Indonesian industry welcomes regulator’s partnership with Singapore
The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) will be conducting joint assessments of complementary health products and clinical trial regulations, a move welcomed by the industry.
Decky Yao, chairman of Indonesia’s health supplements association, the Asosiasi Pengusaha Suplemen Kesehatan Indonesia (APSKI), told NutraIngredients that the partnership could be an opportunity to reduce regulatory uncertainty for Indonesian supplement companies seeking to access Singapore and regional markets.
Still, there may be potential challenges, such as higher compliance costs for small local players in meeting stricter or more detailed regulatory expectations.
China adds joint health support to list of approved claims
Health foods companies can make claims around bone and joint health maintenance once their products are approved by the Chinese regulator.
The State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on Jan. 15 that health foods can claim to “help maintain bone and joint health (有助于维持骨关节健康)”, adding that the claim has been allowed since Jan. 1, 2026.
Aside from the primary claim of “helps support maintain joint health”, the SAMR has also approved the secondary claims of “alleviate pain or stiffness (缓解疼痛或僵硬)” and “alleviate joint cartilage damage (缓解软骨损伤)”.
‘Senior-friendly’: China allows CoQ10 or melatonin to be made into oral liquid
As of March 1, health food products containing coenzyme Q10 or melatonin as a single active ingredient will be permitted in oral liquid form in China.
According to the official notice issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may also be produced in powder form.
Previously, both ingredients could only be formulated as tablets, granules and hard and soft capsules.
Hepatotoxicity concerns and the growing action against Garcinia cambogia
Governments across the globe are taking regulatory action against a tropical fruit that looks like a small pumpkin and whose extracts are commonly used in weight loss and bodybuilding supplements.
In February 2025, French food safety regulator ANSES advised consumers not to consume food supplements containing the extract due to reports of severe adverse effects, including acute hepatitis, cardiac, digestive, psychiatric and muscle problems.
On the other hand, South Korea introduced new precautionary statements and usage warnings on Jan. 7, 2025, requiring manufacturers to include label messaging advising against combining Garcinia with functional foods that reduce body fat.
New nutra regulations in APAC: What’s kicking in this year?
From product labeling to Good Manufacturing Practices requirements, new major regulations are expected to affect the nutraceutical industry across Asia-Pacific in 2026.
In Australia, for example, the regulator has proposed new labelling rules for complementary medicines, with public consultation ending on February 24, 2026. The new rules will replace the existing standards that will ‘sunset’ or automatically be revoked from October 1.
Elsewhere in China, overseas manufacturers selling health supplements may be able to register their manufacturing facilities directly with the Chinese authorities from June 1.
