Seafood

Taking back control: Onus on food firms to meet taste expectations for low-sodium foods – Ajinomoto

31-May-2022 By Pearly Neo

Consumers are willing to make the switch to low-sodium foods in order to reap the health benefits, but with a caveat that these must taste good, according to new data from MSG giant Ajinomoto.

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...

Combating iodine deficiency: 10-year Malaysian intervention leads to significant improvements

30-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

State intervention in East Malaysia to combat iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) among children has been hailed a success after new research found there had been “significant improvements”.

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.

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.

Indonesia alternative protein start-up Green Rebel targets Singapore retail shelves in Q3 2022

10-May-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Green Rebel, an alternative protein start-up from Indonesia offering whole-cut plant-based meat for the Asian taste bud, aims to be on major Singapore supermarket shelves by Q3.

‘Food oasis in the desert’: Locally grown dates fuel production of mushroom protein in Oman

05-May-2022 By Flora Southey

Alt protein supplier MycoTechnology has teamed up with Oman Investment Authority to produce mushroom protein in the desert.

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.

Microplastic misery: Researchers warn of risk to food supplies after new Australia study

04-May-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Broken-down microplastics have been found in blue mussels and water within the intertidal zone at some in southern Australia’s, sparking fears they are now finding their way into food supplies.

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.

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.

Red list rescue: Singapore’s Umami Meats focuses on endangered species for cultivated fish success

27-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

Singapore-based Umami Meats has highlighted its innovation focus on fish species that are popular as part of Asian cuisines but are also on the IUCN Red List in terms of vulnerability, targeting a 2024 product launch date for its blended cultivated-plant-based...

‘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.

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.

Seafood resuscitation: Japan rolls out new fishery policy to revive and industrialise much-challenged sector

20-Apr-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has introduced a new national fishery policy to promote efficient industrialisation and revitalisation for the local industry in view of the many challenges the one-prosperous sector has faced over the past several years.

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.

Beyond pea and soy: Asia’s foodtech space awash with novel plant-based proteins – experts

12-Apr-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Asia’s foodtech start-ups are increasingly innovating beyond soy and pea in the plant-based space, with several firms catching the eye of regional experts.

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.

Tickets on sale: Join us in Singapore for expert insights on Asia's fastest growing food and nutrition sectors at Growth Asia 2022

30-Mar-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Delegate ticket sales open today for our three-day, face-to-face Growth Asia Summit in Singapore this October, where we'll be dedicating days to Healthy Ageing, Probiotics, Prebiotics and the Microbiome, and Protein innovation.

Localise and customise: OmniFoods chief on global plant-based seafood opportunities

29-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Localisation and customisation are the two key strategies to boost the market share of OmniFoods’ plant-based seafood range.

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.

Fishy fraudulence: Supermarkets identified as main source of seafood adulteration in Singapore

28-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

Supermarket-bought imported seafood has been identified as the main source of seafood adulteration in Singapore, with calls for new technology to tackle the problem.

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.

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.

Passing the taste test: Nestle chief on strategies for success with healthy product innovation

21-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Maintaining price parity and maximising taste are two key priorities when formulating healthy and plant-based products, according to exclusive insights revealed by Nestle’s Malaysia and Singapore CEO Juan Aranols.

Cracking the grocery code: New Zealand food sector declares victory in 12-year competition battle

15-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

The New Zealand food and beverage sector has secured victory in a 12-year-long competition battle that looks set to finally see the government introduce a mandatory grocery code of conduct.

For a cleaner India: Food safety authority tightens proposals for recycled plastic packaging after pushback

14-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has issued new, stricter standards to govern the use of recycled plastic for food packaging after facing pushback from a group of concerned scientific experts.

Investment potential: The countries ripe for foodtech and ag-tech funding in Asia, ME revealed

14-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

India, China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been tipped as foodtech and ag-tech investment hotspots by regional experts, while Vietnam and the Philippines are said to be among the next wave of opportunities available.

Funding ‘massive impact’: Plant-based, cell-cultured and fermentation tech sectors to benefit from new APAC fund

02-Mar-2022 By Pearly Neo

A new APAC-focused investment fund says it can create a ‘massive impact’ by supporting firms targeting large-scale animal-based industries, including plant-based, cell-cultured and fermentation outfits.

South Korea export stars: Kimchi and premium fruit exports see record growth in 2021

28-Feb-2022 By Pearly Neo

South Korea’s kimchi and premium fruits including strawberries and grapes have experienced record growth numbers in 2021 due to evolving post-COVID-19 consumer trends, according to recent government reports.

‘Holy grail’ of alternative protein: BlueNalu confident in cultured seafood profitability as industry matures

22-Feb-2022 By Pearly Neo

Cultured seafood pioneer BlueNalu believes the sector will become one of the most profitable and successful alternate protein options in the near future, based on its rapid maturation as well as widespread demand in regions like Asia.

Step-by-step: Hybrid products ‘steady strategy’ for alt protein industry to convert consumers - experts

21-Feb-2022 By Pearly Neo

Hybrid meat products comprising ‘real’ meat and plant-based meat have been hailed as one of the steadiest strategies available for the alternative protein industry to convert consumers, gain acceptance and maximise its reach in Asian markets.

‘Doubtful practicality’: Concerns over Indonesia’s new trade licensing policy following pilot launch with five food commodities

21-Feb-2022 By Pearly Neo

Food industry and policy experts have voiced doubts about the practical benefits of Indonesia’s new trade licensing policy, the Neraca Komoditas, which is kicking off this year for five major food commodities.

‘Winning strategy’: Why hybrid meat / plant protein products can help overcome taste and texture challenges

17-Feb-2022 By Pearly Neo

Hybrid products containing both animal and plant proteins are offering manufacturers the chance to overcome taste and texture challenges, while simultaneously tapping into the large number of consumers who are eager to learn about alternative proteins.

Safety assured: Australian food supply not contaminated by chemicals in foam used to fight bushfires

31-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has confirmed that the Australian food supply has not been contaminated by chemicals from firefighting foam used to tackle bushfires.

Anti-monopoly measures: Japan publishes ‘fair transaction’ guidelines to improve food and retail trade

26-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

The Japanese government has published a new set of ‘fair transaction’ guidelines for the food manufacturing and retail sectors as it seeks to promote proper trading practices and prevent monopolies in the supply chain.

Clear of nuclear? Japanese government urges support for UK’s proposed lift of Fukushima import restrictions

19-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

Japan is hopeful that the United Kingdom will lift bans on food imports from Fukushima following a positive risk assessment report, citing the benefits of reduced trade barriers and lower costs for the food sector.

FNA InnovATE Episode 1

Culture club: Why Asia will become epicentre for cultured seafood sector - WATCH Avant and BlueNalu

18-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

Experts from cultured seafood pioneers Avant and BlueNalu have revealed why Asia will become the epicentre of the rapidly rising sector, with the CEOs of both companies sharing their exclusive insights in our brand new FNA InnovATE video series.

Cross-border caution: South Korea expands food safety guidelines to include e-commerce sales

11-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

South Korea has expanded its food safety and monitoring guidelines to tighten control over food and beverage products that are directly purchased by consumers from foreign countries, with implications for items bought via e-commerce.

Canning poor perceptions: Healthier options and innovative recipes driving evolution in APAC – Ayam Brand

11-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

The canned food sector in the APAC region is undergoing an evolution towards healthier, more innovative product options, with companies such as Ayam Brand attempting to overcome many longstanding negative perceptions plaguing the industry.

Mondelez, Nestle, Calbee and Ayam Brand on five top trends set to shape the APAC food industry in 2022

05-Jan-2022 By Pearly Neo

We are speak to experts from major brands to assess the five top trends that look set to shape the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry in 2022, including top post-COVID-19 developments, pricing and taste importance in the plant-based sector, the rise...

Five need-to-know regulations on the agenda to impact the APAC food industry in 2022

31-Dec-2021 By Pearly Neo

From new hemp regulations in India, to Singapore’s sugary beverage control policy, and plant-based labelling in multiple countries, we bring you five must-know policies and regulations that look set to have a significant impact on the Asia Pacific food...