Enhanced Wellness: Innovations that combine hemp and Ayurvedic innovations could hold the key to capturing the mass market
India’s Hemp Horizons believes that an innovative approach that combines the nutrition of hemp seeds with Ayurvedic health benefits could be the key to making the sector appealing to a larger consumer base.
Food regulators across Asia, particularly in the Indian and Thai markets, have loosened regulations on hemp seeds and related products in recent years, and consumer interest has also increased amid a strong focus on health and wellness.
Hemp seeds have many nutritional benefits, including being rich in protein and omega fatty acids, as well as having antioxidant properties.
However, Hemp Horizon’s believes that the value proposition can be enhanced by integrating additional Ayurvedic herbs.
India’s ProV Foods taps untapped opportunity in functional and convenient snacks
Headquartered in Mumbai, ProV Foods is focused on innovations in healthy on-the-go snacks and flavors to meet the growing demand for snacks with functional benefits in the country.
According to Shalin Khanna, co-founder and CMO of ProV Foods, there are several untapped categories in India’s nascent healthy snack space.
“One category that is underserved and has a lot of room for innovation is ‘bars and snacks,’ such as nutrition bars. Post-COVID-19, increased health awareness is a global phenomenon. Selective diets and diets such as Paleo, Ketogenic and Mediterranean are gaining a lot of attention in India.
Set sights on Southeast Asia and cultivate to expand range of digestive + probiotic beverages
Fonterra’s Nurture brand is set to expand its range of powdered probiotic drinks this year, targeting stress relief and skin health.
The brand is introducing the product offline in Singapore while also exploring potential markets in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
All of this is part of Fonterra’s strategic commitment to wellness, positioning South East Asia as a regional hub. Nurture launched a series of products last April, including Digestion + Immunity, and he followed that up with Digestion + Energy and Digestion + Focus in November.
Definition of ‘added sugar’: FSANZ agrees to industry call for extension of transition period, rejects exclusion of low-energy sugars
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) formally publishes definition of ‘added sugar’ to be used as part of future ‘no added sugars’ labeling policy, extending transition period based on submissions from the food and drink industry acknowledged. industry.
The process to properly define ‘added sugars’ was initiated by the Government in September 2023 following a request from Australian and New Zealand Ministers, and a call for public comment has begun and FSANZ We received over 80 responses from. .
One of the most common requests was to extend the transition period for classifying certain sugars or ingredients on the proposed “added sugars” list from the two years originally proposed.
Sensation and solubility: The key to mouthfeel and taste in fortified beverages to appeal to older consumer groups in APAC
Healthy beverages fortified with minerals such as calcium must ensure smooth mouthfeel and taste to meet the growing demand from older consumers in Asia Pacific.
According to palm oil giant Musim Mas, this is as important as meeting health and wellness trends.
“we [see] Huge demand for healthy fortified beverages [especially] As older consumers become more educated and aware of what they are consuming,”Ms Cecilia Ng, Musim Mas manager of dairy products and frozen desserts, said: FoodNavigator-Asia.
