KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18, 2019 - (ACN Newswire) - Holista CollTech
Ltd (Holista) and SunFresh Fruit Hub Sdn Bhd (Fruit Hub) have
announced a research and development collaboration to produce three
key healthy ingredients for the global Bubble Tea industry, a
popular global drink fad that has raised serious concerns about its
effect on diabetes and obesity.
Bubble Tea originated in Taiwan and has spread rapidly to other
parts of Asia. The Taiwan Bubble Tea market alone is expected to
grow to US$3.21 billion by 2023 from US$1.96 billion in 2016,
according to Allied Market research. An independent market analysis
firm, Straits Research, has estimated Malaysia's Bubble Tea market
at US$49.8 million (RM 209 million) and growing at a rate of 6.9
per cent from 2019 to 2026.
Holista, a food ingredients specialist listed in Australia, and
Fruit Hub, which processes and packages fruit juices and beverage
ingredients, said that the Bubble Tea sector is growing rapidly,
but many consumers are not aware of the consequences to personal
health. A typical 500 ml Bubble Tea drink contains at least 8.5
teaspoons of sugar, although customers can opt for a less-sweetened
product. Each cup can contain anywhere between 281 to 640
calories.
Holista and Fruit Hub will co-develop healthy versions of three
Bubble Tea ingredients without altering the taste and mouth-feel.
All three ingredients will have a lower Glycemic Index ("GI"),
which measures a food's impact on blood sugar. A lower GI is
healthier as more time is taken to digest and absorb glucose. A
higher GI spikes up blood sugar levels, causing diabetes and
increasing the chances of obesity, stroke and heart disease.
The first is low-GI 'pearls', tapioca starch balls measuring 0.8 to
1.0 cm each which account for about a third of the drink's calorie
count. Holista will combine its patented GI-Lite(TM), an
all-natural formula with tapioca starch to lower the GI without any
discernible change in taste or texture. Fruit Hub is processing the
'pearls' at its facility in Lanchang, Pahang state, Malaysia using
a formula of its Taiwanese partner, YongDa Food Technology Co. Ltd.
Subject to final tests, the partners expect to lower the GI of the
'pearls' from the 70-75 currently to below 55.
The second is a sugar syrup using Holista's proprietary low-GI and
low-calorie sugar, 80Less(TM), that has 80% fewer calories and yet
delivers the same taste sensation; this not only reduces unhealthy
effects but also lowers costs for manufacturers and vendors.
The third is Holista's proprietary low-GI sugar caramel (brown
sugar) which retains sweetness with lower calories. Made from
molasses, it is used as a pre-pour to sweeten the 'pearls'or as a
medium to cook them.
All three products will be tested by the Sydney University GI
Research Service ("SUGiRS") by the end of next month before hitting
local and international markets by the first quarter of 2020.
SUGiRS has already validated the low-GI versions of flour-based
noodles and flatbreads co-produced by Holista with scores that are
significantly lower than products currently available.
Fruit Hub's parent company in Taiwan supplies tapioca 'pearls' to
several Bubble Tea chains in Greater China with a combined network
of over 5,000 stores. Fruit Hub has started manufacturing the
'pearls' in Lanchang, Malaysia with production expected to hit 12.5
tonnes a day or 300,000 tonnes - equivalent to six million cups of
the drink - a month by December 2019. HCT and Fruit Hub through
this collaboration will provide the low GI ingredients to some of
this manufacturing.
According to a popular online food delivery app, Bubble Tea orders
in Southeast Asia increased 3,000% in 2018 year on year. The app is
connected to the 4,000 Bubble Tea outlets in the region, which are
growing at a rate of 200%. Its data also shows that consumers in
the region gulp down at least four cups a month, led by Thailand
(six cups), Philippines (five) and three for each of Malaysia,
Singapore and Indonesia.
Dr Rajen Manicka, Founder and CEO of Holista, said, "The Bubble Tea
fad is not going to go away. The challenge is to offer a healthier
version which can significantly reduce the potential of higher
incidence of diabetes and obesity. We are combining science with
the market reach and understanding of the needs of Bubble Tea
manufacturers and vendors to offer a healthier alternative without
increasing cost of production"
Ms Foong Wai Fong, Managing Director of Fruit Hub, said, "This is a
Malaysian collaboration by an Australian company which can
transform the global Bubble Tea industry for the better. Fruit Hub
has a strong network among the major Bubble Tea chains. We are
confident that these three ingredients will make a real difference
and can take the creative beverage industry to a new level - a
tastier and healthier version in which consumers can enjoy the
drink without health concerns."
"It is our vision that this endeavour will place Malaysia as a
centre of innovation in the beverage sector." she added.
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Affairs & Business Opportunities
Dr Rajen Manicka: rajen.m@holistaco.com
General Enquiries: enquiries@holistaco.com
Media and Investor Relations:
WeR1 Communications Sdn Bhd
Kuala Lumpur 50470, Malaysia
Email: holista@wer1.net
About Holista CollTech Ltd
Holista CollTech Ltd ("Holista"; ASX:HCT,) is a research-driven
biotech company, the result of a merger between Holista Biotech Sdn
Bhd and CollTech Australia Ltd. Headquartered in Perth and with
extensive operations in Malaysia, the company is dedicated to
delivering first-class natural ingredients and wellness products
globally. Holista's suite of ingredients, among other things,
includes low-GI baked products, reduced-sodium salts, low-fat fried
foods and low calories sugar without compromising taste, odour and
mouthfeel. http://www.holistaco.com
About SunFresh Fruit Hub Sdn Bhd
SunFresh Fruit Hub Sdn Bhd ("Fruit Hub") is a post-harvest
collection, processing and packaging centre formed by anchor
farmers in the Malaysian Government's initiative called The
Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM). SunFresh Fruit Hub Sdn Bhd
operates the Fruit Hub in Lanchang, which collects, processes,
packages and sells fresh fruits, and related products as
ingredients to wholesale trade buyers. Please see
http://www.thefruithub.com.
Source: Holista CollTech Ltd
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