Food Bev Asia

While it may not be typical for many small- to medium-size food companies to produce to Halal standards, especially in non-Muslim countries, they may find themselves eventually overtaken by those who have a dedicated Halal compliant kitchen space.   Having the capability to meet Halal standards opens up enormous opportunities for food manufacturing companies, not only in traditional markets such as the Middle East and parts of Asia, but even in Africa and China. With the Halal concept now becoming a gauge for hygiene and food safety in production, it becomes more important and sought after even by non-Muslim consumers who are worried over tainted food and counterfeit products. Malaysia dominates In our publications, we’ve covered the Halal industry several times in the past, and our latest is an interview with Dato’ Dzulkifli Mamud, the deputy CEO of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the Halal promotional body of Malaysia. Other countries can le

Vitafoods Asia 2014 is just round the corner.     The region’s major event for nutraceuticals promises yet another year of attractive options for sellers and buyers of dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals and raw materials. While the latest products from leading and upcoming companies will take center stage at the New Products Zone, Innovation Station, and Finished Products Pavilion, make a note that new conferences and seminars are taking place as well. Launching this year, the Market Insights Hub will host free seminars from Frost & Sullivan, Euromonitor, the China Healthcare Association, and other organisations. With ASEAN integration soon to take place, organisers have set up sessions and workshops for knowledge exchange. The Vitafoods Asia Conference will cover 12 hot topics, and as a preview, we've asked three of the speakers, Kim Min Ji, research analyst for Euromonitor; Natasha D’Costa, research manager for Frost & Sullivan, and Alison Quesnel, di

Kim Fewster, owner of Fewster's Farm Honey, Australia Food critics have only good things to say about Jarrah honey, and for Kim Fewster, it is one of the best products that nature has to offer. Mr Fewster is the owner of Fewster’s Farm Honey in western Australia, and the country’s representative to the Asian Apiculture Association. His company has over a hundred years of experience in beekeeping and Jarrah honey production, so who can argue with that? In April, I had the opportunity to meet with him in Singapore. Below are some of the questions I asked. The rest of our interview is in the latest issue of FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal . How many honey producers are there in Western Australia? Western Australian honey producers have declined by over 300 percent in 30 years, due to poor returns for honey and younger beekeepers not entering the industry. Currently about 35 commercial beekeepers in Western Australia, over 700 hobbyists and part-time beekeepers wi

“I’ve been told it’s big, but it’s different when you’re already here,” a fellow journalist from Eastern Europe said. “I know!” Everyone else chorused in different accents. We and a number of other correspondents were at a table for lunch hosted by the Association of Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI). We didn’t know each other, but interpack’s sheer size never fails to break the ice. Yes, as usual interpack occupied 19 halls with each about the size of a football field. I’m tempted to use the word ‘ginormous’ – only because I will never be able to use that word to describe anything else related to my work, as far as I know. Me and my blistered feet know. For the past 56 years, Messe Düsseldorf has been hosting interpack, a major packaging and processing exhibition held in Germany every three years. While I cannot compare it to previous shows, I believe the 2014 edition was as huge, and as curious. interpack sees a participation of 2700 exhibitors every time.