Functional foods and drinks

Nutrition Asia

Iron it out: Nestle and Wellnex Life on how new tech is propelling iron nutrition innovation

23-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Nestle and Australia’s Wellnex Life are hoping to create awe in the iron category with new products that tap new innovations to boost bioavailability.

Snacking ‘middle ground’: Thailand’s MUNCHHH on balancing health and indulgence for innovation

19-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Thai healthy snacking brand MUNCHHH has developed an award-winning range of snacks based on what it has termed the ‘middle ground’ of snacking, with a priority on balancing health and indulgence to keep consumers coming back for more.

Meiji expands infant formulas range in Cambodia to speed up growth in SEA

17-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Meiji is expanding its infant formulas offerings in Cambodia as part of the company’s strategy in growing its overseas business – where South East Asia is identified as a region for new opportunities.

Beauty and bones: Singapore marine collagen drink firm Dahmeh re-brands and innovates to fuel expansion

17-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A two-pronged strategy of re-branding and product innovation will boost Singapore fish scale collagen firm Dahmeh’s expansion across APAC and into EMEA.

Supply chains interrupted: Customs delays, shipping woes continue to plague APAC nutra and food businesses

16-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Food and nutrition-based businesses across APAC have reported continued logistics problems plaguing their supply chains due to rising costs and customs delays, some of which still stem from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

China dairy growth: Rising consumer income and increased functional product innovation yields large leap

16-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

China’s dairy industry witnessed a large growth in per capita consumption in 2021, backed by rising consumer incomes and firms responding to current trends with the development of functional products.

Export expertise: Japan reveals new guidelines to help food firms maximise overseas growth

12-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has published a set of national export and expansion guidelines with the aim of helping local food and beverage businesses expand the reach of their products into overseas markets.

Economic boost: Thailand eyes ASEAN leadership status for both organic food production and cannabis tech

11-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Thai government has set its sights on emerging as the South East Asian regional leader in the areas of both organic food production and cannabis technology development, amid hopes that these sectors will help deliver a boost to the local economy.

Microbiome and menopause: Asahi studies effects of paraprobiotic in alleviating menopausal symptoms

10-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s beer, beverage, and food firm Asahi is studying the effects of its proprietary paraprobiotic in alleviating menopausal symptoms in women.

Demand planning: How Coca-Cola is utilising data, consumption patterns to slash food waste in Japan

09-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Coca-Cola has revealed how it is deploying data and striving to extend shelf life to help slash food waste in Japan.

Securing Singapore? Scale of city state’s food security 2030 challenge underlined by new data

04-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The scale of Singapore’s challenge to achieve 30% food self-sufficiency by 2030 has been underlined by new data released by the city state’s national food agency.

GABA innovation in functional foods: Ingredient added to chocolate, rice products in Japan

04-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

There has been a slew of product innovation surrounding gamma-aminobutyric acid – better known as GABA – in Japan, with the ingredient incorporated in an array of dosage formats under the Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) framework.

‘More price hikes to come’: Nestle warns of further rises after posting positive Q1 figures

03-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Nestle has announced healthy growth in Asia in the first quarter of 2022 after imposing price rises across all its markets, with the F&B giant warning of further hikes to come due to the Ukraine crisis.

Trailblazing antioxidant pearls add immunity functionality to snack bars

02-May-2022 By Gill Hyslop

Icelandic microalgae specialist Algalif and global vitamin manufacturer Divi’s Nutraceuticals have pooled skills to develop highly concentrated beads of sustainable, natural astaxanthin that will ramp up the health benefits of nutritional bars.

Indian regulator FSSAI revises nutrient values for infant foods from October

26-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has revised the nutrient values for infant nutrition products, with the new requirements enforced from October.

Higher dietary magnesium intake may improve quality of life, nutritional status in COPD patients – study

25-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients might enjoy a better health-related quality of life (QoL) and nutritional status if they consume more magnesium.

FNA INNOVATE EPISODE 4

Prime upcycling opportunity: How Dole and Frucor Suntory are repurposing waste streams for product innovation

21-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

Major juice firms such as Dole and Frucor Suntory have revealed how they are tapping into the upcycling trend by finding new uses for fruit waste streams from their existing production supply chains.

Organic growth: Greek premium herbal tea firm Anassa coming to the boil in Japan

20-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Greek organic herbal tea firm Anassa Organics says sales in Japan are performing strong, one year after entering what remains a niche category in the country.

India's new nutra regulations expand scope for NPD and imports – FSSAI’s ex-director

20-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A set of new nutraceutical regulations operationalised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) this month will make it easier for companies to innovate and import a broader range of supplements, although there are still some ‘bottlenecks’...

Functional drinks with low calorie count trending in Thailand – QminC

19-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Thailand health beverage brand QminC is seeing a trend towards drinks with a low-calorie count and increased functionalities.

Innovation in tradition: Singapore bird’s nest firm introduces sachet form to capture millennials, Gen-Zs

13-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A Singapore bird’s nest pioneer is experimenting with a new format and production techniques to make the traditional Asian health product relevant to younger consumers.

Taiwan’s new regulations on aloe vera use in food, supplements to kick in next Jan

12-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration has announced new regulations on the use of aloe vera in foods and dietary supplements, which will kick in on January 1, 2023.

Review: Specific ginseng compound may improve exercise endurance in healthy adults

11-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A specific ginseng compound and other protopanaxatriols may improve exercise endurance in healthy, but untrained adults, according to a new review.

Ready to roar: Malaysia’s tiger milk mushroom maker targets overseas growth amid domestic popularity

06-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysian Tiger milk mushroom supplier Nexus Wise is eyeing overseas growth amid local success for the ingredient traditionally used for cold, flu, and immunity.

Growth Asia Summit 2022: Impossible Foods, Blackmores, Yili, Thai Union among first wave of keynote speakers

06-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

Today we can reveal the fist wave of speakers confirmed for our Growth Asia Summit, an in-person, face-to-face conference taking place across three days in Singapore in October.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022: Entries open…check out previous award-winners

05-Apr-2022 By Gary Scattergood

With entries flooding in for the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards for 2022, here we look back on the pioneering brands, suppliers and researchers who took the top prizes last year.

Regulatory landmines: Frucor Suntory exec on the challenges of meeting better-for-you beverage needs in APAC

04-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

While consumers are clamouring for healthier beverages across APAC, spanning sugar reduction and the added functionality, the regulatory landscape still poses a significant challenge for brands.

Currying favour: Monthly consumption of curcumin-rich food aids cognitive health in the elderly – Singapore longitudinal study

04-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Consuming curcumin-rich curry at least once every month is enough to show better cognitive performance among the elderly in Singapore, according to a 4.5-year longitudinal study.

Show of strength: Abbott drives muscle health awareness in Singapore through hawker initiative

31-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Abbott is promoting public awareness on muscle health in Singapore through an initiative targeting food hawkers, amid concerns that consumers have less awareness of the condition compared to other ageing-related difficulties.

Olympian inspiration: India’s Unived co-creates hydration formula with pro-runners

30-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

India's vegan nutraceutical firm Unived has co-created a hydration formula with two professional runners; Olympic athlete Rachel Schneider and elite trail runner Sandi Nypaver.

Tickets on sale: Join us in Singapore for expert insights on Asia's fastest growing food and nutrition sectors at Growth Asia 2022

30-Mar-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Delegate ticket sales open today for our three-day, face-to-face Growth Asia Summit in Singapore this October, where we'll be dedicating days to Healthy Ageing, Probiotics, Prebiotics and the Microbiome, and Protein innovation.

“HMObiotics”: H&H deepens research on specific HMOs, probiotic pairings for health benefits

29-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Major nutrition company Health and Happiness (H&H Group) is pioneering research on how the right pairings of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotics – a novel category known as ‘HMObiotics’ – could bring about health benefits for consumers...

Vitamin D supplementation may help prevent seasonal flu infection in children – Taiwanese RCT

24-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Vitamin D supplementation may have a small, preventative effect against influenza infection in children, according to an RCT conducted by a team of Taiwanese researchers.

Big ambitions for China: Healthy Heights targets growth on back of NZ partnership

23-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The firm behind the Healthy Heights nutrition products for kids has outlined how it hopes to secure success in China after sealing a manufacturing deal in New Zealand.

Barberry consumption helps alleviate cardiovascular risk factors in susceptible individuals – RCT

23-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The consumption of purple-black barberry powder, specifically Berberis integerrima, may help reduce cardiovascular risk factors, according to a new eight-week RCT.

‘The market for active enzymes is immeasurable’: Japan’s Shinya Koso on digestive health, weight management trends

22-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Major Japanese supplement brand Shinya Koso believes that the market for active enzymes products is immeasurable, driven by consumers’ concern with digestive health and weight management.

‘Grown up Yakult’: Probiotic beer debuts in Singapore with clinical trial suggests positive microbiota results

16-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A probiotic beer developed by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has finally hit the market, launched by start-up Probicient in collaboration with bar and restaurant chain Brewerkz.

Novel infant formula promotes growth comparable to standard products – Danone-funded trial

08-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A novel infant formula which is not yet commercialised has shown to promote growth comparable to standard products, according to a clinical trial funded by Danone.

Krill oil for beauty: Ingredient gaining traction in Japan for skin health benefits – Aker BioMarine

07-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Krill oil supplementation is gaining traction amongst Japan’s beauty seekers, claims supplier Aker BioMarine, which recently set up an office in Tokyo.

Searching for the best: NutraIngredients-Asia Awards back for fifth year - entries now open!

07-Mar-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Entries open today for the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022, held to honour the best supplements and functional foods products, ingredients, research and companies operating in Asia Pacific.

‘Corporate daigou boom’: Formula firm Bubs boosted by formal platforms for sellers

02-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Infant formula maker Bubs reported a record high gross revenue coming from corporate daigou companies, which help individual sellers navigate hurdles such as procurement and deliveries.

Intake of oral nutritional supplement increases body weight, BMI in elderly at risk of undernutrition – Meiji study

01-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of an oral nutritional supplement has shown to increase body weight and body mass index in elderly at risk of undernutrition.

Prebiotic immunity: New Zealand to recruit 300 babies for study on gut microbiota diversity

28-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A trial involving 300 babies in Auckland will find out if a prebiotic food could alter their gut microbiota diversity for better immune health.

WHO report urges curbs to ‘aggressive’ code-flouting baby formula marketing

24-Feb-2022 By Will Chu

Parents and pregnant women around the world are exposed to aggressive marketing for baby formula milk, according to a report launched jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Growth Asia 2022: Live face-to-face event in Singapore unveiled by FoodNavigator-Asia and NutraIngredients-Asia

23-Feb-2022 By Gary Scattergood

FoodNavigator-Asia and NutraIngredients-Asia are thrilled to announce that the pioneering food and nutrition summit, Growth Asia, is returning in the form of a live, face-to-face conference in Singapore this October.

Perilla seed oil with citrus peel powder improves cognitive function in elderly – 12-month Japan RCT

22-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of perilla seed oil and citrus peel powder is reported to have significantly improve age-related cognitive decline in healthy elderly, according to a one-year RCT conducted in Japan.

The spice is right: Indian spice producer targets the global stage with B2C nutra brand

21-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

One of the world’s largest spice producers, Synthite, has set sights on becoming a global nutraceutical consumer brand, with its market expansion plans gathering pace.

Azelis expands its supply network with Turkish acquisition

16-Feb-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Azelis has acquired ingredients supplier Tunçkaya to strengthen its position in the fast-growing Turkish food industry, as well as the broader life sciences market.

Meiji’s market insights: Functional yogurt sales continue to slide, but sports nutrition on a surge

16-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Meiji’s sales of functional yogurt in Japan have been declining due to the levelling of demand and an intensifying market competition, but sports nutrition is on the up, the firm has revealed.

Growing up: Why China’s ‘underdeveloped’ adult probiotic segment will continue to expand – Culturelle

14-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China’s probiotic market has been traditionally driven by products targeted at infants and kids, but global probiotic brand Culturelle believes that the adult market is set for “very strong growth momentum”.