JANUarY 2023

MEAT+POULTRY

Food technology company Steakholder Foods received a grant to develop 3D-printed seafood products, namely eel and grouper, with help from Umami Meats. The funds were granted from the Singapore Israel Industrial R&D Foundation, a cooperation between Enterprise Singapore and the Israel Innovation Authority.

FoodNavigator-Asia

A seafood supplier based in Christchurch, New Zealand, has launched a collagen ingredient derived from Ling maw ‘ the swim bladder of Ling.

FoodNavigator-Asia

More studies are required before lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bacteriocins can be commercialised as a natural alternative to antibiotics and chemical preservatives in meat, say researchers in India and Spain.

BakeryAndSnacks

Bakery and snack manufacturers are turning to whole grain alternatives, product diversity and supply chain resilience in 2023 to respond to ongoing market uncertainty and consumer consciousness.

BakeryAndSnacks

Following the results of a European study that reveals nutrition, health, taste and price lead dietary fibre needs, we explore how consumer perceptions and attitudes are evolving and shaping new product launches.

MEAT+POULTRY

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) issued a warning Dec. 5 telling consumers to avoid products formulated with titanium dioxide. The nanoparticles found in food-grade titanium dioxide may accumulate in the body and cause DNA damage and is one way chemicals cause cancer and other health problems, according to the group.

BeverageDaily

We investigate the hues on suppliers’ radars and ask about the factors driving these colour trends.

ConfectioneryNews

Thousands of vegan products, including confectionery, have been launched around the world during Veganuary to capitalise on the ever-increasing number of people taking on the pledge.

BeverageDaily

From energy drinks to alcohol-free beer, we take a look at some of the new products launching around the globe.

FoodNavigator-Asia

The Chinese government has launched strict draft standards to govern excessive food packaging in the country covering fruit, meat, egg and seafood products, allowing public comments on these until January 2023.

BeverageDaily

Beverage giant Yeo’s has reformulated its portfolio so that all products will contain less than 5% of sugar by 2023, in line with both consumer tastes and upcoming regulatory measures in Singapore.

FoodNavigator-Asia

We have spoken to major brands from across the Asia Pacific region to reveal the five top trends set to shape the food and beverage industry in 2023, including demands for convenient product formats, rising interest in spicy flavours, an affordability-driven focus and more.

Channel NewsAsia

Companies are racing to serve up innovative food offerings, as the country looks to become more food resilient.

Daily Tribune

The head of the country’s largest business organization, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has lauded the decision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to import 64,050 metric tons of refined sugar, although some groups have opposed it. “That was expected because we have heard that there’s a shortage. It is because the demand for sugar is peaking during the ‘ber’ months. So, it’s good,” said PCCI president George Barcelon in a telephone interview.

Channel NewsAsia

UglyFood, the local start-up with a stated mission to reduce food waste, is closing down close to seven years after its launch. The online grocer said it was winding up as it was “unable to raise the funds required to grow further”, in an Instagram post on Wednesday (Jan 4).

Straits Times

The service here was off to a slow start when it received only about 100 orders daily in its first four months of operations.

Straits Times

China will stop testing chilled and frozen foods for Covid-19 from Jan 8, according to a notice seen by Reuters and confirmed by the agency. China started testing chilled and frozen food imports for Covid in 2020.

BusinessWorld

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is set to launch a global sustainability agenda by the first quarter of next year as it commits to having sustainable business practices. “With our sustainability agenda in place, we are strengthening our efforts by looking at all areas of operations and markets and prioritizing aspects where we have the greatest impact,” JFC Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Jose Miñana said in a statement.

The Star

Domestic food producers are facing increased costs while trying to keep prices down to stimulate sales, say industry insiders and experts. Even with the Lunar New Year just around the corner, producers have been struggling to maintain sales.

FoodNavigator-Asia

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.

Nutra Ingredients-Asia

With South East Asia (SEA) one of the fastest-growing region for e-commerce, we speak to Amazon Singapore and e-commerce enabler firm CREA on the outlook and opportunities for health and nutrition brands in the e-commerce space.