Bakery

Tackling food fraud: Urgent need for ‘real-time’ global monitoring – Thai experts

05-Dec-2023 By Shali S.

There is an urgent need for real-time global monitoring of food fraud in order to protect public health and the global economy, say experts in Thailand.

Going nuts for nuts: Singapore start-up hopes to carve out a niche with premium, customisable nut butters

21-Nov-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Singapore-based start-up Noce Nuts says that consumers are willing to pay a premium for nut butters that are customised to their preferred taste and texture, including reduced sugar and salt options.

It’s a date: Agthia plans to strengthen digitalisation and snacking innovation amid strong nine-month performance

16-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

Middle Eastern food and beverage heavyweight Agthia has pledged to focus more investment into the digitalisation of its business as well as the creation of new snacking innovations in order to sustain the positive growth and profitability seen in the...

Branded still better? Mondelez plays down private label threat citing ‘strong’ consumer confidence in Asia and Middle East

15-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

Snacking giant Mondelez has highlighted continued strong demand for its snack brands such as Oreo and Cadbury in emerging markets as key to its Q3 profitability, playing down threats from cheaper supermarket private label products.

Going local: India’s new local language food safety platform hoped to boost compliance among domestic food firms

15-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has launched a new version of its food safety platform in the local Hindi language in an effort to increase domestic food firm understanding and compliance of local regulations.

Beyond product innovation: Affordability and accessibility take centre stage in meeting Asia’s nutritional needs

14-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

Affordability and accessibility are just as important as product innovation if food firms are going to help meets Asia’s nutritional needs, in a region that is still beset by childhood stunting and rising rates of obesity and diabetes.

Ancient grains, new formats: Nestle India puts millets at the centre of new product innovation efforts

14-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

Nestle India has launched a variety of new products focused on millets as a key ingredient this year, in an effort to increase consumer acceptance and awareness via familiar product formats while also aligning with the Indian government’s International...

Food waste reduction: Japan believes it is ‘close’ to achieving awareness and action goals – government data

13-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

New Japanese government data has revealed that the country could be close to achieving its goal of having 80% of the population simultaneously aware of, and taking action against, food waste.

Thai UPF warning: Products routinely exceed fat, sugar, salt RDIs – new data

08-Nov-2023 By Shali S.

New data from Thailand claims almost all ultra-processed food (UPF) products exceed the recommended daily amount of sodium and lack essential nutrients and minerals.

E-commerce conversion: Singapore consumers’ purchasing decisions increasingly driven by health and sustainability - RedMart

07-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

Grocery e-commerce platform giant RedMart is seeing health and sustainability trends increasingly driving the purchasing decisions of consumers in Singapore, inspiring the firm to focus its own in-house product innovations on these factors.

Hola to Hallyu foods: South Korea sets sights on Latin America as next major export market

06-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has set its sights on partnerships with the ministries of multiple Latin American countries to establish the region as its next major trade partner in terms of food exports.

FNA DEEP DIVE: NUT BUTTERS

'More than just a spread': Novel applications and affordable pricing strategies crucial to grow nut butter success in APAC

01-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo and Hui Ling Dang

The nut butter industry in Asia Pacific is targeting pricing strategies and novel applications as it seeks to achieve mainstream success beyond being ‘just a spread’, according to industry experts.

Big Food likely to miss plastic targets, while ‘large part’ of industry yet to take action

31-Oct-2023 By Flora Southey

Although efforts show progress on plastic pollution is possible, the world is ‘not on course’ to eliminating plastic waste and pollution, stresses the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Innovation challenge: How can firms meet reformulation and fortification demands while remaining cost competitive?

31-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Food firms need to be increasingly savvy when it comes to meeting growing consumer demands for fortified and reformulated products, in order to remain cost competitive in the current economic environment.

Sweet stability: Sunsweet sees stable recovery for prune products in Thailand after pandemic woes

31-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Sunsweet’s ingredients arm is optimistic that stable recovery is incoming for prunes and prune-derived products in Thailand on the back of rising demand after a standstill during the pandemic period.

The ‘and’ consumer: Affordable nutrition trend gains further traction in APAC amidst dairy and RTE category growth

31-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Asia Pacific consumers are increasingly demanding a combination of affordability, health and tastiness when making their food and beverage purchasing decisions, driving the rise of what is known as the ‘and’ consumer.

Seasonal

Top chocolate, confectionery, and bakery trends for Halloween 2023

24-Oct-2023 By Anthony Myers

olam food ingredients’ (ofi’s) flavour experts share their predictions on how families will tap into this season’s flavour trends to create a ‘Spooktacular’ 31 October.

‘Historic’ challenges: Nestle hopes nutrition strategy will boost recovery after APAC inflation and FX strife

24-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Nestle is hopeful that its new nutritional labelling and marketing strategy will play a strong part in its sales recovery, after seeing a drop in sales across many APAC markets due to ‘historic’ inflation and foreign exchange challenges.

Natural Products Expo East

Rudi’s Revamp: ‘Dream team’ of new leaders innovate, invigorate OG organic, gluten-free bakery brand

20-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

With this month’s launch of thick-cut, decadent Texas Toast made with and without gluten and slathered with real butter, garlic and cheese, Rudi’s Bakery is entering a new phase of “reinvention and reinvigoration” that recently reappointed CEO Jane Miller...

User-friendly guidelines: Opportunity for industry to help Indonesian consumers fulfil breakfast needs

19-Oct-2023 By Shali S.

Further research is needed to translate nutrient-based breakfast guidelines into more user-friendly, food-based recommendations that consumers can easily understand and implement in their daily lives, says a study conducted in Indonesia.

‘Glocalisation is over’: Microlocality and domestic production chain increasingly important for APAC consumers

18-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Food and beverage brands that are able to convey microlocal tastes and tap into consumer pride with a strong domestic production chain are best-placed for success in the APAC region, according to Kerry.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS PODCAST EP 45

‘Super cheap’: Affordability trumps protein and sustainability as main driving factor for insect-based foods in APAC

18-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Affordability is emerging as the main driving factor for insect-based foods in the APAC region, possibly even more significant than its often-lauded protein or sustainability factors.

Hemp for active nutrition: Regulatory support and debunking of myths ‘crucial’ to unlock potential

18-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Stronger government regulatory support and the ‘debunking’ of myths surrounding hemp are still at a ‘crucial’ stage in Asia, the success of which is key to unlocking its active nutrition potential.

Growth Asia Summit 2023

‘It’s not too late’: Singapore Chinese Health Study lead investigator reveals protective impacts of diet on cognition

11-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Data from the large-scale Singapore Chinese Health Study has shown that all consumers can reduce their risk of later cognitive impairment by switching to a healthier diet at any age, as revealed by the study’s principal investigator at the recent Growth...

FIT-ter KIDS: Fortified products key to addressing APAC micronutrient gaps – Nestle at Growth Asia Summit

04-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

New Nestle data has revealed the major micronutrient gaps faced by many toddlers and school-age children in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the important role that fortified foods and beverages can play in addressing these needs.

‘A natural journey’: Freshness and clean label crucial combo to nail flavours in processed foods

03-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

The crucial combination of freshness and clean label is emerging as an important flavour strategy that food and beverage brands need to hit in order to cater to APAC consumers’ increasingly exacting demands.

Food label changes: Philippines updates policies governing sodium limits and caloric labelling in pre-packaged food products

02-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

The Philippines Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has announced new changes to sodium content limits and how caloric values are to be displayed on the packaging of pre-packaged processed food products in the country.

Organic ownership: India food authority orders upgrades for all state labs to boost exports

27-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) is attempting to balance plans for boost organic food exports with ongoing food safety concerns by mandating all state-authorised laboratories to adopt organic testing capabilities.

Food manufacturing in Saudi Arabia: National targets and ‘gender inclusivity’ propelling industry to new heights

26-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

National government support of food manufacturing localisation targets as well as the gradual rise of female leadership roles in the industry are serving as key factors behind Saudi Arabia’s rapid food industry growth in the Middle Eastern region, claim...

Seizing the senses: Diversification and hybrid innovation key to boosting APAC plant-based sector

25-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

The plant-based industry in Asia Pacific will need to further boost product diversification and hybrid innovation strategies it is to continue to grow amid a slowdown in the West.

Using their loaf: Collaboration is key to breaking niche for upcycled foods in Asia – Brewerkz, Baker & Cook

20-Sep-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Singapore-based companies Brewerkz and Baker & Cook envision upcycled foods to be a major trend in the next few years, with collaboration between F&B manufacturers playing a crucial role in raising awareness and uptake of such products.

Low-sodium salt diet lowers blood pressure in hypertensive, diabetic patients – China eight-week RCT

18-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Hypertensive and diabetic patients could benefit from diets prepared using low-sodium salt, with blood pressure significantly reduced following an eight-week intervention, findings from a China study showed.

GM foods in South Korea: Government calls for ‘scientific input only’ in new public consultation for three food items

13-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has opened three food safety reports on genetically modified soybean, corn and canola for public comment, with the caveat that all opinions submitted must be ‘based on science and logic’ or risk being ignored.

Who will pay? APAC cocoa industry says EU Deforestation Regulation could create ‘two-tier market’

12-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

The cocoa and chocolates industry in Asia Pacific is concerned that the EU Deforestation Regulation could lead a two-tier market for cocoa beans, which could have far-ranging cost and pricing implications.

Stricter labelling plan: Taiwan doubles down on prepackaged food nutritional claims

11-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

Taiwanese authorities are doubling down in efforts to restrict nutritional labelling claims on prepackaged foods.

Kellogg leaders plan to grow market share with infrastructure modernization, additional merchandising

08-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Leaders of Kellogg Co.’s soon-to-be divided businesses plan to grow their respective entities by modernizing infrastructure to support additional innovation and returning to near pre-pandemic merchandising levels.

‘Long-awaited’ result: New Zealand food sector welcomes new Grocery Code but devil is in the detail

06-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

The New Zealand food trade body has welcomed the government’s new Grocery Code of Conduct, calling it a ‘long-awaited’ result – but stressed that a thorough examination of the details and industry education are now key to ensure it fulfils its purpose.

Thailand prepackaged food labelling: New rules proposed for expiry dates and allergen warnings

04-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

Thailand could be set to revamp its rules around expiration dates and allergen warnings after regulator Thai Food and Drug Association (FDA) issued draft proposals for prepackaged foods

‘Unpuzzling’ Asia’s food trends: Twin demands for health and affordability key for success

31-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Food and beverage brands looking to make inroads into Asia need to tread the line between growing health consciousness and increasing consumer concerns over costs.

Taking the ‘easy’ route: Minimal sensory changes crucial to help Asian consumers transition to healthier diets

17-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

South Korean firm PlantEat believes that innovation must result in minimal sensory changes and products should remain as familiar as possible in order to boost consumer transitions to healthier diets.

Volatile variability: Unilever India stresses caution for food business despite positive growth

14-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has highlighted it will be proceeding cautiously in managing its food business for the rest of the year despite positive results in Q2FY2023, citing continued volatile climate changes and inflationary pressures.

Mitigating supply chain risks: Alternative sourcing and top-level food sector commitment key to boost resilience – Nestle, Rabobank

09-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Food and beverage business leaders in Asia need to issue clear and committed directives for supply chain resilience and secure alternative sourcing regimes to mitigate future disruption risks.

Bio boost: Why bio-manufacturing crucial to building lasting eco-friendly food supply in APAC – Tidetron Bioworks

08-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

China’s Tidetron Bioworks believes that synthetic bio-manufacturing is growing to be a crucial component of the food and beverage industry based rising demand for sustainable raw materials both in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Palm oil replacement ‘not the answer’: Nestle taps satellite tech for sustainability amid EU Deforestation Regulation debate

07-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Nestle has voiced support for the continued use of palm oil in the food and beverage sector amid intense debate surrounding the recently-enacted EU Deforestation Regulation, while also striving to guarantee its supply chain sustainability using advance...

Easing customs congestion: Thai FDA launches express digital service to accelerate processing of F&B imports

01-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Thailand is the latest Asian market to establish a fully digitalised express customs processing service, which is hoped to greatly accelerate food and beverage import operations at its checkpoints in line with the national Thailand 4.0 strategy.

Positive push: Format and flavour innovation drives Nestle Malaysia Q2 back to profitability

31-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Nestle Malaysia says extensive format and flavour innovations in its product development have helped d drive healthy Q2FY2023 business growth, giving the firm renewed confidence in its ability to secure a profitable rest of the year.

Japan GM foods: 2022 data highlights ‘continued stability’ of genetically modified crops locally – government study

26-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

New Japanese government data has found that local genetically modified (GM) food crops have shown no evidence of posing risk to surrounding biodiversity in the past year, strengthening the argument for these to become a bigger part of the local food supply.

Nutritional labelling aid: South Korea issues guidance document to help F&B manufacturers align with new guidelines

25-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has released a nutritional information guidance document in line with new labelling and reporting regulations to assist food and beverage manufacturers throughout the initial phase of transition.

China a ‘trap’ for F&B brands? Why practicality and sustainability need to be top of mind to thrive – expert panel

25-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Food and beverage firms in China need to ensure that practicality and business sustainability are kept at the top of their agenda in order to avoid the ‘trap’ of easy brand building in the world’s most populous market.

A ‘momentous’ occasion: New Zealand food sector urges swift grocery code of conduct implementation following commissioner appointment

24-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

The New Zealand food and grocery industry has urged for the swift establishment of its own local grocery code of conduct to hasten the improvement of competition and fair business conditions, whilst also lauding the appointment of industry veteran Pierre...