Functional foods & drinks

Powders power: LVL Life’s superfood blends ride e-commerce, plant-based and COVID-19 waves

03-Jun-2020 By Pearly Neo

Singapore-based LVL Life and its plant-based superfood powder blends have seen sales surge during the COVID-19 outbreak with rising consumer demand and a resilient e-commerce strategy combining for its success.

FFC five years on: Less than half of Japan’s Food With Function products commercially available

26-May-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has approved 2,887 products under the food with function claim (FFC) since its introduction in 2015 – but only 1325 are currently available on the market.

Flavour for favour: Packaged yoghurt brands in India must innovate to gain edge over homemade variants

25-May-2020 By Pearly Neo

Yoghurt brands in India will need to step up creativity and innovation in varying flavours if they wish to curry favour amongst local consumers, in a market where homemade yoghurt is rapidly gaining ground.

Kombucha future: Dubai brand Saba enjoys sales boom as pandemic heightens health drive

20-May-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Dubai-based organic kombucha company, Saba Kombucha, says business is booming as the COVID-19 pandemic heightens consumer awareness in health and wellness, with online orders alone increasing by 30%.

Video star: China dairy retailer promotes NZ’s GoldMax toddler formula via ‘livestreaming incubator’

19-May-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China’s infant formula and supplement retailer, GOVKING Group, is promoting GoldMax – a New Zealand infant formula and supplement brand – through its ‘livestreaming incubator’.

Personalised superfood solution: Nestle assess further APAC launches for nesQino after China Tmall debut

18-May-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Nestle is conducting consumer testing with a view to expanding its customisable 'superfood' drink product, nesQino, to more APAC markets, after an initial launch in China via e-commerce platform Tmall.

Dementia preventing seasoning? Ajinomoto proposes MSG to fight age-related cognitive decline

14-May-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japan’s food seasoning giant Ajinomoto is proposing amino acids like monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a candidate to help fight dementia and is working on a new range of seasoning products to help improve cognitive health.

Probiotics in Myanmar: Botanical specialist sees huge scope for microbiome-boosting products

13-May-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Yangon-based FAME Pharmaceuticals is riding on the probiotics boom, with aggressive plans to expand its product range after introducing its first immunity-enhancement products.

NutraIngredients Immunity Online Series: Check out the speakers at first APAC event focusing on clinical research

11-May-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Last week we revealed that the NutraIngredients’ teams worldwide were to host the first ever co-ordinated series of webinars looking at immunity, and now we can reveal the stellar line-up for the first APAC event which will focus on clinical research.

Flavonoid-rich diet linked to lower Alzheimer's risk, says large-scale study

07-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Older adults who consumed large amounts of flavonoid-rich foods were two to four times less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and related dementias over 20 years compared with people whose intake was low, in a study of 2,800 people.

Sweet sleep: Japan’s Ezaki Glico sees strong demand for rest-supporting GABA chocolate

05-May-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese confectionery company Ezaki Glico has reported strong demand for its Mental Balance Chocolate GABA for Sleep, which carries a food with function claim (FFC).

Seven reasons to enter this year's NutraIngredients-Asia Awards!

22-Apr-2020 By Gary Scattergood

The 2020 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards are back with four new categories, but the same commitment to honour the best and brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in the dietary supplements and functional foods industries.

Can honey, omega-3, resistant potato starch help fight COVID-19? Researchers to examine via clinical trials

20-Apr-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Researchers from Asia, the Middle East, and the West are now trialling omega-3, honey, and even potato resistant starch, on top of vitamins and zinc, as they race to find products that could contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and its symptoms.

COVID-19 in Japan: Major F&B manufacturers battling to provide ‘business as usual’ during state of emergency

20-Apr-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese F&B firms in Japan such as Nissin, Ajinomoto, Sapporo, Asahi, Kirin, Kewpie, Hotei Foods, and Megmilk Snow Brand say they are battling to provide 'business as usual', despite the state of emergency in the country due to the COVID-19...

COVID-19 in India: AYUSH Ministry seeks scientific validation of traditional medicines after initial backlash

15-Apr-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

India’s Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) is aiming to put a stop to false claims for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 by setting up a task force to evaluate products and practices.

Yakult’s China sales hit by COVID-19 impact and Lunar New Year hiatus

14-Apr-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Yakult has reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused its business in China to experience a drop in sales in the first two months of the year.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit: Updated agenda revealed - check out who's speaking in Singapore in November

14-Apr-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Today we can reveal the updated agenda for the 2020 Healthy Ageing APAC Summit, which takes place in Singapore in July, and features a raft of big-name brands and international academic experts.

Probiotic potential? Presence of Prevotella copri during pregnancy linked to lower risk of infant food allergies

01-Apr-2020 By Gary Scattergood

The presence of the bacterium Prevotella copri in mothers’ microbiome during pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of their children developing food allergies during the first year of life.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit: New date announced for region's premier food and nutrition event

25-Mar-2020 By Gary Scattergood

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 health situation, FoodNavigator-Asia and NutraIngredients-Asia has rescheduled the Healthy Ageing APAC Summit from July 7-9 to November 10-12, 2020, at the Hilton hotel in Singapore.

Fermented rice drink with dietary fibre earns FOSHU approval for improving intestinal health

18-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Co., has launched the first fermented rice drink in Japan with the FOSHU claim for improving constipation and diarrhoea.

Export challenge: China’s botanical firms in supply chain battle as global orders rebound for immunity ingredients

18-Mar-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The COVID-19 epidemic has led to a rebound in demand for plant extracts with immune-boosting effects, but a China industry expert has warned there are difficulties in exporting the goods due to logistic supply chain problems.

Vision 2030: Ajinomoto to shift focus to promote healthy ageing and salt reduction

17-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese food manufacturer Ajinomoto is focusing on food solutions to combat global health issues as a new growth driver for the next decade.

CBD beer: Hong Kong start-up releases second batch of OH CBD beer

09-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Hong Kong-based start-up OH5 Company has released 2000 bottles of CBD infused beer in its recently-launched second batch.

South Korea to re-evaluate 12 functional raw materials, including ginseng

04-Mar-2020 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that it will re-evaluate the safety and functionality of 12 functional raw materials this year.

Japan’s Megmilk Snow Brand launches first functional yoghurt drink to relieve allergy symptoms

03-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese dairy company, Megmilk Snow Brand has launched the first fermented milk product with a food with function claim (FFC) touted to relieve eye and nose discomfort due to allergies.

Middle East’s taxes and government policy fuel demand for fibre-enriched, sugar-reduction and dairy alternatives

26-Feb-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Legislations and government programmes to combat lifestyle diseases are driving demand for fibre-enriched products, reduced sugar and fat goods, and vegan dairy-alternatives across the Middle East.

‘One step ahead’: India’s Power Gummies seeks online expansion and NPD with fresh VC funds

25-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

India’s functional food brand Power Gummies is eyeing further online expansion and new product development after receiving fresh VC funds.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2020: Entries open for region’s best products, ingredients and projects

24-Feb-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Entries are now open for NutraIngredients-Asia's third annual awards, held to recognise the best supplements and functional foods products, ingredients and research across Asia Pacific.

Nestle, Otsuka Pharma and Watsons added to the agenda for Healthy Ageing APAC Summit

24-Feb-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Global MNC Nestle, Japanese nutraceutical brand Otsuka Pharma and major Asian pharmacy retailer Watsons have been added to the line-up for our third Healthy Ageing APAC Summit in Singapore, which has an earlybird delegate offer closing this Friday.

Grants for grabs: H&H BINC Institute calls for research abstracts from APAC

19-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Biostime Institute Nutrition & Care (BINC) institute is looking to fund novel, ground-breaking research from the APAC region.

China infant food standards: Authorities seek public consultation for new safety rules

19-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Chinese authorities are conducting a public consultation for the new food safety standards that it has drafted for a number of food items, including liquid infant formula, infant formula powder, and infant food.

Meiji eyes 30% growth in sports nutrition business as Tokyo Olympics draws near

18-Feb-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Meiji is aiming for a 30% growth in sales of its sports nutrition products this year, with the firm hoping to capitalise on the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2020: Advance programme released for APAC's premier food and nutrition summit

10-Feb-2020 By Gary Scattergood

The advance programme for our third Healthy Ageing APAC Summit, which takes place in Singapore in July, has been published and features expert speakers from major brands, leading academic institutions, and policy and market experts.

Asmara to launch new synbiotic powders after success of multi-cultural functional beverages

10-Feb-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Asmara, a Singapore brand owned by F&B consultancy company NU3x, will be launching six functional powders in the first quarter of 2020, following success from its range of health beverages.

Combating cow’s milk protein allergy: Nestlé Health Science China introduces two new FSMPs brands

05-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Two of Nestlé Health Science China’s infant nutrition products for youngsters with cow’s milk allergies have obtained Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs) status in the country.

Pharmactive enters APAC cardiovascular market with aged black garlic extract

29-Jan-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Spanish biotech company Pharmactive plans to target APAC’s heart health market with its aged black garlic, with launches planned in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia and Singapore later this year.

Blend of ayurvedic ingredients reduces symptoms of knee osteoarthritis – Indian trial

22-Jan-2020 By Tingmin Koe

An ayurvedic botanical-based ingredient has shown to reduce the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, including knee pain and stiffness, according to an eight-week trial involving Indian participants.

New standards: GMP and traceability system mandatory for functional health foods in South Korea

22-Jan-2020 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea has introduced new regulations for functional health foods, including the need for manufacturers to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Exceeding targets: Amway Thailand ‘confident’ of achieving over US$660m in sales for FY19

21-Jan-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Amway Thailand says it is ‘confident’ of achieving sales revenue of 20 billion baht (US$664m) for its 2019 trading year, up 6% from the previous year.

Korea’s 2030 food industry vision: Five major local food sectors to receive ‘vitality boost’

20-Jan-2020 By Pearly Neo

South Korea plans to focus on five major sectors within the local food industry and give these a ‘vitality boost’ as part of its 2030 target to double the value of the sector.

Functional porridge: Malaysian firm targets major halal markets with bird’s nest product

15-Jan-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Malaysian firm Vesbo is hoping to target major halal markets with its functional instant porridge containing bird’s nest and collagen.

Big name brands on board

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2020: Brands Suntory, Blackmores, Herbalife, Nippn, Amado and Cerecin confirmed

13-Jan-2020 By Gary Scattergood

The first wave of speakers has been announced for this year’s Healthy Ageing APAC Summit, with experts from blockbuster brands Brands Suntory, Blackmores and Herbalife among the confirmed speakers.

CBD and turmeric absorption: Holista Colltech files for delivery system global patent

13-Jan-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Holista CollTech has filed for a global patent for its water-soluble delivery system, which it claims makes fat-soluble molecules such as cannabidiol (CBD) more readily absorbed by the body.

New frontiers? Three emerging APAC nutrition markets and strategies to watch out for in 2020

07-Jan-2020 By Guan Yu Lim, Ting Min Koe

As we head into 2020, we shine the spotlight on three emerging health and nutrition APAC markets that could help sustain the industry’s supplements and functional foods growth in the years ahead.