TSI’s myHMB ingredient approved as functional ingredient in Korea

Photo © AdobeStock.com/zhu difeng

TSI Group’s (Missoula, MT) myHMB ingredient, a muscle health nutrient containing β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, has gained regulatory approval in Korea as a functional ingredient. Supplements sold in Korea containing myHMB can now make product claims about improving exercise performance. TSI adds that myHMB is currently the only HMB ingredient that can be sold in Korea. The company adds that this is an ideal time to grow HMB in Korea “as Korea’s sports nutrition market is just beginning to take off.”

HMB’s benefits include decreasing muscle breakdown; increasing lean muscle mass; improving strength, power, and endurance; and promoting faster recovery.

To gain the regulatory approval, TSI worked with Jupiter International, myHMB’s exclusive distributor in Korea. “Earning myHMB’s approval as a functional ingredient was a rigorous and lengthy process,” adds a TSI press release. “The Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) required extensive safety and efficacy data as well as detailed information about TSI’s manufacturing process.”

David Kim, team leader of strategy and business development at Jupiter International, added, “In the Korean health and functional food market, sports nutrition is in the initial stages. For the moment, only a few ingredients are approved to make health claims of sports performance and improvement of sports fatigue in Korea, and their sales volume is not big.”

He added that in Korea, “The products focused on muscle health or energy, such as protein, L-arginine, vitamin B complex, etc., are rapidly growing. In addition, the end consumers’ interest in sports nutrition is growing and diversifying. We believe myHMB can satisfy the various demands of end consumers, especially since it is a very effective solution for muscle health as well as sports performance. It is also a versatile ingredient with multiple other benefits, such as helping to improve body composition.”