How major F&B firms are applying healthy longevity in product innovation. 03-Nov-2026 Last updated on 03-Nov-2026 at 03:41 GMT Daily nutrition is increasingly being considered an integral part of healthy longevity for both food companies and consumers. (Getty Images) From building gut microbiome databases to designing personalized nutrition, major food and beverage companies Nestle, Charoen Pokphand Foods and Calbee are innovating with healthy longevity in mind. At the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore from October 27 to 29, speakers from Nestle, Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), Calbee, and Singapore-based microbiome company AMILI discussed how their companies are applying healthy longevity to product innovation in a panel session moderated by NutraIngredients APAC editor Tingmin Koe. According to Aline Mor, head of R&D (South East Asia) at Nestle, the firm sees healthy longevity as an "interconnected opportunity" where nutrition and supplementation - which are both part of its portfolio - can help consumers age better. "Nutrition plays a key role in our health since we are born. As we age, our metabolism changes and our nutritional needs become different. That's where we come in and offer solutions that can be incorporated into daily lives," she said. However, developing high-quality nutrition is only one part of the equation, since making nutrition accessible is just as important. "From our point of view, we want to create solutions that can be consumed every day through food and beverage, and also as supplements if needed," she said. CPF building microbiome database. Similarly, Thailand-headquartered CPF views healthy longevity, gut microbiome and personalization as ways to support people in aging well through everyday food. The company takes a three-pronged approach to its nutritional innovation, spanning daily nutrition, medical nutrition and personalized nutrition. For example, it is approaching daily nutrition by designing products high in protein and fibre and low in sodium and sugar. Separately, the company works with a hospital in Thailand to design foods for specific needs - for instance, foods for people recovering from illness, diabetes patients, and seniors who require nutrient-dense foods in easily swallowable and digestible portions. "We are also looking at personalized nutrition. People of the same age may have different nutritional goals. Some may want to maintain weight, some may want to work on muscle building, some are managing their blood sugar levels, etc," said Nalinee Robinson, head of R&D at CPF. " Incorporating these goals with their health, lifestyle and eating habits is part of personalization." In fact, CPF is also creating a microbiome database to guide the creation of specific meal plans. The goal is to help consumers eat the right foods for better health. Calbee and AMILI personalized nutrition partnership. Singapore microbiome firm AMILI believes that everyone deserves to have a good shot at personalizing what they should eat for better health. "We know that the same food can have a very different metabolic response in each person. Our immune systems and metabolism rates are all very different, and therefore we should not wrongly assume that the same foods will be equally good or equally bad for all of us," said Jeremy Lim, CEO and co-founder of AMILI. The company's data shows that among the 10 most common gut species in global or Western-dominated datasets, only two of these microbes are found in South East Asians. "The appeal is that if you're selling a product in Asia, make sure that it works for us here in Asia. And I cannot over-emphasize how important good-quality human studies are," he added. AMILI is collaborating with Japanese snack maker Calbee to provide a personalized nutrition service called Body Granola, which consists of a microbiome gut health test and granola subscription. "We are very privileged to work with Calbee in what we believe will be the first of many personalized foods. The form factor is really second-order because some of us may like drinks and some of us may like cereals, etc. However, we do believe we are on the cusp of this era of using science to help us live our best possible life," he reiterated. From Calbee's perspective, healthy longevity is about helping people stay physically active and mentally healthy for as long as possible. "We are expanding our range of products that support a healthy lifestyle. This includes salt-free and salt-reduced products, as well as products with higher protein content," Masae Nakano, chief technology officer at Calbee, said. Country-specific and ingredient trends in APAC. Citing data from its partner Mintel, Mor said that the market with the highest number of product launches with claims associated with healthy aging or longevity was India, followed by China and Australia. "Energy is still the number one claim or benefit in the market, so energy drink is one of the categories that has seen a lot of launches," she said. "In India and China, tea is also seeing a lot of functional benefits associated with healthy longevity. In Australia, there are many new products in the gummy or jelly format." On the other hand, Robinson highlighted that Thailand has caught up with the global protein trend but is now going beyond protein powder. "For example, we are experiencing 20% to 30% year-on-year growth for high-protein milk. And we are starting to see protein water and high-protein snacks entering the market as well," she said. When it comes to healthy longevity, the company sees a connection between protein and muscle and strength maintenance, with opportunities in incorporating this concept into everyday meals. Additionally, she identified fiber as the "next wave" after protein, although formulation is relatively challenging in terms of taste and texture. "Another challenge of fiber is that it is harder to communicate it to the consumers, but we are also starting to see it being incorporated into foods and beverages in the market. The R&D in this segment is expanding every year, and we believe that the demand for this specific nutrition is going to be important and growing." At the same time, Thailand is home to an abundance of herbs and botanicals, such as turmeric, ginger, and galangal. "They all deliver functional benefits and are part of the meals that we ate growing up. But the challenge is that the active ingredient from these herbs in a typical meal is not high enough to deliver any actual benefit unless you eat a lot of them daily." Still, the Thai government has been actively promoting these native herbs, including investing in research and innovation for commercialization in both food and wellness industries - an initiative that CPF is looking to leverage in developing beneficial everyday meals for consumers. Elsewhere in Japan, the healthy longevity market is evolving beyond traditional health supplements. It is increasingly combining nutrition, digital health support like wearables, and even AI coaching. This shift is being driven not only by an aging population, but also by a broad range of needs. These needs include a rising demand for muscle health, sleep and stress management, mental health, blood sugar control, weight management, gut health, vision care, and women's health, particularly around menopause, said Nakano. "People want to communicate and work longer, live independently without relying on long-term care, care for aging parents and manage healthcare costs," she added. The science of microbiome databases, personalized nutrition and gut health as tools for healthy ageing sits at the heart of what Probiota Global 2027 brings together.

Dubai opens four major food and beverage exhibitions featuring 2,500 exhibitors. As supply chains face mounting pressure from geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, and rising production costs, the ability to manufacture food reliably, efficiently, and closer to markets is emerging as a defining competitive advantage. Investment in advanced manufacturing, automation, and production infrastructure is reshaping how the global food industry operates, placing industrial capability at the heart of food security and economic resilience. For the UAE, this presents a significant opportunity to expand domestic production, attract investment, and strengthen its position as a global hub for food manufacturing and trade. Against this backdrop, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) opens four major food and beverage exhibitions tomorrow: Gulfood Manufacturing, GulfHost, ISM Middle East, and Private Label Middle East. Across 21 halls, 2,500 exhibitors from 79 exhibiting countries will connect with businesses spanning ingredients, processing, packaging, supply chain, and manufacturing technology, alongside professional foodservice equipment, confectionery, and private label. The exhibitions will feature some of the world's most influential food businesses and technology leaders, including ADM International, Cargill, Chocolake, Döhler, Food Specialities Limited (FSL), GEA, Givaudan, Husky, IFF, IFFCO, Krones, MULTIVAC, Sidel, SIG, Symrise, and Tetra Pak, along with senior executives from Agthia Group, Bühler Group, DHL Global Forwarding, Ferrero, Maersk, Mars, Microsoft, Nestlé, and PepsiCo at the FoodTech Summit. Further underscoring the exhibitions' international reach, Argentina, the Philippines, Mauritania, San Marino, and Slovakia will be represented for the first time. This global participation comes as the UAE targets an increase in the food sector's contribution to national GDP from AED 30 billion to AED 40 billion by 2028, reinforcing the economic significance of domestic production and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Commenting on the show's significance, Mark Napier, Vice President, Gulfood Manufacturing, inD said: "The strength of a nation's food economy lies in its ability to produce, innovate, trade, and meet the needs of a growing population. By bringing four interconnected industries together in Dubai, we are creating a powerful meeting point for businesses, technology providers, and investors across the food value chain. This convergence creates opportunities to connect manufacturing expertise with the commercial relationships and solutions necessary to support the UAE's industrial ambitions and strengthen its standing in global food trade." Manufacturing Innovation moves to the Centre of Food Security. At the core of this industry-wide event is Gulfood Manufacturing 2026, held under the theme 'Powering Food Security Through Manufacturing Innovation '. As manufacturers face growing pressure to improve efficiency, manage costs, and strengthen production resilience, the exhibition will showcase technologies and product innovations designed to deliver measurable gains across the food manufacturing process - from high-speed bottling and energy-efficient industrial refrigeration to precision temperature control, lower-impact packaging, and new ingredient formulations. Krones' ErgoBloc L, capable of handling up to 104,000 PET bottles per hour, demonstrates the scale and speed achievable through integrated bottling technology. In industrial refrigeration, GEA's CompaX will highlight energy-efficient cooling, a critical consideration for manufacturers seeking to manage operational costs and resource consumption. Meanwhile, Thompson Meat Machinery's 91000C Cryogenic Mixer Grinder uses nitrogen injection for temperature-controlled processing, illustrating how specialised technologies can help manufacturers maintain control over processing conditions. Innovation extends beyond machinery to the ingredients and packaging that shape product development and manufacturing economics. SIG's Terra Alu-free + Full Barrier cartons offer a packaging alternative designed to deliver full-barrier protection without an aluminium layer, with a reported carbon footprint reduction in packaging of up to 25 per cent. In ingredients, Bunge's CBT Gold enables chocolate production without the conventional tempering process, with potential cost savings of up to 70 per cent. Together, these solutions illustrate how advances in equipment, materials, and formulations can create opportunities to improve efficiency, rethink established production processes, and respond to evolving industry requirements. The technologies also connect to the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, which prioritises modern technologies, enhanced local production, and diversified food import sources. For manufacturers, the challenge is to translate these priorities into practical decisions about production, equipment, and investment. FoodTech Summit examines investment, AI, and next generation of factories. The FoodTech Summit will bring together government leaders, global business executives, and technology pioneers to debate the forces influencing food production, from supply-chain resilience and domestic manufacturing to AI, robotics, and the future of the intelligent factory. The summit will feature keynotes and discussions from prominent industry leaders, including Ihab Rafik Amin, President for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan at Mondelēz International, followed by a discussion on localising the UAE food supply chain with His Excellency Khalifa Al Hajeri, CEO of Emirates Growth Fund. Other confirmed participants include senior executives from DSM-Firmenich, Flora Food Group, Mondelēz International, and Orkla, shedding light on food security, manufacturing, logistics, technology, and changing consumer demand. A key highlight of Day 1 will be the Global Leaders Series roundtable, 'The Food Sovereignty Agenda: Capital and the Intelligent Factory,' bringing together Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever; John Elkington, creator of the triple bottom line concept; and Ken Goldberg, pioneering expert in robotics and AI. The discussion will examine how purpose-led business, long-term investment, and intelligent technology can redefine food manufacturing, exploring who will finance the next generation of factories, how nations can build domestic production capabilities, and how the Gulf can lead the next phase of industrial transformation. The summit continues on Day 2 with leaders from Ferrero, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, and Symrise, exploring how manufacturers are responding to changing consumer demand through advances in snacking, confectionery, flavour science, product formulation, and packaging. Connecting manufacturing with foodservice, confectionery, and Private Label: The co-located exhibitions extend the conversation beyond the factory floor to the products, equipment, and commercial channels that bring food to market. GulfHost will showcase professional kitchen and foodservice equipment and operational solutions; ISM Middle East will focus on confectionery and snacks, including product development, category innovation, and market expansion; while Private Label Middle East will highlight opportunities in private-label product development, contract manufacturing, and differentiation across fast-moving consumer goods. All four events run from November 3 to 5, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Registration is free for trade professionals.

World's biggest food manufacturer broadens regenerative agriculture ambitions as focus shifts beyond soil health. Nestlé x BirdLife regenerative agriculture partnership: Overview. * Nestlé and BirdLife will assess regenerative farming's biodiversity impacts * Project measures wildlife outcomes across European agricultural landscapes * European farmland bird populations declined 58% between 1980-2024 * Birds provide trusted indicators of wider ecosystem health changes * Findings could reshape regenerative agriculture and sustainable sourcing strategies Nestlé's making moves beyond traditional regenerative agriculture, with its latest collaboration. The world's biggest CPG has teamed up with BirdLife Europe to better understand how regenerative practices can support biodiversity. Explore related questions. Nestlé and BirdLife join forces. The three-and-a-half-year project will measure the impact of selected regenerative practices on biodiversity across agricultural landscapes and supply chains, assessing whether they deliver meaningful benefits to wildlife and identifying how they can be strengthened. And this matters because, as Nestlé and BirdLife say, Europe's fields have "grown quieter". In fact, the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme found that European farmland bird populations declined by 58% between 1980 and 2024, with agricultural intensification cited as the primary reason for this. "Current intensive farming is wiping out biodiversity, depleting soils and rapidly increasing farmers' vulnerability to climate change," says Ariel Brunner, director of BirdLife Europe and Central Asia. "A profound transformation is urgently needed, and fortunately, many farmers are already experimenting with new approaches. As a key player on the food market, Nestlé can support this transition, but it needs sound science to know which practices to back." Why birds? Birds are considered one of the most reliable indicators of ecosystem health as changes in bird populations often reflect broader shifts in habitat quality, insect abundance and overall biodiversity. As a result, monitoring bird species can provide valuable insights into whether regenerative farming practices are delivering meaningful environmental gains beyond the farm gate. Nestlé's regenerative vision. The science-based programme, says the Swiss multinational, is essential not only to understanding how this farming transition can help restore natural resources, but also to supporting agricultural supply-chain resilience and securing the long-term availability of key ingredients. "We want to back farmers with the science, the tools and the long-term commitment to help them farm in ways that aim to support nature and their businesses," says Anita Wälz, head of sustainability and corporate communications at Nestlé Zone Europe. "This is about learning honestly what works. Birds are one of the most trusted signals nature can give us. Together with BirdLife, we are measuring selected bird populations in participating European farming areas to help assess changes in on-farm biodiversity." The initiative builds on Nestlé's wider regenerative strategy, which has increasingly focused on improving soil health, strengthening farm resilience and reducing the environmental impact of agricultural production. By expanding its attention to biodiversity outcomes, the company's taking a broader approach to measuring the success of regenerative farming. Regenerative agriculture evolves. The project marks a significant change in the way food and beverage is approaching supply chain management. For years, regenerative agriculture conversations largely focused on soil health, carbon sequestration and farm resilience. And, while those remain central goals, Nestlé's collaboration with BirdLife shows the industry's starting to pay attention to how regenerative practices impact entire ecosystems, instead of only looking at the land being farmed. For farmers, this could help identify which regenerative practices deliver the greatest environmental benefits while remaining commercially viable. The findings may also provide food and beverage manufacturers with stronger evidence to guide future sourcing strategies and sustainability programmes. If successful, the collaboration is likely to transform regenerative agriculture from a framework centred on soil and climate outcomes to one that incorporates measurable biodiversity gains, offering a more comprehensive picture of agricultural sustainability and long-term supply-chain resilience.