China

‘China First’: Amway to open global digital and Asia product innovation centres in China

19-Nov-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Amway plans to invest US$200m in China over the next five years to set up its digital infrastructure, with a global digital innovation centre and a big data centre in the pipeline.

CBD product launch part of Nature’s Sunshine restructuring efforts

13-Nov-2019 By Hank Schultz

Nature’s Sunshine is the latest company to throw its hat in the CBD ring with a range of products that include added ingredients.

Sports exclusive: Coca-Cola China banks on e-commerce to market BodyArmor exclusively on Tmall

05-Nov-2019 By Pearly Neo

Coca-Cola China is banking on the popularity of digital e-commerce in the country to introduce its second local sports drink BodyArmor to consumers via its Tmall store, along with other products only found in other global markets thus far.

Probiota Asia 2019

Entering China’s booming probiotics market: The six big challenges to overcome

29-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Firms which are planning to enter China’s probiotic market should take note of six key challenges surrounding the types of ingredients available for use, consumers’ understanding, and approved health claims.

China-based Harbin may buy out struggling GNC

24-Oct-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Earlier this year, the vitamin retailer sought international expansion after striking a strategic partnership deal with China-based Harbin Pharmaceutical Group. Now it appears Harbin (also known as Hayao) may buy the Pittsburgh-based health and wellness...

Herbalife to open first product innovation centre in ‘China’s silicon valley’ next year

14-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Herbalife Nutrition is expected to open its first product innovation centre in China by the third quarter of next year.

Amway China partners with government-led R&D project to internationalise TCM

08-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Amway China has entered into a partnership with a government led R&D initiative to promote the use of TCM worldwide.

Giants collaborate: DuPont reveals how BY-HEALTH link-up will fuel probiotics innovation - interview

01-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim, Tingmin Koe

DuPont Nutrition and Chinese supplement giant BY-HEALTH will collaborate to develop probiotics with new functions, including anti-ageing, oral and skin health.

Herbalife pays $20 million fine over how it pays commissions within China

27-Sep-2019 By Hank Schultz

Herbalife Nutrition has agreed to pay a $20 million fine levied by the US Securities and Exchange Commission to settle a claim that the company has misled investors on its business in China.

Chinese firm HMI opens tech centre in Kunming to drive R&D of CBD and hemp health products

29-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese firm HMI Group has opened a tech centre in Kunming to speed up the R&D of CBD and hemp-based health foods.

China-US trade war: Still plenty of opportunities for Chinese food and nutrition firms – Expert

28-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

Despite the ongoing tensions between the United States and China, there are still multiple opportunities for Chinese food and beverage and nutrition firms, particularly those in the health sector, to secure business success, according to an industry expert.

China struggles see Blackmores’ profit drop 24% but sales surge in Vietnam and Indonesia

15-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s biggest supplement firm Blackmores saw profits drop 24% over the last year, with struggling performance in China cited as the key factor.

Beating the odds: BY-HEALTH’s revenue 36% higher despite China’s stricter e-commerce and regulatory environment

07-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese dietary supplement giant BY-HEALTH’s revenue for the first half of 2019 increased by 36.8% year-on-year, despite a slowing e-commerce business and stricter regulatory environment.

HI / FI China

WATCH – Why personalisation, not purely new products, is the future for nutrition in China

25-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Providing a set of customised nutrition solutions will be key for dietary supplement firms to staying ahead of market competition in the years to come, according to Chinese firm Seven Twenty-Four Science and Technology.

China International Nutrition and Health Industry Summit

Sharing is caring: Why social e-commerce is conducive for health food success in China

23-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

E-commerce via social media channels is especially conducive to health food and supplement brands, because it plays into consumers demands for trusted recommendations from fellow users.

HI / FI China 2019

Krill in South Korea: Aker Biomarine sets sights on supplements success in new market

17-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Krill oil supplier Aker Biomarine is exploring more Asian markets, with South Korea showing significant sales potential to build on its presence in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

HI / FI China

Evidence of efficacy: China’s regulator urges firms to contribute ingredient data to health food registry

04-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is encouraging health food firms to contribute to the expansion of the Health Food Raw Materials Directory by presenting evidence to support the functional efficacy of ingredients to the unit.

HI / FI China

‘Blue-hat’ certification boost for krill: Aker BioMarine expects China application results soon

27-Jun-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Aker BioMarine believes that gaining the ‘blue-hat’ certification will boost krill oil awareness in the Chinese market and has revealed it is expecting its application results soon.

Nutrition and Health China Industry Summit 2019

Swisse and BioIsland lead the pack for brands imported to China as Australia secures number one status

19-Jun-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Swisse and Biolsland took the top spots for imported brands in China last year, with Australia named the number one exporter to China, according to statistics gathered by the China Chamber of Commerce of Medicines and Health Products Importers and Exporters...

Nestlé's US subsidiary Garden of Life expands offerings in Chinese market with ‘mykind’ supplement series

23-May-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Nestlé Health Science's subsidiary, Garden of Life — a US-based organic health supplement firm — is expanding its offerings in China with the launch of its 'mykind' series of supplements.

From buns to bacteria: 'First-of-its-kind' probiotic facility opens in Australia following Chinese investment

15-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Biosciences firm Probiotics Australia has opened the country's first cGMP- and TGA-certified facility dedicated to probiotic API manufacturing, with an eye on expanding the use of probiotics in food for Chinese consumers.

CBD expansion: Aussie pharma firm outlines Asia nutraceutical plans after China launch

14-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Australian bio-pharmaceutical firm MGC Pharmaceuticals is eyeing expansion in East and South East Asia with its cannabis-based nutraceutical products, after having recently launched in China.

Omega-3 and air pollution: Supplementation may help protect cardiovascular health – China RCT

10-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

The intake of omega-3 fatty acids may have cardio-protective effects against air pollution, according to an RCT conducted by researchers in China and the US.

FOOD INGREDIENTS CHINA 2019

WATCH: Glanbia China to focus on lifestyle nutrition on back of sports nutrition success

25-Apr-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Glanbia Nutritionals is seeking to propel its growth in China via general lifestyle nutrition, in addition to its sports nutrition stronghold, with a key focus on creating new concepts in tandem with its customers.

'Not fantastic': Blackmores to overhaul business strategy as Q3 profits plunge by 43%

17-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Australia supplements giant Blackmores has announced weak Q3 results thanks to slower domestic and China sales, but the firm is confident its new development strategies will get it back on track.

Sirio Pharma launches global plan to tap into trends for 'transparent and clean label' supplements

16-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

China's Sirio Pharma has announced a global collaborative R&D effort involving its 100-plus scientists and industry experts to boost innovation for its customers in APAC, Europe and the US.

Daigou and direct-selling clampdown in China 'growing pains', but market will still thrive: HPA

08-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

The recent slew of crackdowns, regulatory reviews and stricter rules for China's health food and supplement industry are 'growing pains' the industry must overcome, as regulators double down on efforts to promote safety and collect taxes.

Probiotics regulations under review in China as regulator SAMR 'plays catch-up'

03-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is calling for public feedback regarding regulations for health food products containing probiotics.

Nu Skin investigating death of Chinese woman who relied on supplements and refused medical treatment

01-Apr-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Nu Skin China has formed a focus group, led by the firm's country CEO, to look into the death of a 34-year-old Chinese woman who died from organ failure after allegedly refusing medical treatment for flu and fever, and instead insisting on drinking...

Sports nutrition success for Sirio Pharma as firm receives China licence approval

20-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Chinese firm Sirio Pharma has had its sports nutrition product licence approved in China, signalling new expansion opportunities for the company and its clients in the country's growing market.

China conundrum: Shares slide as Blackmores in-market sales slow but daigou channel still delivers

19-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Blackmores' in-market sales in China dipped in the first half of the financial year, causing its shares to slide and emphasising the difficulty in shifting from a daigou-based model to domestic Chinese trade.

China direct selling: All 91 firms summoned to regulator meeting amid ‘100-day’ clampdown

06-Feb-2019 By Tingmin Koe

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Commerce summoned all 91 direct-selling firms operating in China to a meeting as part of the “100-day operation” to clean up the health food market.

Chinese boom: How probiotics and e-commerce are changing China's supplement industry

16-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotics and e-commerce are two of the most prominent priorities for Chinese consumers when it comes to dietary supplements, according to a Mintel report on 2018's top supplement trends in China.

Trade war hasn't yet hurt ingredient supply, but observers wary of future flare-ups

19-Dec-2018 By Hank Schultz

The trade tensions between the US and China have yet to seriously impact the flow or pricing of dietary supplement ingredients, according to experts familiar with the sector. But continued uncertainty has some observers on edge.

Probiotic supplementation 'eases constipation pain but ineffective' for treatment success: China review

11-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotic supplementation may alleviate certain constipation pain in children, but has no significant impact on the success of the actual treatment, according to a Chinese systematic review.

Prevalence of bacterial contamination of infant formula in China warrants further research

27-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The prevalence of Bacillus cereus in infant and follow-up formula in China may warrant further research so criteria can be developed for risk assessment and quality control, say Chinese researchers.

Capilano's prebiotic honey makes US debut as company keeps keen eye on China market

15-Oct-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Australian honey maker Capilano Honey recently brought its signature prebiotic-enriched product to the US market, two years after its China debut.

Vitafoods Asia 2018

Skin and bones: BioCell Technology plans further APAC expansion with aged care and nutricosmetics focus

27-Sep-2018 By Cheryl Tay

US-based BioCell Technology has set its sights on Japan and South Korea as the next big Asian markets for its patented BioCell Collagen, thanks to opportunities presented by the ageing population and 'beauty from within' trend in both countries.

Blackmores' annual financials: China and wider Asia region propel growth amid subdued domestic market

28-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Blackmores recorded 9% year-on-year revenue growth to A$601.1m for the financial year ending in June, with China and overall Asia sales contributing significantly to this increase.

DSM lodges patent infringement law suit in China; seeks monetary damages

07-Aug-2018 By Gary Scattergood

DSM is pursuing a patent infringement law suit in China against a competitor for alleged misappropriation of intellectual property related to the production of a key ingredient of Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H.

New Chinese tariffs target $60 billion in US trade; supplements escape for now

03-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

The Chinese government has retaliated in the latest escalation of President Trump’s trade war by releasing lists of new tariffs on US products, the highest of which will reach 25%. Experts worry that the fallout could affect the supplement industry.

Is fibre a depression fighter? China researchers identify reasons for optimism

26-Jul-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The consumption of different types of fibre could aid in alleviating depressive symptoms in adults, according to a study by China's Qingdao University.

Fish oils, ginseng added to Trump's latest tariff lists

13-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

Dietary ingredients have still mostly escaped the most recent iteration of tariff lists for Chinese goods released by the Trump Administration. The real risk is not to the bottom line but to trade relationships in general, experts in the industry agree.

Blackmores CEO exclusive: 'New retail' a fascinating opportunity for international supplement brands in China

10-Jul-2018 By Gary Scattergood

China's 'new retail' phenomenon — whereby companies like Alibaba seek to converge e-commerce insights with bricks-and-mortar retail operations — could provide as many opportunities for supplement brands as it has done for food firms, Blackmores...

US ruling on vitamin C price fixing case could exacerbate trade tensions with China

15-Jun-2018 By Hank Schultz

A US Supreme Court decision on a longstanding vitamin C price fixing case could further inflame trade tensions with China, an expert familiar with the case has said.

China supplement giant BY-HEALTH to buy Australian probiotic firm Life-Space Group for $690m

31-Jan-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Yet another Australian supplement brand is set for a Chinese takeover, with BY-HEALTH agreeing to pay $690m for probiotic firm Life-Space Group.

China's Feihe International completes acquisition of Vitamin World

24-Jan-2018 By Adi Menayang

Chinese dairy and infant formula specialist Feihe International has completed its acquisition of US retailer Vitamin World for an undisclosed sum.

Nature's Sunshine starting to capitalize on Chinese market entry

05-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

Network marketing company Nature's Sunshine posted strong revenue growth in its third quarter by starting to capitalize on its long-awaited entry into the Chinese market, and putting a software problem to bed.

Vitafoods Asia 2017

Market entry to China 'like hosting the Olympics' — you need at least four years

06-Sep-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Supplement firms looking to set up shop in China should not buy into local businesses’ promises of guan xi (connections), and should be mindful that it could take up to four years of preparation to enter the market.

Alibaba’s health platform reveals China’s biggest and fastest-growing supplement categories

21-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Whey protein, enzymes and collagen products take the top three spots in China’s cross-border e-commerce sales, according to the international director of Ali Health, part of the Alibaba group.