China plant-based meat start-up Hey Maet is working to switch its production strategy to ‘next gen’ high moisture extrusion, which could help reduce the number of ingredients in its products.
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.
Australasian (Guangzhou) Food Co is beginning to import blockchain-backed beef into China from Argentina – and is now on a mission to help at-home consumption grow.
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.
Almost half (49.7%) of Chinese consumers surveyed say they were willing to sample cell-based meats, but almost as many (47.2%) said they would not wish to eat it regularly.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
The Chinese government has issued a series of warnings and directives on the consumption of fermented foods, counterfeit foods and beverages on the back of a deadly mass food poisoning event and the rapid rise of food fraud cases in the past year.
Consumption of an omega-3 supplement produced by Australian health company Max Biocare is clearly linked to socio-demographic status among adults residing in China, Thailand and Vietnam, according to new research.
LINGYA (零呀), the company which produced China’s first locally made hard seltzer has rebranded to ZEYA, in line with a new local and regional strategic plan.
Kirin Brewery is focusing on its core beer brands and canned craft beer business, amid a not-so-positive outlook for the low-malt happoshu sector and new categories following COVID-19 and a recent liquor tax revision.
The South Korean government has laid out its food safety upgrade plans for the first half of 2021, with a great deal of focus centred on meat and meat product imports and processing, in response to consumer concerns.
China’s reduction of import tariffs, including supplement products such as fish oil soft gel capsules and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs), will make both imports and local production more competitive, according to industry experts.
South Korea’s ‘New Southern’ policy focusing on tightening relations with South East Asia and India appears to have paid off in skyrocketing food and agricultural export numbers, some of the highest in recent years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
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...
Japanese instant noodle manufacturer Nissin Food Products has extended its hugely popular mystery meat cup noodle series with a new kimchi flavour hitting the shelves this month.
The Chinese government has announced a new three-year strategy to further develop the local dairy industry, with emphasis on strengthening R&D as well as tighter governance to quell remaining food safety concerns and boost the sector’s reputation.
South Korea-based food technology firm Phyto Corporation (PhytoCo) has doubled the sodium reduction rate of its world-first plant-based salt PhytoSalt - making it the only salt worldwide capable of reducing sodium intake by 40%.
Indonesia and China have been highlighted by experts as major opportunity markets for halal F&B brands looking to internationalise their products post-COVID-19, banking on rising purchasing power and government support in both countries – though some...
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...
Leading Japanese firms Asahi, Ajinomoto, Kirin, Hotei Foods, Nippn and Nissin have underlined how their manufacturing, R&D and employee safety are being maintained as certain prefectures come under another state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major China infant formula brand Feihe’s patent application for a special medical use goat milk powder has been granted, with market observers now expecting the company to expand its range and retail channels.
China-based manufacturer Angel Yeast is set to open a new R&D centre in Yichang, Hubei Province this year to accelerate product innovation, with a particular focus on the plant-based sector and sports nutrition.
Thailand-based Sesamilk Foods is eyeing China and Taiwan as part of its global expansion strategy to increase export business from 30% to 80% in just two years.
Food ingredient supplier BCFoods is set to open a new seasoning factory in China to tap into soaring demand for herbs and spices, that has shot up amid the pandemic.
Halal food and beverage brands looking to penetrate the Japanese market have been urged to look beyond just ‘halal’ as a unique selling point, in addition to paying closer attention to translational branding and prices.
FANCL has launched a new immune supplement that uses technology to protect tablets from premature disintegration during the production and storage process.
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.
Malaysia-based and Australia-listed food tech firm Holista Colltech has set its sights on marketing its low-GI bread premix in several APAC markets after a successful partnership in the United States with bakery manufacturer Costanzo’s.
E-commerce giant JD has seen a boom in organic product sales in China after working with brand partners to establish the country’s first-ever organic alliance, with the firm saying demand has been boosted by consumers seeking 'safer and healthier'...
Chocolate consumption in China still lags behind its neighbours in the confectionery category, but it is increasingly finding flavour through innovation in local cuisine – including steamed buns and even rice.