Dairy

Grasslands dairy funding: Yili and Mengniu back bid to make Inner Mongolia a major hub

28-Jun-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region local government has allocated specific funding for the development and revitalisation of the dairy industry in the region, aiming to work with local dairy giants Yili and Mengniu to maximise its potential.

Green is gold: Mondelez on why sustainability leads to economic profitability for food industry

21-Jun-2022 By Pearly Neo

Global snacking giant Mondelez says sustainability in business operations is much more important to food and beverage companies to achieve economic profitability than popular opinion currently dictates, urging firms to think in the long-term.

South Korea nutrition claims: Tougher criteria imposed for RTE and RTC products

15-Jun-2022 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has imposed tougher criteria on ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) instant products that want to make healthier nutritional claims on pack, in an expansion of rules first placed on instant noodles earlier this year.

Milk protein supplementation could relieve fatigue during menstruation – Meiji study

15-Jun-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of milk protein, specifically alpha-lactalbumin, has shown to improve menstrual-related symptoms, including reducing fatigue, a crossover study by Meiji has shown.

Double trouble: Asian women bearing the brunt of double burden of malnutrition – The Lancet

14-Jun-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Women in seven South and South East Asian countries urgently need nutritional intervention and monitoring to battle the double burden of malnutrition (DBM).

Manufacturers pay? Foodstuffs NZ cuts prices to win consumer favour but industry says brands could count the cost

07-Jun-2022 By Pearly Neo

New Zealand’s food and grocery sector says manufacturers could end up footing bill after one of the nation’s largest chains Foodstuffs cuts prices to win back consumer – and likely government – favour.

Safeguarding supplies: Annual food recalls drop from 109 to 80 in Australia in 2021

01-Jun-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Food recalls in Australia dropped last year from 109 to 80, according to new data released by the regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

Making friends: Do cultivated protein firms ‘have advantage’ over plant-based due to big food links?

30-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

The cultivated protein sector holds a distinct advantage over its plant-based counterparts by having better relationships with existing big meat and food industry brands, but more work still needs to be done in terms of boosting government partnerships...

Food in the ‘Fusion Era’: Guilt-free options and hyperlocalisation key for food firms in travel retail

26-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Food firms active in the travel retail market will need to increase focus on providing consumers with guilt-free options produced via a hyperlocal supply chain to increase their chances of survival and growth in a rapidly evolving post-COVID-19 era.

Claims caution: Middle East manufacturers warned over off-pack claims as more governments take note

25-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Food and beverage manufacturers in the Middle East have been urged to stop toeing the line in terms of making any off-pack claims for their products, given increasing awareness and warnings raised by governments in the region.

‘Possible opportunity’: ANZ infant nutrition firms gear up for US market entry amid formula shortage

24-May-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Some infant formula manufacturers from Australia and New Zealand are preparing their US market debut amid the current shortages across the country.

Tech revolution: Intense Chinese uptake of digitalisation, robotics propelling food, ag sector

24-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The rapid adoption of digitalisation and robotics is making serious waves to amplify China’s status in the food and agtech sectors, claims a leading regional investment expert.

E-commerce evaluation: Japan emphasises expiry dates and allergens for new online food rules

23-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has drafted a new set of labelling guidelines specifically targeted at regulating foods and beverages sold online, with emphasis on the displaying of expiration dates and food allergens.

FNA INNOVATE EPISODE 5

Freezing in freshness: How APAC’s frozen food sector is prioritising healthier new product development

18-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Products with a healthier focus are the next major trend within frozen foods sector, with NPD thriving from countries with advanced cold chain systems such as Australia to those with less developed logistics such as India.

Granarolo acquires majority stake in wellness start-up White & Seeds

17-May-2022 By Katy Askew

Italian dairy group Granarolo has acquired a 51% stake in protein start-up White & Seeds, with the option to take full control of the business ‘in the next few years’.

Dairy intake of up to 100g daily associated with lower fracture risk in Chinese adults – review

17-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Consuming up to 100g of dairy daily can help prevent the incidence of fractures among Chinese adults, according to a new review.

Supply chains interrupted: Customs delays, shipping woes continue to plague APAC nutra and food businesses

16-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Food and nutrition-based businesses across APAC have reported continued logistics problems plaguing their supply chains due to rising costs and customs delays, some of which still stem from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local flavour, global appeal: Singapore’s Melvados aims to expand with fusion snack offerings

16-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Consumers are increasingly demanding more information about ingredients and traceability in the booming East-West fusion food category, that spans everything from pandan nuts to kaya ice cream.

China dairy growth: Rising consumer income and increased functional product innovation yields large leap

16-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

China’s dairy industry witnessed a large growth in per capita consumption in 2021, backed by rising consumer incomes and firms responding to current trends with the development of functional products.

Export expertise: Japan reveals new guidelines to help food firms maximise overseas growth

12-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has published a set of national export and expansion guidelines with the aim of helping local food and beverage businesses expand the reach of their products into overseas markets.

Next-gen green progress: PepsiCo seeking novel F&B sustainability tech via Middle East accelerator

11-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Global F&B giant PepsiCo is on the hunt for novel sustainability technology in the food and beverage sector to complement its business within the Middle Eastern region, with plans to look at other markets including Asia Pacific in the future as well.

Securing Singapore? Scale of city state’s food security 2030 challenge underlined by new data

04-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

The scale of Singapore’s challenge to achieve 30% food self-sufficiency by 2030 has been underlined by new data released by the city state’s national food agency.

‘More price hikes to come’: Nestle warns of further rises after posting positive Q1 figures

03-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Nestle has announced healthy growth in Asia in the first quarter of 2022 after imposing price rises across all its markets, with the F&B giant warning of further hikes to come due to the Ukraine crisis.

China labelling: Consumers want packaged foods to carry traffic light and warning labels for ‘negative’ nutrients

03-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Chinese consumers have determined the traffic light labelling system as well as distinct warning labels highlighting ‘negative’ nutrients such as sugar, salt and saturated fat to be the most effective forms of front-of-pack labelling (FOPL), according...

Recyclability ratings: South Korea further tightens conditions for food packaging to be accepted as ‘recyclable’

02-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has updated national standards for food packaging recyclability, meaning that food and beverage manufacturers will need to review their current packaging to ensure it doesn't fall into the ‘difficult to recycle’ category.

‘Breaking the bottleneck’: Mengniu urges Chinese government to do more to boost dairy self-sufficiency amid consumption drive

02-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Chinese dairy heavyweight Mengniu has urged the government to focus efforts on boosting local dairy self-sufficiency alongside its efforts to increase consumption, highlighting that a dependence on dairy imports is not an effective food security strategy...

Expediting imports: South Korea introduces year-round express customs clearance for food firms

28-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

South Korea has introduced two major new import policies for food and beverage firms looking to sell in the country – a year-round express customs clearance application system and a new ‘Use By’ date labelling requirement for all food and beverage imports.

Probiotics for healthy ageing: Yili details solid beverage innovation for China launch

26-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

China dairy giant Yili has outlined its new product launch strategies, including the introduction of a solid beverage formulated with probiotics and GABA as the key ingredients.

‘Real-world applications’: Cell Ag Australia urges government to push career options in cultivated products

26-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

Australian cellular agriculture industry group Cell Ag Australia has urged the government to take a leaf from Singapore’s book and approach cellular agriculture and cultivated products as a practical, real-world career option for students and researchers...

Show me the money: China’s New Protein sector hopeful to get its own Green Financing system

25-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

The alternative protein sector in China – more commonly known as New Protein locally – is hopeful that it could finally get its own Green Financing system in line with China’s 2060 carbon neutrality goals, similar to existing financing systems in the...

Microplastic pollution fears: South Korea seeks to allay consumers’ food concerns with new data

21-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

The South Korean government has sought to quell rising consumer concerns over microplastic pollution rates in food, citing new data showing that it falls below toxic levels.

Sales up in Q1 at Danone

20-Apr-2022 By Jim Cornall

French food company Danone has published its first quarter financial report, which shows net sales of €6.236bn ($6.76bn) in the first quarter, up 7.1% on a like-for-like basis, with price up 4.9% and volume/mix up 2.2%, while net sales rose by 10.2% on...

Freeze in the Middle East! Major opportunities for frozen snacks growth if cold chain challenges can be met

20-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Middle East has emerged as a prime location for growth of the frozen snacks sector due to its climate and rising consumer demand, but innovation is needed to overcome longstanding cold chain challenges.

Cargill expands RadiPure pea protein into the META & India markets

19-Apr-2022 By Jim Cornall

As more consumers add plant-based foods to their diets, Cargill is expanding its RadiPure pea protein into the Middle East, Turkey, Africa (META) and India, which it said will help food and beverage manufacturers in the region respond to evolving marketplace...

Thailand’s hi-tech food future: Government pledges to step up transformation of food and agri sector

18-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Thai government has pledged to pick up the pace of its nationwide digital transformation plans for the local food and agriculture industry this year, with a major focus on big data, smart agriculture, e-commerce and agribusiness improvement.

Technology transfer: Vietnam food safety systems upgraded with help from South Korea

14-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

South Korea has completed of the first two phases of a new national food safety management system for Vietnam, using technology and information systems used in its home market.

Fighting nuclear fears? Japan launches foreign language food radiation brochures as it battles to win confidence

13-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has published a series of foreign language brochures on food and radiation in hopes of winning back the confidence of foreign markets that still have food and beverage import bans in place following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Growth Asia Summit 2022: Impossible Foods, Blackmores, Yili, Thai Union among first wave of keynote speakers

06-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

Today we can reveal the fist wave of speakers confirmed for our Growth Asia Summit, an in-person, face-to-face conference taking place across three days in Singapore in October.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2022: Entries open…check out previous award-winners

05-Apr-2022 By Gary Scattergood

With entries flooding in for the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards for 2022, here we look back on the pioneering brands, suppliers and researchers who took the top prizes last year.

Regulatory landmines: Frucor Suntory exec on the challenges of meeting better-for-you beverage needs in APAC

04-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

While consumers are clamouring for healthier beverages across APAC, spanning sugar reduction and the added functionality, the regulatory landscape still poses a significant challenge for brands.

Sizing down to make it big: Ulu Hye revamps size of dairy-free mylk base jars amid retail push

31-Mar-2022 By Ulu Hye revamps size of dairy-free mylk base jars amid retail push

World-first dairy-free mylk base creator Ulu Hye has launched smaller versions of its products in preparation for entry into major supermarkets as well as expansion to overseas markets.

Strategic success? How Mondelez is tapping into emerging middle-class markets in India, China

30-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Major food and beverage MNC Mondelez has revealed its strategies to tap into the India and China markets, both of which have burgeoning middle-class segments with increasing disposable incomes.

Food label fight: Australian plant-based industry lambasts ‘restrictive regulations’ proposal

29-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

Australia’s plant-based sector is seeing red over recommendations from senators to restrict the use of traditional animal product terms on packs, and there could be further policy woes for firms in the cultured meat space.

Baladna acquires stake in Egypt’s Juhayna Food Industries

28-Mar-2022 By Jim Cornall

Baladna, a Qatar Public Shareholding Company, has acquired a 5% stake in the Egyptian company Juhayna Food Industries Company, which is listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange, through several purchases of shares from the market.

Swift expansion: ASEAN sugar alternative firm developing RTE options and eyeing Europe entry

23-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore-based sugar alternative firm Swiftlet is widening its portfolio with the development of new ready-to-eat (RTE) and lower-cost options of its sugar replacement product, whilst also planning for entry into the European...

Food security innovations revealed: How tech advances are helping China strengthen its supply chains

23-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics solutions to tackle the challenges plaguing the food supply chain in China have been unveiled as the nation strives to meet soaring demand and enhance nutritional quality.

FNA DEEP DIVE: PLANT-BASED PRODUCTS

Double opportunity: Why both affordability and premiumisation are providing plant-based promise in APAC

23-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

Innovating at both ends of the price spectrum can fuel Asia’s booming plant-based sector for the long term, say regional experts, who believe that the sector is now at the tipping point of achieving sustained mainstream success.

Vigilance vital: Australian researchers warn against complacency as child food allergies dip

22-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

Australian researchers have warned against complacency over child food allergies despite a recent study finding a significant drop in anaphylaxis rates as a result of infant feeding guideline changes.

Step up to the plate: South Korea orders local authorities to implement food supply goals

22-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

South Korea’s government has instructed local authorities to play a bigger role in the nation’s food supply strategy, as well as pumping in cash for new food tech and sustainability projects.

ASEAN dairy difficulties: Lactose intolerance and supply chain challenges can be overcome - Yili

22-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

Persistent supply chain challenges and lactose intolerance in a large majority of consumers in the South East Asian region has led to difficulties for dairy firms to achieve sales or market shares as high as those in western countries, but industry leaders...