As we move into 2025, food innovations across global sectors are putting "functionality" at the core. Beyond traditional supplements, there's a surge in "beverages + functionality","snacks + functionality" and "dairy + functionality." How can functional trends and ingredients penetrate a broader market? On the verge of a breakthrough, get inspired and stay ahead of the curve!
The dairy industry is undergoing a technological revolution shifting from "quantity" to "quality," with the National Dairy Technology Innovation Center tackling industry challenges through innovation. Their targeted lactoferrin protection technology has increased lactoferrin retention in shelf-stable milk from 10% to over 90%, breaking foreign technological monopolies and allowing consumers to enjoy immunity-boosting milk at a lower cost. Low-lactose milk, specially designed for the lactose-intolerant, enables more people to enjoy dairy without discomfort. Meanwhile, their concentrated whey protein production technology has ended reliance on foreign monopolies, safeguarding domestic infant formula production.
These innovations not only make dairy products healthier and more accessible but also elevate them from "everyday beverages" to "future nutrition." Let’s take a closer look!
The 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games included esports as an official competition category for the first time, and in 2024, Black Myth: Wukong has dominated overseas social media, capturing a large base of domestic and international users. As of 2024, China's esports user base has reached 490 million people. A functional hydration drink that enhances cognition, relaxes mood, and boosts athletic performance would be the perfect choice to have on the gaming desk.
The fitness population in China has surpassed 500 million, leading to a surge in sports nutrition demand, with protein powder consumption growing at an annual rate of 24% in recent years. Meiji SAVAS Protein Powder is Japan's first high-performance protein powder designed specifically for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Through its unique production process, it ensures rapid solubility and exceptional taste, quickly becoming the top-selling protein product brand in Japan, capturing more than half of the Japanese protein powder market share. SAVAS has not only launched whey protein and soy protein products but also expanded its market share with ready-to-drink products. Let's delve into the secrets behind the innovative ingredients of Meiji SAVAS Protein Powder!
The wave of functional foods is surging, with China's functional food market expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9%, reaching nearly 500 billion yuan by 2030. Similarly, Japan's market is also on a rapid growth trajectory, with the number of functional labeled foods projected to increase by 40% from 2022 to 2024. Seizing this opportunity, Kirin Holdings has made strategic acquisitions of FANCL and BioCeuticals, aiming to become one of the largest health science companies in the Asia-Pacific region. Sales of its LC-Plasma lactic acid bacteria beverage rose by 8.5% year-on-year in Q1 2023, demonstrating the growing consumer interest in health-centric products. Kirin's innovation continues unabated with the launch of its latest product, the “Kirin Lactobacillus Sports Drink,” which emphasizes two key benefits: "boosting immunity” and "hydration." These core features have captivated consumers. Furthermore, Kirin has partnered with FANCL to introduce products such as CaloLimit mixed tea and CaloLimit apple sparkling wine, designed to effectively inhibit sugar and fat absorption. These offerings bridge the gap between health and flavor, catering to the modern consumer's demand for functional yet enjoyable products. Can functional ingredients become the second growth curve for enterprises? Only time will tell.
Under the dual trends of the "Blue Economy" and "Functional Food 3.0," Haisucin™ may become a super ingredient bridging marine resources and the health industry. Seaweed is a high-quality source of dietary fiber and protein, containing various amino acids essential for the human body. Different variants of Newtricion's Haisucin™ boast a dietary fiber content ranging from 50% to 90%, offering exceptional nutritional value as a dietary fiber supplement. Let’s explore the innovative story of Newtricion's functional ingredients.
After 40, Your Body Is Quietly Stealing Your Strength. Sarcopenia isn’t just about aging—it’s the silent decline of muscle mass, strength, and function. It begins lurking at 40, accelerates after 65, and drastically increases the risk of falls, disability, and even death. The underlying culprits are complex: neurodegeneration, hormonal fluctuations, protein metabolism disorders… Supplementing with high-quality protein may be the key to hitting pause. And yeast protein, with its high concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and gut microbiome-regulating effects, is emerging as a "dark horse" in the fight against muscle loss. In the future, our battle against sarcopenia won’t just be about "slowing decline"—it’s about launching a true Muscle Revival Plan.
With the announcement of delayed retirement, Chinese professionals are voicing the need to start health maintenance early to work until age 65. Traditional medicinal herbs, such as ginseng, amla, and astragalus, along with popular functional ingredients like GABA, are gaining attention. How can herbal combination products overcome challenges like poor taste and unclear efficacy to become the go-to "lifesaver" for professionals?
The benefits of postbiotics for fat reduction, immunity, and gut health are already well-known, and combined postbiotic formulations offer an even more "comprehensive" solution. Now, the sleep and nutricosmetics markets are finally welcoming postbiotics as well. Postbiotics derived from kimchi strains can significantly improve sleep and rejuvenate the skin!
There are over 200 types of HMOs, but only a handful have actually been commercialized. In 2023, two types of HMOs were approved as food nutritional fortifiers in China, allowing HMOs to finally move beyond the use of substitutes (such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS)) to mimic breast milk. Additionally, combinations like "HMOs + Electrolytes" and "HMOs + Probiotics" are trending. Beyond their use in infant formula and gut health, what other functional areas could HMOs expand into?
Before getting old, we start to experience "youth dementia."More and more young people are self-checking for symptoms of 'youth dementia' on the internet: poor memory, unclear expression, poor sleep... 'Youth dementia' is not a medically defined term, but it is named for the similarity between the cognitive decline observed in young people and that of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). So, could PQQ, which is said to enhance cognition and improve memory, be a lifeline for young people?
The night before an exam, working early shifts, rotating schedules, and dealing with jet lag... workers and students face numerous situations where they struggle to get up or have trouble sleeping. Research shows that up to 70% of adults report difficulties waking up, with many consumers struggling because their biological clocks are misaligned with their daily lives. Most products on the market aim to help consumers sleep better for improved sleep quality. However, there's another often-overlooked sleep issue: sleep inertia, a state of reduced physical and mental energy after waking up. Today, a patented delayed-release caffeine formula in small capsules can help you effectively manage your biological clock, transforming you from someone who struggles to wake up or is a night owl into someone who feels alert and ready to tackle the day!
Natural sweeteners have taken a step forward. China has the world's largest market for stevia cultivation and processing, accounting for 80% of global production. Steviol glycosides are naturally the top choice for reducing sugar in China. However, traditional steviol glycosides commonly have flavor defects such as a metallic taste and bitterness. Currently, Reb M may be the highest-scoring solution for reducing sugar. By enzymatically modifying Reb M, the taste challenges of natural sweeteners have been overcome. How will Reb M shine in the food and beverage industry?
Sweetness has been one of humanity's favorite tastes since ancient times. By 2023, the global sugar substitute market has reached $18.8 billion (approximately 135.4 billion RMB) and is projected to grow steadily at an annual rate of 5.27% from 2023 to 2028. In terms of sugar substitute trends, plant-extracted natural sweeteners have gained popularity in the market over the past two years, with Brazzein being a standout example. It is the smallest known protein with sweetness, exhibiting high stability and a sweetness level 500 to 2000 times that of sucrose, making it one of the sweetest natural substances known to humankind. When heated at 353 K (79.85°C) for 4 hours, its protein molecules remain stable, retaining their sweet characteristics. Moreover, it achieves zero calories, zero glycemic impact, and is friendly to cardiovascular health. Waterdrop Biotech, a synthetic biology company specializing in the development of high-value proteins, will unveil the story behind the sugar substitute industry and Brazzein.
FBIF specializes in turning "imagination" into "reality."Here, we will invite well-known domestic and international raw material companies to share laboratory samples of their latest ingredients over the course of two days, transforming these raw materials into products and ensuring that innovation goes beyond mere ideas and theories.
As an audience, you have the opportunity to taste, review, and share your impressions. Genuine exchanges within the industry are the driving force behind the continuous advancement of functional ingredients.