China drops charges on imports from New Year

Food producers exporting to China will be celebrating this New Year after the country’s top economic planning agency announced that it will significantly reduce the cost of import to the...

Infant formula with fat blend benefits intestinal flora

A new Israeli study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, claims to have demonstrated for the first time that InFat advanced lipids, a high beta-palmitate fat blend,...

Australian egg body drops QA programme

The Australian Egg Corporation (AECL) has advised Australia’s trademark administrators that it will withdraw its current application for a certification trade mark covering an enhanced quality assurance programme for the...

Cargill bets big on Indian processing operation

US agriculture giant Cargill aims to invest Rs50 crore (over US$91m) towards food processing across its Indian operation over the next two years. This figure also includes a US$73m corn...

Around South-east Asia

Australia's beef with neighbour, Thai fishermen bracing for storm

A round-up of the big new stories to come from China over the last week.

Japanese majors step up focus on Thai food business

After a decade of rising profits on the back of Chinese demand for coal and iron ore, Japan's two biggest biggest trading companies are shifting focus to food as bulk...

5-minute festive flick

Happy holidays from William Reed Business Media!

The working year is almost done, time to pause from ‘the business’ and embrace the festive season…go on, give it a big hug. Happy holidays!

Around China

Long-term growth to continue, state investment fund to begin

A round-up of the big new stories to come from China over the last week.

Health claims issue in Australia and New Zealand nears final chapter

Parties on both sides of table have welcomed the recent decision by Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for food regulation on the issue of health claims in the region.

State of the industry

Bottled water amounting to big bucks in Indonesia

Indonesia's bottled water market may be one of the most high valued markets in the world, but there are still plenty of opportunities for growth, new research from UK-based research...

FSANZ takes action on carbon monoxide as fish processing aid

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions to draft fish processing aid regulation on carbon monoxide after reports it is being used despite being banned.

Philippines looking towards India for growth

The Philippines government has urged Filipino exporters to look for opportunities in India as a means to mitigate the current downturn in key markets like the United States and Europe.

Around Australasia

SA won't review GM, beetroot linked to lower blood pressure

A round-up of the big new stories to come from Australasia over the last week.

Big plans for Chinese berry in Australia

New varieties of the Chinese red bayberry fruit are nearing production after successful trials were held by growers, while a deal to market the produce is in the offing. 

Around India

Dikshit defends diet comments, back to the FDI battlefield

A round-up of the big new stories to come from India over the last week.

FDA names New Zealand as first country on par with US standards

This week, New Zealand has become the first country in the world to sign an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The pact recognises each other’s food...

Coca-Cola FEMSA buys Coke’s Philippines bottling operation for $688.5m

Coca-Cola FEMSA has sealed a deal to acquire a majority stake in the Coca-Cola Company’s Philippines bottling operation in Mexico City, and hailed an import milestone in its history.

Far East in brief

Mitsui eyeing new food acquisition, Japanese still the healthiest

A round-up of the big stories coming from the Far East.

Comment

Greenpeace gone too far with GM Golden Rice scandal

“Human guinea pigs”, “gambling with health” and “shadowy research project”—the terms came thick and fast in Greenpeace’s revelation about Golden Rice earlier this year.

ANALYST INSIGHT

Suntory UK focus after $6bn IPO could see it snaffle Barr Britvic: Analyst

With rumors swirling that Japanese giant Suntory is considering a $6bn IPO next year, one analyst reasons that any desire to enter the UK market could see it target Barr...

ADM gets second takeover rejection from GrainCorp

GrainCorp has snuffed Archer Daniels Midland's (ADM) second, higher takeover bid saying that it still “materially undervalues” the business.

South-east Asia in brief

New labelling from Nestlé, China buying more Vietnamese rice

A round-up of the big stories coming from South-east Asia.

Mixed bag of predictions in NZ’s latest trade report

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industry has revealed that the country’s food industry is feeling the pinch as a result of the adverse global economic situation, even though favourable climatic...

FDA, Chinese agency renew cooperation agreement

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended an agreement with a Chinese counterpart agency to work together on food and feed safety.

Halal conference looks at unification and opportunities

Some of the leading names in the halal meat industry have gathered in the UAE city of Sharjah to call for unified standards across the industry and to look at...

News in brief

Suntory plans share sale to fund M&A drive?

Multinational Suntory Holdings plans to sell shares in its non-alcoholic drinks business to fund a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) drive, according to unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg.

China in brief

Heinz bets big on sauces, cola-chicken crisps get green light

A round-up of the big stories coming from China.

Coca-Cola Amatil brews cider first as Swedish hit Rekorderlig joins 2014 portfolio

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has signed a deal to distribute Swedish cider Rekorderlig in Australia from January 2014, and said its sales and distribution strength would help consolidate the brand’s market-leading...

News in brief

India has a ‘bright’ confectionery future

India’s confectionery market has a ‘bright future’ and will be bolstered by a growing gifting culture and increasing rural consumption, a report suggests.

State of the industry

Changing farm preferences causing Indian seeds to sprout

India’s seed industry is predicted to be worth Rs10,700 crore by 2015, according to a study by the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), corresponding to a 50%...

Aussies know all about obesity but have trouble tackling it

Supermarket group Coles has released new figures that reveal a greater awareness about obesity in Australia, even though the majority of shoppers have struggled in the fight against the bulge. ...

Australasia in brief

More regulation bad for energy drinks and Tassie's love for Oliver

A round-up of the big stories hitting Australasia. Today: industry responds to greater energy drink regulation, Aussie 'roo meat to return to Russia, maternal obesity likely to result in overweight...

INDUSTRY VOICES: HEAD OF AKTIEFOKUS CHINA, JACOB DE LICHTENBERG

Carlsberg signals Chinese strategy shift and 'Top 3' ambition

For Chinese beer market followers, one of the most interesting developments over the last fortnight was Danish brewer Carlsberg’s announced strategy shift and expressed desire to acquire one of the...

Palsgaard backing Asian confidence with increased investment

The chief executive of Danish chocolate and extruded whipping cake emulsifiers major Palsgaard has outlined the reasons behind the company's recent significant investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dole sale nears completion, president moves to Itochu

It seems like the sale of Dole's worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh business to Itochu is almost complete, following an announcement that the American fruit major's president will be...

India in brief

Last FDI hurdle defeated and cricketers like it spicy

A round-up of the big stories hitting India. Today: upper house quashes last challenge to FDI in retail, minister says he has no plans to raise tax on edible oil...

TETRA PAK VIDEO EXCLUSIVE

Tetra Pak researches processing methods to tap ‘explosive’ coconut water trend

Kit Lai, director of Tetra Pak’s Soya- and Coconut Knowledge Centers, discusses the global growth of coconut water and soya milks as categories, and the firm's latest formulation and processing...

Does CLA boost bone health for men?

Long-term intakes of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may be associated with bone strength in men, says a new study from Canada and Australia, but the conclusions have been questioned by...

Multi-nutrient supplement shows big benefits for lung function in asthmatics

A supplement containing a combination of fish oil, probiotics, and extracts from fruit and vegetables may improve lung function in young asthmatics, says a new study from Taiwan.

In a booming economy, food standards are falling behind

The Chinese have given a vote of confidence to their government's public services, while at the same time voicing criticism about the quality of what they eat.

News in brief

Goodman Fielder offloads NZ flour milling business to Japanese firm

Australian food giant Goodman Fielder will offload its New Zealand flour milling business to Japanese firm Nisshin as part of its wider strategy to recover from struggling finances.

Trio behind Golden Rice furore fired by Chinese authorities

The “Golden Rice” scandal that has panicked parents and called into question research methods at an American university has seen a new development with the sacking of three officials in...

Hope for Rosella but industry in trouble

Despite positive news that the ailing company behind Rosella is likely to continue trading while a buyer is sought, Australia’s leading food production lobby has issued a stark warning that...

Fake fears and shrinking bottles: Top 5 Chinese wine trends for 2013

Wine Intelligence analysts provide the lowdown on the five key developments the research group expects to see within the world’s fastest growing wine market China in 2013.

New Zealand outlaws battery hen cages

The most commonly used cages for housing layer hens will be phased out in New Zealand by 2022 under a new code of welfare issued by the minister for primary...

Korean pine nut oil shows metabolic benefits: Mouse data

Weight gain from eating a high fat food may be less when the diet is supplemented with pine nut oil, says a new study from Korea and Japan.

Sunwin Stevia pours cash into production

Sunwin Stevia International has invested heavily in production capacity to support declared growth plans in China.

GrainCorp will review ADM’s second, higher $2.9bn takeover bid

Australian bulk grains specialist GrainCorp will review Archer Daniel Midland’s revised takeover bid after initially rejecting its first offer.

China will continue to drive global infant formula sales – Euromonitor

Chinese consumer demand for infant formula products looks set to continue to drive global sales, according to Euromonitor.

Aged garlic ‘effective and tolerable’ for blood pressure benefits

Daily supplements containing aged garlic extracts may reduce blood pressure in people with uncontrollable hypertension, says a new study from Australia.

News in brief

China not snacking on potato chips, but US and France are

China’s potato chip consumption is low with consumers choosing biscuits, candy and chocolate instead, but the US and France top the global consumption charts, new research shows.

Comment

Don’t take the fun out of advertising, just the fraud from food ads

“We make a lie, we invent want,” said Don Draper, the lead character in Mad Men, the hugely successful TV show about the ad industry in the Sixties.

Aussie lamb exports hampered by high tariffs

High import tariffs and other barriers to entry are giving Australian exports of sheep meet a significant disadvantage across a number of markets on the world stage, a researcher has...

FSSAI to regulate tea trade in India

India’s top commercial crop, its tea trade, will now come under the authority of the country’s top food safety watchdog.

World first: Breast milk probiotic launched in Australia

Spanish supplier Biosearch Life is finding success with its patented, immune system-boosting and mastitis battling probiotic isolated from human breast milk in a world-first product launched in Australia this year.

New horizons

Foreign firms must take strategic look at entering China

The key to winning over Chinese consumers is mastering distribution strategies, according to a new report by Rabobank, which also suggests that the country should be on the radar of...

Aussies and Kiwis prefer price and brand name over origin

Consumers in Australia and New Zealand may espouse locally made food and beverage products, but the reality of the situation is somewhat different, a top marketing and branding guru has...

News in brief

Rexam boosts Indian beverage can output to 950m

Rexam has opened a new aluminium line in India costing circa. 30m that increases the plants capacity to around 950m cans per year, and said the investment fitted its strategy...