APAC salt reformulation rises in response to grading schemes, salt taxes
With salt taxes looming and nutri-grade schemes making their mark, more APAC food firms must reformulate to meet health and regulatory demands
Formulation
Both sugary and sweetened drinks increase liver disease risk
Sweetened drinks are linked to an even greater risk of liver disease than their sugary counterparts
The big UPF myth: Why consumers say one thing and eat another
Do manufacturers really need to navigate out of the ‘dirty’ UPF world? Perhaps not, as exclusive research shows consumers’ perception of UPF is very different to their reality
Less sugar, more sweets: Asians seek local flavours in healthier treats
Sixty-five percent of South East Asian consumers prefer local flavours and lower sugar when indulging in desserts, according to a new regional study
Blended proteins show promise for Asia’s food security
NECTAR to unveil consumer insights that may pave the way for mainstream adoption across Asia
Could 3D food printing be moving one step closer to mainstream adoption?
3D food printing is moving rapidly into commercial applications, but scientists stress that the next breakthroughs will depend on advances in printability, adaptability, safety, and consumer trust
Bean-Free coffee brand Prefer adds ice cream, chocolate ranges
Singapore’s bean-free coffee pioneer Prefer expands into ice cream and chocolate, offering new plant-based treats powered by food tech innovation
可持续发展内容：正大食品、食品安全难题等
本期“可持续发展内容”包含正大食品、食品安全难题等专题报道
ヘルシア チョイス：抹茶オーツラテ、高タンパク質チョコレート
今回のヘルシア チョイスは、抹茶オーツ麦ラテ、高タンパク質チョコレート、層別栄養などを特集しています。
GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025
Probiotics from human milk boost physical and mental health in mothers
Breast milk is known to be good for infants, but research shows probiotics in this can benefit mothers too, opening avenues for maternal-infant products
GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025
Nestlé drives product reformulation based on nutrient density
Nestlé has revealed a focus on nutrient density in its reformulation efforts to meet market-specific food product demands
Experts call for clearer NOVA classification guidelines
Researchers urge refinements to NOVA’s food classification system, citing confusion between formulation and processing as key flaws
トレンドトラッカー 利便性、アルトプロテイン、AI
利便性、アルトプロテイン、AI、その他のトレンドをまとめています。
Oatside targets stress and sleep health with matcha oat latte
Oatside has launched a matcha oat latte designed to boost mental wellness – with flavour to match
How sugarcane extract can enhance taste in sugar-reduced food and drinks
Researchers are turning to sugarcane extract as a natural solution that can enhance both sweetness and mouthfeel.
Fibre fortification: Seizing opportunities in China’s dietary gaps and emerging food trends
China’s insufficient fibre intake is creating opportunities for the food industry to innovate with fibre-rich, functional ingredients that meet nutritional and consumer demands.
Frutti Sugar looks to fill gap in sugar substitutes for foods, functional drinks with allulose
Singapore start-up Frutti Sugar says its production technology is able to drive down cost and scale up production of allulose, a naturally occurring sugar alternative with significant application potential in foods, functional beverages such as sports...
Spirulina supplement may improve sleep quality and mood: Thailand clinical study
Supplementation with spirulina may have the potential to increase sleep quality and mood in people suffering from mild to moderately severe depression, say researchers in Thailand.
Bake and brew: Japanese bakery company tackles food waste by upcycling bread crusts into craft beers
Japan’s Sakaeya Bakery seeks to reduce food waste from its bread production by upcycling bread crusts and adding them into a series of craft beers.
Fibre power: Legume-rich diet lowers blood glucose in prediabetic people
Adopting a legume-rich diet, as well as reducing caloric intake, has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, say findings of a 16-week trial conducted on prediabetic people.
Lee Kum Kee rolls out less-sodium soy sauce as demand grows, expands line-up to meet diverse dietary needs
Lee Kum Kee has introduced a reduced-salt version of its original soy sauce in Hong Kong in response to increasing consumer demand for healthier options, while actively expanding its portfolio to cater to diverse dietary preferences and lifestyles.
Complex factors driving global public attitudes towards salt reduction: Multi-country study
Customised, culturally sensitive strategies are needed to reduce sodium intake globally due to significant variations in public attitudes toward salt reduction across seven diverse countries, according to a recent multi-country study.
High sugary drink consumption linked with chronic kidney disease - China study
A study in China finds that higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) was associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), whereas moderate consumption of natural juices (NJs) had...
Concurrent barley and natto consumption shows obesity prevention promise – study
A study in Japan shows that simultaneous consumption of barley and natto could be a promising nutritional approach for obesity prevention through enhanced conversion of dietary fibre into energy.
South Korea launches 19 government-backed reduced-sodium and sugar products
The South Korean government has collaborated with industry to launch 19 reduced-sodium and sugar food and beverage products as it seeks to meet national targets.
‘Zero trend’: Brewguru reformulates hit RTD highball with less sugar, alcohol content
South Korean firm Brewguru has reformulated its popular ready-to-drink (RTD) highball product and released a new version with lower sugar and alcohol content, capitalising on the flourishing “zero trend” in the country.
Orange-fleshed sweet potato powder could improve vermicelli’s nutritional value: SE Asian study
Incorporating orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) powder into the rice flour used to make vermicelli could improve its nutritional value, say researchers in Vietnam and Thailand.
Meiji expands snack range made with bitter-reducing, nutrient-retaining ‘cacao granules’
Meiji is launching a new product under its WELLCACAO range, which is made with the company’s proprietary cacao-based ingredient that claims to be less bitter and better retain nutrients such as polyphenols.
Water-soluble tomato concentrate’s efficacy in reducing blood pressure shows promise for novel CVD-preventive approaches – BYHEALTH-funded study
A recent study has found water-soluble tomato concentrate (WSTC) to have a significant impact on blood pressure regulation, which could contribute to the development of novel dietary approaches for protecting heart health.
Broadening flavour horizons: Malaysian ingredients firm expands product range with white peach amid growth in sweet and savoury categories
Malaysia’s flavour house Matrix has introduced a new white peach flavour to meet rising consumer demand for lighter, fruity options while continuing its foray into the growing savoury segment.
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan appeals to children and elderly averse to fish with surimi-wrapped dumplings
Vietnamese firm Vinh Hoan aims to appeal to children and the elderly who dislike eating fish with its surimi-wrapped dumplings, which are part of its product portfolio targeting the needs of time-strapped consumers.
Fermented gold kiwi intake shown to reduce self-reported gut discomfort – Eight-week RCT
The supplementation of fermented gold kiwi has been shown to reduce the severity of self-reported gut discomfort, including abdominal pain and heartburn, according to an eight-week trial conducted in South Korea.
Eating fresh tomato lessens the symptoms of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women – RCT
Consuming fresh tomato, or Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., could lessen the impact of metabolic syndrome among overweight postmenopausal women, according to an RCT.
Co-culturing Bifidobacteria and propionic acid bacteria in soy whey can boost vitamin B12 levels in plant-based products
Fortifying soy whey with selected strains of Bifidobacteria and propionic acid bacteria can increase vitamin B12 levels in plant-based products, according to an academic from the National University of Singapore.
Oral nutrition improves protein, calcium, vitamin B12 levels among Singapore elderly – Abbott study
The use of an oral nutrition supplement for over six months has shown improvements in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 levels among Singapore’s elderly aged 65 and above, say new findings from a study by Abbott.
'Identifying interventions': Calcium intake “inadequate” in Asia, says new Lancet study
There is 'inadequate' intake of calcium in Asia, especially in South Asia and East Asia, based on a new study published in The Lancet that looks at global nutrient intake estimates.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Bioactive from blackcurrants found to boost mood in healthy adults – New Zealand research
New research from New Zealand has identified a bioactive from blackcurrants that could boost mood in healthy adults.
Fruitful transition: Hey! Chips’ strategic switch to domestic market yields increased sales, rising brand awareness
Singapore-based Hey! Chips says that its switch in business strategy from overseas expansion to building presence in the local market has enabled it to gain a foothold in the healthy snacking category and a spurt in brand awareness.
Astaxanthin reduces inflammation and cellular stress in PCOS women – RCT
Researchers found that astaxanthin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and cell stress in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Adults in 20s, 30s most interested in personalised nutrition – Suntory-backed start-up survey
Japanese adults in their 20s and 30s are most interested in personalised nutrition as compared to the other age groups, a survey conducted by Suntory-backed start-up Rem3dy Health has found.
Vitamin D can improve metabolic health of PCOS women – RCT
Vitamin D supplementation improved body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and other health markers for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), indicating its potential for managing PCOS-related metabolic dysfunctions, a study finds.
Shiny Meadow launches fresh milk with higher protein and calcium content to fulfil consumer demand in Hong Kong
Chinese dairy brand Shiny Meadow has launched an upgraded version of its fresh milk product, which contains higher protein and calcium content, to meet evolving consumer needs.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Orion, Swanson onboard: Yeast protein gaining favour as an alternative to soy and pea
There is rising interest in yeast proteins as food and supplement companies look for novel alternatives to soy and pea protein, with companies such as Japan’s iSDG, South Korea’s Orion Corporation, and America’s Swanson making new launches.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Beyond gut health: Kerry adds protein absorption to list of use for spore-forming probiotic
Kerry is using spore-forming probiotic for increasing protein absorption on the back of new scientific evidence.
HNC / Healthplex Expo 2024
'Beyond single ingredients': NYO3 to launch multipurpose krill oil products for women and joint health
Norwegian krill oil brand NYO3 is launching a series of multipurpose krill oil products targeted at women and sports users in China.
Curcumin can help combat inflammatory chronic metabolic diseases – meta-analysis
Curcumin can fight chronic diseases by reducing key inflammatory markers, offering a promising natural intervention for conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to new research.
Mixed results for hydrolysed milk formulas in allergy prevention among children – meta-analysis
Hydrolysed milk formula may prevent certain allergies but increase risk of wheeze as compared to breast milk, according to a new meta-analysis funded by Huhhot Science & Technology Plan and the National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy in China.
Psychobiotics power: Higher consumption of prebiotic, probiotic foods associated with less-severe anxiety – Korean study
Findings from a Korean study showed that a higher intake of prebiotic and probiotic foods was significantly associated with lower severity of anxiety symptoms.
Lose the calories, keep the indulgence: Konjac manufacturer prioritises food satisfaction for the carb-conscious
Chinese low calorie and high fibre konjac rice and noodle manufacturers Ketoslim Mo says emphasising an enjoyable eating experience is just as important to health needs to drive consumer acceptance.
Kimchi-derived probiotic shows potential as functional ingredient due to positive effect on immune regulation – RCT
A new study shows that a probiotic strain isolated from Korean kimchi has beneficial effects on immune regulation, particularly in people with a weak immune system, highlighting its potential as a functional health food ingredient.