Sustainability spotlight: Our Top 10 Sustainability stories from the past year
Here are our top 10 sustainability stories of 2025, spanning corporate strategy, upcycling innovation and the practical challenges facing the food and beverage industry
Sustainability
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
Sparkling in aluminium: Usability is key for Brown Brothers wine bottles
Australian heritage brand Brown Brothers focuses on sustainable convenience with its novel aluminium prosecco bottle
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
Whole grains: A functional, clean label treasure trove?
Natural, whole and ancient grains boast strong nutritional benefits and minimal processing
Sustainability Snippets: Upcycling, eco-friendly packaging and more
Upcycling, eco-friendly packaging and more feature in this edition of Sustainability Snippets
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
Cocoa crunch: How shortages are rewriting chocolate’s future
As climate, disease and regulation strain global cocoa supply, manufacturers are turning to low‑cocoa and cocoa‑free innovations to protect margins and future-proof their portfolios
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
Canada eyes APAC plant-based growth in push to diversify non-US trade
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) and Singapore’s Nurasa are working to grow Canadian plant-based exports in APAC to diversify trade beyond the United States
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
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
As cocoa chaos continues, Kokomodo finds its moment
Why ‘climate-proof’ cacao start-up Kokomodo is hedging its bets on an increasingly stronger future for cell cultured cocoa
AI in food production: PepsiCo APAC accelerator winner eyes regional growth
The reigning APAC champion of PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC), Beijing AIForce, has revealed major plans to expand across the region after taking home the main prize
Scandals and more: 10 stories that shook up the APAC F&B sector this year
From restructuring and demergers, to drug accusations and sex scandals, here are 10 of the most shocking and influential stories that shook the APAC food sector in 2025
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
Ugly good food: Hong Kong firm blends upcycling with health and social benefits
Hong Kong-based not only powder (nop) upcycles unwanted fruit into snacks, supplements and personal care products using freeze-drying and a social co-creation model
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
Start-up Spotlight: Indonesia SME halal, global top 30 food-tech and more
Indonesia SME halal, global top 30 food-tech firms and more feature in this edition of Start-up Spotlight
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
Upcycled grape pomace - the next healthy ingredient for firms to watch?
Research from China has found upcycled grape pomace from winemaking can add antioxidants, fibre, colour and texture to foods, offering health and sustainability benefits
Local solutions key to safer, sustainable seafood in Asia
Asia’s seafood sector must adapt safety and sustainability measures to diverse local markets, say experts
Danone becomes the largest B Corp
The achievement gives Danone a competitive advantage over the likes of Nestlé and Unilever and is a boon for investor confidence
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
Sustainability Snippets: Ajinomoto goals, Japan pricing and more
Ajinomoto goals, Japan pricing and more feature in this edition of Sustainability Snippets
5 trends powering sustainable ingredient innovation
As sustainable ingredients gain traction, we explore the trends driving their development
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan meets convenience and wellness needs with pangasius
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan is maximising pangasius fish commercial potential with a circular model supporting convenient nutrition and supplement innovation
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
Sustainable pricing? Japan’s Fair Price Project shows food cost realities
Japan’s Fair Price Project urges consumer empathy and awareness as food producers face rising costs, in hopes of ensuring food supply sustainability
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
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
PepsiCo accelerator fuels food industry growth with real-world pilots
PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) APAC is driving agri-food innovation, with start-ups in the region piloting solutions alongside PepsiCo and key partners
Seafood Expo Asia 2025
Seafood sector pivots to Asia amid rising demand and US tariff woes
Asia’s seafood appetite offers growth as exporters diversify from US tariff-hit markets, experts say at Singapore Seafood expo
Nudging Asia towards sustainability amid shifting regulatory rules
Creativity and functionality are key to driving eco-friendly packaging amid regulatory shifts in Asia
Why do food brands face roadblocks in going green?
Uncle Saba’s Poppadoms opens up about the realities of environmental sustainability – and why being honest about limitations is just as vital as celebrating progress
Ajinomoto reaffirms 2030 sustainability goals despite CEO shift
Ajinomoto has renewed commitment to its 2030 sustainability strategy despite a sudden change in CEO recently, reinforcing its long-term AminoScience-based green strategy
Bean-free coffee: Prefer partners Ajinomoto, Coffee Ferm for APAC growth
Singapore’s Prefer looks to scale its sustainable bean-free coffee across APAC with partners Ajinomoto and Coffee Ferm
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
Opinion
The snackdown: Trump calls ESG a scam – why snack giants call it survival
ESG’s under political fire in Washington, but the snack giants keep flexing. From Oreos to Doritos, their reports show that in today’s food industry, trust’s as valuable as profit.
Veolia tackles food waste and clean energy challenges in SEA
Proper waste disposal and renewable energy are key priorities for South East Asia, said the firm
PepsiCo and Unilever step up with new regen ag push
PepsiCo and Unilever have decided it’s time to get serious about soil: their new STEP up for Agriculture program throws money and muscle behind regenerative farming
One week to go! Entries for Global Food Tech Awards APAC closing soon
APAC start-ups have one more week until Sept 30 to enter the Global Food Tech Awards 2025 and showcase innovations on an international stage
Fi Asia 2025
What are the 4 most crucial AI applications in food innovation?
AI is driving food innovation and marketing strategies – here are four major ways experts at Fi Asia 2025 say it is shaping production and improving relevance
Sustainability September
3 key challenges to building sustainable food systems in Asia
Asian food systems face three major challenges towards achieving sustainability – find out what these are and what needs to be done to tackle them
Mars Wrigley powers SEA gum exports with renewable energy in Antipolo
Mars Wrigley will invest US$2M yearly to cut emissions, using rice husks and coconut shells to power its key SEA gum hub in the Philippines
Indonesia’s WTO winning streak could threaten EUDR viability
Continuous palm oil wins for Indonesia at the WTO cast doubts on how the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will impact sustainability and trade
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
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