Companies are spying opportunities to market soy based products as a replacement to dairy following the melamine milk crisis that hit China and echoed across the globe.
Two of the world’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of dairy goods have moved to play up their commitments in China as the legacy of the ongoing melamine scandal continues to impact on their operations.
China is taking steps to reassure countries that are banning its imports following the melamine crisis with the introduction of new safety levels for food and drink.
After 20 years of doing business in China and the Asia Pacific,
Irish-based dairy and ingredients group Glanbia has established its
first plant in the Chinese city of Suzhou, near Shanghai.
NutraCea has announced plans to construct the largest rice bran oil
refinery in the world, a move that comes just months after the firm
entered the edible oil market.
The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping tariffs of almost
40 per cent on monosodium glutamate (MSG) imported to the EU from
China, following an investigation into the effects of lower-priced
imports on EU industry.
There is evidence that European potato starch suppliers are losing
out to Chinese competitors, as anti-dumping measures drive rampant
growth for leading Chinese starch maker.
Western suppliers and manufacturers are contributing to earthquake
recovery in China while trying to cope with the effect the quake
has had on their operations.
Danish ingredients group Danisco today inaugurated a new
application and research facility in China, which the firm hopes
will help it further expand operations in an "important growth
area".
Japan's leading chocolate maker Meiji Seika has recalled a range of
confectionery products, after it was discovered that they contained
a novel sweetener made with an unapproved genetically modified
enzyme.
Only one year after moving into Taiwan, US bakery firm Dunkin'
Donuts plans to open 100 new shops in Shanghai and the surrounding
provinces over the next ten years, the company announced last week.
China must continue to reform its food safety practices if it
is to maintain consumer confidence in its products, says a food
safety expert from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Safety bodies in Shanghai hope to hit back at growing international
concern over Chinese food safety practices with its new food
testing system, say media reports in the country.
A possible move by the Chinese government to repeal tax incentives
for foreign investors could prove a massive setback to the
country's food industry, warns an expert on Asian affairs.
Unilever, the world's second largest food company, is to increase
its focus on its Chinese operations to allow the country to meet
its potential as a market leader in the Asia Pacific food industry.
China has consolidated its position as one of the world's leading
tea producers as export demand continues to drive growth in the
sector, according to figures by China's chamber of commerce for the
import and export of foodstuffs...
China is one of five nations worldwide set to drive massive growth
of in the carbonated drinks market by 2011, according to a new
report by consumer analyst Euromonitor.
Honk Kong based funds management firm, Value Partners, could be set
to invest in the growing Chinese monosodium glutamate (MSG) and
fermentation market, according to local news reports.
China, South America and Europe combined to offset disappointing
performances in North America and South Africa during brewer
SABMiller's third quarter.
Two Singaporean firms, Tee Yih Jia Food and Super Coffeemix, are
working with Chinese firm Jiangsu Hengshun Sauce and Food on
building the world's largest vinegar factory in Zhenjiang city,
Jiangsu province.
Asian Citrus, China's largest orange plantation owner, is readying
to launch high-value, freshly squeezed orange juice for wealthier
Chinese consumers happy to spend more on convenient food products.
VV Group, China's leading soymilk producer, has bought a stake in
an alcohol maker as it looks for more profitable business to
counter falling soymilk sales.
More duck eggs containing the carcinogenic dye Sudan Red have been
found in China, food officials said yesterday, expanding the recall
outside of Beijing to the country's east coast.
China's increasingly savvy chocolate consumers will be better
equipped to choose higher quality chocolate if new regulations
entering into force next month are properly enforced.
Belgian lactic acid producer Galactic will double capacity at its
joint venture plant in China to meet rising demand for the additive
in food production.
Beverages with a healthy twist are booming within the Chinese
beverage market according to a report from global beverage research
specialists Canadean.
The rapid growth of China's fast food industry is boosting demand
for frozen French fries and other processed potato products,
helping to offset a downward trend in more mature markets due to
consumer health concerns, reveals...
If the Chinese government gives in to mounting international
pressure to revalue its currency, it could spell the end of cheap
exports, a move that many anticipate would have a knock-on effect
on raw materials costs for the food industry....
Almost 300 people were hospitalized in Shanghai last week, after
suspected food poisoning by pork containing a banned animal feed
additive, the state media Xinhua reported on Friday.
China's biggest wine producer Changyu has set up an alliance with
Canadian ice wine maker Aolos to build what is expected to be the
largest ice wine estate in the world.
Chinese dairy Yili, one of the country's top two, has increased
sales and profits in the first six months of the year despite
rising raw material costs, reinforcing its market share in the
fast-growing dairy sector.
Chinese confectionery firms are spotting the opportunities involved
in targeting the country's only-children, who are commanding an
increasing share of their parent's rising incomes.
Several small producers of carbonated drinks in China do not meet
the quality standards set by the country's food authorities,
according to a recent survey.
China's fresh tomato and processed tomato production is set to
surge this year, driven by unusually high prices on the domestic
and world markets that have boosted planted areas.
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace attacked the Hong Kong food
safety authority last week for failing to improve testing for
pesticides in fruit and vegetables imported from mainland China.
The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration is to make recalls of
spoiled or potentially harmful food obligatory for food
manufacturers under the first law of its kind in China.