South Korean has seen a massive boom in its food exports even through the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak with local food items kimchi and ramen leading the charge, according to new statistics released by the government.
Kirin and FANCL is set to release two new beverages in Japan this October, including one with a Food with Function (FFC) claim - their first such products since forming a business alliance last year.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Dr David Kitchen, CEO of better-for-you energy drink Kanguru about his experience juggling both a full-time medical career as an ophthalmologist alongside his beverage entrepreneurial...
China imported dietary supplements worth US$2bn, up 32.1%, with a new report highlighting edible bird’s nest and seal oil as categories with big growth.
Japan’s Kirin Brewery will launch the country’s first zero-sugar beer this October, with ambitious plans to sell 1.2 million boxes or 150,000 hectoliters by the end of 2020.
Consumer interest in plant-based diets has led to increased innovation in plant-based beverages in China, as new ingredients overtake soy, and new format opportunities emerge in the form of ready-to-drink.
The Chinese government has identified science, technology and manpower upgrades as areas of special focus over a ‘critical period’ across the next five years in order for the country to secure its national food supply.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was China’s biggest export destination for dietary supplement ingredients and products in the first half of this year, while the Middle East is likely to offer further growth potential, says a report...
Chinese e-commerce firm Pinduoduo (PDD) and Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) are developing a cost-effective way of testing for contaminants such as pesticides in fresh produce – in an effort to boost consumer, retailer...
Probiotics, omega-3 DHA/EPA, and supplements containing the garcinia cambogia extract are linked to the majority cases of unwanted side effects linked to nutraceutical use in South Korea, health officials have reported.
An Oympian-derived probiotic strain has shown to improve running test and gut microbiota amongst middle- and long-distance runners, a five-week trial in Taiwan has shown.
Singapore food technology firm Alchemy Foodtech has its eye on China as a potential major market opportunity after the successful local launch of its GI-lowering Alchemy Fibre, with a variety of other GI-lowering products to follow.
An inspection and review conducted by South Korea’s authorities found that most of the supplements of questionable quality being sold only were from US brands.
China’s beverage giant, Hangzhou Wahaha Group has seen an increase in sales of its sugar-free soda and alkaline water products this year, as consumers continue to seek healthier and more innovative beverages.
Nestle Japan’s new KITKAT Snax – which was launched alongside its first officially-approved craft beer - is not targeted solely at alcohol-drinking adults, but for all consumers looking for a sweet and salty snack, the firm has clarified.
Consumption of Pokka’s lemon juice product, Lemon 100, has been found to significantly suppress spikes in blood glucose after a meal of rice, a new study reports.
Japan has banned the use of the terms ‘artificial’ and ‘synthetic’ to describe food additives on all food and beverage labels after consumer research found they were causing consumers to shun such products.
Japan’s domestic tea leaf consumption shows no sign of reversing its longstanding decline with ready-to-drink beverages and coffee continuing to gain popularity at its expense across the nation.
Radiation levels in Japan’s bottled water – which soared in popularity following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident – have been found to be in line with levels across the world.
China has emerged as a saviour for the durian industries in Thailand and Malaysia throughout the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, with solid demand and import growth continuing even throughout lockdowns despite earlier pessimistic predictions.
Danone China has launched two new products for its Aptamil Essensis 3 range, including an A2 milk and a formula said to contain the highest level of human oligosaccharides (HMOs) across the firm’s entire early life nutrition portfolio.
Confectionery giant Perfetti Van Melle has collaborated with Toyo Beverage to introduce its first range of drinks in Japan under the Chupa Chups brand.
The Chinese authorities has opened a public consultation to consider the use of milk minerals and a particular bacteria species as novel food raw materials.
China’s alternative meat market has grown from its traditional imitation products to a more modern, realistic and meat-tasting profile powered by innovation – and now some of the industry’s biggest names are ploughing in resources to fuel the next wave...
Thailand’s T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries Co. Ltd (TCP), the original inventor of the Red Bull brand and trademark globally, is accelerating its presence in China with a mega investment of RMB1bn (US$150m).
Supplementation with Kirin’s mature hop bitter acid (MHBA) for 12 weeks has been found to improve attention and reduce stress in healthy older adults in Japan.
Toddler formula has been proven to be a better choice than cow’s milk when it comes to improving the dietary intakes of minerals and vitamins in young children, according to research funded by Nestle and the Chinese government.
Local acceptance of milk and dairy products in China has rocketed over the past year, driven by some 96% of the population believing that dairy consumption can help improve immunity.
Researchers claim Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFC) rules need to be overhauled, with four in five (79.5%) blood pressure management products ‘lacking’ clear label claims, a study has found.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has approved Lawson’s fried chicken (karaage kun) as a space food for astronauts after three years of testing.
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented milk surplus problem for many dairy farmers worldwide, and the Japanese industry was no exception with demand from schools and foodservice outlets slumping.
The world’s largest lemon myrtle grower and harvester Australian Native Products has set its sights on large tea brands in India and Sri Lanka as it seeks to market lemon myrtle across the region.
China recently announced new standards for dairy permeate imports, a first for the country and a prime example of how an industry can leverage resources to overcome regulatory challenges, according to a China trade regulations expert.
The China Food Tech Hub, which aims to forge close ties between MNCs and start-ups, is adding three new members to its consortium this year, including big names such as Nestle, Ajinomoto and Barilla’s Blu1877.
China’s COVID-19 focus has taken a clear food-related shift with a decided focus on stepping up food import regulations, despite this putting it at odds with foreign food firms and governments arguing against the probability of food-related virus spread.
Nestle China has responded to criticism from the plant-based industry about its recent CNY730m (CHF100m/US$98.9m) investment and plant-based facility, amid concerns over the lack of detail and sustainability focus.
BY-HEALTH is aiming to raise RMB$3.6bn (US$509m) to fund five new projects, including new manufacturing sites in China and Australia, and a health management centre.
Taiwan’s organic equivalence agreements policy means it risks losing over half of its organic imports, particularly those from its biggest trade partner EU, but despite this has shown no signs of shifting its stance.
Australian e-commerce platform BuyNatural believes there are “exceptional opportunities” in China for local dietary supplement brands, with consumers eager to purchase “newer and smaller” brands.
China should accelerate the development of its local cell-based meat sector to catch up with other countries that have a head start in this area, with a major focus placed on technology, regulations and innovation.
JD’s online fresh food business JD Fresh recorded a 800% increase in sales year-on-year in the first hour of its June 18th grand promotion (618) – with the firm tipping the trend that first appeared during the COVID-19 outbreak to persist.
China has revealed microbial contamination, excessive food additives and excessive drug residues to be the major food safety challenges that the country is facing, based on data from the government-administered 2019 National Food Safety Inspections.
New Zealand kiwifruit firm Zespri has its eye on new markets and consumers with its Zespri Red Kiwifruit variety as well as a range of sustainable innovations.