Regulation & policy

NI+Supplements 101: What are peptides?

The surge in GLP-1 drug use has brought peptides from a niche research area into the mainstream, sparking growing interest across nutrition and health, but confusion remains about what they are and how they are regulated.

NI+Australia’s TGA releases guidance on NMN, NAD+ and NADH product naming

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released guidance on how NMN, NAD+, NAD and NADH can be represented in health supplements, with implications for naming, labeling and advertising requirements.

Regulatory review: GMP rules in South Korea, NMN in India and probiotics in China

Stricter GMP laws in South Korea, notice against NMN use in India and a new policy draft on probiotic use in China are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

Healthspan and longevity: Webinar to spotlight R&D, regulatory developments

The latest developments in consumer trends, scientific research, innovations and regulatory oversight in Asia-Pacific’s healthspan and longevity sector will be discussed in an upcoming webinar on August 27.

NI+Can ‘Made in EU’ labels give European supplement brands an edge in China?

The ‘Made in EU’ label is gaining value in China’s nutraceutical market, but success will depend on combining European provenance with scientific credibility and an understanding of local consumers, say industry experts. 

MFDS to tighten GMP controls and labeling of customized health foods

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is drafting new rules to tighten Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, as well as labeling requirements for customized health functional foods, with public feedback accepted until August 31.

FSSAI sends notice warning against the use of NMN in supplements

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is an unapproved ingredient, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stated in a notice sent to two companies based in Gujarat, India.

News-in-brief

NI+China drafts new regulations for probiotic health foods

China’s State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) has drafted new laws regarding the filing and registration procedures for health foods containing probiotic raw materials, which are now open for public consultation until August 24, 2026.

The Akkermansia Company secures new US patent for metabolic disorders

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued The Akkermansia Company (TAC) with a new patent, granting the company the exclusive right to market Akkermansia for metabolic disorders.

NI+Mid-year 2026: Regulatory updates from APAC’s supplement industry

The Asia-Pacific dietary supplement sector saw several major regulatory developments in the first half of 2026, including increased safety scrutiny of botanicals—particularly ashwagandha in India and Australia—as well as tighter controls health...

NI+Australian regulator issues ashwagandha safety update

Ashwagandha, already under regulatory scrutiny in India and Europe, is once again in the spotlight after Australian authorities warned of “very rare risk of liver injury” associated with its use.

Regulatory review: Ashwagandha, mandatory notification in S’pore, exports and more

New developments on ashwagandha regulatory assessment and Singapore’s proposal for mandatory health supplements notification are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

Errant health supplements: Chinese customs highlights three classic examples

From the absence of bioactive ingredients to products made in China but claimed to be made overseas, the Chinese customs has highlighted three classic examples of health supplements sold via cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) that have violated local laws.

NI+Singapore’s HSA proposes mandatory health supplements notification

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is collecting public feedback on a proposal to require mandatory notification for health supplements before they are placed on the market.

Growth Asia Summit 2026: Retailers JD Health, Guardian, Alpro Pharmacy join major brands next week

There is still a week left until the Growth Asia Summit 2026 and we can confirm the attendance of retailers active in the region’s health and nutrition space, including Alpro Pharmacy, China’s JD Health and Guardian Singapore.

Indonesian FDA launches initiative to help local herbal firms in NPD, export

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority has launched an initiative that connects local businesses and researchers to tap into native botanicals for new product innovation, with the ultimate aim of developing products suitable for international export.

Regulatory review: China’s livestream ads, vitamin B6 limits and more

China’s new rules for regulating the sales of health foods on livestreaming platforms and new developments on vitamin B6 intake limits are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

Chinese ministries team up to drive R&D of functional marine ingredients

Eight Chinese ministries, including the National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR), have drafted a first-of-its-kind policy paper aimed at promoting the R&D of functional marine ingredients in health...

Across the Nutraverse: H&B in APAC, Garcinia in France, FTC vs Amare

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

NI+Regulators clamp down on vitamin B6 as toxicity debate grows

Vitamin B6 is essential to human health, but excessive doses may cause serious side effects. As a growing number of countries tighten oversight of vitamin B6 supplements, debate is intensifying over whether the restrictions are proportionate to the risk.

‘Unmatched’: Nutra Healthspan Summit returns for November 2026

Described by one attendee as “an event with wall-to-wall speakers who delivered insightful, topical, useable information”, the Nutra Healthspan Summit is returning to London for its 2nd edition with more high-level content and networking opportunities.

KHFF discusses export difficulties, urges regulatory harmonization

The Korea Health Functional Food Association (KHFF) led discussions on key topics such as export challenges and regulatory harmonization at a recent multi-nation summit.

NI+Timeline: How a fermented food created a global drug regulation crisis

Monacolin K from red yeast rice has exposed how a single naturally-occurring compound can blur the line between food, supplements and prescription drugs across global regulation.

NI+Taiwan planning new rules for Traditional Chinese Medicine products

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare is seeking comment on a new regulation that would clarify the distinction between “food” and “medicine” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products while preserving the country’s long-standing food culture...

FSANZ proposes minimum vitamin D levels, new labelling rules for toddler milk

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is proposing a new set of regulations for toddler milk, including minimum vitamin D levels, permitted protein sources and new product labelling rules.

Regulatory review: India’s ashwagandha leaf ban, FTA with New Zealand and more

India’s ban on ashwagandha leaf use in food products and its free trade agreement (FTA) on manuka honey and bulk infant formulas with New Zealand are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

Growth Asia Summit 2026: China and Indonesia markets to take centre stage

Industry experts from China and Indonesia detail the latest trends, policies and insights from these two crucial markets at this year’s Growth Asia Summit 2026.

News in brief

Indian high court grants interim stay on ashwagandha leaf ban

The Karnataka High Court in Bangalore has temporarily stayed the Indian government’s restriction on the use of ashwagandha leaves issued last month after industry stakeholders challenged the rationale behind the blanket ban.

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...

NI+ICSB 2026: Distinguishing the old from the new through scientific rigor

The definition of dietary supplement ingredients was top of the agenda at this year’s International Conference on the Science of Botanicals (ICSB), with speakers exploring origin, production method and constitution of products delivered by an industry...

Across the Nutraverse: India’s ashwagandha leaf ban, prebiotics in Canada, sports nutrition opportunity

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

NI+India bans ashwagandha leaf use in any form, industry reacts

On April 16, the Indian government issued an advisory restricting the use of ashwagandha leaves in crude or extract or any other form in food products, catching many industry stakeholders by surprise.

Across the Nutraverse: Clinical trials for active women, Andrographis in Australia, MPL in the House

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

South Korea’s MFDS reiterates ban on Gymnema sylvestre, Bacopa in supplements

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has reiterated its ban on some of the commonly used ingredients in health supplements, including Gymnema sylvestre and Bacopa, due to concerns around side effects such as hepatitis and abdominal pain.

Regulatory review: Andrographis, caffeine warning, biotics and more

The potential removal of Andrographis as a low-risk ingredient in Australia, additional caffeine label warning for sports foods in ANZ and biotics regulations in Europe are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

Heart health claim for soy protein in ANZ set to accelerate innovation – IFF

The approval of heart health claim for soy protein in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) will open up opportunities for brands to accelerate innovation in plant-based nutrition to meet regional consumer needs, says ingredient giant IFF.

Australian regulator consults on removal of Andrographis as low-risk ingredient

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has begun a consultation with stakeholders on removing Andrographis paniculata (Andrographis) from the list of low-risk ingredients permitted for use in listed medicines, including health supplements.

Caffeine in review: FSANZ adds advisory, warning statements for sports foods

Formulated supplementary sports foods (FSSF) containing caffeine will need to add new advisory and warning statements, says the Foods Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

NI+Vietnam’s food safety overhaul moves forward after months of delay

After a disastrous attempt to implement new food safety regulations in January, Vietnam has taken next steps forward — but looks unlikely to make the original April deadline

Regulatory review: Health foods export, magtein approval and more

China’s factory registration policy for overseas-made health foods, magtein approval in the UK and EFSA’s public consultation on berberine-containing plants are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

Across the Nutraverse: GOED unveils new database, Magtein in the UK, gut microbe and muscle strength

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

Alibaba Tmall breaks down biggest health foods categories in China

Vitamin and mineral supplements, cardiovascular health supplements and kids nutrition are the three biggest nutraceutical categories in China in terms of sales revenue, according to major e-commerce channel Alibaba Tmall.

New pharmacovigilance survey on natural health products to roll out globally

A new survey covering global pharmacovigilance approaches in the natural health products sector is launching soon and will be extended to over 200 industry organizations and regulatory bodies, including those in China, the United States, Europe and other...

S’pore HSA urges collaboration to tackle ‘unique complexities’ of longevity sectors

The Health Science Authority (HSA), which regulates health supplements in Singapore, is urging stronger collaboration between industry and academia to tackle the unique complexities of the booming longevity supplement sector.

World Customs Organization formally recognizes dietary supplements as a standalone category

Dietary supplements are set to be formally recognized as a distinct category in global trade for the first time, following a recent update to the Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization.

Regulatory review: Antidumping duties on China, India, new HMO approval and more

The US imposing antidumping and countervailing duties on hard empty capsules from Brazil, China, India and Vietnam, China’s approval of 3’-sialyllactose (3’-SL) in infant formula are some of the latest updates in this regulatory news round-up.

South Korea re-evaluating turmeric, green coffee bean due to adverse reports

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is re-evaluating the safety and functionality of turmeric extract and eight other functional ingredients.

Across the Nutraverse: FDA eyes GMP, GRAS, NDI updates; EFSA’s QPS list changes; NMN expansion Down Under

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

Regulatory review: BPOM-HSA collab, China approvals and more

The collaboration between the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on joint assessments of complementary health products and China’s approval of joint health claims are some of the latest updates in...

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.