The conference will include speakers whose expertise spans a range of technical backgrounds with the likes of Mintel, Frost and Sullivan, Euromonitor, US-China Health Products Association and Blackmores all presenting.
It will be presented in a modular format, meaning delegates choose and pay for only those sessions that interest them, leaving them free to explore other areas of the Vitafoods Asia exhibition.
Speakers come from Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan as they look to further explore key trends within the nutraceutical industry including weight management, active ageing, indigenous ingredients, dietary lipids and functional beverages.
Issues related to Halal food will be discussed in detail at the conference. Shahlan Hairalah of Sahl International in Singapore will explore how understanding consumer perceptions of halal products can benefit functional food producers, while Haji Sabri Haji Mohd Taha from the Halal Industry Innovation Centre in Brunei details how halal certification in the country is leading the global market.
Elsewhere, probiotics will be up for discussion, with Prof. Nagendra Shah of the University of Hong Kong talking about latest developments and innovations in the market today, demonstrating how visitors can develop products that marry with customer demand.
As regulatory harmonisation in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan approaches there’s also a special module led by Jenny Li of Keller & Heckman Law in China with further presentations by Calvin Chan of the Hong Kong Health Food Association and Prof. Chi Fai Chau of the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, who will explain in detail how the sector will be affected and the issues and challenges that companies need to be mindful of.
For delegates who’d like a more exclusive networking opportunity, on the second day of Vitafoods Asia, there’s the Business Leaders Networking Event which accommodates no more than 25 senior industry players.
Presented by a panel of Asia’s senior industry professionals and chaired by Pushpanathan Sundram, MD of EAS Strategic Advice, it will detail the economic landscape and the opportunities, including the free trade agreements within Asean, of the nutraceuticals and functional food market in Asia.
Chris Lee, Vitafoods portfolio director, said: “We’ve launched this conference and Business Leaders Networking event because the nutraceutical market in this part of the world is growing strongly, yet until now there were no forums for industry to swap expertise and insights. We felt it was the perfect time to build on the strength of our Vitafoods Asia exhibition by providing the right climate for thought leaders to share ideas with their peers.”
CONFERENCE LINE-UP
Halal in nutraceuticals - market opportunities and business success
As market demand for halal products grows, professionals in the nutraceutical, functional food and beverage markets can benefit by better understanding halal and the benefits of certification for market success. Come learn about the latest in business opportunities and regional developments in halal for nutraceuticals, and why it matters for your business.
- Opportunities in Halal for Nutraceuticals Industry by Dato' Seri Jamil Bidin, Halal Industry Development Corporation, Malaysia
- Halal in Nutraceuticals: Lessons from the Food Industry by Shahlan Hairalah, Sahl International, Singapore
- Detection of Non-halal Ingredients by A/P Shuhaimi Mustafa, Universiti Putri Malaysia, Malaysia
Dietary lipids - the growing role of Omega-3 and PUFAs
Physicians have long acclaimed the health benefits of Omega-3 and other "good fats", but there continues to be numerous developments and debates in understanding their sources in nature, the human body's absorption, and real benefits for human health. All nutraceutical manufacturers, suppliers, researchers and distributors should attend to better understand this essential nutrient group.
- Role of Dietary Lipids in Human Health by AP Jennifer Wan, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Omega-3 for Blood Lipid Management by Jimmy Zhong, DSM, China
- Beyond Fish: The Rise of Krill (and Other Fatty Acids) in Key Asia Pacific Markets by Gabriel Perera, Blackmores, Australia
Indigenous ingredients - taking advantage of what's on your doorstep
Many Asian countries are rich in resources, and just as abounding in traditional medicinal wisdom. Additionally, sourcing ingredients locally is a great way to save costs in the supply chain. Ingredient procurers and researchers will be interested to attend this module.
- Indonesian Cur X Zol – Java Turmeric derivative by Patrick Kalona, APSKI, Indonesia
- Indigenous Ingredients – Vietnam: “GAC” Fruit by AP Le Van Truyen, Vietnam Association of Functional Foods (VAFF), Vietnam
- New Zealand Ingredients – NZ Unique and NZ Grown by Alison Quesnel, Natural Products NZ, New Zealand
Regulatory harmonisation in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
Different regulatory environments are a confusing challenge for all in the nutraceutical industry. With regulatory harmonisation in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan in the pipeline, be sure to prepare yourself and your enterprise for the impending changes.
- Regulatory Harmonisation in China by Jenny Li, Keller and Heckman LLP, China
- Regulatory Harmonisation in Hong Kong by Calvin Chan, Hong Kong Health Foods Association, Hong Kong
- The trend between food industry and health in Taiwan by Prof. Chin-Kun Wang, Chung San Medical University, Taiwan