Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Weekly comment

Krill conflict could threaten omega-3 potential

The krill category and the science backing it are still emerging, but there are many who believe krill extracts have the potential to 'go big' in the healthy foods arena. Very big.

Changing tastes make China new flavour centre

Burgeoning demand for flavours from Chinese food manufacturers has led to rapid growth in the last decade and encouraged more foreign firms to set up operations there, says Leatherhead.

Australian food processors to get cash for eco scheme

Australia’s food processing sector has hailed a government move to grant a A$150m aid package to help it implement a national carbon footprint reduction scheme.

Amcor ready to sell to safeguard Alcan deal

Amcor has indicated it would be prepared to sell a flexible packaging business to address European Union anti-trust fears over its proposed takeover of Alcan.

Obama pledges support for Indian food processing sector

US President Barack Obama has vowed to help India boost its food processing industry as part of a strategy to promote global food security.

News in brief

Ajinomoto brands aspartame AminoSweet

Ajinomoto has unveiled a new brand name for its aspartame sweetener which draws on its origin from amino acids.

News in brief

China, Japan, South Korea sign food safety pact

China, Japan and South Korea have signed a food safety pact in the wake of concern over Chinese-made food exports.

Cadbury India taps into health trend with glucose bar

Tapping into the health and wellness trend, Cadbury is targeting the youth market in India with an energy glucose containing chocolate wafer bar.

News in brief

Pakistan implements vitamins policy

Pakistan will announce a “vitamins policy” in December, according to Federal Health Minister Ejaz H Jakhrani.

National Starch acquires Australian starch business

AkzoNobel’s National Starch business has acquired Penford’s Australian specialty starch business in order to shorten its supply chain for specialty corn starches in the region - despite National Starch being up for sale.

Sucralose safe from natural trend, says JK

The strong trend toward natural products is unlikely to encroach significantly on the market for artificial sweeteners, according to sucralose manufacturer JK Sucralose.

News in brief

India to issue probiotic guidelines

The Indian government is aiming to establish guidelines for probiotic products by the January 2010, the Third India Probiotic Symposium in New Delhi has heard.

China executes two over melamine milk scandal

China executed two people today for their part in the melamine-tainted milk powder scandal that killed six and sickened around 300,000.

Major JK Sucralose expansion predicts market surge

JK Sucralose has announced that it intends to expand capacity at its Jiangsu, China plant to 4,000 metric tonnes by 2020, confident that the market is set to skyrocket.

Weekly comment

Food prices face a welcome perfect storm

There’s a perfect storm building for food prices. You don’t have to scan the horizon to see the signs; the clouds are developing all around us - at a faster rate than anyone expected.

Omega-3 sector to grow despite regulatory and technical gaps, report

Despite regulatory, technology and environmental challenges, the marine and algal omega-3 market presents immense growth opportunities to manufacturers, claims a new Frost & Sullivan report tracking the sector.

Fonterra drops Anchor brand share in UK

Fonterra has sold its remaining 25 per cent stake in UK joint venture Arla Foods Fonterra (AFF) to majority owner Arla Foods.

India reveals new food processing blueprint

The Indian Government has unveiled proposals to double the size of its food processing industry within the next five years by increasing funding and improving technology and infrastructure in the sector.

Solae launches new high-protein soy nuggets

Solae has launched a high protein soy nugget with 90 percent protein on a dry weight basis, said to be the highest containing soy protein nugget on the market.

Ethical economic model spells opportunity for food firms

Sound business sense, and not consumer demand, is driving food firms to build sustainability into their economic models.

Symrise buys into North Africa and Middle East

Symrise has acquired fragrance and flavours maker Futura Labs to tap into opportunities in the fast growing regions of North Africa and the Middle East.

Scientist defends study linking phthalates to feminising boys

The leading scientist of research that suggests boys exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have more feminine play habits has defended the report after a chemical industry body disputed its reliability.

Hershey confirms interest in Cadbury

Hershey has confirmed that it is “reviewing its options” regarding a possible joint bid with Ferrero for British confectioner Cadbury, following media speculation about talks yesterday.

Coca-Cola packaging redesign spearheads global strategy

Coca-Cola is to create a single global packaging design for its key juice brands as part of a bid to cement its market leadership in the sector, the company has announced.

Exposure to nano titanium dioxide could up cancer risk, says study

There may be a potential risk of cancer and genetic disorders for individuals working with high concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, according to US scientists.

Hershey and Ferrero could bid for Cadbury

Hershey and Ferrero are reported to be considering a joint bid for Cadbury that could put the brakes on a hostile takeover by Kraft.

PureCircle raises $67.18m for stevia investment

Sweetener company PureCircle has raised $67.18m through share placing to invest in the development of its natural sweetener products made from stevia leaves.

News in brief

French safety agency perplexed over 'metallic' pine nut

France's food safety agency Afssa has concluded that no scientific 'hypothesis' put forward could explain the phenomenon of the metallic taste signalled by consumers in France after eating pine nuts.

Coca-Cola begins global launch of plant-based PET bottle

Coca-Cola Co yesterday announced the selective global roll-out of its new PET bottle made from up to 30 per cent plant materials such as sugar and molasses.

Weekly comment

Alleviation of hunger should top CSR agenda

Climate change dominates the CSR agenda but new USDA figures on food insecurity are a sharp reminder that alleviating poverty and hunger should always be the top priority.

Food firms should tap opportunities in developing countries

Investment and business opportunities for global food businesses can hail from developing countries, says the FAO's director general.

Diet rich in sulfur amino acids may aid bowel healing

A higher intake of sulfur-containing amino acids like cysteine following intestinal surgery might aid healthy intestinal recovery, claims a new study.

Packaging innovation aimed at low scale confectionery makers

A new digital press can provide cost effective customised decoration of metal containers for eco-conscious confectionery makers involved in small volume applications, claims a US speciality packaging firm.

Silver-coated poultry crates help cut bacteria contamination

Crates coated with a new silver antimicrobial protection system can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination of Campylobacter among poultry during transportation, said manufacturers BioCote Ltd.

Male impotence risk from bisphenol A exposure - Study

High-level exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the workplace could increase the risk of male sexual dysfunction, including erectile and ejaculation problems, new research has said.

Omega-3 emulsion could boost stability of functional drinks

Dairy and beverage manufacturers can incorporate long-chain omega-3 fatty acids into their products without compromising taste and stability with a new high concentration omega-3 emulsion, claims supplier Lipid Nutrition.

Opportunity remains in dairy bioactives despite departures

Some companies are abandoning research into dairy bioactive ingredients because of high costs and regulatory uncertainty but market growth is still expected to be high, according to new research.

Study reconfirms bisphenol A safety, says industry

Trade bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have welcomed a recent study sponsored by a US Government agency that bisphenol A (BPA) has no adverse effect on the reproductive function or behaviour of rats.

Oven may cut costs for diverse product bakers

A new continuous oven can cut costs for large scale baked good manufacturers aiming to develop products to satisfy the growing demand for diversity and convenience, claims a leading bakery machinery developer.

NutraCea files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Rice bran ingredient supplier NutraCea filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Tuesday, claiming that it will allow the company to restructure, reduce overheads and sell non-core assets.

Kraft’s bid is ‘contemptuous’, says analyst

Even if Kraft intends to increase its bid for Cadbury, its latest offer has probably managed to upset both the board and shareholders, says Andrew Wood, senior research analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.

Marine collagen big in Japan now going west

Chinese supplier Fenchem said its new collagen peptide extracted from fish scales, an ingredient used in the joint health food and drinks market in Japan, is aimed at food and supplement manufacturers in the US and Europe.

Low-fat better for mood than low-carb: Study

People who lost weight by following a low-calorie, low-fat regime saw longer term effects on mood than those who used a low-carb approach, report researchers in Australia – but whether its down to social chemical reasons remain unclear.

Nano curcumin could boost spice’s health benefits

Nano-sized curcumin capsules may boost the body’s uptake of the ingredient, and enhance its potential to prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a new study from Japan.

News in brief

Australia warns of tomatoes and hepatitis A link

Health authorities in Victoria, Australia have renewed their advice warning against eating uncooked semi-dried tomatoes following 23 new reported cases of hepatitis A.

Netherlands seeks Indian food processing partners

Joint ventures in food processing and food retailing are planned by the Netherlands in India’s eastern and north-eastern states - providing it can find partners able to comply with international safety standards, according to the publication Business Standard.

Weekly comment

Life in a European health claims wasteland

Ka-CHING! Hear that? No it’s not the sound of overflowing cash registers as consumers throw endless wads of euros at scientifically-backed, healthy foods in greater numbers than ever before.

Kraft launches hostile takeover bid for Cadbury

Kraft has formally made a £9.8bn ($16.3bn) hostile takeover bid for British confectioner Cadbury, just hours before the 5pm GMT deadline imposed by the UK Takeover Panel.

Green tea extracts may protect against oral cancer: Study

Extracts from green tea may prevent the formation of mouth cancers in people with risk signs of the disease, according to a new study from Texas.

Maternal folic acid – pregnancy stage may influence asthma risk

Taking folic acid supplements in late pregnancy may increase the infant’s risk of developing asthma, but supplementation in early pregnancy presents no such risk, says a new study from Australia.

Huge scope for anti-ageing ingredients, says new research

The global anti-ageing food market shows huge potential, with an increasing number, size and variety of companies registering an interest in moving into the sector, claims a new report.

News in brief

Mocon to open 'strategic' Indian lab

Mocon has said it will be opening a new testing laboratory in India at the beginning of next year as part of a strategy to expand into global packaging hotspots.

Call for ‘pink revolution’ in India’s meat and poultry sectors

Modernisation of India’s food industry to enhance the quality of the country’s meat and poultry products is urgently needed, according to the Minister of Food Processing Industries, Subodh Kant Sahai.

Lychee extract may trim waist fat: Study

An extract from lychees may reduce abdominal fat in people with metabolic syndrome, a lead to improvements in overall health, says a new study from Japan.

Full fat milk could be linked to low BMI, study

Children who consumed full fat milk regularly had a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to those who seldom or never drank milk, claims a Swedish study.

Global food safety group meets with Chinese envoys

Chinese food safety delegates met with international food safety experts in Minnesota this week to conclude a two-week program discussing individual nations’ role in the development of global standards.

DSM contracts suspended in China

DSM has said that it intends to look for new partners in China for its nutritional products and anti-infectives, after its contracts with North China Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (NCPC) were suspended.

US targets Bangladesh over aquaculture safety fears

US food officials have sent a team to Bangladesh in a bid to boost the safety and quality of its aquaculture - much of which is exported to the west.

India can offer beer makers new market

The Indian beer market has enormous potential according to a company trying to raise £4.5m to finance an expansion in the country.

Weekly comment

Clinical trials are EFSA’s fool’s gold

There’s gold to be found in them health claims mountains, but prospectors from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must be happy with the little chunks that add up to a lot, and stop searching for nuggets the size of your fist.

Paper proving source of antioxidants for Swiss firm

A Swiss company extracting what it claims are antioxidant polyphenols from pulp and paper processing waste is to scale up the project to offer the product as a functional food ingredient.