Beverages

Why Malaysia’s halal drinks companies should base production facilities in cheaper Thailand

23-Jan-2019 By RJ Whitehead

Malaysian entrepreneurs are better off considering locations in neighbouring countries than launching their halal drinks business on home soil.

Combating 'common' honey adulteration: Australian study finds new method to trace honey origins and authenticity

23-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

Australian researchers have discovered a way to differentiate honey according to its geographical origin, hence tracing where it came from to prevent common honey adulteration issues.

‘A missing piece’: Plant-based review platform abillionVeg eyes packaged foods market

23-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

Singapore plant-based review platform abillionVeg started as a review engine for users to review dishes in food outlets, but now has its eye on the packaged foods arena.

Online-offline integration: Walmart China focuses on US$104mn food distribution centre alongside e-commerce and delivery services

23-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

Retail giant Walmart China set to launch its first perishable food distribution centre in China, with operations set to get underway in March.

Australia toasts international demand for fine wine

22-Jan-2019 By Rachel Arthur

Australian wine exports continue to grow in value and volume: with higher value wines now proving to be a particularly strong segment.

Balanced diet versus superfood fads: Aussie herbalist calls for common sense approach

22-Jan-2019 By RJ Whitehead

Leading Aussie herbalist Gerald Quigley says he is not surprised that an estimated 95% of Australians do not eat the recommended portions of fruits and vegetables each day, but has argued that superfood fads are not the solution.

‘Next level’ of food safety in India: FSSAI announces new packaging regulations

21-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced new regulations prohibiting all food businesses in India from using ‘unsafe’ materials such as newspapers and recycled plastics to wrap food products.

Changing sweet habits: Malaysian health official appeals to food outlets and manufacturers to slash beverage sugar content

21-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

The Malaysian Ministry of Health is encouraging both food service outlets as well as beverage manufacturers to reduce sugar content in beverage products alongside the upcoming implementation of a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax in the country.

Health tax in Qatar: Price hikes as 100% levy on alcohol, energy drinks, and pork introduced

16-Jan-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Qatar has implemented a Selective Tax Law on “health-damaging” products, including sugary and energy drinks, and tobacco products.

Health, experience and plastics: F&B insights from Mintel’s China and North Asia 2019 consumer trends

16-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

Market research agency Mintel has identified six new consumer trends that are shaping the Chinese and North Asian consumer landscapes. Within these, health, experience and plastic use are some important key points for food companies to take note of.

Turkey tops tea drinking chart: Each Turk drinks an average of 1,300 cups of tea per year

16-Jan-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Turkey is the world’s largest tea drinking country, with each Turk consuming an average of 1,300 cups of tea per year.

Gaya Gold Coffee launches redesigned iced coffee packaging

15-Jan-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Gaya Gold has partnered with Ardagh Group to launch a redesigned ice coffee packaging in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) with plans to take it to other Middle Eastern markets.

Ceres Organics aims to ‘change the world’ by making organics available to all

15-Jan-2019 By Pearly Neo

New Zealand’s largest organic food brand Ceres Organics has a grand vision to make organics ‘available to all’, including several countries in the Asia Pacific region.

China’s JDB and COFCO set aside dispute to seal major can deal for the year

15-Jan-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese herbal tea manufacturer Jia Duo Bao (JDB) and COFCO has signed a major packaging deal this year, which will see the latter producing 70% of metal cans that JDB needed.

DSM Hydrocolloids unveils new product brands to help customers better identify solutions

15-Jan-2019 By Tingmin Koe

DSM Hydrocolloids, the specialty hydrocolloids arm of Royal DSM, has unveiled new branding for its gellan gum and xanthan gum portfolios, with the firm targeting new opportunities in ‘cross-segment’ applications.