The Philippines’ banana industry is lobbying for the government to take action to protect its global export markets against competition from ‘pirated’ bananas and tariff disadvantages before more ground is lost.
Global beer giant AB InBev is rebranding flagship pink beer Hoegaarden rosée in Thailand for the first time on August 1, with the aim of accentuating its key ingredient, raspberry, and enhancing appeal with its main target female demographic.
India has moved to implement strict 0% ABV regulations for alcohol-free beer in the country as part of the country’s alcoholic beverages revision, while Thailand is mulling tax raises for the category - spelling tough times ahead for zero-alcohol beers...
The Singapore firm behind a brand of low fat and low sugar ice cream is now turning its attention to reducing sugar levels in Asian condiment and sauces.
The Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association (SFMA) has launched a new Sugar Smart Challenge 2020, a year-long project which aims to develop and commercialised reduced sugar or sugar substitute ingredients as well as finished products.
New Zealand nut butter specialist firm Fix & Fogg has opted to establish a local production facility in the United States so as to overcome quota challenges and facilitate further expansion in the country.
Health foods brand Sanitarium is looking to South East Asia as a key target market for its new range of So Good Barista plant-based milks, designed to meet consumers’ home-based beverage needs amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19.
The Philippines’ controversial new tax reform bill aims to help smaller local food and beverage pay lower taxes and stop larger firms from exploring existing system loopholes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak…but experts are warning implementation...
Vietnam and India are competing for ASEAN rice trade post-COVID-19, with the former having gained advantage due to support from traditional partner Philippines, and the latter having come out ahead with Malaysia in terms of price.
Singapore-based personalised nutrition firm Imagene Labs has forayed into the immune health space with a number of new launches, including a ginseng vitamin blend plus a DNA test which looks at one's genetic tendencies for nutritional deficiencies....
The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the establishment of a food processing facility which will convert excess fruits and vegetables into high-value products and reduce food waste in the country.
France’s first cultured meat firm Gourmey is looking to bring the country’s traditional duck liver delicacy foie gras to Asia, believing that its animal cruelty-free production technology and competitive prices compared to traditional foie gras will enable...
Singapore harbours major ambitions in becoming more food self-sufficient with novel food technology as one of its key strategies, but a recent study has found that public attitudes towards such tech could seriously hinder the government’s plans.
WhatIF Foods, the consumer brand of Singapore-based food science company NamZ, has opened its e-commerce store to consumers in Malaysia and Singapore, as the company seeks to provide convenience foods that are healthier, sustainable and supportive of...
Singapore-based TurtleTree Labs is in talks with leading dairy and infant formula brands to license its technology for the production of cell-cultured human breastmilk, and has articulated a longer-term mission to produce cow's milk as well.
A new light technology touted as a chemical-free ‘disruptor’ to the food preservation and disinfection has been created by a spin-off from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Tate & Lyle has completed its first clinical study on the consumption of its soluble corn fibre (SCF) on the glucose response in an Asian population, with the research suggesting it can offer significant benefits.
The recently-ratified EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has seen major gains in food trade for both sides, particularly in rice and seafood for Vietnam as well as alcohol and meat for the EU.
Researchers have revealed that the timing of carbohydrate-rich meals can significantly worsen glucose homeostasis – on top of the independent glycaemic index of the food – potentially revealing ways to minimise the risk of type-2 diabetes.
Many big food and beverage companies in Malaysia have made commitments to improve product and population nutrition, but researchers have found these to be ‘weak’, ‘non-specific’ and lacking in comprehensiveness.
Food and agriculture products are expected to help Thailand maintain its export trade worldwide post-COVID-19, despite the significant logistical challenges seen in all major export modes of transportation so far.
New Zealand kiwifruit firm Zespri has its eye on new markets and consumers with its Zespri Red Kiwifruit variety as well as a range of sustainable innovations.
A lack of harmonised regulations continues to pose challenges for businesses looking to market their nutraceutical products across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, as well as consumers access to such products, according to...
New Zealand-based Parkers Beverage Company is planning to roll out its canned water in Singapore’s convenience stores, which it claims is a more environmentally-friendly option than plastic bottles, after first entering the country via e-commerce late...
Australia and Indonesia have finally ratified a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after 15 years of discussion, but cold chain issues and live cattle disputes are clearly still holding food trade back for the South East Asian nation.
Malaysia is considering a potential reviews of regulations governing alcohol sales and/or production following a rash of drunk driving accidents in the country, marking yet another hurdle for an industry trying to find its feet due to COVID-19.
Plant-based meat firm Karana is bidding on its whole-plant and minimal-processing approach to product innovation to help it stand out from the crowd as it gears up to launch its jackfruit-based pork in Singapore.
The Philippines is considering implementing higher sugar taxes as well as new taxes on ‘junk food’ high in sodium and trans fat to offset the costs incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak this year.
Non-alcoholic spirits firm Lyre’s has launched into Singapore right after winning multiple awards at an international spirits competition, and hopes to use the City State as a stepping stone to further expansion across Asia.
Nestle Malaysia has expressed strong confidence in post-its COVID-19 recovery, with the firm accelerating its e-commerce drive at products with an ‘at-home’ focus.
Insect-based foods firm Bugsolutely is developing a new snack comprising both insect-based and plant-based proteins, aiming to maximise nutritional, cost and consumer benefits.
Mondelez Philippines has hedged its bets on plastic recycling over reduction as part of its efforts to support a new national industry sustainability pledge.
Singapore-based aquaculture firm Barramundi Asia is planning to complete its land-based and coastal nursery in Brunei by the end of the year, as the company works towards its goal of achieving 50,000 tonnes across its farms by 2030.
Coca-Cola Amatil says it has seen improved sales performance across most of its markets in May, but will have to continue to focus on cost-savings initiatives in the coming year as the company doubles down on efforts to survive the impacts of COVID-19.
Disputes over Indonesia’s controversial omnibus law have taken a food-related turn, with various stakeholders now clashing over whether this will cause imported foods to be favoured over local supply, as well as the potentially negative impacts this will...
Heineken and Tiger Beer have taken measures to revise marketing strategies and double-down on product innovation after seeing online sales surge after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak hit on-trade consumption.
Cambodia is looking to reform its local organic food products market by putting new standards and procedures into legislation, as well as presenting a new unified logo for all certified organic fruits, vegetables and other agricultural items.
A team of Malaysian engineers has developed an award-winning solution to encasing loose, green foods such as beans without the need for any form of external packaging or bags.
Food and beverage companies have been advised to concentrate on packaging, technology and water use to help maintain production during and thrive after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, in the wake of a near 5% drop in exports.
Swiss firm Caviarlieri Limited is expanding further across Asia and Australia with its caviar-containing anti-ageing product, after seeing initial success in the Philippines and Thailand.
Malaysian brand Jobbie Nut Butter has sought to clear the air after being accused of using the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak as a ‘sympathy ploy’ to boost sales.
Yangon-based FAME Pharmaceuticals is riding on the probiotics boom, with aggressive plans to expand its product range after introducing its first immunity-enhancement products.
Insect snack company Bug Bacon, which has launched its first product featuring black soldier fly grub from Cambodia, is optimistic that insects as food go mainstream by the end of the decade.
Indonesia’s gummy supplement start-up, YOU, said sales of its adults’ and kids’ multivitamins have nearly tripled amid the COVID-19 outbreak, as more recognise vitamins as a means of preventive healthcare.
The F&B industry in Malaysia has called for food businesses in all states nationwide to ‘concurrently resume’ as per the government’s recent loosening of COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions, but has hit a snag with seven of the nation’s 14 states...
Coca-Coca Amatil has been hit with plummeting sales volumes in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia amidst COVID-19 lockdowns being implemented by all three countries, but remains positive that its strong foundations will tide it through the crisis.
Thailand's retraction of a nationwide blanket ban on alcohol sales, which led to panic-buying and fears of a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections, has been defended by industry leaders who claim alcohol and social gatherings don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand.
The ASEAN palm oil industry has been shaken by a new set of attacks attempting to use legalities to block its exports, as well as a shock change in stance over contaminants rules from key member Malaysia.