In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Ahmad Syafik Jaafar, Co-founder of Malaysia’s NANKA, about the niche hybrid plant-meat product category and the potential of using these as a ‘transitional’ product for consumers...
Philippines' carabao ice cream brand Arce Dairy has made its debut in the Middle East with a recent launch in the UAE, and now harbours plans to enter Saudi Arabia and other GCC markets next year.
Malaysian multigrain drink specialist firm Happy Grains is looking to become the nation’s top breakfast drink as it seeks to rival the big three of tea, coffee and malted chocolate with healthier alternatives.
Japan has laid out regulations for the labelling of plant-based products, with observers suggesting they are industry-friendly and should not pose problems for brands.
Eighty-year-old Australian ginger firm Buderim Ginger is looking to widen its horizons into the finished product space with NPD spanning sweets, cordial, beer and more.
China has become the most trusted source of infant milk formula in the eyes of domestic consumers and Chinese parents are preferring to buy from brands that resonate, consumer surveys from the a2 Milk Company (a2MC) has revealed.
Global food MNC Thai Union has revealed that it is eyeing several major business opportunities to be found in the hemp and CBD sector, from alternative proteins to supplements.
Chinese dairy giant Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. has announced it has taken a stake in goat milk formula company Ausnutria Dairy Co. Ltd. to become its largest shareholder.
South Korea has announced new, tighter standards for food firms looking to label their products as being reduced or lower in sodium or sugar, starting with the nation’s most-consumed food product, ramen.
Malaysian jackfruit firm NANKA has developed a range of alternative meat patties using young jackfruit pulp as a base, and is looking to achieve significant penetration in both the hybrid and plant-based meat markets.
A Singapore start-up is aiming to build on the traditional heritage of jamu, a herbal drink from Indonesia, with a range of new products, including one for diabetics.
The Japanese government is searching for food firms and other institutions with the technology and insights to develop a regenerative food supply system for astronauts participating in the upcoming international space exploration program, the Artemis...
Japanese F&B giants Ajinomoto and Meiji have called for more harmonised food regulations planned in collaboration with the food industry address local malnutrition problems as well as ‘big gaps’ with international standards.
India’s Ministry of AYUSH has released a statement that advised against the use of ashwagandha leaves in Ayurveda and products for therapeutic purposes.
Morinaga Milk Industry has launched a new functional food series containing its clinically studied probiotic strain to improve memory functions in older adults.
China has topped the charts for the levels of salt (sodium) in processed meat and fish products in a five-country study, followed by the USA, South Africa, Australia and the UK.
The search for the Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods is on and could very likely be coming from Asia, according to an ex-Beyond and Impossible VC fund manager.
South Korea has made locusts the nation’s tenth approved edible insect, as well as publishing a new set of guidelines for the manufacturing of relevant products.
Fruit product heavyweight Dole has revealed that it is focusing heavily on the use of new technologies and collaborations to overcome sugar reduction challenges for its packaged products portfolio, in hopes of reaching its 2025 zero processed sugar sustainability...
Philippines cocoa and chocolate firm Cacao Culture is riding the rising consumer demand for healthier products to draw younger consumers to the traditional local drink tablea, also dubbed the ‘healthiest form of hot chocolate available’.
South Korean krill oil manufacturer Biocorp has developed a ‘hyper’ version of high phospholipid content krill oil – where the phospholipid concentration is 61 per cent.
A domestic coffee company on a mission to convert India’s tea-obsessed consumers has unveiled its latest innovations – a monthly subscription service and ground coffee in a range of flavours.
Japanese cup noodle pioneers Nissin is launching dual-flavoured products that can also be washed down with a cup-noodle flavoured soda range, as it marks the brand’s 50th anniversary this year.
Chinese consumers are taking on average two to three supplement products weekly, with improving immunity, overall health, and digestive system as the key reasons, according to new survey findings by Herbalife.
Chinese plant-based start-up All Plants is intending to expand its SKUs from 8 to 11 this year, with the latest products involving fresh oat milk, and oat milk with functional benefits to target younger consumers.
Global snack giant Mondelez International has revealed that it is taking a new approach dubbed ‘humaning’ in its marketing and product innovation post-COVID, arguing ‘empathy and localisation’ are needed to win over consumers.
The Chinese government has published formal food safety and consumption guidelines for products nearing their expiry dates, after a recently-implemented anti-food waste law increased sales.
The South Korean government is ramping up its efforts to develop the domestic dairy industry after acknowledging a significant drop in self-sufficiency over the past two decades.
Beverage giant Coca-Cola has observed a rise in demand for beverages with zero-sugar and reduced-sugar formulations in the South East Asian region, which became even more pronounced after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Philippines-based coffee firm Varacco is looking to give instant coffee makers a run for their money with their patented ‘dip’ coffee products, which boasts the benefits of pure coffee with added convenience.
The Thai food industry has seen growth in both the manufacturing and export sectors so far in 2021 after overcoming last year’s pandemic slump – but the authorities are urging domestic food firms not to drop their guard yet.
Japanese brewery giant Sapporo is debuting its first hard seltzer products and a beer-like beverage across supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide, as it looks to strengthen its home-consumption portfolio amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
US-based alternative protein firm Nature’s Fynd has its eye on both the alternative meat and alternative dairy markets in Asia, and is confident it can tackle both of these simultaneously with its highly versatile fungi protein.
China is experiencing a boom in kiwifruit demand on the back of its premium and healthy connotations, despite already being the world’s top consumer of the fruit.
The hot drinks sector in the Asia Pacific region has highlighted a rise in consumer demand for more premium, better-for-you products as well as a shift towards more sustainable options, both of which are driving new product innovation.
Forget grabbing a quick drink or a bar of chocolate, vending machines are now trending for everything from meat, healthier options and as a strategy for slashing food loss.
China dairy giant Yili is looking to focus on the diversification of its product portfolio to ensure sustained growth after seeing a 42.48% jump in H1 2021 net profits, with the firm seemingly enjoying a boost due to COVID-19 health trends.
The South Korean government has named domestic food and beverage manufacturing giants CJ Cheiljedang, Hite Jinro and Nongshim as the 2020 national top performers in terms of food production, whilst celebrating an overall increase in output amid COVID-19...
Herbalife has positioned its new APAC-focused iced coffee range as both a healthier alternative and as an ‘ideal snack’ product, in hopes of appealing to younger, health-conscious consumers.
Malaysian bakery company Fresco Grano has observed a rise in demand for gluten-free products among consumers who want to cut down on carbs, as well as those with special dietary needs such as gluten intolerance.
The Japanese government has revamped its national aquaculture strategy to focus on expanding seafood exports and boosting the productivity of select sectors such as shellfish and algae, after acknowledging that domestic demand will continue to drop.
South Korean plant-based firm The PlantEat has highlighted the pursuit of weight loss, especially amongst the younger generation in the country, as a major driver behind the growth of the local plant-based sector.
The use of palm oil in the Asian food industry has become so vast and commonplace due to its versatile applications in just about every finished food sector that it will be near-impossible to find another edible oil offering all of palm oil’s functionalities,...
Australian gin specialist firm Four Pillars' newly-appointed regional head of Asia believes that regional demand for premium and craft gin is on the rise, which will help the company build on its significant export markets growth in 2020.
Singapore-based multinational conglomerate Tolaram has revealed plans to diversify its focus and enter the Asian food market starting with the alternative protein sector, after several decades of dominating the African noodle industry.
Interest in functional foods and nutraceuticals targeted for sleep support is gaining traction in Asia-Pacific, but some firms have cited challenges in marketing these products.
Singapore-based company U-Group Holdings is eyeing exports of its instant beverages and sauces in Central Asia and ASEAN, following its launch in China and Uzbekistan last year, with profits used to aid its charity endeavours at home.
Foreign food companies looking to benefit from South Korea’s e-commerce boom are being advised to prioritise localisation to maximise reach, with the nation’s per capita online transactions having been revealed as the highest worldwide.
Increasing urbanisation and growing consumer knowledge of nutrition appears to be fuelling the rise of seaweed consumption in China, with researchers reporting an uptick in its use both at home and in dining establishments.
