Convenience foods and snacks

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.

Autumn apprehensions: South Korea issues food safety warnings for fresh foods and rice rolls in ‘high-risk’ fall season

03-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has issued food safety warnings for the consumption of fresh foods and rice rolls (gimbap) amidst the ‘high-risk’ autumn season between September to November, citing traditionally high counts of food poisoning cases occurring...

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...

Rising tide: Food safety and convenience driving pre-packaged seafood growth in APAC supermarkets

26-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

Heightened consumer awareness of food safety as well as increased demands for convenience in food preparation are driving demand for packaged seafood in the post-pandemic market.

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.

Targeting TikTokers: India’s Beyond Snack builds on strong growth with ‘exotic flavours’ aimed at young consumers

21-Sep-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

India-based Beyond Snack recently expanded its repertoire of banana chips in the hope of attracting Millennials and Gen Zs, whom the firm believes are particularly receptive to flavour innovations.

Cream of the crust: Viral Chinese snacking sensation San Chun’s key tips on going national

18-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

Chinese snacking sensation San Chun has revealed a focus on the ‘strange and unique’ is behind its transition from a local viral hit to a launch in major supermarkets nationwide.

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.

Comfort and convenience: Consumers are seeking wider flavour options and formats for meal replacements – Sustyfoods

13-Sep-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Singapore-based meal replacements brand Sustyfoods says that convenience and functionality are key purchase drivers, and expects rising demand for savoury options and product formats that are more similar to “real meals”.

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.

Riding popularity wave: Bangkok Cookies eyes export expansion, local supermarket entry on the back of travel retail success

12-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

Thailand-based Bangkok Cookies is planning to expand its presence into more export markets as well as eyeing plans for local supermarket retail after having achieved resounding success as a souvenir product in the travel retail scene.

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.

Bouncing back: Lotte to double down on Indian market and healthier innovation to boost financials

05-Sep-2023 By Pearly Neo

The India market and increased innovation in health and functional trends hold the key to improved financial performances, claims Korean heavyweight Lotte.

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.

Sweet and snacky: China cheese industry growth requires flavour localisation and western influence – Bel China

29-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Cheese heavyweight Bel has called for local brands to simultaneously develop local innovations alongside introducing more traditional western concepts in order to drive faster industry growth in China

Hybrid animal-plant products could shape the future of plant-based sector – v2food

23-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Australian plant-based producer v2food says that consumers should not discredit the entire category based on a single negative experience, stressing it is still relatively young, especially when compared to the traditional protein sector.

High yield, low cost: NZ researchers eyeing food manufacturer partnerships to commercialise kanuka by-products

23-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand researchers are optimistic that the flavouring, preserving, and texturing benefits provided by the native kanuka plant will lead to its effective commercialisation as a food ingredient.

Burgeoning bento culture: Japanese consumers seek healthy, hassle-free and affordable RTE products in convenience stores – survey

22-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

A new survey in Japan has found that a fraction of Japanese consumers, especially men and the younger generation, prefer quick and easy meals from convenience stores to preparing their own lunch boxes, spelling major opportunities for firms making RTE...

Expansion aspirations: Agthia eyes further snacking gains in international date markets after successful H1FY2023

21-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Middle East food and beverage heavyweight Agthia is looking to expand further in major date-consuming markets worldwide after a profitable first half of the year, with plans to boost production and processing capabilities already in motion.

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.

Beefing up on sustainability: NZ firm ‘upcycles’ male calves into protein-rich beef bar

16-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand’s Alps 2 Ocean Foods is launching a protein-rich and nutrient-fortified beef bar made from male calves that are otherwise killed shortly after birth or made into lower-value ground beef – a move that the firm believes is more sustainable for...

Australian opportunity: Plant-based and better-for-you alternatives centre stage in Woolworths-backed FMCG accelerator

15-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Plant-based, better-for-you alternatives, and functional snacks dominate the latest accelerator cohort in Australia led by a Woolworths-backed accelerator.

Beyond sensory properties: China plant-based dairy sector needs to rapidly build up functional attributes to continue domestic growth

14-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

The burgeoning plant-based dairy sector in China will need to quickly shift from its first generation focus on emotions and sensory properties to more functional innovation in order to ensure continued growth in the local market.

‘New avenue of justice’: How much can new China IP protection policies aid Zespri’s quest against unlicensed kiwifruits?

14-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

New IP protection policies in China could help New Zealand kiwifruit powerhouse Zespri to pursue its fight against individuals growing and selling its golden kiwifruit.

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.

Flavour forward: Food Onwards looks to revamp fish skin snack category with localisation and new frying tech

10-Aug-2023 By Pearly Neo

Thailand-based snacks firm Food Onwards believes it has a strong shot at revitalising the fish skin snack category via a localised take on its product manufacturing process and flavour selection.

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...

‘Chance to chew’: Mouthfeel and convenience major drivers for plant-based food industry

01-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

NZ-based Off-Piste Provisions has outlined how consumer demands for healthy convenience food and a ‘chewing experience’ are key drivers guiding its product development strategy amidst plans for Australia and United States expansion.

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.

Clean and scale: Hey! Chips aims to combat dominance of ultra-processed snacks with whole ingredient innovation

31-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Healthier snacking brand Hey! Chips is looking to overcome the dominance of ultra-processed snacks in the market by innovating with whole ingredients to make scalable clean label products.

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...

Tetra Pak Exclusive Part I: How localisation in packaging can drive purchases in APAC

24-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Global packaging heavyweight Tetra Pak has revealed the importance of considering cultural contexts and integrating localisation strategies into packaging innovation in APAC.

‘Beverly Hills of the world’: Hunter Foods touts Dubai as key premium snacks market amidst threefold growth ambitions

19-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Middle Eastern snacks firm Hunter Foods believes its Dubai-centric operations gives it a prime advantage in growing its premium snacks business due to the rich demographic mix and propensity for luxury in the city, eyeing to grow revenue threefold in...

FNA InnovATE

‘No sacrifice, no problem’: OnlyEg rapidly cracking APAC and Middle East markets with RTE plant-based eggs

19-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Singapore-based OnlyEg has rapidly grown its presence in various markets across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions with a focus on the taste and texture of its ‘no sacrifice’ plant-based eggs, available in a multitude of ready-to-eat (RTE) formats.

Soft sell: Fershay cracking Thai packaged bakery market with flavour variety and texture focus

18-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Thai homegrown bakery specialist Fershay has grown its packaged product portfolio to encompass a variety of sweet flavours with an emphasis on its signature soft fluffy texture.

Upgrading umami understanding: Ajinomoto lauds new Japanese study on amino acid potential to reduce consumer salt intake

18-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Amino acid specialist firm Ajinomoto has lauded the findings of a new Japanese study which highlighted the potential of umami ingredients, such as the various glutamate-based substances, to reduce consumer salt intake and improve public health.

High ranks, low scores? India State Food Safety Index data reveals lack of compliance even in top performing states

17-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

Date from India’s latest State Food Safety Index (SFSI) conducted annually by the Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has revealed that many states still perform poorly across the assessment criteria, even amongst its top scoring states.

Enhancing efficiency: South Korea further refines imported food regulations to speed up customs processing

11-Jul-2023 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has implemented further refinements to its regulations governing imported food products an effort to speed up processing at customs, particularly for bulk imports. well as to boost its international trade.