Weekly Trade Information-212

New Microencapsulated L-Theanine Launched Overseas This Week

An overseas ingredient supplier has rolled out a new microencapsulated L-theanine food ingredient. Adopting plant-based wall material encapsulation technology, the product masks bitter taste and enhances thermal stability. It is applicable to functional beverages, compressed tablets and sleep-support dietary supplements.

Featuring better water solubility than conventional L-theanine and improved processing tolerance, this ingredient suits high-temperature sterilization manufacturing. The product holds FCC and Non-GMO certifications and sampling is available for nutrition food manufacturers worldwide. Domestic functional drink brands have begun formulation trials. Multiple sleep-aid beverages containing this ingredient are expected to hit the market in the first half of next year.

(Source: Nutritioninsight)

Public Consultation Launched on Six New Food Additives Including D-Allulose 3-Epimerase

According to the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, the safety and technological necessity of the following substances have passed review: the new food enzyme preparation D-allulose 3-epimerase, new nutritional fortifier magnesium lactate, ascorbyl palmitate (enzymatic method) whose usage scope is to be expanded, and three nutritional fortifiers including Vitamin B1 with expanded scope and dosage of use. Public consultation is now open, with the deadline for comments set on January 5, 2023.

(Source: World Food Network)

Food Development Expo 2026 Kicks Off in Tokyo, Japan

On October 14, 2026 local time, Food Development Expo 2026, a professional exhibition focusing on food health, taste, safety quality and shelf-life extension, officially opened at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. This edition highlights cutting-edge healthy ingredients, green manufacturing technologies and quality control solutions. It has drawn numerous global functional food raw material suppliers and brand owners, showcasing products developed to address population aging and precision nutrition demands.

On September 15, the China Beverage Industry Association officially released the group standard *Plant Protein Beverages* (T/CBIA 016-2026), effective on the date of issuance. The release of this standard establishes a unified framework for naming, labelling and quality control for the plant protein beverage sector, which has long lacked universal regulatory guidelines.

(Source: Food Information Network)

Liner Connectivity at Oman’s Duqm Port Surges by 213% Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

According to https://Shipping.cn , the latest data from maritime research firm Sea‑Intelligence shows that disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz have forced major liner carriers to restructure their regional shipping networks. Liner connectivity at Oman’s Duqm Port has jumped by 213%. Connectivity at Khor Fakkan Port in the Gulf of Oman rose 188% compared with the pre-crisis baseline.

Ports in regions spared from direct impacts have absorbed rerouted shipping services and cargo volumes diverted from the original main trade lanes. Vessels on the Asia-Europe trade route rerouting around Africa are using Walvis Bay as an alternative to the congested Port of Durban. To avoid high-risk zones, liner operators are diverting substantial cargo volumes to ports in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent, driving parallel growth in port connectivity at Dar es Salaam Port and Hambantota Port.

(Source: https://Shipping.cn )

Freight Rates on US West Coast Lane Keep Rising, Europe Lane Rates Continue to Fall, Southeast Asia Route Demand Strengthens

The container shipping market for China’s nutritional raw material exports shows diverging performance across trade lanes this week. Outbound shipments of bulk ingredients including food additives, plant extracts and vitamins remain stable.

Per the SCFI data released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, freight rates for the US West Coast route continue to climb while rates for the Europe route keep declining. Most supplement raw materials require moisture-proof and temperature-controlled transportation. With European and American customers kicking off year-end inventory stocking, space on the US West Coast lane is tightening. It is recommended to book and secure containers 7–10 days in advance.

Demand on the Southeast Asia route is picking up, which suits small-batch shipments of ingredients such as L-theanine and inositol. Disruptions on the Red Sea route have eased, yet bunker surcharges remain volatile. Several shipping lines have launched temperature-controlled container solutions for heat-sensitive nutritional raw materials to mitigate oxidative degradation of extracts.

Exporters should monitor customs inspection frequency at destination ports and prepare supporting documents including COAs and allergen declarations in advance.

(Source: Shanghai Shipping Exchange, https://Shipping.cn )