Beverages

India food fortification: No more processed foods to be added to voluntary fortification list for now – FSSAI

01-Mar-2021 By Pearly Neo

Bakery products, cereals and fruit juices will remain the only processed food products to have fortification standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the near future, after the regulator confirmed it is not considering...

Muted outlook: Carlsberg Malaysia focusing on e-commerce and retail growth after 44% annual sales slump

24-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

Carlsberg Malaysia is ramping-up its digital and retail strategies after suffering a 44% annual slump in sales after COVID-19 lockdowns decimated large parts of its on-trade business.

Brand revival: Energy drink Dark Dog establishes Asia HQ in Singapore, maps regional distribution plans

24-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Austrian energy drink brand Dark Dog has established its Asia headquarters in Singapore as it looks to expand regional distribution of its organic product range.

Kawakawa innovation: NZ researchers to trial beverage for immunity, metabolic health gains

24-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand researchers are planning to conduct clinical trials on a kawakawa beverage with immune and metabolic health benefits, before refining the formulation and sell it in the export markets.

No-to-low push: Asahi to release Beery range amid drive to triple low alcohol sales by 2025

23-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Asahi Breweries is to launch a new carbonated low alcoholic drink called Beery as part of its drive to see sales of products at 3.5% ABV or lower increase from 6% to 20% by 2025.

‘Nuclear foods’ progress: Just 15 countries worldwide left still restricting Japanese food from districts stricken by Fukushima disaster

23-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

Only 15 countries worldwide are still implementing import restrictions on food items from Japanese districts that were stricken by the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown disaster in 2011 – but progress with those that remain may be hard to achieve...

Nestle’s 2020 APAC performance: Plant-based localisation, sustainability and affordability key focus areas after China pulls down growth

22-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

Nestle has committed to focus on plant-based product localisation, sustainability and affordability as key focus areas for its Asia Pacific businesses on the back of the region posting near flat-growth as a result of poor performance in China.

FNA Deep Dive: CBD and Hemp

Soaring superfood: Rapid growth predicted for CBD and hemp food products in APAC markets

19-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo and Guan Yu Lim

APAC’s cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp sector is expected to progress rapidly over the coming years, especially in India, China and Australia where they are approved for food use, although many other nations are still wary of granting the regulatory go-ahead.

Three-pronged approach: Kerry pins focus on plant-based growth, new taste trends and better-for-you innovation in APAC

17-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Kerry is preparing to ramp-up promotion of its plant-based innovation service to brands in APAC and the Middle East, while also doubling down on emerging taste trends and better-for-you product innovation.

Buzzing brews: Japan’s VinVie sees large untapped potential in local cider market due to demand for lower-alcohol options

17-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

Homegrown Japanese alcohol firm Vinvie believes that there is major untapped potential to be found in the ‘niche’ local cider market as consumers are increasingly on the lookout for lighter, lower-alcohol options.

Innovation partners wanted: Nestle Indonesia in search of ‘mutually beneficial’ collaboration opportunities with start-ups

17-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

Nestle Indonesia has revealed plans to search for ‘mutually beneficial’ collaborations with start-ups that can complement its local tech, consumer and environment ambitions, citing the importance of innovation and continued learning to sustain strong...

Carlsberg launches low-carbon beer bottle

16-Feb-2021 By Rachel Arthur

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company says it has reduced the carbon impact of glass bottles by 90% in a new bottle revealed today.

Healthy pivot: Kirin Beverage announces no-to-low sugar, calorie and immunity focus to drive sales growth

16-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Kirin Beverage will focus on no-to-low sugar, low-calorie and products with health benefits across its non-alcohol range after seeing soft drink sales slip by 9% in 2020.

Sticky situation: Criticism voiced over India’s nationwide investigation into widespread honey adulteration

15-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide investigation into a widespread local honey adulteration scandal and is mulling ‘better’ test methods – but researchers are calling for the agency to take more ‘stronger,...

Zeroing in on zero-sugar: Yeo’s plans portfolio-wide reformulation efforts for beverage products

15-Feb-2021 By Pearly Neo

Singapore F&B heavyweight Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) is making plans to reformulate as many products as it can within its beverage portfolio to both keep up with consumer trends, as well as fall in line with upcoming government standards.