The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised five countries for their efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA), marking the first time it has done so since launching an initiative in 2018 to encourage food manufacturers...
Aussie brand Savvy Beverage has called out what it believes is the prevalence of highly priced functional beverages that contain inadequate beneficial ingredients, imploring greater honesty and transparency among companies to advance the emerging category....
The lack of a universal definition of what constitutes convenience foods risks hampering food and nutrition policy and health interventions, researchers have argued.
AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, could enhance nutrition communication by offering real-time food analysis, but researchers stress they can’t fully replace human nutritionists.
Very-low-carbohydrate diets have been found to be more effective in producing clinically significant weight loss in the short- and moderate-term, but there is “not much difference” between weight-loss diets in the long run, according to Iranian researchers.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, specifically a higher intake of fruits and nuts, has been linked to a notable decrease in the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly Chinese individuals.
Royal jelly supplementation has shown beneficial effects in improving post-ischemic stroke complications, including cognitive impairment and malnutrition, based on new findings from a study in Iran.
Biofortification stands out among traditional fortification methods as a cost-effective and sustainable approach for combatting micronutrient deficiencies (MND), especially in countries with persistent undernutrition and food shortages, say researchers....
Students who consume beverages with over 25 grams of added sugar daily face a 1.8 times higher risk of exhibiting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms compared to those with lower consumption, according to a new study from Chiang Mai...
The absence of a set of unified guidelines to provide nutrient composition and labelling requirements for all categories of commercially produced complementary foods (CPCF) in Southeast Asia risks confusing consumers, say researchers.
The rising prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) among adolescents and young adults in Saudi Arabia prompts the need to raise awareness of healthy food consumption, say researchers.
Fortification has the potential to provide abundant health benefits, endowing products with a higher level of important nutrients than they otherwise would have possessed. However, taste and texture can be affected by it, which can in turn affect consumer...
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are urging policymakers to crack down on caffeinated energy drink consumption among school children, despite only 2% of those surveyed consuming them on a daily basis.
School going children who ate 10 additional eggs per week had higher growth hormone levels, and consumption may also lead to benefits for the gut microbiota, according to a Thai trial.
Mars Food & Nutrition Australia has launched a new ready-to-heat range under the Ben’s Original brand to meet rising demand for healthier options that are convenient and versatile.
Green coffee extract may have a beneficial effect on lipid profile and inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a new study has concluded.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s heavy reliance on grain imports as a source of dietary calories and protein poses major risks to food security and nutrition level among its populations, say researchers.
Consumers in the Middle East are increasingly looking for protein-rich products to fulfil various needs, with claims ranging from sports performance to age-related muscle support.
Asia-Pacific’s beauty-from-within category is seeing rising demand for products that address not only beauty concerns, but also those that provide multiple benefits spanning gut health and mental support, says a panel involving experts from Haleon, Blackmores,...
Haleon’s vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) sales in Q3 was led by Centrum’s double-digit growth in China, the US, and Middle East, which has offset the decline seen in Emergen-C, its other power brand.
Auckland-based nut butter producer Forty Thieves is investing in social media content creation and influencer marketing to target online consumers, whom it says have increasingly shorter attention spans.
A new cross-sector partnership aims to help millers produce adequately fortified staple foods in eight countries across Asia and Africa to tackle high rates of micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition among these populations.
Flaxseed supplementation could benefit polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) sufferers, but was found to have no significant impact on sex hormones, a new meta-analysis reports.
Greater attention should be paid to diet and nutrient intake, especially vitamin D, to improve bone mineral density among premenopausal women, say Saudi Arabian researchers.
China-based clean label brand Haofood is putting extra efforts into innovation while maintaining focus on taste and affordability to boost consumer adoption of plant-based diets.
A new study reveals the key differences in nutrient intake when an animal-based diet is replaced with plant-based alternatives, with calls for greater in-depth research and consideration of such factors manufacturers when developing new products.
This round-up features HSA Group’s insights on innovation drivers in Yemen, House of Pops’ collaboration with a Lebanese food company, demand for clean label and sugar-reduction beverages in the Middle East, key factors behind Saudi Arabia’s rapid food...
Customisable meal kits are a baby food category that has yet to be widely explored, and could provide a good alternative for parents who feel the burden of guilt for “cheating” with RTE foods.
Danone is launching a new infant formula containing milk droplets that closely mimic the structure found in mothers’ milk in China this year, VP and head of Danone Early Life Nutrition revealed at our Growth Asia Summit 2023.
Singapore’s Sustenir has expanded its business portfolio to include functional food products, such as ready-to-drink smoothies, to support what it believes is a long-term growth opportunity.
Beetroot juice supplementation among female volleyball players was found to improve muscle endurance and pain reduction after high-pressure training, says researchers.
Industry leader Danone will will shed light on opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) in early life nutrition with an exclusive keynote talk at our forthcoming Growth Asia Summit 2023.
The APAC plant-based dairy industry believes that controversy surrounding the use of dairy terms for plant-based product labelling is unlikely to happen in this region despite contention in other markets, citing differences in local consumption drivers...
Experts have highlighted the need to balance functionality and taste to move healthy beverages into the mainstream in APAC, with some consensus that personalised nutrition, gut health, and mental wellness are set to become emerging growth areas.
Thai instant noodle giant MAMA has seen its “healthier range” gain popularity in overseas markets such as Greece, but admits that more time is needed for such products to gain a foothold in its local market.
Switching from sugary drinks to ‘diet’ drinks or water showed little short-term effects on metabolic or cognitive health outcomes across 12 weeks, a new study has shown.
New Zealand researchers are hoping that results from a new, large-scale dietary intervention study will underpin domestic nutrition policies and boost export opportunities.
China’s food safety authorities have allowed the use of vitamin B1, B2 in beverages for special purposes, such as sports drinks, while the maximum permitted dosage of taurine has been raised.
Rice bran supplementation does not significantly improve lipid levels, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels, says a new meta-analysis and systematic review.
South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang is ramping up efforts in developing “earth-friendly” food products, as its upcycled chips made from manufacturing by-products gain popularity among local consumers.
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Indonesia are making headways towards trans-fatty acids (TFA) elimination, but national policy is still lagging behind for South Korea, Brunei, and Fiji.
One in three Saudi Arabian youths consume fast food more than twice a week, sparking concerns that the nation’s rapid economic development is leading to dramatic shifts in eating habits.
Singapore chocolate firm Tatgu used the pandemic to press ahead with innovation across its low-sugar and -GI, and high-calcium product ranges, as it seeks to meet soaring demand for better-for-you treats.
Town-level efforts to reduce salt intake in China have had mix results, say researchers, who argue that reduction strategies are going to take several years to trickle down.
Plant-based protein consumption could contribute to better muscle health among the elderly population in China, although overall protein-intake recommendations are inadequate in counteracting muscle loss, say researchers.
The accessibility of convenience food and changes among family structures have led some Korean adolescents to consume fast food more than five times a week.