US-based food giant General Mills has agreed to acquire the food brands of Pune-based ready-to-cook spices and sauces maker Parampara Food Products, the company announced at the end of last week.
Developing demographic-specific formulations and validating health claims must be a focus for probiotic manufacturers targeting Asian markets, according to an industry analyst.
Shanxi-based Deyu Agriculture has developed a new line of MSG-free, easy-cook noodles that will enable it to delve into an unknown yet lucrative fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in China.
Developing non-MSG, better-for-you instant noodles will surge market value in China’s commoditised market sector, according to Mintel research director.
Chr Hansen recorded an 11% surge in sales across Asia Pacific in its H1 results, with natural colours proving strong for business; underpinned by a cultural dietary heritage favouring healthy food choice, according to CEO of the company.
Aiming to garner a higher share of the Indian ready-to-eat (RTE), frozen foods markets, McCain Foods is further strengthening its product range to cater to Indian tastes and sensibilities.
Givaudan’s sturdy presence in China and Japan has helped secure strong Q1 results for its flavour division; with a 9.4% sales increase in Asia Pacific markets.
The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has become the first to ban the sale and manufacture of Gutkha products, the traditional and increasingly controversial form of edible tobacco.
Coca-Cola has been driving growth across Japan in 2011 with NPDs and expanded distribution channels; its latest tea product is set to carve an entirely new product category in the local market, the company said.
Amazon has prohibited the sale of shark, whale and dolphin food products from its Japanese site and placed an explicit warning on its main site, in response to ongoing pressure from environmental groups.
Following a US$32m investment in Singapore, Japanese flavour giant Takasago International has turned its attention to India and has invested a further US$10m to build a flavour and fragrance manufacturing and R&D facility in the South of the country.
Indian’s health ministry is all set to ban gutkha, pan masala, and other edible forms of tobacco on the basis of a ruling last year by the country’s Supreme Court.
Indians are slowly weaning themselves away from milk, which has long been the favoured drink of both urban and rural customers, a new survey has revealed.
In an attempt to combat the sharp rise in obesity-related ailments in India, the national government is planning to reduce trans fatty acid (TFA) content in vanaspati oil over the next couple of years.
Thai trade authorities are working closely with local food manufacturers to set up a halal food industrial estate in the south of the country, a region with a large Muslim population.
After being put on the backburner in October last year, it appears that the joint venture between Nestlé and Coca-Cola for the ready-to-drink (RTD) tea segment in India has been put permanently on ice.
Swiss flavour and fragrance giant, Firmenich, will be able to better serve Southeast Asia’s market as it will be closer to clients and consumers with its new flavour production facility in Indonesia, according to the company.
French flavour manufacturer, Aromatech, has formed a joint venture with a large Chinese flavour and fragrance company in a bid to better access China’s domestic food and beverages sector.
The Chinese green snacks market will triple in value from 1.2 billion yuan (US$190 million) in 2010 to 3.6bn Chinese yuan (US$570 million) by 2014, according to research from the University of Science & Technology in Beijing.
The western state of Gujarat has passed one of the most stringent laws in India against illicit liquor, as the death toll from consumption of the toxic ‘hooch’ in the eastern state of West Bengal reaches 170.
Taiwanese marine specialist, Sea Party Technology, is adding to a MYR2bn investment ($600m), in Malaysia to breed fish and prawns for the halal community – with government backing.
Japan’s alcoholic beverage market is shrinking and sluggish according to a Datamonitor report, but analysts have noted opportunity in the growing alcohol-free sector due to consumer focus on drink driving laws.
India-based ADF Foods is investing heavily in extending production capacity as it looks to expand aggressively in the domestic as well as international markets on the back of growing demand for ready-to-eat foods.
After banking on the cola as the main driver of its growth in India for two decades, PepsiCo is changing focus to push more healthy foods in the market, chief amongst which is Quaker oats, its breakfast cereal product.
Foreign firms are the biggest players in a rapidly growing chocolate confectionery market in China – but a fragmented market means there are opportunities for smaller companies, according to a new report from Datamonitor.
Drinks manufacturers need to be strategic to succeed in the struggling Japanese market, paying attention to the trend for gourmet and healthier beverages and the younger generation’s preferences, according to an industry report.
A Norwegian research project is underway to identify flavours from marine bioprospecting that could be used as a source for seafood flavouring in the Chinese noodle market.
A fast changing Indian market, which is being boosted by rising income levels, has opened up the ready-to-eat, frozen foods segment in the country for players like McCain Foods India.
Innovative new products, a strong focus on health and wellness, and regional dairy tastes were all on the agenda at FI India in Mumbai this week - and FoodNavigator-Asia's journalists were there, taking stock of what the latest trends mean for the...
Indian awareness of lactose intolerance is growing rapidly, leading consumers to seek reduced reduced lactose and lactose-free products without compromising on taste, according to a Novozymes South Asia executive.
Intra-regional finesse is a necessity not a luxury when it comes to doing business in the many markets of the Asia-Pacific, as leading suppliers Chr Hansen and Danisco relayed at the recent Vitafoods Asia trade show in Hong Kong.
There is a huge range in taste preferences within Southeast Asia, so being immersed in the market is essential for meeting regional customer requirements, according to Asia-focussed flavour company KH Roberts.
Indian consumers are increasingly aware of environmental and sustainability practices in the food industry but are unable to afford eco-friendly goods, according to a Nielsen survey.
Thai distribution company Rama Production Co. Ltd. has said it intends to launch its own ingredient for improved texture, binding and cost reductions in meat, seafood and bakery products, after more than 25 years in the food ingredient distribution business.
Regional preferences in Asia are not just confined to taste, textural preferences are also an important part of new product development, according to an Asia Pacific specialist at CP Kelco.
International wine manufacturers should look to cultural preferences for niche and premium red wines to be successful in China, according to an industry analyst.
In an attempt to rebrand its pitch to Indian customers who are yet to transition towards healthier food products, Nestle India Ltd has phased out its existing probiotic dahi (curd) product in India for a new brand.
Improving rice yields is a major challenge in India today but a high quality grain needs to be a key focus of rice breeding efforts, according to a spokesperson at Bayer CropScience.
Malaysian halal food makers have a number of opportunities in China's food market, especially in the Muslim population provinces, a statement from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said.
Food manufacturers in India may have to gradually reduce the salt content in their packaged food products if a proposal from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is accepted as a standard.
Food and beverage makers should be prepared to move away from the conventional marketing strategies when it comes to countries like India and China, a white paper from UK-based Healthy Marketing Team said.
India has more than 175 million Muslim people but still does not have access to many Halal products from reputed brands, prompting Intertek to expand its services in India to include Halal certification of food products.
DKSH Holdings Ltd, the Swiss market expansion services group, has invested in a new innovation centre in Thailand as part of an initiative to introduce new concepts and ingredients to the local confectionery and bakery industry.
CSM has opened a new facility for dry bakery mixes and mixes in China, which will allow it to step up capacity to meet demand from Asia and better serve local tastes.
Spice maker McCormick reported a 13 percent rise in its first quarter earnings, boosted by cost savings and strong domestic and Asian sales, the company said on Tuesday.
Long term growth for probiotic products in China will require considerable market education, according to Chr. Hansen, which is showcasing an anti-constipation concept containing its BB-12 strain Food Ingredients China this month.
As the world’s most populous nation with a strong economy, China is an attractive target for food manufacturers and their suppliers - but they cannot operate effectively in the region without a local presence, according to Torben Friis Lange, AAK vice...
Danish food ingredient supplier Palsgaard is building a new US $30m emulsifier factory in Asia, with production scheduled to start in the second half of 2012.
Increasing demand for western style pastries in Thailand is behind ingredients supplier Unifine’s goal to expand its presence in that market this year.
