New Protein Watch: Betagro chicken noodles, Thai Union snacks and fresh soymilk
Betagro chicken noodles, Thai Union snacks and fresh soymilk feature in this edition of New Protein Watch
Protein
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Retailers JD Health, Guardian, Alpro Pharmacy join major brands next week
There is still a week left until the Growth Asia Summit 2026 and we can confirm the attendance of retailers active in the region’s health and nutrition space, including Alpro Pharmacy, China’s JD Health and Guardian Singapore.
ThaiFex-Anuga Asia 2026
Thai Union rides protein and whole-food waves with MONORI snacks
Seafood giant Thai Union has ticked multiple snacking checkboxes with its MONORI brand, tapping ongoing megatrends such as protein, whole foods and convenience
Fair pricing and sustainable diets: Safeguarding Japan’s food security
Japan has amended its Food System Act to introduce cost-based pricing benchmarks as concerns grow over the long-term resilience of its food system
ThaiFex-Anuga Asia 2026
Betagro turns chicken into noodles to double protein per meal
Betagro has created noodles made out of chicken breast, offering consumers a new way to double up on protein and satisfy tapping demand for high-protein innovation
Snack trends: Nutrient-dense grazing hitting its stride
Snack brands are targeting fluid eating occasions with products that deliver nutrition in smaller portable formats, aligning with healthier snacking trends to suit busier lifestyles
Old-school soy, new-school appeal: Oatside’s fresh soymilk take
Oatside is repositioning soymilk for younger Asian consumers with a high-protein, clean-label offering focused on taste and wellness
Sweet proteins gain global momentum with latest regulatory win
Amai Proteins’ sweet protein secures regulatory approval in Singapore after recent US nod
Beyond protein: Why wellness platforms are the real deal
Protein remains big business, but with functional trends evolving at pace, it’s time to think bigger
Will the next wave of alt dairy be built backwards?
Animal-free dairy startup is reversing the traditional biotech model, prioritizing scalability and cost from the outset as the category resets
Men more likely than women to justify meat-eating, Turkish study finds
Men shaped by traditional masculine norms are more likely to justify meat-eating, a finding researchers say could inform targeted efforts to reduce consumption
Alt protein strategies: ‘Identity priming’ and hybrid meat
The concepts of shared identity messaging and hybrid meat show potential to increase alt protein uptake
Animal-plant mince key to revive APAC alt-protein push: NECTAR study
Blended chicken-plant mince has outperformed real meat in APAC taste tests, though gaps remain across the category in flavour, appearance and compositional balance
Japan Focus: Sodium labelling shift, Asahi cyberattack, silkworm protein, and more
This edition covers Japan’s sodium labelling shift, Asahi’s profit dip post-cyberattack, silkworm protein for health, and more
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Duke-NUS Medical School, Morinaga, Yeo’s to present kids’ nutrition
Growth Asia Summit 2026 takes place from July 8 to 10 in Singapore, and childhood nutrition is one of the main themes to be covered on the first day of the summit.
Silkworm protein firm taps health and familiarity for regional growth
Japan’s Morus Inc is betting on demand for functional products and cultural familiarity with silkworms to drive expansion in Asia
CP Foods: Turning global reach into resilient, localised food supplies
Thai food giant CP Foods is accelerating its localised food production strategy across global markets, by using its widespread network to support stronger supply and food security
RTDs and protein yogurts boost Fonterra as billion‑dollar payout nears
The New Zealand co-op’s next growth phase is backed by protein and cheese demand: but tensions in the Middle East could shake performance later this year
FIC 2026
Next-gen beancurd: Reinventing traditional protein for functional convenience
One of China’s most traditional proteins has been reimagined in a functional, convenient format, driving modern food industry growth
How protein is shaping active nutrition in 2026
Sustained demand for protein continues to define the active and performance nutrition space. But where are the growth niches?
Healthier Choices: Top functional ingredients, trehalose and SmartMilk
Top functional ingredients, trehalose and SmartMilk feature in this edition of Healthier Choices
Our top 10 most-read F&B industry news from Feb 2026
Check out our top 10 most-read food and beverage industry stories from February 2026, including GLP-1 foods in Asia, India alcohol regulations, matcha chicken nuggets and more
Alt Protein Watch: Blended proteins, mushrooms and sustainability
Blended proteins, mushrooms, Asia sustainability report and more feature in this edition of Alt Protein Watch
Does plant-based meat still dominate the meat-free sector?
Meat alternatives are in trouble, but traditional plant-based and vegetarian foods will not necessarily replace them
From comfort to function: How snacking is being redefined
Today’s consumers are redefining snacks, favouring products that combine nutrition, heritage, and convenience
Top functional ingredients shaping food & drink in 2026
Protein, fibre, nootropics and antioxidants are emerging as key functional ingredients shaping food and drink innovation as wellness continues to steer buying decisions
What’s at stake for Danone in 2026?
From maintaining growth in protein and specialized nutrition to propping up plant-based and creamers, here’s what Danone must focus on
Could blended protein and mushrooms revive alt-protein in Asia?
Experts say blended protein, fermentation, and mushrooms could revive Asia’s alt-protein market with better nutrition and affordability
Balanced meals may matter more than protein alone: Japan study
New data shows than balanced meals, rather than focusing on one nutrient such as protein, are more closely linked to kids’ healthier weight development
Gut-muscle axis: Soy protein intake improves muscle health in seniors
The supplementation of soy protein has been shown to improve muscle health and modulate the gut microbiome – findings that a group of Chinese researchers say would support the gut–muscle axis hypothesis.
Healthy, familiar, accessible: Making alternative protein more scalable
From mung bean snacks to microalgae desserts, familiar and healthier formats are emerging as key levers to help alternative protein firms scale
Alt protein spotlight: Our Top 10 Alternative Protein stories from the past year
We reveal the top 10 most popular alt protein stories from this year, from leaf-powered protein to cultivated seafood and more
Asia’s alt protein roadblocks: Key study insights
Why is Asia so slow to embrace alternative proteins despite its great protein needs? A new report uncovers the main roadblocks and drivers to overcome these
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Calbee, NielsenIQ, PepsiCo to present this July
Calbee, NielsenIQ and PepsiCo are some of the biggest names giving keynote presentations at this year’s Growth Asia Summit.
Plant-based failing? Here’s how to win at hybrid
Hybrid meat and dairy strategies are evolving in four key ways
Thai firm revives superfood wolffia, blending heritage and nutrition
Thai brand Flo turns local superfood wolffia into protein drinks and flavour enhancers, tapping global demand for convenient, healthy foods
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
Top 5 trends shaping healthy dairy snacking
From cheese bites to RTD beverages, dairy is primed for success in the healthy snacking space
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
Million‑dollar Sustainable Protein grant aims to fast‑track market entry
The new grant, powered by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Singapore government, aims to advance the development of Sustainable Protein in the region, supporting innovators to accelerate their products’ to-market entry
Science spotlight: Our Top 10 science, research and tech stories in 2025
See our top 10 most-read science, research and technology stories from this year, featuring ‘Nobel Prize-worthy’ theabrownin, Meiji protein study, cell-cultured coffee and more
Top 5 longevity trends shaping food and drink
Longevity is redefining consumer behaviour. Here are the top five nutrition trends every food and beverage brand needs to know
ANZ focus: Our Top 10 ANZ stories from 2025
Here are our top 10 ANZ stories this year, with a spotlight on healthier and sustainable innovations, alternative proteins, regulatory updates, and more
How Asahi got Japan hooked on yeast-based milk
The maker of Asahi Super Dry released a unique plant-based drink – and took the Japanese market by storm
Start-up spotlight: Our Top 10 Start-up stories in 2025
Here are our top 10 start-up stories of 2025, spanning innovations from mood-boosting candies and bean-free coffee to cultivated seafood and novel protein ingredients
5 key APAC food & beverage trends to watch in 2026
We take a look at five of the most crucial APAC food & beverage trends redefining the industry in 2026, from localisation and AI driven-growth to new innovation directions
EU dairy hit by Chinese tariffs: All you need to know
EU dairy exporters face new border duties as China seeks to shield its domestic industry amid oversupply and falling prices
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
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