News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Recent research findings by Euromonitor International highlight the prominence of probiotic and botanical ingredients in packaged foods in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which also underscores innovation opportunities for wider application and variation.
A study has found that increased dietary intake of magnesium and fibre is associated with reduced likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Kuwaiti women, underscoring the need to encourage diets rich in these nutrients.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Supplements for sleep support are moving beyond melatonin or GABA pills designed for the general population, as companies place greater attention on insomnia and menopause, and designing non-pill products, such as meal replacement powders.
The supplementation of a whey-derived peptide has been shown to lower self-perceived levels of stress among middle-aged adults, according to a six-week study conducted by Kirin Holdings.
Finnish dairy co-operative Valio believes a focus on lactose-free milk innovation with an identical taste profile to regular dairy is the way to gain more prominent recognition within the Asian dairy market.
South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang has launched a range of tempeh chips pandering to local consumer preferences in Thailand, with the aim of spurring its growth in the market.
Chinese firms are looking beyond common plant-based ingredients such as soybeans and oats to develop their own take on the alternative proteins sector, based on much deeper traditional and cultural heritage.
Pristine Pearl Pharma and Dutch Medical Food B.V. have formed a strategic collaboration to bring personalised medical nutrition products to India, targeting the issue of disease-related malnutrition.
Meiji is launching a new product under its WELLCACAO range, which is made with the company’s proprietary cacao-based ingredient that claims to be less bitter and better retain nutrients such as polyphenols.
India-based Origin Nutrition has launched a range of high-protein, compression-popped pea-based chips in a bid to target the slow-but-sure local healthy snacking market.
Singapore’s move to extend the Nutri-Grade labelling and advertising prohibitions to key contributors of sodium and saturated fat will likely be ‘effective’, according to industry experts.
A̅repa is conducting further research on how a novel molecule discovered from New Zealand blackcurrants, which it has also patented, could benefit mood and cognition in healthy populations.
Thai Wah plans to launch its instant noodles and baking premixes in the retail space, tapping its decades-long experience in supplying starch and noodles to manufacturers.
South Korean kimchi-focused company Narichan has launched a new ready-to-drink (RTD) kimchi drink in a bid to move beyond the traditional concepts of the product and consumption boost exports.
Spain-based Eggnovo has set its sights on the beauty-from within and joint health markets in Asia, believing that its collagen upcycled from eggshells can provide consumers with a versatile option that is required in much lower doses than regular collagen.
South Korea is looking to improve the Children’s Diet Safety Index in its rural areas, after seeing poorer results compared to urban cities and the national average.
Our Microbiome Innovations APAC editorial webinar will take place on Tuesday (November 5), 3pm Singapore time, and registration is FREE.
Taking 1,500mg of curcumin daily for 12 months has been shown to improve insulin, fasting blood glucose levels and body mass, based on a clinical study conducted in Thailand.
Cargill is building on its decades-long experience in infant nutrition and know-how on flavours to grow its specialised nutrition business, a focus area for the company’s next stage of development.
South Korean firm Ildong Bioscience says that raising consumer awareness and the entry of more players may be crucial for pushing the growth of postbiotics in the local market.
The Asia Pacific functional beverage industry is increasingly seeing consumer demands for sugar reduction, label transparency and allergen aversion becoming commonplace.
A recent study has found water-soluble tomato concentrate (WSTC) to have a significant impact on blood pressure regulation, which could contribute to the development of novel dietary approaches for protecting heart health.
Taiwan-based Han-Sient believes it has struck gold with its patented technology to produce guava leaf extract for blood sugar control and fat-burning, eyeing the diabetic and weight loss markets in South East Asia as its next major expansion step.
The Singapore food industry has voiced several concerns over government plans to extend the Nutri-Grade traffic light nutritional labelling system to sodium and fats.
The New Zealand government will introduce a new bill specifically to regulate natural products in the country, but no decisions have been taken on the scope or approach to be adopted, officials have announced.
FNA TRAILBLAZERS EP 53
Australia’s Tummy Buddies believes that healthier product innovation for children needs to focus on bright colours and visual appeal in order to secure that crucial first purchase.
China may allow health foods in the form of chocolates, candies, jellies, and beverages to go through the official health foods filing process.
A synbiotic yoghurt could help reduce oxidative stress in adults with metabolic syndrome, according to a new RCT.
Dubai-based healthy snack brand Linafsi is adopting several strategies to overcome stiff competition, including flavour innovation and localisation, exploring new product formats, and expanding sales channels.
Swisse is seeking to pioneer Australia’s nootropics consumption with the launch of three new SKUs designed for focus, memory, and stress management.
Leading industry experts from Life-Space Group, Swisse Wellness, and the International Probiotics Association (IPA) and more will be presenting insights on the latest developments and research findings surrounding the microbiome sector in APAC in our...
Australian supplements exports to China are forecast to exceed US$1bn for the first time this year, with the key Asian market set to continue to account for a staggering three-quarters of all products shipped overseas.
The protein and premium snack segments are seeing annual growth rates of more than 50%, and holistic wellness remains the biggest driver of innovation, according to a market intelligence report.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Microbial alternative proteins such as those made from yeast need to expand into trending product formats in order to secure the awareness and acceptance of a larger consumer group.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
South Korea’s Natural Good Things (NGT) is eyeing an expansion across Asia with its Active Enzyme sticks after successfully making a name for itself in the domestic women’s beauty and wellness market.
Vietnamese firm Vinh Hoan aims to appeal to children and the elderly who dislike eating fish with its surimi-wrapped dumplings, which are part of its product portfolio targeting the needs of time-strapped consumers.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024
Winner of the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 prize for Healthy Ageing Kaneka Corporation believes that it is crucial to raise the awareness of ubiquinol amongst Asian consumers to promote effective healthy ageing.
Beverage brands in Southeast Asia are finding growth opportunities in enhanced hydration drinks, catering to consumers across a variety of lifestyle needs, according to market intelligence firm Mintel.
A group of Japanese researchers have developed a nutrient profiling model (NPM) adapted to the local food culture and health policies, in the hope of establishing an official system to promote healthier product formulation and better food choices.
Mumbai-based ProV Foods has introduced range of premium chocolate-coated almonds, setting the stage for a bigger portfolio expansion focusing on “balanced indulgence”.
The Indonesian government has proposed new regulations that would mandate the use of its upcoming Nutri-Level front-of-pack traffic light labelling system for food products considered high in sugar, salt and fat.
Indonesian flavour extracts and essential oils firm Sima Arome is ramping up its plant-based offerings to tap into growing demand for functional products in Asia.
The supplementation of fermented gold kiwi has been shown to reduce the severity of self-reported gut discomfort, including abdominal pain and heartburn, according to an eight-week trial conducted in South Korea.
Asia consumers’ holistic approach to healthy living is increasingly driving demand for functional products, with sleep, immunity, hydration and gut health trending.
South Korean firm Clio has debuted its ingestible beauty brand, TRUE RX, in drugstores across Japan, underlining its expansion endeavours in this market beyond the cosmetics sector.
Japan-based Hanamaruki believes that its newly launched flavour-enhancing koji powder is in a prime position to cater to product innovation in South East Asia that fulfils both sodium reduction and affordability requirements.
Plant-based cheese brand Swees has launched what it claims to be the world’s first vegan rice-based cheese stick product with support from the Thai government, believing this will help it to gain a stronger standing in the snacking category.
Consuming fresh tomato, or Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., could lessen the impact of metabolic syndrome among overweight postmenopausal women, according to an RCT.
The plant-based trend has slowed in recent months, but new research could be set to restore its fortunes.
Indonesia will be able to capitalise on a ‘golden opportunity’ with its halal food products industry as long as it improves product quality, safety and infrastructure, according to a leading halal certification official.