Sunwin to broaden stevia presence through Chinese private label bakery

Sunwin Stevia International hopes to penetrate the Chinese bakery sector further by targeting the private label segment with a range of stevia formulations.

Krill wars

Neptune and Aker facing off in court yet again

Australia is the site of the latest battle between Neptune and Aker Biomarine. In addition to patent strife between the two krill majors in American courts, Canadian Neptune has now...

Evolva pays €550,000 for Fluxome resveratrol business

Swiss biotech firm Evolva has bought failing Fluxome’s, yeast-derived resveratrol business for about €550,000 in cash and shares, but says it has no interest in the remaining omega-3 business being...

State of the industry

Far East and America driving Australian beef dynamics

Changing trends in traditional key export markets are presenting both hurdles and opportunities for Australia's boxed-beef exporters, according to a recently released industry report.

Danone heralds India’s strength by predicting doubled sales

With the growth of nutritional foods in India outpacing that of China, Danone’s subcontinent head for nutrition has announced plans to double sales in India over the next three years....

Business

Third-time lucky for solo Fonterra operation in India

The first two endeavours might have been abortive, but it seems that Fonterra might finally see success in its third, solo attempt to move into India.

Nestlé eyes herbal sector with Hong Kong JV; 2013 clinical trials planned

Nestlé has amplified its nutrition presence by forming a joint venture to develop Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM). Orally consumed gastro products will be first off the rank based on an...

Investment will increase yogurt, milk processing capacity - Meiji

Japanese dairy giant Meiji Holdings has set aside 11.5bn yen ($140m, €110m) to build and equip a new processing plant under plans to increase its yogurt and milk product processing...

PepsiCo needs emerging market focus to repair margins: US investment firm

A US-based investment firm insists that PepsiCo needs to focus on its most profitable brands and emerging markets such as China to bolster margins and regain ground on Coke. 

Social storm pushes Woolworths to remove infant drink

A social media storm and petition have prompted Australian supermarket Woolworths to withdraw all juice supplies of infant drink brand Bebi from its shelves, although its infant suitable water line...

KFC China supplier denies part in chicken feed scandal

A supplier of poultry to KFC in China has refuted claims in a Chinese website that it gives its chicken feed laced with large amounts of toxic additives.

INDUSTRY VOICES: HEAD OF AKTIEFOKUS CHINA, JACOB DE LICHTENBERG

Tsingtao scales up beer operations in China’s bustling Henan province

In this guest article, Jacob de Lichtenberg, head of Aktiefokus China, gives BeverageDaily.com readers the lowdown on Tsingtao Brewery’s plans to build a brewery in Henan province, where beer production is booming....

Science

Sweeter, more blight-resistant watermelon on the cards

Evidence from a significant study now suggests that watermelon is a vital species for genetic research on account of its small genome size, and its diverse genetic mutants and variants....

Foster’s Group was ‘undermanaged’ for number of years – SAB Miller CFO

SAB Miller CFO Jamie Wilson admits that the firm has suffered volume declines with Foster’s Group in Australia and is not regaining share, but claims that the takeover was never...

State of the industry

Organic growth through well-laid plans in Karnataka

Earlier this month a small story made its way into the Times of India—the country’s biggest-selling newspaper—to announce the opening of a shop that sells only organic products. For the...

Right to reply

World’s first GE cow is a ‘milestone study’

Last week, FoodNavigator-Asia published an opinion piece by the anti-GE pressure group, GE-free NZ, that criticised AgResearch, the New Zealand research institute. In the article, the author made reference to...

Mondelez in fresh tax evasion probe in India

Mondelez International subsidiary Cadbury India is under investigation for alleged evasion of excise duties by authorities in India.

Drinks

Kiwis drinking more cider, but less beer

Cider is the rising star of New Zealand’s alcoholic beverages market even as consumption of beer in the country is showing a steady decline, said a top official from Lion,...

Goodman Fielder ups bakery prices thanks to better retail relations

Australian food firm Goodman Fielder said that thanks to better dialogue with its retail partners, agreed price increases across its bakery arm will help boost business further.

Nestlé faces Pfizer Nutrition brand 'blackout' in Australia after Mexican setback

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) yesterday approved Nestlé’s €9bn ($11.59bn) acquisition of infant nutrition business Pfizer Nutrition.

Rimfrost taps Aker's Australian krill patents

Olympic Seafood-owned krill subsidiary Rimfrost has negotiated a long-term, non-exclusive licencing agreement with fellow Norwegian firm Aker BioMarine to secure access to the krill major's patent portfolio in Australia.

New Zealand focus

Flat consumer environment is the biggest challenge for Kiwi suppliers

New Zealand’s flat economic environment tops the list of challenges for the country’s food and beverage manufacturers going into 2013, attendees at the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council’s annual...

BEVERAGEDAILY.COM EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Chr. Hansen sees red in Asia as vibrant natural colors ‘step off the shelf’

Chr. Hansen says it has high hopes in Asia and elsewhere for its new natural coloring ingredient for beverages, Ultra Stable Red, and claims investing in natural colors strips out...

State of the industry

From chai to latte: India’s new coffee culture

Coffee culture in India is flourishing thanks to the efforts of a few specialist coffee chains and the instant coffee players, says a new report from Rabobank. 

Complementary health group hits out at government advisory role snub

Australia’s leading complementary healthcare association has slammed the government for snubbing it while appointing the new Therapeutic Goods Advisory Council (TGAC).

Oz, NZ get first-step approval for hemp in food

The decision by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to approve the use of hemp products containing low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the production of food has received widespread...

Groceries will thrive even with FDI

According to a new study in India, 800,000 people are employed directly by organised retail in India, and even without FDI, this number would grow to 2m by 2016—and double...

Massey planning agri-research in new Sino-NZ business park

A delegation of municipal staff from south Beijing have returned home after seeking New Zealand’s expertise in food production ahead of the completion of a Sino-Kiwi agricultural park in the...

Infant formula manufacturers opposing proposed Hong Kong promotion ban

Six of the world’s leading infant formula manufacturers are opposing a Hong Kong government proposal to ban the promotion of baby food products for children under the age of three....

NZ gives aquaculture boost by domesticating mussels

The New Zealand government has announced that it will support a seven-year, NZ$26m initiative to boost aquaculture by selectively breeding New Zealand greenshell mussels for the first time.

Right to reply

Stop GE creeping into NZ!

In the first of a new series of hard-hitting opinion pieces, Claire Bleakley, president of GE-free NZ in Food and Environment, gives her take on how GE crops—and now livestock—have...

Lobbies wade into Indian sugar regulation debate

Now some time has passed since the Rangarajan Committee revealed its recommendations to remove restrictions on the sugar sector, industry groups have begun to put pressure on the government to...

Fonterra welcomes competition-aiding Raw Milk Regulations amendments

Fonterra has welcomed a series of amendments to the New Zealand Raw Milk Regulations that will support domestic dairy product competition and ensure an “entrance pathway” into the farm gate milk market....

French Senate rejects palm oil tax

The French Senate rejected its so-called ‘Nutella tax’ on Thursday, which aimed to quadruple the tax on palm oil, a key ingredient in the hazelnut-chocolate spread.

Vitamin K2: Study unlocks which forms have higher bioavailability

Consuming vitamin K2 in its MK-7 form is better for raising levels of the vitamin in serum than K2 in the MK-4 form, says a new study from Japan and...

$5bn PepsiCo-Tingyi ‘behemoth’ = harder Chinese beverage market: Rabobank

PepsiCo’s tie-up with top Chinese beverage player Tingyi, given the green light in March, will significantly reduce growth opportunities for smaller market rivals, according to Martin Wu from Rabobank.

GrainCorp rejects ADM’s takeover bid as full-year profits soar

Australian commodity giant GrainCorp rejected ADM’s $2.8bn takeover bid stating it ‘materially undervalues’ the business.

Queensland health chief calls for a parental ban on fruit juice

An Australian state’s health chief has advised parents to ban their children from soft drinks and fruit juices in an attempt to reverse an alarming rise in childhood obesity.

Nestlé invests big in R&D centre for India

Understanding India’s consumer food trends is never an easy job, and with this in mind, Nestlé has opened its first research and development centre in the country. It will use...

Experts don't buy new Pepsi’s fat-busting claims

“I know what people are thinking as they head out for a Big Mac, large fries and cola: why not make it a lighter meal and opt for diet- or...

Scientists developing anti-counterfeit milk powder source test

Scientists in New Zealand are developing a method to identify the geographical source of milk powder products – a potential answer to the problem of counterfeit ‘Made in New Zealand’...

Oz advertising standards report met with food industry fury

Industry groups have slammed the findings of a widescale investigation into Australia’s self-regulatory system for food marketing after its findings painted a gloomy picture of the food and grocery industry....

Malnutrition still rife in N Korea in spite of increased crop yield

North Korea might have seen its second increase in staple food production in as many year, but nearly 3m of its population are still undernourished, according to UN figures.

Kellogg-Wilmar JV will dive into immediate snacks opportunity

Kellogg and Wilmar’s 50:50 joint venture will dive into immediate opportunities in China’s developed snack market; using Pringles as its springboard, a Kellogg executive has said.

News in brief

PepsiCo expects center to speed innovation in China

PepsiCo has officially opened a food and beverage innovation center in China to serve as a hub of product, packaging and equipment innovation for the business throughout Asia.

China seizures raise fears for New Zealand's global dairy reputation

Numerous consignments of baby formula made in New Zealand have been prevented from entering China after authorities branded them substandard. Now it has come to light, the issue is raising...

Malaysia slams France’s proposal for ‘Nutella tax’

A French politician’s calls for a “Nutella tax” have been met with anger in Malaysia. Central to the terms of the proposal, which will be voted on in Paris this...

Expert comment

Why does everyone hate the Thai rice mortgage scheme?

The Thai rice mortgage scheme continues to receive a fair amount of media bashing even after completing its first anniversary last month. 

Not too late for confectioners in China, says Rabobank

Opportunities exist for confectioners yet to enter China, but they must come with a targeted distribution strategy, according to Rabobank.

Fat-blocking Pepsi will launch in Japan this week

This week will see the launch of a fat-busting new Pepsi variant that is targeting the health conscious. 

Egypt cattle row provoking a storm in Australia

In a move to calm an issue that is threatening to turn into a populist political bun fight, Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued a statement...

Asian retail growth mitigates poor performance in the West

The rise of the Japanese owner of 7Eleven is synonymous with the charge of grocery retail in Asia, and backs up the latest study by Euromonitor into the subject.

State of the industry

Apac driving demand for global vegetable oils market

A combination of factors is expected to drive demand growth in the vegetable oils market over the next few years, with demand from the food sector being led by a...

Pinoy FDA targeting non-English labels

In the wake of a major recall of toxic South Korean noodles from shelves across the country, food regulation authorities in the Philippines are now actively seeking to target imported...

DSM buys Fortitech for €495m; “We are done for awhile”

Rampant nutrition business acquirer, Royal DSM, has splashed the cash for the ninth time in two years – this time to the tune of €495m ($634m) on US-based multinational nutrient...

NZ study finds that we binge because we don't care

We might know it from our own personal experience, but now it’s backed up by research: the reason why diets fall flat while drinking can go through the roof during...

'Fuel-injected' rice closing in on reality

A project to develop a cutting-edge variety rice has received a significant funding boost, and is now about to roll into its second phase.

Probiotics may ease eczema for children: RCT data

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 may improve eczema in children, says a new study from South Korea.

Comment

Kiwi idea may help Aussie battle against the bulge

Though the government is taking its sweet time in deciding on a preferred approach to food labelling, Australians are increasingly showing that their intolerance towards obesity and the high-fat, high-calorie...

‘Weak global chocolate consumption’ hurts Petra Foods

Singapore-based Petra Foods has posted sales and profit declines in the third quarter (Q3) as it complained of weak global demand for chocolate that halved profits in its cocoa ingredients...

FSANZ approves Nestlé infant formula L-histidine level amendment

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has provisionally approved an application by Nestlé to reduce the minimum requirement for L-histidine in infant formula products

China's boom will fuel global seafood price growth

Whereas China is the key driver of the world’s seafood industry, by the end of a decade of growing affluence among its population, the country’s role will have changed dramatically,...

Emerging markets boost Symrise profits for Q3

‘Above average’ growth in emerging markets has led to a strong increase in sales and profits for flavour and fragrance giant Symrise.

India’s lift on egg ban brings welcome relief to baking industry

An Indian state bakery association has welcomed the country’s move to lift its ban on eggs and poultry from two important supply states.

News in brief

COMSTECH seminar aimed at food safety

COMSTECH is holding a seminar on food production and processing technologies aimed at bring different industry voices together to optimise food safety.

Q3 wrap: Nutrition stars for DSM and Naturex

Royal DSM saw Q3 sales slip 7% to €2.3bn across all divisions with polymer intermediates performing worst, but as has been the case in recent quarters, the Dutch firm’s nutrition...

Watchdog might smash new standard for Australian eggs

A new quality standard that promises to bring greater consistency to the way egg producers meet farm standards has created a row between the egg industry and Australia’s business watchdog....

State of the industry

Food retailers must face up to online in China

According to China’s National Bureau of Statics, consumer goods sales between January and September this year totalled $2.4 trillion—an increase of 14.1% over the same period in 2011.   

News in brief

Philippine Government issues recall over noodle concerns

The Philippine Government has issued a product recall after six Korean Noodle products were found to contain the chemical benzopyrene.

Packaged food holds potential for those who dare

Making a profit in India's packaged foods market may not be easy, but the at the moment it represents a tantalising opportunity that food companies cannot afford to ignore.

Deal paves the way for Fonterra’s new China “hub”

Fonterra has announced concrete plans to step up milk production in China after the New Zealand dairy giant signed an investment agreement to develop two more large farms in Hebei...

Chinese authorities approve Nestlé’s Pfizer Nutrition acquisition

Nestlé's $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition has been given the go-ahead by anti-trust authorities in China – taking the “strategic” takeover a step closer to completion.

Lawmakers must do to junk food what they did to tobacco

One Australian public health heavyweight has gone on the record to say that it is up to the federal government to tackle the junk food industry the same way it...

Weetabix China: Challenges to a Bright future

Bright Food closed its purchase of Weetabix today, but one analyst has reiterated the challenge it will face driving the iconic cereal brand in China.

Report outlines success of grocery through self-regulation

Food and beverage companies have made significant changes in the way to they market their products to children as a result of industry-wide self-regulatory initiatives, according to new research from...

Cambodians file complaint with US government vs American Sugar Refining over ‘land-grabbing’ deal

Cambodian villagers who claim they were illegally evicted from their land to make way for a sugar plantation that supplies American Sugar Refining (Domino Sugar), have filed a complaint with...

Chinese farm agreement will complete dairy ‘hub’ - Fonterra

Fonterra has signed an investment agreement with Chinese authorities to develop two more large-scale dairy farms – the latest step in the firm’s strategy to build a sustainable fresh local...

Nutrition watchdog slams rugby sponsorship deal

The Infant Nutrition Council (INC) has expressed strong concern over the recent sponsorship deal between the Warriors rugby league club and Chinese-owned New Zealand infant formula company.

Malaysia enlisting world experts to develop food policies

With obesity and diabetes on the rise in Malaysia, the country has been working to bring together domestic scientists with their international counterparts and institutions in the hope of mitigating...

State of the industry

India must innovate to realise processing potential

Food processing is regarded as a sunrise industry in India. However, while it is true that there has been rapid growth over the past few years, the fact remains that...