Japan’s Sankyo Foods to launch GABA rice blends for mental wellness
Japan’s Sankyo Foods introduces a microwavable GABA sprouted brown rice range, blending traditional staples for better texture and nutrition
Sankyo’s retail arm Food Base has developed Genmai Gokochi, a GABA-enriched brown rice series aimed at holistic wellness – from sleep and mental health to gut, beauty, and anti-ageing benefits. It seeks to ease daily stress while keeping mealtimes enjoyable.
The idea is to address daily stressors and discomforts while still enjoying food.
Mood candies: Sweet treats for mental wellbeing in Asia
Singapore-based Hue taps gap in mood wellness to launch science-backed candies using traditional Asian botanicals
Mental health issues affected over 80 million people across ASEAN in 2021 – a 70% increase since 1990. This surge has made mood and emotional wellness a growing focus for functional food innovation.
In response, Singapore start-up Hue has developed mood-boosting candies formulated with ingredients such as tiger milk mushrooms, fish oil, gac fruit, and moringa leaf. The aim is to support relaxation and emotional balance.
How an Aussie supergrain can boost gut health and elderly nutrition
Award-winning gut-friendly supergrain BARLEYMAX eyes growth in elderly nutrition, infant formula, and high-fibre bakery products
Developed by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), BARLEYMAX is described as a “super barley grain” rich in prebiotics and protein.
It won Ingredient of the Year for Microbiome Modulation at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards in July, and is already used in various formats such as whole grain, flour, flakes, and stone-cut grain.
Rice-based nutrition powering Laos’ health transformation
Rice is emerging as a vital tool for Laos in its quest to develop better nutrition and reduce stunting among children nationwide
Stunting is defined by UNICEF as ‘the failure to grow both physically and cognitively and is the result of chronic or recurrent malnutrition.”
Laos has one of the highest prevalences of stunting in the world, seen in children five years of age and below – according to data from the World Bank, the percentage of this stood at 32.8% as of 2023.
Thai coconut nectar firm eyes Asia, UAE amid functional food boom
Thailand’s Chiwadi taps demand for clean label functional foods in markets new to coconut nectar, with focus on Asia and the UAE
The company currently exports to the US and is looking to expand in Asia and the UAE, citing growing interest in natural products with health benefits.
There is growing focus on health-focused creations in Asia and the Middle East, and an increasing number of proactive health-conscious consumers in the US seeking products with health benefits.
“Our target consumers are generally educated individuals who care about health, including those with allergies, or who are managing conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. Our products are mild and suitable for these groups,” Chiwadi founder Sarapee Yuadyong told us.
