Thailand-based Asiatic Agro Industry has launched its latest Cocomax Coconut Shake to shake the heat out of you. Shake it before you drink it; Cocomax Coconut Shake is ideal as a food accompaniment or drink it on its own to refresh during summer.
Thai seaweed snack maker Taokaenoi has released a new tomato-flavoured seaweed snack in Thailand. Taokaenoi has also launched two popcorn flavoured seaweed snacks in collaboration with Major Cineplex’s Popcorn Major.
In late 2023, the seaweed snack brand unveiled Tempura Seaweed Crispy Chicken with Mala Sauce Flavour and Tempura Seaweed Spicy Shrimp Flavour.
The company also introduced the Taokaenoi Thai Series Street Food for export and local markets to capture consumer interest in Thai flavours including Pad Thai, Thai Papaya Salad with Salted Egg and Stir Fried Chicken with Basil.
In another development, Taokaenoi utilises the power of AI to create new dishes featuring seaweed. The purpose of turning to AI is to communicate the versatility and compatibility of seaweed in everyday dishes, thus creating more avenues of consumption. Taokaenoi has taken the step in the right direction by encouraging consumers to use seaweed as a topping.
Halls, the candy brand of Mondelez International, has made the new Halls XS Cola Chill available in Thailand. The new sugar-free candy helps consumers cool off and refresh during the hot summer.
In early 2023, Mondelez launched the refreshing Halls Icy Strawberry Syrup inspired by the local Thai dessert.
Other new launches in the past few months by Halls:
Halls XS Double Trouble offers instant cooling and flavor (Fresh Freezing/Hot Spicy) with the Harley Quinn Edition pack.
Halls XS Duo Flavors Limited Edition – enjoy ultimate coolness with the fruity aroma of watermelon and freshness from blueberries launched in conjunction with the release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie.
19 Feb 2024
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) is actively providing treated water from its layer complexes’ biogas production system to assist local farmers in growing their crops. This effort is part of the ‘Recycled Water Sharing’ program, designed to mitigate the impact of water scarcity during drought season.
Mr. Somkid Wannalukkhee, the Head of the Layer Business at CP Foods, acknowledges the severe water shortages faced by farmers nearby the Layer Complexes, which involve layer hen farming and egg sorting operations. In response, the layer business units of CP Foods have supplied biogas-treated wastewater for crop irrigation. In 2023, five-layer complexes distributed approximately 181,000 cubic meters of water, benefiting crops over an area exceeding 145 rai, including oil palm, watermelon, pumpkin, sugarcane, corn, and Napier grass. This initiative has played a crucial role in ensuring a reliable water source for the farming communities.
CP Foods adheres to a ‘Zero Discharge’ policy, preventing the release of treated wastewater from its poultry farms and processing plants. The company utilizes the recycled water for watering trees and gardens within its operations. The operations also share the treated water to nearby farmers to sustain their crops through tough drought conditions.
The farmers have experienced this treated water from biogas system have nutrient-rich as ‘Fertilizer Water,’ containing three key organic nutrients vital for crop growth. This has led to increased crop productivity and reduced fertilizer costs.
One of the beneficiaries, La Dunai, who manages 10 rai of oil palm trees, has experienced a 20% boost in yield and income by watering his crops from the Chana Layer Complex. He aims to extend the use of the recycled water to his watermelon fields for similar benefits.
Wirot Jaiduong, a Napier grass farmer in Sankamphaeng District, Chiang Mai, uses the treated wastewater from Sankamphaeng’s Layer Complex for his six rai of crops, enabling up to four harvests a year and significantly lowering his fertilizer expenses. He has expressed gratitude towards CP Foods for this support, which has significantly increased his yields and alleviated the effects of drought.
For over two decades, CP Foods has launched its “Recycled Water Sharing” project, which began by distributing treated water from biogas production systems at its pig farms. The initiative has since expanded to layer operations and processing plants, further assisting farmers. This project is aligned with the company’s dedication to the 3Rs principle—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—with the aim of maximizing water resource efficiency throughout its operations. Biogas systems are employed to manage waste from operations, effectively reducing odors and converting wastewater into renewable energy to be used within operations. The recycled water from biogas system is utilized for watering plant’s purpose and provided to farmers during periods of drought.
Homegrown Malaysian Entrepreneur Disrupts Industry With Streetwear
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 February 2024 – One homegrown Shopee Live entrepreneur has disrupted the Malaysian sleepwear market by targeting customers searching for trendy, modest, and affordable pyjamas that can be worn publicly. Bella Hazaha Pyjamas, launched in September 2023, has carved out a unique space in ready-to-wear pyjama fashion, by selling over 500 pyjamas daily and becoming a top seller on Shopee Live.
“Shopee Live has been a game-changer,” says founder Bella. “Gone are the days of niche social media advertising. Now, I connect directly with customers, showcasing products in real time. It’s like having a personal shopping assistant – the platform tracks orders while the host explains each pyjama’s details. This has streamlined operations and boosted my business significantly. I even opened a physical office and warehouse to meet demand!”
Redefining Sleepwear Beyond the Bedroom
Going beyond traditional sleepwear, Bella Hazaha shatters stereotypes with bold prints, vibrant colours, and playful patterns. Their best-selling Kaftan Dress, designed by Bella herself, resonates with women who crave both comfort and self-expression, boasting over 36,600 pieces sold. The collection consists of 16 stunning patterns, ensuring every woman finds her perfect match, from ‘Daisy’ to ‘Leopard print’.
“Our customers are owning their individuality,” she explains. “While satin and silk sleepwear offer undeniable luxury and sensuality, their hefty price tag can be a barrier for many. We strive to create affordable luxury fashion pieces without compromising on quality. That’s why we use cotton mix for our sleepwear. This material isn’t just budget-friendly, but it also provides comfort and practicality, offering low maintenance and easy care.”
Harnessing the power of live streaming, Bella revolutionises the way customers connect and shop. During a recent session with over 3,400 viewers, a viewer asked, “What size is right for me? I’m 151cm and 60kg.” The host, demonstrating quick thinking and product expertise, promptly recommended a size ‘S’ and went on to explain the brand’s sizing guide in detail, giving viewers confidence in their purchase decision. The brand goes live daily at 12PM, offering Malaysians not just affordable pyjamas below RM30 but also a friendly and informative shopping companion.
Personalising Audience Experience
To maintain brand consistency, Bella handpicks and trains each host as a brand ambassador. “I believe that livestream hosts are not just tasked to answer questions – they are the face of our brand. I ensure that my hosts are trained far beyond scripts, standardising everything from makeup and headscarf styles to host-audience interaction. It’s a demanding approach, but what truly sets us apart is our ability to captivate viewers with both stunning fashion and genuine connection.
Bella Hazaha’s live team drives a sevenfold increase in sales through captivating Shopee Live sessions. Since its launch, the brand has strategically expanded its team from three to eight hosts, attributing a significant portion of its sales success to their lively streams that build trust and drive conversions.
“Maintaining energy and engagement during our four to eight hour daily streams demands a lot from our hosts,” says Bella. “To ensure their well-being and maximise viewer interaction, we rotate between two hosts per stream, allowing for short breaks and recharged energy. Peak sales periods on Shopee can be intense, with viewership spiking over sevenfold from an average of 36,000 views. We prioritise addressing every comment, fostering a sense of community and ensuring no viewer feels neglected.” she concluded.
Singapore, 23 February 2024 – F&N MAGNOLIA introduces an exciting addition to its delicious lineup of dairy delights – the limited edition Cookies & Cream Low Fat Flavoured Milk. This indulgent concoction combines the tempting and creamy taste of Cookies & Cream with the nutritious, wholesome goodness of low fat milk to satisfy cravings.
Crafted for those who enjoy tasty goodness in every sip without compromising on health and nutritional benefits, this new offering promises an enjoyable balance of Cookies & Cream, making it a perfect treat for any time of the day for both young and old – whether it’s for after meals, a well-deserved break at work or school, or indulging in the cosy ambience at home with family and friends over a movie screening. With F&N MAGNOLIA‘s commitment to trusted quality and taste, this limited edition flavoured milk redefines indulgence in a healthy and enjoyable way.
Cookies & Cream is a universal favourite treat, loved for its irresistible combination of sweet, creamy vanilla and chocolate cookies’ rich, crunchy texture. This classic pairing of Cookies & Cream is popular due to the perfect balance between the smoothness of cream and the cocoa-rich bite of cookie crumbs.
When infused into milk, the flavour of Cookies & Cream heightens the simple pleasure of chilled, refreshing and wholesome milk to an extraordinary taste experience. The creamy base of the milk complements the sumptuous swirls of Cookies & Cream flavour, elevating every sip to create a mouthwatering delight. Every sip of the F&N MAGNOLIA Cookies & Cream Low Fat Flavoured Milk is the perfect treat that combines the nutritional benefits of milk with the appeal of a distinctively alluring, yummy flavour. It’s not just a treat; it’s an experience, an enticing thrill for the tastebuds, and it leaves you yearning for more than just one sip.
Various research journals have highlighted that milk is an important component of a balanced diet and contains numerous valuable health benefits, especially with regard to the benefits of protein and calcium contained in milk.
According to a research paper published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA), milk is a nutrient-dense food with important nutritional value due to the presence of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Protein in milk helps maintain muscles and stimulates the building of muscles in our bodies which is necessary for growth and development.1
HealthHub (Singapore) highlighted that milk assists in promoting bone density as milk is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients are crucial for developing and maintaining strong, healthy bones and teeth, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.2
The limited edition F&N MAGNOLIA Cookies & Cream Low Fat Flavoured Milk is Halal-certified, lower in sugar and saturated fat, rated B on the Nutri-Grade scale, and carries the Healthier Choice Symbol accorded by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).
The delectable treat is available in a 946ml pack and retails at the Recommended Selling Price (RSP) of S$3.63, and can be found at leading supermarkets and hypermarkets, and participating retail outlets.
For more information, please visit the following official websites and social media platforms:
● Official website: www.magnolia.com.sg
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fnnmagnolia/
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnoliasg
Footnotes
1 Davoodi SH, Shahbazi R, Esmaeili S, Sohrabvandi S, Mortazavian A, Jazayeri S, Taslimi A. Health-Related Aspects of Milk Proteins. Iran J Pharm Res. 2016 Summer;15(3):573-591. PMID: 27980594; PMCID: PMC5149046. http://tinyurl.com/ybj86a9v
2 HealtHub, Singapore: “5 Benefits of Drinking Milk”. https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/dear-dairy
SHAH ALAM, 08 February 2024 – Carlsberg Malaysia’s flagship community engagement programme – Top Ten Charity Campaign (Top Ten) has made a heartwarming return after a 3-year hiatus. With encouraging support and generous donations from all involved, it has delivered a meaningful impact to 10 vernacular schools with a total of RM20.5 million education funds raised. True to its mission of ‘Brewing For a Better Today & Tomorrow,’ Top Ten has not only extended its reach to Sabah, but also reinforces the Company’s pledge to supporting education and climate action in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
“We are humbled and touched by the overwhelming generosity of the community, and the
achievement would not have been possible without the contributions of our communities who have demonstrated their passion for education and the environment. It is a testament to the power of collective action and underscores our shared dedication to fostering positive educational change. We are truly moved by what can be accomplished when people come together for a better today and tomorrow,” commented Stefano Clini, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia.
Going beyond quality education, another significant highlight this year was Carlsberg Malaysia’s bid to champion environmental consciousness and promote sustainability education. To achieve this, the brewery partnered with Zero Waste Malaysia (ZWM) to raise awareness of the significance of waste management and foster positive change towards a cleaner and greener environment in schools via talks conducted in all 10 schools.
“We constantly pursue perfection in brewing, and strive to innovate in our way of engaging with our communities by expanding and elevating the Top Ten campaign,” added Clini. “Through this initiative, we aim to empower local communities through education and raise awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability. We strongly believe that with education and awareness, we can create a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible future generation, one that is built on a foundation of sustainable practices and responsible stewardship of the environment.”
A standout achievement from the recently concluded charity drive was SJKC Sin Ya in Penang, with a staggering RM7.8 million raised to expand facilities and build infrastructure for the school. It is, to date, the largest amount of proceeds raised in a single charity concert in Top Ten history. Another encouraging result was the two schools in Sabah, SJKC Syn Hua and SJKC Lahad Datu Middle School, which collectively raised RM1.8 million.
According to Beh Khoon Seng, Principal of SJKC Sin Ya, Penang, “Top Ten is an exceptional platform that has succeeded in bringing together compassionate individuals to make a significant impact on education. It provided us with much-needed support and resources throughout the fundraising activities. It has also gone a step further by inspiring students to become aware of the importance of environmental protection and our teachers to instil environmental consciousness in their teaching.”
“Top Ten’s unwavering assistance to our school has been truly inspiring. Their support in raising awareness and coordinating efforts has helped us surpass our goal of RM600,000, raising a significant amount of RM1,111,111.11. The success of the event demonstrates the power of community support. We are confident that our grassroots school will continue to thrive and inspire generations to come,” commented Tan Cheng Teng, Chairman of Lahad Datu Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Lahad Datu Middle Schools, Lahad Datu.
Adding to that sentiment, Lim Kim Leong, Principal of SJKC San Yuk, Rawang said, “Our school was able to successfully reach our fundraising goal of improving and enhancing school facilities through Top Ten. We are grateful for the assistance provided by Carlsberg. Their support was instrumental in making the event a success, as it helped us overcome significant logistical and publicity challenges. We are proud to have collaborated with Carlsberg in our fund-raising drive, and we are now able to allocate more resources towards improving school facilities, which will benefit our students .”
Since 1987, Top Ten has contributed to the development of vernacular education in Malaysia through its fundraising platform to support school infrastructure upgrades, educational assets and programmes. Over the past 37 years, the initiative has raised a remarkable sum of RM568 million, benefiting a total of 684 schools across the country.
As the Top Ten Charity Campaign continues, Carlsberg Malaysia invites everyone to join in the cause, emphasising the collective responsibility to create a better today and tomorrow for all.
More information about the Top Ten Charity Campaign can be found at
https://www.toptencharity.com.my/web/.
In the West, the plant water category is growing and has garnered consumer interest for its naturalness, clean taste and functional health benefits. Plant water includes tree water, aloe beverages, cactus water, and chlorophyll water.
What Southeast Asian beverage manufacturers can find inspiration from the plant water category besides the familiar aloe beverages?
In Australia, PlantWater debuted in 2022 as the country’s first chlorophyll powered water. Available in still and lightly sparkling, the drink has eighteen ingredients including l-theanine, iron, potassium and chlorophyll that help support the body and mind. Plus, the drink packs an extra punch for daily hydration.
China’s viral drink, Yi Zheng Gen ginseng water (一整根人参水), packaged in a transparent glass bottle, has sparked copycats in Malaysia. However, its high price tag has deterred many consumers.
Genki Forest’s Red Bean and Coix Seed Water boasts a refreshing taste and appears promising for the Southeast Asian market. Unlike traditional methods, this beverage skips the red bean and coix seed residuals, using only water, red beans, and coix seeds for a clean and natural taste. Sweetened with erythritol, it joins Genki Forest’s range of innovative plant-based beverages, including goji and red date water, and mung bean water.
A drink along those lines of Genki Forest’s Red Bean and Coix Seed Water would make a great addition to the flavoured water category in Southeast Asia as a lightly-sweetened botanical water drink. These drinks tap into familiar ingredients known for their health benefits. Kurma water could complement this range.
Vietnamese companies are turning their attention to jelly sticks. These portable, affordable snacks come in various fruity flavours and food service-inspired flavours like bubble tea.
What is interesting about these jelly sticks from a dairy and beverage players’ standpoint is that companies can turn their popular drinks into a new snackable jelly stick format, thus creating a new revenue stream.
Công Ty Tnhh Chế Biến Thực Phẩm Đức Hạnh (Duc Hanh Food Processing Company Limited), headquartered in Hanoi, is one of the leading producers of jelly products in Vietnam selling under the Zai Zai brand. The company launched the Zai Zai jelly products in 2019 and now has a strong portfolio of jelly offerings, including bubble tea-flavoured jelly sticks in black sugar, matcha and red tea flavours.
Dairy company Lothamilk has launched its range of milk jelly sticks. Unlike Zai Zai, Lothamilk’s milk jelly contains milk as an ingredient and is available in three flavours: orange, lychee and guava.
As part of the ‘beyond beverage’ strategy, beverage and dairy companies can promote these jelly sticks to young consumers as an in-between meal, pick-me-up snack. Brand owners can also fortify these jelly snacks with healthy ingredients such as vitamin C, bird’s nest and nutrients from milk. The innovation possibilities are endless with jelly. In the future, brands can upgrade jelly into a nutritionally complete snack or a meal replacement.
In the meantime, the export market beckons for jelly sticks from Vietnam.
NutriAsia has unveiled its latest UFC Fun Chow Korean-style Rice Mix in the Philippines. This seasoning mix offers consumers the convenience of making Korean Beef Bulgogi, Bibimbap and Kimchi rice at an affordable price of PHP 20 per sachet. The UFC Fun Chow range can easily level up the plain steamed rice into a special fried rice.
Seasoning brands have created new ways to upgrade regular rice using local flavours and are broadening their flavour range with internationally-inspired flavors like Korean.
In Malaysia, we have seen companies tapping into the popularity of Chinese Muslim cuisines with products like CikSuri Chinese Muslim fried rice seasoning.
