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
Sustainability
FNA DEEP DIVE: CULTIVATED MEAT
Luxury or complement? What does the future hold for APAC cultivated meat?
The cultivated meat and seafood sector in APAC has gone through various ups and downs in recent years – but now that the dust has settled, what does the industry truly see as the path forward?
BE WTR pushes global expansion, launches flavour-enhancing ‘activated water’
Premium water brand BE WTR aims to “revolutionise hydration” with its filtration and flavour-enhancing technologies, as it actively sets up bottling plants across the globe on the back of new funding.
Packaging with starch: Thai firm offers tapioca-based thermoplastic material as sustainable option for food industry
Thai Wah is aiming to use its tapioca-based thermoplastic starch (TPS) for its consumer food packaging to create a closed-loop solution starting with cassava cultivation and ending with eco-friendly waste that enriches the soil.
Meiji expands snack range made with bitter-reducing, nutrient-retaining ‘cacao granules’
Meiji is launching a new product under its WELLCACAO range, which is made with the company’s proprietary cacao-based ingredient that claims to be less bitter and better retain nutrients such as polyphenols.
Plug and play: UMAMI Bioworks targets stability, safety, and customisation to drive cultivated seafood growth in South Korea
UMAMI Bioworks says it will tap into South Korea’s lead in novel foods in its latest collaboration with biotechnology firm KCell Biosciences and bioprocess solutions provider WSG.
‘Sunburnt and discoloured’: Japan steps up efforts to mitigate global warming impact on food security and quality
Japan is seeking to alleviate the impact of global warming on its domestic food supply chain after new data showed how rising temperatures are hitting crops and increasing food loss.
Slash the silos: Greater food industry collaboration needed in SEA to mitigate climate and supply threats
Greater cross-border collaboration across food chains is urgently needed in South East Asia to meet the rising threats of climate change, supply risks and geopolitical uncertainity.
Recipe for growth: '12 building blocks' for unlocking flavour opportunities in Asia and the Middle East - Haldin
Indonesia’s Haldin is seeking to expand in Asia and the Middle East by uses '12 natural building blocks' for over 200 ingredients as leverage.
Sustainability victory: PepsiCo eyes thermal energy collaboration with new Greenhouse Accelerator APAC champion
Global food and beverage giant PepsiCo has granted the winner of its 2024 GreenHouse Accelerator APAC programme Alterno US$100,000 to develop its thermal energy solution, with an eye on further collaboration with the firm in this area.
Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF)
Confusion still rife: Malaysian palm oil sector extends call for EUDR criteria clarity amidst proposed postponement
Malaysia’s palm oil industry representative body has argued that many aspects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) still lack clarity, and that more transparency regarding its criteria is needed before it should be implemented.
Snack trends unwrapped: Holistic wellness and protein focus among top innovation drivers across South East Asia
The protein and premium snack segments are seeing annual growth rates of more than 50%, and holistic wellness remains the biggest driver of innovation, according to a market intelligence report.
Vietnam’s Vinh Hoan appeals to children and elderly averse to fish with surimi-wrapped dumplings
Vietnamese firm Vinh Hoan aims to appeal to children and the elderly who dislike eating fish with its surimi-wrapped dumplings, which are part of its product portfolio targeting the needs of time-strapped consumers.
Visible relief: Palm oil industry welcomes announcement of EUDR postponement – but troubles not over yet
The palm oil and other agrifood sectors may have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the European Commission (EC) announcement that EUDR enforcement will be delayed – but experts are warning that the root problems are yet to be resolved.
Food companies' regenerative ag strategies 'lack ambition'
Beef and dairy companies put greater focus on claiming lower emissions through regenerative ag practices over embracing the concept holistically, a new report has found.
Nature’s palette: Indonesia's Sima Arome taps Asia’s shift towards plant-based extracts
Indonesian flavour extracts and essential oils firm Sima Arome is ramping up its plant-based offerings to tap into growing demand for functional products in Asia.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
Food-smart cities in Asia: Personalised nutrition can 'unlock health, wellness, and sustainability benefits'
Scaling personalised nutrition to the population level would help reduce waste, optimise health, and contribute to sustainability.
Microplastic contamination: India assessing exposure among consumers, plans new regulations
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to tackle the growing concern of microplastic contamination in food via a new project with leading researchers.
'Nutritious and sustainable': Algae a promising alternative to soy protein for enhancing postprandial satiety and metabolism – latest study
Algae-based proteins are viable and sustainable alternatives to soy in relation to taste and metabolic outcomes, say researchers.
Shrimp producer Grupo Aquamar aims to strengthen brand awareness in Singapore, Hong Kong while extending presence in Asia
Nicaragua-based Grupo Aquamar is looking to strengthen brand awareness in Singapore and Hong Kong, while aiming to attract more consumers in Asia for its premium produce.
Coconut creations: Sokfarm taps rising sodium reduction trends and production advantages for new soy sauce alternative
Vietnam-based Sokfarm believes that the rising demand for reduced sodium consumption as well as its natural coconut nectar production advantages have laid a strong foundation for the sales of its new aminos soy sauce alternative.
Singapore’s Natural Trace seeks to combat food fraud, fill gaps in existing traceability tech with DNA-based ingredient
Singapore-headquartered firm Natural Trace aims to address the limitations of existing traceability technologies through its DNA-based ingredient, while contributing to combatting food fraud and “irresponsible market behaviour”.
CAA International Cocoa Conference 2024
A world without cocoa? Lab-grown chocolate and other technologies may provide alternative, but not replacement – expert panel
Current trending solutions to the cocoa price crisis such as lab-grown or cocoa-free chocolate technologies may provide a niche alternative to the lack of cocoa bean supply, but are unlikely to replace the role of authentic cocoa in the food system,...
Edible cutlery: Singapore start-up seeks to reduce plastic waste in Asia with nutrition-packed products
Singapore start-up Crunch Cutlery is seeking to tackle plastic waste with its edible cutlery made from chia, buckwheat and jowar.
Know your drink: Pernod Ricard taps ASEAN desire for increased information to launch digital label
Alcohol giant Pernod Ricard has launched a new digital label initiative in Singapore, hoping to tap on South East Asian consumer demands for increased information and shift towards better drinking habits.
No safety, no security: Asia food system facing triple threat of microbe, chemical and physical contamination - expert insights
The food system in Asia is facing a triple food safety threat in the firm of microbiological, chemical and physical contamination, all of which are being exacerbated by climate change and putting national food securities at risk.
Food security stability: Japan expresses cautious optimism for national self-sufficiency rates after positive 2023 data
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has expressed cautious optimism in the country’s food self-sufficiency rates, after a couple of years of stable production and import numbers.
Singapore’s Jääde brings premium water to China, eyes Middle East market
Singapore-based Jääde is actively strengthening its presence in the local market for its packaged Finnish spring water, while working to expand across the region in the long run.
Canned conquests: Thai Union sees growth bolstered by rising tuna prices and ambient product business
Thai seafood giant Thai Union has highlighted its ambient product business as the main sales growth booster for the company in the first half of 2024, further supplemented by rising tuna prices and its rapidly-growing value-added product category.
Redefining instant coffee: Saturnbird aims to pull young consumers with convenient, price-friendly coffee
Chinese coffee company Saturnbird, which entered Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year, is looking to attract young consumers with cafe-quality instant coffee that is convenient and wallet-friendly.
Rich pickings: Coca-Cola India promotes sustainable mango cultivation in alignment with government initiative
Coca-Cola India has launched a programme to back sustainable mango cultivation in India to increase yields and maximise sustainability, in alignment with the government’s vision of self-reliance for the country.
‘Deliberately different’: Vow targets Singapore’s premium consumers to boost awareness and acceptance of cell-cultured meat
Sydney-based firm Vow is targeting premium consumers in Singapore through the launch of its cell-cultured meat at high-end restaurants, which it says is the first step towards wider acceptance and adoption of such products.
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.
‘Celebrate competition’: Oatly optimistic about plant-based milk category growth, strides forward in global expansion
Oat drink major Oatly expects continuing demand for plant-based milks as its current generation of consumers mature, and believes that more players entering the market will help boost category growth.
Increasingly informed consumers demand better quality, more ethical coffee – Allpress Espresso
New Zealand-headquartered Allpress Espresso says that as consumers become better informed about various components of coffee, they are demanding higher quality products and an ethical supply chain.
Bureaucratic bungle: EU deforestation regs face postponement pressures amid ‘urgent’ commodity trade concerns
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is undergoing further pressure – this time from within its own Parliament – to postpone implementation as an ‘urgent’ matter, with concerns looming over key trade commodities such as palm oil and cocoa.
Tilapia tales: Singapore’s Aqua Gold banks on valorisation and clean label trends to launch new furikake brand
Singapore-based Aqua Gold believes that rising interest in food products that can meet the elements of nutrition, valorisation and clean label have laid out a strong foundation for the success of its new furikake brand O.NILO.
Blue economy hurdles: Automation and perception shift crucial to help Asia’s seafood sector move forward
The seafood sector in Asia requires major transformations both in terms of operational technologies and perception shifts, if the industry hopes to see effective and lasting transformation.
Consolidation concerns: Australian dairy sector highlights worries over Fonterra sale of local business
The dairy sector in Australia has highlighted concerns of ‘yet another blow’ to the industry as a result of Fonterra’s recent strategy change that includes plans to divest its consumer brands.
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.
Integration vs takeover: Plant-based experts disagree over potential directions for industry’s future
Plant-based industry experts APAc are divided on the future direction of the sector, with some believing that it is likely to be integrated into local culture and others still hoping for a more radical takeover.
‘Coffee meets tea’: Nescafe China touts dual beverage experience with upcycled cascara drink line
Nestle China has launched an upcycled cascara beverage line that offers consumers a dual ‘coffee meets tea’ drinking experience, tapping on the strong local demand for teas and rapid new product innovation.
Turning threat into opportunity: How Cargill is navigating the global cocoa crisis
Global food corporation Cargill is leveraging its cocoa-sourcing networks in Asia and other business units to support customers in overcoming the cocoa supply shortage, and ensure consumers continue to have access to chocolate products.
Sustainability
Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more
An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Stopping single-use: Abu Dhabi to ban specific Styrofoam products from June 1
Abu Dhabi is implementing a ban on various “avoidable” single-use Styrofoam consumer products, which will take effect from June 1, 2024.
Soy connection: Singapore start-up Jiro-Meat looks to commercialise okara-based meat alternative by this year
Singapore start-up Jiro-Meat is scaling up production of its plant-based meat made from upcycled soy pulp, with the aim of commercialisation within the next six months.
Collaboration drive: How Nurasa aims to drive commercialisation of low-sugar, cholesterol-free, and gut-friendly foods
Start-ups need to be helped to act faster to drive returns, while MNC's need assistance to overcome the challenges of carrying out disruptive innovation in-house, says the CEO of Nurasa, which recently launched a new food innovation facility in Singapore...
Clean power: Nightwatch energy drink highlights all-natural ingredients for ‘new generation’ of plant-based consumers
Dutch brand Nightwatch is aiming to ride the plant-based wave in Asia by launching an all-natural, and caffeine-free energy drink for ethically-minded consumers.
Cage-free challenges: China egg industry leaders cite need for better traceability tech to prevent authenticity issues
Egg industry leaders in China have highlighted a need to develop better traceability technology to ensure cage-free eggs reaching consumers are authentic, in order for the sector to reach the next phase of development.
‘No one left behind’: Food system transformation needs greater focus on tech-tradition combos and the potential of aquatic foods
World Food Prize winner Dr Shakunthala Thilsted believes that all-inclusive food system transformation will require a greater focus on combining big data and traditional knowledge as well as better recognition of aquatic food potential and consumer...