Food Industry Asia (FIA)

Processed foods are an integral part of global diets, serving diverse needs - from nutrition in early life to promoting health and offering moments of indulgence. Yet, misconceptions persist about the safety and nutritional value of processed foods. In the latest edition of our digital series, Mythbusters: Processed Foods, we hear from Professor Jeya Henry, a leading international food scientist, as he gives his opinions on the debate about processed foods. Key Takeaways: • Processing can enhance food safety, such as the pasteurisation of milk, which eliminates harmful bacteria. • The nutritional quality of food should be the focus. Food processing can in fact make food healthier. • Innovative food processing technologies are helping to create foods that are both nutritious and safe for consumers. At Food Industry Asia, we are dedicated to providing evidence-based insights that challenge misconceptions and support informed decisions about the role of processed foods in today’s world. #FoodScience #Nutrition #ProcessedFoods #FoodIndustryAsia #Mythbusters #HealthAndWellness

On 21 October, Food Industry Asia (FIA) and Novonesis co-hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the Technical and Emerging Science of Probiotics in Food, attended by over 40 participants, including officials from Malaysia's Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD). The roundtable aimed to convene experts, industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to explore recent advancements in probiotics. Key objectives of this event included: 1️⃣Knowledge Sharing: Presenting the latest research and technological developments in probiotics. 2️⃣Facilitating Dialogue: Encouraging open discussions about current challenges and opportunities. 3️⃣Promoting Collaboration: Fostering partnerships to enhance the understanding and application of probiotics in food. 4️⃣Regulatory Discussion: Addressing guidelines affecting the safe market use of probiotics. ✅Prof. Dr. Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar highlighted the role of probiotics in reducing chronic disease risks and their potential impact on mental health via the gut-brain axis. She emphasised that probiotics are safe and should be part of a healthy diet. ✅Ms. Chandrika Balachandrun discussed the fragmented regulatory landscape for probiotics in Southeast Asia. She highlighted that fragmented probiotic regulations lead to inconsistencies and challenges. A shared understanding and harmonised probiotic framework, along with strong collaboration with the industry, will foster the development of safe, high-quality, clear, and science-based products. ✅FIA updated participants on CCNFSDU44, which has requested the FAO and WHO to review existing documents on probiotics. FIA will engage with national regulators to determine next steps. ✅Interactive panel discussions with Prof. Dr. Mokhtar and Ms. Balachandrun underscored the need for streamlined regulatory processes regarding probiotics registration and labelling. The discussions focused on mutual recognition of strains, health claims, overcoming innovation barriers, and harmonising probiotic interpretations for effective regulations. While national and regional risk assessment policies may differ, robust and consistent scientific evidence is crucial for evaluating the safety and health benefits of probiotics. It is evident that collaboration among industry, academia, and regulators is vital for science-based food regulation. By working together, we can ensure that regulations are supported by scientific evidence, are practical, and respond effectively to emerging challenges, ultimately enhancing consumer confidence in the probiotics present in our food. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our speakers and on-site stakeholders for their contributions to these important discussions, which helped make this event a success. #probiotics #healthclaims #functionalingredients

FIA will continue to give the Singapore Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board industry perspectives to ensure a robust and fair FOP system is in place for additional nutrients. https://lnkd.in/g7thpgEj

On 5 September, Food Industry Asia (FIA) and USDA co-hosted a hybrid workshop on “Science and Safety of Food Ingredients” attracting over 100 participants onsite and online participants from industry, regulatory bodies, and academia across the region. The workshop aimed to increase awareness of international standards, identify regulatory needs, and advance approval processes for food ingredients. Key insights of the workshop included: ✅ Steve Crossley discussed the evolving role of Codex Alimentarius and the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), supported by JECFA's scientific assessments, in shaping global food safety regulations. ✅ Jessica Parsons O'Connell detailed the US FDA’s rigorous review processes for sweeteners, reaffirming the safety of aspartame despite differing international opinions, and underscored the commitment to science-based consumer information. ✅ Dr Vince Sewalt highlighted the transformative role of microbial bioscience in enzyme innovation, advocating for risk-proportionate approaches, such as Safe Strain Lineage, to streamline safety assessments and apply these practices to other microbially produced ingredients. ✅ Interactive panel discussions, featuring Marianne Dessen-Mugniot, Sohan Singh, and Norlida Zulkafly (Principal Assistant Director, FSQD Malaysia), emphasised the need for streamlined regulatory processes and stronger industry-regulator collaboration. The discussions focused on overcoming innovation hurdles, aligning national interests, and harmonising food science interpretations to achieve effective, science-based regulations. ---------- These efforts are crucial for ensuring food safety, reducing non-tariff trade barriers, and expanding access to innovative food technologies in the pursuit of sustainability and food security. While national/regional risk assessment policies may vary, sound and consistent scientific evidence is essential for evaluating the safety of food ingredients. It is clear that collaboration between industry, academia, and regulators is essential for science-based food regulation. By working together, we can ensure that regulations are backed by scientific evidence, practical, and responsive to emerging challenges, ultimately strengthening consumer confidence in our food systems. A big THANK YOU to all our speakers, onsite stakeholders, and online participants for contributing to these critical discussions and making this event a success. 😊 #foodingredients #foodsafety

On 4 September, Food Industry Asia (FIA) had the privilege of engaging in a productive discussion with key stakeholders from BSN (National Standardization Agency of Indonesia) and US Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, focusing on the development and implementation of food safety standards in Indonesia. FIA Secretariats Liza Tan and Cyrus YEONG Kar Joon met with the following team from BSN: - Chairman of BSN Drs Kukuh S. Achmad - Director of Standard Development for Agro, Chemical, Health, and Conformity Assessment Mr. Heru Suseno - Director of System of Standard Implementation and Conformity Assessment Ms. Konny Sagala - Standardisation Analyst and the Head of Team for Fulfilling the International Obligations Ms. Dewi Komalasari BSN, as Indonesia’s Codex point of contact, outlined their role in developing voluntary standards that guide safety, quality, and nutritional requirements, which may be adopted by BPOM. They also shared their involvement in being consulted on setting thresholds for HFSS (high in fat, sugar, and salt) regulations. FIA emphasised the importance of food additives and sweeteners in creating healthier products, highlighting the need for sufficient reformulation time to align HFSS levels with existing policies, addressing challenges like inflation and shelf stability. Insights were shared from the US perspective, supported by USDA, presented by Jessica Parsons O'Connell who provided valuable context on safety assessments of sweeteners, particularly through the GRAS framework. BSN deliberated on these points and will consider them in their ongoing engagements with relevant authorities, especially on the Government Regulation No. 28 Year 2024 on Health.

On September 3, Food Industry Asia (FIA) co-organised a closed-door dialogue with Thai FDA, facilitated by FTI. During the meeting, the FIA Secretariat Liza Tan presented on the regulatory landscape of Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) adoption in ASEAN, highlighting existing gaps and opportunities for alignment to improve market access. A key concern brought up was on the restrictions caused by the adoption of the Additive Unity Principle (Proportion Rule). This principle was originally developed by FSANZ approximately 25 years ago to restrict the use of multiple additives with the same technological function in the same food. It was noted by Steve Crossley who attended in a neutral expert capacity, that variants of this approach are incorporated into various condition statements linked to provisions in Codex standards. It was also noted that all food additives used in accordance with the GSFA should be used under conditions of good manufacturing practice. The pathway moving forward recommended by the FIA would be to balance the legitimate use of mixtures of additives providing the same technological purpose, utilising selective proportion rule and GMP provisions for several additives where appropriate. #FoodAdditives #Codex #GSFA

Last week at Propak Indonesia, Food Industry Asia (FIA) co-organised & participated in a workshop & forum focused on waste management & packaging policy alongside key stakeholders. 🔷 The Food Industry Asia (FIA) X GAPMMI Pusat Workshop on Bridging the Gap in Solid Waste Management saw speakers shared insights & recommendations on scaling efforts pertaining to waste management systems. In light of the pledge for 30% waste reduction at source & targets of Regulation P.75/2019, discussions centered around advancing existing waste streams & enhancing alignment between industry actions & national objectives. 🔶 The Indonesian Packaging Forum provided the opportunity to discuss plastics circularity, in the context of Indonesia. Our session explored several considerations for framing effective packaging policies like #EPR & the urgent need to address challenges stemming from the current waste ecosystem. A big thank you to Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and the partners involved in coordinating this. #sustainability #packagingcircularity #propak #solidwastemanagement

Earlier this week, Food Industry Asia (FIA) CEO Matt Kovac met with government authorities and academic representatives from Indonesia to discuss the positive contribution reformulation has on delivering more healthful and sustainable products, and what needs to be done for the SME F&B community to drive these efforts. In his capacity as a senior advisor to the ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance (AFBA), Matt met with Ibu Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M. Epid — Director of Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, Ibu Nadia, Director of NCDs MOH; Dwiana Andayani, Apt. — Director of Processed Food Standardization, Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM); Prof Purwiyatno Hariyadi, Ph.D — Professor and Senior Researcher, SEAFAST Center, IPB University, and moderator Roy Alexander Sparringa — Expert and Chairman, Indonesian Food Safety Professional Association (APKEPI. They have valuable insights and discussed policy and regulatory developments as well as ideas on how to collaborate with industry. Delegates at the event were also educated on how an ingredients company works with food and beverage brands to reformulate, and the associated opportunities and challenges in changing formulations and catering to consumer preferences. Thanks to Kerry Indonesia for allowing us to visit their R&D centre in downtown Jakarta and letting all try reduced sugar and sodium sodas, chips and cookies! Many thanks to Omar Lechuga and his team for leading that visit! Very insightful and helpful in understanding the processes and technologies used. #reformulation #lesssugar #lesssodium

FIA was honoured to attend the launch of Malaysia's Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste Management in Malaysia (2025-2035) and met with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to discuss the future of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the country. During the visit, we shared insights into the progress, best practices, and position of the food and beverage industry within the EPR ecosystem. With EPR being highlighted as one of the catalyst for sustainable solid waste management under the blueprint, a concerted effort will be crucial in developing effective mechanisms and frameworks for EPR as we look forward to future collaboration with stakeholders to drive meaningful change in waste management.

Asia's booming economies demand healthier food, but misconceptions & regulations may be hindering progress. #Food #Reformulation offers a powerful solution, but clear communication is vital for building trust. It can involve processes such as boosting nutritional content, reducing the presence of ingredients like sugar, salt and unhealthy fat or enhancing other qualities such as shelf life. #Collaboration between governments, companies, and consumers is key to unlocking a tastier, healthier future for Asia. For more information on the topic, here is an op-ed by FIA: https://lnkd.in/dPaSdbAX #FoodIndustryAsia #FoodScience #FoodInnovation #PublicHealth #Health #Nutrition