Healthier Choices: Top functional ingredients, trehalose and SmartMilk
Top functional ingredients, trehalose and SmartMilk feature in this edition of Healthier Choices
Industry growth
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
Saudi introduces tougher controls to prevent food fortification fraud
New Saudi regulations tighten control of nutritional claims to curb food fortification fraud and protect consumers
Functional dairy booms as tech-driven innovation renew category potential
Tech driven innovation is growing the potential of functional dairy, repositioning the category as a strong player in the global functional foods space
Indonesia to standardise non halal food labels with new regulations
New non halal labelling standards in Indonesia aim to streamline compliance in food firms and provide clearer information for consumers
Brown Brothers taps fruity spritzes to recruit new wine drinkers
Brown Brothers is betting on familiar citrus flavours to recruit new wine drinkers, launching yuzu lemon and orange spritzes to lower entry barriers into the category
SmartMilk: The creation of a new functional milk category
New Zealand firm Lullaa has developed SmartMilk, a functional dairy drink combining botanicals, synbiotics and collagen for everyday health and beauty support
Why familiarity drives texture acceptance in food and drink
Consumers are more receptive to new food and drink products when textures reflect familiar eating experiences
Asia sustainability report: Protein sources, food safety gaps strain progress
Asia’s food industry is battling various hurdles threatening the rapid progress of sustainability agendas, with protein diversification and food safety emerging as major issues
Inside the $330bn functional food frenzy fuelled by PepsiCo, Coke & Nestlé
From PepsiCo to Nestlé, global giants are racing to cash in on the booming functional food craze, but with trends shifting fast, the stakes have never been higher
Gulfood 2026
Hunter Foods’ spicy chips bring extra heat to Middle East chilli lovers
Snacking giant Hunter Foods has launched a range of new snacks meant for ‘true chilli lovers’ in the Middle East, bringing more bold heat and flavour to the region
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Nestlé Easter, KitKat Cookie, POLO, and more…
Major players are leaning into texture, premium gifting and flavour crossovers, while challenger brands continue to push sustainability and plant‑based credentials
Estonia’s Middle East playbook: Key insights for food exporters to the Gulf
Estonia is tapping healthier food trends and grain-based product demands to further its ‘Northern Standard’ approach in the region
From trash to toast: How sunflower oil waste could become bread’s next health upgrade
Research into sunflower oil byproducts suggests an overlooked ingredient could help bakers lift protein and fiber levels while supporting sustainability goals and easing pressure on wheat-based formulations
Kraft Heinz hits pause as Berkshire Hathaway eyes exit – what now?
A paused split, a new CEO and Berkshire Hathaway heading for the exit – all eyes are on Kraft Heinz’s next move
Is aquaculture sustainable? It depends on the system around it
A deeper look shows aquaculture’s climate impact depends less on fish and more on governance
China cracks down on food live-streaming with strict new regulations
In a world-first move, China has introduced specific regulations to govern live-streamers and related companies dealing in food products
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
聚焦日本：麒麟控股增长计划、食品过敏原管控、姜糖浆健康产品趋势及更多动态
本期聚焦麒麟研发战略、日本加强食品过敏原监管、冲绳姜糖浆健康产品出海，以及更多行业动态。
Dole Specialty Ingredients scales upcycling amid cost pressures
Dole Specialty Ingredients says upcycling fruit side streams into functional ingredients has nutritional and economic promise, but high costs still limit adoption
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
Cocoa costs and climate risks: What drives new Barry Callebaut AI hub
Barry Callebaut’s new Global Innovation Center in Singapore combines cacao coatings expertise and AI to address rising cocoa costs and climate pressures
GLP-1 foods in Asia: State of the market and key challenges
The market for GLP 1 companion foods in Asia faces some major challenges – but big opportunities also await if played right
The future of chocolate is bittersweet
Soaring cocoa prices are quietly reshaping how chocolate is formulated, where it’s used and how far the industry can stretch expectations without losing trust
Gulfood 2026
Farm Fresh redefines healthy snacking with matcha chicken nuggets
UAE-based Farm Fresh has taken the concept of functional snacking to a new level with its matcha-infused chicken nuggets, blending flavour and function with novelty
Fibre on the rise: Broad benefits and safety credentials drive growth
The fibre category is gaining momentum, supported by wide-ranging health benefits and reliable safety certifications that strengthen market confidence
South Korea strengthens contactless retail, egg safety regulations
South Korea has upgraded its contactless retail and egg safety systems, with an eye on curbing food poisoning and strengthening e-commerce oversight
Global beer consumption rises on growth in India, Russia and Thailand – Kirin
Beer consumption increased a marginal 0.5% globally, narrowly avoiding decline thanks to sharp gains in key emerging markets, according to Kirin
Ginger syrup taps food-as-medicine trend to expand Europe, Asia appeal
An Okinawa-based ginger syrup firm is expanding into Europe and Asia, betting on rising demand for traditional food-as-medicine solutions linked to health and beauty
Kirin doubling down on beer innovation and R&D to fuel global growth
Beer giant Kirin is ramping up focus on its beer and R&D businesses to drive international growth, boosting the use of new technology and localisation
ASEAN watch: Our Top 10 ASEAN stories from the past year
We reveal the top 10 ASEAN food and beverage stories of 2025, spanning trade and regulatory developments, supply chain challenges and emerging innovation across the region
3 key lessons for food brands targeting the ‘Future Consumer’
The ‘Future Consumer’ is here, and food brands need to stay ahead of their evolving tastes and expectations to survive in the long run
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.
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
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
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
Japan moves to bolster food allergen controls after nut cases spike
Japan is introducing stricter nut allergy controls to address rising cases, based on new government data showing increased public health concerns linked to this category
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
How coffee creamers became a powerhouse category
Coffee creamers are outperforming much of the dairy aisle – and new products keep pouring in. Where is the category headed?
Middle East Focus: Halal harmonisation, Saudi Nutri-Score and more
Halal harmonisation, Saudi Nutri-Score and more feature in this edition of Middle East Focus
Which Middle East markets are leading food and beverage sales?
The Middle Eastern food industry is booming, with billions of dollars of growth expected over the next decade
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
Youth engagement and gamification drive APAC & ME packaging trends
Brands are embracing connected packaging, using youth-focused, gamified strategies in Asia Pacific and the Middle East
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
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
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