As Food Tech Advances, F-Label Emerges… Not Vegan, But Made Without Animals
With the growth of food technology, new food products focusing on animal-free production techniques and precision fermentation are emerging. To safely differentiate these products, a new certification has been introduced.

Switzerland-based V-Label GmbH has launched the F-Label, which applies to various processes that produce compounds traditionally derived from animals—without any animal involvement. These processes include biomass fermentation, syngas fermentation, and cell-free synthesis.

The F-Label ensures transparency in the production of these ingredients, guaranteeing consumers that the products are free from animal involvement while distinguishing them from traditional plant-based products.

Unlike vegan certifications, which consider ethical and environmental factors, the F-Label strictly verifies that no animals were involved. It also acknowledges that the final product may be molecularly identical to animal-derived ingredients.

The F-Label certification criteria include requirements for animal-free production, the absence of GMOs in the final product, and antibiotic-free processing. Lubomir Yotov, head of the F-Label initiative, emphasized that this certification supports the development of a food system based on animal-free production technologies.

The introduction of the F-Label sets a new standard for the production of fermentation-derived animal-free ingredients and is expected to contribute to the advancement of a sustainable food industry.

HPN-K announced that it hosted the ‘K-Market Promotion Economic Forum’ to support the successful entry of South Korean companies into Indonesia’s halal market.

The forum was organized by the Economic Association of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, with HPN-K hosting the event.

With the participation of high-ranking Indonesian officials and key corporations, the forum shared concrete strategies and solutions for overcoming market entry barriers for Korean companies looking to expand into Indonesia.

Discussions focused on strategies to obtain proper certification in Indonesia, comply with local regulations, and work with importers, customs, and authorities to protect brands, reduce costs, shorten processing times, and enhance localization.

Additionally, participants explored practical preparations for the upcoming mandatory halal certification requirement for imported food products, set to take effect on October 17, 2024, with a grace period of up to two years.

Halal certification, which ensures compliance with Islamic law, is crucial not only for food but also in industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and fashion.

An NU representative at the forum emphasized, "Understanding Indonesian culture and respecting religious values are the most critical starting points for Korean companies entering the market. We hope this forum serves as a new milestone in economic cooperation between our two countries."

Japan’s Vegan Food Industry Driven by SDGs and ESG

With the growing trends of environmental protection and ethical consumption, Japan’s vegan food market is expanding. In particular, in line with policy initiatives aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the Japanese government is actively supporting the vegan trend.

According to a 2024 report by IMARC Group, Japan’s vegan food market was valued at $2.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $2.7 billion by 2033. Additionally, the market is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2025 to 2033.

Among vegan food categories, the alternative protein market is anticipated to see continuous growth. According to a 2022 report by Yano Research Institute, this market is expected to grow by more than 2.9 times by 2030 compared to 2025, aligning with the SDGs target timeline.

One notable characteristic of Japan’s vegan food market is the dominance of offline distribution channels. According to a December 2023 report by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, offline distribution accounted for 94% of the market in 2023. Major retailers include 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and AEON.

The primary consumers of vegan food in Japan are young people in their 20s to 40s. Economic analyses suggest that consumers with greater financial stability tend to lead vegan food consumption. These consumers share common characteristics, such as a strong interest in sustainable ingredients and ethical consumption.

One of the leading companies in the Korean food market in Japan is CJ Food Japan. Through its global Korean food brand "bibigo," CJ Food Japan sells products such as Korean-style dumplings, kimchi, and seasonings, achieving consistent double-digit sales growth. In March 2024, the company introduced new products, all of which are offered as frozen foods.

According to a consumer survey by Ajinomoto, while Japanese consumers enjoy Korean food, they often find ingredient preparation cumbersome. As a result, ready-to-cook frozen foods and meal kits are expected to have strong market potential.

As food tech emerges as a new growth engine in the food industry, major food companies are moving to secure their market dominance. Until now, South Korea’s food tech market has mainly grown around platform-based services such as delivery apps. However, it is now expanding to include AI-powered product inspection, new product development, and cultivated meat.

Nongshim has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning at its Gumi plant to conduct inspections on △hygiene procedure compliance △noodle and soup shape △packaging defects △quantity shortages △expiration date labeling. For example, the company ensures consistency in noodle thickness, noodle count, and product weight using AI for its products such as Shin Ramyun (1.3mm), Chapagetti (1.55mm), and Neoguri (1.6mm). Since introducing AI into its production line in 2020, Nongshim has reported that packaging defects have been reduced to 0.5 cases per one million products.

SPC Group is using AI for new menu development. Last year, SPC Baskin-Robbins introduced the new menu item "Tropical Summer Play" using Google's AI model Gemini. The process involved inputting summer beverage trend keywords into Gemini, which then suggested ingredients that matched the colors of the Google Play logo (red, yellow, green, and blue). Baskin-Robbins then combined these suggestions to create the final menu item.

The bakery brand Samlip has also incorporated AI through its new product development platform, SGPD (Samlip Generative Product Development). This system generates product images and related details within five minutes by processing keywords such as ingredients, trends, and flavors.

The food industry is also expanding into the food tech sector of alternative meat development. CJ CheilJedang has identified "plant-based food" as a future growth driver and launched the "PlanTable" brand in 2021, which utilizes plant-based protein to replicate the taste and texture of meat. The company currently exports dumplings, grilled patties, meatballs, hamburger steaks, canned ham, and nuggets to over 40 countries worldwide.

Shinsegae Food also introduced its alternative meat brand "Better Meat" in 2021 and established its U.S.-based plant-based food subsidiary "Better Foods" the following year. Additionally, in the domestic market, it launched the alternative food brand "You Are What You Eat" and has expanded its alternative meat category to include products such as blood sausage (sundae) and bulgogi.