Industry Trends

September 2024

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?

Natural vs added sugars: Here’s how they differ, and what they do to our bodies, Feline flavors: Scientists use cats as “taste testers” to elevate pet food appeal, Nature-based ingredients and functionality drive clean label emulsifier innovation, and more. Find out what journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Industry Articles

Natural vs added sugars: Here's how they differ, and what they do to our bodies
The Malay Mail Online

Ever wondered why the sweetness of a juicy apple feels different from the sugar in a sugary snack bar? The sugar in fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products is naturally occurring, accompanied by a wealth of beneficial nutrients but, added sugars — those incorporated during food processing or added in cooking, have a different impact on health.
Feline flavors: Scientists use cats as “taste testers” to elevate pet food appeal
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Researchers in China have attempted to improve cat food by using a panel of feline taste testers to identify favored flavor compounds in chicken liver-based sprays used as pet food attractants. The findings revealed a preference for more free amino acids, responsible for “savory and fatty flavors,” over commercially available cat food attractants.
Nature-based ingredients and functionality drive clean label emulsifier innovation
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Chemical emulsifiers have been scrutinized for years as consumers become more conscious about what they eat, where it comes from and how it is made. This demand is driving innovation for natural, plant-based emulsifiers with clean labels as brands and manufacturers formulate F&B products with the correct functionality (centering on helping water and oil to blend as well as boosting texture) while still appealing to today’s mindful consumer base.
Howtian unveils SoPure Dorado amid push for alternative stevia ingredients
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Howtian has launched its SoPure Dorado, the latest innovation in natural sweeteners designed to meet the rising demand for minimally processed, plant-based products.
Morinaga Milk tackles Japan’s healthy ageing needs with functional food innovation
FoodNavigator-Asia

Morinaga Milk Industry has launched a series of functional foods across yogurt, sachet powder, milk formula, and fermented drinks to support the nutritional needs of Japan’s rapidly ageing population.
“Snackification” and the experience economy drive Mondelēz’s latest food forays
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Global snacking sales are burgeoning, with projections of continual growth for the next three years. Another promising category is beverages, where younger consumer cohorts drive many innovation trends such as “snackification” with their increasingly fluid lifestyles, according to Mondelēz’s global licensing lead Christopher Callanan.
Commentary: Think healthy foods holistically when it comes to Nutri-Grade
Channel NewsAsia

Amid plans to extend front-of-pack nutrition labelling to key contributors of sodium and saturated fat in our diet, it’s worth thinking about whether notions of “healthy” and “unhealthy” foods are outdated, says Republic Polytechnic’s Dr Heng Kiang Soon.
Garden of growth: Nongshim plant-based brand Veggie Garden maintains optimism for sector’s ASEAN future
FoodNavigator-Asia

South Korean food giant Nongshim remains optimistic for the prospects of its plant-based meat alternative brand Veggie Garden, believing that the sector still has a bright future in the South East Asian region and especially Thailand.
Push to profitability: Asahi sees major growth in local non-alcoholic beverages and ASEAN region despite Oceania decline
BeverageDaily

Japan beverage giant Asahi has seen significant growth in its RTD alcoholic beverages category as well as the South East Asian market as major contributors to profitability over the past six months, despite negative impacts from Oceania sales.
The Right to Food: Asia’s path to ensuring a sustainable future
BusinessWorld

The right to food is a fundamental human right recognized internationally. It ensures that every individual has access to adequate food that is nutritious and safe, enabling a healthy and active life. This right is not merely about ensuring enough food to avoid hunger but extends to providing sustainable access to diverse, culturally appropriate, and nutritious food sources.
Symrise expands Beijing R&D hub to boost F&B innovation and market reach in North China
Food IngredientsFIrst News

Symrise has opened a new food and beverage lab facility in Beijing, China, investing €1.5 million (US$1.6 million) to serve the area’s dynamic and rapidly growing consumer base.
Dangerous trio: Are Malaysians overindulging in sugar, salt, and oil?
The Malay Mail

The excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and oil has become a significant health concern in recent years, contributing to Malaysia’s rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Thanks to our vibrant gastronomy and to-die-for flavours, Malaysian street food offers a temptation that is hard to resist but often comes with hidden health hazards. Many recent studies have found that the local street fare is frequently high in sugar, salt, and oil.
Overlooked information: Why understanding nutrition labels is vital for Malaysians amid rising chronic diseases

Malay Mail

With approximately 2.3 million Malaysian adults, or about 10 per cent of the population, living with three non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 by the Health Ministry underscores the urgent need for dietary awareness. The top four prevalent NCDs — obesity (54.4 per cent), high cholesterol (33.3 per cent), hypertension (29.2 per cent), and diabetes (15.

Six fascinating facts about Mi Sedaap, Malaysia’s favourite instant noodle brand

The Malay Mail Online

Mi Sedaap, also popularly known as Mee Sedap or Mie Sedap, is a beloved instant noodle brand from Indonesia. They have captured the hearts of noodle enthusiasts worldwide with their diverse flavours and unique culinary touches. Known for their high-quality ingredients and distinctive crispy onion toppings, Mi Sedaap offers a delightful taste experience that sets them apart from other brands.

Over 1,600 food companies, factories apply for GACC

Global New Light Of Myanmar

A total of 1,608 Myanmar food processing companies and factories have submitted over 3,253 applications to the General Administration of Customs […].

Singapore’s HaruPlate looks to fill gap in healthy snacks for children amid ‘pervasive’ nutrition issues

FoodNavigator-Asia

Singapore-based HaruPlate aims to fill gaps in the better-for-you snacks category, targeting children’s nutrition needs and parents’ pain points through reformulation of existing products and development of fortified treats.

Safety First: Singapore insect-based food regulations, AI for safe food grading, South Korea antimicrobial animal exports and more feature in our round-up

FoodNavigator-Asia

Singapore insect-based food regulations, AI for safe food grading, South Korea antimicrobial animal exports and more feature in this edition of Safety First.

In focus: Can Asia’s AI-powered productivity drink find a niche in the market?

FoodNavigator-Asia

Singapore-based Flojo believes that it has found a sweet spot in Asia’s beverage market with an AI-powered ‘productivity drink’ targeting consumers who regularly use a lot of brain power.

Singapore insect approval to bolster sustainable proteins but mainstream adoption will take time, says scientist

Food IngredientsFIrst

The Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA) recent permission to import insects and insect products belonging to species of “low regulatory concern” marked a significant chapter in the country’s food sector, which depends highly on food imports.

Products from Thailand’s Central Food Retail Group to hit FairPrice shelves from November

Straits Times

FairPrice house brand products and consumer brands will also be made available in CFG’s over 700 retail outlets across Thailand.

Vietnam should learn from international experience before raising beverage tax

Vietnam Investment Review

Vietnam has been urged to learn from other countries to prevent a shock to businesses and ensure a balance of interests before it raises taxes on alcohol.

Vietnam Proposes Improve Food Safety Standards

Food Poisoning News

Amendments to Vietnam’s Food Safety Law have been proposed by the country’s Ministry of Health (MOH) to address emerging challenges in food safety management, particularly focusing on small-scale food producers. These changes aim to reduce food poisoning incidents and improve overall food safety standards.

Japanese beverage maker Suntory aims to open new plant in Vietnam in Oct 2025

Theinvestor.vn

Japan-based brewing and distilling firm Suntory, a partner in Vietnam-based Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage Co. Ltd., aims to open a new factory in Vietnam in October 2025.

Morinaga Nutritional Foods Vietnam unveils innovative product line

Retail Asia

Morinaga Nutritional Foods Vietnam (MNFV), a key subsidiary of the Morinaga Milk Industry Group, has launched an array of advanced products tailored for the Vietnamese market. It leverages Morinaga Milk’s extensive experience and advanced technologies to drive market innovation.

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Food Trends – July 2024

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Food Trends – June 2024

Food Trends – June 2024

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