News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Indonesia will need to implement more mandatory food fortification in staple foods if the country hopes to address the serious triple malnutrition threat that it currently faces, according to local food industry experts.
There is 'inadequate' intake of calcium in Asia, especially in South Asia and East Asia, based on a new study published in The Lancet that looks at global nutrient intake estimates.
Exclusive data on Japan's functional foods sector has highlighted a growing demand for 'femcare', signalling growth potential in areas such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder and vaginal health.
Singapore-based HaruPlate aims to fill gaps in the better-for-you snacks category, targeting children’s nutrition needs and parents’ pain points through reformulation of existing products and development of fortified treats.
The intake of freeze-dried kale and pea powders both led to improved metabolic profile among Saudi adults with obesity, but the latter was found to be superior for blood glucose control in a cross-over study.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Sleep and mental health have been identified as the top consumer concerns in Asia-Pacific (APAC) amid the cost-of-living crisis, which consequently spell opportunities for innovation and category growth, says a consumer intelligence firm.
Vietnam-based Duy Anh believes its new vermicelli range utilising beans as the key ingredient can help to elevate these to become ingrained as a healthy staple food item.
A new study underscores the ongoing nutrition challenges among Jordanian preschoolers, including persistent issues of vitamin D and iron deficiencies.
Oat drink major Oatly expects continuing demand for plant-based milks as its current generation of consumers mature, and believes that more players entering the market will help boost category growth.
Singapore start-up Flojo has debuted its sparkling drinks formulated with botanical ingredients aimed at supporting cognitive function, strengthening immune system, and improving mood and mental clarity.
Malaysia-based yoghurt brand Sunglo is looking to expand overseas after leading the category in its domestic market for the past 40 years, with South East Asian countries being its main target markets.
The Brooklyn Creamery has launched a range of protein ice cream bars in its domestic market and the UAE, where it is leveraging its partnership with a quick-commerce platform to meet growing consumer demand for protein-rich desserts.
Singapore beverage giants Yeo’s and F&N’s NutriSoy have both launched new fortified soya milk innovations in a bid to tap on surging consumer health trends.
Estonian oat milk brand YOOK is looking to capitalise on the pureness, nutritional value and “superior” taste of its products to break into the Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
German firm Haus Rabenhorst is looking to capitalise on the functional beverages trend with its range of nutrient-enriched juices, amid growing interest among consumers in Asia and Middle East.
Morinaga Milk is slated to roll out several new Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) that target the major health concerns of Japanese consumers and to meet the increasing demand for multifunctional products.
Kao Corporation has entered into an agreement with Kirin Beverage Company Limited for the transfer of Healthya, a functional tea-catechin beverage brand, to focus its resources on other business areas to achieve its targets for FY2027.
Aussie brand Savvy Beverage has called out what it believes is the prevalence of highly priced functional beverages that contain inadequate beneficial ingredients, imploring greater honesty and transparency among companies to advance the emerging category.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS EP 47
The APAC tea sector need to focus on functionality and format innovation and not just increasing blend varieties if it is to enjoy sustained growth, according to Sri Lanka and Europe-based tea specialist English Tea Shop.
Better-for-you beverages fortified with minerals such as calcium need to ensure a smooth mouthfeel and taste to meet rising demand from older consumers in APAC.
Biofortification stands out among traditional fortification methods as a cost-effective and sustainable approach for combatting micronutrient deficiencies (MND), especially in countries with persistent undernutrition and food shortages, say researchers.
After a hugely successful second event in 2023, our Growth Asia Summit returns for 2024 with a new July date and an agenda packed with the latest food, beverage and nutrition growth opportunities.
Fortification has the potential to provide abundant health benefits, endowing products with a higher level of important nutrients than they otherwise would have possessed. However, taste and texture can be affected by it, which can in turn affect...
Chinese consumers’ increasing demands for functional and fortified foods and beverages to support a lifestyle based on ‘punk nutrition’ has opened up massive innovation opportunities for brands across various product categories.
Consumers in the Middle East are increasingly looking for protein-rich products to fulfil various needs, with claims ranging from sports performance to age-related muscle support.
A new cross-sector partnership aims to help millers produce adequately fortified staple foods in eight countries across Asia and Africa to tackle high rates of micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition among these populations.
Food firms need to be increasingly savvy when it comes to meeting growing consumer demands for fortified and reformulated products, in order to remain cost competitive in the current economic environment.
Food and beverage brands that are able to convey microlocal tastes and tap into consumer pride with a strong domestic production chain are best-placed for success in the APAC region, according to Kerry.
Nutritional supplementation taken at the stage of pre-conception by a mother has major potential to improve the long-term health of children, according to results from cross-country research.
New Nestle data has revealed the major micronutrient gaps faced by many toddlers and school-age children in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the important role that fortified foods and beverages can play in addressing these needs.
The food industry giant has developed an enzymatic solution that converts lactose into microbiome-supporting dietary fibers while reducing total sugars at the same time.
There are just three weeks to go until our FREE Healthy Beverage Innovation interactive broadcast - featuring expert insights from Dole, Asahi, Remedy and much more!
The role of governments is crucial to introduce affordable proper nutrition to mass consumers via the fortification of staple foods, particularly in countries with large populations such as India and China.
Higher magnesium intake in daily diet leads to better brain health as people age, according to new research from the Neuroimaging and Brain Lab at The Australian National University (ANU).
Indian functional foods and beverage firm Auric is eyeing expansion in the Middle East with its easy-to-consume products, riding on increasing demand for health products in convenient formats in the region.
Trends and Innovation Opportunities Across the Life Stages
Delegate tickets are now on sale at a special earlybird rate for our Growth Asia Summit 2023, as we also announce a raft of new content themes and high profile keynote speakers from Danone, Nestle, H&H and Dole.
China is considering mandating mass nutritional fortification for various staple foods in order to boost public health and combat nutrient deficiencies.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS PODCAST EP 38
The rise of new ingredients and innovations in the better-for-you confectionery space is shifting candies and other sweet treats into a guilt-free indulgence space, and has to the potential to progress further into the functional foods realm.
South Korean beauty and skincare conglomerate Amorepacific has revealed its ambitions in expanding its healthy ageing supplement portfolio, and is developing threonine-rich new products, following positive findings on the amino acid.
India’s edible oils and food giant B. L. Agro Industries is gearing up for a rapid increase in production as it seeks to cement its position in the domestic market.
Chinese infants consuming milk formulas containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 reported a lower rate of upper respiratory tract infections compared to those who drank formulas containing another probiotic strain, or no probiotics at all,...
Disease outbreaks, such as swine flu affecting pork quality and the COVID-19 pandemic hitting supply chains, have raised the profile of plant-based products among lower-income consumers in Thailand, according to a brand CEO.
Major Australian supermarkets have been urged to refocus their pricing, product and e-commerce strategies to fulfil consumer demands for affordable products and convenient shopping, as inflation rockets.
Food and beverage major CP Foods has identified the strengthening of its water management, food safety standards and healthy product innovation as key strategies to help the company with its business sustainability ambitions.
Chennai-based nutraceutical and food firm Diabliss Consumer Products is developing another 10 herbal water supplements – on top of its five existing products – to tap the lucrative potential of the general wellness market in the country.
Sales of sports nutrition products under the brand SAVAS have remained steady despite price rises and a reduction in product volumes, Meiji has reported in its FY22 Q1 results.
Edible oils giant Sime Darby believes that the future of the oils and fats industry lies in product innovation for the plant-based and wellness sectors, and has upgraded its research and development to provide both industry and consumers with more of...
Conventional red meat is a better source of protein and delivers more essential amino acids than plant-based alternatives, based on results from a New Zealand RCT.
Investing in the alternative protein sector has one of the biggest impacts on decarbonization when assessed in terms of the market value of avoided CO2e emissions per dollar invested in mitigation efforts, claims a new report.
Vitamin A supplementation is helping to reduce deficiency among Afghan children, with researchers recommending that all children aged six to 59 months receive supplements.