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!

2024 is hailed as the "The Foundation Year of of Weight Management," with a growing demand for healthy weight among consumers worldwide, especially in China, Japan, and South Korea. In the weight loss arena, probiotics remain the frontrunner. However, this year, it's all about version 3.0!

With the arrival of "Probiotics + Prebiotics + Postbiotics," everything from strain combinations and dosage form innovations to taste and texture must be top-notch to create a premium product!

In weight loss forums, you're bound to see terms like "easy-to-slim body type," referring to those with a genetic advantage who don't gain weight no matter what they eat. Now, for those who aren't naturally blessed in this regard, there's a solution—black ginger extract. As a top-ranking weight-loss functional food in Japan, the fat-reducing power of black ginger speaks for itself. Since 2023, this niche, weight-loss ingredient has started gaining attention. While products containing black ginger extract have yet to appear in China, they are already popular throughout Japan. Can black ginger replicate its success in the Chinese market?

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.

According to GBNData, the CAGR of pea protein market exceeds 25%, far outpacing the CAGR of soy protein market, which is below 10%. As a novel alternative protein extracted from peas, pea protein already has a wide range of end products in the plant-based market. Examples include Mengniu's Maisheng protein bar, which incorporates some pea protein, Nestlé's "Oats + Pea" plant-based drink, and Mondelēz Pacific's milk wafers with added pea protein. What are the specific advantages of pea protein, and in which categories can it be combined to further unlock the potential of plant-based protein?

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.

Mushrooms are becoming a magic ingredient for food innovation. Whether it's ice cream or beverages, there seems to be no product that can't incorporate mushrooms. Data shows that the global functional mushroom market reached $26.7 billion in 2021, and in the functional food and beverage category, products containing mushroom ingredients saw a sales growth of 17.6%. This surge in popularity is not only attributed to mushrooms' rich, meaty texture and umami flavor but also their health benefits, which have propelled mushrooms to a prominent position in the superfood arena. With mushrooms offering a path to better health, how can we draw inspiration from the global mushroom trend?

Ergothioneine is well-known in the beauty industry, but it's still a relatively new player in the healthy aging field. Though new, it's powerful—products containing ergothioneine have seen a sales increase of over 700% on JD Health, with its antioxidant and anti-aging benefits gaining recognition from a growing number of consumers. Last year, we saw the anti-aging power of AKG, and this year, a new contender, ergothioneine, has entered the scene!

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.