Packaging Happenings: Bite-sized butters, Japan nutrition labels and more
Bite-sized butters, Japan nutrition labels and more feature in this edition of Packaging Happenings
All Asia-Pacific
The evolution of the energy drink category
Energy is reaching new audiences and opening up new opportunities
Iran conflict: Is ceasefire too little, too late for global food?
A two-week ceasefire is now in place in the war between US-Israel and Iran, but much is still uncertain about how long-lasting the impacts of damage done thus far will be and what still lies ahead for the global food sector
Bite-sized dairy: Award-winning Belgian candy butter eyes global stage
Belgian butter firm Plaquette has big ambitions for its bite-sized ‘candy’ butters
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
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Updated Advance Programme now live!
Check out the latest updated Advance Programme for our Growth Asia Summit 2026, which takes place from July 8 to 10 in Singapore
Stagflation is food manufacturing’s worst-of-both-worlds scenario
Costs are rising again just as consumers start to hesitate and that’s a far more difficult mix than inflation alone.
Japan Focus: Sodium labelling shift, Asahi cyberattack, silkworm protein, and more
This edition covers Japan’s sodium labelling shift, Asahi’s profit dip post-cyberattack, silkworm protein for health, and more
6 key food innovation trends driven by feel good indulgence
Consumer demand for indulgence — and feeling good about it — is increasingly driving food innovation strategies. Here are six key drivers powering this change.
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
Safety First: China liquid transport controls, cyberattacks and more
China liquid transport controls, cyberattacks and more feature in this edition of Safety First
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Beyond disruption: What Big Food actually needs from startups
What separates startups that move forward from the ones that stall?
Fonterra settles over ‘misleading’ Anchor butter claim
The New Zealand co-op has settled a legal dispute with Greenpeace after admitting breach of fair trade laws
Opinion
Nestlé’s alt chocolate bet is make-or-break for cocoa-free
This is no ordinary product launch. The stakes are high for cocoa-free chocolate
McCormick’s results take a back seat as Unilever deal nears
Sales are steady and margins remain under pressure, but attention has shifted firmly to a potential tie-up with Unilever.
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Duke-NUS Medical School, Morinaga, Yeo’s to present kids’ nutrition
Growth Asia Summit 2026 takes place from July 8 to 10 in Singapore, and childhood nutrition is one of the main themes to be covered on the first day of the summit.
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
Gulfood 2026
Açai leader SAMBAZON eyes Japan, Middle East to drive next growth phase
World’s largest açaí brand SAMBAZON is building on rapid growth in Japan and the Middle East to establish açaí as a lifestyle in the region
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
Mood beverages: The ingredients spurring the category forward
Botanicals are the star of the show
Silkworm protein firm taps health and familiarity for regional growth
Japan’s Morus Inc is betting on demand for functional products and cultural familiarity with silkworms to drive expansion 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
CP Foods: Turning global reach into resilient, localised food supplies
Thai food giant CP Foods is accelerating its localised food production strategy across global markets, by using its widespread network to support stronger supply and food security
RTDs and protein yogurts boost Fonterra as billion‑dollar payout nears
The New Zealand co-op’s next growth phase is backed by protein and cheese demand: but tensions in the Middle East could shake performance later this year
Who really controls the world’s food? The superpowers shaping supply
From wheat and soy to rice and sugar, global food power is increasingly concentrated and understanding who really holds the leverage has never mattered more for manufacturers
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。
当下热点：生姜糖浆、蒙牛冬奥会及更多热门新闻
本期“当下热点”包含生姜糖浆、蒙牛冬奥会及更多热门新闻
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
政策精读：中国直播带货、韩国非接触式销售及其他热点
本期政策精选关注中国直播带货、韩国非接触式销售等行业动态
聚焦中东：主要食品市场、阿联酋饮食习惯和游戏化
本期聚焦主要食品市场、阿联酋饮食结构与游戏化等精彩内容
China Focus: Chinese brand appeal, tighter transport rules, mental health trends, and more
This edition explores the rising appeal of Chinese food brands, tighter transport rules for edible oils, alcohol and syrups, mental health trends, and more
Food and mental health in China: 2026 trends that brands should watch
China’s growing focus on mental wellness is shaping food trends, driving demand for fresh foods, dairy and lower-sugar options that balance health and indulgence
China appeal: Chinese food brands eye global growth via Singapore
Chinese food brands are using Singapore as a launchpad for overseas growth, partnering retailers such as Scarlett Supermarket to test international demand
Abundant coffee crops; consumer wobbles and the Iran conflict: Another shake-up for coffee prices?
Coffee prices had finally started declining: but what’s next?
Trend Tracker: Functional dairy, Iran conflict and spicy snacks
Functional dairy, Iran conflict, spicy snacks and more feature in this edition of Trend Tracker
The Big 5: Power players defining confectionery’s future
Five giants dominate confectionery. What gives them the edge, and keeps them on top?
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
UPFs linked to adult uric acid risk: China study
Adults under 60 found to eat more ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), putting them at risk of getting hyperuricemia (high uric acid), leading to gout and kidney diseases
Asahi profit dips after Japan cyberattack, Europe weather woes
Beverage giant Asahi has reported a decline in profits after its Japan business was hit by a cyberattack last September, underscoring growing digital vulnerabilities across the food sector
Iran at war: What food and beverage needs to know
Israel and US attacks on Iran have long-lasting implications for global food and drink industries. Here’s the latest
Inside the functional beverage craze: What benefits are consumers really looking for?
From gut health to energy, there’s a huge range of choice in the functional beverage category. What do consumers actually want?
APAC e-commerce: Misleading claims, risks and opportunities
APAC’s booming e-commerce scene offers growth, but brands need to grapple with misleading claims and navigate grey areas in e-commerce
How protein is shaping active nutrition in 2026
Sustained demand for protein continues to define the active and performance nutrition space. But where are the growth niches?
Japan Focus: Modernising karinto, rice for weight control, POCARI SWEAT expansion in China, and more
This edition explores how to reimagine traditional karinto, rice consumption for weight management, POCARI SWEAT ramping up production in China, and more.
ホット ライトナウ：ジンジャーシロップ、Mengniuとウインターオリンピック
今月のホット ライトナウは、ジンジャーシロップ、Mengniuの冬季五輪関連など最新トレンド ニュースを特集しています。
より健康的な選択肢：主要機能性原料、トレハロースとSmartMilk
今月の「Healthier Choices」では、主要機能性原料としてのトレハロースとSmartMilkを 取り上げています。
ジャパン フォーカス：かりんとうの現代化、体重管理と米、中国でのポカリスエット拡大
Japan Focusでは、伝統的なかりんとうの再考、体重管理のための米消費、中国でのポカリスエット生産拡大などについて取り上げています。
ポリシー ピックス：中国のライブ配信規制、韓国の非接触型販売
今月のPolicy Picksでは、中国ライブ配信、韓国非接触型販売などを、取り上げています。
中東フォーカス：主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーション
今月のMiddle East Focusでは、主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーションを取り上げています。