Growth Asia Summit 2026: Start-ups in the spotlight in our new segment
At this year’s Growth Asia Summit, we’re giving some of the region’s fastest-growing start-ups a chance to shine
Brands & manufacturers
May Launch Pad: Energy, portability and skin for the win
This month’s launches highlight a wide array of need states. From energy to cognitive support to beauty benefits tied to longevity, brands are increasingly developing targeted wellness solutions focused on performance, healthy aging and everyday well-being.
CJ Wellcare launches prostate supplement with first application of patented herbal mixture
South Korean brand CJ Wellcare recently released a product said to be the first in the country to utilize a patented herbal mixture that has been studied for its effects on prostate health and men’s vitality.
NOW testing of lavender essential oil sold on Amazon yields ‘concerning’ results
The latest batch of testing of dietary supplements purchased online by natural product manufacturer NOW has revealed widespread quality issues among “no-name” lavender oil brands, with only three of the 28 brands tested meeting ISO criteria for authentic...
Nestlé and Danone: Baby food pouches under fire as microplastics found
Microplastics detected in Nestlé and Danone baby food pouches spark safety concerns
Women’s health award winner aims to set new standard for microbiome support in pregnancy
PharmExtracta’s precision probiotic iNatal has been recognized for delivering a “much-needed, scientifically grounded solution” which supports women during pregnancy.
Danone walks away from Lifeway with $67.4m stake sale
The two companies are drawing a line under a long-running and fractious relationship
Healthy Extracts acquires Imaraïs Beauty to expand beauty-from-within footprint
The acquisition is expected to drive product innovation, retail expansion, and, potentially, to grow combined annual revenues to over $55 million by 2027.
Jenerise launches precision-grade creatine monohydrate
Creatine innovation and education company Jenerise has launched a ‘precision-grade’ creatine monohydrate that seeks to raise creatine quality-standards across the dietary supplement market.
Australia’s Fodbods beefs up protein range for gut, performance needs
Australian functional food and snacking brand Fodbods is beefing up its protein range, with its latest launch focusing on meeting physical performance needs and being gut-friendly at the same time.
WALOVI taps food-as-medicine trend to grow in Saudi and beyond
China’s WALOVI is seeking growth globally in markets from the Middle East to Africa for its traditional herbal teas
Mitochondria for healthy aging: MitoQ New Zealand deepens Asia research with NUS
MitoQ New Zealand has signed a research partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to assess the potential of mitochondria for healthy aging as it seeks to deepen research partnerships across Asia.
Why Danone invests millions in regenerative agriculture
Danone has made regenerative agriculture a central pillar in its sustainability strategy. What value does it bring?
NutraCast: How Military Energy Gum became the first NSF Certified for Sport gum product
What started as a military solution for fatigue has evolved into one of the more unexpected formats in performance nutrition: Military Energy Gum (MEG). The chewable delivery system was originally developed for warfighters and has become the first gum...
TopGum completes PLD gummy manufacturing acquisition
The deal gives the Israeli functional gummy company its first manufacturing site in the United States and expands its capabilities in pharmaceutical-grade gummies.
NutraWomen Wednesday: Junghwa Detlefsen, co-founder and CEO of Wholesome Story
Junghwa Detlefsen, co-founder and CEO of Wholesome Story, credits her journey into women’s hormonal health to her postpartum experience. She discovered that motherhood provided invaluable empathy and understanding that professional knowledge alone could...
Orthomol’s booming South Korea sales attributed to brand credibility, product competitiveness
Dong-A Pharmaceutical, Orthomol’s partner in South Korea, has attributed its top-ranking multivitamin sales in the local market to brand credibility and product competitiveness.
India-New Zealand FTA: NZ health product firms on opportunities, challenges
India and New Zealand recently inked a free trade agreement (FTA) that allows nutritional products such as manuka honey and bulk infant formula from New Zealand to be imported at lower tariff rates — a move that could promote new business, but also comes...
Brightseed expands bioactive dataset to 21M compounds
The California-based biotech company is aiming to improve its ability to identify and evaluate potential bioactive ingredients across a broader range of biological materials.
PharmaLinea rides surge in functional hydration demand
The future of hydration is becoming increasingly personalized and multifunctional as it moves beyond sports into everyday wellness, Pharmalinea revealed during Vitafoods Europe.
Rohto’s licorice extract capsule approved as FFC for body fat-reducing claim
A product called Licorice Extract Capsule launched by MG Pharma Inc (MGP), a subsidiary of Rohto Pharmaceutical, has been accepted as a Foods with Function Claims (FFC) for its body fat-reducing effect.
Postbiotics use reduces gingival inflammation - Japan study
The supplementation of heat-inactivated Lactiplantibacillus pentosus ONRICb0240 has been shown to benefit certain aspects of oral health, specifically gingival inflammation, in a six-week study that took place in Japan.
Behind the scenes tour: From ingredients to the shelf
A recent tour through several facilities in Tempe, Arizona, offered a behind-the-scenes look at the dietary supplement industry. From raw ingredient sourcing and testing to formulation, manufacturing and finished products, what ultimately reaches store...
Laird Superfood acquires Terrasoul Superfoods backed by $60M venture capital investment
The $48M transaction reflects ongoing consolidation in the U.S. superfoods category.
Protein in India: ITC says market opportunities plenty despite more competition
There are still plenty of growth opportunities in India’s protein space despite the increasing number of new brands and products entering the market, according to ITC Foods.
NutraCast: How Nutrify C-Suite SumFlex is redefining industry events
As India’s nutraceutical sector continues to accelerate onto the global stage, the upcoming Nutrify C-Suite SumFlex Summit in Mumbai is positioning itself less as a traditional conference and more as a high-level working boardroom for industry leaders.
David Beckham’s IM8-Inter Miami deal signals shift toward equity-based sports nutrition partnerships
Under the agreement, IM8 becomes Inter Miami’s exclusive official health supplements partner, while the club will also take an equity stake in parent company Prenetics Global Limited.
Holland & Barrett partners with weight loss drugs provider
UK-based retailer Holland & Barrett has partnered with Phlo, which offers weight loss pills and injections, in a bid to provide a ‘holistic approach’ to weight management.
Trend tracker: HMO innovations, social commerce strategies, sports nutrition
Find out more about human milk oligosaccharides innovation, brands’ social commerce strategies, sports nutrition trends and opportunities in India and more in this trends round-up.
NutraWomen Wednesday: Amy McKelvey, founder of Her Vital Way
Amy McKelvey founded Her Vital Way to bring a personal and purpose-driven approach to wellness rooted in herbalism and consumer connection.
Microbiome Explorer Challenge returns seeking Europe’s next microbiome start-up stars
The Microbiome Explorer Challenge, back for its second year, is offering successful early-stage startups the opportunity of expert mentorship, strategic feedback, industry visibility, and funding opportunities within the European microbiome innovation...
Aussie discount pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse to set foot in the UK
Chemist Warehouse has set its sights on the UK market and is working with London-based GreenLight pharmacies to do so.
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.
National Advertising Division refers Iron Rock NAD+ claims to regulators as participation dynamics come into focus
The BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD) has referred Iron Rock Ventures LLC to regulatory authorities after the company did not confirm whether it would comply with recommendations to modify or discontinue certain advertising...
Cereulide found in The a2 Milk Company’s infant formula
New Zealand-headquartered The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is recalling three batches - or 63,078 tins - of its a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula 0-12 months USA label due to the presence of cereulide, a heat-stable toxin.
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.
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Enjoy 20% discount on tickets until May 17
Growth Asia Summit 2026 is returning to Singapore from July 8 to 10, and there is a two-week-long 20% special discount on delegate tickets until May 17.
Review positions early-life nutrition as ‘systems-level’ intervention
Early-life nutrition may play a broader role in development than typically reflected in prenatal and infant supplement strategies, says a new review by scientists from SmartyPants Vitamins.
Brand new: BioGaia, Calbee, Nestle, myBrainCo in the spotlight
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including BioGaia’s new product launch in China, Calbee’s personalized nutrition service in Singapore, myBrainCo to grow its pharmacy footprint and Nestle-NTU research partnership.
Euglena acquires microalgae business to strengthen immune health range
Japanese company Euglena is acquiring the microalgae business of Kobelco Eco-Solutions, which it says will beef up its immune health offerings.
NutraCast: Pendulum bets on prebiotics with Gut Fuel as GLP-1 buzz reshapes market
Biotech company Pendulum Therapeutics is expanding beyond probiotics with the launch of Gut Fuel, a prebiotic fiber and polyphenol blend designed to support gut microbiome function and metabolic health.
Vitafoods Europe show floor preview: H-N
Featuring more than 1,600 exhibitors, Vitafoods Europe 2026 is set to bring more than 30,000 delegates to Barcelona next week (May 5–7), making it the largest show to date.
Create Wellness vows to defend itself against class action on creatine gummy claims
A lawsuit against Create Wellness alleges the company is falsely advertising that its gummies contain more creatine than they do. The company said it will vigorously defend itself.
Infinite Epigenetics acquires Tally Health in ‘largest epigenetic testing deal to date’
Infinite Epigenetics has acquired Tally Health, adding a consumer-facing longevity brand and supplement portfolio to its epigenetic testing and analytics business.
Key trends emerge in Vitafoods Europe education programme
Vitafoods Europe will return to Barcelona from May 5–7, 2026 with more than 37 hours and 100 speakers of educational content highlighting key industry trends.
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Alpro Pharmacy, BYHEALTH to present on metabolic health
Metabolic health and weight management are two key themes covered in this year’s Growth Asia Summit 2026 and Malaysia-based Alpro Pharmacy chain and China’s health supplement giant BYHEALTH are among the key speakers.