Hot Right Now: FAO and WHO cultivated meat report, Kraft Heinz Indonesia investment, Singapore's Nutri-Grade and more feature in our round-up

From tumour risk to microbiome harm: FAO and WHO debunk four cell-based meat misconceptions​

The FAO and WHO have debunked four key misconceptions and concerns surrounding cell-based meat, spanning tumour risk to a negative impact on the microbiome.

In a new report featuring insights from regulators, researchers, and industry experts, it assessed the key food safety considerations of cell-based innovations and strategies to improve consumer understanding of the category.

Part of this involved commentating on several concerns that were garnering significant media attention:

“Given the attention they have received, these concerns have been considered by the Technical Panel, even if it was not possible to describe a sequence of events consistent with the current understanding of relevant science that could result in harm to consumers,​” the report explained.

Upgrades and opportunities: Kraft Heinz pumps investment into Indonesia, eyes meat replacement innovation​

Global food giant Kraft Heinz says investment in an upgraded facility and new sustainability pledges reaffirm its commitment to the crucial Indonesia market, while it has also revealed it is examining opportunities in the meat replacement space.

The firm’s largest production facility in the Asian region is located in Indonesia, mostly focused on the production of its ABC branded products which are a leader in terms of market share in the country.

Most recently, Kraft Heinz poured in a total of IDR 1.2 Trillion (US$ 84M) in CAPEX investment to upgrade this site, installing modernised processing equipment, solar energy and waste water management systems.

“This advancement is expected to transform the ABC Indonesia Karawang plant into a world-class factory and is an important milestone for us here in Indonesia as we pave the path for our long-term growth in Indoensia,”​ Kraft Heinz Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Managing Director Steven Debrabandere told FoodNavigator-Asia​.

Too much sugar focus: ‘More measures’ needed for Singapore’s Nutri-Grade system to improve consumer diets – study​

A recent study conducted by Singaporean researchers on the government’s Nutri-Grade front-of-package (FOP) beverage labelling scheme has concluded that more work needs to be done for it to make a positive impact on consumer dietary and purchasing choices.

Singapore first announced the Nutri-Grade labelling scheme for sugar-sweetened pre-packaged beverages back in 2020, and this was finally officially enforced in the country in December 2022 after various delays attributed to COVID-19.

The scheme grades beverages from A (healthiest) to D (least healthy) in terms of sugar and saturated fat levels.

Mondelez snacking insights: Brand familiarity and indulgence crucial drivers for AMEA industry growth​

Snacking giant Mondelez International says the familiarity of brands as well as consumer demand for indulgence in their daily diets are key drivers for snack market growth in the AMEA region.

Mondelez released a version of its State of Snacking 2022 report findings specific to the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region, which FoodNavigator-Asia​ has viewed, with several key insights focused on consumer purchasing behaviour in this region.

One of its key findings was that brand familiarity is incredibly important to AMEA consumers, with many willing to put in extra effort to gain access to favourite, familiar snacks.

“We found that 75% of consumers in this region would rather buy fewer of their favourite snack brand than buy a generic alternative, even if it is less expensive,”​ Mondelez EVP and AMEA President Maurizio Brusadelli told FoodNavigator-Asia​.

‘Make healthy the only option’: Nestle, Del Monte weigh impact of food affordability vs nutrition education​

An expert panel with food industry heavyweights Nestle and Fresh Del Monte have highlighted the impact that nutritional education and product affordability have on encouraging ‘informed’ consumer purchasing decisions.

Amidst rising awareness and recognition of the importance of healthier diets across the world post-pandemic, a lot of focus has been on brands providing nutritional education to consumers in order to help them make better food choices. But in practical terms, this may not be enough to make a difference, especially in consideration of recent economic turbulence.

This was the opinion of the expert panel that convened in Dubai to discuss this topic, which comprised of Nestle MENA Head of Nutrition, Health and Wellness Joumana Dabbagh, Fresh Del Monte Marketing Manager MENA Racha El Aawar and European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Food Director of Communication Saskia Nujiten.