The implementation of a salt tax in Thailand is still expected to take place sometime in 2021, and this may have cost implications for food manufacturers whose reformulation efforts have not yet caught up, according to a local food industry expert.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating interest in functional foods and could prove to be a boon for flavour firms which can help mask undesirable taste profiles.
From plant-based and cell-based regulations to policies governing alcohol, organic foods and sugar reduction, we bring you eight of the top regulatory updates that the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry can expect in 2021.
We take a look at the six top trends that will have massive impact on the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry’s development in 2021, from alternative protein trends to post-COVID-19 changes, emerging category developments in some of the region’s biggest...
The government of Thailand has ambitious plans to digitize the nation’s food and agricultural industry and is starting with a national tracebility system dubbed TraceThai, which will first focus on tracking organic foods, the Ministry of Commerce told...
Singapore halal authority MUIS has highlighted several guidelines for food firms to heed in order to smoothen their product export process - including prioritising consistency and labelling - as it encourages the local industry to tap into the trillion-dollar...
The Singapore-based research team which discovered that plastic has a potentially lower environmental footprint than cotton and paper bags has confirmed that this discovery can also be applied to the plastic food packaging used by the majority of food...
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.
Experts predict that the incoming United States administration of President-elect Joe Biden will mean positive news for the food and beverage industry in the Asia Pacific region, especially when it comes to food-related investments and repairing trade...
We reveal the top 10 most viewed brands stories from the APAC food and beverage industry in 2020, featuring big brand names like Mondelez, Nestle and Heineken as well as up-and-coming brands like cell-based milk firm Turtletree Labs.
Nestle’s new time-bound sustainability plan will see well-known brands in the Asia Pacific region such as Harvest Gourmet and Nespresso pledge to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’, in addition to pushing regenerative agriculture and operational efficiencies.
Japan is looking to boost the exports and guarantee the food safety of one of its most iconic foods, the fermented soybean product natto, by working with the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) to develop regional standards to govern its production in...
New research has criticised the rapid rise in ultra-processed food consumption in Asia over public health concerns, urging total avoidance of these foods, but others are urging further research into the area in the name of food security before such an...
Arista Cereal Technologies has set its sights on Japan as the next big market for foods made from its special low-GI, naturally prebiotic-containing wheat, particularly in popular local items such as ramen.
A new study has pushed for rice fortified with zinc to be made a priority in South Asian countries such as India, but the Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has classified this as a ‘curative’ measure that is being addressed by other national...
The political and price sensitivities surrounding the rice market in Asia have declined massively over the past decade, and experts say this is giving food and beverage firms more freedom when it comes to ingredient sourcing.
More studies are emerging of food products as a potential carrier for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing COVID-19, according to new review of the research, but there is no evidence of it leading to transmissions.
Early warnings of Yemen potentially facing the world’s first famine in the next decade, and Lebanon and Syria experiencing deterioration of their food insecurity situation, have been revealed in a report by FAO and WFP.
F&B firms and governments in Asia will need to step up and provide more reassurance regarding food product safety and supply chain transparency to local consumers, as recent studies have revealed a vast lack of confidence in several parts of the region.
Singapore-based WhatIF Foods is gearing up for the official launch of its Bambara groundnut plant-based milks next year as it works to increase production closer to home in the South East Asian region.
Commercialisation of smart and active packaging is failing to fulfil its potential in the food and beverage sector, largely limited by regulations, cost, safety and accuracy issues.
Australian packaging experts say the food industry needs to tread a fine line between meeting recyclable packaging goals while at the same time preventing a spike in food waste.
A new report commissioned by the United Nations (UN) has urged the Indonesian government to increase its focus on food diversity and nutrient fortification within the local food supply to combat rising nutrition-related issues such as obesity and anaemia.
New US-Singapore tech that utilises silk proteins to preserve food and extend shelf-life is moving into the commercialization space with high-value products including fresh fruit and meat.
The New Zealand government’s announcement of a market study into the supermarkets industry to review areas such as competition, product pricing and procurement has been warmly welcomed by the local food industry.
Around half of all supermarkets in Japan have plans to increase their range of processed and prepared food products, followed by fresh fruits and vegetables and meat, according to recent reports.
Palm oil demand and consumption in the Chinese food sector is expected to see significant growth next year as the government clamps down on the use of genetically modified (GM) products which are especially common in the soybean area.
The New Zealand food and grocery industry is calling for the creation of a Grocery Code of Conduct to ensure that a balance is maintained between retailers and suppliers, especially after an ‘aggressive’ buying model change by major retailer Foodstuffs.
The palm oil industry in Malaysia needs to make direct and comprehensive engagement – beyond relying on diplomatic relations - with the United States to overcome the recent ban of FGV palm oil over forced labour accusations, according to a trade expert.
A new Australian study has revealed that different types of whole grains have particular benefits for lowering different areas of heart disease risk – but refined grains are also still recommended as part of a balanced diet.
Nation’s need to better secure local and regional food production, especially in light of the Covid-19-related supply chain disruptions, if they are going to tap into the booming halal opportunities in the Middle East and Asia.
Japan will end the flexible enforcement of food labelling regulations that were implemented after the country was hit by torrential storms leading to a series of floods and landslides back in July.
Indonesia’s highly controversial omnibus law will impact the local food and beverage industry in a raft of ways, including potentially creating better access to food ingredient imports and streamlining business licensing requirements.
Opinions are divided in India over the use of GMO foods to augment the local food system, with some experts renewing calls to approve its usage to help reduce food costs and environmental pollution, but others urging caution as the ‘scientific concerns’...
Tate & Lyle is expanding its tapioca starch production capacity in Thailand in response to increasing demand for products that are both clean label and non-GMO within the Asia Pacific region.
Peru is hoping to boost sales of its ‘immunity-boosting’ superfoods in Singapore after launching a promotional drive, spearheaded by Promperú, the tourism board for Peru under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
South Korea has established CBD content limits for hemp foods in the country, as well as established meal kits as an individual new food category under regulatory governance after consumer demand for these soared during COVID-19.
The Indian government’s approval of 27 new projects to improve local cold chain infrastructure has met with fervent approval from the local food and retail industry, which believes this will help to both boost the export potential of the local agri-food...
A new World Economic Forum (WEF) report commissioned for the Chinese government’s research and policy arm has urged the country to employ green technologies to tackle its local food safety, food waste and environmental challenges – but also warned that...
Indian premium soft oils firm Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils believes that consumer demand for healthier food options as well as the current COVID-19 lockdowns are responsible for the growing demand for soft cooking oils such as sunflower and soybean in...
Canadian food manufacturer Top Tier Foods’ recent announcement that it had successfully created a plant-based wagyu has divided opinion among the food industry in Japan, ranging from interest to outrage.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a list of nutrient function claims for edible vegetable oils – a move which a leading expert believes will create more growth opportunities for the nutra industry.
Australia’s food industry has cautioned regulators not to impose new rules for Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for food products, with the nation’s trade body citing cost and compliance concerns from its members.
China is planning to revise safety standards governing multiple processed foods and nutritional ingredients in its latest initiative to battle food contamination and adulteration in the country.
The South Korean government is planning to develop the local edible insect sector with a series of plans as part of its newly-unveiled 2021 Insect Industry Promotion Support Project, which will cover support for both industrialisation and business advancement.
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) will be focusing on wagyu and rice as two of the major export items to boost via a newly-announced bureau that is expected to be set up next year.