Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Healthy Food For Healthy Life Taiwan International Senior Lifestyle And Health Care Show To Be Held On May 2-5

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 18 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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"Food quality, rather than food quantity!" As the health regimen spree sweeps the world, a new concept of food emerges. Food is no longer simply for a fill, but for maintaining a healthy life through a balanced diet and dietary supplements. Hence, health food has become one of the hottest topics nowadays. The importance of health food is also stressed in "The Wellness Revolution" written by Paul Zane Pilzer, in which he suggests that the health food business will become the next trillion dollar star industry. In Taiwan International Senior Lifestyle and Health Care Show 2008 organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, local and overseas businesses with great achievements in the development of health food are gathered together. These companies, making the best of advanced technologies, have captured the essence of health preservation in food cultures and designed various kinds of functional food and dietary supplements for the health of the elderly and for the public.

Health Food - The Next Star Industry

The definitions and names of health food vary between countries according to different legislations. In Japan, it is called "Health-Preserving Food for Specific Use"; in the U.S., it is called "Dietary Supplement"; in Taiwan, it is called "Health Food". As per the "Health Food Management Law" in Taiwan, "the term 'Health Food' represents foods that provide special nutriments or intend for specific health regimen purposes, with labeling or advertising but with no intention to cure or rectify human diseases." The health regimen purposes approved by the Health Department include the following nine categories: the regulation of plasma lipid level, immunoregulation, the improvement of gastrointestino functions, the improvement of osteoporosis, dental health, the regulation of blood glucose, liver protection (chemical injury to the liver), anti-fatigue and anti-aging.

Due to the rapid development of biotechnology, the nutritive elements and effectiveness of many health foods have been proved and applied in a much broader scope. With the aging society and the increasing awareness of health issues, health food is considered the next star industry. The Ministry of Economic Affairs indicates that the annual growth rate of health food industry in Taiwan has already reached 10%, and the output value is expected to top NTD46 billion in 2008. The health food industry is also regarded as the development focus of "high-value-adding industries" in the "Challenge 2008 - National Development Plan" initiated by the Executive Yuan. In SenCARE this year, Taiwan manufacturers' innovative R&D achievements will further induce the anticipation for the future of health food industry in Taiwan.

Health Food Guaranteed with Symbols and Certifications

Rainbow Health is formed by a group of professionals in the field of medicine and health-preserving nutrition, with the objective to develop health food for health regimen. For its second time participation in SenCARE, Rainbow Health will display the "Rainbow Policonsanol Tablets" that has gained the "Symbol of National Quality" and the Gold Medal of "National Biomedicine Quality Awards". It is also recognized by the Health Department for the effectiveness in regulating cholesterol in the blood. "Rainbow Lyprinol", another product to be displayed in the show, is able to reduce the inflammatory substances in human body, and is effective in soothing and improving joint pain. This "Biomedicine Quality Award 2007" winning product is patented in 23 countries, and is an excellent supplement for joint health for the elderly.

ISO22000 and HACCP certificated Top Greats Biotech persists in the beliefs that "medicine and dietary cure share the same origin" and "prevention is better than cure". In this SenCARE, the company will be highlighting a number of functional nutrition foods, which include "Chicken Essence with Ten Complete Nourishing Ingredients", "Chicken Essence with 4 Herbals "Ingredients", "Prune Concentrate", "Health Preserving Soup", "Reishi & Mushroom Essence", "Hangover Relief Drink", "Health Vinegar", "Nattokinase Capsules" and "Organic Seaweed Calcium Tablets". In pursuit of improving traditional oriental health-preserving methods through modern technologies, Top Great Biotech is expected to lead a new wave of Oriental health regimen spree.

Yungshin Pharmaceuticals, an FDA and cGMP certificated manufacturer, is going to display the HAC Health Management Functional Food Series including "HAC Daidzin Tablets" and "HAC Q-10 Green Tea Powder" for women, as well as "HAC Pumpkin Seed Soft Capsules" and "HAC Xanthophyll Capsules" for men and computer workers. The newly launched "Swallowing Aid" jelly, made from the exclusive technology by Ryokakusan (Japan), wraps the medicine completely to help the elderly and children who have difficulty to swallow or taking powder medicine. YungShin's special thoughtfulness for consumers' needs and market trends has craved itself a new niche, which can well be described as a perfect example of Taiwan manufacturer making strides into the gray generation market.

Organic Foods Secure a Healthy Life

In fact, regular eating habit and life schedule are of the same importance as health food. Therefore, organic fresh food has caught a lot of attention in recent years and become the next emerging industry. Green & Safe, an affiliate of the Yuen Foong Yu Group, has achieved fruitful results in the development of biotechnology and organic agriculture. In SenCARE 2008, Green & Safe will be showing its fresh food door-to-door delivery service - "Green & Safe Box". The organic vegetables by Green & Safe are carefully selected from the seasonal products grown in the self-owned farm. Together with the freshly picked seafood, strictly tested meat, organic rice, bean curd and fruits, all the products have passed a series of safety inspections, offering comprehensive care for the health of users and the world.

The increasing awareness of health regimen has given rise to so many health foods that sometimes people just don't know where to begin with. The objectives of SenCARE are to let the public have a proper understanding about health preservation and, at the same time, encourage local businesses to make research and development efforts so as to boost the growth of the health food market in Taiwan. In the "Taiwan International Senior Lifestyle and Health Care Show 2008" to be held on May 2-5 at Hall 3, Taipei World Trade Center, a "Functional Food and Dietary Supplement" section will be specially set up to provide an optimal communication platform for health food industry players and the public. Local businesses are all invited to participate and jointly help promote Taiwan's health food industry on the international stage.

Taiwan International Senior Lifestyle and Health Care Show