Brands, key players ‘redefine’ food industry with sustainable, inclusive products

Various products flooded the 2023 Food Taipei Mega Shows from ready-to-eat meals that don’t require chewing to essences and face masks made from seafood.

TAIPEI — From just sugar and canned goods, Taiwan’s food and beverage (F&B) industry has come a long way in terms of products it can offer to the world.

In the recent Food Taipei Mega Show in Taiwan, local brands and manufacturers showcased products that are aimed at redefining the industry.

Amongst the products presented in the exhibition was Stentorian Industries Co. Ltd.’s plant-based products. Whilst there are many plant-based products around the globe, Stentorian prides itself with plant-based products that taste good and are very close to pork or chicken meat.

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In creating these products, the company uses pea protein, wheat protein and soy protein. It also uses moisture extrusion technology to make these products “more tasteful.” Whilst having a high moisture content, the shelf life of these products reaches up to a year.

Another product redefining the future of the food industry in Taiwan is UTC Foods Corporation’s elderly friendly ready-to-eat meals.

UTC Foods said its jelly ready-to-eat meals do not require chewing or biting, and can be eaten just by simply pressing.

In creating the product, the company used texture and nutritional technologies to ensure that the food is healthy and “elderly exclusive.” It also does not use any animal ingredients. The shelf life of the products is one year.

Companies involved in packaging of food products are also moving to “redefine” the industry by introducing sustainable materials.

TCI Bio, for example, is using polypropylene plastic (PP) when creating packaging for their clients. PP is a type of plastic that is safe for reuse. The company also has packing materials which when put into sail will disappear. Apart from these, TCI Bio also collects recycled bottles and makes them into sachets.

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Taiwan Hon Chuan Group, which manufactures packaging materials for F&B players, has been creating bottles with tethered caps in response to the EU Directive 2019/2024.
 
By producing tethered caps, Taiwan Hon Chuan Group allows their local clients to have a better chance at importing in EU nations where the directive has been set.
 
Apart from tethered caps, the company also recycles bottles by cutting them into flakes and melting them as resin to create new bottles.
 
All these companies were part of the Future Food Technology Pavilion which was set up for the very first time in Food Taipei. The pavilion showcased alternative foods, food for seniors, and other sustainable products and solutions.

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Other companies that participated in the mega shows on “redefining” the food industry included ANKO, which has a presence in Singapore and recently opened an office there.
 
The seafood producer uses every part of the fish they catch and turns them into different products. Even the non-edible parts are made into essences or face masks, among others, to ensure that nothing goes to waste in their production line.
 
By coming together at the Food Taipei Mega Shows, Taiwan’s local food brands and manufacturers were able to take one step closer to its goal to ensure food safety and stability.