Industry Trends

August 2022

See what has been happening in Asia’s food and beverage industries over the last weeks. What are experts and industry magazines talking about?

What has been happening?

ASEAN’s bubble tea consumption, New low-calorie sweetener, 3D printed food a nutritious solution to growing population and climate concerns, and more. Find out what journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Industry Articles

Southeast Asians spend US$3.66 billion on bubble tea annually: Study
Colors of India

Bubble tea lovers in Southeast Asia spend US$3.66 billion a yr on the beverage and related “new tea” drinks, with Singapore having the very best spending energy regardless of its smallest inhabitants among the many area’s six key markets.
Low-calorie sweetener could promote microbiome health, experts uncover
Food IngredientsFIrst News

A new low-calorie sweetener made from mogrosides and galactooligosaccharides may offer the same effects as artificial sweeteners with none of the negative consequences such as increased appetite or weight gain while feeding a healthy gut, according to a new study.
Researchers peg 3D printed food as nutritious solution to growing population and climate concerns
Food IngredientsFIrst News

To address food supply concerns, a Singapore University of Technology and Design research team is developing a systematic and effective 3D food printing technique to serve alternative protein sources like algae, plants and insects.
'Meat is not the enemy': Why the plant-based sector might not be the future of protein – Growth Asia Summit
FoodNavigator-Asia

One of Australia’s leading nutrition experts and senior CEOs will be making the case for meat at our forthcoming Growth Asia Summit, in the wake of an explosion of interest in the plant-based protein sector.
‘Cooking oil made by fermentation…’ Zero Acre Farms unveils 'cultured oil' boasting high smoke point and ‘clean, neutral taste’
BakeryAndSnacks

Bay area startup Zero Acre Farms – which is deploying microbial fermentation to produce oils and fats it claims can outperform rivals in the nutrition and sustainability stakes ‘ has launched direct to consumer with a ‘cultured’ cooking oil boasting a 485˚F smoke point, ‘clean, neutral taste,’ ultra-high levels of healthy monounsaturated fat and under 3% linoleic acid (omega-6).
Titanium dioxide substitute inspired by ‘brilliantly white’ beetle: ‘The pigment is 100% cellulose, nothing else’
BakeryAndSnacks

Cambridge University spin-out Impossible Materials has developed a cellulose-based, white pigment to replace titanium dioxide in food applications. FoodNavigator catches up with CEO Lukas Schertel to find out how.
Key corporations sign up to AI-driven scanner to evaluate coffee, dairy, grains, herbs, spices & liquids
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Singapore-based start-up ProfilePrint is collaborating with industry giants – representing more than 50% of international food trade – to create a global standard in food grading, to predict the quality and profile of food ingredients using AI technology.
Here’s one way of making vegan cheese without soy or cashew nuts...
The Malay Mail Online

How would you like a plant-based protein powder Babybel? The Bel Group, which owns major cheese brands like the Laughing Cow, plans to use a new ingredient derived from biomass fermentation to produce a vegan alternative to its traditional cheese recipes. And it doesn’t involve soy or cashew nuts. Rehydrating cashews or blending soy yogurt with olive oil and tofu are the two main recipes for making dairy-free cheese.
‘Enforcing nutrition’: Malaysia formally updates zero alcohol beverage rules amid spate of labelling updates
BeverageDaily

The Malaysian government has formally gazetted new restrictions on the labelling of zero alcohol beverages, and updated specific ingredient contents and nutrition claims for all food and beverages Attachments:.
Marcos may allow food manufacturers to directly import sugar
BusinessWorld

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is looking into the possibility of allowing food manufacturers to directly import sugar amid tight domestic supply and high prices. At the same time, the country’s biggest beverage manufacturers on Tuesday admitted they were having difficulty securing enough supply of premium refined sugar for their products.
Multi-purpose food processing center launched for Samal MSMEs
BusinessWorld

A food processing facility equipped with various machinery has been opened in Samal to boost micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the island, where the economy is driven by agriculture and tourism. The Samal Island Mini Food Processing Center was built through the Department of Trade and Industry’s shared service facilities program in partnership with the local government, and Samal Island City College.
SFA lifts suspension for all 9 kueh manufacturers after third-party tests show current products meet preservative guidelines
Channel NewsAsia

All nine kueh manufacturers initially sanctioned last month by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) over the improper use of preservatives have had their suspensions lifted. 
China’s Silicon Valley of Dairy: Yili opens “world’s largest” infant formula production base
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Chinese dairy giant Yili has inaugurated its new global Smart Manufacturing Industrial Park launch ceremony in Hohhot, China. With the goal of building the “Silicon Valley” of milk-based products, Yili aims to establish a region that will serve as a global hub for the dairy and health industries.
ADM-backed ScaleUp Bio accelerator poised to grow precision fermentation start-ups in Singapore
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Signaling a new wave of activity in the precision fermentation space, agri-food giant ADM has linked up with Asia Sustainable Foods Platform in a joint venture company, ScaleUp Bio. Based in Singapore, the new firm will operate a new pilot laboratory for start-ups engaging in precision fermentation for food applications, helping them to propel innovation rapidly.
Thailand regulates GMO food labels to boost consumer transparency
Food IngredientsFIrst News

The government in Thailand has updated food labeling regulation which forces food firms to declare genetically modified substances (GMO). “The clear assertion ‘genetically modified’ should be declared together with the title of the meals on the label if the product comprises just one ingredient, and if it makes use of a number of these substances, these should even be clearly declared along with every ingredient,” says Dr.
‘Fantastic opportunity?’: Singapore functional food firm Asmara’s founder reveals that MNC is circling
FoodNavigator-Asia

Singapore functional food firm Asmara has acknowledged that an MNC hopes to acquire the company, with three businesses in total keen to snap it up.
Securing Indonesia’s food safety: Government tightens rules for heavy metal contamination in processed foods
FoodNavigator-Asia

The Indonesian government has announced new, more rigorous regulations to control heavy metal contamination in processed foods within the local food supply, in response to rising consumer concerns.
Plant-based for Thais: Let’s Plant Meat launches new products to meet inflation-driven rising demand
FoodNavigator-Asia

Thai plant-based meat firm Let’s Plant Meat has launched a wave of new Thai-focused plant-based meat and seafood products to meet rising demand in the region, which the firm says is being driven by both consumer health awareness and rising meat prices.
Thai cannabis teething troubles: Authorities vow tough approach to food products amid THC concerns
FoodNavigator-Asia

The Thai authorities have stressed that stringent control measures will be enforced as more food and beverage firm seeks to use cannabis-derived ingredients, amid claims that 30% of products contain higher than permitted tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels.
Marcos wants improved coordination on food production, distribution
Manila Bulletin

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. highlighted the importance of better coordination mechanisms between the national and local governments in the area of food supply.
Vietnam, Poland want to step up food trade
Nhan Dan

The Vietnam Chamber of Industry and Trade (VCCI) in Ho Chi Minh City partnered with the Embassy of Poland in Vietnam to host a networking event in food and beverage to boost trade between the two countries.

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