Processed food diet could worsen vaccine side effects
Changes in the microbiome due to diet may have increased fever symptoms following the Covid-19 vaccine
Beverage
Could conflict in Ethiopia threaten coffee?
Ethiopia, one of the world’s largest coffee producers, is once again in conflict
Drinking beauty: Mashiro taps trend with collagen, GABA, and placenta
Japan’s Mashiro is expanding its beauty-from-within portfolio in South East Asia, targeting demand for collagen, sleep, and wellness products
Growth drivers in Japan’s food and drink landscape
Affordability, health, product safety, and convenience as important considerations shaping Japanese consumers’ purchasing decisions
Saudi’s Kinza on why localisation is key to ASEAN Success
Saudi soft drinks brand Kinza is entering ASEAN for the first time, using deep localisation across products, supply chains and retail to drive growth
Nestlé takes Starbucks home as cold caffeine craze heats up
Nestlé capitalises on demand for cold caffeinated drinks with Starbucks Refreshers Concentrates
Nestlé Russia under state control: What happens next?
As the dust settles on Russia’s takeover of Nestlé’s local operations, analysts warn the move could reshape how multinationals assess risk in the country
China Focus: Walovi’s global push, McVitie’s localisation, Yili’s dairy vision and more
We explore Walovi’s global expansion, McVitie’s localisation strategy in China, Yili’s vision for dairy, and how health and food culture are shaping the market
Walovi scales up SEA push as it targets global plant-based beverage growth
China’s Walovi has launched a Singapore global HQ while unveiling a new international electrolyte drink
Carlsberg Malaysia makes revenue revival with Somersby, Sapporo boosts
Carlsberg Malaysia has made a stunning return to revenue growth by sticking with its premiumisation strategy
Plant-based milk brands double down on simplified ingredient lists amid processing scrutiny
As skepticism of processed foods grows, plant-based milk brands embrace simpler recipes
Japan Focus: Earthquake label reprieve, Kirin decarbonisation and Roku Gin’s Noryo Tea
This week’s Japan Focus covers emergency food labelling measures in earthquake-struck Kumamoto, Kirin’s low-carbon transition costs, Suntory’s seasonal Roku Gin packaging, and the latest developments in premium beer and dairy-free ice cream
Martell taps Asian food culture to broaden cognac consumption
Martell is positioning cognac as more than a digestif or cocktail ingredient in Asia, looking to food and culture to expand
Canada’s tariff retaliation puts US food and agriculture industries in a bind
Dairy and steel groups back aggressive US trade action, while broader agriculture groups warn that escalating tariffs and retaliation could threaten critical export markets
Carlsberg and Sapporo go in big on alliance in Asia, UK
Beer giants Carlsberg and Sapporo are tapping on existing successful partnerships to expand regional reach, with an eye on taking this collaboration global
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Raising the functional beverage bar: Drinks are becoming more specific and creative
As consumers look beyond generic energy and wellness claims, emerging brands are creating drinks tailored to specific needs, from focus and calm to protein and recovery
How wine can adapt to a changing climate
Wine is facing increased pressure as temperatures rise
Catch-22: Kirin puts JPY43.8bn price tag on green transition
Kirin estimates carbon pricing could add JPY43.8bn (US$274.24m) to packaging costs by 2050, highlighting the financial trade-offs of the shift to a low-carbon economy
India gives beverage giants 90 days to re-label energy drinks
India’s food authority gives beverage giants PepsiCo, Red Bull, and Monster until 29 September to remove “energy drink” label and alleged misleading claims
Fleeting beauty: Roku Gin’s new launch tells seasonal tale
Roku Gin’s latest packaging draws on Japanese craftsmanship and culture for its Noryo Tea Edition
A K-Pop star toad? Jinro taps Korean wave in limited-edition soju
South Korean multinational soju brand HiteJinro is tapping the global K-pop wave with a limited edition label design featuring its toad mascot as a K-pop star
Kirin’s big biotic drinks bet pays off in Asia
Beverage giant Kirin went in big as of the first in the market to turn its own postbiotic ingredient into a commercial drink, and is reaping the rewards today
Beverage manufacturers to face aluminium market volatility through 2026
The aluminium market is likely to remain volatile through the rest of 2026 with tariffs, capacity and elevated pricing likely to hit beverage manufacturers.
Coca-Cola doubles down on localisation in China as sales grow
Coca-Cola taps on localised product innovation, digital engagement and community initiatives to strengthen consumer connections in China
Mars at 115: Shaping the future of confectionery
From a small-town America to the world’s biggest confectionery company, Mars mark 115 years of family ownership and industry influence
Gut health made Yakult famous. Now it must prove it can stay relevant
Yakult helped to create the gut-health category, but it faces stiff competition in an ever-crowded functional market.
Japan Focus: Asahi’s growth plans, Calbee on personalised nutrition, food tech investment, and more
This edition features Asahi’s focus on its beer adjacent categories and East Africa expansion, Calbee’s personalised granola, government investment into food technology, and more
5 trends shaping global energy drink recipes
From GLP-1 to naturalness, the evolution of energy drinks worldwide is being driven by a variety of different trends
Mars invests $3m to empower women cocoa farmers
Mars and Save the Children launch major new project to support women in cocoa farming
The new beverage battleground is in AI recommendations vs. shelf space
AI is recognizing brands that solve a problem, according to new data
Asahi eyes beverage growth in East Africa for cyberattack rebound
Asahi is banking on growth in its beverages business as well as its new East African acquisition to fuel recovery and get back on track after its infamous 2025 cyberattack
Food Taipei Mega Shows 2026
Multifunctional beverages: The next avenue of growth?
Taiwanese functional beverage start-up Passion 24 is expanding overseas with fruit-based drinks targeting beauty, hydration, and mental wellness
Nestlé’s turnaround gains momentum despite profit drop
Nestlé delivers stronger organic growth and improving volumes in H1 2026, but net profit falls 31.4%
