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Welcome back to Foodtech EYES where we deliver the latest global food innovation news and community updates from UnlocX.


Traditionally, we kick off the new year in Las Vegas, home to the annual Consumer Electronics Show. This year was no different as UnlocX members were on the ground at CES2025, exploring the exciting intersection of consumer technology and food. This year, we were thrilled to share the experience with members of our community, attending press conferences, the Agri & Food Tech conference, and immersing ourselves in the vibrant exhibit floor. In this edition of Foodtech Eyes, we’ve curated a collection of articles showcasing the most noteworthy innovations. 

To delve deeper, join us for our exclusive session on foodtech trends emerging from CES2025 and apply for our “CES2025 Food tech Report & Program ~Exploring the Intersection of Consumer Technology and Food” (only available in Japanese). 


 


Japan’s food innovation scene is also thriving. Join us on January 30th in Toranomon, Tokyo to explore the newly renovated Sustainable Food Museum and discuss the future of food in the city at Sustainable Food Night #23 (Japanese only). Additionally, on February 23rd, the Muto brothers of “Kacha Ryori Muto”—a fusion of Kakegawa and Fucha culinary traditions, emphasizing seasonality and local ingredients in a communal dining experience—and “Tabemono Radio”—a food podcast by these chef brothers that delves into hidden depths of the culinary world—will host the inaugural “Kakegawa Gastonomy Symposium” in Shizuoka. This event will explore the future of food from a local perspective, stay tuned for more updates (Japanese only). 


Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Foodtech EYES! Be sure to check out all of the curated articles selected by our editorial team. 


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RECENT FOOD INNOVATION ARTICLES


<CES2025>

AI & Food Tech: Latest insights around Integrated Life Solutions from CES2025 (Japanese Only)

Nikkei X Trend, 2025/1/22

#CES Overview #AI Appliances #Digital Health #🇰🇷LG #🇰🇷Samsung Food #Samsung Health #🇨🇳Hisence #🇯🇵Panasonic #Appliances for Creativity 


AI Agents Transform User Experiences in Consumer Electronics and Travel, the Future Seen at CES 2025 (Japanese Only)

Nikkei X Tech, 2025/1/20

#CES Overview #AI Agenet #AI Appliances #🇰🇷LG #🇰🇷Samsung #🇨🇳Hisence 


CES2025 Ag Tech Conference & Food Tech Conference Archive

The Spoon, 2025/1/16 

#AI in Agriculture, #Soil Tech #Future Food #AI Kitchen #Robotics, #FutureofGrocery #Restaurant Tech #Food System #Personalized Food


Three Issues from “CES 2025” AI will merge with the real world (Japanese Only)

Nikkei X Trend, 2025/1/14

#CES Overview #Food Tech #Human Centric #NVIDIA #Empowering Human #Integrated Life Solution


Key Implications from CES2025 (Japanese Only)

Tokyo Regenerative Food Lab, 2025/1/11

#CES Overview #Food Tech #Human Centric #Visualization of Mind #Deep Understanding of Human


CES 2025 Food Tech Preview 

The Spoon, 2025/1/4

#🇺🇸Frazy #🇺🇸Artly Coffee Robotics #🇯🇵Kirin #🇫🇷Netri #🇳🇱OrthoFoodie


<Market Overview>

How Will We Eat in 2025? 9 Predictions to Chew On

The New York Times, 2024/12/31

#Flavor Extensions #Savory Coffee #Grab and Go Gastronomy #Japanese Convenience Store  #Hospitality Matters #Protein for GLP-1 #Mood alternating Drinks #Tribal Diet


South East Asia focus: Cracking APAC’s emerging nutraceutical market in 2025 

NutraIngredients, 2025/1/8 

 #Emerging Thailand Market #Suntory #Top3 Consumer Needs #Sales Channel Insight


McDonald's Scraps Diversity Initiatives, Affecting 150,000 Employees Worldwide (Japanese Only)

Nikkei, 2025/1/8 

 #Scaling Back DEI #Conservative Backlash #Walmart Cuts DEI  


<Future Food>

Portuguese Biotech Startup Bags $15M to Bring Infant Formula Nutritionally Closer to Breast Milk

Green Queen, 2025/1/14

#🇵🇹CarboCode #Gut Health and Brain health for infants #Biocant Park


Our 2025 Future Food Trends are Here: Climate Commodities, Infant Nutrition, Disruptive Pet Food, Personalised Gut Health & More 

Green Queen, 2025/1/8 

 #Land-light & Water-light #Alternative Commodities like Cacao #Synbio Tech #Climate-smart Kitchen


Gluten-free trend is back but manufacturers aren’t tapping into the hype 

Food Navigator, 2025/1/6 

#Rapidly Growing Consumer Interest #Urgent Need for Scaling #Poor Accessibility 


‘Mood food’ megatrend set to boom in 2025 

Food Navigator, 2024/12/5

#Mental Health #Milenials #UPF #Personalized Nutrition 


<Personalization>

Customized Meal Delivery Based on Your Unique Needs (Japanese Only)

Nikkei, 2024/12/16

#Personalized Nutrition #🇯🇵Calbee #🇯🇵Ajinomoto #🇯🇵Meiji #🇯🇵Metagen #Recipe Suggestion


What Consumers Want from Personalization 

BCG, 2024/12/12 

#Targeting #Consumer Engagement #Security


<FutureRetail & Restaurant>

Is Groceries the New Status Symbol for Gen Z? The CEO of NYC's Trendy Pop Up Grocer Reveals the Winning Formula (Japanese Only)

Business Insider, 2025/1/6

#🇺🇸Pop Up Grocer #Pantry #High-end Supermarket #Immersive Consumption #🇺🇸Erewhon 


<Future Kitchen>

The 9 Best Smart Kitchen Tools at CES 2025 

MSN, 2025/1/11

#Eureka Ultra Robot Vacuum #Kirin Electric Salt Spoon #Anker Electric Cooler #Mini Oven #Tiny Dishwasher 


CES2025: Smart Kitchen Gadgets Taking Cooking To A New Level 

Forbes, 2025/1/15

#🇨🇿Brisk It #🇨🇳Dreo #🇺🇸Chef iQ #Cooking Robots #AI-equipped oven #Smart Refrigerator #3D Foor Printer


<Food × AI>

How beauty players can scale gen AI in 2025 

McKinsey & Company, 2025/1/16

#Hyperpersonalized Targeting #Experiential Product Discovery #Virtual Try-On #Rapid Innovation


<Agriculture>

Video Game Pro? Why Not Join Our Farm: Farmers Seek New Skills to Attract Workers 

The Spoon, 2025/1/15

#Gaming skill #Virtual reality #Leverage unrelated skills #AI and Data Are the New Tractor


What Bird Flu Means for Milk

Mother Jones, 2025/12/21

#Cattle Disease Outbreak #Milk Yield Reduction #Raw Milk Contamination Risk #Economic Damage to Dairy Farmers  #Trump Administration Response Lacks Transparenchy 


Onshore Aquaculture Project Powers Up Akita's Regional Economy

Nikkei, 2025/12/17 

#🇯🇵NTT East #ICT #Multiple Aquaculture Initiatives #Improving Regional Fishery Competitiveness #Offshore Wind Power  


New $282 million program targets climate and environment action through agriculture and food systems

IFAD, 2024/12/6

 #Nature Positive #Agrifood Systems #Crops #Commodities #Livestock #Aquaculture 


<Sustainability & Regeneration>

The state of sustainable ingredients for 2025 

Future of food Newsletter

#Plant-based #Biomass Fermentation #Precision Fermentation #Alternative Ingredients


Coffee drinkers face price rises as costs on global market hit record high 

The Guardian, 2024/12/10 

#Price Increase #Shrinkflation #Cost of Living Crisis #Fair Trade


<Partnerships & Ecosystem>

French Startup: Standing Ovation, Forms Long-term Partnership with Ajinomoto for Precision Fermented Casein Production (Japanese Only)

Foovo, 2025/1/13

#Alternative Protein #Alternative Dairy & Eggs #🇫🇷Standing Ovation #🇯🇵Ajinomoto #Casein


<Food for Well-Being>

Will the GLP-1 Boom Reduce Food Waste? Latest ReFED Report Lists 2025 Trends 

Green Queen, 2025/1/14

#Increased Food Waste #Long Term Users Reduce Waste #Inflationary Pressure #Tariffs #Food Security


Plant-Rich Diets Best for Microbiome Health, Shows Study by UK Gut Guru

Green Queen, 2025/1/7

#GLP-1 #Personalization #Longevity #Microbiome #Gut Health #Vegan #hPDI(Healthful Plant-based Dietary Index) #🇬🇧Zoe


<Eaters & Eating Behavior Trend>

The FDA has updated the 30-year old definition of ‘healthy’ for packaged foods 

Fast Company, 2024/12/20

 #Wellness #Chronic Disease #Information Access #Dietary Guidelines 



Information from the SKS JAPAN Community



Here is the latest news from the SKS community.  


[EVENT] GOGLOBAL Spain: Exploring the Convergence of Japanese and Spanish Cuisine & Business Opportunities (1/24) (Japanese Only) 


Hosted by the Minato City Industrial Promotion Center, this 13th installment of the "GO GLOBAL Spain" series connects key players in the global startup ecosystem. This seminar will delve into the exciting possibilities that arise when food transcends borders and industries, exploring new avenues for value creation. We will also hear from innovative startups and universities participating in "FOOD4FUTURE," a leading food innovation conference in Bilbao, Spain.


Click here for more details.


【EVENT】Sustainable Food Night #23 (1/3) (Japanese Only)


For those interested in the latest food technology or curious about the latest sustainable food trends, join us and immerse yourself in a night dedicated to redefining the future of food. Join us at the newly renovated Sustainable Food Museum in Toranomon for inspiring talks, delicious bites, and networking opportunities. 


Click here for more details.


[PROGRAM]  CES2025 Agri-FoodTech Report & Program (Japanese Only) 


UnlocX members with a decade of CES experience, will delve deep into the most exciting food tech trends showcased at CES 2025. This program offers exclusive insights, including a comprehensive report, in-depth sessions on emerging food tech trends, and invaluable on-the-ground knowledge gained from our years of attending CES. 


Apply here.


【EVENT】Kakegawa Gastronomy Symposium(2/23)(Japanese Only)

The future of food is rooted in our communities. Join us in Kakegawa as we explore the rich history and potential of local food systems. Discover the rich history of Kakegawa’s food culture and connect with industry leaders. This is your chance to shape the future of food and create long lasting connections. 

Click here for more details.


See you in the next Foodtech EYES! 


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