Weekly Trade Information-165

Saffron extract has multiple functions, primarily reflected in the following aspects:

Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis
The crocin in saffron extract can inhibit platelet aggregation and promote microcirculation, helping to alleviate dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis and local bruising after injuries. It is also commonly used as an adjunct treatment for angina pectoris in coronary heart disease and can be combined with traditional Chinese patent medicines such as Danshen tablets.

Relieving depression and calming the mind
Saffronic acid can improve mood disorders by regulating the serotonin system, providing relief for mild to moderate depression and anxiety symptoms. It can be used in combination with Shugan Jieyu capsules, but patients with severe depression require professional psychological therapy.

Antioxidant effects
The crocin in saffron extract can scavenge free radicals and inhibit lipid peroxidation, helping to delay skin photoaging and neurodegenerative diseases. It can be used in conjunction with vitamin E soft capsules as an adjunct treatment for melasma.

(Source: Chemical Book)

Legalization of NMN Dietary Supplements—Regulatory Battles and New Global Industry Opportunities

On September 29, 2025, the Natural Products Association (NPA) announced on its official website that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially confirmed that β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) can be legally used in dietary supplements. This decision ends nearly three years of regulatory controversy over NMN, completely reversing the FDA's previous ban and providing critical policy certainty for the global NMN industry. The FDA's regulatory relaxation is driven by NMN's unique value as a health ingredient and its continuously expanding market demand. NMN is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder, easily soluble in water, slightly soluble in methanol, and almost odorless. It is a derivative of vitamin B₃, and its core function is to serve as a key precursor for the synthesis of coenzyme I (NAD⁺). NAD⁺ is involved in cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and gene expression regulation. The human body's ability to synthesize NAD⁺ declines with age, which is the scientific basis for NMN's association with "anti-aging". NMN occurs naturally in foods such as avocados, edamame, and broccoli, but in extremely low amounts, making it difficult to meet demand through diet alone. This creates market space for industrially produced supplements.

(Source: Functional Food Circle)

Not Even the Seeds Are Wasted! Coca-Cola Japan Utilizes Every Part of the Lemon

To fully "extract" the aroma of lemon peel, Coca-Cola has innovated a specialized technology.

"Lemon-Dō" is a low-alcohol brand launched by Coca-Cola in Japan in 2018. At its launch, it sold out almost immediately. [1] In 2025, "Lemon-Dō" underwent a major redesign, with its regular and sugar-free versions updated to "second-generation" products in February and August, respectively. The most significant change in the second-generation "Lemon-Dō" is the "maximum" release of the freshness and aroma of lemons. To achieve this, Coca-Cola innovated the "oil direct infusion" technology—squeezing the lemon peel downward like a bartender to infuse the fragrance of the peel into the juice.

Coca-Cola is not the only one making the freshness and aroma of lemons a selling point. Since 2020, companies such as Suntory, Takara Shuzo, Asahi, and Kirin have continuously intensified their efforts in the low-alcohol lemon-flavored beverage market, launching new products that amplify the sourness, bitterness, and aroma of lemons layer by layer, aiming to create a "rich, natural lemon flavor."

(Source: FBIF Food & Beverage Innovation)

The 60-Year Management Philosophy of Japan's "Convenience Store God"

In the book "The Art of Hospitality: How 7-Eleven Perfects Customer Experience," published in January 2024, Toshifumi Suzuki, founder and CEO of 7-Eleven Japan, shares his 60 years of management experience in the context of an ever-changing consumer environment. He explains how to center on customer experience and connect key aspects such as brand design, product development, merchandise selection, store layout, and advertising marketing to create a more comfortable shopping experience for consumers.

In an era of increasingly affluent living conditions, he believes that customers only choose to purchase goods or services when they recognize the value of their "quality." In other words, the measurable material value of a product, such as its function and performance, must reach an excellent level, which is a necessary condition for customer purchase.

More importantly, customers hope to gain psychological and emotional value, such as resonance, joy, excitement, peace of mind, and trust, through purchasing and using goods or services. In other words, in addition to high-quality goods or services, customers are gradually beginning to pursue high-quality experiences.

As product quality generally improves, customers seek the joy of eating their favorite foods and the excitement of trying niche foods. Only by providing customers with such meaningful and valuable experiences can products be successfully sold.

(Source: FOODTALKS Website)

Major Halts in China-U.S. Shipping Companies! Exceeding Pandemic-Era Records!

In October 2025, the number of halted sailings between China and the U.S. is expected to reach an unprecedented level, with 67 planned cancellations from China to the U.S. and 71 from the U.S. to China. The analysis points out that the level of capacity reduction exceeds the records set during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the severe disruption to maritime trade caused by recent tariff measures implemented by the Trump administration. "Due to the slowdown in market activity during China's Golden Week, freight rates in the Far East remain under pressure. Although shipping companies are pushing for a rate increase on October 15 to reverse the recent plunge in freight rates, the resumption of most regular routes after the Golden Week cancellations has provided little support for the rate hike".

(Source: Foreign Boss Talks Shipping)