Core Points - The National Food Safety Standard for Elderly Nutritional Supplements is the first of its kind in China, specifically targeting individuals aged 60 and above [1][2] - The draft includes regulations such as banning hydrogenated oils, mandatory addition of 10 essential nutrients for the elderly, and warning labels stating that the products cannot replace normal diets [1][3] - The introduction of this standard is expected to improve the currently chaotic elderly food market in China, which is projected to grow from 87.6 billion yuan in 2023 to over 143.9 billion yuan by 2028 [1][4] Industry Overview - As of the end of 2023, the population aged 60 and above in China reached approximately 296.97 million, accounting for 21.1% of the total population [4] - The elderly nutritional market is characterized by a variety of products, including nutritional supplements, functional foods, and special medical purpose formula foods, with stable demand for products like middle-aged and elderly milk powder [4][12] - The market currently lacks a unified standard, leading to labeling chaos where some products marketed for the elderly do not meet their specific nutritional needs [5][6] Regulatory Insights - The draft standard defines "elderly nutritional supplements" as special dietary foods made from dairy or soy products, with specific nutrient requirements based on the physiological characteristics and nutritional needs of the elderly [2][3] - The daily recommended intake for these supplements is capped at 50 grams, with a minimum protein content of 20% of the total product weight [2][3] - The standard aims to address issues of inconsistent nutrient ratios and improve product quality by enforcing strict ingredient and labeling requirements [3][8] Market Dynamics - The elderly nutrition market is experiencing a compound annual growth rate of 9.64%, with significant growth potential due to the increasing elderly population and their specific nutritional needs [4][10] - Major players in the market include brands like Yili, Nestlé, and Abbott, which are focusing on developing products tailored to the health needs of the elderly [12][14] - The introduction of the national standard is expected to streamline the approval process for elderly nutritional products, making it easier for legitimate companies to enter the market [9][10] Challenges and Opportunities - The market faces challenges such as a lack of specialized standards, inconsistent raw material quality, and arbitrary nutritional formulations [6][10] - There is a growing demand for high-protein, low-GI, and easy-to-swallow products to address the nutritional deficiencies and swallowing difficulties faced by the elderly [15] - The industry is shifting towards high-value products and raw materials, driven by changing consumer demands for healthier options [15]

Group 1 - The release of the draft for the national standard on elderly nutritional supplements marks the imminent establishment of the first national standard for this demographic in China, which is expected to drive product innovation and market standardization [1][4] - The draft specifies the definition of elderly nutritional supplements, which must be based on dairy, soy, or their derivatives, and include essential vitamins and minerals tailored to the nutritional needs of the elderly [2][3] - The draft outlines mandatory and optional nutritional components, including 10 essential nutrients such as vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B12, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and zinc, with specific content requirements to address common deficiencies in the elderly [2][3] Group 2 - The draft aims to enhance food safety by standardizing nutritional content, production processes, and safety indicators, thereby raising industry technical standards and ensuring the quality of products [2][3] - The introduction of this standard is seen as a critical institutional arrangement to address the aging population in China and improve the nutritional health of the elderly, which aligns with national health policies [4] - Companies like Beijing Dongfanghong Aerospace Biotechnology Co., Ltd. are focusing on personalized nutrition solutions for the elderly, leveraging the new standard to enhance market compliance and drive innovation in the sector [5][6]