February 2024

Alcohol-free wine has been slower to take off than alcohol-free beer. Why is this – and are there signs that the category’s fortunes are changing?

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.

Rising consumer demand for healthier options is driving the fat and oil sector toward developing low-fat solutions and products with minimal processing and fewer chemicals. As the food industry moves toward greater personalization, manufacturers are reshaping the idea of fats and oils in daily diets while innovating and adapting to address the growing consumer demand for sustainable and versatile edible products, enabling brands to stand out in a competitive market.

Cacao fruit, or cocoa fruit, is drawn from the same pod as cocoa beans. Normally thrown away, the juice, pulp and peel of the pod can be used as a sweetener in a range of products. Across Europe and beyond, cacao fruit has appeared recently in a range of beer and wine products.

Research revealing bees’ ability to synthesise specific nutrients, to support the colonisation of their gut bacteria, offers insights into the symbiotic relationship they have with their gut microbiota. But changes to their habitat is placing this delicate relationship, and potentially the link between our greatest pollinators and food production, in danger.

With climate change exacerbating water stress and scarcity, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is backing new tech solutions to help future-proof the beverage industry.

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.

China’s recent removal of tariffs on all dairy products from New Zealand, including milk powder used for both general consumption and processing to infant formula, could spell huge potential for brands that have a strong focus on quality and sustainability.

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.

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.

Food Navigator Asia

Finnish food company Fazer has launched the world’s first chocolate made using ‘protein out of thin air’ in Singapore, citing its high iron and fibre content as attractive for vegan and health-conscious consumers.

Food Ingredients First

China has expanded its foray into genetically modified (GM) crops in a move to enhance food security. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA) recently approved the domestic production of a new batch of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), indicating a strategic shift toward self-reliance in food production and a reduction in import dependency.

Food Navigator Asia

Nestle Vietnam is banking on the rising demand for convenient beverage options in the country to drive the growth of its newest Nescafe format innovation, a ready-to-serve liquid concentrate.

Food Navigator Asia

The general public and experts in Singapore have raised several concerns over the consumption of cultivated meat, while also acknowledging it can play a crucial role in the City State’s food security efforts.

The Korean Herald

Orion, a South Korean confectionery manufacturer, said Friday that it has teamed up with Vietnam National University of Agriculture in a bid to secure quality raw materials for its snack production in Vietnam.

Food Navigator Asia

The Asia Pacific insect protein industry will need a substantial amount of both big brand and retailer support alongside regulatory developments in order to move past its longstanding ‘nascent’ status towards more mainstream progress.

Food Navigator Asia

Better-for-you beverages fortified with minerals such as calcium need to ensure a smooth mouthfeel and taste to meet rising demand from older consumers in APAC.

Food Ingredients First

Guming Holdings and Mixue Group, two of China’s biggest beverage makers renowned for their crowd-pleasing bubble teas, have both recently filed for initial public offerings (IPOs) in Hong Kong to mark the beginning of 2024. Guming, positioned as China’s second-largest bubble tea chain, is focused on expanding its store base and investing in technology to enhance operational efficiency.