Chris Lee, portfolio director, Vitafoods, said: “The Asian nutraceutical market is particularly strong, boosted by the continent’s growing affluence and rising educational levels. Such is the growth in this market, that a recent survey we commissioned revealed that 40% of professionals believe Asia will have the greatest share of the market within the next 10 years.
“Over half of last year’s visitors said they found suppliers they wouldn’t have met without attending the event, so this year’s edition, with even more exhibitors and educational features, really will be unmissable for anyone in the industry wishing to source ingredients and raw materials,” added Lee.
Vitafoods Asia will feature more than 150 global suppliers of ingredients and raw materials for nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and functional foods and drinks, including DSM Nutritional Products Asia Pacific, Croda, Danisco (UK) Ltd, Chr. Hansen A/S and Glanbia Nutritionals Singapore Pte Ltd.
The show will kick off with an opening ceremony featuring talks from high-profile speakers, including Simon Tsoi, president, Hong Kong Health Food Association, and representatives from the China Food Industry Association, Chinese Nutrition Society, and the Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association.
A packed feature programme will provide manufacturers of dietary supplements and functional foods and drinks with an in-depth view of the nutraceutical landscape. Keynote speakers will include Ling Wen Hua from the Chinese Nutrition Society; Katrina Diamonon, senior analyst at Datamonitor Australia, who will discuss innovative packaging formats, consumer expectations and labelling challenges; Gao Peng, secretary-general of consultation committee at the China Health Care Association, who will outline the regulatory situation and key opportunities in the Chinese health food market; and Professor Nagendra Shah from the Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association.
Innovation will be the key theme at the New Products Zone, which will feature over 100 new ingredients and products launched in the last 12 months. Products submitted include Evonia Keratin capsules developed by Finnish company Hankintatukku Oy to improve skin, hair and nails; as well as a ginseng leaf extract for reducing cholesterol and improving the immune system from the Chinese company Hongjiu Biotech Co.
Other attractions include Finished Products Zone, Discussion Forum, One-to-one Advisory Sessions, VitaTrend, International Pavilions, and Consumer Innovation Zone. The Health-Positioned Food & Beverages Asia 2012 Conference by IBC Asia will also be held in conjunction with the show.
