Ginseng democratisation: Advancing the Food as Medicine movement
With the concept of Food As Medicine growing rapidly in Asia, ginseng specialist firm Herbal Player is making the most of its nanotech to make affordable, market-first products.
Ginseng is one of the most premium functional ingredients in Asia, with age often determining the price of these — the current record of most expensive ginseng in the world is valued at over US$500,000 and belongs to a wild ginseng root found in South Korea.
The premium price of ginseng, as well as its complicated processing and unpalatable consumption traditionally, have been two of the most significant challenges faced by the ginseng industry in recent years.
China-based ginseng specialist firm Herbal Player, a spin-off from China’s largest Canadian ginseng importer Yier Healthcare, believes that its patented nanotechnology to extract ginsenosides holds the answer.
Japan snack firm turns amazake into gut and skin health jelly sticks
Snack brand Hananomi transforms traditional amazake drink into convenient jelly strips to boost gut and skin health for busy consumers
Hananomi LLC taps the functional benefits of amazake – a traditional drink made from fermented rice or sake lees – to create a convenient jelly format for on-the-go consumption.
This latest launch focuses on gut and skin health support, aligning with the food-as-medicine trend that is sweeping across food sectors.
“It’s basically edible amazake in a convenient stick format, designed for busy consumers who may not have regular eating habits but still want to support gut health or get a gentle energy boost. You can take it anytime – during the morning rush, as a break snack, or even as a dessert,” said Hananomi LLC Director Yoshito Miyazawa.
Calm in a can: Savvy launches functional beverage targeting mental, menopausal needs
Aussie brand Savvy has released a ready-to-drink functional beverage targeted at reducing stress and anxiety while maintaining mental performance, which also responds to a growing need for menopause support among women.
Claimed to be the first of its kind in Australia, the product, Calm Water, combines high-dose L-theanine, magnesium, schisandra berry extract, prebiotics, and B and C vitamins to reduce neurological overstimulation, regulate cortisol levels, and relieve physical tension.
Following a soft launch in December 2025, it was officially rolled out at Savvy’s website and selected wellness and grocery retailers across the country in February this year.
Dignified food for seniors: Closing gaps in an ageing world
As societies age rapidly, a pressing question emerges: how can we better support seniors with dysphagia, a condition many may one day face?
“It’s disheartening for my mom to eat bland blended food,” said Singaporean tour guide Siwa Misir, 60, who cared for his mother with dysphagia. “And each time she choked, we panicked.”
His experience reflects two common challenges: choking risks and the loss of dignity when meals are reduced to unrecognisable purées.
Innovations like MAKANsoft, a new food texturant, aim to address both by improving the taste, appearance and safety of texture-modified foods.
From protein to prebiotics: 11 launches tapping into longevity nutrition
Brands are reformulating everyday foods with more protein, fibre and functional ingredients as consumers look to support strength, digestion and long-term wellbeing through daily eating habits.
Healthy ageing is quickly becoming one of the food industry’s biggest innovation opportunities, influencing everything from snacks and bakery to dairy, frozen foods and beverages.
Once associated mainly with supplements and specialist elderly nutrition, the movement has now entered the mainstream as consumers seek foods that can support mobility, satiety, digestive health and energy levels as they age.
The change is being fuelled partly by demographics, but also by the growing mainstream focus on metabolic health, satiety and preventative wellbeing.
