Vitafoods Asia Hosts 2,150 Attendees

HONG KONGThe first Vitafoods Asia, which  launched in Hong Kong from Sept. 7 to 9 2011, hosted more than 2,150 attendees from more than 40 different countries including Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The organizers for the nutraceuticals, functional food and drink ingredients event said it exceeded its target for attendees.

Were delighted the event was received so well; it just goes to show the market for pan-Asian nutraceutical, functional foods and functional drinks ingredients is very strong," said event director Chris Lee. Plans are already well underway for next years show, and were now planning the strategy to give even more value through education and innovation for visitors and exhibitors to Vitafoods Asia 2012."

More than 125 exhibitors showcased their products at this years show, including international brands such as BASF, Chr. Hansen, DSM, Ingredia, Naturex, Danisco and LycoRed plus regional companies Yigeda Bio-Technology, Shaanxi Jiahe Phytocham, Handan ChenGuang Precious Oil and Huisong Pharmaceuticals.   

A spokesperson from Chr. Hansen, said: We are very satisfied with the event and never expected to have had so many good visitors from South East Asia."

Visitor attractions included the Seminar Theatre with a host of exhibitors presenting sessions on their latest research on their nutraceutical and functional food and drink innovations. Keynotes from Daniel Quek, president of HSIAS and Chairman of AAHSA on Regulatory Harmonisation in ASEAN and Katrina Diamonon, consumer insight analyst at Datamonitor on functional food trends in Asia were particularly well received, according to the show organizers.

Other features that welcomed a high number of visitors included the EAS free one-on-one advisory sessions and the New Products Zone showcasing innovative new market launches from the last 12 months. Innova Market Insights also explained the latest trends and business opportunities for companies across Asia in VitaTrend.

Professor Yang, of the Chinese Nutrition Society, commented: I congratulate Vitafoods Asia for its milestone in creating a huge opportunity to facilitate the growth of the functional foods industry in Asia. Like all other nutritionists in the industry, we are confident that the show will become a significant platform for exchange of ideas and information, thereby delivering innovative products and enhanced health services for the masses."

Vitafoods Asia 2012 will take place from Sept. 5 to 7, 2012, at Asia-World Expo in Hong Kong. Vitafoods announced the launch of Vitafood Asia in June 2011.

Asia Pacific is the second biggest global market for functional foods behind only the United States, with market value expected to reach US$48 million in 2012.