New Zealand-based ENZAFruit recently secured a landmark win and compensation in China for IP infringement of its Envy apples, representing a spark of hope for fruit firms operating in the region that have also experienced similar infringements.
Members of the Philippines government are calling for regulations that would officially ban manufacturers from using added sugar as an ingredient in foods for young children aged three and below.
Instagram posts on nutrition are lacking in quality and accuracy, especially those that are posted by brands, says a group of researchers who undertook a study on Australian Instagram accounts.
Retailers in APAC need to increase the support given to sustainability-focused food and beverage products in order to match brand initiatives and boost consumer awareness, say experts.
Japanese officials and seafood exporters have joined forces to explore new overseas markets, with the sector still reeling from China’s import ban in the wake of the Fukushima wastewater release last year.
Developing markets in Asia and Africa risk being sidelined in the efforts to create a more sustainable food system, unless inclusion and affordability are placed front and centre to improve nutrition.
South Korea is expanding its AI-based screening system SAFE-i24 to include processed food imports, in a bid to maintain food safety and quality while maximising efficiency particularly during peak seasons.
Significant doubts remain as to whether the EU’s new deforestation workstream model will be sufficient to allay fears raised by palm oil producing nations, especially in relation to sustainability and smallholder farmers.
Singapore-based firm Prefer believes that its bean-free coffee alternative is ready for entry into the wider Asian market this year, banking on affordability, sustainability and customisation benefits to drive growth
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has launched a new food allergen labelling guidebook targeted at food and beverage manufacturers, importers and retailers to ease companies into newly-enforced regulatory requirements.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) believes that a recent Philippines acquisition and portfolio realignment in Indonesia stand it in good stead to capitalise on future growth in Asia Pacific.
South Korea is to increase inspections and analysis of shellfish and egg products in order to cut down the risks of food poisoning outbreaks, most notably of norovirus and salmonella.
Singapore-based beverage heavyweight Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) has predicted a challenging year ahead after reporting a near doubling in profits but a significant overall drop in revenue, citing ongoing inflation and soft consumer spending as key factors.
The South Korean government has plans to significantly boost the level of food safety assurance in the local food system by investing into facility and technological improvements for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) advancement.
Nestle Malaysia believes that the strength of its core brands such as KitKat and Maggi, as well as the advantages of its large local production operations, will serve it well in overcoming current ‘subdued’ consumer sentiment in the country.
Dietary supplements sales on the re-opened TikTok shop in Indonesia are struggling to get back to previous heights, despite other categories such as FMCG and beauty products soaring.
Increasing demand for heathier products coupled with manufacturing advances is giving pre-packaged avocado firm Freshcourt optimism to expand across Asia and the Middle East.
Global food and beverage giant Nestle has its eye on expanding its premium and healthy ageing product portfolios as it seeks to return to ‘normalised’ growth.
More than two thirds (68%) of food and drink businesses are optimistic about future growth, despite costs continuing to be a significant challenge, according to a survey by accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael.
Australian regulators have warned of the risks of purchasing supplements from overseas in its latest safety advisory for products containing Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).
The Chinese government’s new draft regulations governing the labelling of pre-packaged foods and beverages contains stricter guidelines, including mandating manufacturers to include clearer information on compound ingredients as well as more country of...
Japanese food and beverage giant Kirin Holdings has announced that it is implementing a fourth round of price hikes within the past 12 months in order to cope with current ‘difficult’ conditions, including production cost increases.
The South Korean government is looking to mandate label-free packaging for drinking water bottles, replacing this with a digital QR code system over the next two years.
The government of Vietnam has its eye on increasing food trade across various product categories with China, citing huge population demand for meat as well as ongoing successful fruit and vegetable trade relationships as notable drivers.
Confectionary giant Mondelez believes that inflation affecting cocoa and sugar, as well as ongoing political tensions in the Middle East are major challenges that it will need to overcome this year, despite having announced ‘record’ profits fror 2023.
The insect protein sector in Asia Pacific still has ‘much to learn’ from its plant-based counterpart when it comes to the development of regulations and policies palatable to both governments and consumers in the region.
Industry experts from the United States say Singapore is the top market for premium cheese in South East Asia, bucking the regional trend for processed products.
Beer giant Carlsberg Malaysia has renewed its commitment to investing into both its premium products strategy as well as e-commerce presence, despite seeing poorer year-on-year performances on both fronts in the last year.
The Japanese government has announced plans to implement more stringent standards for milk products that do not require chilling, meaning that exporters of these items will need additional certificates from the country of origin before being allowed into...
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has highlighted that cultivated meat still needs to meet a ‘more rigorous’ set of requirements to be halal-certified, even though it has been deemed potentially permissible for halal consumption.
Digitalisation in seafood needs to be implemented consistently across the entire supply chain, and not just aquaculture, in order to avoid the risks of lopsided growth and diminished efficiency, according to industry experts.
Hindustan Unilever India (HUL) has highlighted a continued focus on its premium strategy in order to sustain continued growth in the country, citing products such as Horlicks Plus as a major example.
A new technique that takes a chemical fingerprint of gin in seconds could hold 'huge potential' for the industry: allowing producers to create better and more consistent gins; enable regulators to detect fraudulent products; and even help create...
Thailand’s Tawandang Distillery believes that the use of scorched jasmine rice in its liquor products, and what it claims to be the ‘most-advanced’ distillery in the region will give it a competitive edge.
Food industry experts in Thailand remain optimistic over the potential of plant-based meat in the country despite slower-than-expected uptake, citing hybrid innovation as one of the growth opportunities.
Malaysian palm oil is likely to gain an edge in terms of exports to the United Kingdom thanks to the latter obtaining membership into the CPTPP and new acknowledgement of the South East Asian nation’s sustainability standards.
Ingredients firm Kalsec Inc. shortens its supply chain and diversifies raw materials sourcing via its new Finishing and Distribution Centre in Singapore.
Thailand is the latest market in South East Asia to implement new nutritional labelling policies for the food industry, with the authorities also issuing more stringent ‘science-based’ guidelines for on-pack health claims.
Thailand’s JD Food believes that coconut clusters are the snacking industry’s answer to demands for a perfect combination of healthy and affordability, having launched a dedicated brand to cater to consumer demand.
The Indonesian government is revising food packaging regulations in response to consumer and academic concerns over the presence of dangerous chemicals entering the food supply chain.
The ingredients division of the Dutch dairy co-op said its 2’-fucosyllactose ingredient has been approved for use in both infant formulas as well as young children products.
Vietnam has started to enforce its new nutrition labelling regulations, which will see some 40% of domestic manufacturers making on-pack changes over the next two years.
Philippines is set to replace a 33-year-old vitamins and minerals regulation which essentially reclassifies the category as food or dietary supplement, instead of the existing arrangement where it is categorised as either food or drug.
Saudi food manufacturing major Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO) seeks to raise operational and supply chain efficiencies through its newly built depot in Makkah, amid rising demand from neighbouring markets.
Nestle Singapore and upcycling specialist firm KosmodeHealth are looking at new product innovations with valorised ingredients in an effort to move forward with their award-winning upcycling collaboration.
China is seeking to tighten governance over the domestic dairy industry with specific standards to manage different types of milk available on supermarket shelves.
The cage-free egg sector in China has rapidly gained in popularity over the past year due to major support from both government and industry players as well as rising consumer demand.
Chinese dairy giant Yili believes that artificial intelligence (AI) in product innovation lies in formulation and efficiency improvements, but stresses it is no silver bullet to create good end-product results.
Brands in South Korea have been compelled to submit product nutritional information, which the government has used to update its national food database for processed goods.