Between workshops on regulatory matters, presentations on new ingredients and a plethora of tasty products to sample, Vitafoods Asia 2014 allowed attendees to soak up plenty of information to drive market growth in the Far East. Experts voiced their insights and gave valuable advice for launching into major industry sectors, such as weight management, probiotics and gut health, anti-aging, nutricosmetics and beyond. Companies launched ground-breaking products with top-quality natural ingredients ranging from astaxanthin, also known as the “king of antioxidants," to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for skin health. Presentations and workshops also helped companies launching into Asian markets better understand best marketing practices and how to comply with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) regulations.

One major topic covered at the conference included weight management and ingredients for a slimmer figure. A June report from The Lancet revealed 44 percent of men and 49 percent of women are obese in Malaysia, which is the highest rate among Southeast Asian counties. In addition, China’s obesity rate has hit 46 million people, India reached 30 million, and Japan now has 4 million obese people. To counter the issue, Pam Yates, research manager, platforms APAC, Mintel, presented several ingredients for weight management, including fibers such as konjac, chitosan crustacean fiber and chia.

Along with insightful presentations from industry experts, Vitafoods Asia 2014 supplied a variety of innovative samples for attendees to test at the New Products Zone and Tasting Bar. For example, AstaREAL offered its astaxanthin powder sachet and jelly stick samples, touting skin benefits from natural algae astaxanthin. Chr. Hansen featured its probiotic drops to offer a combination of probiotics for gastrointestinal (GI) function, plus vitamin D for bone growth and development.

As promised, the two-day conference was packed with opportunities to learn about the natural products industry and network with leading experts, resulting in a highly successful event for newcomers and industry veterans alike. For a full recap of the conference’s top takeaways, download INSIDER’s free Report “Vitafoods Asia 2014: An Atmosphere of Opportunity."