Confectionery

Localisation landslide: Ritter Sport zooms in on APAC consumer flavour and festivity popularity to enhance relevance

24-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

Ritter Sport has zoomed in on APAC consumer preferences for its fruity yoghurt flavours as well as demand aligned with cultural festivities to create newseveral product lines.

Feeding with GUSTO: New data indicates need for much better diet quality amongst Singapore children – Growth Asia Summit 2024

24-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

New data from one of Singapore’s largest child-focused studies has indicated that there is ‘much room for improvement’ in the diet quality of children to prevent them suffering from negative health and cognition issues in the long run.

Nurturing novelty: Samyang, CJ and more MNCs join South Korean project tapping big brand networks to export SME innovations

23-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

Samyang, CJ Cheiljedang, GS25 and more large South Korean corporations have joined a government initiative to boost SME food exports and distribution channels.

Longer-lasting: South Korea launches new database and guidance values to refine expiration dates system

17-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has refined its new expiration dates system with the launch of a new database that is equipped with a search function and specific guidance on ‘use-by’ timeframes for processed foods.

Bureaucratic bungle: EU deforestation regs face postponement pressures amid ‘urgent’ commodity trade concerns

15-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is undergoing further pressure – this time from within its own Parliament – to postpone implementation as an ‘urgent’ matter, with concerns looming over key trade commodities such as palm oil and cocoa.

Chasing China: Ferrero says freshness and flavours key to ensure lasting power for chocolate brands

02-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

Chocolate giant Ferrero believes that freshness and flavour variety are key factors for chocolate brands to ensure lasting power in the China market, with product innovations needing to be both diverse and unique.

Affordable - but not ‘cheap’: Thai consumers’ demand for value spells big opportunities for private label products

02-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

Consumers in Thailand have been found to be among the most inclined in the ASEAN region to seek out affordable products but still focus on value, driving a strong demand for ‘stacked benefits’ innovation and spelling major opportunities for local private...

Advertising accuracy: South Korea drills down on stricter food product labelling laws to avoid ‘deceptive’ claims

01-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has announced new, stricter regulations governing food product labelling, specifically prohibiting links to various types of herbal medicines and other health or nutritional claims.

FNA DEEP DIVE: FRUIT-BASED INNOVATION

Fruity future: Thai Coconut, TipCo, Zespri and more on the evolution of fruit-based innovation in APAC

26-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

Fruit-based product innovation and consumption formats in APAC are evolving far beyond conventional use, with innovation spanning bakery products to alternative seafood, according to industry experts.

Mixing it up: Loacker highlights multi-pack formats as key travel retail sales driver for wafers sector in APAC

20-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

Confectionery heavyweight Loacker has highlighted the multi-pack, single serve format as a key driver for sales of its famous wafer products in the APAC region, banking on a growing demand for options catering to sharing and portion control.

APAC consumers increasingly seeking rich flavours, visual appeal and bite-sized formats in chocolate, cakes and confectionery – Cargill

19-Jun-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

An increasing number of consumers in Asia-Pacific desire an all-round experience when it comes to chocolate and confectionery, including rich flavours like caramel, visually appealing products, and “healthy indulgent” formats, says Cargill.

‘Use it - or be made to’: ANZ ministers gives food firms 17 months to hit Health Star Ratings targets

19-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

Food firms in Australia and New Zealand have been told that that if current 70% Health Star Rating uptake targets are not hit by November next year, it is likely to lead to mandatory implementation.

Job Creation Law challenges: Indonesia delays halal mandate for small food firms by two years in view of slow progress

17-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Indonesian government has announced a two-year postponement of its mandate for all food and beverage enterprises to be halal certified, originally set for this year, in view of governance changes and the slow progress being made.

‘New Gen’ prospects: Young China, India consumers still set to drive luxury food and beverage retail despite slower economy

17-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

Younger millennial consumers from China and India are still set to be the biggest drivers of luxury food and beverage purchasing, despite the generally slower economic conditions in the region and globally.

Reaching more children: South Korea expands ‘healthy food corner’ project to convenience stores nationwide

13-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government is expanding its successful ‘healthy food corner’ project from major metropolitan areas to convenience stores nationwide in order to reach more young consumers.

Turning threat into opportunity: How Cargill is navigating the global cocoa crisis

10-Jun-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Global food corporation Cargill is leveraging its cocoa-sourcing networks in Asia and other business units to support customers in overcoming the cocoa supply shortage, and ensure consumers continue to have access to chocolate products.

‘Going beyond lollipops’: Perfetti van Melle taps packaging functionality and impulse-buying as major confectionery strategies

05-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

Confectionery heavyweight Perfetti van Melle believes that it is crucial to tap on impulse-buying tendencies and packaging functionality as major components of its marketing in order to maximise consumer reach.

‘Very different markets’: China’s immense protein needs continue to propel plant-based dairy demand – experts

04-Jun-2024 By Pearly Neo

China’s large population and enormous protein requirements has given the local plant-based dairy sector room to continue to grow in a ‘very different’ way from plant-based meat, according to local industry leader Yeyo.

Final order: Philippines formalises new regulations requiring food firms to declare ‘sample’ foods entering the market

30-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formalised new regulations requiring food firms to obtain a new specific ‘Samples Only’ import permit for all products meant for research use after a year of deliberations.

Sustainability

Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more

28-May-2024 By Anthony Myers

An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

What advances is AI making in bakery and snacks?

28-May-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Hint: The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is less to do with glossy marketing campaigns and packaging visuals and more about uncovering the mystery of algorithms and getting a better handle on supply chain data.

‘No one left behind’: Food system transformation needs greater focus on tech-tradition combos and the potential of aquatic foods

20-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

World Food Prize winner Dr Shakunthala Thilsted believes that all-inclusive food system transformation will require a greater focus on combining big data and traditional knowledge as well as better recognition of aquatic food potential and consumer diversity.

Supplier security: Japan issues new food distribution guidelines to protect manufacturers from retailer practices

15-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has introduced new distribution guidelines in an effort to protect food manufacturers from retailer practices and prevent food product wastage.

MAFRA Minister Exclusive Part II: Experiential marketing and second-line cities to take centre stage in food export strategy

15-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government’s national food export strategy will see experiential marketing and support for food firms to export to second-line cities worldwide become major areas of focus, amid its bid to hit an 80% overseas favourability rating by 2027.

‘Shortcutting the process’: Thailand’s Buono credits plant-based success to portfolio variety and move away from meat replacements

14-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

Thailand-based plant-based specialist firm Buono believes that the success of its business can be credited to its portfolio variety which focuses on more unique products as opposed to meat replacements.

‘Delicious Japan’: Government launches new public-private food exports project to accelerate progress towards 2030 JPY5tn goal

13-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has launched a new public-private collaborative project focusing on food exports, aiming to boost progress towards the national JPY5tn (US$31.7bn) by 2030 target.

Responsibility underlined: Food brands responsible for safety of end-product packaging – Japan government

08-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has clarified that the final responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of food packaging lies with food manufacturer producing the end-product that will reach consumers.

Sustainability snag: Experts blast new EU-funded analysis touting ‘shortcomings’ in Malaysian palm oil certification scheme

08-May-2024 By Pearly Neo

Palm oil industry experts have criticised a new EU-backed analysis that identified ‘shortcomings’ in Malaysia’s national sustainability certification scheme that prevent it from being fully accepted under the new EU Deforestation Regulations (EUDR).

Malaysia’s A1 reformulates instant noodle to suit western taste buds, aid expansion in UK and Europe

07-May-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Malaysia-based food manufacturer A1 has reformulated and repackaged one of its hero products to appeal to the taste preferences of consumers in the UK, as the firm looks to broaden its reach in Europe.

On the outside: China announces new labelling standards for pre-packaged foods to ensure visibility and clarity

30-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

The China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has announced new regulatory standards for pre-packaged food labels, urging food and beverage companies to comply in order to boost clarity for consumers.

Food ‘refugees’ in Japan: Government survey reveals strong need to improve food access aid for elderly consumers

23-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

Close to 90% of municipalities in Japan need to improve accessibility to food for elderly consumers amid the country’s shift to an ageing population, according to new government data.

MAFRA Minister Exclusive Part I: Fermented and convenience foods to lead ‘Adventurous Table’ export strategy

23-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government’s launch of its national ‘Adventurous Table’ global food export strategy will be led by foods and beverages from the fermented and convenience categories, a senior minister has told FoodNavigator-Asia.

Novel foods and GM products enter Singapore regulatory spotlight to ‘formalise responsibility’

17-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is seeking public comment on draft regulations for the newly-coined ‘defined foods’ category, which will cover novel foods, genetically modified foods and insect-related foods.

Singapore-Saudi food bridge: Industry experts’ top tips for gaining entry and growing food business in the Middle East

16-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

Singapore food businesses looking to expand reach to the Middle East must be prepared with next-level persistence and a longer-than-average financial plan to succeed - but the returns can be tenfold, according to industry experts.

Digital development: Food brands play ‘critical role’ in shifting agrifood system towards modernisation and sustainability

15-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

Consumer-facing food and beverage brands play a ‘critical role’ in moving the Asia Pacific agrifood system towards digitalisation, organisation and long-term sustainability by influencing consumer purchasing decisions, say experts.

Deforestation unrest: EU policy implementation hangs in the balance after industry pushback

10-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is facing major pushback from ministers and trade organisations within Europe, alongside continued pressure from palm oil producer nations in Asia, casting doubt on hopes for a smooth implementation.

Collaborative safety: Vietnam completes new digital food safety management system in partnership with South Korea

08-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

Vietnam has completed and recently launched its new digital food safety management system which was developed in partnership with South Korea, with a particular focus on food poisoning outbreak monitoring across the country.

Pricing in trouble: Fonterra predicts volatile year ahead despite stellar China and consumer products performances

03-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has predicted a volatile year ahead despite stellar performances from its China business and consumer product portfolios in the first half of the year, especially with milk prices expected to rise in the next few months.

Counterfeit countermeasures: Japan taps digital monitoring technology to crack down on fraudulent agri-food exports

02-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government is cracking down on counterfeit agri-food product exports protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) scheme with the use of digital monitoring technology.

Rapid recalls: Philippines to establish electronic recall system for non-compliant pre-packaged foods

01-Apr-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will establish a new electronic recall system for pre-packaged processed food products found to be in violation of domestic food safety regulations.

Clear and simple: Taiwan formalises requirements for nutrition claims language for prepackaged foods

26-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

Taiwan has finalised the labelling requirements when making nutrition claims for prepackaged foods, after completing two public consultations across more than two years of deliberation.

Wheat wakening: South Korea launches new strategy to boost domestic self-sufficiency rates

25-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government is implementing a new national strategy to boost wheat self-sufficiency and production capabilities, after several years of supply chain challenges.

Not-so-sweet baby: Philippines congress could ban added sugar in foods for young children

19-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

Members of the Philippines government are calling for regulations that would officially ban manufacturers from using added sugar as an ingredient in foods for young children aged three and below.

Sustainability snags: More support needed from APAC retailers to match brand efforts – experts

14-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

Retailers in APAC need to increase the support given to sustainability-focused food and beverage products in order to match brand initiatives and boost consumer awareness, say experts.

Future Food Asia 2024

Inclusion and affordability: Why emerging Asian markets risk being sidelined in the sustainability agenda

12-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

Developing markets in Asia and Africa risk being sidelined in the efforts to create a more sustainable food system, unless inclusion and affordability are placed front and centre to improve nutrition.

Elevating efficiency: South Korea expands AI-based food imports screening to cover processed foods

12-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

South Korea is expanding its AI-based screening system SAFE-i24 to include processed food imports, in a bid to maintain food safety and quality while maximising efficiency particularly during peak seasons.

Sustainability and smallholder concerns: Palm oil producing nations question EU’s deforestation ‘workstream model’

12-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

Significant doubts remain as to whether the EU’s new deforestation workstream model will be sufficient to allay fears raised by palm oil producing nations, especially in relation to sustainability and smallholder farmers.

Eggs-traordinary changes: Cadbury Australia introduces reduced-plastic packaging for Easter specials

11-Mar-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Mondelez International-owned Cadbury Australia has revamped the packaging for its Easter series to meet consumer demand for sustainable packaging, and as part of the firm’s long-term efforts to reduce plastic use and wastage.

Plain and safe: New Zealand launches new industry food allergen labelling guidebook and checklists

07-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has launched a new food allergen labelling guidebook targeted at food and beverage manufacturers, importers and retailers to ease companies into newly-enforced regulatory requirements.

Misleading marketing: Taiwan sets harsher punishments for food firms violating advertising rules

06-Mar-2024 By Pearly Neo

Mainstream food and beverage firms flouting Taiwan advertising rules and regulations will now be subject to harsher punishments, with repeat offenders warned their businesses could be closed down.