✍Now, let's introduce this issue's MUST READ articles.

The first GLP-1 weight loss drug that can be taken as a tablet rather than an injection was released in the United States in January 2026. Its popularity is expected to expand due to the lower resistance to injections and the potential for lower prices. This has led to a shift in consumer behavior toward reduced food intake and a focus on high-protein, healthier diets, forcing food manufacturers and the restaurant industry to reassess product design and labeling. The declining trend in spending on fast food has been particularly notable.

The Dubai Future Forum 2025 held a " Future Food Sampling " session , which offered an experiential introduction to the food of the future . Forward Fooding and Emirates Flight Catering teamed up to present innovative food solutions that offer alternatives to the traditional food system in a way that allowed attendees to actually taste them. This report gives a glimpse into what kind of Future Food was being developed in Dubai.

At CES, there was much discussion about climate change and food security issues, with Foodtech attracting attention. However, things seem even more chaotic on the ground. Cocoa beans are piling up in larger quantities than usual at the main ports of Abidjan and San Pedro in Côte d'Ivoire . The shortage of cocoa and rising prices are having a serious impact on the supply chain.

Meanwhile, the US startup Shinkei Systems is tackling social issues in the fishing industry, and they were on stage at CES. They are developing technology that uses AI and robotics on fishing boats to increase fish freshness and reduce waste. Their computer vision-equipped robot, Poseidon, quickly identifies fish and automates the Japanese "ikejime" technique, instantly processing them while reducing stress. I spoke with the founder at CES, and he said he is also looking to actively collaborate with Japanese companies, so this is definitely one to watch.

The UK government has tightened advertising restrictions on "high fat, high salt, high sugar (HFSS)" foods in an effort to combat childhood obesity . Advertisements for such "junk food" will be banned on television until 9 p.m. and online all day. Brand names and logos will be allowed, but actual food images and tempting footage will be restricted, with the aim of reducing children's exposure to unhealthy foods. The government hopes that this measure will lead to improvements in childhood obesity in the future.

At the end of the year, Nikkei XTREND published two articles about SKS JAPAN 2025: "The Future of Dining Out and the Road to Globalization 3.0" and "Taking on the Challenge of Reconstructing the Food Value Chain." 　The magazine contains summaries of sessions such as "How to Expand Japanese Food Tech Globally" and "Practitioners Discuss the Key Points of Expanding Japanese Food Tech Overseas ." In particular, the session "How to Expand Japanese Food Tech Globally" includes a discussion about the Cross Bridge Program, a program run by UnlocX in collaboration with KitchenTown, Leave a Nest, and The Spoon to support Japanese startups in entering the US market, so please take a look.