China moves to rein in livestream ads with new draft rules
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is pushing livestream commerce platforms to take greater responsibility for health food advertising as more consumers turn to these channels for purchases.
A fresh set of proposed regulations seeks to tighten control over how pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health foods and foods for special medical purposes can be advertised and how ads are reviewed prior to publication.
The draft “Measures for the Administration of Advertisement Review of Drugs, Medical Devices, Health Food and Food for Special Medical Purposes” is currently open for public consultation until June 15. Once implemented, it will replace the temporary measures implemented on March 1, 2020, which do not explicitly regulate livestream commerce.
Growth Asia Summit 2026: China and Indonesia markets to take centre stage
Industry experts from China and Indonesia will detail the latest trends, policies and insights from these two crucial markets at Growth Asia Summit 2026, taking place from July 8 to 10 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.
Register now for the three-day summit, and see the advance agenda here.
Sirio Pharma eyes Australia’s gummy supplement market with TGA-compliant range
Sirio Pharma is targeting growth in Australia’s gummy supplement market with the launch of a range of Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-compliant products.
It is introducing seven new gummy supplement concepts, ranging from beauty-from-within to gut health, cardiovascular and metabolic health, immune and eye health.
Previously, the company has manufactured food-grade gummies for Australian companies, but these products are not allowed to make therapeutic claims.
HMO infant formulas: Regulatory developments to drive NPD and affordability
The growing number of regulatory approvals for human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in infant formulas is set to fuel product innovation and drive more affordable pricing in the long run.
Regulatory approvals of HMOs have been the driver of new launches in infant nutrition products, said Annette Lau – Global Regulatory Affairs Senior Manager ELN & MN at dsm-firmenich.
She pointed out that in 2024, regulatory approvals of HMOs have accounted for up to 28% of new formulas entering the global market.
VMS brands double down on e-commerce, Douyin in China
Health supplement brands from Centrum to BYHEALTH are doubling down on their e-commerce efforts in China, especially in Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
For instance, Haleon, parent company of multivitamin brand Centrum, is planning to bump up its content pieces on Douyin and increase the number of key opinion leaders for its vitamin, mineral and supplements business.
The company reported double-digit growth in China’s e-commerce channel, which makes up around 40% of its revenue in the country.
