Japan’s FFC sector: Fewer new products launched but market grew 4%
Fewer FFCs hit the Japanese pharmacies and supermarkets in FY2025, but the market size still grew by 4%, according to a new industry report.
The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), which oversees FFCs and other health functional products in Japan, received 1,176 new FFC notifications in FY2025.
This was a year-on-year decrease of 26%, after peaking at 1,584 in FY2024.
The decline can be attributed to stricter regulatory oversight following the 2024 red yeast rice extract crisis, according to Hisaaki Kato, CEO of Japan-based regulatory consultancy SmoothLink, in his new report “In-Depth Analysis Report on Foods with Functional Claims notified in FY2025”.
Kirin takes on next level of growth as health science business turns profitable
Kirin Holdings Company announced on Aug 7 that it is acquiring Canada-based Jamieson Wellness for C$2.5bn (US$1.78bn).
During a press conference held on the same day, the company revealed that it has been scouting for a potential acquisition target in North America since 2020, and the time is now ripe to take on the market.
This is the third health and wellness company that Kirin is acquiring in the past three years – starting from Australia-based Blackmores in 2023 and fellow Japanese firm FANCL a year later.
The decision to enter North America now also comes as Kirin’s health science business became profitable for the first time in FY2025.
Kirin expands immune support postbiotics’ use into active lifestyle nutrition
Kirin is applying its immune support postbiotic Lactococcus lactis Plasma (L. lactis Plasma) into new areas of use, specifically active lifestyle nutrition.
This is based on the rationale that immune health is one of the key foundations for an active lifestyle, which encompasses not only sports performance or exercise, but also continuing everyday routines, work, travel and social activities.
Koichiro Murashima, executive officer and general manager, Institute of Health Sciences at Kirin, highlighted the above during this presentation at the recent Growth Asia Summit held in Singapore.
Broccoli seed supplement may protect against exercise-induced muscle damage
A supplement containing broccoli seed extract and mustard seed powder may lower markers of oxidative stress and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), according to new proof-of-principle data published in Nutrients.
Researchers at Waseda University in Japan tested two weeks of the sulforaphane (SFN) precursor supplementation compared to placebo in a crossover study involving 14 healthy participants completing maximal exercise.
These findings suggest that short-term SFN supplementation may mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, suggesting a modest influence on the circulating biomarkers associated with muscle damage without altering the endurance capacity of healthy people.
Japanese brands seek to dispel image of protein shakes with new functional beverages
Two supplement brands in Japan have released powder-based functional beverages that focus on a juice-like experience to dispel the common consumer perception of protein shakes.
FUJIMI, a subsidiary brand of cosmetics giant POLA-ORBIS Group, has developed lighter, fruity flavors of protein beverages, such as Clear Lemonade, as an alternative to heavy, milky protein shakes.
KINS, which specializes in microbiome science, has developed VINEGAR PROTEIN, a line of powder-form functional beverages that produce a vinegar-like taste and “does not feel like protein”.
