Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Bacardi acquires New Zealand vodka producer 42 Below

Bacardi has acquired New Zealand based vodka exporter 42 Below in a NZ$138m (€70m) deal that will elevate the status of the company in the export market.

Pan Sino establishes Singapore's largest cocoa bean plant

Cocoa bean producer Pan Sino International has announced plans to build Singapore's largest cocoa processing plant, increasing cocoa bean supply for manufacturers.

Healthy China may combine Finnish food tech and traditional medicine

Finnish functional food companies may find new partners and markets with a scheme that aims to help prevent lifestyle diseases in China with the input of expertise from Finland.

Multi-lane aseptic machine packs low-acid foods

A new machine for the aseptic packaging low acid food products can handle a range of products atthe same time.

Chinese purchase makes Indian gelatine maker world number 2

Sterling Biotech has emerged as the world's second largest gelatine producer after making its first international foray to acquire the gelatine manufacturing facility of Chinese firm China Gelatin.

Danisco presents new healthy concept 'Candice Heaven'

Ingredients company Danisco launches new concept out of its Singapore office allowing processors to take advantage of the new health trends in the market.

New nutrition labelling for McDonalds Australia

McDonalds Australia is setting new standards for fast food producers by increasing nutritional labeling on products with Percentage Daily Intake (%DI).

Isomalt achieves Novel Food approval from China

The sugar replacer Isomalt has become the first non-Chinese food to pass the Novel Food approval process set by the Chinese Ministry of Health, according to maker Palatinit.

Weekly comment

When vegetables become victims

The demonisation of spinach following last week's E.coli outbreak could give salad-dodgers the excuse they have been looking for to skimp on their recommended five to nine portions of fruit and veg a day. Without communication and a united front from industry, a longer-term public health crisis could be on the cards.

Cargill launches new textured soy protein

Cargill is launching a new soy protein in order to consolidate its position in the growing soy and meat-free market.

Rosemary packaging extends meat shelf life

Spanish researchers have found a way to keep meat looking pink and fresh on the shelf, withoutthe use of carbon monoxide.

Food scientists burrow deeper into industry issues

Food scientists are burrowing down into the molecular level of processing, finding new solutionsto industry's manufacturing problems, according to organisers here at a conference.

Fears mount over possible rice contamination in the Philippines

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace is warning that the food supply in the Philippines could be at risk from illegal GM rice contamination originating in the US and China, with potentially damaging costs to manufacturers in extraction.

Rousselot solidifies position in Chinese gelatin market

Rousselot has acquired a fourth gelatin plant in China in order to satisfy increasing demand within the Asian food market.

Fluoridated water creates new opportunities for bottled water players

A new application to add fluoride to bottled water is set to have a significant impact on the bottled water industry, allowing producers to cash in on the current health trend and offer consumers fluoridated water for the first time.

Thailand sees GM as key to rising threat from Chinese agriculture

Thailand is likely to start developing genetically modified crops in order to maintain its competitive edge in the global food export business, said an official from a government science body last week.

Vietnam 'star performer' for functional food ingredients

Vietnam, one of the fastest-growing economies in south-east Asia, is proving to be one of the most attractive markets for producers of vitamins and minerals.

Purac creates calcium for Asia's soymilk makers

Dutch lactic acid firm Purac is developing a product to fortify soymilks with calcium, helping companies offer a better alternative to milk.

New food poisoning case hits China

Almost 300 people were hospitalized in Shanghai last week, after suspected food poisoning by pork containing a banned animal feed additive, the state media Xinhua reported on Friday.

Cargill targets higher sales in Asia

US agri-giant Cargill is setting up new offices in Asia to boost sales of its sweetener brands in fast-growing markets.

Is China key to restarting global agriculture talks?

China could play a vital role in the resumption of the Doha Round of trade talks, according to the World Economic Forum's China Business Summit 2006.

China trade summit opens up opportunities

The third EU-China Business Summit in Helsinki was designed to strengthen economic cooperation between the two blocs, a move that will have a significant impact on Europe's food industry.

APV expands manufacturing in China

APV's automated processing equipment, used especially by the dairy, brewing and beverages sectors, will become less expensive for Chinese customers, the firm has promised, as it opens a new manufacturing plant near Shanghai.

Soya beverages evolve to reach mainstream market

Soya beverage makers are using more subtle marketing of their key ingredient and merging with more traditional segments like juice and dairy in a bid to bring their products into the mainstream, according to industry experts.

So Natural profits rise but energy drinks below target

So Natural Foods, the Australian maker of soy and rice drinks, reported improved performance during 2005 but sales of its celebrity-backed energy drink are still below target.

Healthy opportunity in Asian ingredients sector

Healthy ingredients, a must-have for any ingredient supplier these days, are just as relevant in Asia as western markets, say companies exhibiting at this week's Fi-Asia in Bangkok.

Purple bread to hit Asian markets

A purple-coloured bread that is rich in antioxidants looks set to reach Asia-Pacific markets thanks to an innovative formulation developed by Singapore-based Spectrum Ingredients.

Thai food exports on the rise

Thailand's food exports will increase significantly next year thanks to improvements in product quality, as well as improving economies in its main export markets, predicts the government-backed National Food Institute (NFI).

Falling sugar prices hit Australia's CSR

CSR, Australia's largest sugar producer, downgraded its profit forecast last week, blaming falling global prices and adverse weather for an anticipated downturn.

Yili expands milk powder production

China's biggest dairy group Yili will build a CNY208 million (€20.7m) milk powder factory in northwest China, it revealed last week.

China to start making ice wine

China's biggest wine producer Changyu has set up an alliance with Canadian ice wine maker Aolos to build what is expected to be the largest ice wine estate in the world.

South Korea lifts ban on US beef

South Korea has lifted a ban on US beef in place since 2003 because of an outbreak of mad cow disease.

China to revise infant formula standards

China's food authorities are revising standards on infant formula in the light of recent research into infant nutrition.

New Mengniu products boost first half profits

Mengniu, China's biggest producer of liquid milk, said yesterday first-half profit jumped 39 per cent to CNY343.4 million (€33.7m) thanks to new value-added products and a greater share of the milk market.

South Korea recalls contaminated farm produce

South Korea has begun to recall tons of agricultural produce grown on land near disused mines, after a survey found high levels of lead and cadmium contamination.

Australian dairies invest $15m in innovation

Australian dairies will drum up A$15 million in funding over the next three years to support a new innovation centre that will be tasked with finding ways to better compete with a challenging marketplace.

Chinese confectioners weigh up options to counter sugar hikes

Chinese confectionery firms are gearing up to raise prices, some for the second time, ahead of the peak sales season kicking off next month.

China to set standards for tea drinks

China's food authority is working on new standards to lift the quality of ready-to-drink tea beverages, a booming segment of the drinks industry.

China's food processing machinery seeing rapid growth

China's food processing and packaging machinery sector has made significant strides and is closing the gap on the products made in other parts of the world, according to a new report.

Jinmailang invests in noodle nutrition research

Chinese instant noodle giant Jinmailang has signed a contract with the China Agriculture University to conduct new research on the nutritional qualities of instant noodles.

Palm oil prices to rise, says Malaysia

Palm oil could cost about 10 per cent more next year, according to the Malaysian government, as interest in its use for biofuel continues to grow.

Global farm trade fuelling obesity in poor nations

Governments need to take stronger action to regulate agricultural trade to improve diets - especially in poorer nations, an obesity expert urged yesterday.