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
Reformulation
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Heart-healthy + salt-free: Aussie startup reinvents Asian condiments
Australian startup Heartful Flavours launches three salt-free Asian seasonings made from whole plant foods, complementing its heart-healthy meal packs
Kaya Rebel: Singapore brand bucks tradition with healthier fusion coconut jams
Kaya Rebel, a Singapore start-up, makes lower-sugar, higher-protein coconut jams infused with global flavours as it eyes growth in tourism retail
5 trends powering sustainable ingredient innovation
As sustainable ingredients gain traction, we explore the trends driving their development
What’s holding back alt-protein’s growth and how to fix it
We explore four key strategies to increase the appeal of alternative proteins
World’s biggest chocolate supplier makes move away from cocoa
Barry Callebaut explores cocoa alternatives amid rising costs and climate pressure
APAC salt reformulation rises in response to grading schemes, salt taxes
With salt taxes looming and nutri-grade schemes making their mark, more APAC food firms must reformulate to meet health and regulatory demands
South Korea’s sodium and sugar intake report: 4 major findings
South Korea’s latest sodium and sugar report has revealed 4 key insights to guide the food sector in navigating health trends, regulations and product strategy
Less sugar, more sweets: Asians seek local flavours in healthier treats
Sixty-five percent of South East Asian consumers prefer local flavours and lower sugar when indulging in desserts, according to a new regional study
How Kerry’s salt and sugar reduction tech is quietly driving its bottom line
As brands face mounting pressure to cut sodium and sugar without compromising taste, reformulation is no longer a niche concern – it’s driving real commercial gains. Kerry’s behind-the-scenes tech is helping reshape everyday foods and quietly lifting margins
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
Purpose-driven innovation fuels new product launches in Asia’s F&B market
Innovation in Asia’s food space is no longer just about novelty – it also needs to be purposeful, with a strong tilt towards health and sustainability
Growth Asia Summit 2025: Mother’s Day discount from May 12
Tickets to our Growth Asia Summit 2025 will have a 15 per cent Mother’s Day discount starting from next Monday (May 12).
‘Tremendous potential’ for upcycling agri-waste into high-value products in Vietnam, but challenges remain – expert
RMIT University Vietnam sees “tremendous potential” in converting the country’s abundant agricultural by-products into high-value derivatives, such as fat replacers and functional ingredients, although several challenges remain to be overcome.
Multi-sensorial innovation, affordability and health key drivers in Asian confectionery
Consumers in Asia are increasingly seeking out multi-sensorial experiences in their confectionery purchases, while also keeping an eye on affordability and health.
Complex factors driving global public attitudes towards salt reduction: Multi-country study
Customised, culturally sensitive strategies are needed to reduce sodium intake globally due to significant variations in public attitudes toward salt reduction across seven diverse countries, according to a recent multi-country study.
Three emerging food and beverage categories to watch for major growth in 2025
With many companies both large and small within the Asia Pacific food and beverage sector on the lookout for new and innovative product strategies to stand out and attract consumers with added value amidst trying economic conditions, we believe these...
Five major trends set to shape APAC food and beverage industry growth in 2025
We take a closer look at five of the top trends that look set to have a major impact on the growth of the Asia Pacific food and beverage industry in 2025, from affordability and accessibility taking centre stage, alternative protein rejigs,...
Sido Muncul on sugar reduction opportunities in Indonesia’s herbal product sector
Indonesian traditional herbal product brand Sido Muncul believes that now is the time to tap on the sugar reduction trend in the market.
Plant-based diet, mental health interventions may help improve older adult sleep
There may be a positive correlation between nutrient-rich plant-based diets and improved sleep health among older adults, according to a study by researchers in China.
South Korea launches 19 government-backed reduced-sodium and sugar products
The South Korean government has collaborated with industry to launch 19 reduced-sodium and sugar food and beverage products as it seeks to meet national targets.
Elevate your nutrition knowledge with our biggest ever global broadcast series
Eight free webinars, over 50 experts and one unmissable opportunity to turn nutrition insights into action. It’s FoodNavigator’s global Positive Nutrition event
Advancing acceptability: Ajinomoto highlights Indonesia’s urgent sodium reduction needs
Ajinomoto believes that Indonesian consumers are in more urgent need of sodium reduction solutions due to local consumption habits as well as the heavy use of salt in local cuisine.
Healthier horizons: Sugar reduction and allergen aversion amongst major APAC demands in functional beverage sector
The Asia Pacific functional beverage industry is increasingly seeing consumer demands for sugar reduction, label transparency and allergen aversion becoming commonplace.
Not so straightforward: Singapore food industry voices concerns over cost, efficacy of extending Nutri-Grade system to sodium and fats
The Singapore food industry has voiced several concerns over government plans to extend the Nutri-Grade traffic light nutritional labelling system to sodium and fats.
Japanese researchers develop nutrient profiling model to spur healthier food options
A group of Japanese researchers have developed a nutrient profiling model (NPM) adapted to the local food culture and health policies, in the hope of establishing an official system to promote healthier product formulation and better food choices.
Enhancing enjoyment: Hanamaruki looks to tap sodium reduction and affordability demands in ASEAN with new koji powder
Japan-based Hanamaruki believes that its newly launched flavour-enhancing koji powder is in a prime position to cater to product innovation in South East Asia that fulfils both sodium reduction and affordability requirements.
Peranakan delights: Health, heritage, and convenience sell – O’nya
Health, heritage, and convenience are increasingly important to consumers, says Singapore’s food start-up O’nya as it plans strategic expansion with authentic peranakan pastes.
OATSIDE’s rapid growth in Asia fuelled by 'comprehensive marketing strategy' and targeted flavour innovation
Singapore-headquartered OATSIDE attributes its meteoric rise in Asia to a marketing strategy encompassing targeted campaigns and strategic partnerships, and constant innovation of flavours to satisfy myriad consumer preferences.
Bottoms up: Japan’s Umami Cola looks to upend category with botanical-rich, koji-sweetened beverage
Japan-based Umami Cola is aiming to turn the category on its head with a new botanical-rich, koji-sweetened formulation and an inverted caN design.
Shiny Meadow launches fresh milk with higher protein and calcium content to fulfil consumer demand in Hong Kong
Chinese dairy brand Shiny Meadow has launched an upgraded version of its fresh milk product, which contains higher protein and calcium content, to meet evolving consumer needs.
Sweet significance: Sugar reduction not major priority for energy drink consumers in ASEAN CLMV markets – Growth Asia Summit 2024
Thai natural energy drink brand Hippo Energy Drink has revealed that sugar reduction in beverages is not a major priority for most consumers in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) markets despite an ongoing trend for this in the rest of the...
Driving transformation: PepsiCo expands healthy portfolio, ramps up innovations to meet global nutrition needs
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo says it is continuously improving the nutrient density of products and expanding its better-for-you portfolio based on a strategy that it says is aligned with both global and local dietary guidelines.
Instant gratification: Lúave’s Vietnamese boba milk tea to launch in Singapore with healthier ready-to-drink options
Vietnamese brand Lúave is aiming to launch its instant boba milk tea across Asia, starting with low fat, low sugar options in Singapore.
Xylitol and sorbitol can help prevent tooth decay among children – latest findings
Sugar substitutes xylitol and sorbitol can help prevent dental caries among children and adolescents, according to a new review of clinical trials.
SAMBAZON eyes growth opportunities for açaí products in Middle East
US-based SAMBAZON is looking to expand uptake of açaí products in the Middle East, where the firm says awareness about the superfruit still has much room for growth.
APAC consumers increasingly seeking rich flavours, visual appeal and bite-sized formats in chocolate, cakes and confectionery – Cargill
An increasing number of consumers in Asia-Pacific desire an all-round experience when it comes to chocolate and confectionery, including rich flavours like caramel, visually appealing products, and “healthy indulgent” formats, says Cargill.
Fat for fitness: Smaller packs and keto options driving nut butter popularity in Asia
New Zealand nut butter specialist Forty Thieves believes that its flexibility in providing smaller packaging options as well as a dedicated keto range is driving growth across the region.
Sugar overload: Thai students exceeding WHO limits, researchers warn of chronic health issues
A majority of Thai students are consuming more added sugar than is recommended by the WHO, but researchers did not find a link with increased BMI.
Evolving with the times: Singapore’s Gold Kili ventures into new coffee product format and healthier beverages
Singapore-based Gold Kili has launched a new product format for its coffee range and expanded into the thriving healthier beverage category, as part of the firm’s growth strategy.