All news articles for 2016

Probiotics are “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” (Picture: Istockphoto)

Do fermented foods contain probiotics? Not necessarily, says Ganeden

By Elaine Watson

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi and yogurts containing ‘live and active cultures’ are healthy and tasty, but they are not necessarily packed with probiotics, says Ganeden Inc, the Ohio-based firm behind one of the best-known probiotic...

Genomics pioneer set to beef up Australian cattle industry

Genomics pioneer set to beef up Australian cattle industry

By RJ Whitehead

Genomic selection could provide massive productivity gains to the Australian beef industry now that a Queensland University genomics expert is focusing his research on improving the A$5bn (US$3.7bn) a year sector.

Godrej Nature’s Basket appoints new chief

India

Godrej Nature’s Basket appoints new chief

By RJ Whitehead

Avani Davda will take over as managing director of Godrej Nature’s Basket, the speciality food chain chain, while her predecessor, Mohit Khattar, will take on a new group-level role at Godrej Group.

Regulator cracks down on illegal packaged drinking water manufacturers

India

Regulator cracks down on illegal packaged drinking water manufacturers

By RJ Whitehead

India’s food regulator has directed state food safety officials to identify cases where packaged drinking water brands do not carry either the FSSAI or Bureau of Indian Standards’ certification marks, and take strict action in cases where the regulations...

KFC follows up robot store concept with finger lickin’ nail polish

China

KFC follows up robot store concept with finger lickin’ nail polish

By RJ Whitehead

KFC has been on an innovation offensive in greater China over the last couple of weeks. After news emerged that its concept store in Shanghai was staffed by voice-activated robots, the company’s Hong Kong operation has since announced the trial launch...

Blackmores to take TCMs into China through Global Therapeutics deal

China direct

Blackmores to take TCMs into China through Global Therapeutics deal

By RJ Whitehead

Natural health major Blackmores has signalled its intention to market traditional Chinese medicines to China and beyond, possibly even in the coming year, after it agreed to buy Global Therapeutics, a Byron Bay-based leader in the Australian market.

Singapore prepares for $15m study to demystify diabetes

Singapore prepares for $15m study to demystify diabetes

By RJ Whitehead

Singapore researchers hope that a S$20m (US$14.7m) project will “change diabetes’ natural course” in a country whose diabetic population is expected to top 1m by 2050—more than double the current figure out of a population of 5.4m.

Chinese company Fuyuan, which is controlled by dairy giant Mengniu, is taking a controlling stake in Burra Foods.

China’s Fuyuan taking over Burra Foods

By Jim Cornall

Australian dairy ingredient processor Burra Foods has announced a change in shareholding in the company as part of its plans to improve market access and raise capital to expand its processing facility in Korumburra, Victoria.

Sugar tax one step closer to implementation in Thailand

Dateline Southeast Asia

Sugar tax one step closer to implementation in Thailand

By RJ Whitehead

Soft drinks could cost up to 25% more in Thailand after the National Reform Steering Assembly’s health panel approved by 153 votes to two a proposal to increase taxes for non-alcoholic drinks with high content of sugar.

'The New Zealand feed industry is quite small with less than 1m MT of compound and blended feeds produced per annum so we expect there will be further consolidation of the key players.' - Lallemand © istock.com/© Norman Chan

Lallemand joins forces with Nutritech in New Zealand

By Jane Byrne

Vitec Nutrition, Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s New Zealand entity, is to merge with local player, Nutritech International, to become the dominant supplier of animal nutrition technologies in that market.

Savola Q1 profit plummets 80%, dividend slashed

Savola Q1 profit plummets 80%, dividend slashed

By Eliot Beer

Saudi food producer Savola has slashed its dividend after announcing an 80% fall in first-quarter profits year-on-year, with food revenues falling 8.6%, brought down by its edible oil operations.

'In Saudi Arabia they have huge restrictions on energy drinks – in summary, you can do nothing – you can’t do tastings, advertising, sponsorship, nothing,' says one brand in the region. © iStock.com / lowkick

Saudi Arabia smacks energy drinks with new fines

By Eliot Beer

Saudi Arabia has announced further restrictions on energy drinks, with fines to be levied against outlets serving the beverages, but the impact will be minimal, according to Euromonitor.

New corn policy could prompt shift in Chinese agri-production

New corn policy could prompt shift in Chinese agri-production

By RJ Whitehead

By cancelling the corn temporary purchase and storage policy after eight years, Chinese authorities may have precipitated a seismic shift in the country’s corn and its deep-processing industries through this crucial supply-side reform.

© iStock

Brands & governments must join up against health crisis

By Niamh Michail

Food producers and regional governments will have to work together to tackle the Middle East’s health crisis - but brands must avoid a number of pitfalls, say two leading marketing consultants.

AstaReal was one of the founding members of NAXA, along with Cyanotech and Algatechnologies of Isreal. Algatech photo.

Founding member AstaReal withdraws from NAXA

By Hank Schultz

Founding member AstaReal has withdrawn from the Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association, while at the same time the association announced a new member, Chinese company Yunnan Alphy Biotech Company, Ltd.

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