Dairy

Reformulation vs avoidance: Ultra-processed foods’ rapid Asian rise vilified, but total removal from food supply ‘unrealistic’

14-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

New research has criticised the rapid rise in ultra-processed food consumption in Asia over public health concerns, urging total avoidance of these foods, but others are urging further research into the area in the name of food security before such an...

Covid-19 and food transmission: Meat, dairy, nuts, fruit and veg potential carriers, but may not spread virus - Review

08-Dec-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

More studies are emerging of food products as a potential carrier for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing COVID-19, according to new review of the research, but there is no evidence of it leading to transmissions.

Food safety in Asia: Companies failing to meet consumer concerns over contamination, lack of transparency

07-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

F&B firms and governments in Asia will need to step up and provide more reassurance regarding food product safety and supply chain transparency to local consumers, as recent studies have revealed a vast lack of confidence in several parts of the region.

‘Sustainable groundnut’: WhatIF Foods targets ASEAN Bambara supply chain amid 2021 plant-based milk launch

03-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

Singapore-based WhatIF Foods is gearing up for the official launch of its Bambara groundnut plant-based milks next year as it works to increase production closer to home in the South East Asian region.

UAE’s Al Ain Farms CEO exclusive 1: Product innovation priorities and sustainability focus revealed

02-Dec-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Production innovation is a growing area of focus for UAE-based Al Ain Farms, with the firm exploring new products, recipes, and formats, revealed CEO Willem van Walt Meijer, who has signalled a step change in approach to new business development.

Smart packaging problems: Sector still in infancy, hindered by regulations and accuracy issues - academics

02-Dec-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Commercialisation of smart and active packaging is failing to fulfil its potential in the food and beverage sector, largely limited by regulations, cost, safety and accuracy issues.

Balancing act: Australia’s huge challenge to increase recyclable packaging without risking food waste

02-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

Australian packaging experts say the food industry needs to tread a fine line between meeting recyclable packaging goals while at the same time preventing a spike in food waste.

Beyond food security: Indonesia urged to increase food diversity and fortification to prevent nutritional crisis

02-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

A new report commissioned by the United Nations (UN) has urged the Indonesian government to increase its focus on food diversity and nutrient fortification within the local food supply to combat rising nutrition-related issues such as obesity and anaemia.

‘With privilege comes responsibility’: New Zealand food industry lauds launch of government’s supermarket review

01-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

The New Zealand government’s announcement of a market study into the supermarkets industry to review areas such as competition, product pricing and procurement has been warmly welcomed by the local food industry.

Organic scepticism in China: Consumers wary and few international brands seeking certification

01-Dec-2020 By Pearly Neo

Only 220 foreign brands have been certified as organic in China, versus almost 14,000 local products, with traceability concerns and consumer scepticism over certification systems seemingly blighting what should be a booming category.

Report shows extent of dairy industry in Dubai

30-Nov-2020 By Jim Cornall

A recent report issued by the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector of Dubai Economy said that the Emirate of Dubai has 583 local and international companies engaged in dairy production and industry such as yogurt; natural butter; cheese;...

Regional connectivity: Thai Union highlights food tech collaboration opportunities as reason for basing new ASEAN arm in Singapore

30-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Thai seafood giant Thai Union has opened a South East Asian operation in Singapore dedicated to food tech ventures, citing the excellent opportunities to make good regional collaborations as a major deciding factor for choosing the city-state to set up...

Japan retail report: Majority of supermarkets plan to increase processed and prepared food product ranges

30-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Around half of all supermarkets in Japan have plans to increase their range of processed and prepared food products, followed by fresh fruits and vegetables and meat, according to recent reports.

Trend Tracker: Reformulation and fortification, plant-based challenges and halal feature in our round-up

27-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Reformulation and fortification, plant-based challenges and halal feature in this edition of Trend Tracker.

Cost not an issue in Asia? milkadamia banks on premium and sustainability focus to market milk made from world’s most expensive nut

26-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Macadamia milk specialist firm milkadamia believes that its premium and sustainable product focus will be the key for it to achieve commercial success in the Asian market, claiming that cost is not a major issue for regional expansion.

‘Impressive growth’: Soaring US-ASEAN dairy trade set for further high-protein and e-commerce boost

25-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Dairy trade between the United States and ASEAN has seen an impressive growth trajectory due to consumer demand for healthier products as well as the rapid rise of e-commerce in the region, but the United States Dairy Export Council (USDEC) believes a...

Yili's dollar bond debut scores high international credit rating

24-Nov-2020 By Jim Cornall

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. has issued a five-year $500m bond, which was simultaneously listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx).

Reformulation and fortification: Product taste paramount to consumer acceptance of revamped products – Expert Growth Asia Series panel

24-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Food product reformulation and fortification efforts still need to maintain good taste in order to ensure consumer acceptance so that these efforts don’t go to waste - even with the health and wellness trend growing in APAC, according to a panel of industry...

Australia’s reformulation shortfall: Local governments failing to boost healthier food options - study

23-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Local governments in Australia need to play a bigger role in developing areas such as boosting food product reformulation and limiting the marketing of unhealthy food products if the country is to create a truly comprehensive healthy food environment...

Fighting for suppliers: New Zealand industry calls for creation of Grocery Code to assure market fairness

23-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

The New Zealand food and grocery industry is calling for the creation of a Grocery Code of Conduct to ensure that a balance is maintained between retailers and suppliers, especially after an ‘aggressive’ buying model change by major retailer Foodstuffs.

FNA DEEP DIVE: Plant-Based Products

Mainstream hurdles: APAC plant-based firms highlight cost, labels and health concerns as the biggest challenges

20-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

The plant-based industry in APAC has highlighted product cost and pricing, labelling debates and health concerns over over-processing to be amongst the biggest hurdles to the sector becoming mainstream despite having seen explosive growth over the past...

‘War of attrition’: Malaysian palm oil sector needs direct, comprehensive engagement with US to overcome forced labour hurdle

18-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

The palm oil industry in Malaysia needs to make direct and comprehensive engagement – beyond relying on diplomatic relations - with the United States to overcome the recent ban of FGV palm oil over forced labour accusations, according to a trade expert.

Plant-based label debate in Australia: Industry calls out government over ‘unbalanced representation’ at roundtable discussion

18-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

The plant-based industry in Australia has called out the government for what it is calling an ‘unbalanced representation’ at a recent roundtable to discuss product labelling and is denouncing the need for any new regulations to govern the sector.

Opportunities aplenty: Covid-19 pushes e-commerce and food security for halal food industry

18-Nov-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Nation’s need to better secure local and regional food production, especially in light of the Covid-19-related supply chain disruptions, if they are going to tap into the booming halal opportunities in the Middle East and Asia.

No more leniency: Japan ends flexible enforcement of food labelling rules permitted after heavy rains disaster

17-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Japan will end the flexible enforcement of food labelling regulations that were implemented after the country was hit by torrential storms leading to a series of floods and landslides back in July.

Liberalising the Indonesian food industry: What SEA nation’s controversial omnibus law means for the F&B sector

17-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Indonesia’s highly controversial omnibus law will impact the local food and beverage industry in a raft of ways, including potentially creating better access to food ingredient imports and streamlining business licensing requirements.

Science Shorts: White rice diabetes risks, traceability tech in China, water extraction from air and more feature in our round-up

13-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

White rice diabetes risks, traceability tech in China, water extraction from air and more feature in this edition of Science Shorts.

Taste for tapioca: Tate & Lyle bets on Thailand due to rising demand for Non-GMO and clean label products

10-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Tate & Lyle is expanding its tapioca starch production capacity in Thailand in response to increasing demand for products that are both clean label and non-GMO within the Asia Pacific region.

COVID-19 rule revision: South Korea fixes CBD limits for hemp foods and establishes meal kits as new food category

10-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

South Korea has established CBD content limits for hemp foods in the country, as well as established meal kits as an individual new food category under regulatory governance after consumer demand for these soared during COVID-19.

Play it cool: Indian industry lauds new cold chain projects to reduce food waste and boost exports

09-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

The Indian government’s approval of 27 new projects to improve local cold chain infrastructure has met with fervent approval from the local food and retail industry, which believes this will help to both boost the export potential of the local agri-food...

FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS PODCAST EPISODE 13

PODCAST: To microalgae and beyond – Sophie’s BioNutrients founder on ‘hybrid’ plant-meat products for Asia and space food aspirations

06-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO and Co-Founder of Singapore-based microalgae food firm Sophie’s BioNutrients Eugene Wang about his aspirations to create food for space travel, and why he believes ‘hybrid’...

‘Massive transformation’: WEF delivers blueprint for China to tackle food safety, waste and security with green tech

04-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

A new World Economic Forum (WEF) report commissioned for the Chinese government’s research and policy arm has urged the country to employ green technologies to tackle its local food safety, food waste and environmental challenges – but also warned that...

All about the product: Taste, price and nutrition key to driving Asia’s plant-based growth – Expert Growth Asia Series panel

03-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

The plant-based industry in Asia faces multiple bureaucratic and policy challenges ahead, but the key to ensuring continued growth lies in ensuring products’ taste, price and nutrition are at least equal, and ideally better, than meat products, according...

Australian label change fears: Food industry warns against new Country of Origin rules as authorities mull digital approach

03-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Australia’s food industry has cautioned regulators not to impose new rules for Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for food products, with the nation’s trade body citing cost and compliance concerns from its members.

Food safety overhaul: China announces revamp of national standards for processed and nutritional foods

03-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

China is planning to revise safety standards governing multiple processed foods and nutritional ingredients in its latest initiative to battle food contamination and adulteration in the country.

Growth Asia 2020: Join us live today as our interactive broadcast series continues with the Infant Nutrition edition

02-Nov-2020 By Gary Scattergood

Join us live today for the fourth edition of our free-to-access interactive broadcast series – Growth Asia 2020 – as we focus on the topic of infant nutrition with a host of major brands and international experts.

China’s dairy boom: Yili pegs post-COVID-19 health demands and tech as key to consumption boost – exclusive interview

02-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

Chinese dairy giant Yili believes that local dairy consumption is on an upward curve due to a rise in consumer understanding of its health benefits due to COVID-19, as well as the advantages technology is bring in advancing innovation within the sector.

New Retail in China: Why Alibaba’s new hypermarket purchase could pose problems for food brands

28-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Alibaba’s new purchase of a US$3.6bn controlling stake in China hypermarket major Sun Art Retail Group is likely to create a large shift in supplier-distributor dynamics locally – with one analyst predicting it will be brands which may lose out.

Almarai first brand to receive pandemic prepared certification

27-Oct-2020 By Jim Cornall

Saudi Arabian dairy company Almarai said it is the first brand in the world to obtain a Pandemic Prepared Certification from AIB International due to its application of best practices for food safety in times of epidemics.

Trans fats and COVID-19? Nestle Philippines seeks clarity on bill, confirms no products will be affected

27-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Food manufacturing giant Nestle Philippines has confirmed that none of its products would be affected by the recently-proposed bill on trans fats elimination from the local food supply, though it has also requested that the legislation terms be laid out...

Hero or zero? India seeks global food supply champion role amidst pandemic – but may need to save its poor first

26-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

India has been keen to position itself as a champion for global food supply and security ever since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out – but new data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO) may indicate it needs to save the poor...

‘Ghee is the new coconut oil’: NZ’s Milkio Foods expanding export markets across US and Middle East

21-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

New Zealand ghee manufacturer Milkio Foods is hoping to expand its business in US and Middle East, with the firm saying interest is gathering in pace on the back of keto and paleo diets.

‘Headed for failure’: Australian researchers criticise local food system inadequacies and overly complex governance

21-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Australian researchers have called out the local food system for being uncoordinated and overly complex in its governance, urging the government to work out a coherent and strategic approach for food-related policy-making.

Growth Asia 2020: Asia’s plant-based future - Why PepsiCo, Eat Just, Givaudan and Dupont think trend is here to stay

21-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

PepsiCo, Eat Just, Givaudan and DuPont are confident that the plant-based trend is going to be more than just a passing fad for the APAC food industry, driven by consumer health and wellness demands as well as sustainability concerns.

Impossible Foods seeks to double size of R&D team, provides glimpse of work on Impossible Milk and egg alternatives

20-Oct-2020 By Elaine Watson

It’s not sharing launch dates, but Impossible Foods is making progress on developing egg alternatives and a milk that “is better than anything that comes from a cow,” company execs told reporters during a call outlining plans to double the size of the...

‘Stifling innovation’: India’s plant-based industry cites new consumer data in battle to ditch ‘dairy’ ban

20-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

The plant-based industry in India is calling on the Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) to reconsider its recent announcement proposing to ban the use of dairy terms such as ‘milk’ and ‘cheese’ for plant-based products, based on data from...

‘Whole new channel for us’: Chobani makes first venture out of dairy category with plant-based oat milk

19-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Chobani Australia has made its first venture out of the dairy yoghurt category with its first plant-based oat milk launch, with plans to develop a range of oat-based products in the pipeline.

Land of opportunity? Canadian county looks to attract Asian F&B firms with trade benefits

15-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

Canada’s Parkland County is looking to attract major food and beverage companies from Asia to set up local processing facilities, banking on its location, investor assistance and the many trade agreements that Canada has in place with nearby countries...

‘National priority’: Australian F&B sector lauds government’s plan for post-COVID-19 economic fightback

14-Oct-2020 By Pearly Neo

The Australian food and beverage industry says a new government manufacturing strategy will propel exports, boost jobs and revitalise its stagnant capital investment environment.

Growth Asia 2020

Aiding Asia’s ageing population: Education and innovation crucial for promoting healthy ageing – Expert Growth Asia Series panel

14-Oct-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Experts have weighed in on the importance of educating consumers on the concept of healthy ageing, and upcoming innovations in ingredients and delivery formats to drive the concept in the rapidly ageing Asia-Pacific region.