Brand New: Nestle, Kellogg's, Zespri and more big names feature in our round-up
Milo evolution: Nestle Australia launches world-first version of plant-based, reduced-sugar malt drink
Nestle Australia has launched the world’s first version of a plant-based Milo, which boasts lower sugar content in addition to its vegan consumable status.
That the global F&B MNC has opted to launch this innovation first in Australia is no surprise given that the country ranks top in terms of veganism popularity worldwide.
“We know people are looking for dairy alternatives and more plant based products [here in Australia], so it was time to look at how Milo could evolve to offer more options that don’t compromise on taste,” Nestle Australia Business Manager Dairy Anna Stewart told FoodNavigator-Asia.
Popping into APAC: Australia first in region to launch white chocolate version of Coco Pops
Kellogg’s Australia has launched the white chocolate version of Coco Pops for the first time in the Asia Pacific region.
The new white chocolate version will taste distinctly different from traditional Coco Pops’ chocolate milkshake flavour, instead using caramel and marshmallow milk to create a ‘crème brulee and panna cotta’ taste.
“We have had Coco Pop fans request new flavours throughout the years, [and] white chocolate has been one of the more popular requests,” Coco Pops Brand Manager at Kellogg’s ANZ Derek Lau told FoodNavigator-Asia.
Oh soy! China condiment giant Foshan Haitian bullish over FY20 performance despite COVID-19 impact
Foshan Haitian, China’s largest seasoning and soy sauce manufacturer, recorded profits of RMB5.3 billion (US$750 million) in FY19, up 22.64% from the year before, and insists it is on target to top that by RMB1 billion (US$140mn) this year despite the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company’s main products are soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sauces. Other products it manufactures include vinegar, chicken essence, MSG, and cooking wine. In FY19, its soy sauce category grew 13%, oyster sauce by 22% and sauces by 9.5%.
The company is gearing up for its third five-year plan, as it seeks to increase scale and profit.
Kiwi kicking on: Zespri continues to sees strong demand in China amid COVID-19 pandemic
New Zealand kiwifruit producer Zespri has reported strong demand for its fresh fruits in China during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
According to Stats NZ, meat and seafood exports to China have been severely hit, down almost 40% from 2019 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
But Ivan Kinsella, head of corporate affairs at Zespri China, told FoodNavigator-Asia: “We’re seeing strong demand in our key markets for fresh, healthy fruit like kiwifruit and our first vessels have departed for Asia (Japan) and China as planned.”
Fold with it: Oasis and Tetra Pak unveils sustainable water carton packaging in UAE
UAE’s food and beverage manufacturer National Food Products Company (NFPC) has launched its Oasis brand of drinking water in sustainable Tetra Pak carton packaging, the first water brand in the region to do so.
The water is available in 330mL carton packaging, and will be sold at all major supermarkets from mid-March 2020, at a retail price of 1.5 AED (USD 0.41).
Rodney Reynders, the cluster leader for sustainability (Greater Middle East and Africa) at Tetra Pak told FoodNavigator-Asia, “Research shows that consumers are very much aware of the impact packaging has on the environment. The new carton package will give consumers a choice to have a package made mainly from renewable resources, with a lower environmental impact that other types of beverage packaging.”
