ECDC: More than 300 outbreaks alerts assessed since EPIS-FWD launch
An updated version of a restricted web-based communication platform to ensure early detection and coordinated response to multi-state outbreaks has been launched.
Archives for December 12, 2016
Mannatech decides against multilevel marketing in move to enter mainland China market
In an effort to smooth out financial results, Mannatech is focusing on new products and its adding an e-commerce platform in China to its direct sales efforts.
Infant nutrition research must focus on Asian needs: Prebiotic review
There is an urgent need for more research on infant nutrition that is centred on South East Asia, with the vast majority of published studies focusing on the western world, a new paper states.
Indian currency ban causes hardship in country's poultry sector
Indian poultry farmers have slowed the breeding of chicks to lower their costs after demand fell sharply following the central government’s unexpected announcement that large currency notes – valuing 86% of total cash in the economy – were no longer...
Australia
Tech centre will produce fruit fly drones to wipe out costly pest
A new weapon against one of the world’s worst horticultural pests has been unveiled in Australia, in the form of a research centre that will produce 50m sterile male flies each week.
Mixed reaction to creation of nanomaterial observatory
An initiative to improve information around nanomaterials will go live from the middle of next year.
House Foods’ Go Umami baked tofu bars offer plant-based alternative to meat bars
As the plant-based movement marches on, alternatives to animal-based products are starting to show up in some unexpected places -- most recently as substitutes in the burgeoning meat bar category.
Perfect Bar CEO: The refrigerated snacking category is on fire
Getting retailers to give up valuable space in the chiller for nutrition bars was a tough sell when Bill Keith first started knocking on doors in 2006. Today, Perfect Bars are the third best-selling snack bar in the natural channel, and their success has...
Yaupon Brothers American Tea are bringing back an almost forgotten native beverage
For more than 100 years, brewing and benefiting from the health aspects of Yaupon Holly -- a lightly caffeinated and antioxidant packed plant native to the US -- was nearly forgotten, but now it is coming back and ready to go mainstream thanks to the...
Record high stock levels mean low food prices in 2017: Rabobank
It's good news for consumers but not for world farmers as Rabobank predicts low food prices in 2017 due to high global stock levels– despite instability in Europe and America.
Olam rejects green washing and 'black box' palm oil claims
Agri-food giant Olam has defended its palm oil operations against accusations they are a 'black box' of secrecy that funnels palm oil linked to deforestation from rogue traders to global brands like Unilever and Nestlé.
United Nations wants Mozambique goat meat recognition
Mozambique goat meat is one of 13 products from the world’s poorest countries that have been backed by the United Nations to secure coveted Geographical Indication (GI) status.
Biofilm tech wins CTAQ award
Technology that can potentially detect and destroy biofilms on surfaces in food processing plants has been recognised by CTAQ.
New Singapore equation ‘most accurate’ BMR tool for Chinese adults: Study
A recently developed “Singapore equation” is the most accurate basal metabolic rate (BMR) equation to predict energy requirements for Chinese adults, a new study has found.
China direct
Chinese sweetener prices rising at last after spate of plant closures
After a year-long race to the bottom by Chinese manufacturers, acesulfame-K sweetener prices have grown steadily since May, with analysts expecting further increases then stabilisation as suppliers, including segment giant Anhui Jinhe, hold back on...
Australians prefer convenience of aisles to online grocery shopping
Though online grocery buying is growing in popularity, Australians still visited the supermarket almost 2bn times last year, suggesting that internet food shopping is more an appealing idea than a reality for consumers.
The seven top Asia Pacific food and nutrition trends of 2016
As 2016 draws to a close, we highlight the top seven most-read APAC food and nutrition trends stories, featuring exclusive market and consumer insights from Japan, South East Asia, India, Australia and China.
Four-out-of-five Indian women have vitamin D deficiency
A four-year survey from India shows that 75-80% of women have inadequate vitamin D levels in their blood.
Cherkizovo enters into Angolan poultry market
A leading meat and feed producer from Russia last week sent its first shipment of poultry meat into Angola.
Ethics rather than fancy apps turn millennials on: Survey
It’s ethics and environmental performance rather than snazzy apps and Facebooking that can win millennials over, according to a survey of young consumers in France, Germany, the UK and the US.
Swisslog taps into Mai Dubai $21m bottled water ‘mega expansion’
Mai Dubai, bottled water company, part of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), has partnered with Swisslog to automate its storage and distribution centre as part of its 2020 $21m mega expansion project.
Beans beat meat for satiety thanks to filling fibre
A plant-based burger made from pulses beats meat for satiety, say Danish researchers – but it’s probably due to the fibre not protein.
Imported seafood standards strengthened
A program to make the US seafood supply chain more traceable has been finalised by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Burger King breaks into Bangladesh market
US fast food chain Burger King has opened its first outlet in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, predicting expansion amidst the country’s fast-growing economy and promising to target local meat procurement.
Indians concerned about dairy animals’ welfare
A survey commissioned by World Animal Protection in India reveals that treatment of animals in dairies in India is unacceptable to almost 90% of people who responded.
Wealthier Chinese will spend more on food, but market share will drop
Chinese consumers still allocate around one-third of their spending on food—twice as much as neighbouring Koreans—though this is likely to change with rising income levels.