More than 135 suppliers, including Chr. Hansen, Monteloeder and OptiSlim, presented their latest ingredients and innovations to 2,345 visitors at Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplement industries in Asia

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

September 29, 2015

2 Min Read
Vitafoods Asia Gathers Nutrition Industry in Hong Kong

More than 135 suppliers, including Chr. Hansen, Monteloeder and OptiSlim, presented their latest ingredients and innovations to 2,345 visitors at Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplement industries in Asia. Visitors represented brands such as Dole, Vitasoy, A.S. Watsons, Blackmores and PepsiCo.

Earlier this month, the fifth edition of Vitafoods Asia hosted distributors who were seeking ingredients, raw materials and finished products at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.

Chris Lee, Vitafoods Portfolio Director, said hot topics at the show were products that help consumers manage life stage transition, probiotics and regulatory updates.

At the newly initiated Global Market Theatre, attendees were offered market overviews, regulatory framework workshops, as well as the latest advances in R&D. Presented as how-to guides, these complimentary sessions empowered visitors with the knowledge to plan their market entry strategies for specific countries (China, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia) and regions (Europe and the United States).

The New Products Zone showcased more than 75 functional food and drinks, dietary supplements, ingredients and raw materials by international manufacturers. The feature area highlighted products that were launched in the last 12 months and made it easier for attendees to identify industry trends.

The Tasting Bar and the inaugural Best Functional Beverage and Best Functional Food Awards housed 16 food items and 10 drinks, which contended for visitors’ votes over the two-day event. Attendees were free to sample and compare a selection of the finished products on display at the show. America's Naturals LLC’s energy drink, NERGIA Tangerine, and Health-Love Co. Ltd’s Dr. Esther Queen product, a pomegranate jelly that alleviates menopausal symptoms, were the winners.

“We’re very heartened to repeatedly see full-house attendance at the Global Market Theatre sessions, and to receive positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike on the new Tasting Bar Awards," Lee said. “Above all, however, what’s most fulfilling for us is the general sense that our event has facilitated business, and therefore met the industry’s needs and expectations."

The Vitafoods Asia Conference was focused on the theme of “Translating Science into Good Business," and the conference content was divided into two distinct, parallel streams—“Your Business" and “Your Science"—that ran concurrently. Delegates were able to attend sessions under either track, which allowed them to customize their learning accordingly.

Next year, Vitafoods Asia will be held Sept. 1 and 2, 2016 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong.

Vitafoods Asia is part of Informa Exhibitions’ Global Health & Nutrition Network (GHNN), which also hosts SupplySide West and publishes Natural Products INSIDER, the global media brand covering healthy ingredients and finished applications.

About the Author(s)

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands Natural Products Insider and Food and Beverage Insider, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide East and SupplySide West, and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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