Silkworm protein firm taps health and familiarity for regional growth
Japan’s Morus Inc is betting on demand for functional products and cultural familiarity with silkworms to drive expansion in Asia
East Asia
Localised and functional: Asia energy drinks tap health demand
Energy drinks in Asia are evolving beyond caffeine as consumers seek added health benefits, opening opportunities for functional, better-for-you innovation
Japan revises nutrition label guidelines with sodium control focus
New nutrition labelling standards in Japan focus on sodium control, paving the way towards regulatory control and lower salt innovation
FIC 2026
Next-gen beancurd: Reinventing traditional protein for functional convenience
One of China’s most traditional proteins has been reimagined in a functional, convenient format, driving modern food industry growth
聚焦中国：中国品牌吸引力、食品运输规范收紧、心理健康趋势等
本期探讨中国食品品牌日益增长的吸引力、食用油、酒精和糖浆的运输规范趋严、心理健康趋势等内容。
当下热点：生姜糖浆、蒙牛冬奥会及更多热门新闻
本期“当下热点”包含生姜糖浆、蒙牛冬奥会及更多热门新闻
更健康的选择：主要功能性配料、海藻糖和 SmartMilk
本期“更健康的选择”特别介绍了主要功能性配料、海藻糖和 SmartMilk
政策精读：中国直播带货、韩国非接触式销售及其他热点
本期政策精选关注中国直播带货、韩国非接触式销售等行业动态
聚焦中东：主要食品市场、阿联酋饮食习惯和游戏化
本期聚焦主要食品市场、阿联酋饮食结构与游戏化等精彩内容
China Focus: Chinese brand appeal, tighter transport rules, mental health trends, and more
This edition explores the rising appeal of Chinese food brands, tighter transport rules for edible oils, alcohol and syrups, mental health trends, and more
Food and mental health in China: 2026 trends that brands should watch
China’s growing focus on mental wellness is shaping food trends, driving demand for fresh foods, dairy and lower-sugar options that balance health and indulgence
China appeal: Chinese food brands eye global growth via Singapore
Chinese food brands are using Singapore as a launchpad for overseas growth, partnering retailers such as Scarlett Supermarket to test international demand
Japanese crisps hit by Iran conflict
The Middle East fuel shock has forced a Japanese snack maker to halt production, exposing how quickly energy disruption can ripple through the wider food system
UPFs linked to adult uric acid risk: China study
Adults under 60 found to eat more ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), putting them at risk of getting hyperuricemia (high uric acid), leading to gout and kidney diseases
Asahi profit dips after Japan cyberattack, Europe weather woes
Beverage giant Asahi has reported a decline in profits after its Japan business was hit by a cyberattack last September, underscoring growing digital vulnerabilities across the food sector
China tightens transport controls on edible oils, alcohol and syrups
Food and beverage firms with China dealings face tougher transport compliance rules for alcohol, edible oils and syrups starting this year
Japan Focus: Modernising karinto, rice for weight control, POCARI SWEAT expansion in China, and more
This edition explores how to reimagine traditional karinto, rice consumption for weight management, POCARI SWEAT ramping up production in China, and more.
ホット ライトナウ：ジンジャーシロップ、Mengniuとウインターオリンピック
今月のホット ライトナウは、ジンジャーシロップ、Mengniuの冬季五輪関連など最新トレンド ニュースを特集しています。
より健康的な選択肢：主要機能性原料、トレハロースとSmartMilk
今月の「Healthier Choices」では、主要機能性原料としてのトレハロースとSmartMilkを 取り上げています。
ジャパン フォーカス：かりんとうの現代化、体重管理と米、中国でのポカリスエット拡大
Japan Focusでは、伝統的なかりんとうの再考、体重管理のための米消費、中国でのポカリスエット生産拡大などについて取り上げています。
ポリシー ピックス：中国のライブ配信規制、韓国の非接触型販売
今月のPolicy Picksでは、中国ライブ配信、韓国非接触型販売などを、取り上げています。
中東フォーカス：主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーション
今月のMiddle East Focusでは、主要食品市場、UAEの食生活、ゲーミフィケーションを取り上げています。
South Korea pushes mandatory GM labelling for processed foods
South Korea has drafted new local regulations to effectively mandate genetically modified (GM) labelling in common processed foods such as soy sauce and oils
Kimchi in Japan: Daesang taps fermented food demand for exports
South Korea’s Daesang Corporation is targeting Japan’s growing appetite for fermented foods as it expands exports of kimchi and gochujang
Trade war impact: China’s health foods exports to the US slides 14.7% in 2025
The United States is China’s largest health foods export destination; however, exports were down 14.7% last year partly due to U.S. trade tariffs and changing trade policies.
Japan study links eating rice to better weight control
A Japanese study suggests regular rice consumption is linked to better weight control in adults, challenging low-carb weight-loss narratives
Crunch appeal: Japanese snack brand revamps karinto for overseas growth
Heritage snack firm Asahi Seika reimagines traditional karinto with longer shelf life and trending flavours while retaining its signature crunch and sweetness
Why familiarity drives texture acceptance in food and drink
Consumers are more receptive to new food and drink products when textures reflect familiar eating experiences
Otsuka Pharma beefs up POCARI SWEAT production in China
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, the owner of the electrolyte drink POCARI SWEAT, is ramping up production in China with a newly opened factory in Tianjin.
China cracks down on food live-streaming with strict new regulations
In a world-first move, China has introduced specific regulations to govern live-streamers and related companies dealing in food products
Top functional ingredients shaping food & drink in 2026
Protein, fibre, nootropics and antioxidants are emerging as key functional ingredients shaping food and drink innovation as wellness continues to steer buying decisions
聚焦中国：蒙牛亮相冬奥会、儿童肥胖与包装监管、增长趋势及更多动态
本期聚焦蒙牛在冬奥会的健康与营养战略、限制不健康食品包装的呼声、现代化增长策略及其他行业趋势
China Focus: Mengniu in Winter Olympics, child obesity and packaging, growth trends and more
This edition dives into Mengniu’s health and nutrition focus for Winter Olympics, calls to restrict unhealthy packaging, modernising for growth and other trends
聚焦日本：麒麟控股增长计划、食品过敏原管控、姜糖浆健康产品趋势及更多动态
本期聚焦麒麟研发战略、日本加强食品过敏原监管、冲绳姜糖浆健康产品出海，以及更多行业动态。
聚焦中东：清真标准统一、沙特 Nutri-Score 及更多动态
本期内容涵盖中东地区清真标准统一化进程、沙特 Nutri-Score 营养标签，以及区域市场其他动态
可持续发展内容：升级再造、环保包装及更多动态
本期聚焦食品升级再造、环保包装创新及其他可持续性实践
Mengniu steps up health and nutrition push at 2026 Winter Olympics
Mengniu will supply dairy products to athletes and fans during the 2026 Winter Olympics, linking the move to its health and nutrition strategy
South Korea strengthens contactless retail, egg safety regulations
South Korea has upgraded its contactless retail and egg safety systems, with an eye on curbing food poisoning and strengthening e-commerce oversight
チャイナ フォーカス：PepsiCoのゼロシュガー推進、EU乳製品への関税、農村地域経済活性化
PepsiCoのゼロシュガー推進からEU乳製品に対する関税まで、今月のChina Focusでは、中国の消費動向、貿易動向、農村域経経済施策を検証しています。
サステナビリティ スニペット：アップサイクリング、エコフレンドリー包装
アップサイクリング、エコフレンドリー包装などが今月のSustainability Snippetsに特集されています。
ミドルイースト フォーカス：ハラール調和、サウジ版ニュートリスコア
今月のMiddle East Focusでは、ハラール調和、サウジ版食品の栄養表示システムなどを特集しています。
ASEANフォーカス：タイにおけるキリン、Mottainaiのアップサイクリング
キリンのタイ進出、Mottainaiのアップサイクリングなどが今月のASEANフォーカスで特集されています
ジャパン フォーカス：キリンの成長戦略、食品アレルゲン管理、健康増進のための生姜
今月のJapan Focusでは、キリンの研究開発戦略、食品アレルゲン規制強化に向けた日本の動き、健康増進のための沖縄産生姜シロップなどを取り上げています。
Japan Focus: Kirin’s growth plans, food allergen controls, ginger for wellness, and more
In this edition, we explore Kirin’s R&D strategies, Japan’s move to tighten food allergen controls, Okinawan ginger syrup for health, and more
Balanced meals may matter more than protein alone: Japan study
New data shows than balanced meals, rather than focusing on one nutrient such as protein, are more closely linked to kids’ healthier weight development
Ginger syrup taps food-as-medicine trend to expand Europe, Asia appeal
An Okinawa-based ginger syrup firm is expanding into Europe and Asia, betting on rising demand for traditional food-as-medicine solutions linked to health and beauty
Kirin doubling down on beer innovation and R&D to fuel global growth
Beer giant Kirin is ramping up focus on its beer and R&D businesses to drive international growth, boosting the use of new technology and localisation
Gut-muscle axis: Soy protein intake improves muscle health in seniors
The supplementation of soy protein has been shown to improve muscle health and modulate the gut microbiome – findings that a group of Chinese researchers say would support the gut–muscle axis hypothesis.
Japan moves to bolster food allergen controls after nut cases spike
Japan is introducing stricter nut allergy controls to address rising cases, based on new government data showing increased public health concerns linked to this category
Child obesity surge fuels push to restrict unhealthy food packaging
As obesity rates climb, experts focus on packaging as a strong influence on children’s choices – both as a risk factor and a tool to promote healthier diets