China's food powerhouse Bright Food (Group) Co Ltd has established a strategic partnership with Herbal Science Singapore Pte Ltd.

The move is a stepping stone for Bright to be China's biggest healthy food maker as the fledgling industry still lacks leading power, standards and strong research and development.

The two companies are scheduled to launch Balance, an all natural cinnamon extract helpful in preventing diabetes, as early as March this year.

The product is also being certified for the mainland, according to Ken Kong, manager of Herbal Science.

With the rising awareness of healthy dining, the nation's health care products saw revenue expand 15 percent year on year, outpacing the 10 percent average worldwide.

Kong also said future products will includes extracts from ginger, turmeric and lettuce.

(Shanghai Daily January 3, 2008)