Today's Date:   Wednesday January 23, 2013

1. MARKETING ISSUES

Nitrogen Gas should not Exceed 35% of Packaging Volume of Snack Food [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130123/52513511/1

Summary: Ministry of Environment announced that its new rule, scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2013, would limit nitrogen gas injected in snack food packaging up to 35 percent of the total package volume.  Consumers have been complaining that excessive injection of nitrogen gas in the snack product package made it difficult to assess the amount of product actually contained in the package.

Nongshim Launches Instant Coffee Business [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130122/52511675/1

Summary: Nongshim, a leading food & beverage company in Korea, launched its first instant coffee mix product, “Ganglio Coffee” on January 22.  According to Nongshim, “Ganglio Coffee” contains a functional ingredient, ganglioside, a polysaccharide also found in deer antler, helps promote brain health.  Nongshim explained that its instant coffee business would achieve a double digit market share by targeting consumers with health concerns.