Convenience foods and snacks

Palm oil trade shift: Malaysia likely to emerge as big winner with UK’s CPTPP membership approval

06-Feb-2024 By Pearly Neo

Malaysian palm oil is likely to gain an edge in terms of exports to the United Kingdom thanks to the latter obtaining membership into the CPTPP and new acknowledgement of the South East Asian nation’s sustainability standards.

Labelling transformations: Thailand stresses science and safety for new nutritional labels and health claims rules

05-Feb-2024 By Pearly Neo

Thailand is the latest market in South East Asia to implement new nutritional labelling policies for the food industry, with the authorities also issuing more stringent ‘science-based’ guidelines for on-pack health claims.

Coco-snacko: Thailand’s JD Foods believes coconut clusters to be the perfect snacking combination of health and affordability

31-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Thailand’s JD Food believes that coconut clusters are the snacking industry’s answer to demands for a perfect combination of healthy and affordability, having launched a dedicated brand to cater to consumer demand.

Chemical concerns: Indonesia revising food packaging regulations in response to public apprehension

31-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

The Indonesian government is revising food packaging regulations in response to consumer and academic concerns over the presence of dangerous chemicals entering the food supply chain.

Final call: Vietnam gives food firms two years to transition to new nutrition labelling regulations

30-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Vietnam has started to enforce its new nutrition labelling regulations, which will see some 40% of domestic manufacturers making on-pack changes over the next two years.

Cycling up collaboration: Nestle and KosmodeHealth looking at product innovation to boost valorisation partnership

29-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Nestle Singapore and upcycling specialist firm KosmodeHealth are looking at new product innovations with valorised ingredients in an effort to move forward with their award-winning upcycling collaboration.

Best of both worlds: Plento to debut nutrient-rich snacks made from pea protein and cricket flour in South Korea

24-Jan-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Insect foods start-up Plento is set to launch its range of baked crisps containing pea protein and cricket flour, which the firm claims counteract nutrient limitations of snacks made solely from plant-based protein, in South Korea this February.

FNA InnovATE: Hemp Innovation

Wellness enhancement: How combined hemp and Ayurveda innovation could hold key to capturing mass market

24-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

India’s Hemp Horizons believes that a innovation approach combining the nutrition of hemp seeds with the wellness benefits of Ayurveda could hold the key to the sector appealing to a larger consumer base.

India’s ProV Foods taps into unseized opportunities in functional and convenient snacking

23-Jan-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Mumbai-headquartered ProV Foods is doubling down on healthy on-the-go snacks and flavour innovations, amid rising demand for snacks with functional benefits in the country.

‘No silver bullet’: Yili reveals benefits, and limitations, of internal AI platform

23-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Chinese dairy giant Yili believes that artificial intelligence (AI) in product innovation lies in formulation and efficiency improvements, but stresses it is no silver bullet to create good end-product results.

Know more, eat healthier? South Korean food and beverage brands compelled to provide nutritional info for new database

22-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Brands in South Korea have been compelled to submit product nutritional information, which the government has used to update its national food database for processed goods.

Dairy dash: China’s final tariff removals open new opportunities for New Zealand brands

22-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

China’s recent removal of tariffs on all dairy products from New Zealand, including milk powder used for both general consumption and processing to infant formula, could spell huge potential for brands that have a strong focus on quality and sustainability.

News

Sugar, oil and gold likely to see price hikes in 2024

19-Jan-2024 By Bethan Grylls

The Smart Cube’s senior commodity specialist examines the fluctuating commodity market and how things are shaping up this year, as he warns oil, gold and sugar costs are set to rise.

‘Added sugar’ definition: FSANZ agrees to industry requests for longer transition, rejects low-energy sugar exclusions

17-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has formally gazetted the definition of ‘added sugars’ to be used as part of its upcoming ‘no added sugars’ labelling policy, and has allowed for a longer transition time based on proposals from the food and...

Surfing for snacks: Mondelez stresses digital marketing momentum to drive APAC in-store purchases

17-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Snacking giant Mondelez says that digital channels are increasingly driving in-store purchasing decisions in Asia, meaning an understanding of the online-offline mix is crucial to boost sales.

Supply and demand: Ajinomoto and Meiji among Japanese brands to focus on inventory management to cut food waste

16-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

Major Japanese brands Ajinomoto and Meiji have highlighted how efficient inventory management will be key to reduce food waste throughout their supply chains, as part of their commitment to the national Food Loss Reduction Declaration.

Complementary foods in SEA: Widespread regulatory fragmentation risks confusing consumers – new review

16-Jan-2024 By Hazel Tang

The absence of a set of unified guidelines to provide nutrient composition and labelling requirements for all categories of commercially produced complementary foods (CPCF) in Southeast Asia risks confusing consumers, say researchers.

‘Without a hitch’: South Korea’s new expiration dates system proceeding full steam ahead

15-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

South Korea’s renewed expiration dates system for food and beverage items has been widely adopted by industry and achieved high consumer awareness, says the country’s regulator.

Change drivers 2024: Five top trends set to shape the APAC food industry this year

09-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

We take a closer look at five of the top trends that look set to shape the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry in 2024, from the newly-emerged ‘premium affordability’ to the evolution of plant-based protein, the rise of RTD beverages and more.

Movers and shakers: Five must-know regulations and policies set to impact the APAC food and beverage sector in 2024

03-Jan-2024 By Pearly Neo

From the hotly-debated EU Deforestation Regulation to increasing governmental scrutiny over pre-packaged and processed food nutritional labelling and packaging, FoodNavigator-Asia brings you five of this year’s need-to-know regulatory updates for 2024.

Refreshing boost: Tea bases and botanicals enjoying rising popularity in various formats amongst APAC consumers

20-Dec-2023 By Pearly Neo

Food and beverage products with tea bases and botanical-infused flavours or aromas are seeing a surge in popularity amongst consumers in APAC, with more and more people seeking out ‘refreshing’ sensations.

Convenience calling: Thoughtful Food rolls out cleaner label ready-to-eat meals range in preparation for export plans

19-Dec-2023 By Pearly Neo

Singapore-based plant-based brand Thoughtful Food has launched a range of cleaner label, ready-to-eat (RTE) meals in anticipation of its ambitions to start exports across the region and globally.

Countering counterfeits: Japan establishes first physical facility to find fake food ‘exports’ in Thailand

18-Dec-2023 By Pearly Neo

Japan has set up a physical anti-counterfeit consultation desk in Thailand to fight against a rising number of food and agriculture products claiming to be of Japanese origin.

AI in chocolates: ‘Imported’ flavours gaining traction in APAC on the back of growing demand for indulgence and adventure

18-Dec-2023 By Pearly Neo

‘Imported’ flavours that are traditionally more western in origin have been rapidly gaining popularity in the APAC chocolate sector because consumers associate these with indulgence and adventure.

Prioritising user-friendliness and customer incentives are key to unlocking e-commerce success in Middle East – experts

14-Dec-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

FMCG e-commerce holds significant growth potential in the Middle East, as consumers in the region increasingly turn to online shopping for time-saving and convenience, filling larger virtual carts than in physical stores, say experts.

Driving down salt intake in China: Targeted campaigns needed to reduce excessive intake by 50%

12-Dec-2023 By Shali S.

Targeted educational campaigns focused on the health risks associated with high salt intake could promote behavioural change among consumers in China, say researchers.

FNA FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS EP 46

Dry and high: Ambient plant-based innovation the way to go for clean label products to become more mainstream

06-Dec-2023 By Pearly Neo

Singapore-based plant-based products firm Thoughtful Food believes that the sector needs to look more closely at dry and ambient innovation as a key driver, particularly for brands seeking to solve ultra-processing challenges or go more clean label.

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.

Rice to meet you: Mars-owned Ben’s Original expands ready-to-heat range for convenient and healthier options

27-Nov-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Mars Food & Nutrition Australia has launched a new ready-to-heat range under the Ben’s Original brand to meet rising demand for healthier options that are convenient and versatile.

Plant-based profits: Vitasoy looks to Asian growth to bounce back from challenges in Oceania

27-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

Tofu and beverage brand Vitasoy hopes the performance of its soy milk and tea businesses in Asian will help it bounce back from manufacturing and logistical challenges faced in Oceania over the past six months.

Level up: Singapore’s Gryphon Tea Company reformulates RTD teas to meet better-for-you demand, raises Nutri-grade rating

23-Nov-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Singapore-based Gryphon Tea Company has updated its cold-brewed tea range with “no added sugar” formulations, which the firm says has helped it keep up with the better-for-you trend and reach out to a bigger pool of health-conscious consumers.

FNA InnovATE: Better-for-you Snacking

Better-for-you munch: Why APAC healthier snacks sector must step up functionality and freshness to ensure growth

22-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

The better-for-you snacks sector in Asia Pacific will need to step up its focus on product functionality and freshness if it is to build on the boom it has enjoyed in recent years.

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.

Minimise MSG use: Researchers urge caution amid fears of metabolic health impact

20-Nov-2023 By Shali S.

The use of MSG as a flavouring agent should be reduced, according to researchers who have also emphasised the need for further research into the long-term biochemical effects of human consumption.

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.

Powered potatoes: PepsiCo pushes entrepreneurial collaboration as ‘vital’ APAC sustainability strategy

08-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

PepsiCo has highlighted collaborations with entrepreneurs as a ‘vital’ part of its strategy to achieve sustainable operations in the APAC region, amid the crowning of its regional Greenhouse Accelerator champion.

Magic marination: World-first liquid shio koji brand hopes to ride ASEAN umami and health trends

07-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

World-first liquid shio koji brand Hanamaruki has big plans to ride on the growing umami and wellness trends in South East Asia, after seeing success in western and East Asian markets.

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.

Cream of the crop: Liquid milk and ice cream categories spur Yili to ‘record high’ financial gains

06-Nov-2023 By Pearly Neo

China dairy giant Yili has secured ‘record high’ financial results in the first nine months of its financial year driven by liquid milk and ice cream category growth.

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.