Chinese homegrown plant-based meat firm HERO Protein believes that an emphasis on product taste and versatility is crucial to capturing the local Chinese palate, as it finalises its B2B launch and gears up for B2C product retail launches in Q2 this year.
Carlsberg Malaysia is ramping-up its digital and retail strategies after suffering a 44% annual slump in sales after COVID-19 lockdowns decimated large parts of its on-trade business.
Austrian energy drink brand Dark Dog has established its Asia headquarters in Singapore as it looks to expand regional distribution of its organic product range.
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.
New Zealand researchers are planning to conduct clinical trials on a kawakawa beverage with immune and metabolic health benefits, before refining the formulation and sell it in the export markets.
Robots developed by researchers at Hokkaido University are being trialled at a Japanese vineyard, Hokkaido Wine, for pesticide spraying and weed control.
Asahi Breweries is to launch a new carbonated low alcoholic drink called Beery as part of its drive to see sales of products at 3.5% ABV or lower increase from 6% to 20% by 2025.
A Singapore food tech firm that upcycles barley into healthier noodles wants to partner with major brewers and beverage brands to put their by-products to better use.
Indonesia’s first homegrown plant-based meat firm Green Butcher is banking on its localised flavours and spices focus to pique the interest of the nation’s consumers and grow the domestic category.
The Philippines government is currently studying plans to loosen its national COVID-19 lockdown as well as officially hunting down and punishing food product profiteers in an effort to tackle rising rates of food insecurity and poverty in the country.
Singapore-based skin care brand Recherché has launched its first range of edible skin care and plans to expand the line further to tap into the growing consumer interest in ingestible beauty products.
Only 15 countries worldwide are still implementing import restrictions on food items from Japanese districts that were stricken by the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown disaster in 2011 – but progress with those that remain may be hard to achieve...
Australian researchers have identified bread, cheese and processed meat products as key dietary contributors of salt requiring sodium reformulation in a new study, urging the government to widen its focus on reformulating these foods to achieve positive...
Yoghurt giant Chobani believes that versatility is the name of the game for the industry whether it comes to flavours, formats or ingredients, and has adapted its portfolio to offer products suitable for consumption occasions far beyond just breakfast.
Nestle has committed to focus on plant-based product localisation, sustainability and affordability as key focus areas for its Asia Pacific businesses on the back of the region posting near flat-growth as a result of poor performance in China.
APAC’s cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp sector is expected to progress rapidly over the coming years, especially in India, China and Australia where they are approved for food use, although many other nations are still wary of granting the regulatory go-ahead.
Singapore's first locally-made meat-free brand ALTN, manufactured by Tee Yih Jia (TYJ) Food Manufacturing, is eyeing exports to Asia, EU, Oceania and US by Q2 of this year, as well as launching in its domestic retail market.
Chinese start-up Starfield Food Science & Technology expects to launch its first plant-based retail product in the country by June, after two years of operations in the foodservice sector.
Wolfberry, also known as Goji Berry or Fructus lycii, is being touted as a credible dietary supplement for maintaining eye health, particularly in preventing or delaying common retinal diseases among the ageing population.
Kerry is preparing to ramp-up promotion of its plant-based innovation service to brands in APAC and the Middle East, while also doubling down on emerging taste trends and better-for-you product innovation.
Homegrown Japanese alcohol firm Vinvie believes that there is major untapped potential to be found in the ‘niche’ local cider market as consumers are increasingly on the lookout for lighter, lower-alcohol options.
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.
Nestle Indonesia has revealed plans to search for ‘mutually beneficial’ collaborations with start-ups that can complement its local tech, consumer and environment ambitions, citing the importance of innovation and continued learning to sustain strong...
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.
Plant-based firm and social impact venture Green Monday has recently made major strides into the South East Asian market with product and retail debuts in Singapore and Malaysia, and is now eyeing opportunities to reduce its prices in order to sustain...
Kirin Beverage will focus on no-to-low sugar, low-calorie and products with health benefits across its non-alcohol range after seeing soft drink sales slip by 9% in 2020.
The ingredient arm of Thai Union Group is exploring further new product development (NPD) opportunities from tuna as it seeks to expand its functional protein offering by emulating the success of the dairy industry in moving into high-value ingredients.
A meta-analysis of 28 RCTs shows that vitamin C supplementation could improve blood glucose and blood pressure in people with diabetes, but long-term, high quality trials involving a larger study population are needed to validate its role in clinical...
The Japanese government has found no sign of genetically modified (GM) soybean and rapeseed crops having any impact on surrounding biodiversity over 15 years of natural growth, further strengthening its argument for further GM-related approvals in the...
The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide investigation into a widespread local honey adulteration scandal and is mulling ‘better’ test methods – but researchers are calling for the agency to take more ‘stronger,...
Singapore F&B heavyweight Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) is making plans to reformulate as many products as it can within its beverage portfolio to both keep up with consumer trends, as well as fall in line with upcoming government standards.
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.
Danish-headquartered dairy giant Arla said it quickly reshaped the business disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic to meet the spike in home consumption and high demand for trusted household dairy products while offsetting negative impacts in other sectors.
UAE firms, Global Food Industries (GFI) and International Beverage and Filling Industries (IBFI) which are part of the Albatha Group have set a five-year-plan as it look to double the food and beverage business locally and regionally.
Researchers have consolidated the glycaemic index (GI) of 940 common Asian and Middle Eastern food items such as nasi lemak, chapati, dim sum, dates and habba hamra in a review article published in the Nutrition and Diabetes journal.
Australia-based Naturo is set to launch its high-nutrient, high-digestibility fresh milk products processed without pasteurisation this year, using world-first technology that will also allow for extended shelf life.
Thai Union’s head of global innovation reveals why the firm has taken an interest in and invested multiple insect protein firms, as well as the importance of this to diversify and manage its product portfolio for the future.
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.
Children’s nutritional drink brand Healthy Height is building its e-commerce presence in China via influencer marketing, as part of its plan in growing both its online and offline retail.