Functional foods & drinks

Demystifying hemp and cannabidiol: Introducing the CBD Global Summit

21-Nov-2019 By Katy Askew

CBD has caught the public's imagination as an ingredient offering a host of potential health benefits. But for all the hype, CBD also courts controversy. To move from a trending ingredient to an ingredient trend, the sector will need to address some...

‘Under one umbrella’: New Singapore food institute to deliver unified approach to product innovation and market entry

20-Nov-2019 By Pearly Neo

Singapore’s major food research entities will be consolidated under a new institute by the second quarter of 2020, enabling F&B firms large and small to access a ‘one-stop shop’ of research and information pertaining to food safety, regulations and...

Mengniu-Bellamy’s acquisition: Australia’s treasurer sets out ‘enforceable conditions’ in unprecedented move

18-Nov-2019 By Tingmin Koe

The Australian government has set out “enforceable conditions” regarding the potential acquisition of infant nutrition firm Bellamy’s Organic by China’s state-backed dairy giant Mengniu – the latest in a long line of Chinese investment into the nation’s...

Kirin’s functional food brand expands to Vietnam with immunity-boosting probiotic drink

13-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Kirin’s functional food brand, iMUSE has ventured into its first overseas market with the launch of a functional probiotic beverage in Vietnam.

Probiota Asia 2019

Probiotic from Penang: Malaysian cow’s milk bacteria strain exerts benefits for brain, URT, and liver

11-Nov-2019 By Tingmin Koe

A probiotic strain isolated from cow’s milk in Penang, Malaysia, has been shown to deliver benefits related to brain, respiratory, and gut health.

Gulfood Manufacturing 2019

Snack attack: Why protein bars are bang on trend for the Middle East market

06-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

There is a huge opportunity for brands based in the Middle East to jump on the healthy snacking trend, with protein bars in particular set to experience sustained growth.

Probiota Asia 2019

Probiotic research booming in Asia with China and Iran leading the charge

23-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

A growing number of clinical studies focusing on probiotics is seen in Asia, with China and Iran seeing exponential increase in recent years, according to an International Probiotics Association-backed review.

Fi Asia Thailand 2019

Thai rice specialist firm MediFoods looks to expand local market after overseas success

15-Oct-2019 By Pearly Neo

Thailand rice specialist company MediFoods has its eye on local market expansion after a successful run overseas with its rice-based products and ingredients portfolio.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Personal trainer turns his hand to fermented foods after catching the bug for gut-health

07-Oct-2019 By Nikki Hancocks

A personal trainer has founded a fermented food and drink brand after he undertook a radical 30-day elimination diet which ignited a passion for nutrition and gut health.

Probiota Asia 2019: Medlab to assess mood disorders and the power of probiotics

01-Oct-2019 By Gary Scattergood

Probiotic brand Medlab has been added to the agenda for the forthcoming Probiota Asia summit in Singapore, where its Director of Medical Research will assess the benefits of probiotics for mood disorders.

Blood pressure drop: Morinaga Confectionery to launch functional cocoa powdered beverage nationwide

25-Sep-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Morinaga Confectionery is launching a new product under Japan’s Foods with Functional Claims (FFC), with a stick-type cocoa powder that is reported to help lower blood pressure and improve bowel movements

Herbalife reveals key market opportunities in APAC on the back of new record high for sales volume

17-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Herbalife has identified three key opportunities in APAC's dietary supplement market, ranging from obesity to ageing after the firm saw a 23% year-on-year rise in sales in the region.

Seaweed and tree fern: $1.1M Māori-led research announced to create new NZ functional foods

17-Sep-2019 By Gary Scattergood

New Zealand’s High-Value Nutrition (HVN) National Science Challenge and industry partners are seeking to establish two new ‘highly functional natural foods’ – Karengo, a type of edible seaweed, and Mamaku, a type of tree fern.

Israel champions personalised nutrition in FoodTech incubator launch

17-Sep-2019 By Will Chu

An Israeli collaboration of investors, food and beverage manufacturers are launching a FoodTech incubator focusing on improving food’s nutritional value as well as advancing personalised nutrition.

FI Asia 2019

Curcuminoid power: Thai juice firm Tipco’s biotech arm aims for fast growth with new high grade ingredient

16-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Thai firm Tipco Biotech is eyeing a revenue boost with its high grade curcuminoid that is expected to launch next year.

Goat growth: NIG Nutritionals woos Chinese market with low GI and collagen beverages

10-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

NIG Nutritionals is wooing the Chinese consumers with a wider range of goat’s milk based products, on the back of its infant formula success in China.

Functional foods and supplements to contribute towards $25bn Australian market by 2030

09-Sep-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Australian ‘health and wellness’ products including functional foods, supplements and personalised nutrition, along with more sustainable products such as alternative protein, will become a AU$25bn billion market by 2030, according to new data.

Looking good: China food body forms committee to grow beauty foods industry

02-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

China Food Industry Association (CNFIA) has formed a professional working committee to oversee the growth of the country’s bird’s nest, collagen, and protein-based beauty food industry.

Sheep milk infant formula: Danone Nutricia plans to develop full range following first product launch

02-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Danone Nutricia has plans to develop a full sheep milk infant formula range next year, following the recent launch of Karicare sheep milk for toddler, a new product made with 100% New Zealand sheep milk.

Japanese food firms finding joy in the UAE as government strives to hit export target

28-Aug-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese food companies entering the Middle East market are on the rise, with the UAE the hotspot for firms seeking to make their mark in the region.

China-US trade war: Still plenty of opportunities for Chinese food and nutrition firms – Expert

28-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

Despite the ongoing tensions between the United States and China, there are still multiple opportunities for Chinese food and beverage and nutrition firms, particularly those in the health sector, to secure business success, according to an industry expert.

Liquid formula sales boom in Japan for Ezaki Glico after sales ban lifted

27-Aug-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Japan’s Ezaki Glico’s liquid infant formula sales was three times higher than initial forecasts, the company told us.

Asia's Food Future: Industry 4.0

Tracking product origins: The hot topic of traceability in F&B and the emerging technology enabling advances

22-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo and Guan Yu Lim

The importance of traceability within the food and beverage industry has rapidly risen over the past few years so in our latest edition of Asia’s Food Future: Industry 4.0, we take a look at several of the most significant solutions and the vital role...

Dairy sees the light: New protective packaging for functional yoghurt in China

22-Aug-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Guangzhou-based probiotic yoghurt producer Honest Dairy and light protection technology company Noluma have developed what is claimed to be China’s first functional yogurt product contained in a light-protected packaging.

Due for review: FSANZ launches proposals for food safety standards review in Australia

21-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has launched two proposals to overhaul of the Australian food safety standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), marking the first time in almost two decades these have been reviewed.

Blackmores’ CFO exclusive: ‘Pharmacy sales, probiotics and beauty-from-within key to boost China fortunes’

20-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores has reiterated its commitment to China in the wake of weak full year results in the country, with its CFO telling us in an exclusive interview that it is determined to strengthen its presence in in-country retail, such as pharmacies, alongside...

Middle East probiotic push: Importer Truebell seeks to expand product offering across region

19-Aug-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

UAE-based importer Truebell is planning to increase the number of probiotic products in the next 12 months to tap on MEA’s growing US$15 billion probiotic market.

Policy Picks: Liquor adulterators prosecuted under NSA in India, China's national health guidelines, Thai GMO rules and more feature in our round-up

15-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

Liquor adulteration prosecution under NSA in India, China's national health guidelines, Thai GMO regulations and more feature in this edition of Policy Picks.

Well placed for wellbeing? Coca-Cola Amatil expands reach into Australian health beverages market

14-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

Coca-Cola Amatil has expanded further into the Australian health beverages market via a new distribution agreement with specialty beverage firm Made Group, which owns protein smoothie brand Rokeby Farms and cold-pressed juice brand Impressed Juices.

Danone in Yogyakarta: Revamped research centre to focus on stunting and anaemia in Indonesia

14-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Danone has officially inaugurated its newly expanded Danone Nutricia Research – Sarihusada Research & Innovation Centre in Yogyakarta, Indonesia – to pump up research and innovation efforts on specialised nutrition needs in the country.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

Chronological vs biological’: Chromadex aims to use personalised nutrition as means to revolutionise ageing

13-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Personalised nutrition and other specific therapeutic functions with a focus on changing the concept of ageing are the way forward for ChromaDex’s flagship nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplement, said the firm.

Fi Asia-China 2019

‘Room to grow’: Azelis Shanghai banks on local consumption trends to expand further in China’s processed foods category

08-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

Azelis Shanghai is looking to conquer the local Chinese processed foods market banking on local consumption trends, large existing market size, and its prevailing product expertise in the area.

Green goals: Danone invests in biomass boiler at New Zealand’s infant formula powder producing plant

07-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Danone will invest NZ$40m (US$26m) to drive environmental efficiencies in its New Zealand spray drying plant – a facility where the base of infant formula powder is made.

Stores for seniors: How convenience retailer Lawson is meeting needs of the elderly population

01-Aug-2019 By Pearly Neo

From store design to product selection, Japanese convenience store giant Lawson has made great strides in transforming its stores to cater to the country’s increasingly elderly population, including one-stop healthcare shops especially tailored to their...

Fi Asia China 2019

Watch - Diana Food banks on rapidly growing health awareness and favourable policies for China growth

30-Jul-2019 By Pearly Neo

Health ingredients firm Diana Foods has its eye on further expansion into the Chinese market, banking on a rapid shift towards consumer health awareness backed by governmental policies focusing on improving food safety and quality.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

Tea and mushrooms: Two promising targets for tackling cognitive decline ‘amid failure of big pharma’

30-Jul-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

There is growing evidence that certain plant-based nutrients in tea and mushroom may help to delay cognitive decline as we age, and may provide more promising focuses for further research after multiple products touted by the pharma sector ended in failure.

Success via sleep: Thai brand Healthful Co sees beverage sales soar after Korea recognition

25-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Thai manufacturer Healthful Co has seen domestic sales spike for its functional drink, which claims to aid sleep, after gaining recognition in the South Korean market.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

Biting back: How probiotics can help to improve oral health for seniors – DuPont

23-Jul-2019 By Pearly Neo

Probiotics could play a crucial role in improving oral biofilm composition and therefore prevent periodontal disease, especially in combination with traditional dental treatments, according to research from DuPont.

Nominations revealed: Here’s who made the shortlist for this year’s NutraIngredients-Asia awards

22-Jul-2019 By Gary Scattergood

Today we can reveal the ingredient companies, finished product brands and research projects that have made the shortlist for the 2019 NutraIngredients-Asia awards.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

Three strategies for the Indian nutrition industry to secure success in face of limited consumer contact

17-Jul-2019 By Pearly Neo

Stronger scientific evidence for products, a focus on regionalisation and the education of both consumers and the medical sector are three key factors for success in the nutrition industry in India.

Naturally Good Expo 2019

Social, systems and security: Industry leaders on what generates fast company growth in Australia

17-Jul-2019 By Pearly Neo

Low-cost social media marketing, ensuring suitable software and systems are in place, and brand protection have been identified as key traits for fast healthy FMCG company growth, according to a panel of industry leaders.

Boost to consumer confidence? China’s ministry and WeChat launch infant formula traceability programme

16-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and WeChat, the country’s messaging service giant, have jointly developed and launched the country’s first WeChat mini programme for infant formula traceability.

‘Violative health risks’: Philippines FDA issues warnings against 14 unregistered food products

15-Jul-2019 By Pearly Neo

The Philippines Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has issued warnings against 14 unregistered food products, including beverages, snacks and desserts, advising the public against purchasing and consuming them.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

‘No single, simple solution’: Why a holistic approach is key to improving cognitive health - BioCeuticals

15-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Maintaining and improving cognitive health among APAC’s rapidly ageing population requires a holistic approach, considering the gut-brain axis, nutrition intake, and the need for a personalised plan.

HEALTHY AGEING APAC SUMMIT 2019

Nestlé expert: More data, research and NPD needed for Asia’s ageing population

10-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

There is a need for more research and funding for elderly nutrition as the world’s population rapidly ages, executive leading academic from Nestlé’s Institute of Health Science told our Healthy Ageing APAC Summit in Singapore.

More research needed on vitamin D’s impact on peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetics: China study

10-Jul-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Vitamin D’s effects on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes patients require more clinical evidence, despite the link between the two, say researchers in China.

Fi Asia-China 2019

Appealing to young Chinese consumers: Four mega trending health issues driving the health food market

09-Jul-2019 By Pearly Neo

Four major trending issues are driving the health foods market in China today, with a combination of strong national pride and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) influence having particular sway over the younger generation of local consumers.

Start-up struggles; Malaysian nutrition entrepreneurs need more funding to compete with neighbours

09-Jul-2019 By Richard Whitehead

Malaysia is being held back by the way its nutrition entrepreneurs struggle to make the transition from development to commercialisation, according to one of the country’s top VCs.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit: 1.3bn business opportunities by 2050 as Asia’s population rapidly ages

09-Jul-2019 By Gary Scattergood

More than 1.3billion people in APAC will be over the age of 60 by 2050, opening up huge opportunities for food, beverage and nutrition firms who can tailor NPD to this demographic, while also tapping into the health and wellness trends among younger consumers...

Patchi, Al Rawabi, and Almarai – Three ‘most intimate’ brands among UAE consumers

03-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Lebanon’s chocolatier Patchi, UAE’s Al Rawabi Dairy, and Saudi’s Almarai food conglomerate are the top three ‘most intimate’ consumer brands among UAE consumers, according to a survey by brand insights agency MBLM.