Ginger syrup taps food-as-medicine trend to expand Europe, Asia appeal
An Okinawa-based ginger syrup firm is expanding into Europe and Asia, betting on rising demand for traditional food-as-medicine solutions linked to health and beauty
The firm embraces nuchigusui – an Okinawan philosophy that views food and nature as sources of holistic nourishment for mind and body – positioning its ginger syrup within the broader “food as medicine” trend driving its overseas expansion.
Mengniu steps up health and nutrition push at 2026 Winter Olympics
Mengniu will supply dairy products to athletes and fans during the 2026 Winter Olympics, linking the move to its health and nutrition strategy.
The Olympic partnership is intended to reinforce Mengniu’s positioning around nutrition, product quality and functional health on a global stage.
Mengniu has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner since 2019, becoming the first dairy company to join the International Olympic Committee’s TOP sponsorship programme.
Farm Fresh redefines healthy snacking with matcha chicken nuggets
UAE-based Farm Fresh has taken the concept of functional snacking to a new level with its matcha-infused chicken nuggets, blending flavour and function with novelty
Matcha may well be one of the most popular beverages and dessert flavours in the market currently – but its mention is certainly not often correlated with savoury snacks, much less poultry items.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) protein brand Farm Fresh has decided to buck this trend with the introduction of its brand new, highly unusual matcha chicken nuggets, which not only taste like matcha, but very much look like it too.
GLP-1 foods in Asia: State of the market and key challenges
The market for GLP 1 companion foods in Asia faces some major challenges – but big opportunities also await if played right
GLP-1 has not made a very big splash here in Asia just yet mainly due to costs and accessibility issues.
“There are relatively high levels of obesity in various Asian markets, averaging at an overall 20% or so,” NielsenIQ Regional Executive Director Craig Houliston told us.
3 key lessons for food brands targeting the ‘Future Consumer’
The ‘Future Consumer’ is here, and food brands need to stay ahead of their evolving tastes and expectations to survive in the long run
Although it may be intuitive to assume that the ‘Future Consumer’ will focus on Gen Z’s and Gen Alphas, things are not quite so straightforward as this group is not defined by age but by attitude and knowledge.
“The main attribute of these consumers is that they know they have a lot of information and knowledge in their hands, and are no longer going to be satisfied to just accept what the food industry tells them is good for them,” Culinary Institute of America President Michiel Bakker told the floor at a Gulfood World Economy Summit 2026 panel.
