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.
Alibaba’s new purchase of a US$3.6bn controlling stake in China hypermarket major Sun Art Retail Group is likely to create a large shift in supplier-distributor dynamics locally – with one analyst predicting it will be brands which may lose out.
India has been keen to position itself as a champion for global food supply and security ever since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out – but new data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO) may indicate it needs to save the poor...
New Zealand ghee manufacturer Milkio Foods is hoping to expand its business in US and Middle East, with the firm saying interest is gathering in pace on the back of keto and paleo diets.
Australian researchers have called out the local food system for being uncoordinated and overly complex in its governance, urging the government to work out a coherent and strategic approach for food-related policy-making.
The uptake and demand for certified sustainable palm oil in major Asian markets is extremely low compared to available supply despite the demand for rigorous sustainability certification processes, and experts are urging local governments to take stricter...
It’s not sharing launch dates, but Impossible Foods is making progress on developing egg alternatives and a milk that “is better than anything that comes from a cow,” company execs told reporters during a call outlining plans to double the size of the...
South Asians have a higher risk for diabetes compared to other ethnic groups, according to the largest prospective study on rice and incident diabetes, covering 21 countries from five continents.
The plant-based industry in India is calling on the Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) to reconsider its recent announcement proposing to ban the use of dairy terms such as ‘milk’ and ‘cheese’ for plant-based products, based on data from...
Japanese firm Fuji Oil Holdings plans to draw up a sustainable soy sourcing policy by mid-2021, having recently joined the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS) earlier in May this year.
Canada’s Parkland County is looking to attract major food and beverage companies from Asia to set up local processing facilities, banking on its location, investor assistance and the many trade agreements that Canada has in place with nearby countries...
A systematic review and meta-analysis involving more than one million participants worldwide found that a higher egg consumption is linked to a reduced probability of stroke among Asian consumers, but not in North America or Europe.
China is expanding the use of traceability technology to high-value, locally-unique varieties of watermelon and rice after completing a successful pilot with the well-known Weixian radish previously.
The Australian food and beverage industry says a new government manufacturing strategy will propel exports, boost jobs and revitalise its stagnant capital investment environment.
Experts have weighed in on the importance of educating consumers on the concept of healthy ageing, and upcoming innovations in ingredients and delivery formats to drive the concept in the rapidly ageing Asia-Pacific region.
The South Korean government has released draft regulations upgrading the recycling symbol requirements for all recyclable food and beverage packaging in the country, based on consumer demand and feedback.
Asia food firms with leading innovations in the areas of low GI and plant-based products are amongst the Top 45 finalists in the FoodBytes! Pitch 2020 competition vying for a US$10,000 prize and global recognition.
China’s well thought out regulatory policies for its hemp and CBD industry have been key to establishing a controlled, and growing, open market for downstream consumer products such as food and cosmetics, according to an expert panel.
Public health researchers have pushed for governments to develop policies and guidelines targeting ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a whole, instead of focusing on individual nutrients such as salt and sugar, based on the findings of a new study report.
The palm oil sector is demanding fair and equal treatment after years of being subjected to ‘unjust’ treatment and criticism, despite ‘doing more for sustainability’ compared to other edible oils in the industry.
Mumbai-based EVO Foods is set to launch its first product in India, a plant-based liquid egg made from legumes by the end of the year with plans to enter the US market next year.
The Philippines-based WTH Foods is looking to expand in Singapore and other South East Asian markets with its range of plant-based meats, but has cited challenges in market testing and production.
Cambodia-based exporter and producer of rice Bayon Cereal is planning to launch three low to mid glycaemic index (GI) products next year, after achieving certification from Australia’s Glycemic Index Foundation (GIF) and being spurred into action after...
Food and beverage firms in India are being encouraged to look to Canada as a potential new major export destination given its Indian population as well as advanced bilateral trade partnership discussions.
Australian Aboriginal group Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) is targeting a premium market for its Ngooka honey based on its anti-microbial and health-promoting properties, which the group’s CEO says is likely comparable with that of manuka honey.
The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has introduced mandatory warning labels and tightened regulations governing ‘high caffeine’ beverages, including coffee and tea products.
