South Korea has finally laid out the governance rules for ‘elderly-friendly foods’ based on main ingredient ratios, with experts believing that this will have a significant impacts on a number of categories.
Japan will need to place more focus on processed value-added foods and supply chain development beyond agricultural products if it wishes to hit its food exports target of JPY5tn (US$45.9bn) by 2030.
Singapore’s beverage sector is seeking increased industry engagement and a more holistic approach to sugar reduction, after the government opened public consultations for its proposed ‘Nutri-Grade’ sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) labelling scheme.
The Australian food industry has expressed relief at the government’s announcement of a three-year transition period for firms to comply with the new Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) requirements, saying this is critical to mitigate cost impacts...
Japanese brewery giants Asahi and Kirin are reacting cautiously to the government’s push to include alcoholic content by gramme on product labels, though both will be implementing changes which experts believe will be emulated by the rest of the industry...
A number of Thai companies, including CP Foods and DOD Biotech, have stated their intentions in developing new food, supplement and beverages containing hemp, as new regulatory developments unfold in the country.
South Korea has published a list of almost 3,000 food and beverage products which are banned from being sold on school grounds for being too high in calories and low in nutritional value, or high in caffeine in the government’s latest attempt to ensure...
The South Korean government has just announced its food and agriculture business plan for 2021, where technology, food security and sustainability have been highlighted as key focal areas to achieve growth this year.
Suppliers offering colouring foods are optimistic of growth in India, in part due to enhanced regulations, but also the broader consumer move towards clean label preferences.
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is improving the recognition of foreign halal certification bodies by adding on-pack QR codes and new training, moves that come in the wake of a high-profile meat scandal.
Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CCA) is warning general food and health food manufacturers against labelling their products as being effective in preventing or treating COVID-19, to avoid consumer misunderstanding and harming public health.
New Zealand’s debate over creating a Grocery Code of Conduct has now moved to the parliamentary stage after the NZ Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC) presented it to parliament in the name of preventing potential ‘abuse of power’ by local supermarkets.
China has implemented mandatory traceability requirements for all food products transported via cold chain, including dairy products, fruits and drinks, in an expansion of its efforts to prevent COVID-19 from entering the country via imported foods.
The South Korean government has published a notice on the banning of food imports made of or containing ruminant meat, such as beef, mutton and sheep, from 36 countries with a history of mad cow disease.
Bakery products, cereals and fruit juices will remain the only processed food products to have fortification standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the near future, after the regulator confirmed it is not considering...
India’s Ayurveda nutraceuticals and medicines industry players have welcomed efforts by ministers and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the safe and effective use of traditional medicines, but has also urged for clearer regulatory guidelines.
More South Korean brands with products containing only trace amounts of genetically modified (GM) ingredients could be able to make ‘non-GMO’ label claims, as the country considers aligning its rules with international standards.
Dairy products and vegetable sprouts have been identified as key food poisoning risks for pregnant women in New Zealand, leading to the raw consumption of these being removed from official governmental dietary guidance.
China has emphasised that stability will be the name of the game in government strategies to ensure national food security and the upcoming Fourteenth Five-Year Plan, with particular emphasis on market stabilisation and grain management.
The South Korean regulator has said it will be issuing “Inspection Orders” on imported probiotics that have failed conformity tests three or more times in the past three years.
India’s nutraceutical industry’s hopes of a reduced GST rate on supplements was squashed again when there was no mentioned of special grant for the sector during the recent budget announcement.
Japan has updated its nutrition labelling rules to both reflect the quality as well as the quantity of carbohydrates present in processed foods, and also better reflect the calculation of calories being consumed per serving.
The Japanese government has approved a bill to increase the intellectual property (IP) protection over local high-value produce in a bid to prevent these from being illegally exported and planted overseas, losing control over further cultivation, sales...
Japan’s plan to reduce the gap in taxes levied on the three main beer categories in the country is expected to first stimulate rapid new product innovation across the board, then also deliver a boost to the traditional beer segment in the long run, according...
The implementation of a salt tax in Thailand is still expected to take place sometime in 2021, and this may have cost implications for food manufacturers whose reformulation efforts have not yet caught up, according to a local food industry expert.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has advised cell-based meat firms looking to get regulatory approval for their products to start the application process as early as possible, and always prioritise food safety to maximise their chances of success.
Australia’s alcoholic drinks sector has started the year with a fight on two fronts, leading industry leaders to give both barrels to new government drinking guidelines and accusations from academics that it provides a ‘distorted view’ of scientific evidence’...
Problems with registration and ingredient compliance are some of the most common mistakes that nutraceutical firms have made when exporting their products to South Korea, according to a regulatory consultancy firm.
From plant-based and cell-based regulations to policies governing alcohol, organic foods and sugar reduction, we bring you eight of the top regulatory updates that the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry can expect in 2021.
Experts predict that the incoming United States administration of President-elect Joe Biden will mean positive news for the food and beverage industry in the Asia Pacific region, especially when it comes to food-related investments and repairing trade...
Japan is looking to boost the exports and guarantee the food safety of one of its most iconic foods, the fermented soybean product natto, by working with the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) to develop regional standards to govern its production in...
A new report commissioned by the United Nations (UN) has urged the Indonesian government to increase its focus on food diversity and nutrient fortification within the local food supply to combat rising nutrition-related issues such as obesity and anaemia.
The New Zealand food and grocery industry is calling for the creation of a Grocery Code of Conduct to ensure that a balance is maintained between retailers and suppliers, especially after an ‘aggressive’ buying model change by major retailer Foodstuffs.
The plant-based industry in Australia has called out the government for what it is calling an ‘unbalanced representation’ at a recent roundtable to discuss product labelling and is denouncing the need for any new regulations to govern the sector.
Japan will end the flexible enforcement of food labelling regulations that were implemented after the country was hit by torrential storms leading to a series of floods and landslides back in July.
Indonesia’s highly controversial omnibus law will impact the local food and beverage industry in a raft of ways, including potentially creating better access to food ingredient imports and streamlining business licensing requirements.
Calls to revise the recommended daily allowance of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in India are growing after the country’s regulator asked for suggestions from the industry stakeholders.
Opinions are divided in India over the use of GMO foods to augment the local food system, with some experts renewing calls to approve its usage to help reduce food costs and environmental pollution, but others urging caution as the ‘scientific concerns’...
The Indian food industry is requesting the government to reduce Goods and Service Tax (GST) rates for commonly consumed local food items to reduce costs and cut food wastage – but branded food products are not part of this request, it has clarified.
South Korea has established CBD content limits for hemp foods in the country, as well as established meal kits as an individual new food category under regulatory governance after consumer demand for these soared during COVID-19.
A series of COVID-19 related lockdowns and travel restrictions has weakened the daigou retail channel for several health and nutrition brands in Australia, with brands such as Swisse, Bubs, and Nuchev, reporting sales slumps from the once lucrative channel.
Many Asian and Middle Eastern countries are not taking any actions to reduce trans fatty acid (TFA) in the food supply despite the high mortality rates from TFA consumption.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a list of nutrient function claims for edible vegetable oils – a move which a leading expert believes will create more growth opportunities for the nutra industry.
Australia’s food industry has cautioned regulators not to impose new rules for Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for food products, with the nation’s trade body citing cost and compliance concerns from its members.
Australian researchers have called out the local food system for being uncoordinated and overly complex in its governance, urging the government to work out a coherent and strategic approach for food-related policy-making.
