Vitafoods Europe 2012 in Geneva attracted companies from all over the world, including Asia, with three dedicated pavilions to China, India and Korea housing smaller ingredients firms from each market.
Asia’s functional food market is still a new target area for pharmaceutical firm Vésale Pharma and working with regional agents will prove essential in gaining traction in the market, according to president.
A local Chinese company has developed a curcurmin ingredient for the global market but a sales representative told FoodNavigator-Asia at Vitafoods Europe that India is a strong competitor and Europe is a difficult market to penetrate.
Kiwi dairy giant, Fonterra, has opened a new innovation centre in Shanghai as part of its strategy to tap into China's mushrooming premium dairy nutrition market.
The Swiss food and beverage firm, Nestlé, has inked a deal with a local government in China’s Inner Mongolia region to build and develop a new dairy farm, according to local media reports.
GS1 Australia has launched an iPhone app called the GS1 GoScan that gives consumers access to extended labelling product data as part of 2012 Food Allergy Awareness Week.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Singaporeans are increasingly wealthy, demanding high-quality foods, consuming more wines and looking to buy protein, offering New Zealand a host of possibilities, the Prime Minister said.
Fonterra will invest in a blending and packing facility in Indonesia to bolster its local presence and ensure swift response to market demands across the country’s dairy nutrition sector.
Beverage and ice cream manufacturers are investing in power alternatives at Japanese facilities, as the tentative electricity network will not see a major uptick this summer.
Aiming to garner a higher share of the Indian ready-to-eat (RTE), frozen foods markets, McCain Foods is further strengthening its product range to cater to Indian tastes and sensibilities.
Fenchem has launched its hydrolyzed fish collagen in the Southeast Asian market, to target the growing demand for health drinks and supplements in the region.
The pesticide food safety issue that has tainted India’s sugar market for more than a decade has been cleared in the wake of a study suggesting India-produced sugar is pesticide free.
Givaudan’s sturdy presence in China and Japan has helped secure strong Q1 results for its flavour division; with a 9.4% sales increase in Asia Pacific markets.
International spirit brands looking to gain traction in the Indian market need to establish a strong local hold and portfolio, perhaps through a partnership, before introducing premium products to market, according to Rabobank.
With India and China firmly in mind, Cargill has launched ‘Cargill Specialty Asia’ to serve its portfolio of specialty food ingredients and application capabilities, including texturisers and health and nutrition ingredients.
Food technologist, TIC Gums, has launched a candy coating technology in China in the wake of a stark surge in the consumption of sweets across the country, fuelled by rising incomes and increasingly Westernised palates.
Australia’s food and grocery sector desperately needs greater regulation in the retail sector and more transparency around foreign direct investment, Australian industry executives said in a new survey.
Nutrient specialist, Fortitech, has opened a sales and support office in Shanghai in response to a surging market for fortified food and beverages spurred by a newly health-focused consumer group in China.
Jif peanut butter and Folgers coffee maker JM Smucker has taken an “exciting first step” in its bid to develop a meaningful presence in China with the acquisition of a $35m stake in oat products maker Seamild.
Lipid ingredients manufacturer, Enzymotec, has opened a commercial operations office in Shanghai to support its growing infant nutrition and bioactive ingredients business in the Chinese market.
Nestlé will invest S$5.5m in its Singapore R&D centre to expand activities in development of products such as coffee mixes and malted beverages for both the Asian and global markets.
Coca-Cola has been driving growth across Japan in 2011 with NPDs and expanded distribution channels; its latest tea product is set to carve an entirely new product category in the local market, the company said.
Stark price increases defined China’s largest pork processor, Zhongpin’s strong 2011 results but domestic demands are set to support the company’s 2012 expansion plans, according to the CEO.
UK-based ABF Ingredients is manufacturing yeast extracts in China and targeting the enzyme market, as it has superior growth rates in these two specialities, according to the CEO of the company.
China’s beef market, in its primary development stage, has great potential however reform is needed as it lags behind developed markets, according to Frost & Sullivan.
NSF International’s dietary and food ingredients testing facility in Shanghai has achieved accreditation from the China National Accreditation Service (CNAS), a move that will drive standards among Chinese suppliers, according to an industry expert.
Royal Friesland Campina is poised to complete the takeover of Filipino firm Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) for total sum of around €350m, in a move it said gave it access to 100m consumers in a ‘high growth’ market and the opportunity to 'valorise...
Following a US$32m investment in Singapore, Japanese flavour giant Takasago International has turned its attention to India and has invested a further US$10m to build a flavour and fragrance manufacturing and R&D facility in the South of the country.
Malaysian bakery and confectionery firm Silver Bird Group Berhad has announced the suspension of three top officials as it defaults on loan repayments.
Amid a stream of supplier bullying accusations, Australian supermarket giant Woolworths has launched a new hotline where its clients can voice concerns and complaints.
