F&N New Product & Nutrition Guidelines
Our Principles
• F&N product developments are led by our group philosophy of “Pure Enjoyment. Pure Goodness” – our commitment to consumers that we will deliver products that are not only great-tasting but also packed with nutritional goodness.
• To develop products based on proven scientific evidence and research, and consumer insights and tastes relevant to evolving Asian lifestyles.
• To actively self-regulate and ensure accountability via strong corporate governance.
• To provide safe, high-quality and affordable products to all our consumers.
• To innovate and constantly refine our products to meet the changing needs of all our consumers, and ensure consistent delivery of good taste and the right nutritional values.
Our Governance
At F&N, all our new products follow a stringent and regulated process from conceptualisation to commercialisation (or the entire product life cycle). Our products’ nutritional values and information are conscientiously reviewed and approved by an internal cross-functional team comprising Research & Development (R&D), Scientific and Regulatory Affairs (SRA) and a Dietician, prior to final authorisation by the marketing team.
The product information is then sent to the government authority for their verification and endorsement. All our new products are required to undergo stringent review and approval by our Leadership team before they are launched.
Our Mechanisms
Staying in Tune with Our Consumers’ Needs and Preferences
F&N keeps abreast with the latest developments in health and nutrition science and research and works with the relevant country health authorities to ensure we are fully addressing our consumers’ health concerns by developing products with scientifically-proven health benefits.
F&N also conducts frequent sensory profiling to gain precious Asian consumer insights and develop products that are suited to their taste preferences.
Working with our business partners, F&N spares no effort in selecting the ideal flavour components for superior flavour delivery and great taste.
With regard to the selection and inclusion of food additives, F&N also takes great care in ensuring that only permitted additives are added well within permitted limits as stipulated by the Singapore Sale of Food Act Regulation. We are also exploring the use of natural ingredients in our products.
Scientific Expertise and Capabilities
At F&N, we believe in the vital role that Research and Development (R&D) plays in keeping us at the forefront of technology and innovation. Our R&D team is made up of highly qualified scientific and technical experts who constantly develop new and better products that meet the changing needs of our consumers.
The F&N R&D laboratories are also well equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities to support the entire product development process from product design, product formulation, sensory evaluation, product taste and texture manipulation, shelf life testing (product stability and nutritional value assessment) all the way to plant design and automation.
Collaborations with Research Institutes and Authorities
Drawing from our unique pool of R&D expertise and through extensive collaboration with reputable scientists, research institutions and the authorities, F&N has created many products with functional ingredients incorporated to deliver scientifically proven health benefits – without compromising on taste – to all our consumers. We also conduct scientific studies in collaboration with research institutes to study the efficacy of our products and ensure our health claims are strongly backed by scientific research.
• Health Promotion Board (HPB)
F&N works in close consultation with HPB, Singapore’s health promotion authority. This includes regular communications to get updates on the latest national health trends and priorities. Our product development team works closely with HPB to ensure that our new products are in line with Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) nutrition guidelines. F&N also takes great care to introduce products that are in line with HPB’s national health priorities, for instance having products that are fortified with calcium or Vitamin D to improve bone health. As a result, many of our products have been awarded with the Healthier Choice Symbol and we will continue to introduce a growing range of healthier products such as beverages lower in sugar and products with functional ingredients.
• Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA)
F&N works closely with the AVA to ensure that we adhere to their food safety and regulation programmes. We observe stringent manufacturing practices to ensure that our products meet and exceed safety and quality standards. In recognition of our outstanding factory standards, F&N has been accorded “Grade A” for our excellence in food hygiene, sanitation and processing.
• DSO National Laboratories
F&N supports research to substantiate health benefits with sound science. We have collaborated with DSO National Laboratories (DSO) as well as other sport institutions on several studies to study the effects of isotonic drinks on sports performances, with results published in scientific journals. For example, working with DSO, we have found that the consumption of sports drinks during endurance activities may help to sustain performance up to 43% longer.
(Source: Lee et al., 2011, European Journal of Sport Science, March 2011; 11(2): 77-86)
• Professional Research Bodies
F&N is also a proud member of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI), South East Asia Region as well as the Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (SIFST). Therefore, we not only have access to a wide range of cutting-edge research in the field of food and life sciences, we are also actively contributing to research funding to support the new developments of tomorrow.
• Academic Institutions and Research Agencies
F&N collaborates with several research institutes in our scientific research and product innovation. Our research partners include the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and other academic institutes such as the National University of Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.
F&N: Bringing You Healthy Enjoyment for Well Over a Century
F&N started as the pioneer manufacturer of aerated beverages in Southeast Asia in 1883. Since then, we have developed many well-loved products that are both delicious and nutritious for our consumers.
At F&N, we understand that our consumers have different needs during different activities. Therefore, R&D has created and refined a large portfolio of food and beverages to cater to their every need. Whether engaged in physical activities or spending time with their loved ones, we have a wide range of products that can keep up with their changing needs:
View Our Full Range of Products
F&N: Continuing to Bring You Healthy Enjoyment
In line with our values of innovation and constant refinement of our products to meet the changing needs of all our consumers, F&N continuously works on introducing product recipes that have reduced sugar and saturated fat and have more functional ingredients such as proteins, antioxidants, calcium and other vitamins and minerals.
F&N has also been gradually decreasing the sugar levels of all our beverages over the past few years. We have in place a Sugar Index which tracks the quantity of sugar added into our beverages. This Sugar Index has been put in place to help guide our product development in a continuous effort to reduce the level of sugar in all our beverages and ensure we have a balanced product portfolio.
Moving forward, F&N will further ramp up our efforts to introduce and encourage the consumption of products carrying the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) at home, outdoors or in schools. This is in line with our conviction to develop a healthy workforce and healthier society with healthier enjoyment products.