Weekly Trade Information-181

The "Fairy Herb of South America"! This New Food Ingredient Also Supports Cardiometabolic Health

Ilex paraguariensis leaves, also known as yerba mate leaves, are a traditional herbal leaf native to South America. Multiple studies have shown that yerba mate can serve as a natural source of caffeine: it delivers a gentle stimulant effect while boosting energy levels, with a milder kick compared to pure caffeine.

On November 23, 2023, China's National Health Commission (NHC) officially approved Ilex paraguariensis leaves (yerba mate leaves) as a new food ingredient. In April 2025, a study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that yerba mate may exert cardiometabolic protective effects in both healthy individuals and those with moderate cardiovascular risk.

Its future development is likely to rely on modern processing technologies: through formula optimization and product form innovation, yerba mate will be integrated into more consumer-friendly functional beverage systems for broader acceptance.
(Source: Food Research and Application FTA)

'Xiangyu' Peony Blossoms Make the Groundbreaking Leap from Garden to Table

On February 2, 2026, the National Health Commission (NHC) issued Announcement No. 1 of 2026, approving five substances including gardenia oil and Xiangyu peony blossoms as new food raw materials.

Among them, Xiangyu peony blossoms are rich in proteins, vitamins and polyphenols, marking a groundbreaking leap from garden to table. Note: They are not suitable for consumption by infants, pregnant women and other specific groups. The approval paves the way for innovation in the healthy food industry and drives the development of related industrial chains covering planting and deep processing.

(Source: Sohu News, First Batch of New Three Food Products Launched in 2026: 5 New Food Raw Materials Approved for Market, China Health Tianxing Assists in the Approval of Xiangyu Peony Blossoms Application)

20x Lifespan Extension! The Ancestor of Synthetic Drugs Makes a Stunning Comeback as an Anti-Aging Star

Can the "blue potion" reverse aging? In the scientific research and skincare circles, an age-old compound is quietly taking the spotlight—Methylene Blue.

Once a life-saving drug for treating malaria and sepsis, Methylene Blue is now back in the limelight thanks to its remarkable performance in anti-aging research.
Earlier, scientists published a study in the top journal Scientific Reports revealing that this seemingly ordinary blue dye not only boosts cellular energy production, but also significantly improves skin thickness, elasticity and reparative capacity.

(Source: Future Big Health Industry)

Soy Sauce Giant Unveils Its "Zero-Additive" Ace – Ingredient List No Longer Hidden, Printed Prominently on the Front!

Qianhe Flavor Industry held its first-ever media conference – a launch event for product renewal and Clean Label Level 0 certification. At the conference, Wu Chaoqun set off a new trend in the soy sauce industry that prioritizes a clean ingredient list.

In fact, the transformation had quietly begun in the second half of 2025 – Qianhe became the first player in the industry to print the ingredient list on the front of product packaging. Now, the five simple ingredients – water, non-GMO soybeans, wheat, edible salt, white granulated sugar – are prominently displayed on the front of Qianhe’s Zero Series soy sauce packages.

At the conference, Wu Chaoqun stated, "We print the ingredient list directly on the front for instant clarity. Customers can see at a glance whether there are any additives – what you see is what you get, and they’ll know right away." Seventeen years ago, Qianhe pioneered the zero-additive soy sauce category in China’s condiment industry. This time, after weathering a crisis, Qianhe has once again chosen to take proactive action and lead a new transformation in the industry.

(Source: Foodaily)

SITC Splashes $76.5 Million on a New Order for Two 2,700 TEU Vessels, Further Expanding Its Fleet

SITC International Holdings, a leading Chinese container shipping enterprise focusing on intra-Asia trade, is steadily advancing its fleet renewal and expansion plan with a new order for two 2,700 TEU container vessels placed with Huanghai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

According to the filing documents with the stock exchange, the Hong Kong-listed shipping company will pay approximately $76.5 million for the two new vessels, which are scheduled for delivery between January and March 2029. This latest order brings the total number of 2,700 TEU vessels SITC has ordered from the Shandong-based shipyard to eight.

In August 2025, SITC announced an initial contract for four such vessels at a total value of nearly $153 million. In October 2025, SITC Shipowning exercised an option to purchase an additional two vessels at the same price, and the company has now sealed this latest deal.
 

SITC has been a key client of Huanghai Shipbuilding in recent years. In 2024, the shipping firm placed an order for 10 1,800 TEU vessels at the shipyard, with delivery slated for 2026 to 2028, at a unit price of approximately $29 million per vessel.

(Source: Logistics Baba)