OptiBiotix Health will start distributing its blood pressure and cholesterol lowering probiotic in Asia Pacific this year, with heart health concerns rising on the back of changing dietary and lifestyle patterns in the region.
New Zealand oat firm Harraways has revealed its plans to focus new product development efforts on areas such as fortification and collaborative NPD as the 154-year-old brand moves to keep up with current F&B trends.
Malaysian healthy snacks firm Signature Market has ambitious hopes to launch of four to six new healthy snacks a week as it pursues its mission to become the Trader Joe’s of South East Asia.
Researchers are proposing to fortify food categories such as bread, biscuits, noodles, fat spreads, sauces and palm oil with plant sterols, as a measure to reduce risk factors associated with heart diseases among the Indonesian population.
More than half of children in the Philippines are deficient (10.3%) and insufficient (50.3%) in vitamin D, according to an analysis of serum vitamin D data collected from six to 12 year old children.
Bakery products, cereals and fruit juices will remain the only processed food products to have fortification standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the near future, after the regulator confirmed it is not considering...
India’s Ayurveda nutraceuticals and medicines industry players have welcomed efforts by ministers and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the safe and effective use of traditional medicines, but has also urged for clearer regulatory guidelines.
New Zealand researchers are planning to conduct clinical trials on a kawakawa beverage with immune and metabolic health benefits, before refining the formulation and sell it in the export markets.
Asahi Breweries is to launch a new carbonated low alcoholic drink called Beery as part of its drive to see sales of products at 3.5% ABV or lower increase from 6% to 20% by 2025.
A Singapore food tech firm that upcycles barley into healthier noodles wants to partner with major brewers and beverage brands to put their by-products to better use.
Singapore-based skin care brand Recherché has launched its first range of edible skin care and plans to expand the line further to tap into the growing consumer interest in ingestible beauty products.
Australian researchers have identified bread, cheese and processed meat products as key dietary contributors of salt requiring sodium reformulation in a new study, urging the government to widen its focus on reformulating these foods to achieve positive...
Wolfberry, also known as Goji Berry or Fructus lycii, is being touted as a credible dietary supplement for maintaining eye health, particularly in preventing or delaying common retinal diseases among the ageing population.
Kerry is preparing to ramp-up promotion of its plant-based innovation service to brands in APAC and the Middle East, while also doubling down on emerging taste trends and better-for-you product innovation.
Dairy products and vegetable sprouts have been identified as key food poisoning risks for pregnant women in New Zealand, leading to the raw consumption of these being removed from official governmental dietary guidance.
Kirin Beverage will focus on no-to-low sugar, low-calorie and products with health benefits across its non-alcohol range after seeing soft drink sales slip by 9% in 2020.
The ingredient arm of Thai Union Group is exploring further new product development (NPD) opportunities from tuna as it seeks to expand its functional protein offering by emulating the success of the dairy industry in moving into high-value ingredients.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide investigation into a widespread local honey adulteration scandal and is mulling ‘better’ test methods – but researchers are calling for the agency to take more ‘stronger,...
Singapore F&B heavyweight Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) is making plans to reformulate as many products as it can within its beverage portfolio to both keep up with consumer trends, as well as fall in line with upcoming government standards.
The South Korean regulator has said it will be issuing “Inspection Orders” on imported probiotics that have failed conformity tests three or more times in the past three years.
Researchers have consolidated the glycaemic index (GI) of 940 common Asian and Middle Eastern food items such as nasi lemak, chapati, dim sum, dates and habba hamra in a review article published in the Nutrition and Diabetes journal.
Australia-based Naturo is set to launch its high-nutrient, high-digestibility fresh milk products processed without pasteurisation this year, using world-first technology that will also allow for extended shelf life.
Children’s nutritional drink brand Healthy Height is building its e-commerce presence in China via influencer marketing, as part of its plan in growing both its online and offline retail.
The Chinese government has issued a series of warnings and directives on the consumption of fermented foods, counterfeit foods and beverages on the back of a deadly mass food poisoning event and the rapid rise of food fraud cases in the past year.
Consumption of an omega-3 supplement produced by Australian health company Max Biocare is clearly linked to socio-demographic status among adults residing in China, Thailand and Vietnam, according to new research.
LINGYA (零呀), the company which produced China’s first locally made hard seltzer has rebranded to ZEYA, in line with a new local and regional strategic plan.
Australia exchange ASX-listed company Jatcorp (previously known as Jatenergy) is to manufacture its probiotics-containing milk powder in-house from next month, with a launch date slated for April for its new products.
Thailand-based Tera Food and Beverage Company Limited, which manufactures the curcumin drink QminC, has set a target of selling 20 million bottles this year, following its foray into the market in 2020.
Bakery heavyweight Julie’s has forecasted a positive outlook for the biscuits market in South East Asia, amidst its complete brand makeover efforts and plans to dive deeper into various existing markets.
China’s reduction of import tariffs, including supplement products such as fish oil soft gel capsules and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs), will make both imports and local production more competitive, according to industry experts.
Seafood giant Thai Union has revealed how it is looking to broaden its healthier products portfolio including ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, on the back of significant investment in Singapore low-GI firm Alchemy Foodtech.
Singapore-based ice cream firm Kelato Dolce plans to first build up its market with health-conscious dessert lovers, before expanding to cater to more niche areas with products offering more functional benefits.
Unique technology and creative marketing are key factors for alternative protein companies in Asia to stand out and secure investor funding – perhaps even more so than product development, with one expert warning that many firms that fall behind could...
ALMOST 75% of healthy Australians aged over 70 have reported using supplements either daily or occasionally, with fish oil topping the list of popular products, according to research published today in the Medical Journal of Australia.
A recent study led by the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) revealed that suspected COVID-19 patients administered with virgin coconut oil (VCO) had reduced symptoms and a faster recovery phase compared to the control group.
Indian tea specialist Teamonk’s unusual decision to pivot completely to e-commerce sales and focus its product strategy on herb-infused green teas has boosted its growth and expansion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with no plans to revert to physical...
Nestle Malaysia CEO Juan Aranols has outlined the production and marketing strategies for the firm’s venture into the plant-based arena, although he believes it ‘will take time’ for the sector to reach its full potential in Asia.
Four-month-old Indian start-up Biosustain Labs, Asia’s only finalist of this year’s PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator, has outlined how it hopes its probiotics for gut and immune health will spur it to success.
The Chinese government has announced a new three-year strategy to further develop the local dairy industry, with emphasis on strengthening R&D as well as tighter governance to quell remaining food safety concerns and boost the sector’s reputation.
The yoghurt industry in the Asia Pacific region has highlighted continuous innovation, particularly in terms of flavours and formats, as the key driver to remaining relevant in the eyes of local consumers - despite the sector being one of the oldest in...
South Korea-based food technology firm Phyto Corporation (PhytoCo) has doubled the sodium reduction rate of its world-first plant-based salt PhytoSalt - making it the only salt worldwide capable of reducing sodium intake by 40%.
Singapore-based foodtech firm Nutrition Innovation is bringing its sugar reduction technology Nucane Life to Malaysia in partnership with local sugar giant CSR, offering local food manufacturers a clean label option for reformulation with added functional...
Meluka Australia has expanded into the offline channel in the US with Whole Foods Market, a subsidiary of Amazon, on the back of growing demand for its organic honey.
Major China infant formula brand Feihe’s patent application for a special medical use goat milk powder has been granted, with market observers now expecting the company to expand its range and retail channels.
Almond milk is rapidly gaining in demand in India’s plant-based sector, according to local traditional and plant-based dairy firm Epigamia, which says its research showed this topped the list among consumer demands for product innovation.