There are vast R&D opportunities in the botanical health supplements and therapeutics sector across Malaysia, where there is already a pool of over 3,000 known medicinal plants to be tapped on, says the CEO of local biopharma firm Medika Natura.
The introduction of a new ‘modern claims’ system in Malaysia has been welcomed by industry players as it could drive more clinical research, expand new product options for consumers, and open local and international market opportunities.
Consuming meals prepared using extra virgin olive oil for 12 weeks has showed benefits for cardiometabolic health in individuals with central obesity, such as a reduction in bad cholesterol and the inflammatory marker hs-CRP.
Malaysia company Biotropics has developed chewables and capsules using Kesum, also known as Polygonum minus / Persicaria minor, a leaf commonly consumed as salad or used in the cooking of laksa across South East Asia.
Malaysian newcomer postbiotic firm My Myracle has commercialised a series of postbiotics using solely bacteria from plants instead of other common sources, such as faeces of healthy individuals or animals. It says that using plant-derived bacteria is...
The supplementation of tocotrienols has shown to significantly reduce glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in type II diabetic patients, according to a new meta-analysis and systematic review from Malaysia.
Danone is beefing up research around iron deficiency anaemia among young children in South East Asia, including Malaysia and Cambodia, as well as launching new milk formulas that are designed to help children meet their dietary iron requirements.
One in three children aged six to 36 months old is at risk of anaemia, according to a new study from Malaysia. In our latest Nutrachampion podcast, a prominent paediatric endocrinologist who led the study discusses the prevalence of anaemia in young children...
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at the health supplement registration trends in Malaysia, warning against excessive vitamin B6 intake in Singapore, South Korea’s plans in setting national guidelines for the personalised...
The number of health supplements registered in Malaysia has been on the rise in recent years, but those classed as natural products, which consist of herbal remedies, has hit five-year low, according to a report released by the country’s health ministry.
Jerôsse , a supplement and skincare brand from Taiwan firm Biotech Lab Inc, has embarked on an expansion mission in Singapore and Malaysia which heavily relies on social media platforms operated by individual distributor to retail its products.
The usual energy, protein, and collagen functional bars could be reinvented as snacks for supporting sleep, with two firms from Australia and Malaysia seeing the category benefitting from the influence of Korean dramas.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at India’s requirements for vegan products and the special enforcement drive on non-compliant nutraceuticals, South Korea’s crackdown on fake health functional foods, and the impact of China’s...
From emerging sales channels for functional foods and supplements such as vending machines, to fears over unregistered products being sold online, as well as industry concerns over advertising and ingredient rules, the Malaysian industry is currently...
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has approved two health claims for products that contain a specific dosage of palm oil tocotrienol, which is believed will help drive new product development in this area.
Check out the new nutraceutical related regulations that will kick in this year in various parts of Asia-Pacific, from the use of aloe vera in Taiwan to Hong Kong’s Amendment Regulation regarding harmful substances in food, and Malaysia implementing Quantitative...
The Malaysian palm oil sector believes there is little prospect of seeing market growth in the coming year due to labour, economic and climate challenges.
Sports nutrition research coming out of Malaysia could explore local foods sources, such as palm oil, goat’s milk, and black pepper, said the vice-president of Nutrition Society of Malaysia, who has previously studied biopeptides extracted from locally...
Malaysia’s regulator is conducting a public consultation on how manufacturers of traditional medicines and health supplements could validate the amount of active ingredients claimed on the product label.
Malaysian Tiger milk mushroom supplier Nexus Wise is eyeing overseas growth amid local success for the ingredient traditionally used for cold, flu, and immunity.
Flavettes, a brand by Malaysia-headquartered Duopharma Biotech, is moving a step further into the health and beauty segment by incorporating well-known beauty ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramide, and collagen peptide into effervescent tablets.
Major brands such as Nestle, Coca-Cola, Mondelez, F&N and Unilever are joining forces to drive the sustainability agenda in Malaysia, via a new alliance that will tackle plastic food and beverage packaging concerns.
Bayer, which owns vitamin brands Redoxon, Berocca, and CDR, has reported “high double digit” online growth in a number of Southeast Asian markets, spurring it to reinforce its digital first strategy in the region.
Clearer product messaging, science-backed products, and educating consumers and health practitioners are needed to advance Asia’s fledgling liver care category, according to Malaysia’s Nova Laboratories and Singapore start-up DrinkAid.
Holista Colltech has launched a water-soluble vitamin D drop product in Malaysia and plans to launch it in the US soon. The product is said to be more than five times bioavailable than fat-soluble vitamin D.
The Malaysian palm oil industry has highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imaging as crucial technologies to be integrated into the sector to aid sustainability and secure the industry’s future.
Malaysia headquartered biotech company Holista Colltech has outlined the new product development plans for the country’s bestselling probiotic brand Lacto-5, including a new product for immune health and the plan to combine probiotics with other functional...
Malaysian multigrain drink specialist firm Happy Grains is looking to become the nation’s top breakfast drink as it seeks to rival the big three of tea, coffee and malted chocolate with healthier alternatives.
Malaysia’s pending approval on palm tocotrienol’s antioxidant claims could help consumers gain a better understanding of the locally grown crop’s health benefits.
Kirin Holdings and the University of Malaya will work together on a joint research programme to verify the effects of a lactic acid bacteria in other tropical infectious diseases following their latest human clinical study on dengue.
This round-up on South East Asia will look at the probiotics e-commerce market, including the fastest growing brands in the region, Yili's and The Vitamin Shoppe's expansion plans, and more.
Malaysian bakery company Fresco Grano has observed a rise in demand for gluten-free products among consumers who want to cut down on carbs, as well as those with special dietary needs such as gluten intolerance.
E-commerce company Limitless Technology has expanded the product range for its women’s supplement brand LYLA, with new items targeting stress relief and skin health.
Malaysian supplements and personalised nutrition outfit Nourished Asia has launched a new brand, Daile Food, focusing on customising milk, coffee, tea, fruit juice, and yoghurt with added functional ingredients.
Malaysia’s dietary supplement industry body is pushing for the removal of sales and service tax (SST), import taxes, and the approval of innovative supplement products in its efforts in promoting the use of supplements in the country.
Nestle Malaysia’s new range of adaptogen-enriched teas is set for a nationwide rollout in August 2021, and aims to utilize the functionality of traditional natural ingredients to capture the attention of stressed-out consumers.
Asia’s insect food firms are hoping a new report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Office confirming the viability of insect protein and calling for production to be modernised to ensure safety could be a major stepping stone on the sector’s path to...
Malaysia fish oil brand Pristin is embarking on a MYR$1m (US$242,000) campaign in a bid to market and reinforces the toxin-free status of its products.
A nutraceutical that has clearly proven to be safe and effective is a more attractive factor than professional advice for urban Malaysians when choosing to buy a nutraceutical.
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is improving the recognition of foreign halal certification bodies by adding on-pack QR codes and new training, moves that come in the wake of a high-profile meat scandal.
See February's 10 most-read stories, including Malaysia's dietary supplement association plans in tackling unauthorised sales on third-party e-commerce sites, China's regulations on health foods filing, Blackmores financial performance...
Malaysian tocotrienol supplier Excelvite is working with supplement brands to promote the use of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E to pharmacists and doctors treating patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), on the back of new clinical findings.
South Korea will start the third phase of its mandatory traceability programme for special purpose foods, while international brands selling co-enzyme Q10, fish oil and melatonin into China for the first time will still need to enter the market via the...
The Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association (MADSA) says its brand members are being disadvantaged by ‘unauthorised’ online retailers selling their products at lower prices – and is calling on the government to clampdown on the situation.
Malaysia olive supplement company Nutriva International is set to launch new product for diabetic patients, as well as entering new markets such as Thailand this year.
Nestle Malaysia’s CEO Juan Aranols has revealed the firm’s priority is to keep its products available and affordable for consumers, even as the firm deals with the impacts of a second COVID-19 lockdown.
