Top 10 Healthier Innovation stories in 2025
We reveal the top 10 healthier innovation stories of 2025, spanning functional ingredients, product reformulation, sugar and sodium reduction, and the growing focus on preventative health
Protein
From brownie lager to bigger ambitions: Mottainai’s upcycling strategy
Singapore-based Mottainai has created a brownie-flavoured lager in its journey towards upcycled products for wider commercial use
Singapore firm upcycles food byproducts into diabetic-friendly noodles
KosmodeHealth has turned peanut and sweet potato byproducts into low-GI noodles designed to deliver energy without sugar spikes
Kaohsiung Food Show 2025
Taiwan’s Penghu Uncle turns fish skin and bones into indulgent crisps
Taiwan’s Penghu Uncle is transforming discarded fish skin and bones into savoury upcycled crisps with an eye on the ASEAN snack market
Food Tech 2.0: 3 innovations reshaping global food production
The next wave of food tech is boosting production through innovation, efficiency and lessons from the past. Explore 3 key technologies – and pitfalls to avoid
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?
CP Foods’ Food as Medicine roadmap for preventative health
Thai food giant CP Foods has developed a dedicated platform to support consumers making healthier food choices towards preventative healthcare
Protein, please: NPD with real muscle
Protein’s still flexing hard, but it’s left the gym and hit the grocery aisle
Tetra Pak taps APAC plant-based trends to shape drinks and packaging
Barista oat drinks, fibre-rich soy, and functional carton formats are some of the ways to support healthier, convenient, and sustainable product launches
How an Aussie supergrain can boost gut health and elderly nutrition
Award-winning gut-friendly supergrain BARLEYMAX eyes growth in elderly nutrition, infant formula, and high-fibre bakery products
New trout brand taps UAE fishing roots, convenience demand for launch
Finnforel has launched sustainably farmed rainbow trout in UAE, tapping the country’s fishing heritage and demand for clean-label convenient nutrition
APAC Agri-food Innovation Summit
Bel Group backs precision fermentation to secure dairy, protein future
Dairy heavyweight Bel Group is exploring precision fermentation as a strategy to reshape dairy production and meet evolving protein needs
Destigmatising perimenopause: Functional food opportunities for brands
How the food industry can support women in perimenopause with functional ingredients like protein, omega-3s and fibre
Fi Asia 2025
4 emerging functional ingredients with APAC growth potential
At Fi Asia 2025 in Bangkok, four functional ingredients stood out as APAC consumers seek sustainable, traditional foods to support healthy lifestyles
Demand for functional and plant-based foods fuel APAC dairy growth
APAC dairy demand is rising as consumers seek nutrient-rich snacks, while plant-based options offer sustainable, indulgent alternatives, experts say
Danone’s Lifeway acquisition collapses
As talks between the two parties fall through, one question looms large: will Julie Smolyansky’s leadership survive?
Blended proteins show promise for Asia’s food security
NECTAR to unveil consumer insights that may pave the way for mainstream adoption across Asia
Thai Union to ramp up overseas production in response to US tariffs
In response to US reciprocal tariff rates, Thai Union is planning expansions of its overseas manufacturing sites such as Ghana and the United States
Leaf-powered protein: Leaft blazes new trail in APAC with Lacto Japan
Exclusive: New Zealand-based Leaft Foods partners with Lacto Japan to bring its leaf protein into staple categories such as bakery and dairy foods
Silkworm protein firm targets ASEAN, EU expansion
Japan’s Morus plans ASEAN and EU expansions for its silkworm protein powder, backed by new funding and growing functional food demand
Mengniu H1 sales hit by weak milk sales, soft demand
Weak demand and falling ambient milk sales weigh on Chinese dairy giant Mengniu’s H1 results, highlighting pressures in the local dairy market
Alt Protein Watch: Vow cultured quail, Samyang plant-based and more
Vow cultured quail, Samyang plant-based and more feature in this edition of Alt Protein Watch
Safety and nutrition: Boosting the appeal of upcycled foods
Food tech firm Mottainai made its soy-based meat with public health in mind – a tenet that guides its food safety and nutrition policy to build consumer trust
Mottainai scales up okara-based tech, expands upcycled food portfolio
‘Sustainability alone is not enough’ – Food tech firm Mottainai ramps up commercial scale beyond okara-based meat
China Focus: Beef demand, SEA market localisation, protein push, and more
This edition explores China’s growing beef demand, SEA localisation strategies, Meiji’s protein push, and key trends in the nation’s food and nutrition market
Start-up Spotlight: Cultured quail, Brazil nuts, Asian snacks, and more
Vow’s cultured quail, sustainable Brazil nuts, Kantin Lab’s Asian snacks, and more feature in this roundup
Vow eyes APAC growth with cultured quail candles and cocktails
With regulatory approval in Singapore and Australia, Vow is expanding its cultured meat business in APAC, debuting novel quail formats in both markets
Bigger local chickens at heart of Tanmiah-McDonald’s Saudi deal
Tanmiah and McDonald’s look to improve Saudi Arabia poultry supply chains with a focus on bigger chickens and local sourcing
サイエンス ショート： 糖尿病有病率、WHO STEPs研究
今回のサイエンス ショートでは、糖尿病有病率、WHO STEPs研究、ベジ・ナノセンサーなどを特集しています。
ジャパン フォーカス：明治が提唱するタンパク質摂取の優先順位、GM食品に対する意識のギャップ、パーソナライズド・ヘルス・トレンド
今回は、筋肉の成長と維持のためのタンパク質に関する明治の研究、味の素のプロテイン・アイスクリーム、日本のGM食品に対する意識の低さなどについて掘り下げています。
Japan Focus: Meiji’s call to prioritise protein intake, GM food awareness gaps, personalised health trends, and more
This edition delves into Meiji’s research into protein for muscle growth and maintenance, Ajinomoto’s protein ice cream, Japan’s low GM food awareness, and more
FBIF 2025
Meiji: Protein intake trumps exercise to build muscle gains
Meiji has urged consumers to focus on protein consumption over exercise for muscle growth and maintenance, across all groups from seniors to athletes
Calcium, protein the most used supplements among China centenarians
Calcium and protein are the most used health supplements among China centenarians, according to a new study involving over 2,800 centenarians.
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
Uncle Saba’s Poppadoms: Building a global better-for-you snack brand
Uncle Saba’s Poppadoms has grown from its traditional roots to become a global snack brand sold in 25 countries - this is its story
GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025
Nestlé drives product reformulation based on nutrient density
Nestlé has revealed a focus on nutrient density in its reformulation efforts to meet market-specific food product demands
Oatly bets on coffee and science to fuel plant-based milk’s comeback
Oatly defends processed food, doubles down on coffee and pushes for the next wave of plant-based milk growth
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
Cheese-whiz: Australia’s Brownes Dairy to expand 140-year legacy in Asia
From cheese lollipops for kids to flavoured cheddars for adults, Australia’s Brownes Dairy is hoping innovation will drive sales success in Asia.
Next level functional snacks: Is COA on the money with high protein chocolates?
High-protein chocolates look set to lead the next wave of innovation in the functional snacks category
South Korea emerges as hotspot for sugar-free innovation
South Korea saw over 20% growth in sugar-free innovation last year, highlighting new opportunities for global health-focused brands
ThaiFex-Anuga Asia 2025
Tyson highlights food safety as ‘number one’ priority in Asia
Tyson Foods has revamped its APAC strategy with a food safety focus to boost competitiveness amid global protein challenges
Deadline extended: NutraIngredients-Asia Awards entry submission closes June 30
The deadline for submitting your entries for the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2025 has been extended by two weeks to June 30.
India’s Biokraft Foods aims for 2026 commercial launch of cultivated seafood
Food tech start-up Biokraft Foods unveils India’s first cultivated trout fillets as it pursues regulatory approval for its 3D-printed chicken.
5 ingredients powering the high-protein craze
Protein is popping up in everything. Which ingredients promise to further propel this powerful trend?
Hybrid push: Korean food tech firm targets halal growth across B2B and B2C markets
Seoul-based food tech firm Simple Planet hopes its blended B2B-B2C model, including cell-based and functional foods, can tap into the growing halal market in APAC and Middle East.
‘Recreating the whole cow’: Price parity still king in cultivated meat industry
Cultivated meat may be touted as the future of protein for the masses, but reaching price parity is still top-of-mind for most players currently
CP Foods sees ‘optimistic’ 2025 ahead after 642% profits surge
CP Foods is confident its ongoing local production strategy will boost FY2025 sales even amidst ongoing uncertainties, after seeing a 642% surge in profits in Q1
Oatbedient looks to conquer non-dairy creamer market with clean label oat milk powders
Oat milk firm Oatbedient has grand ambitions for its clean label oat milk powders, citing health and younger consumer interest as major drivers.