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.
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.
Assessing obese individuals’ gut microbiota profiles could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of obesity and how to treat those suffering from the condition, according to researchers in China.
Consumer-facing food and beverage brands play a ‘critical role’ in moving the Asia Pacific agrifood system towards digitalisation, organisation and long-term sustainability by influencing consumer purchasing decisions, say experts.
The latest edition of Mondelez’s annual State of Snacking report has found that consumers in many markets across APAC are turning to snacks as an important means of fulfilling nutritional needs.
Several major infant formula brands, including a2 milk and Danone’s Aptamil, are successfully gaining market share despite a shrinking birth rate and tighter regulatory regime in China, their latest financial results have shown.
Kirin wine brand Mercian is partnering with Chilean wine giant Concha y Toro to launch a series of premium products including Japanese wines with a globalised flavour profile to improve its worldwide reach.
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.
Fruit intake in APAC remains well-below the recommended levels, despite around 90% of consumers being aware of its health benefits, says kiwi firm Zespri.
China’s infant formula giant Feihe says group profit was down 33.5 per cent in FY23, as the country struggles with raising its birth rate despite introducing a three-child policy three years ago.
Vietnam has completed and recently launched its new digital food safety management system which was developed in partnership with South Korea, with a particular focus on food poisoning outbreak monitoring across the country.
Elivity, a new longevity supplement brand, has made its debut in Singapore and it aims to move Asia’s understanding of the category beyond the use of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).
Singapore-based Lion Brewery has launched its pioneering nitrogen-infused stout in a canned format to cater to easier at-home consumption, as it looks to give market leader Guinness a run for its money.
Japanese firm DyDo DRINCO recently released functional beverages targeted at skin-conscious female consumers, as well as beverages fortified with magnesium and vitamin D, nutrients that the firm says is lacking in the Japanese diet.
New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has predicted a volatile year ahead despite stellar performances from its China business and consumer product portfolios in the first half of the year, especially with milk prices expected to rise in the next few months.
The Japanese government is cracking down on counterfeit agri-food product exports protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) scheme with the use of digital monitoring technology.
A new fixed-dose combination (FDC) of omega-3 and atorvastatin — a medication to treat high blood cholesterol — could improve compliance and convenience among dyslipidaemia patients, according to researchers in South Korea.
Taiwan-based Blossom Tea has developed a range of granulated tea crystals which it believes will help it to tap on both convenience and health trends in markets across the Greater China region.
Daily intake of 0.4 grams of omega-3 could help more than 95% of diabetics achieve desirable blood sugar levels, according to a Chinese study based on population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PPK-PD) modelling.
The APAC cheese sector is being driven by a generational shift in consumer demand for nutrition, affordability and convenience, all of which need to be met if the category is to fulfil its potential.
Daily supplementation with B. longum BB536 can suppress common cold-like symptoms in healthy adults, but future studies are required to clarify how it works, according to a new Morinaga-funded study.
UAE conglomerate Gulf Marketing Group (GMG)’s frozen foods brand Farm Fresh has unveiled its latest growth strategy by shifting its focus to healthy snacks, specifically targeting “older Gen Zs and younger millennials”.
Taiwan has finalised the labelling requirements when making nutrition claims for prepackaged foods, after completing two public consultations across more than two years of deliberation.
Trigonelline, an alkaloid found in plants and animals, is found to be closely linked to muscle health, with low serum levels reported in seniors suffering from sarcopenia, new findings from a Nestle-funded study have shown.
Entries are rolling in for the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024, designed to recognise the brightest and best ingredients, products and initiatives.
Story:
Japan-headquartered Aiya is looking to seize growth opportunities in the Middle East, where the matcha market is still in its infancy and has significant room for expansion.
The South Korean government is implementing a new national strategy to boost wheat self-sufficiency and production capabilities, after several years of supply chain challenges.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all manufacturing firms of fortified rice to integrate a new national traceability application into their operations in order to prevent adulteration of the final product.
Consumption of a probiotic containing B. longum BB536 and B. breve MCC1274A led to significant reductions in abdominal visceral fat and serum triglyceride levels in both healthy and overweight adults, according to a new study.
Beer drinkers in Asia are steadily following the European trend of increasingly seeking low-carbohydrate products, opening new opportunities for brands in the premium drinks segment.
Vietnam is hopeful of seeing long-term improvement in its position within the global rice supply chain with the support of a new government digital project.
Nestle has launched a new milk powder containing mulberry leaf extract, tryptophan, vitamin B, and minerals in China to support sleep quality in adults.
Carlsberg Malaysia is optimistic about its chances to conquer the country’s premium Japanese beer market this year with new partner brand Sapporo, with the latter formally replacing Asahi as the firm’s major premium Japanese offering since January 2024.
Global cheese giant Bel Group believes that innovation in APAC requires hyper-localised strategies to see success, due to a wide variation in consumption habits across the region.
India-based banana chips brand Beyond Snack has observed significant evolution of the branded snacks category in the local market, marked by a “discernible shift” towards health-consciousness, authenticity, and premiumisation.
Developing markets in Asia and Africa risk being sidelined in the efforts to create a more sustainable food system, unless inclusion and affordability are placed front and centre to improve nutrition.
South Korea is expanding its AI-based screening system SAFE-i24 to include processed food imports, in a bid to maintain food safety and quality while maximising efficiency particularly during peak seasons.
Significant doubts remain as to whether the EU’s new deforestation workstream model will be sufficient to allay fears raised by palm oil producing nations, especially in relation to sustainability and smallholder farmers.
A meta-analysis conducted by China researchers found that probiotic supplementation could improve body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, and reduce inflammation among obese and overweight teenagers.
Singapore-based firm Prefer believes that its bean-free coffee alternative is ready for entry into the wider Asian market this year, banking on affordability, sustainability and customisation benefits to drive growth
Bayer’s nutritional business declined for the past year due to a weaker market environment in China and South East Asia, the company said in its FY23 financial results.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) believes that a recent Philippines acquisition and portfolio realignment in Indonesia stand it in good stead to capitalise on future growth in Asia Pacific.
Mainstream food and beverage firms flouting Taiwan advertising rules and regulations will now be subject to harsher punishments, with repeat offenders warned their businesses could be closed down.
Singaporean surimi brand Dodo is looking to expand and diversify beyond its successful frozen foods business with the launch of its first surimi snacks range, which it believes has long-term mainstream potential.
Singapore-based beverage heavyweight Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) has predicted a challenging year ahead after reporting a near doubling in profits but a significant overall drop in revenue, citing ongoing inflation and soft consumer spending as key factors.
Haleon says that its vitamins minerals supplements (VMS) portfolio has gained shares in an overall declining market in FY23, led by growth in its core VMS brands Centrum, Caltrate, and Emergen-C, with the CEO saying that the firm is “optimistic” on the...
Australia’s plant-based pioneer v2food is aiming to strengthen its position in the category through the acquisition of ready meals brand Soulara, with portfolio expansion and broadening sales channels as growth drivers.
Nestle Malaysia believes that the strength of its core brands such as KitKat and Maggi, as well as the advantages of its large local production operations, will serve it well in overcoming current ‘subdued’ consumer sentiment in the country.
Dietary supplements sales on the re-opened TikTok shop in Indonesia are struggling to get back to previous heights, despite other categories such as FMCG and beauty products soaring.