Academics and consumers alike now recognise the important role that gut microbes play in human health. As the demand for probiotic and prebiotic products grows, more and more probiotic Foods and Health Supplements are being introduced into the ASEAN region. In response regulatory agencies are developing regulations and guidelines to govern sales and marketing of probiotic supplements and functional foods. Wai Mun offers a guide to the current status and application of regulations across ASEAN demonstrating the challenges thrown up by diverse regulatory systems in key countries. Her insights will help manufacturers avoid common pitfalls and maximize opportunities for success.
China has become the second largest probiotic market in the world. The fast-growing probiotic industry has attracted many newcomers. However, there are still some improvements need to be done in China's probiotic laws and regulations. China has also issued a series of relevant laws and regulations to promote and regulate the development of the market. Jerry Wang talks about the major regulatory requirements for using probiotics in food and health supplements in China to help stakeholders ensure the compliance.
Apart from China, South Korea and Japan are also the main markets for probiotic food in the Asia-Pacific area. The increasing awareness of health and the boosting aging population accelerates the consumption of probiotic products. However, the ambiguity in the legislation of this food category creates difficulties in entering these two regions. In the third part of the webinar, Lorraine Li, ChemLinked senior regulatory analyst, will introduce the supervision situation and product standards of probiotics in South Korea and Japan.