Functional foods & drinks

Daigou downturn: Supplement and infant nutrition brands hit by lockdowns and travel restrictions in Australia

09-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A series of COVID-19 related lockdowns and travel restrictions has weakened the daigou retail channel for several health and nutrition brands in Australia, with brands such as Swisse, Bubs, and Nuchev, reporting sales slumps from the once lucrative channel.

NZ’s 2bn dollar CBD opportunity: Cannabis referendum result risks stalling conversation over supplements

03-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The New Zealand Hemp Industry Association (NZHIA) believes that the country “will miss the bus” if it does not start to quickly develop its cannabidiol (CBD) sector, after a new report suggesting it could become an NZD2bn industry was quickly followed...

Growth Asia 2020: Join us live today as our interactive broadcast series continues with the Infant Nutrition edition

02-Nov-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Join us live today for the fourth edition of our free-to-access interactive broadcast series – Growth Asia 2020 – as we focus on the topic of infant nutrition with a host of major brands and international experts.

Vitamin C and COVID-19: Researchers call for status testing and intravenous / oral supplementation

02-Nov-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

The high frequency of vitamin C deficiency in people with respiratory infections has led researchers to call for levels to be tested on Covid-19 patients, followed by either intravenous or oral supplementation.

Yakult’s L-casei Shirota reduces constipation, diarrhoea, ARI in children – 12-week Vietnam trial

02-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A 12-week study by Yakult on more than 1,000 Vietnamese children has shown that its fermented milk containing the Lactobacillus casei strain (LcS) could reduce the incidence of constipation, diarrhoea, and acute respiratory infections (ARI).

Clean investment: Whole Kids hopes to fuel Asian expansion and NPD with crowdfunding strategy

29-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Australia’s largest organic children’s snacks brand Whole Kids has big plans to expand into Asia and develop new ‘minimal ingredient’ product lines with funds from its latest fundraising venture, a million-dollar equity crowdfund.

Growth Asia 2020

China still Asia’s probiotic powerhouse, but India and South East Asia next to watch - Growth Asia Series expert panel

27-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

China will continue to cement its standing as Asia’s biggest probiotic market, but an expert panel has predicted that India and South East Asia are the emerging hotspots to watch.

Powder power: Major brands Nestle Japan and FANCL unveil water-soluble sachet smoothies

27-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Nestle Japan and FANCL have jointly launched two fruit and vegetable smoothies in sachet format, under the Nestle Wellness brand.

South East Asian sparkle: Remedy Drinks eyes Vietnam as next big market for its kombucha

27-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Australian beverage firm Remedy Drinks is eyeing Vietnam as the next big market for its kombucha, banking on a rising health and wellness awareness trend and product ability to be transported without refrigeration.

Undernutrition and digestion care: Nestle Health Science launches China’s first ready-to-drink protein-based FSMP

19-Oct-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Nestle Health Science has launched China’s first ready-to-drink protein-based total nutrition Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs) for undernourished individuals.

Land of opportunity? Canadian county looks to attract Asian F&B firms with trade benefits

15-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Canada’s Parkland County is looking to attract major food and beverage companies from Asia to set up local processing facilities, banking on its location, investor assistance and the many trade agreements that Canada has in place with nearby countries...

Growth Asia 2020

Aiding Asia’s ageing population: Education and innovation crucial for promoting healthy ageing – Expert Growth Asia Series panel

14-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Experts have weighed in on the importance of educating consumers on the concept of healthy ageing, and upcoming innovations in ingredients and delivery formats to drive the concept in the rapidly ageing Asia-Pacific region.

Triple ap-peel: Singapore’s Nutrixin expands functional beverage range for cognitive, immunity and digestive health

13-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Singapore-based brand Nutrixin has relaunched its flagship immunity product, apple peel essence and rolled out two more functional beverages with cognitive and digestive functions.

A gut feeling: Malaysia’s WonderBrew aims to double kombucha sales this year amid pandemic

12-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Malaysia-based kombucha brand WonderBrew is on track to more than double its sales this year, as it seeks to expand its e-commerce presence amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

FoodBytes! Pitch 2020: Low GI and plant-based APAC food firms amongst top finalists

07-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Asia food firms with leading innovations in the areas of low GI and plant-based products are amongst the Top 45 finalists in the FoodBytes! Pitch 2020 competition vying for a US$10,000 prize and global recognition.

Synbiotic success: Yakult targets 500,000 daily sales of relaunched FFC drink in Japan

07-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Yakult Honsha will be releasing its renewed Yakult 400W synbiotic drink with a food with function claim (FFC) in Japan, with plans to sell 485,000 bottles daily from October 2020 to March 2021.

Disrupting China’s meal replacement market: Ruffood’s relying on relentless NPD to create new generation of products

05-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

China-based meal replacement company Ruffood (Chinese name: 若饭) is prioritising product development in its mission to create a new generation of staple yet balanced and nutritional food for Chinese consumers.

‘Health over taste’: Malaysian kefir firm lauds benefits of coconut and goat’s milk over traditional dairy

05-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Malaysian kefir specialist firm MayKef says it is proudly taking a ‘health over taste’ approach to its production and marketing as it seeks to extol the virtues of goat’s milk and coconut milk kefir over traditional dairy.

On par with manuka? Aboriginal Ngooka honey aims for premium positioning due to health benefits

29-Sep-2020 By Pearly Neo

Australian Aboriginal group Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) is targeting a premium market for its Ngooka honey based on its anti-microbial and health-promoting properties, which the group’s CEO says is likely comparable with that of manuka honey.

FNA DEEP DIVE: FERMENTED BEVERAGES

Fermented drinks fizzing in APAC: Health and wellness surge amid pandemic heightens sector’s appeal

25-Sep-2020 By Pearly Neo and Guan Yu Lim

The fermented beverages sector in the Asia Pacific region is on the cusp of a boom due to its health and wellness properties from gut health to immunity boosting, factors that consumers are looking out for even more amid COVID-19.

Growth Asia 2020: Free registration now open for our six-strong interactive broadcast series

23-Sep-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Free registration is now open for our six-week new virtual event – Growth Asia 2020 – which will feature experts from major brands Pepsi, Blackmores, Mondelez, Health & Happiness, Eat Just, Herbalife and Life-Space among the participants.

Fibre power: China’s Wholly Moly! expects sales to double this year with oat bran-containing products

21-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Shanghai-based wholegrain product brand Wholly Moly! is anticipating sales to more than double last year’s sales as it looks to offer Chinese consumers a healthier alternative to refined carbohydrates.

Kefir and wine by-product: Combination of paraprobiotic and prebiotic may work as potential anti-obesity functional ingredient

21-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

The combination of a paraprobiotic derived from kefir and a prebiotic obtained from grape seed flour has been found to have anti-obesity effects in a mouse model.

Oh soy: Singapore team eyes commercialisation after turning okara into DHA-rich products to aid brain health

17-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A Singapore team has developed three soy-based and DHA-rih functional food prototypes from okara - the by-product of soy milk and tofu manufacturing.

‘Unacceptable risk’: Pure- and high-caffeine ban in Oceania will stay despite new public review

16-Sep-2020 By Pearly Neo

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has confirmed that the existing ban implemented on pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products will not be removed even with a new proposal underway to assess caffeine governance in the food supply.

South Korean food export boom: Kimchi and ramen lead charge with massive growth even through COVID-19

16-Sep-2020 By Pearly Neo

South Korean has seen a massive boom in its food exports even through the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak with local food items kimchi and ramen leading the charge, according to new statistics released by the government.

Japan beverage alliance: Kirin and FANCL on track to launch first functional drink in October

15-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Kirin and FANCL is set to release two new beverages in Japan this October, including one with a Food with Function (FFC) claim - their first such products since forming a business alliance last year.

South Korea functional foods growth: Probiotics booming but ginseng still tops chart – new data

15-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Probiotics and ginseng are two key categories driving functional food growth in South Korea last year, according to a new government report.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS PODCAST EPISODE 11

PODCAST: Kanguru energy drink creator Dr David Kitchen on juggling a full-time medical career alongside beverage entrepreneurship

11-Sep-2020 By Pearly Neo

In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Dr David Kitchen, CEO of better-for-you energy drink Kanguru about his experience juggling both a full-time medical career as an ophthalmologist alongside his beverage entrepreneurial...

Frosty Boy hopes for warm response in China, Middle East and Indonesia with new nutritional beverages

09-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australian dessert manufacturer Frosty Boy has made its first foray into nutritional beverages and plans to make a push into major markets such as China, Middle East, and Indonesia.

No-bull elixir: New Zealand’s clean label energy drink brand resumes nationwide expansion after COVID-19 delays

03-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

New Zealand clean label energy drink brand Phoric is resuming its nationwide launch after plans were put on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier in March.

Wawamum working: Supplementation with World Food Programme product reduces anaemia, stunting and wasting among children in Pakistan

03-Sep-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Daily 50g supplementation of fortified chickpea paste, known as Wawamum, significantly reduced anaemia, stunting and wasting in children under two years of age in Pakistan.

GI China: Alchemy Foodtech eyes major new market opportunity after first Singapore product launch

26-Aug-2020 By Pearly Neo

Singapore food technology firm Alchemy Foodtech has its eye on China as a potential major market opportunity after the successful local launch of its GI-lowering Alchemy Fibre, with a variety of other GI-lowering products to follow.

Fortification in Bangladesh: Frontier Nutrition secures DSM funding to expand range and reach

26-Aug-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

US-based Frontier Nutrition, a company manufacturing and marketing fortified snacks in Bangladesh, has secured a US$900,000 bridge financing led by DSM Venturing to expand its product line and distribution footprint in Bangladesh.

Fortification, plant-based and healthier packaged foods to boom in APAC post-COVID-19 – expert panel

13-Aug-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Fortified, plant-based, and better-for-you packaged foods will continue to soar in APAC post-pandemic, with preventive health, wellness and nutrition now firmly ingrained in the conscience of consumers, an expert panel claims.

Ayurvedic tea in Japan: Start-up adds two new blends as sales reach the boil

11-Aug-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese start-up eatreat.tea has formulated two Ayurvedic tea blends, touted for its relaxation and refreshing functions.

Game of flavours: Myprotein strikes India’s sports nutrition market with local flavours

29-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

UK-based Myprotein is expanding its sports nutrition offerings in India by incorporating a raft of local flavours and culinary cultures.

Milk minerals and bacteria: China opens public consultation for novel food raw materials use

28-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Chinese authorities has opened a public consultation to consider the use of milk minerals and a particular bacteria species as novel food raw materials.

Astaxanthin for heart health? Pilot study says carotenoid suppresses oxidative stress

23-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A pilot study from Japan found that astaxanthin supplementation for three months can suppress oxidative stress and improve cardiac function and exercise tolerance in patients suffering from heart failure.

Hop help: Kirin’s mature hop bitter acid aids cognitive health in older adults -RCT

21-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Supplementation with Kirin’s mature hop bitter acid (MHBA) for 12 weeks has been found to improve attention and reduce stress in healthy older adults in Japan.

Formula won: China government and Nestle research shows formula provides less fats, more nutrients

21-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Toddler formula has been proven to be a better choice than cow’s milk when it comes to improving the dietary intakes of minerals and vitamins in young children, according to research funded by Nestle and the Chinese government.

Japan’s FFC labelling gap? Study says blood pressure management products lack complete health claims

15-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Researchers claim Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFC) rules need to be overhauled, with four in five (79.5%) blood pressure management products ‘lacking’ clear label claims, a study has found.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS PODCAST EPISODE 9

PODCAST: Superfood specialist LVL Life on the move from MNC to start-up

10-Jul-2020 By Pearly Neo

In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to LVL Life co-founders Avinash Aswani and Rohit Nanwani, entrepreneurs and first cousins who have moved from under the wings of a longtime family business to build a superfoods brand...

BRAND’S Suntory RCT: Chicken extract supplement improves verbal and spatial working memory

08-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

An eight-week trial found that consuming a tablet supplement made from chicken essence could improve verbal and spatial working memory in middle-aged individuals with perceived stress.

Dairy victory: China’s new acceptance of whey permeate imports a display of industry triumph

07-Jul-2020 By Pearly Neo

China recently announced new standards for dairy permeate imports, a first for the country and a prime example of how an industry can leverage resources to overcome regulatory challenges, according to a China trade regulations expert.

BY-HEALTH’s US$500m capital drive: Plans for new sites and personalised health management centre revealed

30-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

BY-HEALTH is aiming to raise RMB$3.6bn (US$509m) to fund five new projects, including new manufacturing sites in China and Australia, and a health management centre.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit rescheduled to July 2021, new interactive broadcast series Growth Asia 2020 unveiled

23-Jun-2020 By Gary Scattergood

The Healthy Ageing APAC Summit has been rescheduled to July 2021 in light of the ongoing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the topic will still take centre stage this year as part of a new interactive broadcast series - Growth Asia 2020...

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