Weekly Trade Information-185

Fermented Ingredients Emerge as New Hotspot in Functional Food Additives

According to industry media Food Ingredients First, at Fi Europe held this week in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, ferment-derived ingredients became the most watched innovation trend.

Many suppliers showcased sustainable functional ingredients produced via precision fermentation, such as fermented astaxanthin, stevia glycosides, and postbiotics. These ingredients are claimed to overcome resource constraints associated with traditional plant extraction, while delivering purer and more effective health benefits.

Industry experts noted that as consumer demand for clean labels and sustainability rises, fermentation technology is reshaping supply chains in sports nutrition, immune health, and sugar substitutes.

(Source: Food Ingredients First)
 

Reduce Biological Age by 20%! This Mediterranean Herb Slows Aging

A study on herbal terpenoids promoting health span published in Nature Aging shows that thymol, a potent natural autophagy inducer, can prevent liver fat accumulation, slow the decline of skeletal muscle function, and reduce epigenetic aging by 20%. Thyme contains essential oil, flavonoids, monoterpene glycosides, triterpenoids, organic acids, and trace elements. Its main component, essential oil, consists primarily of: thymol (32.3%), γ-terpinene (22.1%),  borneol (12.0%), o-cymene (11.6%) and exerts antioxidant and antimicrobial pharmacological effects. Thyme also supports healthy digestion. Thyme soft gels launched by Bio Matrix effectively promote digestive health. In addition, thyme essential oil’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties allow it to be used as a natural preservative, effectively extending the shelf life of sausages, meat pastes, and other foods.

(Source: Food Research and Application FTA)
 

Sucralose Supply Tight; Tryptophan Prices Continue Rising

Affected by raw material costs, prices of DMF, trichloroethane, and thionyl chloride have all increased, putting pressure on sucralose supply.

The current domestic market price for sucralose is around 94–95 RMB/kg. Major manufacturers are facing tight order lead times, and further price increases cannot be ruled out.

Domestic tryptophan quotations remain firm. Some manufacturer orders are scheduled for delivery through the end of April. End-users hold about two months of inventory; amid price increases, some are adopting a wait-and-see attitude while monitoring market transactions. Tryptophan prices are expected to run stable with an upward bias.

(Source: Weigao Daily)
 

EU EFSA Updates Approvals for Two Novel Food Additives

According to the official journal of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and industry media Nutra Ingredients, in the third week of March 2026, the European Union formally approved the expanded use of two novel food additives.

Among them, Phaffia yeast extract (rich in astaxanthin) has been approved for use in specified beverages and cereal bars. Synthetic rebaudioside M, a high-purity steviol glycoside, received approval for an increased maximum use level in low-calorie beverages.

In its opinion, EFSA emphasized that both additives meet food safety requirements. The approvals aim to respond to the food industry’s demand for sugar reduction and clean labels, while providing consumers with more diversified choices of natural sweeteners and antioxidants.

(Source: Nutra Ingredients Europe)
 

Red Sea Diversion Continues; Ocean Freight for Vitamins and Amino Acids Remains High

According to international shipping authority The Loadstar, container ships continue to sail around the Cape of Good Hope this week as tensions in the Red Sea show no signs of easing, sustaining pressure on logistics costs across the global health supplement supply chain.

Data shows average voyage duration from major European ports to Asia has increased by 10–14 days. For high-value food additives and vitamin raw materials, spot freight rates have eased slightly from February levels but remain approximately 25% higher than the same period last year.

Logistics analysts note that extended transit times have forced many European suppliers of probiotics and plant extracts to raise safety stocks to meet increasingly tight delivery requirements from Asia-Pacific customers.

(Source: The Loadstar)