Policy Picks: Carlsberg Malaysia, India e-commerce and more

Carlsberg Malaysia, India e-commerce and more feature in this edition of Policy Picks

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Carlsberg Malaysia, India e-commerce and more feature in this edition of Policy PicksCarlsberg Malaysia hopes policy reforms will boost consumer sentimentCarlsberg Malaysia is optimistic that local policy reforms will revive consumer sentiment and drive growth in the beer sector after a dip in H1 revenue

“There have been several recent policy developments that could have a positive impact on consumer sentiment, such as the reduction in Malaysia’s Overnight Policy Rate (OPR),” Carlsberg Malaysia Managing Director Stefano Clini added.

India enforces stricter transparency, food safety training for e-commerce India has announced stricter transparency and training mandates for e-commerce in a ‘bold but necessary’ move

The Food Safety Standards and Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued several directives aimed at strengthening hygiene practices and enhancing transparency across e-commerce platforms in the country.

Food, nutra policies must match risks, not stifle competition – expertsRegulations should protect consumers by matching actual risks, but misplaced focus may hinder innovation and fair competition, experts caution

According to food and nutrition industry experts, regulators often lag behind consumer and industry trends, leaving compliant firms disadvantaged while non-compliant or overseas competitors move faster.

This has caused confusion and frustration in the region, according to CEO of Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) John O’Doherty.

Organic sector questions ‘unclear’ GM food rules but ANZ push aheadFood Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is moving forward with new GM food definitions that some say weaken the distinction between ‘natural’ and modified foods

FSANZ announced that only products with “novel DNA” will be considered GM foods, regardless of the techniques used to produce them.

US biofuel proposal may tighten Asia’s soy supplyA proposed biofuel blending hike in the US could disrupt global soy markets, leading to tightened supplies and higher prices across Asia’s food sectors

Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a large mandatory increase in the volumes of biodiesel and renewable diesel to be blended into fossil fuels in 2026 and 2027.

The EPA is looking at shifting blending volumes from the current 3.35bn gallons to 5.61bn gallons in 2026. This represents a 67% increase that could reshape soybean demand.