Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Bamboo prebiotics boost gut health in the elderly

The gut health of elderly people is positively changed by xylooligosaccharides, found in bamboo shoots, fruit, vegetables and honey, and was more efficient than fructooligosaccharides and inulin, Taiwanese researchers report.

Choices makes progress as global healthy foods mark

A food industry initiative launched this year is promoting one standard, easily recognisable symbol to aid identification of healthy foods across the world and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products along healthier lines.

Industry attacks bottled water critics

Increasing criticism over the environmental impacts of consuming water from bottles instead of a tap supply is needlessly misleading consumer opinion, according to an international association representing the industry.

Spirits group calls for Chinese counterfeit crackdown

A quarter of all spirits brands claiming to be of European origin now sold in China are counterfeit, according to an EU liquor association.

China and India play greater role in EU trade

European food and drink trade with China and India has shot up since 2000, against a backdrop of an overall growth in trade with these countries that has seen China become Europe's second trading partner after the USA.

Grain prices could rise by another 40 per cent says ING

Food and beverage processors will be fighting it out for an increasingly dwindling supply of grains sourced at ever higher prices, ING Group warned in a new forecast report for the sector.

Specialty supplement sales to soar, says report

Specialty supplements offer the most sales growth potential over the next five years amid significant shifts in consumer demographics, according to analysis by Business Insights.

Weekly comment

Why all the fuss about stevia?

Over the past half year, stevia has been the focus of attention as the search for a perfect natural sweetener continues. But why are the birds circling when the ingredient has not been approved in the two major Western markets - the United States and Europe?

Grape-soy team-up enhances health benefits, says study

Teaming-up genistein from soy and resveratrol from grapes enhances the anti-obesity effects of the individual compounds, reports new research from the University of Georgia.

Danone freezes assets in China venture battle

France-based Danone has successfully frozen the assets of a number of enterprises allegedly linked to Chinese joint venture partner Wahaha, on the back of increasing legal pressure over property rights in the country.

Herb blend sold as sodium benzoate alternative

A blend of native Australian herbs with synergistic preservative qualities could prove a natural alternative to sodium benzoate in beverages, claims its inventor.

Cereal makers missing emerging market boon

A large number of global breakfast cereal manufacturers are failing to take advantage of the potential for their products in markets such as Eastern Europe and Asia, according to consumer analyst Euromonitor.

Enzyme-modified canola protein could improve gelling

Enzymatic modification of protein from canola could enhance the gelling properties of the canola protein isolate, and boost its potential as a food ingredient, suggests a new study from Canada.

Nestle, Bunge, Danisco join sustainability reporting group

Nestlé, Bunge, Danisco, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Tyson Foods are the first food processors to join a programme to develop global reporting standards on sustainability projects in the sector.

Inulin, FOS and GOS assessed in Australia, NZ

Regulations concerning the addition of inulin, fructo oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto oligosaccharides (GOS) to foods, both as a nutritive substance and as a sweetener, are being considered in Australia and New Zealand.

Food laws could unlock Asian market

European countries are showing a strong interest in the Asian health and nutrition market, which could be bolstered by the area's proposed harmonisation laws.

News briefs: Butter prices and Associated British Foods

Butter is too expensive for some bakers in the Asia Pacific region, and Associated British Foods (ABF) may sell its bread brands.

Organic air ban raises fears for flavours

The proposed restrictions on air freighting of organic produce into the UK could have implications for the flavour industry, as some valuable raw materials are grown far way and would not survive lengthy sea freighting times.

Culture cuts production time and fat in dairy

A new dairy culture can reduce the fermentation time needed for milk processing, while meeting demand for lower fat, clean label dairy products in emerging markets like Eastern Europe, its manufacturer claims.

Weekly comment

Are trade shows relevant?

The new crop of business cards yielded by another trade show season have been duly filed away. But the big question remains. Were the three days at FIE followed, for many, by another three at SupplySide West, really worth the blisters, the jet lag, and the not inconsiderable expense?

Price of vitamin E rises on back of production costs

DSM Nutritional Product has released specifics on its price increases for vitamin E, which have resulted from the rising cost of raw materials, energy and transportation.

Blommer expands cocoa trading programme

US-based Blommer Chocolate this week said it will establish a sustainable cocoa farming programme in the Ivory Coast, after a similar strategy increased crop yields and worker incomes in Indonesia.

Cadbury reveals demerger proposals

Cadbury Schweppes yesterday filed regulatory documents outlining the demerger of its Americas beverage business into a new company, revealing the company's strategy to maintain its position as the world's largest confectionery manufacturer.

Citrus boosts tea's antioxidant punch - study

Combining citrus juice or vitamin C with green tea or its extracts could increase the absorption of antioxidants from the tea up to 13-fold, suggests new research.

NZ company explores kiwi nutricosmetic

A company in New Zealand is seeking to make inroads into the promising nutricosmetics market with a new kiwi-derived ingredient that comprises an extract that is not normally eaten or digested.

China and India see rise in demand for kosher certs

Given that Judaism is far from prevalent in either China or India, it may come as a surprise that these are the largest growth areas for kosher certifiers.

China food safety event targets global collaboration

Food safety will be the focus of a forum set to take place in China later this month, which will aim to coordinate global safety efforts and improve international trade.

Ball Packaging announces Indian drinks can plan

Ball Packaging Europe is to build a new production plant in India to tap growing demand in the country for its two-piece beverage cans.

Antioxidants may stop fat cells formation, says study

Natural antioxidant compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids could inhibit the formation of fat formation from fat cells, suggests new research from Taiwan.

Codex debates Listeria standards for ready-to-eat foods

EU and US positions at a Codex meeting to set international standards on food safety foreshadow future legislation that would affect control measures in plants, and the manufacture of powdered formulae, ready-to-eat foods, and pasteurised liquid eggs.

Kraft takes larger slice of snack pie with Danone buy

Kraft Foods is set to take an even larger share of the global snack market after receiving conditional approval by the European Commission to purchase the biscuit, cereals and snack division of Danone.

BLIS raises funds for global probiotic roll-out

New Zealand oral probiotics developer BLIS Technologies is to issue new shares to fund an expansion of its business into new international markets and to boost development efforts.

Ajinomoto sales up for enzymes and flavourings

Japan-based Ajinomoto has experienced an increase in sales and income, particularly for its enzymes and flavour seasonings, according to its interim financial results released today.

News briefs: Healthy chocolate and gum

With heart disease and obesity levels booming in Western Europe, manufacturers and scientists are increasingly trying to make a link between health and confectionery, traditionally seen as a 'naughty' treat.

Soy could help reduce fat gene

The soy compound lunasin has been shown to inhibit the expression of a gene responsible for internal cholesterol production, Soy Labs' scientists have said.

Associated British Foods reports profit gains

UK-based Associated British Foods (ABF) today reported real operating profit increased by 11 per cent in 2007, despite EU sugar reforms and the weak US dollar's effect on margins.

Asian convenience demand spurs ABF expansion

ABF Ingredients is expanding its Ohly yeast extract business into Asia with the construction of a new yeast plant in China, the company has announced.

Weekly comment

Meat, cancer and credibility

The big 'Cs' got the meat industry in trouble last week - cancer and credibility.

New natural HI sweetener could rival aspartame, sucralose

A new plant-derived high intensity sweetener is set to hit the market worldwide, emerging as what could be the first natural sweetener to rival artificial counterparts such as aspartame and sucralose.

Folic acid linked to higher cancer rates

More warnings against fortifying flour with folic acid have emerged, following evidence that this could lead to increased cancer rates.

PepsiCo announces three-way split

PepsiCo today announced it will split its operations into three separate units in a move to better harness the growth of its snack and beverage businesses.

Curry molecule gets hotter in anti-cancer role

Two variations of a molecule commonly found in curry have shown a greater potential than naturally occurring molecules to suppress colorectal cancer, scientists have found.

Red and processed meats increase cancer risk, says study

Diet and cancer are directly linked, with alcohol and red and processed meats posing particular risks, according to the World Cancer Research Fund's (WCRF) study released this week.

News Briefs: Kirin, Carlsberg and Frappucinos

In this week's round-up Kirin looks to increase pricing for its beers; Scottish & Newcastle take their battle with Carlsberg to the courts; and China welcomes the Frappuccino.