Fortification programmes in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have ample supply of fortified foods and a steady distribution network to reach its target populations amid the COVID-19 crisis, but the lack of quality assurance and control is concerning.
There was a significant increase in the frequency of eating fruits and vegetables, coupled with a spike in sugary beverages intake during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, new data reveals.
The absence of micronutrient deficiency, such as vitamin D, has shown to reduce the incidence of COVID-19, as well as lowering the odds of clinical deterioration in COVID-19 patients, said the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frozen foods and alcohol have found favour with APAC consumers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, garnering huge leaps in growth across various countries in the region amid lockdowns and tightening economics.
Vietnam has been singled out its agri-food resilience and strong likelihood to recover from the current coronavirus-inspired chaos thanks to considerable investment in its shrimp, pork and poultry sectors.
Malaysian frozen food business Tisha’s is trying to keep pace with demand thanks to royal approval and a pivot to social media, just a year after fearing for its future.
Yiling Pharmaceutical, the company behind TCM/dietary supplement product Lianhua Qingwen, said revenue from its overseas market was up 918.37 per cent in FY2020, after the product was officially recognised by the China authorities as a COVID-19 standard...
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven up demand for food and beverage packaging that is secure and resealable as food safety and security concerns rise, according to a new report by packaging heavyweight Tetra Pak.
East Japan Railway Company (JR East), the parent company of KINOKUNIYA supermarket chain in Japan, is exploring overseas expansion in the wake of slow domestic sales due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rate of growth for Ausnutria’s Goat milk brand Kabrita slowed significantly in China throughout 2020, with the firm citing reduced promotion and marketing activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CCA) is warning general food and health food manufacturers against labelling their products as being effective in preventing or treating COVID-19, to avoid consumer misunderstanding and harming public health.
China has implemented mandatory traceability requirements for all food products transported via cold chain, including dairy products, fruits and drinks, in an expansion of its efforts to prevent COVID-19 from entering the country via imported foods.
The Philippines government is currently studying plans to loosen its national COVID-19 lockdown as well as officially hunting down and punishing food product profiteers in an effort to tackle rising rates of food insecurity and poverty in the country.
Danish-headquartered dairy giant Arla said it quickly reshaped the business disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic to meet the spike in home consumption and high demand for trusted household dairy products while offsetting negative impacts in other sectors.
India’s nutraceutical industry’s hopes of a reduced GST rate on supplements was squashed again when there was no mentioned of special grant for the sector during the recent budget announcement.
The Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association (MADSA) says its brand members are being disadvantaged by ‘unauthorised’ online retailers selling their products at lower prices – and is calling on the government to clampdown on the situation.
A recent study led by the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) revealed that suspected COVID-19 patients administered with virgin coconut oil (VCO) had reduced symptoms and a faster recovery phase compared to the control group.
Nestle Malaysia’s CEO Juan Aranols has revealed the firm’s priority is to keep its products available and affordable for consumers, even as the firm deals with the impacts of a second COVID-19 lockdown.
Leading Japanese firms Asahi, Ajinomoto, Kirin, Hotei Foods, Nippn and Nissin have underlined how their manufacturing, R&D and employee safety are being maintained as certain prefectures come under another state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating interest in functional foods and could prove to be a boon for flavour firms which can help mask undesirable taste profiles.
A group of Australian naturopathic experts is gathering on-the-ground data from health practitioners on the effectiveness of nutraceuticals in helping to combat COVID-19, and will present the findings to health authorities.
ASX-listed MGC Pharma is in talks with South East Asia (SEA) countries to make its clinically backed oral supplement trademarked ArtemiC commercially available for COVID-19 patients.
More studies are emerging of food products as a potential carrier for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing COVID-19, according to new review of the research, but there is no evidence of it leading to transmissions.
Early warnings of Yemen potentially facing the world’s first famine in the next decade, and Lebanon and Syria experiencing deterioration of their food insecurity situation, have been revealed in a report by FAO and WFP.
China is looking to virtual ‘spot checks’ on incoming food imports and tightened cold chain management guidelines in an attempt to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 in the country as winter arrives and increasing cases of virus have been found on frozen...
Tetra Pak has revealed the findings from its global research study, in partnership with market research company Ipsos, showing food safety is a major issue for society.
Calls to revise the recommended daily allowance of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in India are growing after the country’s regulator asked for suggestions from the industry stakeholders.
The high frequency of vitamin C deficiency in people with respiratory infections has led researchers to call for levels to be tested on Covid-19 patients, followed by either intravenous or oral supplementation.
Saudi Arabian dairy company Almarai said it is the first brand in the world to obtain a Pandemic Prepared Certification from AIB International due to its application of best practices for food safety in times of epidemics.
Malaysia-based kombucha brand WonderBrew is on track to more than double its sales this year, as it seeks to expand its e-commerce presence amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Chicken, pork and salmon samples contaminated with COVID-19 showed no decline in the virus level after 21 days in both refrigerated and frozen storage conditions.
South Korean has seen a massive boom in its food exports even through the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak with local food items kimchi and ramen leading the charge, according to new statistics released by the government.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has led a number of ASEAN countries in “fully recognising the importance of health supplements” in optimising or maintaining the public health, according to a regional trade association.
F&B conglomerate Kraft-Heinz believes that its sauces are in a key growth position in Malaysia post-COVID-19 due to a rise in the home cooking trend and has streamlined its local distribution operations in an effort to accelerate this trend.
Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad (Carlsberg Malaysia) is pinning its hopes on digital marketing and e-commerce to recover from huge revenue and profit drops suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group’s substantial investment in technological innovations and upgrades to its food production facilities under food arm CP Foods were what ensured its continued smooth operations through the COVID-19 pandemic, CP Group’s US Business...
The Covid-19 pandemic in March and Ramadan in April and May led to distinct shifts in the food and beverage consumption patterns in Saudi Arabia, new data reveals.
The potato industry in Australia is now in a state of ‘high alert’ for any potential French fries dumping activity from the EU, highlighting its chief concerns as price plummeting and farmer welfare after a tough season.
Food and beverage firms in Australia would do well to maintain product pricing, focus on advertising and research, as well as wisely streamline their product ranges in order to come out on top post-COVID-19, according to recommendations from an industry...
Brands and suppliers need to innovate with speed and agility to meet the meet changing demands from APAC’s consumers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, an expert panel featuring a raft of top firms has concluded.
Camel Milk Co Australia has expanded its e-commerce sales platform to include a world-wide online shopping cart to cope with rising global demand for its camel milk post-COVID-19
The Philippines’ controversial new tax reform bill aims to help smaller local food and beverage pay lower taxes and stop larger firms from exploring existing system loopholes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak…but experts are warning implementation...
Asia’s biggest food and beverage brands have successfully retained their top FMCG rankings and outpaced overall category growth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with major players topping new lists from China to South East Asia.
Australian food and beverage firms need to improve their social media engagement to maximise reach to consumers in all of the country’s key export markets, especially given the rise of e-commerce post-COVID-19.
Singapore-based personalised nutrition firm Imagene Labs has forayed into the immune health space with a number of new launches, including a ginseng vitamin blend plus a DNA test which looks at one's genetic tendencies for nutritional deficiencies....
Australia’s implementation of the revised Health Star Ratings (HSR) system is on track with a focus on sugar and sodium reduction via a new nutrient calculator, as well as plans for 70% of industry uptake, the Australian Department of Health has confirmed.
