Convenience foods and snacks

Private labels to account for 30% of all supermarket sales by 2018: Report

20-Jul-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Australian manufacturers of branded foods could face strong competition over the next five years, suggests a new report, which predicts the share of private label products in supermarkets to increase rapidly over this period.

PepsiCo to cater to local preferences with new Chinese snacks plant

13-Jul-2012 By Oliver Nieburg

PepsiCo and its snacks arm Frito-Lay has opened a news snacks factory in Wuhan, China to expand further into central and western parts of the country by catering to local tastes.

High frequency of plasticizer contamination in China’s food: Study

12-Jul-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Plasticizers occur more frequently in Chinese foodstuff than elsewhere in the world, a new study has shown.

PepsiCo’s Indian growth scheme must consider localised differences: Analyst

02-Jul-2012 By Kacey Culliney

PepsiCo is pumping more than 50 new products into India’s dynamic and surging snacks sector but it needs to be sensitive to localised differences to secure stable growth, according to an analyst.

77% of Australians oppose TV junk food adverts

14-Jun-2012 By Ankush Chibber

77% of Australian adults oppose junk food advertising on television, a report has found, while 18% oppose junk food advertising altogether. 

UK trade body calls for more support on environment

23-May-2012 By Rod Addy

Channels for UK food industry funding for environmental projects could be improved, according to Andrew Kuyk, director of the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF’s) sustainability and competitiveness division.

Australia turns significant corner in children’s food advertising: AFGC

10-May-2012 By Ankush Chibber

New research has shown that advertisements for high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods have fallen to almost zero in Australia, according to the country’s Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

Indian packaged food industry to soar: Report

02-May-2012 By Ankush Chibber

The Indian packaged food industry is expected to touch US$30bn by the year 2015 on the back of growing awareness, busier lifestyles, and a booming economic environment.

Chinese agricultural firm carves new FMCG product line

30-Apr-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Shanxi-based Deyu Agriculture has developed a new line of MSG-free, easy-cook noodles that will enable it to delve into an unknown yet lucrative fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in China.

Sulphite safe foods in Australia?

30-Apr-2012 By Kacey Culliney

‘Nearly all’ Australian foods comply with authorised sulphite levels and this data will be used to compile dietary exposure estimates for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

Instant value with healthy, non-MSG noodles in China

23-Apr-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Developing non-MSG, better-for-you instant noodles will surge market value in China’s commoditised market sector, according to Mintel research director.

McCain wants to stay local, grow local in India

16-Apr-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Aiming to garner a higher share of the Indian ready-to-eat (RTE), frozen foods markets, McCain Foods is further strengthening its product range to cater to Indian tastes and sensibilities.

Indian regulators harden healthy foods stance

05-Apr-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Stung by a recent report that damned many of India’s top food brands for containing high amounts of sugar, salt, and fats, the country’s food regulators are moving against the worst offenders.

Retail regulation a must, say Australian industry execs

29-Mar-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Australia’s food and grocery sector desperately needs greater regulation in the retail sector and more transparency around foreign direct investment, Australian industry executives said in a new survey.

Malaysian Islamic authority to monitor halal imports from China

27-Mar-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Authorities in the Malaysian state of Sarawak have said that they will increase the monitoring of halal canned food products imported from China in the light of a recent scare.

China food market entry: Traditional routes best avoided

27-Mar-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Going online in China is a cost-effective, viable alternative for food and beverage brands entering the country amid sky-high entry costs and structural inefficiencies in traditional retailers, according to a new report.

Australia can become a ‘food bowl’ to Asia but reform needed: lobbyists

20-Mar-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Australia can become the food-supply powerhouse to Asia, but increased investments and reform across agriculture, water infrastructure and the country’s food and grocery sector are essential.

VAT reform set to disappoint Indian food processors

15-Mar-2012 By Ankush Chibber

India’s food and beverage processing industry is hoping for some tax respite from the fiscal budget for 2012-13, but indications are that is unlikely to occur.

Enzymes and yeast extracts strong drivers for ABF Ingredients in China

13-Mar-2012 By Kacey Culliney

UK-based ABF Ingredients is manufacturing yeast extracts in China and targeting the enzyme market, as it has superior growth rates in these two specialities, according to the CEO of the company.

Soy foods surging at a 6.4% CAGR in Asia Pacific

06-Mar-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Rapid development underpinned by large population bases in China, India, Indonesia and Korea is driving fast growth of soy foods in Asia Pacific, with an overall surge pegged at CAGR 6.4% for the region, according to a report.

Australians prefer local foods: Report

05-Mar-2012 By Ankush Chibber

A preference for local food among Australian consumers could offer Australian food processors a way to rejuvenation after a turbulent period where they have been pounded by cheap food imports.

India sweetens up on sugar deregulation in 2012

27-Feb-2012 By Ankush Chibber

The Indian government is firm on sugar decontrol and would step back from this sector by the end of this year, a top official on the committee in charge of deregulation said.

Bans melt in Taiwanese plasticiser scandal

20-Feb-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Taiwanese food exports are finally free of all border controls in major target markets, with Malaysia being the latest to allow the former’s food products without plasticiser-free certification.

Healthy is big for PepsiCo in India

13-Feb-2012 By Ankush Chibber

PepsiCo’s push into the healthy foods market in India is truly on its way with the company launching ‘healthier’ variants of some of its most popular food products.

Unilever takes on Australian watchdog over ad ban

23-Jan-2012 By Ankush Chibber

Unilever has called out the Advertising Standards Board of Australia over its recent order to remove a TV advertisement for the company’s popular milk-based frozen dairy snack.

No ban on junk foods in Indian schools, but there will be new standards

12-Jan-2012 By Ankush Chibber

The Indian government has taken a decision on the issue of junk foods being sold in and around schools and it is not all that pretty for food manufacturers in the country.

Chinese green snacks to triple to US$570 million by 2014

03-Jan-2012 By Jennifer Phang

The Chinese green snacks market will triple in value from 1.2 billion yuan (US$190 million) in 2010 to 3.6bn Chinese yuan (US$570 million) by 2014, according to research from the University of Science & Technology in Beijing.

Case to ban junk foods near schools receives boost

22-Dec-2011 By Ankush Chibber

In a move that could make the going tougher for food processors in their fight against a possible ban on the sale of junk foods in and near schools, a prominent Indian school has asked to be made party to a legal case on the issue.

New Zealand must reduce salt intake, finds survey

21-Dec-2011 By Ankush Chibber

Nearly 65% of adult New Zealanders are consuming more sodium than current nutrition guidelines in the country recommend, a survey has concluded.

Chinese food group invests in non-fried noodle production

20-Dec-2011 By Jennifer Phang

Sichuan-based Hao Ji Group is investing 60bn Chinese yuan (US$9.45m) to boost noodle production at two main sites to a capacity of more than 700,000 tonnes of noodles with up to 12 varieties of Chinese grains.

ADF to expand due to Indian demand for RTE foods

13-Dec-2011 By Ankush Chibber

India-based ADF Foods is investing heavily in extending production capacity as it looks to expand aggressively in the domestic as well as international markets on the back of growing demand for ready-to-eat foods.

PepsiCo targets doubling Quaker business every two years in India

01-Dec-2011 By Ankush Chibber

After banking on the cola as the main driver of its growth in India for two decades, PepsiCo is changing focus to push more healthy foods in the market, chief amongst which is Quaker oats, its breakfast cereal product.

China’s online supermarkets, a great entry-platform for internationals

29-Nov-2011 By Kacey Culliney

Chinese consumers are more willing to trial new grocery products online, offering huge opportunities for international brand owners looking to enter the market with new products, says new study.

Kiwis eating more tinned food? Food body chief doesn't think so

25-Nov-2011 By Ankush Chibber

A survey of supermarkets in New Zealand has found that consumers are eating more tinned food as the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables continues to rise.

Food processors body appeals against ban of junk foods in Indian schools

07-Nov-2011 By Ankush Chibber

In a last minute move, the industry body for food processors in India has appealed to the Indian judicial system against banning the sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and near schools.

Novozymes ramps up Indian presence

20-Oct-2011 By Kacey Culliney

Enzyme producer Novozymes is focusing on new enzyme applications that can be applied to convenience foods that appeal to the Indian consumer.

Young, developing pasta market in India should not be ignored: Analyst

19-Oct-2011 By Kacey Culliney

The Indian market for pasta is set to develop and strengthen, offering opportunities for international manufacturers, according to industry analyst.

Chinese noodles, with an essence of Norway

13-Oct-2011 By Kacey Culliney

A Norwegian research project is underway to identify flavours from marine bioprospecting that could be used as a source for seafood flavouring in the Chinese noodle market.

McCain going local and affordable with frozen foods in India

06-Oct-2011 By Ankush Chibber

A fast changing Indian market, which is being boosted by rising income levels, has opened up the ready-to-eat, frozen foods segment in the country for players like McCain Foods India.

Aussie online grocery site: An opportunistic platform for brand owners

03-Oct-2011 By Kacey Culliney

A new online grocery site offers a competitive advantage for large-volume brand owners, amid pressure from the growing private label trend in Australia.

New product network to take Malaysian foods to Singapore, UAE

27-Sep-2011 By Ankush Chibber

A new Malaysian initiative will set up a new food product network that will take locally made food products to overseas markets, according to Malaysia’s Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA).

Listeria-busting bacteriophage awaits approval in Australia and New Zealand

22-Sep-2011 By Rory Harrington

Dutch food safety company Micreos looks poised to gain approval for its Listeria-fighting bacteriophage processing aid in Australasia after safety authorities there said they had no concerns about the product.

Grape and clove extracts may slash acrylamide: Study

20-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Extracts from grape seeds or clove buds may prevent the formation of acrylamide in potato-based food products by over 60%, suggests a new study.

Online shopping made smarter

12-Sep-2011 By Kacey Culliney

Online shopping company yihaodian.com has launched a collection of virtual supermarkets for mobile users throughout Shanghai’s metro system, with researchers claiming the development could offer NPD potential for food and drink brand owners.

Heinz CFO says Australian grocery sector is ‘inhospitable’

01-Sep-2011 By Ankush Chibber and Caroline Scott-Thomas

Global food manufacturer Heinz has for the second time in as many months publicly criticised Australian grocery sector – this time for creating an ‘inhospitable’ market.

Look to Indonesia for opportunities during Ramadan, says Nielsen

31-Aug-2011 By Kacey Culliney

Indonesian consumers are driven to spend more on food and beverages during Ramadan, bringing opportunities for manufacturers, according to a new Nielsen study.

A rising working class in India means a ready-to-eat opportunity

30-Aug-2011 By Ankush Chibber

Socio-economic factors in India have resulted in an opportunity for ready-to-eat (RTE) meals in the country, prompting Mumbai, India-based Agro Tech Foods Ltd to venture into the segment.

Promotions provide opportunities in Asia, says Nielsen

17-Aug-2011 By Kacey Culliney

A new Nielsen study on shopper trends shows an increase in promotion-seeking as a result of inflationary concerns, providing opportunities for manufacturers to gain strong shopper and brand loyalty.

Indian food makers may have to drop sodium content

03-Aug-2011 By Ankush Chibber

Food manufacturers in India may have to gradually reduce the salt content in their packaged food products if a proposal from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is accepted as a standard.

Malaysian small farmers come out strongly against Australian palm oil bill

27-Jul-2011 By Ankush Chibber

The National Association of Smallholders, Malaysia (NASH), which represents 240,000 Malaysian small farmers, has in an open letter strongly protested the Australian palm oil bill.