Japan moves to bolster food allergen controls after nut cases spike
Japan is introducing stricter nut allergy controls to address rising cases, based on new government data showing increased public health concerns linked to this category
Prepared foods
Why salt reduction is getting harder for food makers
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
Which Middle East markets are leading food and beverage sales?
The Middle Eastern food industry is booming, with billions of dollars of growth expected over the next decade
UAE government survey flags high salt, low vitamin D in local diets
New UAE data has shown excess salt consumption and poor vitamin D levels, findings set to guide national reformulation and health initiatives
3 must-watch emerging food & drink categories for growth in 2026
Amid the many uncertainties and changes seen by the food industry, we believe these three emerging categories have the potential to drive major change in the coming year
India focus: Here are our Top 10 India stories from the past year
From Modi’s anti-obesity campaign to regulatory news and start-up innovations, we feature the top 10 most-read India stories from the past year
Mondelez, Uncle Saba’s: Nostalgia and mindfulness shaping snack trends
Sentimentality and health are increasingly influencing consumer snack choices, as they seek comfort, tradition and emotional connection in their purchases
A bakery & snacks survival guide for 2026
10 texture trends that will define bakery & snacks in 2026
Crunch isn’t enough anymore. In 2026, texture becomes the main event, not the supporting act
Packaging in focus: Our Top 10 Packaging stories from 2025
Here are our top 10 packaging stories featuring thermal strips on wine bottles, regulatory updates, sustainability challenges, and more
Sugar, stocks and scrutiny: Mondelez, Kraft and General Mills caught in Trump’s nutrition reset
The market reaction to Donald Trump’s dietary overhaul isn’t about kale versus cookies – it’s about whether Washington has finally decided the packaged food sector needs firmer rules, not friendlier guidance
Nestlé infant formula recall escalates
Nestlé faces global scrutiny as infant formula recall widens over contamination fears
Korea’s Western dietary shift sparks sex-specific heart risks
Rising consumption of Western-style diets in Korea is raising gender-based heart health concerns in adults, based on data from a 16-year study
AI-powered, human-led kitchens redefine RTE vending in Asia
Singapore’s first AI vending machines cooking ready-to-eat (RTE) meals on demand, 24/7 are targeting global growth
ThaiFex-Anuga Asia 2025
Fashion Food’s healthy instant meals blend wellness and convenience
Fashion Food moves beyond snacks with healthy instant rice soups and noodles, tapping into booming convenience and wellness food trends
North India UPF consumption nearly twice that of South India
Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) across South Asia varies significantly depending on location, age, gender, and socioeconomic status, according to new findings.
Back to RIG: How will new Nestle CEO’s growth plans impact APAC?
New Nestle CEO Philipp Navratil has reset Real Internal Growth (RIG) as his ‘most important’ priority moving forward – but just how will his plans for this impact APAC?
CG Foods eyes Middle East, Europe for instant noodle entry
Nepal’s CG Foods is pitching Wai Wai instant noodles as versatile snack and meal alternatives, eyeing entry into Middle East and European markets
Fi Asia 2025
Clean label demand fuelling fruit and vegetable opportunities
The clean label movement is driving fresh ways to use fruits and vegetables in food manufacturing and product innovation
Fi Asia 2025
China ginseng major launches trendy products to attract Gen Z consumers
China’s Herbal Player has captured traditional ginseng benefits in modern formats such as sodas, aiming to tap on Gen Z interest for convenient functionality
BLACKPINK Jisoo-recommended tomato chips expands flavours, packaging
Fashion Food tomato chips, made viral by BLACKPINK’s Jisoo in 2023, have launched bold new flavours and packaging to grow their social media snack success
‘Food labels go beyond marketing’: India signals tighter rules ahead
FSSAI signalled tighter scrutiny of food labelling and advertising to meet global standards after a multi-ministerial consultation
Bean-Free coffee brand Prefer adds ice cream, chocolate ranges
Singapore’s bean-free coffee pioneer Prefer expands into ice cream and chocolate, offering new plant-based treats powered by food tech innovation
Middle East rises in global halal food manufacturing race
As demand for halal food grows, the Middle East is emerging as a strong competitor to South East Asia in global halal manufacturing
Planet, people, nutrition: Samyang’s three-pronged sustainability drive
Samyang Foods is ramping up its eco-friendly product development and nutrition-focused offerings as part of a broader sustainability strategy
Dark stores and deep risks: What APAC can learn from India’s Q-commerce
India’s Zepto license suspension exposes hygiene and safety risks as APAC markets embrace rapid delivery and dark store models
Chinese food brands localising products to crack South East Asia
Chinese food brands are making inroads into South East Asia by localising innovation to compete with entrenched global players
Winning with localisation in Asia: 3 key strategies for growth
Amid Asia’s dominant megatrend of localisation, presence, customisation, and communication are the 3 key strategies brands must adopt to thrive
Ajinomoto’s protein ice cream blends nutrition and indulgence
Ajinomoto has partnered Solein to create protein-enriched ice cream targeting consumers that value nutrition, health and sustainability in their indulgences
Food safety breaches surge in South Korea as summer hits
South Korea has seen a spike in food safety violations with the arrival of summer, highlighting concerns over contamination risks and inspection failures
Vietnamese clean-label brand plans 2025 export push to EU, US, Asia
Vietnam’s DH Foods is eyeing 2025 global growth with clean-label sauces and soups, leveraging its additive-free expertise to go mainstream overseas
Consumers crave convenience, comfort — but also affordability and health
Online delivery consumers are driven by convenience and emotion towards ‘unhealthy’ foods, but also support making healthier options more affordable
MILO at 75: Exclusive behind-the-scenes look at iconic Nestlé brand
Explore how Nestlé’s MILO is made with rare behind-the-scenes access and exclusive insights into its production, branding, and legacy in Asia
当下热点：新加坡 Nutri-Grade、即饮茶 3.0 以及更多社交媒体热门新闻
本期“当下热点”包含新加坡 Nutri-Grade、即饮茶 3.0 以及更多社交媒体热门新闻
トレンドトラッカー 利便性、アルトプロテイン、AI
利便性、アルトプロテイン、AI、その他のトレンドをまとめています。
Taiwan state distillery taps food market with alcohol-based instant noodles
Taiwan’s state distillery has diversified into the food industry with alcohol-based instant noodles, blending beverage expertise with ready-to-eat innovation
Alt Protein Watch: Calming matcha latte, UPFs, high protein chocolate and more
Calming matcha latte, UPFs, high protein chocolate and more feature in this edition of Alt Protein Watch
Social media cuts food waste but fuels impulsive buying - study
New research reveals that social media can help reduce food waste but also increases impulsive consumer food purchasing behaviour
Penghu Uncle eyes Singapore as next big export market for premium sauces
Penghu Uncle has set its sights on Singapore as for its premium seafood-based sauces and snacks, hoping to use it as a springboard into ASEAN
Why ultra-processing should not be an argument against alt proteins
Ultra-processing is often cited as a key factor hindering alternative protein acceptance in Asia – but perhaps better communication is all that is need to solve this quandary
‘Convenience is the buzzword’: Tee Yih Jia expands ready-to-eat range for Asia and beyond
Singapore’s Tee Yih Jia is rolling out new ready-to-eat products and customised food solutions to drive growth in retail and B2B markets.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRAILBLAZERS
RTC pastes: Culture and convenience combo crucial to entice young Asian consumers
Ready-to-cook (RTC) pastes can tap the rising at-home cooking boom in Asia by including a combo of heritage and convenience in their innovations.
UAE and South Korea pegged as ‘dark horses’ in regional food AI leadership
National AI prioritisation by the UAE and South Korea could see both nations leading regional AI usage for the food sector in the near future.
House Foods urges food brands to focus on going mainstream – or risk getting ‘washed out’
Global instant curry leader House Foods says food innovation needs to eschew passing fads if firms want to build a lasting legacy.
Mushroom mania: China’s Yalexian taps rising demand for natural and umami to boost exports
China mushroom specialist Yalexian is banking on rising demand for natural and umami to expand the sales of its products to new markets such as Europe and New Zealand.
Indonesian start-up taps health and upcycling trends to modernise traditional pastries
Indonesian start-up Dapur Mempura is utilising food trends such as health and wellness as well as upcycled ingredients to modernise traditional local pastries.
Alt protein not enough: Products must also offer functional benefits
South Korea’s Koralo believes that alternative protein products need to offer superfood benefits to entice a new audience.
Kewpie looks to expand focus ‘beyond the salad bowl’ in Asia
Japan’s Kewpie believes that there is a role for its mayonnaise-based sauces in consumption occasions outside salads in Asia, targeting areas such as RTE meals and bakery.
GULFOOD
SAMBAZON prioritises product taste testing over advertising to win over new consumers
US-based açaí brand SAMBAZON is prioritising taste testing promotional activities over advertising in the Middle East, with the former has shown strong customer conversion rates.
Gluten-free in the spotlight under new Singapore pre-packaged food rules
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has introduced new pre-packaged food regulations, with a focus on gluten and improving the clarity of ingredient labelling.
Kewpie looks to apply elderly-friendly food development expertise from Japan to China market
Japan’s Kewpie hopes to apply the expertise it has developed in producing elderly friendly foods in Japan to the China market in light of the latter’s rapidly increasing elderly population size.