Policy Picks: China live-streaming, South Korea contactless sales and more
China live-streaming, South Korea contactless sales and more feature in this edition of Policy Picks
All Asia-Pacific
Brown Brothers taps fruity spritzes to recruit new wine drinkers
Brown Brothers is betting on familiar citrus flavours to recruit new wine drinkers, launching yuzu lemon and orange spritzes to lower entry barriers into the category
SmartMilk: The creation of a new functional milk category
New Zealand firm Lullaa has developed SmartMilk, a functional dairy drink combining botanicals, synbiotics and collagen for everyday health and beauty support
Crunch appeal: Japanese snack brand revamps karinto for overseas growth
Heritage snack firm Asahi Seika reimagines traditional karinto with longer shelf life and trending flavours while retaining its signature crunch and sweetness
Why familiarity drives texture acceptance in food and drink
Consumers are more receptive to new food and drink products when textures reflect familiar eating experiences, according to global ingredients firm Kerry
Alt Protein Watch: Blended proteins, mushrooms and sustainability
Blended proteins, mushrooms, Asia sustainability report and more feature in this edition of Alt Protein Watch
Asia sustainability report: Protein sources, food safety gaps strain progress
Asia’s food industry is battling various hurdles threatening the rapid progress of sustainability agendas, with protein diversification and food safety emerging as major issues
Does plant-based meat still dominate the meat-free sector?
Meat alternatives are in trouble, but traditional plant-based and vegetarian foods will not necessarily replace them
Mars, Mondelēz, Nestlé, Hershey, and Lindt team up to transform future of cocoa
The world’s biggest chocolate makers are working together to futureproof cocoa and support growers
Inside the $330bn functional food frenzy fuelled by PepsiCo, Coke & Nestlé
From PepsiCo to Nestlé, global giants are racing to cash in on the booming functional food craze, but with trends shifting fast, the stakes have never been higher
Brand New: Carlsberg, Kirin, Mengniu and more
Carlsberg, Kirin, Mengniu and more feature in this edition of Brand New
What is yerba mate and why is this natural energiser going global?
Yerba mate is breaking out from its South American roots, fuelled by soaring exports, innovation and booming global demand for natural energy beverages
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Nestlé Easter, KitKat Cookie, POLO, and more…
Major players are leaning into texture, premium gifting and flavour crossovers, while challenger brands continue to push sustainability and plant‑based credentials
Estonia’s Middle East playbook: Key insights for food exporters to the Gulf
Estonia is tapping healthier food trends and grain-based product demands to further its ‘Northern Standard’ approach in the region
Start-up Spotlight: Superfood wolffia and ginger syrup among top features
Superfood wolffia and ginger syrup among our top features in this edition of Start-up Spotlight
From trash to toast: How sunflower oil waste could become bread’s next health upgrade
Research into sunflower oil byproducts suggests an overlooked ingredient could help bakers lift protein and fiber levels while supporting sustainability goals and easing pressure on wheat-based formulations
General Mills lowers sales expectations but expands its playbook to win back consumers
The packaged food giant is banking on bolder taste, functional nutrition and smarter packaging to offset weak cereal and snack demand
Ingredients Compendium No 2: Trehalose
The little-known functional sugar gaining ground across food categories
As manufacturers grapple with sugar reduction, texture loss and longer shelf-life demands, trehalose is emerging as a functional ingredient to watch in 2026
Africa’s dual bakery market surges as bread demand rapidly rises
Industrial and informal bakeries across Africa are expanding and adapting fast as bread solidifies its position as a critical, high‑volume breakfast staple
From comfort to function: How snacking is being redefined
Today’s consumers are redefining snacks, favouring products that combine nutrition, heritage, and convenience
Top functional ingredients shaping food & drink in 2026
Protein, fibre, nootropics and antioxidants are emerging as key functional ingredients shaping food and drink innovation as wellness continues to steer buying decisions
聚焦中国：蒙牛亮相冬奥会、儿童肥胖与包装监管、增长趋势及更多动态
本期聚焦蒙牛在冬奥会的健康与营养战略、限制不健康食品包装的呼声、现代化增长策略及其他行业趋势
China Focus: Mengniu in Winter Olympics, child obesity and packaging, growth trends and more
This edition dives into Mengniu’s health and nutrition focus for Winter Olympics, calls to restrict unhealthy packaging, modernising for growth and other trends
聚焦日本：麒麟控股增长计划、食品过敏原管控、姜糖浆健康产品趋势及更多动态
本期聚焦麒麟研发战略、日本加强食品过敏原监管、冲绳姜糖浆健康产品出海，以及更多行业动态。
聚焦东盟：麒麟泰国布局、Mottainai升级再造策略及更多动态
本期涵盖麒麟在泰国的业务发展战略、Mottainai 的食品升级再造实践，以及其他东盟市场动态
聚焦中东：清真标准统一、沙特 Nutri-Score 及更多动态
本期内容涵盖中东地区清真标准统一化进程、沙特 Nutri-Score 营养标签，以及区域市场其他动态
可持续发展内容：升级再造、环保包装及更多动态
本期聚焦食品升级再造、环保包装创新及其他可持续性实践
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
Dole Specialty Ingredients scales upcycling amid cost pressures
Dole Specialty Ingredients says upcycling fruit side streams into functional ingredients has nutritional and economic promise, but high costs still limit adoption
What’s at stake for Danone in 2026?
From maintaining growth in protein and specialized nutrition to propping up plant-based and creamers, here’s what Danone must focus on
Cocoa costs and climate risks: What drives new Barry Callebaut AI hub
Barry Callebaut’s new Global Innovation Center in Singapore combines cacao coatings expertise and AI to address rising cocoa costs and climate pressures
Could blended protein and mushrooms revive alt-protein in Asia?
Experts say blended protein, fermentation, and mushrooms could revive Asia’s alt-protein market with better nutrition and affordability
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
Packaging Happenings: Gamification, child obesity and more
The influence of gamification, child obesity and more on the packaging sector feature in this edition of Packaging Happenings
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Don’t miss out on 15% CNY promo
Enjoy a 15% discount when you register for the Growth Asia Summit 2026 from now until February 22.
The future of chocolate is bittersweet
Soaring cocoa prices are quietly reshaping how chocolate is formulated, where it’s used and how far the industry can stretch expectations without losing trust
Fibre on the rise: Broad benefits and safety credentials drive growth
The fibre category is gaining momentum, supported by wide-ranging health benefits and reliable safety certifications that strengthen market confidence
チャイナ フォーカス：PepsiCoのゼロシュガー推進、EU乳製品への関税、農村地域経済活性化
PepsiCoのゼロシュガー推進からEU乳製品に対する関税まで、今月のChina Focusでは、中国の消費動向、貿易動向、農村域経経済施策を検証しています。
サステナビリティ スニペット：アップサイクリング、エコフレンドリー包装
アップサイクリング、エコフレンドリー包装などが今月のSustainability Snippetsに特集されています。
ミドルイースト フォーカス：ハラール調和、サウジ版ニュートリスコア
今月のMiddle East Focusでは、ハラール調和、サウジ版食品の栄養表示システムなどを特集しています。
ASEANフォーカス：タイにおけるキリン、Mottainaiのアップサイクリング
キリンのタイ進出、Mottainaiのアップサイクリングなどが今月のASEANフォーカスで特集されています
ジャパン フォーカス：キリンの成長戦略、食品アレルゲン管理、健康増進のための生姜
今月のJapan Focusでは、キリンの研究開発戦略、食品アレルゲン規制強化に向けた日本の動き、健康増進のための沖縄産生姜シロップなどを取り上げています。
Valentine’s Day NPD from Cadbury, Paris Baguette and Wisconsin Cheese
Chocolate still anchors Valentine’s Day, but 2026’s launches show how brands are pushing the holiday further through format, experience and gifts that feel less predictable
Safety First: India alcohol rules, unhealthy food packaging and more
India alcohol rules, unhealthy food packaging and more feature in this edition of Safety First
Japan Focus: Kirin’s growth plans, food allergen controls, ginger for wellness, and more
In this edition, we explore Kirin’s R&D strategies, Japan’s move to tighten food allergen controls, Okinawan ginger syrup for health, and more
Global beer consumption rises on growth in India, Russia and Thailand – Kirin
Beer consumption increased a marginal 0.5% globally, narrowly avoiding decline thanks to sharp gains in key emerging markets, according to Kirin
Balanced meals may matter more than protein alone: Japan study
New data shows than balanced meals, rather than focusing on one nutrient such as protein, are more closely linked to kids’ healthier weight development
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
Kirin doubling down on beer innovation and R&D to fuel global growth
Beer giant Kirin is ramping up focus on its beer and R&D businesses to drive international growth, boosting the use of new technology and localisation
Hershey profit shock: 60% drop despite sales bump
Hershey’s profits have plunged again, but rising sales and recent acquisitions hint at a more complicated story