Republic Biscuit Corporation (Rebisco) has launched a new Japanese-inspired flavor to its Hansel premium cracker line: Hansel Premium Okinawa Milk Tea. The new flavour joins the existing line of premium crackers, New York Style Cheddar Cheese and Hokkaido Style White Cheese.
Hansel Premium Okinawa Milk Tea is priced at PHP 66.
September 21, 2023 – Century Pacific Food, Inc. (PSE:CNPF), one of the leading food and beverage companies in the Philippines, continues to unlock opportunities in plant-based alternatives with ‘unMEAT’. The Brand recently planted its flag in Australia with its entry into Woolworths and expanded its range at Walmart USA.
Leading the charge of unMEAT’s global rollout is Greg Banzon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CNPF. He shared, “The thesis behind plant-based alternatives remains. Consumers want healthier and more planet-forward food choices. As a food company, we need to address these needs through innovation and reduce friction by making options more affordable and accessible.”
According to Banzon, the Company continues to see favorable prospects in the category. In Australia, plant-based food consumption is on the rise, with one in three Australians consciously reducing meat consumption.
Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket chain, now carries ‘unMEAT’ in 960 stores nationwide. The brand is likewise available on the retail giant’s e-commerce platform. ‘unMEAT’ entered the chain with its range of plant-based Luncheon Meat in shelf stable format, all priced at parity to luncheon meat analogs.
Meanwhile, ‘unMEAT’ continues to gain traction in the United States. Early in 2023, ‘unMEAT Luncheon Meat’ made its debut at Walmart in approximately 1,800 stores. Given the positive reception of consumers and robust performance of the launch, Walmart expanded the shelf stable range to provide more plant-based options to its shoppers. Three new innovations were added to the line, namely ‘unMEAT’ Meat-Free Chili with Beans, Chicken Style Chunks, and Roast Beef Style.
“Developing the plant-based alternatives category requires innovation, not just of the protein source but also the variety. Apart from reducing the price friction, we need to give consumers more points of entry through a wider selection,” said Banzon.
CNPF ventured into the plant-based sector in 2020 with the institutional launch of ‘unMEAT’ through an affiliate company, Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (PSE:PIZZA). This was followed by the launch of its frozen range in the domestic retail market in 2021. On the same year, to accelerate the brand’s growth, ‘unMEAT’ kickstarted its international rollout in select markets, namely the United Arab Emirates, United States, Singapore, and China.
To date, ‘unMEAT’ is present on the shelves of mainstream retailers such as Walmart, Albertsons, Harris Teeter, HEB, and Meijer in the US, Carrefour in the UAE, and FairPrice in Singapore, among others.
Vitasoy is launching the new Vitasoy VitaOat milk, which will debut in Singapore in October 2023. VitaOat is made from 100% oat and is said to offer a creamy and tasty taste. VitaOat is available in Original and Chocolate flavours. The drink is low in sugar and is good for heart health.
In Australia, Vitasoy has just launched a range of oat yogurt. The new Oat Yogurt range is available in three flavours, including Blueberry, Summer Fruits and Vanilla. Vitasoy’s Oat Yogurt range naturally contains beta-glucan and has been fortified with calcium, protein
and vitamins B12 and D.
Nissin Foods Singapore has brought the Cup Noodles Fish Head Curry flavour back as a long-term addition. This Fish Head Curry flavour was initially launched in April 2022.
Cup Noodles Fish Head Curry has the addition of delectable and tenderised fish toppings made from real fish meat. The mouth-watering and aromatic concoction is made with slightly spicy curry containing fish umami and hints of fragrant coconut milk and lemongrass topped off with cabbage, taupok and spring onions.
Available at major supermarkets, Cheers and Don Don Donki stores islandwide from 1 September 2023, while stocks last.
In addition to the new instant noodle, Nissin Foods has recently made available Nissin Cisco Crisp Choco in Singapore. Nissin Cisco Crisp Choco is a popular choco snack in Japan and Hong Kong for years.
Philippine-based Asia Brewery Inc has launched Sunkist Zero Sugar, which is the rebranding of the Sunkist Freshie range. This refreshing carbonated drink comes in unique yoghurt and apple flavours. Sunkist Zero Sugar contains iron, calcium and vitamin B12 for stronger immunity.
Kuala Lumpur, 6 October 2023 – Brought to you by the Korea Agro-Fisheries and and Food Trade Corporation and the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs the highly-anticipated K-Food Fair Kuala Lumpur, is coming back to Malaysia with various K-activities catering to both consumers (B2C) and businesses (B2B).
The K-Food Fair 2023 is set to happen from 13 to 15 October at LG2, Blue Concourse, Sunway Pyramid Mall from 10.00 a.m. M to 10.00 p.m. Attendees can enjoy various K-experiences from dance competitions, K-Food quiz shows, taekwondo performances, and more. Attendees will also stand a chance to win various gift vouchers and K-Food Fair strawberry bags over the course of the 3-day fair.
What the public can look forward to at K-Food Fair 2023
The public can start attending the K-Food Fair 2023 from 13 to 15 October, with an opening ceremony happening on 13 October officiated by Mr. Jang Jae Hyung, Managing Director of the aT Centre Kuala Lumpur, together with H.E. Yeo Seung-bae, Ambassador of The Republic of Korea, and Amy Hoo, Head of Marketing Department Sunway Pyramid.
Here are the event highlights that the public can look forward to:
For more information on K-FOOD Fair 2023, please visit www.mykfoodfair.com.
Mamee Food Service and AEON have collaborated once again and this time launching Daebak X AEON Delicatessen 2.0. This time, Sushi and Coco Cafe have joined Delica and Bakery to offer new Koeran-inspired offerings including the relaunch of the best selling Kogi chicken and new menu such as Korean Sushi combo, Kimchi-Bokkeumbap, Yang Nyeom Chicken and more.
The products are available at all AEON outlets and AEON Big (Bakery only).
Four Points by Sheraton Bandung is now serving plant-based meat from Meatless Kingdom. Meatless Kingdom’s plant-based meat is made from shiitake mushroom and soy, which is lower in calories and fat.
The Meatless Kingdom plant-based menu served at the prestigious hotel are as follows:
B2B, including foodservice, is an important channel for plant-based meat players. Hotels, in particular, need plant-based ingredients to offer to their guests with specific dietary requirements.
KUALA LUMPUR, 5 OCTOBER 2023 – Boost, the regional fintech leader, introduced the Beyond Card together with CelcomDigi on the Mastercard network. This innovative card is the first two-in-one international card in Malaysia, enabling customers to access funds from your Boost wallet balance and utilize a pre-approved credit line. It is the first card in Malaysia with this unique feature and is accepted across Mastercard’s over 100 million merchants worldwide.
Select customers will be invited to apply for the card from 9th October 2023, with Celcom users enjoying exclusive access to apply via the Boost app, followed by Digi users in due course.
The Beyond Card by CelcomDigi and Boost offers Shariah-Compliant flexible payments via a credit facility in a responsible manner, using robust scoring techniques to ensure those offered credit line have the ability to repay. It also addresses financial inclusion gaps, targeting customers without cards or with basic ones by offering them a premium experience. Additionally, the card is also the first in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to offer Mastercard Travel Rewards, with qualified customers being able to enjoy attractive rewards such as 12% Cashback from Lazada, 15% off MAS flight bookings, along with up to 10% savings, complimentary gifts and 10% tax free at Mitsui Outlet Park.
Sheyantha Abeykoon, Group CEO of Boost, said: “It gives me great privilege to be able to launch a first in the market product together with our sister company CelcomDigi and be able to provide a tier 1 card experience to a large segment of our combined customer base. This product launch is a successful blend of inclusive financial innovation, coupled with synergistic value unleashed by two flagship Malaysian companies in the Axiata Group. It also further strengthens our partnership with Mastercard which is forged under a common objective of bringing new innovations to the financial landscape in Malaysia.”
T Kugan, Chief Innovation Officer of CelcomDigi, said: “This partnership marks a pivotal step towards financial inclusivity together with telecommunications products and services, delivering convenience and rewarding experiences to Malaysian consumers who have progressively shifted to a digital-first approach for many daily lifestyles. We remain committed to collaborate with industry leaders and drive digital innovation across Malaysia’s digital ecosystem, further supporting the nation’s digital agenda.”
Beena Pothen, Country Manager, Malaysia & Brunei, Mastercard, said: “With the Beyond Card, Malaysians can look forward to an unparalleled travel experience that encompasses the best of culinary, shopping, entertainment and more. Research from the Mastercard Economics Institute underscores the value people place on experiences over things, making the integration of the Mastercard Travel Rewards a natural fit with this trend. The partnership with Boost and CelcomDigi is a significant milestone in the industry, reflecting the joint dedication to prioritizing consumers’ passions, especially where travel is concerned.”
Through the card’s built-in Shariah-Compliant PayLater option, known as Boost PayFlexTM, users can stretch payments by up to 3-month instalments**. Users can also earn up to 3x Boost Stars for each ringgit spent via Boost PayFlexTM, which are redeemable for savings and discounts through the BoostUP Loyalty Programme*. There are no fees applied for local and direct deductions on theBeyond Card.
Each transaction has password protection, and emergencies can be handled with instant card freezing. To apply for the Beyond Card, qualified Celcom customers can download the Boost app and create a Premium Wallet account, for free. Then, tap on the ‘Beyond Card’ button on the homepage of the app and complete the necessary application process. Once successfully pre-approved, users will immediately see their virtual card on the app which can be used for online transactions.
For offline use, a RM20 physical card request is available on the Beyond Card page, covering delivery and SST charges. In exchange for completing the physical card application, users will be able to redeem up to RM100 worth of rewards such as discount vouchers from Lazada, Agoda, Gong Cha, Google Play Store, Viu and The Alley, and more**.
For more information on the Beyond Card, please visit: https://myboost.co/boost-beyond-card
Celebrating three days of fine foods and beverages, food service and delivery solutions, and sustainable products and packaging, SFDA 2023 attracted nearly 7,000 attendees from 49 countries
Singapore, 5 October 2023 – The fifth edition of Speciality Food & Drinks Asia 2023 (SFDA), Southeast Asia’s leading trade show for artisan, gourmet, and fine food and beverages, has come to a successful close. Co-located with the second edition of takeaway and delivery exhibition Food2Go at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, the three-day event attracted close to 7,000 attendees from 49 countries.
The opening ceremony was graced by Guest-of-Honour Yeo Wan Ling, Member of Parliament for Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC and Director of NTUC U SME and U Women and Family; Christopher McCuin, Managing Director of Montgomery Asia; and Victor Mah, President of the Singapore Coffee Association, alongside other distinguished guests. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NTUC and the Singapore Coffee Association was signed, kickstarting a partnership that seeks to create better workplaces for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across all sectors of the coffee industry. MP Yeo had the opportunity to tour the event and hear about the new products and innovations being showcased.
Christopher McCuin, Managing Director of Montgomery Asia, said: “I’m thrilled to announce that this fifth edition of SFDA was once again a splendid success. It was great to witness so many facets of the F&B industry coming together to share their innovations, services and products. I’d like to thank all exhibitors, partners and supporters for their invaluable support, and look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”
Bustling with activities, attendees were treated to cooking demonstrations at the Fine Food Live Stage, and food and drink tasting sessions by many exhibitors and brands. The Tap Room also featured a range of the finest brews. Many F&B products and services were showcased by brands, including Thoughtful Food Pte Ltd, The Water Sommelier, Global Good Plant Meat Pte Ltd, Mindful Drinks, Curated Culture, Curtice Brothers Natural Sauces, VektroPack, Ecospec NovelTech, Sanz Pte Ltd and Smart Minds Holdings Limited, among many others.
Paponpat Piyakulwarasak, Chief Executive Officer of Hoshi Japanese Restaurant, said: “I had the privilege of attending this year’s SFDA as a buyer from Thailand, and it was a fruitful experience. The event provided a great platform for networking and discovering new, high-quality products, from the Singapore market and beyond, which bring great potential to F&B owners seeking to elevate their businesses. I look forward to engaging with the new industry connections made at this year’s event, and returning for future editions.”
Co-located show Food2Go focused on the takeaway and delivery needs of the F&B industry, bringing suppliers, distributors and technology providers together with foodservice, retail and hospitality professionals. With innovative and sustainable solutions in food packaging, vending machines and online ordering platforms, Food2Go helped create business opportunities in this fast-growth industry.
The panel discussions at the Innovation Stage brought industry experts together to discuss challenges and opportunities in the F&B business landscape, including partnerships in the food delivery industry, the ethics of dining reservations, sustainable packaging technologies, and our path towards food security, among many others.
Matt Kovac, Chief Executive Officer of Food Industry Asia, said: “At Food Industry Asia, we support the development and implementation of science-based policies and regulations to foster sustainable growth in our rapidly evolving sector. I’m glad to have moderated a panel discussion at Food2Go, where we delved into the latest advancements in packaging technologies designed to enhance food safety. I also had the opportunity to network with fellow industry professionals and exchange valuable insights to support the sustainable growth of the food and beverage sector.”
Celebrating outstanding F&B talents and innovations
SFDA 2023 hosted the finals of the first-ever Big Idea Food Competition (BIFC) by Big Idea Ventures – the most active FoodTech investor in the world. Aimed at building new innovative ecosystems, identifying world-class talent and investing in the future of food across Asia, the BIFC saw finalists pitch and present their alternative protein innovations to a panel of judges.
Emerging as the winner was Vitality Foods, a Singapore-based next-generation foodtech company that presented their line of plant-based stock powders and flavourings in rich, meaty and seafood profiles. A testament to Singapore’s growing focus on food innovation and sustainability, their win secured them the grand prize of a US$200,000 investment package and automatic enrollment into Big Idea Ventures’ Cohort #8 accelerator program. WEMEET from South Korea came in second with their mushroom-based meat alternatives, and Thailand’s Plant Origin placed third for their protein extracted from rice bran.
Jointly organised by Montgomery Asia and the Meat Traders Association Singapore (MTA), the first-ever ASEAN Butchery Competition brought together meat experts who demonstrated their craftsmanship in meat carving and presentation. Participating teams were judged based on skill and yield; food hygiene and work safety; quality; creativity and display; and cookability of the cuts. The competition saw Butcher Box Singapore clinch the top place and a grand prize of S$5,000, and Huber’s Butchery and Hilton Singapore taking the first and second runner-up places, respectively.
Hosted by the Singapore Coffee Association and Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia (SCTA), the long-awaited Singapore National Coffee Championship 2023 concluded with four deserving champions emerging in various coffee disciplines.
The champion of the Singapore National Latte Art Championship 2023, Jervis Tan, secured a place as the representative of Singapore at the prestigious World Latte Art Championship 2023, scheduled to take place in Taipei, Taiwan, this November. Courtney Kheng, Alistair Seetho and Terence Tan also claimed victory as champions of the Santino Singapore National Barista Championship 2023, Singapore National Brewers Cup 2023 and Singapore Cup Tasters Championship 2023 respectively, and will be representing Singapore in the World Coffee Championships 2024. These champions have exemplified excellence in their respective coffee disciplines, showcasing the thriving coffee culture in Singapore and promising prospects on the international stage.
Strategic Partners, Supporting Partners & Sponsors
This year’s edition is supported by a host of leading industry associations and brands: its Strategic Partners – Meat Traders’ Association Singapore (MTA), Singapore Coffee Association (SCA) and Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association (SFMA) – and the Strategic Partner of Food2Go – Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), as well as the following Supporting Partners – Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation (SAFEF), ASEAN Coffee Federation (ACF) along with its 10 country representatives, Asia-Pacific Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA), Club Managers’ Association of Singapore (CMAS), Association of Catering Professionals of Singapore (ACAPS), Hospitality Purchasing Association Singapore (HPAS), Singapore Retailers Association (SRA), the Food Bank Singapore (FBSG), and many others.
Patrick Chan, President of the Association of Catering Professionals of Singapore, said: “As Singapore’s catering industry evolves, we strive to further develop the capabilities and professionalism of caterers and food suppliers. We are proud to be a Supporting Partner of SFDA 2023, which brought the F&B industry together for three days of learning, sharing and networking.”
Dennis Mark, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, said: “The SMF is pleased to be the strategic partner for Food2Go Asia 2023. This event has provided a collaborative platform for our members, the general public, and a broad spectrum of industry stakeholders to exchange ideas, foster innovation, and showcase the best of their products. It has proven to be an ideal arena for manufacturers, consumers, and both regional and international partners to convene, share cutting-edge innovations, and propagate ideas in product manufacturing and packaging technology. As we reflect on the success of 2023 and look forward to 2024, we see that this platform is a crucial avenue for us to reach our global audience. This is a perfect opportunity for more Singapore brands and companies to join us in this innovation journey, share their ideas, and propel their businesses onto the global stage. We look forward to Food2Go Asia 2024, with aspirations to make it even bigger and better.”
Expanding horizons and reuniting the industry in 2024
SFDA and Food2Go will return from 1 to 3 October 2024 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. Both events are must-attend platforms which will showcase the future of fine food and drinks, foodservice and takeaway and delivery services. For the latest updates and announcements, visit www.sfdasia.com.
