China Focus: Anti-subsidy investigation into EU-imported dairy products, Cell Biotech, NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, and more

Protection push: China opens anti-subsidy investigation into EU-imported dairy products after industry demands​​

Anti-subsidy investigations are conducted on markets suspected of subsidising their companies for their exports to the extent that it causes loss or ‘injury’ to the relevant industry in the export market.

The request for an anti-subsidy investigation was initially submitted in July 2024. In August 2024, the MoC announced that it had found sufficient evidence warranting a formal anti-subsidy investigation to be conducted.

Cell Biotech’s DUOLAC to capitalise on entry into Taiwan’s Costco for further expansion in Chinese-speaking markets​​

The entry into Costco, known for its high barriers to entry, is expected to accelerate DUOLAC’s expansion in the greater China region, amid strong efforts to promote Korean probiotics globally.

“It will also serve as an opportunity to increase awareness of DUOLAC as a representative K-probiotic brand and a leader in the global market,”​ said Lee Jin-yong, head of Cell Biotech’s overseas business division.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 winners announced at celebration evening in Bangkok​​

There were almost 200 entries to the awards spanning products, ingredients, and initiatives. And the calibre was exceptional, said NutraIngredients-Asia Editor-in Chief Gary Scattergood.

Among the winners are China’s Junlebao Dairy Group, which won Editor’s Award for Infant and Child Nutrition Initiative; and Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group for Product of the Year: Omega-3.

Silver dollars: 'Affordability and comfort' key for Asia's ageing population, with electrolytes and prebiotics trending​​

“Thailand and China are predicted to witness a rapid surge in their older populations. And with countries the size of India and China, ageing populations in Asia are going to impact industries more so than anywhere else,”​ said Tim Hill, key accounts director for Southeast Asia at GlobalData.

Key influencers of consumer behaviour among Asia’s ageing population include affordability and familiar flavours, with electrolyte and prebiotic products proving popular.

‘Identifying interventions': Calcium intake “inadequate” in Asia, says new Lancet study​​

The findings mirror another set of results published in Osteoporosis International, which showed that Asian countries, in particular, China, India, and Indonesia have average calcium intake that were below the recommended daily intake of 1,000mg.

Average intake in China was 338mg, 429mg for India, and 342mg for Indonesia based on that set of findings.