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.
Reformulation
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.
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Advancing acceptability: Ajinomoto highlights Indonesia’s urgent sodium reduction needs
Ajinomoto believes that Indonesian consumers are in more urgent need of sodium reduction solutions due to local consumption habits as well as the heavy use of salt in local cuisine.
Healthier horizons: Sugar reduction and allergen aversion amongst major APAC demands in functional beverage sector
The Asia Pacific functional beverage industry is increasingly seeing consumer demands for sugar reduction, label transparency and allergen aversion becoming commonplace.
Not so straightforward: Singapore food industry voices concerns over cost, efficacy of extending Nutri-Grade system to sodium and fats
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.
Japanese researchers develop nutrient profiling model to spur healthier food options
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.
Enhancing enjoyment: Hanamaruki looks to tap sodium reduction and affordability demands in ASEAN with new koji powder
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.
Peranakan delights: Health, heritage, and convenience sell – O’nya
Health, heritage, and convenience are increasingly important to consumers, says Singapore’s food start-up O’nya as it plans strategic expansion with authentic peranakan pastes.
OATSIDE’s rapid growth in Asia fuelled by 'comprehensive marketing strategy' and targeted flavour innovation
Singapore-headquartered OATSIDE attributes its meteoric rise in Asia to a marketing strategy encompassing targeted campaigns and strategic partnerships, and constant innovation of flavours to satisfy myriad consumer preferences.
Bottoms up: Japan’s Umami Cola looks to upend category with botanical-rich, koji-sweetened beverage
Japan-based Umami Cola is aiming to turn the category on its head with a new botanical-rich, koji-sweetened formulation and an inverted caN design.
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.
Sweet significance: Sugar reduction not major priority for energy drink consumers in ASEAN CLMV markets – Growth Asia Summit 2024
Thai natural energy drink brand Hippo Energy Drink has revealed that sugar reduction in beverages is not a major priority for most consumers in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) markets despite an ongoing trend for this in the rest of the...
Driving transformation: PepsiCo expands healthy portfolio, ramps up innovations to meet global nutrition needs
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo says it is continuously improving the nutrient density of products and expanding its better-for-you portfolio based on a strategy that it says is aligned with both global and local dietary guidelines.
Instant gratification: Lúave’s Vietnamese boba milk tea to launch in Singapore with healthier ready-to-drink options
Vietnamese brand Lúave is aiming to launch its instant boba milk tea across Asia, starting with low fat, low sugar options in Singapore.
Xylitol and sorbitol can help prevent tooth decay among children – latest findings
Sugar substitutes xylitol and sorbitol can help prevent dental caries among children and adolescents, according to a new review of clinical trials.
SAMBAZON eyes growth opportunities for açaí products in Middle East
US-based SAMBAZON is looking to expand uptake of açaí products in the Middle East, where the firm says awareness about the superfruit still has much room for growth.
APAC consumers increasingly seeking rich flavours, visual appeal and bite-sized formats in chocolate, cakes and confectionery – Cargill
An increasing number of consumers in Asia-Pacific desire an all-round experience when it comes to chocolate and confectionery, including rich flavours like caramel, visually appealing products, and “healthy indulgent” formats, says Cargill.
Fat for fitness: Smaller packs and keto options driving nut butter popularity in Asia
New Zealand nut butter specialist Forty Thieves believes that its flexibility in providing smaller packaging options as well as a dedicated keto range is driving growth across the region.
Sugar overload: Thai students exceeding WHO limits, researchers warn of chronic health issues
A majority of Thai students are consuming more added sugar than is recommended by the WHO, but researchers did not find a link with increased BMI.
Evolving with the times: Singapore’s Gold Kili ventures into new coffee product format and healthier beverages
Singapore-based Gold Kili has launched a new product format for its coffee range and expanded into the thriving healthier beverage category, as part of the firm’s growth strategy.
FNA DEEP DIVE: NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Beverage elevation: Kirin, Yili, Yeo’s and more APAC leaders weigh in on functionality, convenience as key drivers
Major brands from Kirin to Yili believe that there is an increasing need for the APAC beverage sector to innovate with added functional and convenience benefits for consumers, especially in a time when the industry is seen as increasingly costly.
Childhood obesity linked to high soda and milk consumption but not juice – Kuwait study
A Kuwait study found that children who consumed a lot of soda and milk had higher obesity risk than those who consumed high amounts of juice.
Clean power: Nightwatch energy drink highlights all-natural ingredients for ‘new generation’ of plant-based consumers
Dutch brand Nightwatch is aiming to ride the plant-based wave in Asia by launching an all-natural, and caffeine-free energy drink for ethically-minded consumers.
Sugar tax support in Australia: Messaging needs to go beyond ‘concerns over practices in the food industry’ – Study
Targeted messaging based on personal characteristics and demographics might have more success in garnering support for controversial sugar taxes than focusing on the impact to the food industry, claim researchers in Australia. Several countries in...
Fruity feature: Supplements firm Sainhall taps convenience and wellness trends to make healthy snacking comeback
Singaporean supplements firm Sainhall is making a comeback venture into the healthy snacking category with its DeeFruit fruit snacks range, looking to tap on the rising demands for convenience and wellness in the region.
Access advantages: Distribution gains driving China dairy growth but reduced sugar products remain crucial
China dairy giant Yili believes that cold chain advances and new distribution models have transformed the sector in the country, but advises that reduced sugar products are ‘basic but crucial’ to maintain growth
Nutri-Grade in China: Shanghai launches traffic light labelling pilot for sugar-sweetened beverages
The local government of Shanghai, China has launched a pilot traffic light labelling scheme for sugar-sweetened beverages, with grades to be implemented based on not only sugar but also saturated and trans-fat content.
Not-so-sweet baby: Philippines congress could ban added sugar in foods for young children
Members of the Philippines government are calling for regulations that would officially ban manufacturers from using added sugar as an ingredient in foods for young children aged three and below.
Dessert dive: India’s Epigamia bets on rising local demand for individuality to launch new single-serve RTE range
Indian dairy brand Epigamia believes that its new single-serve, ready-to-eat (RTE) desserts range will tap on rising local consumer demand for choice and individual preferences when it comes to sweet treats.
ADHD and sugary drinks: New study suggests higher risk of symptoms among Thai students
Students who consume beverages with over 25 grams of added sugar daily face a 1.8 times higher risk of exhibiting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms compared to those with lower consumption, according to a new study from Chiang Mai...
‘Added sugar’ definition: FSANZ agrees to industry requests for longer transition, rejects low-energy sugar exclusions
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has formally gazetted the definition of ‘added sugars’ to be used as part of its upcoming ‘no added sugars’ labelling policy, and has allowed for a longer transition time based on proposals from the food and...
Change drivers 2024: Five top trends set to shape the APAC food industry this year
We take a closer look at five of the top trends that look set to shape the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry in 2024, from the newly-emerged ‘premium affordability’ to the evolution of plant-based protein, the rise of RTD beverages and more.
AI in chocolates: ‘Imported’ flavours gaining traction in APAC on the back of growing demand for indulgence and adventure
‘Imported’ flavours that are traditionally more western in origin have been rapidly gaining popularity in the APAC chocolate sector because consumers associate these with indulgence and adventure.
Caffeine crack down: Researchers call for UAE policy action over school children energy drink consumption
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are urging policymakers to crack down on caffeinated energy drink consumption among school children, despite only 2% of those surveyed consuming them on a daily basis.
Sugarless Sweet: New liquid sweetener brand Zerup can help more beverages go zero-sugar in compliance with Singapore Nutri-Grade
New liquid sweetener brand Zerup believes its products will open new avenues for more beverages in Singapore to go zero-sugar with no compromise on taste, helping firms to comply with the local Nutri-Grade requirements more easily.
‘Aggressive measures’: Kirin outlines plans for beer and sugar-free product innovation amid profits slump
Beverage heavyweight Kirin Holdings has outlined plans to implement ‘aggressive measures’ across beer and sugar-free innovation, to recover from the negative impact of cost increases.
Level up: Singapore’s Gryphon Tea Company reformulates RTD teas to meet better-for-you demand, raises Nutri-grade rating
Singapore-based Gryphon Tea Company has updated its cold-brewed tea range with “no added sugar” formulations, which the firm says has helped it keep up with the better-for-you trend and reach out to a bigger pool of health-conscious consumers.
‘Prioritising indulgence’: Cargill-owned Aalst Chocolate investing in consumer-driven innovation to solidify market position
Cargill-owned Aalst Chocolate is putting “substantial investment” into insights-driven R&D, customised products, and strengthening of its bean-to-bar supply chain to push growth in Asia and beyond.
Going nuts for nuts: Singapore start-up hopes to carve out a niche with premium, customisable nut butters
Singapore-based start-up Noce Nuts says that consumers are willing to pay a premium for nut butters that are customised to their preferred taste and texture, including reduced sugar and salt options.
Thai UPF warning: Products routinely exceed fat, sugar, salt RDIs – new data
New data from Thailand claims almost all ultra-processed food (UPF) products exceed the recommended daily amount of sodium and lack essential nutrients and minerals.
Innovation challenge: How can firms meet reformulation and fortification demands while remaining cost competitive?
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.
The ‘and’ consumer: Affordable nutrition trend gains further traction in APAC amidst dairy and RTE category growth
Asia Pacific consumers are increasingly demanding a combination of affordability, health and tastiness when making their food and beverage purchasing decisions, driving the rise of what is known as the ‘and’ consumer.
FNA InnovATE: ENERGY DRINKS
Bull fighters: How Thailand’s Hippo Energy Drink is taking on the big-name competition
Thailand-based Hippo Energy Drink believes that its combination of health, natural ingredients and low sugar offerings can help it build on its initial success in South East Asia and take on major brand competitors in the category.
User-friendly guidelines: Opportunity for industry to help Indonesian consumers fulfil breakfast needs
Further research is needed to translate nutrient-based breakfast guidelines into more user-friendly, food-based recommendations that consumers can easily understand and implement in their daily lives, says a study conducted in Indonesia.
Philippines sugar tax: ‘Watered-down’ policy will lead to fewer health gains – new data
The sugar tax as implemented in the Philippines will lead to health and economic improvements, but to a lesser extent that if it had been enacted in its original form, new data suggests.
Growth Asia Summit 2023
‘It’s not too late’: Singapore Chinese Health Study lead investigator reveals protective impacts of diet on cognition
Data from the large-scale Singapore Chinese Health Study has shown that all consumers can reduce their risk of later cognitive impairment by switching to a healthier diet at any age, as revealed by the study’s principal investigator at the recent Growth...
India iced tea innovation: Shark Tank-backed Beyond Water launches first RTD products with strong health focus
India’s Beyond Water has launched its first ready-to-drink (RTD) iced tea in India, tapping on high-quality tea sourcing and consumers demand for healthier beverages.
Hydration and hemp: Kommunity Brew sees innovation potential in Australia’s healthy beverage space
Australia’s Kommunity Brew believes that hemp has the potential to feature more widely in its NPD and innovation strategies, amidst the addition of more local acquisitions to its healthier beverage portfolio.
FIT-ter KIDS: Fortified products key to addressing APAC micronutrient gaps – Nestle at Growth Asia Summit
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.