to support the customised nutrition sector, New Zealand’s regulatory revamp for its natural health products sector and more.

Folic acid and iodine supplementation speeds up conception rate – new study

04-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Dietary supplementation of folic acid and iodine could boost fertility rate, while evening primrose oil is associated with a longer time to pregnancy (TTP), say Singapore researchers.

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.

Top 10 most watched health and nutrition news videos of year 2022 revealed

20-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Here we summed up the 10 most watched health and nutrition news videos of the year, including Fonterra’s cultured milk drink launch in Singapore, Vinamilk’s and Health and Happiness Group’s analysis of Vietnam’s infant formula market and more.

Optimal strategy: Good diet improves benefits of supplementation – Swisse study

20-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A good or optimal diet has been shown to improve the benefits of supplementation, according to a 12-week clinical trial funded by Swisse Wellness.

DSM reduces vitamin C production in China amid economic uncertainties, weakened demand

19-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

DSM has reduced the production of its vitamin C in its factory at Jiangshan, China, as a string of factors, including economic uncertainties, inflation, and weakened demand has cause existing output at the current pricing to become unsustainable.

‘China-centric approach’: Melrose CEO outlines new distribution and product strategies for key market

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Australia health foods company Melrose Health Group is aiming for bigger gains in China with a fresh market strategy and new product pipeline.

Research for mental health: Huge scope for new studies on synergistic impact of ingredients

06-Dec-2022 By Pearly Neo

There is huge scope for more research on how a broad range of ingredients can work synergistically to improve a raft of mental health conditions.

Devil will be in the detail: New Zealand a step closer to natural health products regulatory revamp

06-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand is now a step closer to a new regulatory environment governing natural health products, now that the authorities have introduced the long-awaited Therapeutic Products Bill in parliament.

‘Great step forward’: Haleon to beef up Centrum’s digital marketing and e-commerce sales in Thailand

06-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Haleon, formerly GSK Consumer Health, has entered into a partnership with CREA – an e-commerce enabler to increase the presence brands such as Centrum across Thailand’s e-commerce and social media platforms.

Study: Vitamin D during pregnancy mitigates risk of bacterial vaginosis

02-Dec-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Pregnant women should consume an average 600 IUs of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate serum levels and reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV), according to newly published data.

Healthy longevity: Accessible diagnostics and integrated data tools two key challenges – China-based expert

30-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

More accessible diagnostics and tools that integrate data from the various body clocks are two key challenges that experts seeking to optimise health span, as well as life span, need to overcome, says a China-based pioneer in the field.

Active approach: Swisse debuts three-stage sports nutrition for everyday consumers

28-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Swisse has launched its first set of sports nutrition products designed for the general public’s active lifestyle needs – a move that it sees as expanding the category largely catered to elite athletes.

JD Health reveals popular nutrition categories, brands, and products in China this Double 11

22-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Nutrition products for gut, liver, eye health and sports have recorded strong growth during this year’s Double 11 shopping festival, says China’s leading e-commerce platform JD Health.

Paw-some: Swisse and pet nutrition brands Solid Gold, Zesty Paws driving growth at H&H Group

21-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) says supplement brand Swisse and pet nutrition brands Solid Gold, Zesty Paws were the key contributors of its revenue growth in the first nine months of this year.

Brand new: Singapore postbiotic innovation, Australian coffee launch and Korea sachet expansion revealed

18-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at how brands from Singapore and Australia have formulated postbiotic supplements and coffee, as well as how a South Korean vitamin sachet brand is planning to expand its presence in South East Asia.

FDA’s takedown of NMN raises fairness, transparency concerns

15-Nov-2022 By Hank Schultz

NMN, an anti-aging ingredient, has been disallowed by FDA because of its prior investigation as a drug. The determination, which came as something of a surprise given the ingredient’s market history, has raised questions of fairness and transparency.

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.

VITAMINSIGHTS

Getting it right: How policymakers and businesses design fortification programs and supplement products

09-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (TUL) have been used by different health authorities to find out the appropriate nutrient intake.

Science shorts: Latest research news in vitamin D, probiotics, and longevity studies

04-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest research news in the study of vitamin D, probiotics, and healthy ageing.

Liquid goal: Korean vitamin sachet brand eyes expansion into South East Asia

03-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean firm SuperNaturals is eyeing expansion in the tropical South East Asia region with its range of vitamin liquid sachet products.

Vitafoods Asia 2022

Data delivery: DSM’s new micronutrient database aims at cost-saving, more efficient NPD

02-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

DSM has developed a database that could identify the key micronutrient gaps in 11 markets across Asia-Pacific, and in turn, help health supplement brands and manufacturers design products to meet these needs.