Global food corporation Cargill is leveraging its cocoa-sourcing networks in Asia and other business units to support customers in overcoming the cocoa supply shortage, and ensure consumers continue to have access to chocolate products.
The Thai government has published draft regulations on governance over the alternative proteins industry starting with the plant-based sector, and has suggested banning certain animal-related terms but allowing others.
Nestle China has launched an upcycled cascara beverage line that offers consumers a dual ‘coffee meets tea’ drinking experience, tapping on the strong local demand for teas and rapid new product innovation.
Confectionery heavyweight Perfetti van Melle believes that it is crucial to tap on impulse-buying tendencies and packaging functionality as major components of its marketing in order to maximise consumer reach.
China’s large population and enormous protein requirements has given the local plant-based dairy sector room to continue to grow in a ‘very different’ way from plant-based meat, according to local industry leader Yeyo.
Food firms in Australia and New Zealand have been told that that if current 70% Health Star Rating uptake targets are not hit by November next year, it is likely to lead to mandatory implementation.
Plant-based industry experts APAc are divided on the future direction of the sector, with some believing that it is likely to be integrated into local culture and others still hoping for a more radical takeover.
The dairy sector in Australia has highlighted concerns of ‘yet another blow’ to the industry as a result of Fonterra’s recent strategy change that includes plans to divest its consumer brands.
The Indonesian government has published new regulations mandating that all water bottles made with polycarbonate packaging that contains the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) must now attach a sign to warn consumers of potential leaching.
The ASEAN Secretariat’s newly-launched food marketing standards to ‘protect’ children have put mandatory marketing policies and the establishment of a classification system at the core of its strategy, calling on the 10 member states to put these into action.
