Functional foods and drinks

Butterfly pea blues: Taiwan officials warn against consumption of plant but permit colouring use

22-May-2019 By Pearly Neo

The Taipei City Government Department of Health has issued a warning against the use of the blue butterfly pea plant for direct consumption as a food or beverage, although its use as a natural food colouring agent has been permitted.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit: Marketing pioneer to reveal the secrets of effective communication with seniors

22-May-2019 By Gary Scattergood

With the number of seniors in APAC set to double to 1.3bn by 2050, there will be vast opportunities for food and nutrition firms to secure sales success within this demographic…but only if they can effectively communicate with this growing audience.

Tailored for toddlers: Researchers develop index to assess diet quality with Singapore-based GUSTO study

21-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Researchers from Singapore, Ireland and the UK have developed a Diet Quality Index (DQI) to aid in the development of dietary interventions for young children.

Vending machine infant formula: Japan’s Ezaki Glico ramps up solutions for times of emergency and convenience

20-May-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s Ezaki Glico is breaking the norms of selling infant formula from supermarkets and mum-and-baby stores and will now sell its liquid infant formula under the label “Icreo Baby Milk” through a vending machine in Hokkaido.

From buns to bacteria: 'First-of-its-kind' probiotic facility opens in Australia following Chinese investment

15-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Biosciences firm Probiotics Australia has opened the country's first cGMP- and TGA-certified facility dedicated to probiotic API manufacturing, with an eye on expanding the use of probiotics in food for Chinese consumers.

Sports nutrition and personalisation: Fast&Up sees potential to meet individual needs among younger consumers in India

08-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Swiss sports nutrition brand Fast&Up is gradually but steadily moving towards a higher level of personalisation in India, with a focus on younger consumers who are largely driving the sector.

FBIF 2019

Can reality TV deliver 3D food NPD? China’s Bright Dairy seeks to make celebrities out of innovators

02-May-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Shanghai-based Bright Dairy Food Group is building a super factory – not to manufacture products, but to unravel innovative ideas on TV screens.

FIA Summit 2019

Mondelēz, Yili and Danone share three need-to-know trends dominating APAC's food and beverage industry

01-May-2019 By Pearly Neo

F&B industry leaders from around the globe have identified speed of change, localisation, and influencing consumer behaviour as three major opportunities and challenges in the industry today.

Singapore health claims reform? Regulator and trade body express contrasting views on possible 'gaps' in laws

01-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Local authorities may soon address possible 'gaps' in Singapore’s legislation regarding and healthy food products, with regulator Singapore Food Agency (SFA) commissioning a study to assess its rules regime.

Daigou disruption: Cross-border changes hit Swisse owner H&H's Q1 adult nutrition sales in Australia and New Zealand

29-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Swisse owner Health & Happiness (H&H) International saw a dip of 25.2% in its Australia and New Zealand adult nutrition sales in the first quarter of 2019, despite a slight overall revenue increase.

FBIF 2019

New product priorities: Nestlé China unveils plans to launch 170 new goods to market this year

29-Apr-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Nestlé China is harbouring two highly ambitious goals – it wants to cut down the speed to market of new products and brands from 18-24 months to six to eight months and aims to launch 170 new products for this year.

WATCH: Influencer-backed Aussie probiotic protein bar firm eyes Asian expansion

24-Apr-2019 By Pearly Neo

Australian social influencer-backed health and wellness company Keep It Cleaner is banking on minimalist ingredients and multi-faceted expansion to break into the Asian market.

China target: Metabolic, gut, immune and infant health key priorities in next stage of Kiwi science challenge

23-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

The second phase of New Zealand's High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge will see a significant portion of its work focused on China, alongside New Zealand and Singapore.

Chapati for weight loss? OptiBiotix outlines Indian plans for SlimBiome after FSSAI approval

22-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

UK firm OptiBiotix is looking to increase its APAC presence, with Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) approval the latest development in its expansion plans withits weight management product, SlimBiome.

Science Shorts: FSANZ food-health claims governance, China's plant-based focus and cell-based meats feature in our round-up

18-Apr-2019 By Pearly Neo

FSANZ food-health claims governance, China's plant-based and clean meat focus and cell-based meats feature in this edition of Science Shorts.