A Malaysian think tank is calling on the government and food firms to take action against obesity and diabetes in the country by slashing prices of healthy food, but has warned against rushing into plans for a sugar tax.
The Philippines' Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, which includes a new sugar tax, came into effect at the turn of the year, bringing with it a wave of confusion in the Philippines' drink sector.
ThaiBev recently completed its acquisition of Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp. (Sabeco) with “action to consummate the transfer of sale shares” having taken place.
Indonesia’s business watchdog fined Danone subsidiary PT Tirta Investama (TIV) close to US$1m after ruling it sought to stifle competition, but the firm is challenging the charge.
Sugar taxes have continued to gain momentum in 2017, but the introduction of new legislation is rarely straight-forward. We take a look at countries around the globe where sugar taxes have been making headlines this year.
Becoming the first country to certify the sustainability of its palm oil will boost exports and undermine 'unfair' labelling practices, a leading industry official has told us in an exclusive interview.
The Indonesian government and tea industry representatives have embarked on a mission to Europe in attempt to reduce trade barriers and boost tea exports.
Food makes up half of the waste thrown away by each Singaporean household each day and, out of that, more than 50% of the food waste could have been prevented.
Ingredients firm Exter has expanded its Asian presence with a new regional application centre and sales office in Bangkok, Thailand on the back of rising demand for ready meals and convenience goods.
More than 300,000 people have signed a petition by the Philippines association of sundry shops and small eateries, Pasco, to oppose the government’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) bill.
More than half a decade after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster led to widespread restrictions of Japanese food and agricultural imports, Southeast Asian nations are being urged to lift their ban on shipments from affected prefectures.
The dairy industry has a battle on its hands to increase milk consumption in Singapore, with a recent report revealing that half of Singaporean adults seldom consume it and are content to ignore its important health benefits.
Concerns are mounting over a controversial new law to bring across-the-board halal certification to Indonesia, as an unprepared government department and industry figures wonder how they will cope with its implementation.
Consumer and government demands for healthier products are driving Nestlé’s R&D efforts in Singapore, with one recent beverage reformulation project slashing sugar by 50% and adding 30% more protein.
‘Food is at the heart of a growing global health crisis’, with a more joined-up approach from governments, industry and individuals needed to tackle the double burden of malnutrition in South East Asia.
Diary company FrieslandCampina Asia is backing a drive to slash obesity and diabetes in Singapore through the city state’s first health, nutrition and exercise programme for pre-school kids.
Suntory Beverage & Food and PepsiCo have agreed to create a soft drink joint venture in Thailand, helping Suntory expand its beverage business in the country.
A new body formed under the religious affairs ministry has taken over issuing halal certification, almost 30 years after Indonesia’s top clerical body was given responsibility for the practice.
Major Malaysian retailer group Bison is accelerating its move into food manufacturing by partnering with two Japanese firms to produce bakery and ready-to-eat convenience goods.
Vietnam’s obligation to cut sugar tariffs will open up opportunities for its neighbours while placing considerable pressure on its struggling domestic sugar industry.
The Singapore government is weighing up a range of measures, including taxes, more stringent advertising bans and warning labels on products, for soft drink manufacturers that fail to meet its sugar reduction objectives.
A Singapore supplier of eggs to food manufacturers and retailers has seen productivity increase by 30% since introducing a a robotic palletising system.
Global palm oil production is expected to grow by 6m tonnes this year, after output was hit hard in 2016 due to the strong effects of the lingering El Niño weather system from the previous year.
The first comprehensive study documenting the prevalence of forced labour has found that 38% of fishermen on Thai fishing vessels identified as victims of trafficking exploitation.
The boss of US plant-based seafood firm Sophie’s Kitchen is considering moving his operations to Singapore, as he seeks to crack the region’s alternative protein market.
Singapore supermarket chain FairPrice has launched a house-brand low-cost infant formula range in the wake of consumer and government complaints about the rising cost of branded milk products.
Vietnamese beverage firms have hit out at proposals for a special consumption tax on sweetened drinks, saying their production would be badly hit by the move.
Having doubled the size of its Bangkok operation after the opening of a dedicated technical and manufacturing facility in Thailand in 2013, Synergy Flavours will now embark on further expansion of its site there.
Food exports between the UAE and Malaysia are set to increase after authorities in the Southeast Asian nation agreed to recognise the UAE's national certification and halal mark.
After calling on soft drink firms to slash sugar content, and encouraging the development of more functional ingredients, the latest addition to Singapore’s so-called 'war on diabetes' is S$5 screening tests for people aged 18 to 39 who are...
Industry heads are resigned to the fate of their segment’s official promoter, which the Philippines president recently vowed to close in a bid to streamline government and curb corruption.
Bunge has acquired a majority stake in Malaysian palm planter IOI Corporation’s Loder Croklaan subsidiary, through which it hopes to gain a bigger footprint in Southeast Asia.
Japanese ingredient giant Morinaga is hoping for a South East Asia sales boom for its 'immunogenics' probiotic LAC-Shield product after recently receiving halal accreditation.
Lunch provisions specifically designed to address deficiencies and caloric needs can support nutrition and health among workers in Cambodia, claim researchers.
