SWIFT reforms: India’s push for food safety and traceability
India’s recent reforms span ingredient restrictions and digital trade systems aimed at strengthening food traceability and supporting domestic and global trade
Food safety
Can Ebola disrupt coffee prices and stocks?
The border closure between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns over potential disruption to coffee trade - but is there a risk to global coffee prices?
Zero-risk food safety goals ‘undesirable’, say experts
Zero-risk food safety goals are both undesirable and unachievable as these can increase food waste and strain food systems, according to researchers
Safety First: Regulatory harmonisation, ‘unfair’ ads and palm oil
Regulatory harmonisation, ‘unfair’ ads and palm oil feature in this edition of Safety First
Nestlé and Danone: Baby food pouches under fire as microplastics found
Microplastics detected in Nestlé and Danone baby food pouches spark safety concerns
Food for seniors: Empathy and food safety gaps hindering innovation
As populations age, companies are exploring safer and appealing dysphagia foods for the elderly, but gaps in empathy, research and awareness prove challenging
Dignified food for seniors: Closing gaps in an ageing world
As societies age rapidly, a pressing question emerges: how can we better support seniors with dysphagia, a condition many may one day face?
Vietnam halts food safety overhaul — but reform remains on agenda
Vietnam officials have paused the country’s food safety restructuring, stressing that the reform agenda is temporarily delayed rather than abandoned
Shanghai alcohol warning label trials in full swing across online and offline sales
Alcohol warning label trials move into full implementation in China’s most populous city Shanghai, with strict requirements for retailers across online and offline sales channels
安全第一：中国液体运输管控、网络攻击等
本期“安全第一”包含中国液体运输管控、网络攻击等话题。
FIC 2026
‘There are no bad additives, only bad humans’: Experts urge fairer view of processed foods
Top Chinese food science leaders have urged consumers and industry to make fairer judgements of processed foods and additives, calling the sector badly misunderstood
Iran conflict: The 5 biggest pressure points for food and beverage
The price of oil and transport dominates headlines: but food and beverage companies need to anticipate other potential impacts
アセアン フォーカス：Thai Union、Carlsberg Malaysia、Yeo’s
Thai Unionのペット用フード、Carlsberg MalaysiaとYeo’sの売上不調などが、今回の「ASEAN Focus」に取上げられています。
Iran conflict: Is ceasefire too little, too late for global food?
A two-week ceasefire is now in place in the war between US-Israel and Iran, but much is still uncertain about how long-lasting the impacts of damage done thus far will be and what still lies ahead for the global food sector
Stagflation is food manufacturing’s worst-of-both-worlds scenario
Costs are rising again just as consumers start to hesitate and that’s a far more difficult mix than inflation alone.
Vietnam’s food safety overhaul moves forward after months of delay
After a disastrous attempt to implement new food safety regulations in January, Vietnam has taken next steps forward — but looks unlikely to make the original April deadline
Safety First: China liquid transport controls, cyberattacks and more
China liquid transport controls, cyberattacks and more feature in this edition of Safety First
Fonterra settles over ‘misleading’ Anchor butter claim
The New Zealand co-op has settled a legal dispute with Greenpeace after admitting breach of fair trade laws
Fighting fake imports? Health foods exported to China still need local authority recommendation
Overseas-made health foods entering China via the general trade route will still require official recommendation letters from their local authority when registering their manufacturing facility with the Chinese authorities - a move an industry expert...
Japanese crisps hit by Iran conflict
The Middle East fuel shock has forced a Japanese snack maker to halt production, exposing how quickly energy disruption can ripple through the wider food system
Abundant coffee crops; consumer wobbles and the Iran conflict: Another shake-up for coffee prices?
Coffee prices had finally started declining: but what’s next?
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
The Big One: Cyberattack that could cripple food and drink
Cyberattacks are closing in on the food and drink sector, and the next one could be catastrophic. Is the industry ready for The Big One?
South Korea pushes mandatory GM labelling for processed foods
South Korea has drafted new local regulations to effectively mandate genetically modified (GM) labelling in common processed foods such as soy sauce and oils
Bakery, snacks and cereals: The next cost shock may start in the Gulf
Geopolitics rarely stays confined to energy markets. Sooner or later, it reaches the food system
Iran closes Strait of Hormuz: Which foods will get pricier?
The sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz is triggering immediate ripple effects across global food markets
Indonesia to standardise non halal food labels with new regulations
New non halal labelling standards in Indonesia aim to streamline compliance in food firms and provide clearer information for consumers
South Korea strengthens contactless retail, egg safety regulations
South Korea has upgraded its contactless retail and egg safety systems, with an eye on curbing food poisoning and strengthening e-commerce oversight
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
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
Japan moves to bolster food allergen controls after nut cases spike
Japan is introducing stricter nut allergy controls to address rising cases, based on new government data showing increased public health concerns linked to this category
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
Thai firm revives superfood wolffia, blending heritage and nutrition
Thai brand Flo turns local superfood wolffia into protein drinks and flavour enhancers, tapping global demand for convenient, healthy foods
UAE government survey flags high salt, low vitamin D in local diets
New UAE data has shown excess salt consumption and poor vitamin D levels, findings set to guide national reformulation and health initiatives
India focus: Here are our Top 10 India stories from the past year
From Modi’s anti-obesity campaign to regulatory news and start-up innovations, we feature the top 10 most-read India stories from the past year
Packaging in focus: Our Top 10 Packaging stories from 2025
Here are our top 10 packaging stories featuring thermal strips on wine bottles, regulatory updates, sustainability challenges, and more
Fat reduction, fatigue, gut health: Japan’s top FFC health claims
Fat reduction, fatigue, and gut health-related claims were the top three most popular indications for Foods with Function Claims (FFC) in Japan between April 2024 and March 2025.
Our top 10 APAC food safety and security stories from 2025
We reveal our top 10 food safety and security stories this year, featuring safety-driven regulatory changes, China’s pesticide woes, food fraud and more
Immune health functional foods see new high in Japan
A record number of 71 products making immune health claims were notified under Japan’s Foods with Function Claims (FFC) between April 2024 and March 2025.
Safety First: Safer Asian seafood, Japan nuclear wastewater and more
Safer Asian seafood, Japan nuclear wastewater and more feature in this edition of Safety First
Local solutions key to safer, sustainable seafood in Asia
Asia’s seafood sector must adapt safety and sustainability measures to diverse local markets, say experts
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan meets convenience and wellness needs with pangasius
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan is maximising pangasius fish commercial potential with a circular model supporting convenient nutrition and supplement innovation
Sustainable pricing? Japan’s Fair Price Project shows food cost realities
Japan’s Fair Price Project urges consumer empathy and awareness as food producers face rising costs, in hopes of ensuring food supply sustainability
UN atomic body stresses post-Japan wastewater release food safety
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched three new reports to reiterate that Japan’s nuclear water release does not affect seafood safety
‘A national shame’: FSSAI embroiled in fight over ORS label misuse
India’s latest labelling ban has been stayed by a New Delhi court, raising concerns over continued sales of high-sugar oral rehydration products
Fi Asia 2025
Rice-based nutrition powering Laos’ health transformation
Rice is emerging as a vital tool for Laos in its quest to develop better nutrition and reduce stunting among children nationwide
Safety First: China food safety report, fake K-food and more
China food safety report, fake K-food and more feature in this edition of Safety First
PepsiCo and Frito-Lay sued for ‘mold-made’ molecule in Poppables
A new lawsuit claims the citric acid in Frito-Lay’s Poppables isn’t natural but brewed from black mold and that PepsiCo misled consumers with its ‘no artificial flavors’ promise
Japan Focus: Roku Gin’s SEA push, Ajinomoto’s 2030 goals, APAC-Japan partnerships, and more
This edition dives into Roku Gin’s SEA focus, Ajinomoto’s commitment to sustainability goals, APAC firms collaborating with major Japanese firms, and more