Convenience foods and snacks

Space snacks: Japan seeks lift-off for more accredited foods for astronauts

16-Jan-2018 By Lester Wan

Astronauts currently have to eat the same meal roughly every 16 days — but this is something Japan is looking to remedy with the help of food manufacturers.

Indonesian study: Insufficient information on sugar intake in relation to health problems

12-Jan-2018 By Lester Wan

Despite soaring obesity and diabetes rates in Indonesia, researchers say there is insufficient information detailing the levels and sources of added sugar intake among the population.

China e-commerce giant JD.com follows Alibaba's lead into bricks-and-mortar food retail

08-Jan-2018 By Lester Wan

China e-commerce retailer JD.com is to launch new bricks-and-mortar 7Fresh grocery stores in the country, reigniting competition with rivals such as Alibaba in the offline space.

APAC's four key private label trends into the 2020's: Premium, sustainable, digital and healthy

02-Jan-2018 By RJ Whitehead

Growing digitisation, premium packaging formats and a rising focus on health and wellness are among the key trends in private label that Asia-Pacific will face into the next decade.

Malaysian firm gets deal to make halal salmon skin chips for Japan's Edoya Co

14-Dec-2017 By Lester Wan

Malaysia’s Jabi Rice has sealed a deal to make halal salmon skin chips for Japanese firm Edoya, which is keen to boost sales to Muslim visitors at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Nestle India chairman vows that Maggi is "fully compliant" with FSSAI rules

11-Dec-2017 By Lester Wan

Nestle’s India boss Suresh Narayanan has insisted Maggi products in India are compliant with all Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rules following fresh concerns about the popular noodle brand.

Nissin Foods raises HK$951m in IPO and targets China expansion

11-Dec-2017 By Lester Wan

Nissin Foods Company Limited has raised HK$951million (about US$121.7m) in its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, falling short of the anticipated HK$1.13b.

Australians want better labels on 'unhealthy' foods, but not sin taxes

07-Dec-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Almost 80% of Australians want clearer labels on unhealthy foods, but far fewer support taxation as a tool to deter consumption.

Asia to lead global grocery sales, but retail landscape is rapidly changing: IGD

07-Dec-2017 By Lester Wan

Asia will dominate the growth of the global grocery retail sector in the next five years, with the region’s consumer spending making up almost half of additional sales generated up to 2022.

Special report: As incomes increase, why are organic food sales in Asia not yet soaring?

05-Dec-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Despite the fact that disposable income is growing and the middle class expanding, sales of organic food in Asia still lag far behind that in the rest of the world.

China food fraud smartphone business set to raise $11.5m in expansion drive

05-Dec-2017 By Lester Wan

A China firm that allows consumers to check food labels via their smartphones to ensure that products are not fakes looks set to raise $11.5m to further champion its food safety drive.

Ready meals growth leads to further Asia expansion for Exter

01-Dec-2017 By Lester Wan

Ingredients firm Exter has expanded its Asian presence with a new regional application centre and sales office in Bangkok, Thailand on the back of rising demand for ready meals and convenience goods.

Nestlé hit by new Maggi noodle setback in India

29-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Nestlé and six distributors have been fined around US$92,000 after test results revealed samples of its Maggi noodles were “sub-standard”.

Five top technology launches showcased at Gulfood Manufacturing

29-Nov-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Take a look at some of the new technology and services on view in the halls of Gulfood Manufacturing 2017, held in Dubai.

Start small and scale up: How food MNCs can show they are part of the solution to Asia's obesity and diabetes epidemic

24-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Multinational food firms are striving to show they are part of the solution — and not the problem — when it comes to tackling Asia's rising levels of obesity and diabetes, but industry-backed projects need to be successful "on a small scale"...

Mars boss to competitors: 'Let's collaborate to meet UN Sustainability Goals'

23-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Food firms need to set aside traditional rivalries and collaborate to meet the health, environmental and economic objectives of the United Nation’s Sustainability Goals, insists one of Mars' most senior execs.

Marketing 'unhealthy' food to kids: NZ ad regulator and academics clash over study findings

22-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

New Zealand's advertising regulator has clashed with academics over a study that concluded advertising rules are ineffective in protecting children from exposure to unhealthy food marketing on television.

Alibaba's offline march continues with $2.9bn stake in China hypermarket chain

21-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Alibaba is continuing to expand its offline retail presence by taking a 36% stake in China’s leading hypermarket chain, Sun Art Retail Group.

‘Create-your-own’ Kit Kat packaging vending machine launched in Japan

20-Nov-2017 By Lester Wan

Consumers in Kyoto in Japan can now customise their own Uji Matcha green tea Kit Kat with their photographs.

China and India key targets for all-natural Russian snack bar firm

15-Nov-2017 By Lester Wan

A Russian snack bar firm – spearheaded by a former model and oil trader – has unveiled plans to expand in Asia, with China and India identified as two key priorities.

PureCircle seeks to capitalise from the UAE’s sweetness for stevia

14-Nov-2017 By RJ Whitehead

The fifth-ranked country in the global obesity index appears highly disposed to natural sweeteners, according to a new survey.

Asia's Food Leaders video series

Watch – Nestle’s Singapore R&D MD on sugar, salt reduction and fortification

14-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Consumer and government demands for healthier products are driving Nestlé’s R&D efforts in Singapore, with one recent beverage reformulation project slashing sugar by 50% and adding 30% more protein.

Dubai launches hint at Middle East’s growing clout for Tetra Pak

13-Nov-2017 By RJ Whitehead

It is no coincidence that Tetra Pak has chosen the Middle East as its launch site for a trio of new products. Doing so reflects the relative importance of this previously unsophisticated market, which the company now brands as “dynamic” and sees as having...

Asia will drive global organic growth over next decade: Indian industry pioneer

13-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Asia is primed to drive the sales of global organic products between 2020-2030 as consumer understanding and government support grows, claims an industry pioneer in India.

Diet will ‘become Australia’s biggest killer’ – can apps help reverse the threat?

09-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Experts are warning that diet will become the number one modifiable factor for disease and death in Australia, overtaking cigarettes.

Raw material costs and currency woes lead to profits slump at Nestlé Malaysia

09-Nov-2017 By Lester J Wan

Net profits at Nestlé (Malaysia) dropped by 25% during the latest quarter, down from RM160.71m this time last year to RM119.75m.

Forget dietary advice, scientists say salt reduction strategies should start targetting the brain

07-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Overweight or obese individuals are prone to consume more salt, have reduced salt sensitivity and a higher preference for salty foods, according to a new study.

Indigenous Australians under-reporting the amount of ‘unhealthy foods’ they consume

06-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

There is an urgent need to better track community nutrition to support policymakers in improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities.

Australia’s top 10 food firms by revenue revealed, and soon none will be wholly home-owned

02-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A study of Australia’s largest food firms shows nine out of 10 are at least partly owned by foreign companies…but with Murray Goulburn about to be sold to Canadian rival Saputo, that number will soon be zero.

Heightened sensitivity to 'seventh taste' carbs leads to larger waist sizes

01-Nov-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Scientists in Australia say they have identified a potential seventh 'taste' — carbohydrate — and are working to uncover how it leads people to eat excessive amounts of starchy foods.

Malaysian MyNews owner Bison secures Japan food manufacturing JVs

20-Oct-2017 By Lester Wan

Major Malaysian retailer group Bison is accelerating its move into food manufacturing by partnering with two Japanese firms to produce bakery and ready-to-eat convenience goods.

Nestlé brings Australian cereals, nut bars to China through e-commerce

16-Oct-2017 By Douglas Yu

Nestlé has brought its Australian cereal and snack bar brand, Uncle Tobys, to China through one of the country’s biggest e-commerce platforms, VIP.com.

‘Chipocalypse’ causing concern among potato crisp-loving Kiwis

16-Oct-2017 By Gill Hyslop

Heavy rain and flooding has caused a potato shortage in New Zealand, which means there will be fewer crisps for consumers, less choice and brands will experience difficulties, according to Potatoes New Zealand.

India

LT Foods JV to ‘create’ rice-based snacks

12-Oct-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Basmati rice manufacturer LT Foods will launch premium rice-based snacks through a joint venture with Kameda Seika of Japan, under the brand name Kari Kari.

Soapbox

Soundbite science doesn't help children learn about good food

10-Oct-2017 By Katherine Rich

My daughter often likes to take part in our weekly shop at the supermarket. I think it's a good part of her education. She's learned about all the different foods, how to select fruit and vegetables, and how to think about what's needed...

Thaad missiles put a rocket up Korea-China trade

09-Oct-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Rising exports of South Korean instant noodles, dried seaweed and beer to China have bucked dipping food and beverage trends following Seoul’s decision to deploy a US-backed missile defence system.

Aussie retailers need to wake up to the reality that Amazon is on its way

05-Oct-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Most retailers are woefully unprepared for the imminent arrival of Amazon in Australia, even though it has been an open secret for most of this year that the American insurgent will arrive in the market.

Manufacturers under fire as salt levels soar in Aussie ready meals

03-Oct-2017 By Lester Wan

Salt content in Australian ready meals has risen by 31% since 2010, new research reveals.

Convenience food gets boost despite continuing growth of online delivery

02-Oct-2017 By RJ Whitehead

China’s convenience food market has rebounded after five years in the doldrums, with over 1,800 manufacturers forecast to generate revenues of RMB390bn (US$59bn) this year.

Australia

QSR customers most satisfied with Grill’d

28-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Though McDonald’s has the most customers in Australia’s fast-food market, it is well off the pace in terms of consumer approval, according to a new analysis. 

Australia

Chiko Roll to be touted on world market

28-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Aussie icon the Chiko Roll may finally find a place in the hearts of consumers in the northern hemisphere as its makers set off on a search fo importers.

Calbee back in full swing as potato supplies recover in Japan

13-Sep-2017 By Gill Hyslop

Japanese snack giant Calbee’s operations have returned to normal, following a potato shortage that disrupted the production of 15 its potato chip brands.

McDonald’s UAE bucks trend as customers spurn healthy food

06-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

McDonald’s may have been introducing healthier options to its global menus, but there has been little interest in items beyond burgers and fries in the UAE.

Egypt ripe for Britannia biscuits expansion

06-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Egypt is among the countries under consideration by Indian snack major Britannia Industries as it seeks to expand its international footprint.

India

Everstone hires industry veteran to lead QSR business

04-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Industry heavyweight Ajay Kaul had joined Everstone Group to lead its QSR business.

India

Burger King to use recent profits to pursue aggressive growth

04-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Having crossed the 100 mark earlier this month, Burger King now plans to add a further 30-35 outlets in the country this year.

Mars Australia voted top for employees

04-Sep-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Mars is the best big company to work at in Australia, according to the 2017 Great Place to Work rankings, which also feature Campbell Arnott’s in fourth place.

India

169 restaurants in limbo as McDonald’s shutters turbulent franchise

22-Aug-2017 By RJ Whitehead

McDonald’s has severed its 22-year relationship with partner Vikram Bakshi, putting all its 169 restaurants in north and east India at risk of closure.

South Asia radius

Innovative Foods to double frozen production at AP plant

22-Aug-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Indian food manufacturer Innovative Foods hopes to double its processing capacity with a second processing unit in Andhra Pradesh. 

China direct

Health, wealth and internet forcing instant noodle-makers to rethink

21-Aug-2017 By RJ Whitehead

China’s appetite for instant noodles has been shrinking sharply in the face of growing popularity for food delivery and better awareness of healthier foods.