‘Two parts truth, one part lie’: Familiarity drives acceptance of novel foods
Highlighting familiar aspects of novel foods while downplaying their formulation could be key to encouraging consumers to embrace alternative proteins.
Protein
Big news 2024: FoodNavigator-Asia’s Top 10 most-read stories this year
We bring to you our top 10 most viewed stories from the APAC food and beverage sector in 2024, featuring household names like Nestle’s coffee ambitions, India’s spice industry scandal, various regulatory updates throughout the region and more.
2024 Top Trends: This year’s top 10 APAC food and beverage industry trends stories
From alternative protein developments, increased sustainability-focused initiatives, sugar reduction mandates and more, we bring you the top 10 most-read trends stories from the food and beverage industry throughout 2024.
Asia Pacific AgriTech Innovation Summit
Asia can still lead protein transition - product improvement, government support needed
Asia is still set to be the region leading global protein transition away from traditional animal meat production and consumption, but much more work on existing products is still needed in order to see this realised.
This year in alt proteins: The Top 10 APAC alternative protein stories in 2024
We bring you the top 10 most-read alternative protein stories from the APAC food and beverage industry in 2024, featuring cultivated meat challenges, plant-based dairy terms, protein made ‘out of thin air’ and more.
Dairy opportunities in Asia abundant for foreseeable future – expert insights
There is a wealth of opportunities for the dairy sector in Asia to grow and innovate particularly China and South East Asia, say experts.
Plant-based diet, mental health interventions may help improve older adult sleep
There may be a positive correlation between nutrient-rich plant-based diets and improved sleep health among older adults, according to a study by researchers in China.
Asia Pacific Agri-Tech Innovation Summit
Precision fermentation sector needs to be ‘realistic’ in light of fading funds
The precision fermentation sector in Asia Pacific needs to take a more ‘realistic’ approach to operational and infrastructural management with a shift towards collaborative attitudes, in light of funding becoming increasingly scarce.
South Korea launches 19 government-backed reduced-sodium and sugar products
The South Korean government has collaborated with industry to launch 19 reduced-sodium and sugar food and beverage products as it seeks to meet national targets.
Elevate your nutrition knowledge with our biggest ever global broadcast series
Eight free webinars, over 50 experts and one unmissable opportunity to turn nutrition insights into action. It’s FoodNavigator’s global Positive Nutrition event
FNA DEEP DIVE: CULTIVATED MEAT
Luxury or complement? What does the future hold for APAC cultivated meat?
The cultivated meat and seafood sector in APAC has gone through various ups and downs in recent years – but now that the dust has settled, what does the industry truly see as the path forward?
‘Focus is key’: Vital Meat adopts streamlined approach to scale cultivated protein for APAC market
B2B partnerships and a focus on cultivated chicken are Vital Meat’s strategies to scale production and achieve competitive pricing in the APAC market for cultivated protein.
a2 Milk taps on senior nutrition in a move to maximise China’s market potential
The a2 Milk Company is doubling down on its senior nutrition business in China as it explores different ways to maximise the market’s potential.
Cultivated meat must be in sync with religious, cultural beliefs for commercial success
The cultivated meat sector needs to be aligned with not only food safety regulations but also local religious and cultural beliefs in Asia if commercial success is to be achieved in the region.
Whey-derived peptide lowers self-perceived stress levels – Six-week Kirin study
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.
Asian dairy drive: Lactose-free milk innovation could be key for Nordic firms to gain foothold in region – Valio
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.
Local sensibilities: CJ CheilJedang seeks to accelerate expansion in Thailand through new tempeh snack
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.
Plug and play: UMAMI Bioworks targets stability, safety, and customisation to drive cultivated seafood growth in South Korea
UMAMI Bioworks says it will tap into South Korea’s lead in novel foods in its latest collaboration with biotechnology firm KCell Biosciences and bioprocess solutions provider WSG.
Popping peas: Origin Nutrition launches high-protein popped pea chips to target Indian healthy snacking market
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.
Eggy excellence: Eggnovo eyes Asia’s booming beauty-from-within market with low-dose, upcycled eggshell collagen
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.
Dubai-based Linafsi prioritises flavour innovation, sales channel expansion to stand out in competitive healthy snacking market
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.
Snack trends unwrapped: Holistic wellness and protein focus among top innovation drivers across South East Asia
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.
Growth Asia Summit returns for 2025: Take advantage of early bird delegate rate today
Our Growth Asia Summit will return to Singapore in July 2025, for the fourth version of the region’s must-attend food, beverage and nutrition event.
Fermented soybean shown to reduce GERD symptoms and inflammatory markers – 12-week RCT
The supplementation of fermented soybean has been shown to reduce symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), including heartburn, as well as lowering inflammatory markers, based on findings from a 12-week RCT.
Prioritising prevention: Four health conditions helping to drive functional products growth in Asia
Asia consumers’ holistic approach to healthy living is increasingly driving demand for functional products, with sleep, immunity, hydration and gut health trending.
'Nutritious and sustainable': Algae a promising alternative to soy protein for enhancing postprandial satiety and metabolism – latest study
Algae-based proteins are viable and sustainable alternatives to soy in relation to taste and metabolic outcomes, say researchers.
Could links to longevity boost plant-based sales?
The plant-based trend has slowed in recent months, but new research could be set to restore its fortunes.
Halal advancements: Indonesia on the brink of ‘golden opportunity’, but quality and infrastructure focus needed
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.
Co-culturing Bifidobacteria and propionic acid bacteria in soy whey can boost vitamin B12 levels in plant-based products
Fortifying soy whey with selected strains of Bifidobacteria and propionic acid bacteria can increase vitamin B12 levels in plant-based products, according to an academic from the National University of Singapore.
New territories: CJ CheilJedang extending footprint in Oceania, Europe propelled by bibigo’s sales spike
South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang is accelerating the expansion of its Oceania and European business led by its “bibigo K-food strategy”, following a surge in sales and positive consumer reception.
Perception problems: Plant-based innovation in Asia needs to find right format to strengthen health benefits correlation – expert panel
Plant-based product manufacturers still targeting the Asian market need to identify the right product formats that can strengthen the category’s correlation with health benefits, or risk further industry slowdown, experts claim.
Volume-led growth: Agthia doubles down on product innovation and protein production investments
Middle East food and beverage giant Agthia has reaped the rewards of solid investments into new product innovation with significant volume-led growth in the first half of 2024, and hopes to further boost this with its newly opened protein facility.
Garden of growth: Nongshim plant-based brand Veggie Garden maintains optimism for sector’s ASEAN future
South Korean food giant Nongshim remains optimistic for the prospects of its plant-based meat alternative brand Veggie Garden, believing that the sector still has a bright future in the South East Asian region and especially Thailand.
Record profits: Baladna to double down on new product innovation and international projects after 137% growth
Qatari dairy firm Baladna has announced plans to double down on its new product innovation and international market expansion strategy, particularly in Algeria, after seeing a record growth in net profits over the first six months of 2024.
Canned conquests: Thai Union sees growth bolstered by rising tuna prices and ambient product business
Thai seafood giant Thai Union has highlighted its ambient product business as the main sales growth booster for the company in the first half of 2024, further supplemented by rising tuna prices and its rapidly-growing value-added product category.
China’s dual carbon goals: Knowing benefits of plant-based diets ‘not enough’ to convince people to eat less meat
Informing consumers of the benefits of plant-based diets is ‘not enough’ to convince them to reduce meat intake, but rather need to be supported by factors like lifestyle habits and nutritional concerns, according to a recent report.
Supplementation of freeze-dried pea more effective than kale for glycaemic control – Saudi study
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.
Expediting exports: South Korea eyes larger share of EU antimicrobial animal-based products market
South Korea believes that its inclusion in the European Union’s list of antimicrobial-compliant markets will give it a leg up in securing a larger share of the animal-based products market as well as future trade negotiations.
Shiny Meadow launches fresh milk with higher protein and calcium content to fulfil consumer demand in Hong Kong
Chinese dairy brand Shiny Meadow has launched an upgraded version of its fresh milk product, which contains higher protein and calcium content, to meet evolving consumer needs.
Cereal obsession: Vietnam’s Duy Anh looks to reposition beans as healthy staple ingredient with new vermicelli range
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.
‘Deliberately different’: Vow targets Singapore’s premium consumers to boost awareness and acceptance of cell-cultured meat
Sydney-based firm Vow is targeting premium consumers in Singapore through the launch of its cell-cultured meat at high-end restaurants, which it says is the first step towards wider acceptance and adoption of such products.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS EP 51
‘Not all protein is made the same’: Mamame touts nutritional benefits of black-eyed beans to boost healthy snacking
Tempeh chips brand Mamame has highlighted the multiple nutritional benefits of black-eyed beans as a key factor behind its success in the APAC healthy snacking sector, fuelling its upcoming growth into the UK and US markets as well.
No ‘new’ bugs: Singapore Food Agency emphasises food safety and labelling transparency in new Insect Regulatory Framework
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has emphasised that its recent announcement to allow insect imports for human consumption is underscored by food safety and transparent labelling regulatory requirements to ensure smooth integration of this nascent sector.
Growth Asia Summit 2024 'big bets’: Amway highlights preventive health, plant protein and community building as key strategic focus areas
Amway is focusing its resources on several key categories, including gut health and anti-ageing, based on major trends that it has observed and believes possess immense potential for growth.
South Korean cultivated meat: Food safety and public health to be top priority in upcoming new regulations
The South Korean food authorities have highlighted that public health and potential food safety concerns will be its top priorities when developing the upcoming regulations to govern cultivated meat in the country.
Hard cell? Expert opinions clash over GOOD Meat’s 3% cultivated chicken launch in Singapore
Cultivated meat brand GOOD Meat’s recent retail launch of a new chicken product in Singapore has divided experts across the food industry as to whether this is a step forward for the sector or simply a means to cut costs amidst the firm’s financial...
A long way to go? A Japanese expert’s take on game changers needed for local consumers to adopt plant-based diet
A 'game-changing phenomenon' needs to take place before plant-based could become a strong trend in Japan, according to an industry expert pioneering meat alternatives in the country.
Animal alerts: South Korea tightens food safety requirements for animal-based food product imports
The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is implementing stricter food safety requirements when importing animal-based products into the country.
Novel foods and GM products enter Singapore regulatory spotlight to ‘formalise responsibility’
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is seeking public comment on draft regulations for the newly-coined ‘defined foods’ category, which will cover novel foods, genetically modified foods and insect-related foods.
‘Trash meat’ outcry: China regulators consider ready-to-cook foods regulation amid public furore
China regulators are considering subjecting the local ready-to-cook (RTC) foods category to additional mandatory standards and regulations in response to general public concerns over the food safety and quality.