Why upcycled ingredients struggle to scale in Asia Pacific
Despite growing interest, high costs, complex supply chains and uneven demand continue to limit large-scale adoption of upcycled ingredients across Asia Pacific
Business
UPFs linked to adult uric acid risk: China study
Adults under 60 found to eat more ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), putting them at risk of getting hyperuricemia (high uric acid), leading to gout and kidney diseases
Asahi profit dips after Japan cyberattack, Europe weather woes
Beverage giant Asahi has reported a decline in profits after its Japan business was hit by a cyberattack last September, underscoring growing digital vulnerabilities across the food sector
APAC e-commerce: Misleading claims, risks and opportunities
APAC’s booming e-commerce scene offers growth, but brands need to grapple with misleading claims and navigate grey areas in e-commerce
Japan Focus: Modernising karinto, rice for weight control, POCARI SWEAT expansion in China, and more
This edition explores how to reimagine traditional karinto, rice consumption for weight management, POCARI SWEAT ramping up production in China, and more.
ホット ライトナウ：ジンジャーシロップ、Mengniuとウインターオリンピック
今月のホット ライトナウは、ジンジャーシロップ、Mengniuの冬季五輪関連など最新トレンド ニュースを特集しています。
より健康的な選択肢：主要機能性原料、トレハロースとSmartMilk
今月の「Healthier Choices」では、主要機能性原料としてのトレハロースとSmartMilkを 取り上げています。
ポリシー ピックス：中国のライブ配信規制、韓国の非接触型販売
今月のPolicy Picksでは、中国ライブ配信、韓国非接触型販売などを、取り上げています。
中東フォーカス：主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーション
今月のMiddle East Focusでは、主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーションを取り上げています。
Thai Union’s i-Tail eyes 2026 growth in pet treats and US pet food
Thai Union is looking to grow pet food arm i-Tail in a big way, pushing to strengthen its position in global pet nutrition
Yeo’s targets smaller packs, global export markets to drive growth
Food and beverage major Yeo’s is eyeing expanded growth via a focus on smaller pack sizes and a stronger global export push across the US and Europe
Regulators approve Fonterra’s mega deal with Lactalis
The billion-dollar divestment has been formally given the go-ahead by regulators as farmers line up for up for a NZ$3.2bn capital return from the sale
Nestlé’s new power play: Four Pillars, one direction
Swiss food and beverage giant unveils bold new strategy for the future
The tale of two spin-offs: What the Kellogg breakup really achieved
Kellogg’s 2023 split was sold as a focus play. Less than two years later, both companies had been sold. So what was the split really for?
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
Why Mars is powering up M&M’s as it reshapes its global growth strategy
As Mars expands through mega‑deals, sustainability pushes and portfolio diversification, the company is placing a bigger strategic bet on M&M’s to anchor growth and relevance in a changing global snacking landscape
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
Smucker sues Trader Joe’s, as Uncrustables shifts from freezer to fridge
Smucker is retooling its $1B Uncrustables line for ready-to-eat convenience while battling knockoffs in the frozen PB&J arms race
Gulfood 2026
Hunter Foods’ spicy chips bring extra heat to Middle East chilli lovers
Snacking giant Hunter Foods has launched a range of new snacks meant for ‘true chilli lovers’ in the Middle East, bringing more bold heat and flavour to the region
Brand New: Carlsberg, Kirin, Mengniu and more
Carlsberg, Kirin, Mengniu and more feature in this edition of Brand New
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
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
Kraft Heinz hits pause as Berkshire Hathaway eyes exit – what now?
A paused split, a new CEO and Berkshire Hathaway heading for the exit – all eyes are on Kraft Heinz’s next move
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
Hershey blasted by Reese’s family over core ingredient changes
Reese family sends open letter to Hershey, challenging whether the confectionery giant is protecting the Reese’s legacy
Carlsberg Malaysia’s portfolio-wide revenue hit signals continued uncertainty
Carlsberg Malaysia has reported a revenue drop across almost its entire portfolio of drinks, even though the brewery posted record-high profits amid challenging market conditions
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
Inside Coca‑Cola’s 2026 growth playbook: Digital, innovation and change
As Coca‑Cola enters a pivotal year, the drinks giant is doubling down on digital transformation, bold innovation and a refreshed leadership vision to fuel its next decade of growth
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。
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
Gulfood 2026
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
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
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
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
Gut-muscle axis: Soy protein intake improves muscle health in seniors
The supplementation of soy protein has been shown to improve muscle health and modulate the gut microbiome – findings that a group of Chinese researchers say would support the gut–muscle axis hypothesis.
Sustainability spotlight: Our Top 10 Sustainability stories from the past year
Here are our top 10 sustainability stories of 2025, spanning corporate strategy, upcycling innovation and the practical challenges facing the food and beverage industry
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
Boardroom clash behind Barry Callebaut CEO shake‑up
Leadership shake‑up at Barry Callebaut reveals deeper strategic tensions at the world’s biggest chocolate maker
Mars invests €1.4m to boost petcare R&D
The FMCG multinational is investing the cash into a new innovation centre for pet products
World’s biggest snack companies: who’s really got the crunch in 2026
In a near-$700bn global market, a handful of companies now decide what scales, what sticks and what survives, and in 2026, the power gap is only widening
Healthy, familiar, accessible: Making alternative protein more scalable
From mung bean snacks to microalgae desserts, familiar and healthier formats are emerging as key levers to help alternative protein firms scale
Alt protein spotlight: Our Top 10 Alternative Protein stories from the past year
We reveal the top 10 most popular alt protein stories from this year, from leaf-powered protein to cultivated seafood and more
Whole grains: A functional, clean label treasure trove?
Natural, whole and ancient grains boast strong nutritional benefits and minimal processing
Child obesity surge fuels push to restrict unhealthy food packaging
As obesity rates climb, experts focus on packaging as a strong influence on children’s choices – both as a risk factor and a tool to promote healthier diets
Youth engagement and gamification drive APAC & ME packaging trends
Brands are embracing connected packaging, using youth-focused, gamified strategies in Asia Pacific and the Middle East
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Calbee, NielsenIQ, PepsiCo to present this July
Calbee, NielsenIQ and PepsiCo are some of the biggest names giving keynote presentations at this year’s Growth Asia Summit.
Nestlé and Lactalis face lawsuit over infant formula recall
The CPG majors are facing litigation for their handling of infant formula recalls over possible toxin contamination
Who are the biggest players in pet food?
The global pet food market is dominated by a small group of major companies
World’s biggest bakery companies: who’s really got the proof in 2026
Bakery looks like a steady, staple business, until you follow the money. In 2026, a small group of companies controls an outsized share of the world’s bread, buns and baked goods, and the distance between the leaders and the rest is still growing