Leading Japanese firms Asahi, Ajinomoto, Kirin, Hotei Foods, Nippn and Nissin have underlined how their manufacturing, R&D and employee safety are being maintained as certain prefectures come under another state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian retail giant Woolworths is eyeing a major boost in plant-based and healthier reformulated product options to be part of its portfolio as part of its sustainability plan to be implemented over the next five years until 2025.
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating interest in functional foods and could prove to be a boon for flavour firms which can help mask undesirable taste profiles.
Singapore halal authority MUIS has highlighted several guidelines for food firms to heed in order to smoothen their product export process - including prioritising consistency and labelling - as it encourages the local industry to tap into the trillion-dollar...
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...
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.
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
Cross-country food innovation team Swiftlet has developed what it believes to be the world’s first sugar replacement blend with a combination of multiple benefits ranging from zero-GI and zero calories to gut health value owing to added prebiotics.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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...
The Australian food and beverage industry says a new government manufacturing strategy will propel exports, boost jobs and revitalise its stagnant capital investment environment.
The South Korean government has released draft regulations upgrading the recycling symbol requirements for all recyclable food and beverage packaging in the country, based on consumer demand and feedback.
Public health researchers have pushed for governments to develop policies and guidelines targeting ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a whole, instead of focusing on individual nutrients such as salt and sugar, based on the findings of a new study report.
Food and beverage firms in India are being encouraged to look to Canada as a potential new major export destination given its Indian population as well as advanced bilateral trade partnership discussions.
India has introduced a ban on the sales, advertisement and promotion of all foods high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium (HFSS) in school grounds as well as within 50 metres from the premises.
Domestic legislation is finally on the horizon for the Australian organic industry, which would particularly benefit food and beverage companies looking to export by providing more efficient access to foreign markets.
Stevia firm SweeGen is eyeing China as a major new market due to the local government’s Healthy China 2030 public health goal, which looks to significantly reduce sugar consumption in the country.
The Philippines durian industry believes that its local variety shows strong potential for export as a food ingredient in addition to the more common frozen format due to its sweetness and colour, an important step forward in the quest to durians into...
Thailand has emerged at the top scorer amongst all developing countries worldwide in terms of adolescent fast food consumption in a new dietary study, with the researchers attributing this to television and food industry influence in popularising ‘Western-style’...
Food businesses in Israel and UAE will be able to formally operate in both countries after the historic announcement made on 13 August to normalise relationships between the two states.
Adults in Saudi Arabia were consuming almost 11g of salt daily, more than double the recommended salt intake of 5g/day by WHO, according to a recent study.
Bega Cheese’s honey arm B honey will be focusing its Purple Hive AI-powered bee-protection technology on ‘high-risk’ entry areas in Australia - the last-known country to not have its bee populations ravaged by the deadly Varroa Destructor mite.
APAC public health experts say they are optimistic that the UK’s recent moves to ban TV ‘junk food’ ads before 9pm will encourage governments in the region to adopt similar measures – but also want more comprehensive restrictions that cover digital media.
Singapore healthier sugar firm Nutrition Innovation is riding on consumer demand for healthier, less-refined products, especially post-COVID-19, to launch in several new markets as well as push a new commercial sugar variety.
Indian trade association Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal (FAIVM) has called upon the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to completely waive license renewals for food businesses due to COVID-19, instead of just extending the renewal...
Australian blockchain firm Two Hands has developed a platform removing all middle men along the supply chain between food producers and end-users, which it believes can also be applied to smoothen meat and seafood exports to China by ‘pre-authenticating’...
Fortified, plant-based, and better-for-you packaged foods will continue to soar in APAC post-pandemic, with preventive health, wellness and nutrition now firmly ingrained in the conscience of consumers, an expert panel claims.
Blueberry appears to be booming as an on-trend ingredient across Asia, with the number of new product launches soaring in everything from sauces to pizza.
Digital supply chain transformation is crucial for food firms in the Asia Pacific region to ensure resiliency, sustainability and continued consumer demand for their products post-COVID-19.
Food and beverage firms in Australia would do well to maintain product pricing, focus on advertising and research, as well as wisely streamline their product ranges in order to come out on top post-COVID-19, according to recommendations from an industry...
Sugar taxation has remained the most effective for of food taxation when it comes to reducing diet-related diseases as compared to taxes on salt, saturated fat and junk food, according to a recent New Zealand study.
China’s alternative meat market has grown from its traditional imitation products to a more modern, realistic and meat-tasting profile powered by innovation – and now some of the industry’s biggest names are ploughing in resources to fuel the next wave...
Brands and suppliers need to innovate with speed and agility to meet the meet changing demands from APAC’s consumers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, an expert panel featuring a raft of top firms has concluded.
The Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association (SFMA) has launched a new Sugar Smart Challenge 2020, a year-long project which aims to develop and commercialised reduced sugar or sugar substitute ingredients as well as finished products.
Researchers in Australia have called for more stringent food allergen labelling regulations after recent data revealed that the lack of warning labels poses a bigger risk for consumers than cross-contamination during food processing.
The Philippines’ controversial new tax reform bill aims to help smaller local food and beverage pay lower taxes and stop larger firms from exploring existing system loopholes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak…but experts are warning implementation...
Start-ups with a focus on technology related to F&B supply chains and alternative protein product development are in the strongest positions to attract investments in the post-COVID-19 era all across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
Local acceptance of milk and dairy products in China has rocketed over the past year, driven by some 96% of the population believing that dairy consumption can help improve immunity.
Bulla Dairy Foods’ decision to shift its popular ice cream Choc Tops from a cinema foodservice-style distribution format to a ‘shelf-ready’ product for Coles supermarkets during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia enabled the brand to continue successful...