Weekly Trade Information-186

International Standard for Yeast Beta-Glucan Led by China Officially Published

According to China Food News, on March 27, the international standard ISO 23471:2026 Food Additive — Yeast Beta-Glucan, developed by the China National Research Institute of Food & Fermentation Industries together with leading domestic yeast enterprises, was formally approved and issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods and inspection rules for yeast beta-glucan, filling the gap in international standards for this field.
As an important functional food ingredient, yeast beta-glucan is widely used in immune-regulating health supplements.The release of this China-led standard will help enhance the international competitiveness of relevant domestic products, standardize global trade practices, and provide technical support for Chinese enterprises to expand into overseas markets.

(Source: China Food News)
 

Kaempferol: Booming Research, Ready-to-Blow Market — Will It Become the Next Star Ingredient?

Otsuka Pharmaceutical, the maker of Pocari Sweat, is set to launch Zeroz, a dietary supplement containing kaempferol — a move that may mark a turning point for the kaempferol market.
Kaempferol is a flavonoid found mainly in vegetables, fruits and legumes, including kale, apples, ginger, grapefruit and green tea.Flavonoids are a class of plant secondary metabolites formed through long-term natural selection and belong to polyphenols.A key characteristic of flavonoids is their strong antioxidant activity and other biological properties.Thanks to these benefits, flavonoid ingredients are widely used in the nutrition and health market.
Kaempferol currently enjoys stable market size and growth, with applications concentrated in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and sports nutrition.Although limited by cost and bioavailability, commercialization is expected to accelerate as fermentation technology advances and leading enterprises increase their investment.

(Source: Herbridge Bridge)
 

“Snow King” Goes Boozy! Mixue establishes new alcohol company in Chengdu!

After investing nearly 300 million RMB to expand into alcoholic beverages, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea has recently set up its first fresh beer subsidiary in Chengdu.
On September 30, 2025, Mixue signed an investment agreement with Fulujia and its shareholders, acquiring a 53% stake in Fulujia for approximately 297 million RMB.Following the transaction, Fulujia became a non-wholly owned subsidiary, with its financial results consolidated into Mixue’s statements.
This marks Mixue’s official expansion from freshly made tea and coffee into the alcoholic beverage sector.

(Source: FoodTalks)
 

Iran Plans to Impose Transit Fees on Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s parliament is pushing forward a bill that would require relevant countries to pay tolls and taxes to Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is used as a safe passage for shipping, energy, and food transportation.
According to U.S. media reports on March 15, the U.S. government plans to announce the formation of a so‑called “escort coalition” for the Strait of Hormuz in the near future. U.S. officials familiar with the matter stated that several countries have agreed to provide escort services for vessels transiting this key international oil shipping lane.
The officials added that discussions are still ongoing regarding whether the escort operations will begin before the U.S. and Israel halt large‑scale military actions against Iran.

(Source: China Shipping Gazette)
 

Congestion Worsens at Nordic Ports, Risking Delays to Food Additive Supply Chains

According to international shipping authority The Loadstar, severe congestion has hit major Nordic ports this week — including Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Hamburg (Germany) — due to adverse weather and equipment shortages.
This poses significant challenges to delivery timelines for health supplements and food additive raw materials that rely on these ports for imports and exports, such as plant extracts, vitamins, and amino acids.
Data from logistics platform Ocean Insights shows the average container dwell time at ports has increased to 5–7 days.
Several supply chain management firms have issued alerts to clients, warning that food additives bound for Europe, as well as probiotics, whey protein and other products exported from Europe, face delays of at least one week.Freight rates may also see a slight rebound in the short term due to poor equipment turnover.

(Source: The Loadstar)