November 2022

Food IngredientsFIrst

Mealworms and crickets are edging closer to EU plates following the latest round of approvals, as commercialization of alternative products containing protein-packed insects is on the horizon in Europe. According to the insect umbrella organization backing the burgeoning industry, products could be available as soon as next year, unlocking a whole ranch of nutritional, sustainable food.

BusinessWorld

Food importers from Africa to Asia are scrambling for dollars to pay their bills as a surge in the US currency drives prices even higher for countries already facing a historic global food crisis. In Ghana, importers are warning about shortages in the run up to Christmas. Thousands of containers loaded with food recently piled up at ports in Pakistan, while private bakers in Egypt raised bread prices after some flour mills ran out of wheat because it was stranded at customs.

BeverageDaily

From cocktails to coffee, we take a look at some of the new beverage launches around the globe.

FoodNavigator-USA

Could ‘carbon neutral’ claims land food & beverage brands in legal hot water, even where they are certified by a third party such as the Carbon Trust? FoodNavigator-USA asked attorneys to weigh in after Danone Waters America found itself at the receiving end of a lawsuit.

DairyReporter

A science breakthrough could pave the way for fat-free whipping cream formulations that completely dispense with artificial additives by using naturally-occurring lactic acid bacteria instead of fat.

Food IngredientsFIrst

A microbial protein-rich powder containing all the essential amino acids and tipped as one of the most significant alternative proteins for future food has received approval to be used across various food applications in Singapore. This greenlight paves the way for further approvals worldwide, according to Pasi Vainikka, the scientist behind Solein, who speaks with FoodIngredientsFirst about the regulatory “breakthrough.

FoodNavigator-Asia

Ensuring that brand focus is maintained after joining a larger company is crucial to sustain and boost growth, according to sugar replacement start-up Swiftlet which has become part of Vietnamese conglomerate Senix Health Group.

FoodNavigator-Asia

The Thai government has announced new regulatory edicts specifying tighter regulatory control over the use of hemp and CBD in food and seasonings, just three months after announcing the decriminalisation of cannabis in the country.

FoodNavigator-Asia

China has expanded efforts to eliminate excessive packaging with rules now covering more food categories, in addition to implementing a multi-ministerial governance system to regulate the supply chain.

MEAT+POULTRY

The food tech companies direct their sights to Singapore as their first market. Dutch food tech company Meatable announced a partnership with ESCO Aster, a commercially licensed cultivated meat manufacturer, as part of an international expansion to Singapore. The companies plan to launch a new cultivated pork product in restaurants in Singapore by 2024.

The Malay Mail Online

The Health Ministry (MOH) through the Nutrition Division will implement a food calorie labelling pilot project in restaurants and cafeterias early next year to assess the feasibility of a menu labelling policy in Malaysia. Its minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said for a start, it will be introduced in restaurants in Putrajaya besides MOH and ministry cafeterias as well as fast-food restaurant chains.

Daily Tribune

The Department of Agriculture recognizes organic agriculture as a key element in enhancing food production in the country and protecting the country’s natural resources. During the 8th Organic Agriculture Month this week, DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Zamzamin Ampatuan emphasized the need to solidify this status by boosting the DA’s support for organic agriculture in the country.

Food IngredientsFIrst

Mosa Meat is launching in the Asian market through Singapore, while partnering with local manufacturing organization Esco Aster. The company plans to bring its cultured beef to the city-state market in less than a year.

FoodNavigator-Asia

The Indonesian government is to establish what will become the nation’s largest sugar company by 2028, aiming to seize control of the local sugar market in the same way it dominates the palm oil sector.

FoodNavigator-Asia

Reformulation and new production development of dairy products, dried foods, bakery and snacks, along with beverages, are driving stevia growth in China and the wider Asia Pacific region, claims global ingredient firm Tate & Lyle.

FoodNavigator-Asia

China’s plant-based and cultured meat market is getting increasingly competitive, but industry collaboration and product localisation are going to be crucial if it is to become more ‘relevant’ to consumers.