Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Danone splits from Wahaha; not talking to Mead

Danone’s troubled relationship with China’s Wahaha looks finally to be at an end; and rumours of a new deal with Mead Johnson over baby food are flatly denied.

Developing countries to drive growth for flexible food packaging

Global demand for converted flexible packaging is forecast to grow by 3.5 per cent/year to more than 19m tonnes in 2013, according to a new study from Freedonia.

Guest article

Stevia: Succeeding in an emerging market

A sustainable supply chain, adherence to quality standards and alliances with flavour companies are all keys to success in the increasingly competitive stevia sweeteners market, says Sneha Pasricha of Frost & Sullivan.

Probiotics may protect against gum disease: Yakult study

A daily shot of a probiotic milk drink may reduce inflammation and bleeding in the mouth linked to gingivitis and gum disease, says a new study from Germany.

News in brief

Correction: Kraft moves closer to sterol approval down under

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recommended that Kraft be given approval for plans to use plant sterols in reduced fat cheese but no final permission has been given.

Weekly comment

The benefits of a probiotic witch hunt

Get your pitchforks ready! There are evil-doers out there! We’ve been conned: Probiotics don’t work. Dannon’s settling out of court, EFSA’s rejecting health claims, and the media is starting a witch hunt.

New Indian can-end plant signals soaring canned food sales

A new metal easy open can-end manufacturing plant is planned for Mysore, Karnataka state, southern India.

Kraft reportedly prepares hostile bid for Cadbury

Kraft Foods is reportedly preparing a hostile bid for Cadbury three weeks after the confectionery company rejected a £10.2bn ($16.7bn) offering.

Organic food not too expensive, insists Soil Association

The Soil Association (SA) has denied that organic food is too expensive, pointing out that many organic products are cheaper than their branded non-organic equivalent.

Neogen sees strong growth, acquisitions and speaks out on China

Neogen Corporation said its food safety investments in China have yet to yield a strong return but that a new test for food contaminants was soon to go into operation that may change the situation.

Nestle’s thinking on brain health

Nestle is investing tens of millions of Euros in brain health. Dr Jeroen Schmitt, head of cognitive sciences at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland explains why it's not naive to think that diet can boost mental development in our children, and ease the burden of age-related problems in our grandparents.

Synergy launches Thai-inspired pastes

The popularity of Thai foods has led Synergy to develop and range of clean-label pastes for the food manufacturing industry.

NZ’s ‘outdated’ Food Act to be replaced to lift safety standards

The New Zealand government has pledged to update what it describes as its “outdated” 28-year-old Food Act to make it more relevant to businesses and consumers while improving safety standards.

PepsiCo imports fail Chinese quality control

Global drinks giant PepsiCo is one of a number of western companies whose imported food and beverage products have failed Chinese quality inspection tests, reports Shanghai Daily, one of the country’s two leading English language newspapers.

Kraft moves closer to sterol approval down under

Kraft Foods is a step closer to becoming the first company to win approval to use plant sterols in reduced fat cheese in New Zealand and Australia after a positive regulatory assessment.

PureCircle reviews ‘transformation’, eyes long term

PureCircle has reported a huge boom in sales in the “transformational” 2009 financial year, and has credit facilities that will allow it to expand as stevia sweeteners move towards the big time.

Codex can unite Asian food regulations

The importance of the Codex Alimentaria in developing regulatory harmony in a region like Asia where rules differ so greatly, has been emphasised at a recent event hosted by the Asian arm of Belgian consultancy, EAS.

Euromonitor advises on emerging markets strategy for soft drinks

Euromonitor predicts that Africa and the Middle East present the best opportunities for soft drink manufacturers as global sales growth slows.

Weekly comment

Are health claims curbing freedom of speech?

The US FDA is being sued over its health claims regime – actions that are unlikely to succeed according to most pundits – but they raise serious questions about healthy food messaging and free speech that are being felt globally.

Special edition: Brain health

Markets: Leaders in global brain food sales

In the first of a series of articles on cognitive health, NutraIngredients examines the global market for food and ingredients leading the category.

India set for nutritional supplement boom

India’s nutritional supplement market is set to boom over the next few years, with some analysts predicting it will double in value by 2013.

News in brief

FSA advises on sustainable fish choices

The UK’s Food Standards agency is sticking by its advice for people to eat at least two fish portions a week, of which one should be oily – but is highlighting the need for sustainable choices.

Black pepper extract leader gains patent boost

A US patent renewal recently handed to black pepper extract market leader, Sabinsa, is a warning shot to potential transgressors, the company that dominates the market for the thermogenic, bioavailability-improving extract, has said.

Omega-3 may improve blood pressure in kidney disease patients

A combination of omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may decrease blood pressure and heart rate in kidney disease patients, says a new study.

Beverage multiple packaging kit launched at Drinktec

Among the host of new technology on show at Drinktec, Munich, Germany, is the OneTech2 Combo beverage multiple packaging equipment from US manufacturer MeadWestvaco (MWV).

News in brief

Kemin wins global award for satiety potato extract

Market researcher, Frost & Sullivan, has handed Iowa-based Kemin Health its Global New Product Innovation Award in the Appetite Suppressants and Satiety Ingredients category for its Slendesta potato extract.

US packaging company poised for China growth

A new state-of-the-art packaging facility in Hainan island, off the coast of southern China, will lead the expansion of US company Shiner International in the country, according to its presentation at a business conference in New York.

LyondellBasell announces LDPE plant closure on demand slump

LyondellBasell is to close a low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in the UK by the end of the year on continued weak demand and as it seeks to phase out uneconomic facilities from its global operations.

Chicken processors caught in cross-fire of US-China trade row

The US chicken processing industry has been caught in the fallout of a high-level trade dispute between Washington and Beijing that could damage its exports to China, a major industry body has said.

Special edition: Market insights

Mintel: Preparing for a functional foods turnaround

The intrinsic health benefits of foods are likely to become a key focus of functional food growth in Europe as industry prepares for a major shift in the coming year. As part of a special NutraIngredients series canvassing analyst insight, Mintel tells us why.

News in brief

Thai food exports set for strong 2010

The recovering world economy could see Thai food exports rebound after a disappointing 2009, with 2010 exports predicted to hit 750 billion baht (€15 billion).

Big retail backs gluten-free

More demanding consumers and opportunity-hungry retailers are driving innovation in the gluten-free market, according to the chief executive of British charity Coeliac UK.

Cadbury slams Kraft bid and business model

Cadbury has labelled Kraft “a low growth conglomerate” in a letter restating its rejection of the food giant’s £10.2bn ($16.7bn) takeover bid.

News in brief

Danone-backed Yakult expands in India

Distribution of probiotic one-shot drinks is broadening in India, with a major push occurring in cities like Mumbai, as disposable Indian incomes rise, and more people take an interest in health benefits promised by functional foods.

Weekly comment

Bisphenol A: Hearts versus minds

Forget GMO and nanotechnology - the biggest food safety issue of our times is bisphenol A (BPA).

News in brief

Chinese ingredients: Quality assurance efforts to expand, says NPA

US-based dietary supplement trade group Natural Products Association (NPA) will be expanding its activity in China, together with its efforts to safeguard the supply chain for natural products.

Australia adopts mandatory folic acid fortification

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has announced that as of Sunday, Australian bread makers must use folic acid-enriched flour to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns.

Beauty foods grow threefold, says Mintel

Global food and drink products claiming to enhance beauty increased threefold over the past three years indicating a market ready to take off, said Mintel.

Brewers in emerging markets turn to enzymes, says DSM

Enzymes can help brewers in emerging markets take full advantage of local crops and therefore cut costs, protect the environment, and support local communities.

Demand for processed food drives China’s chilled produce sector

Rising demand for processed and packaged foods in China is fueling growth in the country’s chilled food produce sector, according to the latest report from Reportlinker.

Triple drivers behind cultures, Danisco VP

Danisco is confident in the long term strength and potential of food cultures – so much so it recently pledged €60m to expand capacity. That confidence is based on three pillars, says Danisco Cultures’ VP: convenience, health, and food safety.

Tate & Lyle cuts ribbon at Australia food systems site

Tate & Lyle is giving a boost to its Australian food systems business with the opening of a new R&D and manufacturing centre in Queensland.

Kraft defiant over Cadbury valuation

Kraft Foods has defended its valuation of the Cadbury business and insisted that it remains the most logical buyer for the UK confectionery manufacturer.

News in brief

Food safety courts tabled for Indian food processors

Indian authorities have tables a proposal to set up food safety courts with powers to prosecute processing companies.

Plastic and packing sectors not to blame for Pacific Garbage Patch

The plastics and packaging industries are not responsible for the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with one trade body instead blaming illegal dumping, poor waste management and littering.

Weekly comment

Acrylamide: The consumer health scare that isn’t

Consumers love to get their teeth into a good health scare. So how is it that acrylamide has slipped under the radar?

Kraft Foods launches Cadbury takeover bid

Kraft Foods has confirmed it has had an initial takeover bid for Cadbury rejected but said it intends to work towards a deal that would create a $50bn food industry powerhouse.

China to lead global rise in containerboard demand

Global demand for containerboard is forecast to rise over the next 15 years with Chinese consumption, expected to increase by nearly 7 per cent, leading the growth, according to a new report from RISI; the organization dedicated to providing information on the world forest products industry.

Kids’ beverages target ‘all-natural’, ‘free-from’, immunity

All-natural, “free-from” ingredients perceived as unhealthy and ingredients that strengthen the immune system are the main trends in the kids’ beverages market, according to a New Nutrition Business report.

Processed cheese growth keeps cheddar volumes steady

The volume of cheddar sold globally remains steady thanks the growing popularity of cheddar-based processed cheeses in emerging markets, according to a new market report.

Polyphenols may protect omega-3 formulations

The shelf-life of omega-3 formulations may be extended by adding quercetin, an antioxidant polyphenol found in onion, apples, and tea, suggests a new study.

Australian state ponders energy drinks ban

Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales (NSW), is considering a ban on high caffeine energy drinks in the Red Bull-led sector, after its Primary Industries minister, Ian McDonald, highlighted products loaded with up to 15 times recommended caffeine limits.

Sucralose safety ‘scientifically sound’: Expert panel

Studies reporting that sucralose may be detrimental to gut health were “not scientifically rigorous”, and the totality of evidence supports the safety of the sweetener, an expert panel has concluded.

FSANZ sees reasons to approve new GM soy

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has published a second assessment report on the potential use of a herbicide-tolerant soybean line in food products, giving its preferred option of approval.

News in brief

EU companies face discrimination in China

European companies are finding it harder to do business in China, according to a new report from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

World first probiotic 100% juice launched

Swedish dairy pioneer, Skånemejerier, has extended its Scandinavian-leading juice range, Bravo, to incorporate probiotic strains, believed to be the first in the world to do so in a fresh 100 per cent juice product with a cold-fighting claim.

New Chinese player enters probiotics market

Fenchem says its entry into the probiotics market is prompted by global growth in demand for probiotic products in North America and Europe.

Weekly comment

Sugar and strife – not so nice if the price is not right

Sugar politics means high prices are a bitter pill for US and Indian sweet food and beverage makers; while the European industry is sitting pretty on the back of the recent sugar reforms.

Transparent gel advance may give ‘excellent food ingredient’

A clear hydrogel made from xyloglucan and chitosan may offer an innovative thickening agent, and carrier of flavours of colours for foods, suggests new research.

Less meat brings heart, climate benefits, says professor

A Danish cardiologist has added his voice to calls for a reduction in red meat consumption – both for the good of people’s hearts and for the good of the planet.