– The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is set to introduce the “Food Labeling Supervision and Management Measures” in the near future. The regulation requires:
- Clearer and more prominent placement of production and expiration dates for easy identification.
- Larger font sizes for production and expiration dates to improve readability.
- A standardized year-month-day (YYYY/MM/DD) format for expiration dates to ensure clarity on food consumption timelines.
– Recently, Guanyi Yogurt launched its Early 8-Ton Bottle at Sam’s Club. This product is a blend of five fruits and vegetables, including apple, kiwi, kale, avocado, and barley grass. Each bottle contains vitamins A, D, and C and is specially fortified with BB-12 probiotics, providing 11.0g of protein per bottle.
– On March 19, Nutrition Care, the family nutrition brand under Ausnutria, unveiled seven functional nutrition products designed to meet precise nutritional needs, including child growth and adult gut health. This initiative aims to set a new benchmark in the precision nutrition industry. Three upgraded products were announced, including The Gut Health Powder & Chewable Tablet Series, and The First Defense PRO™ Probiotics.
– Recently, Meiji announced the launch of its latest innovative functional dairy product, “Meiji W Skincare Yogurt.” This product is designed to address the growing consumer demand for skin health, particularly concerns related to UV exposure and dryness.
The formula contains a proprietary ingredient blend, including:
- SC-2 Lactobacillus.
- Collagen peptides.
- Sphingolipids.
– On March 18, Sirio Pharma responded to investor inquiries via its interactive platform, stating that the company has nearly completed its international expansion strategy. Sirio has established seven production facilities across China, Europe, and the United States and is currently constructing a manufacturing base in Thailand. The company highlighted its ability to leverage its global supply chain, optimize production capacity across facilities, and utilize overseas factories to fulfill international client demands while mitigating supply chain risks.
– Recently, PepsiCo announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire prebiotic soda brand Poppi for approximately $1.95 billion. This acquisition is part of PepsiCo’s ongoing strategy to diversify its product portfolio and align with consumers’ shifting preferences toward healthier beverage options. Poppi was founded by Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, offering low-calorie soda made by blending prebiotics, fruit juice, and apple cider vinegar.
– Danone’s Activia yogurt brand is expanding its Kefir and Fiber series to support gut health, launching three new products in March 2024. The new additions include Larger-sized Activia Kefir Natural and New Peach Passionfruit Activia Kefir, available in larger packaging. These new products will join the existing Activia Kefir lineup, which includes Activia Kefir Natural & Strawberry cups and Activia Kefir Natural & Strawberry drinks. Activia’s Kefir series is formulated with a unique blend of 4 billion live cultures and authentic kefir grains, featuring 16 different probiotic strains that help promote gut microbiome diversity. It also contains calcium, which contributes to gut health.
– On March 10 (local time), Fonterra Group submitted documents to the New Zealand Stock Exchange, announcing the launch of roadshow meetings with potential investors as part of its global consumer business divestment plan. These meetings will be held in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. Fonterra has decided to retain a production facility in Saudi Arabia and its Greater China consumer business. According to the documents, if the divested business proceeds with a public listing, it will be named Mainland Group.
– On March 4, China’s “Two Sessions” officially commenced. As a leading expert in food microbiology and engineering, and Director of the National Functional Food Engineering Technology Research Center, Chen Wei highlighted key areas of interest, including:
- Exploring new food resources.
- Developing microbial resources.
- Probiotic health claims and evaluations.
- Application of innovative food ingredients.
(Source: Two Sessions Reports)
– Recently, the National Health Commission has accepted applications for three new food ingredients:
- Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4.
- Hericium erinaceus BCRC35669 mycelium.
- Cyclocarya paliurus leaf extract.
(Source: National Health Commission)
– Chi Forest has introduced a new Ice Milk Soda Probiotic Drink, made from a blend of milk, soda, and probiotics. The product undergoes fermentation with six probiotic strains, including:
- Streptococcus thermophilus ST30
- Lactobacillus paracasei LPC12
- Lactobacillus helveticus LH43
- Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LLL970
- Lactobacillus mucosae LF26
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH10 Each bottle contains fewer calories than an apple and offers a refreshing, tangy-sweet taste.
– Italian company Sacco System has self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CA15, facilitating its expansion into the U.S. market. Research indicates that CA15 can inhibit various pathogens and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The strain demonstrates high survival rates under low pH, lysozyme, and bile salt conditions, as well as during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. It is particularly effective in regulating the vaginal microbiome, offering potential women’s health benefits.
– On March 3, 2025, Food & Function published a study investigating the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from baijiu-fermented grains on alcohol-induced liver damage and alcohol metabolism.
Using a mouse model, the study assessed the protective effects of four LAB strains:
- Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LTJ12
- Pediococcus acidilactici LTJ28
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LTJ30
- Pediococcus acidilactici LTJ32
Results showed that LAB strains—particularly LTJ12—reduced intoxication, shortened recovery time, and protected against alcohol-induced liver damage by modulating alcohol metabolism and gut microbiota.
– ADM has signed an agreement with Asahi Group Foods Corporation to exclusively distribute Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 postbiotic ingredient in North America, Europe, and Asia, starting in March 2025. The L. gasseri CP2305 postbiotic has been clinically validated in eight trials, demonstrating benefits in stress reduction, mood regulation, and sleep improvement. Additionally, it is highly stable in high-temperature and high-moisture formulations, making it suitable for functional foods and gummy supplements.
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