The ASEAN supplement consumer: Kalbe Nutritionals and Consumer Health boss’s tips for growth
To win in Southeast Asia’s health supplement market, Dr. Rudolf Tjandra, the leading man at major Indonesian nutritionals and consumer health company Kalbe, believes brands should not only focus on product features but also understand consumers’ purchasing motivation and connect with those needs.
From ExtraJoss to Entrasol, the companies behind these products, Kalbe Consumer Health and Kalbe Nutritionals, have embarked on a series of transformations to generate new growth.
ExtraJoss, for example, with the launch of a new RTD version, ExtraJoss Ultimate Can, and the introduction of a campaign that aims to attract young, aspirational consumers, has grown by 25%.
BRAND’S targets busy young professionals by putting ginseng in jelly format
Suntory-owned BRAND’S has launched a new functional food product in jelly format that provides convenient intake of ginseng for young and busy consumers.
“In today’s fast-paced society, many young white-collar professionals aged 25 to 35 have demanding work schedules and busy lifestyles, making it challenging to maintain regular wellness routines,” Omer Malik, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Health Enrichment (SBFHE), told NutraIngredients.
He added that SBFHE – the company behind BRAND’S - hopes to capture growth by meeting the increasing consumer demand for health, wellness and healthy longevity.
First in Korea: CJ Wellcare debuts health functional foods containing MACs
South Korean firm CJ Wellcare recently launched a new brand of functional foods that apply Microbiota-Accessible Carbohydrates (MACs) as a key ingredient, said to be a first in the country.
The company showcased the brand called MACPlan at CPHI/Hi Korea 2026, which took place from took place from August 25 to 27 in Seoul.
“MACPlan is a wellness brand focused on the gut microbiome that applies MACs, a nutrient source for microorganisms, for the first time in Korea,” Seok Cheol Shin, Sr. Manager, Market Intelligence, Product Development at CJ Wellcare, told NutraIngredients at the trade show.
Yellow Wood buys Nestlé VMS business for $1B
Private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners has agreed to acquire Nestlé’s mainstream vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) business for $1 billion, following the food giant’s strategic review of several supplement assets last year.
Nestlé confirmed the move will allow it to concentrate on premium, science-led VMS brands, including Solgar and Pure Encapsulations.
“This is another important step in the strategic transformation of our portfolio,” said Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestlé, in the statement. “We are focusing our resources where we have the strongest competitive advantage.”
Happy Mammoth looks to fill the gap in collagen-gut support
Australian brand Happy Mammoth is looking to fill a market gap in collagen and prebiotic combined supplementation through a product built on the gains of its bestseller.
Formulated with key ingredients including hydrolyzed collagen peptides, inulin from chicory root and organic pea fiber, each 15g serving of the product – Prebiotic Collagen Protein – delivers 10g of protein, 11.1g of collagen, and dietary fiber.
“Everyone was talking about gut health, but nobody was really solving it in a way that fits into a woman’s actual routine. At the time, there were no collagen products doing something meaningful for the gut. Most collagen powders were just collagen,” said Cecilia Perez Gimenez, head of brand at Happy Mammoth.