Here's a recap of our 10 most-read F&B stories in January 2021, including challenges for Malaysia palm oil in 2021, Nestle Australia's new upcycled beverage, exclusive plant-based insights from Nestle Malaysia's CEO and more.
Singapore plant-based meat start-up Shandi Global is preparing to launch five plant-based chicken products using its unique protein isolation method to convert amino acids into flavour, at a price point said to be one quarter of many competitors.
Seafood giant Thai Union has revealed how it is looking to broaden its healthier products portfolio including ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, on the back of significant investment in Singapore low-GI firm Alchemy Foodtech.
The Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association (MADSA) says its brand members are being disadvantaged by ‘unauthorised’ online retailers selling their products at lower prices – and is calling on the government to clampdown on the situation.
Singapore-based ice cream firm Kelato Dolce plans to first build up its market with health-conscious dessert lovers, before expanding to cater to more niche areas with products offering more functional benefits.
Global vodka giant Smirnoff believes that hard seltzer is on track to become the next big drinks trend in Australia, banking on its ‘balanced’ low-calorie, low-sugar characteristics.
Unique technology and creative marketing are key factors for alternative protein companies in Asia to stand out and secure investor funding – perhaps even more so than product development, with one expert warning that many firms that fall behind could...
ALMOST 75% of healthy Australians aged over 70 have reported using supplements either daily or occasionally, with fish oil topping the list of popular products, according to research published today in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Marine microalgae for functional foods, eco-friendly plastic discovery, plant essential oils as preservative and more in this edition of Science Shorts
To increase its regional technical footprint, IMCD, a distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, has launched an ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization laboratory in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Indian baby food and toddler snacks firm Timios has rolled out a unique manufacturing model where it processes and ships its ready-to-cook baby porridge on the day when an order is received.
UAE-based frozen food producer Al Islami Foods has unveiled plans to expand its frozen plant-based product range following the launch of its first vegan burger this month.
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.
Polar lipids, specific amino acids, and psychobiotics are of “critical importance” for normal neurodevelopment in young children, aside from the traditionally recognised vitamins and minerals, multinational research has suggested.
Marine microalgae-based cellular agriculture is a promising new way to sustainably produce new functional foods and plant-based ‘meat’, according to Australian researchers.
A recent study led by the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) revealed that suspected COVID-19 patients administered with virgin coconut oil (VCO) had reduced symptoms and a faster recovery phase compared to the control group.
UK investment firm S-Ventures has acquired a majority share of plantain snacks producer We Love Purely to propel further growth into the mainstream snacking sector.
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.
Indian tea specialist Teamonk’s unusual decision to pivot completely to e-commerce sales and focus its product strategy on herb-infused green teas has boosted its growth and expansion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with no plans to revert to physical...
Experts have suggested that the palm oil industry and food firms manufacturing palm oil-containing products use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify the right consumer segments and methods to sway sentiment back in their favour.
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...
Nestle Malaysia CEO Juan Aranols has outlined the production and marketing strategies for the firm’s venture into the plant-based arena, although he believes it ‘will take time’ for the sector to reach its full potential in Asia.
Four-month-old Indian start-up Biosustain Labs, Asia’s only finalist of this year’s PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator, has outlined how it hopes its probiotics for gut and immune health will spur it to success.
Indonesian dairy company Greenfields is planning to expand its stirred yoghurt range containing live bacteria cultures across South East Asia, after a successful launch in Singapore at the end of 2020.
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.
The yoghurt industry in the Asia Pacific region has highlighted continuous innovation, particularly in terms of flavours and formats, as the key driver to remaining relevant in the eyes of local consumers - despite the sector being one of the oldest in...
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%.
Singapore firm Silverconnect will focus on expanding its snacks and breakfast options for dysphagia patients for this year, including a pureed pineapple tart in time for the Chinese New Year.
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...
Nestle Malaysia’s CEO Juan Aranols has revealed the firm’s priority is to keep its products available and affordable for consumers, even as the firm deals with the impacts of a second COVID-19 lockdown.
Singapore-based start-up ProfilePrint has cited growing interest in alternative proteins and specialty ingredients as potential areas to explore with its patented artificial intelligence food ingredient analysis technology.
Singapore-based foodtech firm Nutrition Innovation is bringing its sugar reduction technology Nucane Life to Malaysia in partnership with local sugar giant CSR, offering local food manufacturers a clean label option for reformulation with added functional...
The palm oil industry in Malaysia needs to prepare itself for an uncertain year ahead with expected price volatility, production decrease and policy changes in the west, with the government attempting to shift to more value-added products in hopes of...
Meluka Australia has expanded into the offline channel in the US with Whole Foods Market, a subsidiary of Amazon, on the back of growing demand for its organic honey.
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.
Almond milk is rapidly gaining in demand in India’s plant-based sector, according to local traditional and plant-based dairy firm Epigamia, which says its research showed this topped the list among consumer demands for product innovation.
Ulusoy Un Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. – one of Turkey’s largest flour millers and grain traders – has received a cash injection from an EBRD and TSKB co-financing programme, created in 2016 to improve and simplify access to finance for small- to medium-sized...
Australian organic camel milk producer QCamel is targeting Singapore as the first export market for its milk, smoothie, feta cheese, dried powder and chocolate products.
Australia is scaling up its efforts to capitalise on India’s booming dairy sector by partnering with local firms for ‘long-term engagement’, amid projections that demand could continue to outstrip supply until 2035.