China’s US$500bn rural consumer market holds huge growth opportunities for the fast-moving-consumer-goods (FMCG) segment, with juices and teas set to soar, according to Nielsen.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has fined a South Australian olive oil producer, The Big Olive Company, for “misleading” ‘extra virgin olive oil’ labels and has vowed to clamp down further across industry.
Food safety officials in the Chinese city of Shanghai have given their backing to a private food safety website that collates and spreads knowledge about food safety issues in the country.
New Zealand’s top minister for the food sector has called for more environmentally sustainable harvesting practices if New Zealand is to continue producing high-quality seafood products.
Australian consumers and retailers will have to decide whether to support local food producers or watch the sector diminish, the head of beverages supplier Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) said.
In a first, a Thai food major is taking its operations across the Indian Ocean to Africa, hoping to capitalise both on available resources and rising consumption in the region.
Demand for bread and ramen noodle products made with domestic wheat varieties is growing in Japan but the country needs to invest in its weak local production of the grain, government institute says.
The government of New South Wales (NSW) has announced measures to improve animal welfare at abattoirs after an undercover video exposing cruelty sparked controversy in February.
US food safety authorities have voiced concerns over unsanitary conditions at the India-based tuna scrape manufacturing plant at the centre of the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak in the US.
Thailand’s food processing industry should capitalize on Myanmar's new open economy given its geographical and historical advantage, a top food institute had said.
Australian supermarket giant, Coles, has taken the lead in ensuring that its food products are labelled appropriately enough for customers with allergies.
US-based food giant General Mills has agreed to acquire the food brands of Pune-based ready-to-cook spices and sauces maker Parampara Food Products, the company announced at the end of last week.
New research has shown that advertisements for high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods have fallen to almost zero in Australia, according to the country’s Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).
India is a month off issuing new regulations which will clamp down on misleading food advertisements and labelling, bringing an end to unsubstantiated claims on food products.
New Zealand’s food and beverage industry must shift to producing end products in a bid to drive its export market, but this transition will require hefty foreign capital, a Ministry report said.
Developing demographic-specific formulations and validating health claims must be a focus for probiotic manufacturers targeting Asian markets, according to an industry analyst.
The consumption of soft drinks and confectionery is estimated to be falling due to health concerns in Australia, while healthy offerings are seeing growing demand.
Australia’s Federal Budget is unappetising, with no bold policies directly impacting the country’s food and drink industry, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
By Wang Fangqing, in Shanghai; Tenzing Lamsang, in Thimphu, Bhutan
The Chinese government is fighting to contain a fresh outbreak of avian flu virus H5N1 in central China farms, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Genetic modification is an on-going problem in Asia’s basmati rice network and it is a problem that importers need to be vigilant in curbing, according to an industry expert.
India’s new food safety authority is coming under a broad-based attack from local traders who have termed the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 ‘draconian’ and ‘biased.’
Vietnamese seafood companies have failed to convince authorities to drop testing fees they deem ‘unreasonable’ and inequitable with import requirements.
A US$15m strategic investment from Indonesian agribusiness group, Salim, will increase research and production capabilities and open new market doors for US algae technology firm Heliae.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved a proposal recommending the sale of raw milk curd cheeses that is now awaiting review from food regulation ministers.
China’s Bright Food has snapped up 60% of Weetabix for £1.2bn (US$1.95bn) but industry analysts say the breakfast cereal concept will flop in China and have coined the move as a mere knowledge buyout.
The Indian packaged food industry is expected to touch US$30bn by the year 2015 on the back of growing awareness, busier lifestyles, and a booming economic environment.
China’s food and beverage market is undergoing consolidation – much of which is being achieved through rampant acquisitions across new market sectors and countries, according to an analyst.
Chinese authorities have ordered a temporary end to production at a Coca-Cola bottling plant over production line “problems” - just weeks after confirming the safety of beverage products from the plant.
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is set to launch a food park project that is expected to give food processing in the state and the country a mega boost, government sources said.
Shanxi-based Deyu Agriculture has developed a new line of MSG-free, easy-cook noodles that will enable it to delve into an unknown yet lucrative fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in China.
‘Nearly all’ Australian foods comply with authorised sulphite levels and this data will be used to compile dietary exposure estimates for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
A court order has silenced Hong Kong research company, CER, and ensured the removal of its report damning Abbott’s infant formula product; action the US giant is ‘pleased’ with.
Rumours have been circulating in the media that China’s state-owned Bright Food will snap up British cereal maker Weetabix in an alleged 1bn deal; rumours the Chinese giant has denied.
Probiotic supplier BioGaia has secured an exclusive distribution agreement for its ProTectis infant tablet and drop line in Taiwan as it ‘fills the gaps’ in its market presence across Asia.
Nestlé has solidified its hold in China’s growing and lucrative infant formula market in its takeover of Pfizer Nutrition that has secured competitor brands SMA and Promil, according to analysts.
The Bangladesh poultry industry is up in arms over a government decision to allow egg imports from India, even as the local industry is on the brink of collapse on the back of bird flu.
Global stevia extract supplier, Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, has changed its name to accurately reflect its core business and thus capitalize on market opportunities, the company said.
Tea will be affirmed as the national drink of India within 12 months, a government official has said – a move that should benefit beleaguered local growers.
Developing non-MSG, better-for-you instant noodles will surge market value in China’s commoditised market sector, according to Mintel research director.
Nestlé’s $11.85bn (€9.02bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition may run into anti-trust hurdles after it beat Danone to the drug giant’s global infant nutrition business, according to an analyst.
Chr Hansen recorded an 11% surge in sales across Asia Pacific in its H1 results, with natural colours proving strong for business; underpinned by a cultural dietary heritage favouring healthy food choice, according to CEO of the company.
