Joanna Lobo rounds up all the biggest news in F&B.

Let me give you the bad news first. Food regulator FSSAI has launched a project to assess microplastic contamination in food products and develop methods for its detection. The announcement comes close on the heels of a study that found that the study, ‘Microplastics in Salt and Sugar’ conducted by environmental research company Toxic Links found that sugar and salt brans in India have microplastics in them.

A clean-up drive carried out in 450 sites across the Indian Himalayas found that food packaging was the biggest polluter — 75% of the refuse was plastic of which 84% came from food packaging.

The Southern African Development Community says that nearly 70 million people in southern Africa are suffering from the effects of an El Niño-induced drought.

Moving on to happier news. Brand Finance’s annual report ‘Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024’ found that Amul India, is India’s strongest food brand, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 out of 100; Nestlé remains the leader in the most valuable brand in the F&B sector

Netlfix launches popcorn line; brewery creates edible six-pack rings

How much do you love fast food? Munachimso Brian Nwana, a content creator and food consultant, visited 150 fast food outlets setting a new world record for visiting the most fast-food restaurants in 24 hours. He completed his entire route on foot, covering a distance of over 25 kilometres.

New Zealand organised Pou-o-Kai: a restaurant experience under the dark, starry skies of Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill). Kiwi Chef Ben Bayly hosted over 50 of the world’s most renowned tastemakers (including India’s Saransh Goila) for a ‘superior cuisine, worth a journey to the edge of the earth’, a six-course degustation menu.

Yemen organised a new, soon-to-be annual honey festival to promote Yemeni honey, revive its status, and market Yemeni brands of this cash crop globally.

Michelin revealed the third edition of its annual Michelin Guide Dubai, which includes 106 restaurants (a 53.6% jump since the Guide’s inception in 2022). Indian cuisine continues to be popular, with 11 places; Trèsind Studio by chef Himanshu Saini and Avatāra by chef Rahul Rana maintain their presence in the Guide, with two and one star respectively.  Copenhagen is now the only Nordic capital with three top-rated Michelin restaurants. Goan chef Gaspar Fernandes became the first from the state to have a restaurant — Gaspar’s in Lithuania — to be awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for his innovative Goan-inspired food.