Weekly Trade Information-155

author: SNC | Good Fortune

2025-07-18

Ergothioneine Soars 374%, Bursting Beads Surge 700%—Where is the Next Dark Horse in the Health Supplements Market?

In terms of weight management, probiotics have shown remarkable performance, growing from 18.9% last year to 27.2%. In the anti-aging sector, functional ingredients are evolving even more rapidly. The market share of ingredients like NMN plummeted from nearly 30% last year to 18%, while PQQ, ergothioneine, and alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) emerged as new dark horses, surging by 98%, 374%, and 322%, respectively.

For health supplements, new products have become a key engine driving category growth. New product sales now account for 24% of the online health supplement market, while new product launches make up 54% of the total offerings. Notably, nearly 60% of existing brands introduced new products this year, with each brand launching an average of 4 new items.

(Source: Foodaily)

Trump Wants Coca-Cola to Change Formula

US President Donald Trump, known for his fondness for Coca-Cola, announced on the 16th that he is discussing with Coca-Cola to revert the sweetener in its US formula back to cane sugar, calling it a "better" choice. Coca-Cola responded that it will soon reveal more details about "innovative offerings."

"I’m speaking to Coca-Cola about bringing back REAL SUGAR in Coke sold in the U.S.," Trump wrote on Truth Social, intentionally capitalizing "REAL" for emphasis. He added, "They have agreed … It will be a very big deal—you’ll see. It’s better!"

However, Coca-Cola’s statement struck a less direct tone. On its official website, the company declared: "We appreciate President Trump’s passion for our iconic Coca-Cola brand. We will soon share more details about innovative offerings across our Coca-Cola product lineup."

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)

Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C

This "Flower of Love" May Become a New Food Ingredient

On July 10, 2025, China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) released a public consultation on seven new food ingredients, including Fragrant Jade Peony flowers. The feedback period will close on August 9. In the previous year, China’s National Health Commission formally accepted the application for Fragrant Jade Peony flowers as a new food ingredient, under the acceptance number Weishixinshenzi (2024) No. 0012.

Fragrant Jade Peony flowers are rich in protein (115 mg/g), dietary fiber (330 mg/g), soluble sugars (59 mg/g), minerals, multiple vitamins, as well as hydrocarbons and terpenoids (such as paeoniflorin). They contain all nine essential amino acids, with a total amino acid ratio of 36.3%—close to the WHO/FAO’s recommended E/T ratio of 40% for ideal protein.

Additionally, bioactive compounds like flavonoids (1.7 mg/g), tea polyphenols (105 mg/g), and anthocyanins (738 mg/g) endow these flowers with exceptional antioxidant capacity. Research indicates that Fragrant Jade Peony flowers exhibit antioxidant activity comparable to vitamin C.

(Source: FTA Food Research)

World's First 3D-Printed Personalized Nutrition Gummy Launched

A research team from Jiangnan University, in collaboration with Spain's Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and Italy's University of Foggia, has successfully developed vitamin- and mineral-enriched 3D-printed gummy supplements. Utilizing an Ultratex starch and agar-based gel formula, the product is extruded through a 0.4mm precision nozzle, allowing customized shapes and nutrient content tailored to individual dietary needs. This innovation holds particular promise for precisely addressing iron deficiency among 2 billion people worldwide.

Published in the Journal of Food Engineering, the research confirms the product's excellent structural stability and immediate edibility, making it suitable for convenient sales channels such as vending machines.

(Source: MFDS Announcement)

Apple Cider Vinegar Extract

FDA Updates Compliance Requirements for Dietary Supplement Labeling

The U.S. FDA recently strengthened regulations for dietary supplement labeling, mandating that products be clearly labeled as "Dietary Supplements" and list all ingredients in descending order by weight. The new rules specifically emphasize the inclusion of explicit usage instructions, standardized Supplement Facts panels, cautionary statements for specific populations, and manufacturer traceability information. Non-compliant labels may lead to product recalls or fines. Companies are advised to conduct compliance checks through professional testing agencies, with particular attention to terminology usage and the impact of cultural nuances on label information.

(Source: EFSA Safety Assessment Report)

Multiple Shipping Companies Including Maersk Announce Rate Hikes

Several carriers have recently unveiled new freight rate adjustment plans for August. Companies like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd continue to revise rates on select routes and implement Peak Season Surcharges (PSS). Effective July 28, 2025, Maersk will impose PSS on all 20&40-foot dry containers shipped from mainland China and Hong Kong to South Africa/Mauritius. The charges are set at USD 1,000 per 20-foot container and USD 1,600 per 40-foot container.

Among the four major transoceanic routes connecting Europe and the United States, U.S.-bound freight rates saw a slight rebound after four consecutive weeks of decline. Rates for the U.S. West Coast and East Coast rose by 5.02% and 1.16% respectively, marking a notable recent uptick.

To stabilize rates, carriers are reducing capacity. Blank sailings are expected to increase by 25% in August, accompanied by service reductions on Asia-U.S. routes.

(Source: Out Tusi Talks Shipping)