We all know that China supplies nearly all of the world’s vitamin C, but the country reportedly faces a battle to convince US firms and consumers of their quality. This follows marketing in the US of “China-free” vitamin C products by brand Inteligent Vitamin C.
The product claims to use Quali-C vitamin, manufactured by DSM at its plant in Scotland. (DSM also manufacturers vitamin C in China as DSM Jiangshan Pharmaceutical. The other main exporters of vitamin C from China are CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Shandong Luwei Pharmaceutical, and Northeast Pharmaceutical Group).
“We are certain that Chinese manufacturers with ISO certifications make fine vitamin C, but it is difficult for people to know where most vitamin C is made, and thus it is hard to know what the quality is,” Owen Fonorow, the owner of Inteligent Vitamin C told our Asian edition.
In response, one leading China industry expert said the “China-free” claims was simply a marketing strategy. The expert added that, given the scale of production and technology used, he believed the quality of Vitamin C produced in China is the best in the world.
China exported US$879.6 million worth of vitamin C last year, a 114.3% growth as compared to year 2016, according to data from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE).
Chinese Millennials – a gateway generation
Also from China is news that, for Australian supplement companies at least, Chinese millennials should be key demographic.
Speaking to our Asian sister site, David Thomas, founder and president of the Australia-China SME Association (ACSME), explained that China's one-child policy led to Millennials often being given the best their parents could afford, including top-tier education. This resulted in a great number of well-educated high earners among their generation, who tend to make good use of their vast financial freedom.
“Firstly, millennials in China are remarkably wealthy; there's a surprising amount of money to be made in that sector,” said Thomas.
“Secondly, they love trying new things — they're not tied to traditional old brands. Many of them are well-educated and well-travelled, and they tend to be open to new things.
“That's what we need in Australia. The millennials are a great consumer market, and we need to get a lot better at pitching to them.”
Thomas added that there are currently over 150,000 Chinese students in Australia, providing domestic companies with a decent good market.
The microbiome and sports
Shifting gears now, it has been known for a while that gut microbiomes of athletes are more diverse than non-athletes, and now many scientists and companies are exploring how such knowledge can be personalized.
Speaking with our European edition last week, Dr Orla O’Sullivan, senior computational biologist, Teagasc Food Research Centre & APC Microbiome, explained that everyone’s microbiome is unique and they will respond differently to diet and exercise.
The findings are of particular relevance to sports nutrition, and the potential for an industry developing nutritional products to enhance athletic performance.
“Any product designed for athletes must be approved for use in competition and maintain overall gut health,” says Dr O’Sullivan.
“This area of research is very new and it is too soon to say what strains will specifically benefit athletes.
“What we have seen is trends, for example we demonstrated that elite rugby players had increased numbers of Akkermansia which has been associated with a lean phenotype and a US study that saw an increase in Prevotella in endurance cyclists.
“In general, any bacteria that’s beneficial to host health will be beneficial to athlete health.”
Dr O’Sullivan will be expanding on this topic at the upcoming Sports Nutrition Congress in Brussels, Belgium.
Excess iodine concern
Also from Europe is news that the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has warned at-risk populations of taking seaweed-based food supplements because of concern that this could lead to excess iodine intake.
This concern stems from findings from a recent ANSES study that showed iodine content in the various seaweed-based products could be high.
“The Agency therefore advises against the consumption of food and food supplements containing seaweed by people with thyroid dysfunction, heart disease or kidney failure, those taking medication containing iodine or lithium and pregnant or breastfeeding women, without seeking medical advice.”
For more on this news from NutraIngredients Europe, please click HERE.