Our top 10 most-read food and beverage industry stories from Dec 2025

Top 10 Food
Top 10 Food (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Check out our top 10 most-read food and beverage industry stories from December 2025, including functional beer, upcycled ingredients, Food Tech 2.0 and more

ANZ Focus FoodNavigator-Asia William Reed
ANZ Focus (Getty Images)

ANZ Focus: Lactalis-Fonterra drama, Aussie bakeries and more

Lactalis-Fonterra drama, Aussie bakeries and more feature in this edition of ANZ Focus.

SayPlay Cold IPA is the best-selling craft beer in Thailand
SayPlay Cold IPA is the best-selling craft beer in Thailand (Full Moon Brewwerks)

Functional beer: The next wave in craft brewing innovation

From low-carb to probiotics, craft beers are going all out to create novel, functional options and attract a whole new set of conscious consumers.

Grape pomace is the main by-product of winemaking and makes up about 30% of the grapes used.
Grape pomace is the main by-product of winemaking and makes up about 30% of the grapes used. (Ganna Zelinska/Getty Images)

Upcycled grape pomace - the next healthy ingredient for firms to watch?

Research from China has found upcycled grape pomace from winemaking can add antioxidants, fibre, colour and texture to foods, offering health and sustainability benefits.

Protego noodles are formulated to be low-GI and low carb, but high in protein and fibre.
Protego noodles are formulated to be low-GI and low carb, but high in protein and fibre. (KosmodeHealth)

Singapore firm upcycles food byproducts into diabetic-friendly noodles

KosmodeHealth has turned peanut and sweet potato byproducts into low-GI noodles designed to deliver energy without sugar spikes.

Futuristic snacks (AI)
Food Tech 2.0 (Credit/Getty Images)

Food Tech 2.0: 3 innovations reshaping global food production

The next wave of food tech is boosting production through innovation, efficiency and lessons from the past. Explore 3 key technologies ‐ and pitfalls to avoid.

Amazon Fresh French offerings in Singapore, a key testbed for regional e-commerce strategy.
Amazon Fresh French offerings in Singapore, a key testbed for regional e-commerce strategy. (AzmanL/Getty Images)

Why Amazon Fresh is using French foods to sharpen Asian e-commerce play

Rising demand for European foods in Asia has prompted Amazon Fresh to expand its European range with French products in this region.

Penghu Uncle's original fish bone crisps.
Penghu Uncle's original fish bone crisps. (Penghu Uncle)

Taiwan’s Penghu Uncle turns fish skin and bones into indulgent crisps

Taiwan’s Penghu Uncle is transforming discarded fish skin and bones into savoury upcycled crisps with an eye on the ASEAN snack market.

The is widespread evidence that people in the UK are not eating enough plant-based foods such as vegetables, pulses, legumes, fruit, nuts, seeds and wholegrains.
Vegetables and fruits (AlexRaths/Getty Images / AlexRaths)

Japan faces long-term health risks from low fruit, vege intake intake

Most Japanese adults are not meeting recommended fruit and vegetable needs, and new data indicates this issue will worsen in the long-term without intervention.

Rose Box's organic rose jam is made with roses, apples and lemon juice.
Rose Box's organic rose jam is made with roses, apples and lemon juice. (Rose Box / Grand Blossom Grange)

Taiwan’s Rose Box eyes rapid exports expansion with organic rose-based products

Taiwan-based Rose Box is aiming to grow its exports business to more APAC markets over the next year with products such as rose jams and rose pastes.

Marie Sharp’s hot sauce range includes unfermented varieties made with fruit and vegetables.
Marie Sharp’s hot sauce range includes unfermented varieties made with fruit and vegetables. (Marie Sharp's)

Belize hot sauce heats up Asia with ‘unfermented’ innovations

Belizean brand Marie Sharp’s is turning up the heat in Asia with its unfermented habanero sauces that blend tropical flavour and clean-label appeal.