News From : DagangHalal.com (19 Jul 2013)
Vitafoods Asia, 4-5 September 2013, AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong KongPositive economic growth, urbanisation and higher disposable incomes across Asia are fuelling consumer interest in food and drink products that promise to boost health. As a result, retail growth sales of fortified and functional food and drink products have soared, growing by 62 per cent over the period 2007-2012 according to Euromonitor.
For regional and international manufacturers, the opportunities are manifold. Ageing populations, obesity problems and concerns over general health and wellbeing mean products with active ageing, weight management and immunity claims resonate well with consumers across Asia Pacific.
To really optimise product success, manufacturers must remain sensitive to country-specific issues. For example, in Japan the ageing population is a particular problem with almost a quarter of people now aged over 60, while in India the emphasis is on tackling obesity, which is causing huge problems with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In addition, regulation and food safety are also top concerns. The Asia Pacific region is incredibly diverse with legislation differing from country to country. This lack of homogenisation means manufacturers must be careful to ensure product formulation and scientific evidence complies with local legislation when trading across the region.
Vitafoods Asia, which runs 4-5 September this year, brings together the industry to address these issues and identify opportunities for manufacturers to tap into the burgeoning Asian nutraceutical market. Vitafoods Asia, now in its third year, has grown rapidly to become the nutraceutical industry’s hub in Asia Pacific with more than 170 exhibitors from companies such as Croda, Chr. Hansen, Gelita, Sakai Laboratories and Viridis Biopharma.
Upwards of 2,600 visitors from countries including China, India, Japan and Malaysia are set to attend the show this year, where they can source products and attend a packed programme of seminars and workshops to help them gain practical tips for improving product offerings.
Knowledge bank
Keeping up to date with Asia’s fast-moving trends and complex regulatory frameworks is essential for manufacturers to ensure products continue to hit the mark with consumers. The Seminar Programme at this year’s Vitafoods Asia is filled with a mix of commercial and independent sessions from associations, research companies and major industry players.
Such a hot industry topic, regulation forms a major part of the programme. A dedicated three-hour workshop delivered by EAS Strategic Advice guides attendees through existing national regulations for health supplements in Asia to give tips on overcoming common hurdles and provides an overview of the harmonisation process in the region. This presentation is complemented by a session on the Hong Kong regulatory environment delivered by the Hong Kong Health Food Association, and another on doing business in China by the China Health Care Association.
Other sessions tackle major trends such as healthy ageing, weight management, omega-3 and probiotics to equip manufacturers with the market insights and formulation guidance they need to remain competitive. EAS Strategic Advice is also running free one-to-one sessions to assist suppliers and manufacturers with their regulatory, labelling and formulation challenges.
In addition to these free sessions, visitors can further boost their market knowledge by attending the Vitafoods Asia Workshop in association with Smart Short Courses. New this year, the course brings together leading specialists to give practical advice on Bioactives and Health Ingredients for a Healthy Lifestyle. Topics covered include consumer perceptions, regulatory aspects for functional foods and challenges surrounding long chain omgea-3s and their application in supplements and fortified food products.
Innovation and inspiration
The show floor is also a hive of information and inspiration. Alongside the 170 exhibitors, visitors can also attend VitaTrend, presented by Innova Market Insights, which this year examines how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has entered the mainstream, following the 50/50 joint venture between Nestle Health Science and healthcare group, Chi-Med.
The New Products Zone also returns to show off the best innovations to recently hit the market. Probiotic drops for infants and children, konjac beverages, an ingredient to relieve fluid retention and tired legs and anti-inflammatory supplements are just some of what visitors can expect to see when they visit the zone.
Giving visitors a 360-degree perspective on the nutraceutical industry, the Finished Products Zone houses an array of functional food and drinks and supplements for the retail market. Here, distributors can compare and source market-ready products to improve their service offering. The Tasting Bar also returns to give visitors the chance to sample exciting functional food and drink products and decide which ones they want to explore further on exhibitor stands.
Vitafoods Asia has a global perspective and the International Pavilions make it easy for visitors to target exhibitors from specific regions such as the Americas, Belgium and Malaysia.
“The Pan-Asian nutraceutical industry is growing at an unprecedented rate with experts suggesting sales could outstrip the U.S. – the world’s largest nutraceutical market – in the next few years,”comments Chris Lee, Portfolio Director, Vitafoods Asia. “Multiple trends are at play, which offer huge opportunities for manufacturers across the region, as well as those from other countries. It is vital that the industry comes together to discuss new ingredients and technologies, as well as examine market trends and how to overcome challenges, and Vitafoods Asia is the perfect forum to do this. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone when the doors open in September.”
To register in advance for free entry to Vitafoods Asia, please visit http://www.vitafoodsasia.com/register
To keep up to date about the latest show news visit www.vitafoodsasia.com, or join the debate in our LinkedIn group www.vitafoodsasia.com/linkedin.
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For further press information, contact Jennifer Phang, Tel:+852-9010 2118, email [email protected].