Animal-plant mince key to revive APAC alt-protein push: NECTAR study
Blended chicken-plant mince has outperformed real meat in APAC taste tests, though gaps remain across the category in flavour, appearance and compositional balance
Formulation
Gen Z habits shift energy drinks towards flavour and drinkability
Gen Zs are leaning into lighter, natural flavours to support lifestyle habits, from prolonged screen time to gaming and studying
Tetra Pak urges rapid food innovation to ease supply chain strain
With food supply chains under strain and consumer demands intensifying worldwide, Tetra Pak calls for faster innovation to keep companies competitive
Alc-free growth: Free AF ramps up US plans with Whole Foods, Kroger launch
New Zealand alcohol-free cocktail brand has set its sights on driving rapid retail expansion in the US, tapping its proprietary botanical tech to offer innovative drinks to the market
Vanity-led demand: Vitagen taps female audience with beauty-focused drinks
The probiotic cultured milk brand refocuses on gut health and collagen, riding on the beauty food revolution that has swept across food and wellness categories in Asia
Localised and functional: Asia energy drinks tap health demand
Energy drinks in Asia are evolving beyond caffeine as consumers seek added health benefits, opening opportunities for functional, better-for-you innovation
聚焦中国：中国品牌吸引力、食品运输规范收紧、心理健康趋势等
本期探讨中国食品品牌日益增长的吸引力、食用油、酒精和糖浆的运输规范趋严、心理健康趋势等内容。
更健康的选择：主要功能性配料、海藻糖和 SmartMilk
本期“更健康的选择”特别介绍了主要功能性配料、海藻糖和 SmartMilk
Why upcycled ingredients struggle to scale in Asia Pacific
Despite growing interest, high costs, complex supply chains and uneven demand continue to limit large-scale adoption of upcycled ingredients across Asia Pacific
Is Asia the next GLP‑1 boom market and what it means for F&B?
After a slow start, Asia’s GLP‑1 weight‑loss market is poised for explosive growth as China and India tackle obesity and food and drink brands race to become essential GLP‑1 companions
SmartMilk: The creation of a new functional milk category
New Zealand firm Lullaa has developed SmartMilk, a functional dairy drink combining botanicals, synbiotics and collagen for everyday health and beauty support
Why familiarity drives texture acceptance in food and drink
Consumers are more receptive to new food and drink products when textures reflect familiar eating experiences
Gulfood 2026
Hunter Foods’ spicy chips bring extra heat to Middle East chilli lovers
Snacking giant Hunter Foods has launched a range of new snacks meant for ‘true chilli lovers’ in the Middle East, bringing more bold heat and flavour to the region
From trash to toast: How sunflower oil waste could become bread’s next health upgrade
Research into sunflower oil byproducts suggests an overlooked ingredient could help bakers lift protein and fiber levels while supporting sustainability goals and easing pressure on wheat-based formulations
How to turn whey into high-performance ingredients
Modern membrane filtration technologies are transforming whey processing into high-value ingredients while improving efficiency and sustainability
Functional drinks hold mass market appeal – but there’s work to do
Functional beverages are popular with wellness enthusiasts: but how wide is their appeal?
Ingredients Compendium No 2: Trehalose
The little-known functional sugar gaining ground across food categories
As manufacturers grapple with sugar reduction, texture loss and longer shelf-life demands, trehalose is emerging as a functional ingredient to watch in 2026
What’s at stake for Danone in 2026?
From maintaining growth in protein and specialized nutrition to propping up plant-based and creamers, here’s what Danone must focus on
Cocoa costs and climate risks: What drives new Barry Callebaut AI hub
Barry Callebaut’s new Global Innovation Center in Singapore combines cacao coatings expertise and AI to address rising cocoa costs and climate pressures
Ginger syrup taps food-as-medicine trend to expand Europe, Asia appeal
An Okinawa-based ginger syrup firm is expanding into Europe and Asia, betting on rising demand for traditional food-as-medicine solutions linked to health and beauty
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
Alt protein spotlight: Our Top 10 Alternative Protein stories from the past year
We reveal the top 10 most popular alt protein stories from this year, from leaf-powered protein to cultivated seafood and more
Why salt reduction is getting harder for food makers
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Calbee, NielsenIQ, PepsiCo to present this July
Calbee, NielsenIQ and PepsiCo are some of the biggest names giving keynote presentations at this year’s Growth Asia Summit.
UAE government survey flags high salt, low vitamin D in local diets
New UAE data has shown excess salt consumption and poor vitamin D levels, findings set to guide national reformulation and health initiatives
Nippon focus: Our Top 10 Japan stories from the previous year
Here are our top 10 most popular stories from the Land of the Rising Sun, including big brand innovations, regulatory changes, regional food trade initiatives, and more
PepsiCo doubles down on zero-sugar push with Disney cans in China
Pepsico launches zero-sugar beverages in limited edition Zootopia cans across China, after claiming victory over zero-sugar Coke in the 2025 Pepsi Challenge
A bakery & snacks survival guide for 2026
10 texture trends that will define bakery & snacks in 2026
Crunch isn’t enough anymore. In 2026, texture becomes the main event, not the supporting act
ANZ focus: Our Top 10 ANZ stories from 2025
Here are our top 10 ANZ stories this year, with a spotlight on healthier and sustainable innovations, alternative proteins, regulatory updates, and more
As cocoa chaos continues, Kokomodo finds its moment
Why ‘climate-proof’ cacao start-up Kokomodo is hedging its bets on an increasingly stronger future for cell cultured cocoa
Start-up spotlight: Our Top 10 Start-up stories in 2025
Here are our top 10 start-up stories of 2025, spanning innovations from mood-boosting candies and bean-free coffee to cultivated seafood and novel protein ingredients
Top 10 Healthier Innovation stories in 2025
We reveal the top 10 healthier innovation stories of 2025, spanning functional ingredients, product reformulation, sugar and sodium reduction, and the growing focus on preventative health
Fat reduction, fatigue, gut health: Japan’s top FFC health claims
Fat reduction, fatigue, and gut health-related claims were the top three most popular indications for Foods with Function Claims (FFC) in Japan between April 2024 and March 2025.
Dairy and beyond: Yili to grow healthy aging nutrition portfolio
China dairy giant Yili is going beyond general milk products and infant nutrition needs by diving into healthy aging needs against the backdrop of a greying population and increased consumer interest in metabolic health.
Brain boom: 3 ingredients boosting cognitive health
Functional ingredients are aiming to boost brain health and wellbeing
Heart-healthy + salt-free: Aussie startup reinvents Asian condiments
Australian startup Heartful Flavours launches three salt-free Asian seasonings made from whole plant foods, complementing its heart-healthy meal packs
Cocoa-free chocolate: Key consumer insights for manufacturers
Cocoa-free chocolate is reshaping the confectionery landscape. But will consumers buy in?
What’s holding back alt-protein’s growth and how to fix it
We explore four key strategies to increase the appeal of alternative proteins
Japan’s Sankyo Foods to launch GABA rice blends for mental wellness
Japan’s Sankyo Foods introduces a microwavable GABA sprouted brown rice range, blending traditional staples for better texture and nutrition
How an Aussie supergrain can boost gut health and elderly nutrition
Award-winning gut-friendly supergrain BARLEYMAX eyes growth in elderly nutrition, infant formula, and high-fibre bakery products
APAC salt reformulation rises in response to grading schemes, salt taxes
With salt taxes looming and nutri-grade schemes making their mark, more APAC food firms must reformulate to meet health and regulatory demands
Both sugary and sweetened drinks increase liver disease risk
Sweetened drinks are linked to an even greater risk of liver disease than their sugary counterparts
The big UPF myth: Why consumers say one thing and eat another
Do manufacturers really need to navigate out of the ‘dirty’ UPF world? Perhaps not, as exclusive research shows consumers’ perception of UPF is very different to their reality
Less sugar, more sweets: Asians seek local flavours in healthier treats
Sixty-five percent of South East Asian consumers prefer local flavours and lower sugar when indulging in desserts, according to a new regional study
Blended proteins show promise for Asia’s food security
NECTAR to unveil consumer insights that may pave the way for mainstream adoption across Asia
Could 3D food printing be moving one step closer to mainstream adoption?
3D food printing is moving rapidly into commercial applications, but scientists stress that the next breakthroughs will depend on advances in printability, adaptability, safety, and consumer trust
Bean-Free coffee brand Prefer adds ice cream, chocolate ranges
Singapore’s bean-free coffee pioneer Prefer expands into ice cream and chocolate, offering new plant-based treats powered by food tech innovation
可持续发展内容：正大食品、食品安全难题等
本期“可持续发展内容”包含正大食品、食品安全难题等专题报道
ヘルシア チョイス：抹茶オーツラテ、高タンパク質チョコレート
今回のヘルシア チョイスは、抹茶オーツ麦ラテ、高タンパク質チョコレート、層別栄養などを特集しています。
GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025
Probiotics from human milk boost physical and mental health in mothers
Breast milk is known to be good for infants, but research shows probiotics in this can benefit mothers too, opening avenues for maternal-infant products