Insatiable demand from China is seeing infant formula fly off the shelves in Australia, resulting in shortages at retail stores and pharmacies, despite manufacturer efforts to increase production.
Australia's supplement suppliers and manufacturers have been told not to fall into the complacency trap after enjoying several years of rapidly growing sales in Asia, especially China.
Israeli personalised nutrition firm Nutrino Inc. has plans to bring its data-driven approach to diabetes to APAC, where the disease is a major health problem in many countries.
Personalised nutrition has the potential to go mainstream in APAC, but the pace of progress will depend on how quickly and effectively MNCs, start-ups and governments can collaborate.
Indian pharmaceutical firm Sundyota Numandis will open a US$12m probiotic facility to meet demand, following link-ups with major industry players to develop and market a patented formulation.
Swisse Wellness is in the beginning stages of a double-blind RCT on its Ultiboost High Strength Deep Sea Krill Oil, with the first four participants having recently enrolled.
Israeli astaxanthin manufacturer Algatechnologies (Algatech) has partnered with Italian R&D firm Sphera Encapsulation to produce new functional ingredient formats.
Manufacturer Matakana Superfoods is looking to establish a retail presence outside of Australia, Chile and its native New Zealand, after enjoying considerable success in the organic food segment through online sales.
DSM will close its vitamin C facility in Jiangshan, China, for four months from July — but the firm has moved to ensure it can continue to meet supply.
Nestlé has invested US$151.3m in two new factories in China as part of its latest efforts to increase its FSMP (foods for special medical purposes) and skincare offerings.
Daigou shoppers are believed to have accounted for $800m of 'unofficial' supplement exports from Australia to China in the past year, dwarfing the $320m figure for official exports.
China's status as a sales powerhouse for major international infant nutrition firms has been underlined, with both Abbott and Danone reporting solid growth in the country.
Wattle Health Australia recently signed a distribution agreement with International Supplies and Distribution Company (ISDC), a Chinese firm specialising in premium food products.
Major food and drink firms are increasingly incorporating influencer marketing into their advertising mix, but the best results are only achieved when brands move beyond seeing it as a simple cash for content or comments transaction.
Australian probiotic start-up PERKii has partnered with retail cold-chain distribution firm Manassen Foods Australia (MFA) and embarked on a trial at a number of Woolworths stores.
Supplement giant Blackmores recorded profits of $52m for the first nine months — up 19.3% — but conceded that its performance in China during the third quarter was 'below expectations'.
A vitamin C price fixing case that has found its way into the US Supreme Court could have wide ranging effects for the price of other vitamins and ingredients as well, experts say.
Significant investment into Ausnutria by state-owned management fund has put the Chinese government's plans for the country's infant nutrition sector in the spotlight.
Swisse Wellness' head of government relations Justin Howden will deliver a keynote address at our upcoming Healthy Ageing APAC Summit, assessing how policymakers and industry can best work together to improve the health and well-being of the population.
Two Chinese private equity firms, JIC Investments and Tamar Alliance Fund, have bought a majority stake in Australian vitamin manufacturer Nature's Care for a reported A$800m.
South East Asia has reached a 'golden age' where opportunities for start-ups in the functional food and supplement sectors abound, according to one industry expert.
Indonesia's young population, buoyed by greater disposable income, are increasingly interested in herbal supplements for their preventative healthcare benefits, according to one industry expert.
Herbal supplements in the Asia Pacific region is "at a crossroads" due to regulatory challenges, with countries such as South Korea and China having implemented stricter laws for products.
Israeli biotechnology firm Algatechnologies (Algatech) is now the major shareholder in Kiwi astaxanthin manufacturer Supreme Health, with both companies sharing the goal of expanding further in China, as well as the wider Asia Pacific market.
Australian infant nutrition firm Wattle Health has reported record sales on the back of an expanding product range and an increasing number of export markets.
Asians' general openness to dietary supplements made with unconventional ingredients is opening doors in the region for a Japanese firm that specialises in placenta-based products.
Network marketing company Mannatech says it is rounding the corner on business disruptions caused by changes made to better comply with US laws against pyramid schemes.
Spanish healthcare firm Bioibérica recently received authorisation to sell Mobilee, a patented natural ingredient, for use in functional foods and as a medical supplement in Australia and New Zealand.
Some dietary supplement ingredients have landed on US President Donald Trump’s proposed list of tariffs on imported Chinese goods. They include CoQ10 and vitamins E, B2 and B12.
BASF is seeking entries for its sixth Newtrition Asia Research Grant, which aims to fund and support academics in the region to study nutritional topics.
New Zealand contract manufacturer GMP Pharmaceuticals has appointed a new general manager, who is targeting product innovation and new delivery systems to drive sales growth.
Japan has long been at the forefront of product development and research around healthy ageing, and two experts from the country will be sharing their insights at our Healthy Ageing APAC Summit in June.
Exporters to China have been told to 'watch this space' over cross-border e-commerce rules, which provide the easiest access to the nation's soaring supplement market, but are due to end this year.
Entrepreneurs in Asia tend to have a more positive view of their business environment compared to their peers in other regions, according to Amway's Global Entrepreneurship Report 2018.
The support that the recent Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill received from both policy-makers and from industry is a timely reminder that natural medicine is firmly ingrained in the healthcare landscape, writes Blackmores executive director Marcus Blackmore.
A Chinese supplement firm is aiming to tackle diabetes in the country with nutritional products, lower prices, and a novel approach to market research.
The global health and supplement market is changing, with more people demanding transparency and authenticity. Sarah Morgan of New Zealand Story Group explains why the FernMark is a strong commercial tool for promoting and protecting New Zealand's...
New Zealand supplement firms, which have enjoyed soaring sales in China in recent years, will continue to have a bright export future — although there are some concerns over the longer-term outlook for the world's second-largest economy.
China's amino acid suppliers are increasingly moving away from bulk supplies to focus on products such as valine, isoleucine, and glutamine for supplements and health products, but one expert is warning that standards are not always up to scratch.
Supplement brands that have long relied on cross-border e-commerce must look to establish a domestic presence and keep a close eye on lower-tier cities if they want to have any hope of long-term success in China.
Faced with a shortage of international takeover targets and a shrinking domestic market, Japan's second-biggest beer maker plans to adopt a strategy of expansion into health foods and functional beverages.
Fast-growing energy drink brand Celsius Holdings recorded nearly 60% growth in revenue year over year, even as investments in its China launch mean it is still reporting losses overall.
A Chinese firm is tapping into China’s fast-growing sports nutrition market by educating consumers on healthy habits that should continue outside the gym.
Multinational infant formula firms "recognise the importance of responsible marketing practices", insists Asia Pacific's trade body amid fresh allegations of unethical practices.
