Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

China defends its food safety to WHO

China has defended its food safety standards in a notice sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while another food safety official has been sent to prison for bribery charges.

Spirit brands drive Diageo profit growth

Diageo today forecast organic operating profit will increase by nine per cent in the current financial year after posting strong gains across the majority of its big brands, including Guinness.

Singapore nutritional testing lab to serve Asia

Manufacturers operating in Asia to export goods to the US will soon be able to send food samples to a new laboratory in Singapore, according to reports in local media.

Wine keeps Foster's in line for profit growth

Australian brewer Foster's has posted 4.7 per cent increase in sales to AUS$4.5bn (€2.6bn) for the full fiscal year as it continues to expand its operations outside of its core beer brands.

Amcor's results signal shift in packaging market

Armed with a $1bn (€604.2m) war chest, Amcor has signaled it is on the lookout for further acquisitions, indicating that the packaging industry's current round of consolidation is not about to end soon.

Dairy farming boom adds to processing woes

A number of leading dairy co-operatives worldwide have announced continuing rises in payouts to their suppliers and farmers as the cost of milk continues to surge.

China still top for manufacturing investment, study

China remains the number one location in which manufacturers plan to expand their operations, according to a new study by service consultants, Deloitte & Touche.

ABF to shake up China sugar industry with joint venture

Associated British Foods (ABF) has forged an agreement with Chinese sugar group Hebei Tian Lu, which is expected to revolutionise beet sugar production technology and boost yields.

SABMiller moves ahead with Chinese expansion

With the acquisition of four breweries in the country, SABMiller has signalled its intent to further expand into the Chinese beer market.

Weekly comment

Is it harsh? Is it fair? No it's a consumer watchdog

In 1993, it seemed superheroes had reached their lowest peak when Superman was slain by an unstoppable monster known as "Doomsday".

China-Biotics expands probiotics presence with ice cream deal

Probiotics manufacturer China-Biotics has signed an agreement with Chinese dairy firm Bright Dairy & Food to supply probiotics for its ice cream products, an application the companies claim is a first in China.

NZ officials dismiss aspartame-formaldehyde link

A link between the aspartame and formaldehyde by an organic group has been dismissed as scaremongering in a statement issued by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) this week.

Danone acts over Romanian dioxin fears

Danone has played down fears over the safety of some of its yoghurt products as it becomes the latest European company to be hit by concerns over possible dioxin contamination in guar gum.

Packaging mark to authenticate Chinese food

A new mark required on the packaging of Chinese food exports from next month will allow importers to tell certified products from fakes, according to food safety officials.

Codex date set for milk agenda talks

The latest round of talks designed to set out more international standards for the manufacturing of milk products will take place from 4 to 8 February in New Zealand, it emerged this week.

Coca-Cola confirms South Korean sale

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has this week confirmed the sale of its South Korean bottling division to local group LG Household & Health Care.

Cargill Q4 earnings climb 75 percent

Cargill has reported a surge in fourth quarter net earnings, reflecting an improved performance in the majority of the group's business units for the 2007 fiscal year.

New Zealand toasts wine export success

New Zealand's wine producers will be raising a glass to a successful 2007 after posting record annual exports sales of NZ$700m (€361m), a 36 per cent increase over last year.

Grolsch plans plunder down under

Dutch brewer Royal Grolsch hopes it can extend its in Australia's burgeoning imported beer market through a new distribution partnership in the country.

Anti-counterfeit technology for alcohol

Heat-shrink labels with integrated holograms will help the wine and spirits industry in the fight against counterfeiting and forgery, the manufacturers claim.

Anheuser-Busch launches skin balancing water worldwide

Global drinks company Anheuser-Busch has launched a new line of bottled water that will be marketed as an integral part of any skin care regime in a bid to make a side-step into the ever-growing skin care market.

Symrise targets Asian growth with research facility

Symrise is investing in understanding the flavour and nutrition needs of consumers in Asia with the 'dramatic' expansion of its regional Sensory and Consumer Science Center in Singapore.

New Zealand tests find pesticide residue levels are safe

Pesticide residues largely comply with legal limits, according to the results of food tests conducted by New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) published yesterday.

All Chinese exports to be checked from September

Samples from every Chinese food shipment to the US and other countries will be tested for safety under new requirements by Chinese officials from 1 September, according to senior Chinese trade official based in Washington.

New guide to advise on harmful pathogens

A new guide to microbiological food safety aims to help food processors eliminate the pathogens in fruit and vegetables that cause food-borne diseases such as E-coli, salmonella and cholera.

Nestle nourished by health aims

Nestle's drive to be a major health and nutrition player resulted in a strong first half fiscal performance for the company.

Solvay kicks off peracetic acid production in China

Solvay's first Chinese plant for a key chemical disinfectant used by the food industry is now fully operational, serving the growing Chinese market and spreading the international chemical group's global reach ever further.

Mitsui acquires share in Multigrain to secure food supplies

Japanese food group Mitsui is to acquire outstanding shares of Brazil-based Mltigrain, a move the firm says will help it meet growing demand for food throughout Asia.

Non-carbonated drinks drive Indian potential

The market for carbonated soft drinks in India has plummeted by about five per cent for a second year in the row as consumers in the country embrace non-carbonated alternatives, new research has found.

Economy x-ray inspects and detects

A new economy inspection system uses x-ray to check products for contaminants and other defects, its manufacturer claims.

Bread, rolls and biscuits markets set to grow by 2011

The global bread, rolls and biscuit markets are set to grow substantially by 2011, aided by demands for luxury products, according to two new reports from Datamonitor.

Weekly Comment

A helping hand to the confused consumer

Consumers are bombarded with an overload of nutritional advice and product marketing - be it from magazines, television shows, and product advertising - and without a degree in nutritional science, it's a wonder they can make sense of it at all.

Costs take toll on San Miguel's profitability

San Miguel's first half profits have taken a hit as it continues to diversify its operations into mining and power to offset uncertainty's in its core food and beverage brands.

Speirs Nutritionals targets Europe with omega-3

New Zealand group Speirs Nutritionals hopes a new omega-3 plant will help it branch into the European market and beyond, offering both EPA and DHA molecules into a range of food products.

The Philippines bans UK meat

The country today banned manufacturers from importing pork products from the UK, according to local news reports, as apprehension over foot and mouth (FMD) spreads across Asia.

Steam cooker enables even, safe processing

A new cooker injects steam into processed food during mixing to evenly distribute the heat, its manufacturer claims.

Carlsberg confident over full-year growth

Carlsberg today lifted its fiscal earning expectations for the second time this year on the back of a stronger than expected performance during the six month period up to June 30.

Climate concerns form over New Zealand dairy boom

As New Zealand's dairy industry continues to profit from increased prices, politicians have hit out at the environmental impacts of the resulting rise in production.

US pledges to help China tackle food safety

The US will help China improve the safety of its food and drug exports, the country's health chief said in a statement released in Beijing.

Fruit fibres offer novel encapsulators for bioactives

The use of natural fruit fibres to encapsulate bioactive compounds could offer a multipurpose functional food, and remove the need for maltodextrin for spray-drying, Australian scientists have reported.

Australian proposals target acrylamide and GM

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (Fsanz) is considering five new ingredients and additives for use by the food industry, the regulator announced today.

Weekly Comment

Reflections from IFT

As the dust settles on this year's IFT Food Expo 2007 in Chicago, health and wellness and food safety came through as the star performers, and drivers for the future of the industry.

Rising quality of life strengthens Chinese confectionery market

Greater demand, rising incomes and changing consumer habits make China a strong potential confectionery market, according to a new report.

Australian salt campaigners maintain pressure on food manufacturers

The Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH) has pledged its support to the AMA regarding its stance on the on-going debate surrounding public salt intake.

Latest China food safety developments

China's State Council has issued a special regulation, which intensifies control and supervision of food manufacturers and distributors, in a bid to improve food safety, according to Xinhua, the official news agency.

IBM study helps China supply chain management

A new study can help food manufacturers in China to improve their supply chain management, according to its author.

Joint venture to build Chinese soybean plant

A new soybean processing plant is to be built in China through a partnership between the state and a US company.