Exhibiting at FOOD INGREDIENTS CHINA 2025

Shanghai AB Food & Beverages Ltd. (上海英联食品饮料有限公司) is a subsidiary of the global conglomerate Associated British Foods plc (ABF), a diversified international food, ingredients, and retail group. Operating from Shanghai, China, Shanghai AB Food & Beverages Ltd. is primarily responsible for the manufacturing, marketing, and regional distribution of iconic brands such as Ovaltine and Fu Pai, along with malt-based functional food ingredients for both B2C and B2B sectors in Greater China and parts of Asia.

Company Overview

As a part of ABF’s global food and beverage operations, Shanghai AB Food & Beverages Ltd. integrates global food science expertise with local market understanding to deliver trusted products for energy, nutrition, and wellbeing. The company plays a central role in bringing the legacy of heritage global brands into the modern Chinese nutrition space, combining traditional taste preferences with advanced manufacturing processes.

Core Business

Shanghai AB Food & Beverages Ltd. operates in two major verticals:

1. Consumer Nutrition Products – Retail and institutional distribution of branded nutritional beverages such as Ovaltine and Fu Pai Malted Milk.
2. Malt Extracts and Ingredients – B2B supply of dried and liquid malt extracts for use in baking, confectionery, brewing, and dairy applications.

Product and Service Offerings

Consumer Products:

• Ovaltine (阿华田) – A malt-based nutritional beverage rich in vitamins and minerals, tailored for families and children.
• Fu Pai Malted Milk (富牌麦乳精) – A nostalgic Chinese malted milk drink with a legacy brand status in China.
• Fu Pai Lacovo (富牌乳可宝) – A dairy-malt beverage offering nutritional support for children and elderly populations.

Food Ingredients (B2B):

• Malt Extract – Natural sweetener and flavor enhancer for bakery, beverages, and breakfast cereals.
• Dark Dried Malt Extract CF – Concentrated flavor and color agent for confectionery and malted drinks.
• Supreme Dried Malt Extract – High-diastatic, enzyme-active malt flour for specialized bakery needs.
• OvalCream, Malt Crunchy – Malt-based semi-finished goods for snack and dairy applications.
• Liquid Malt Extract – Viscous extract suitable for energy drinks, granola bars, and brewing.

Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition

• Iconic Brand Equity: Ovaltine, a heritage global brand, maintains strong brand recognition and trust in China, especially among millennial parents and schools.
• Integrated Malt Expertise: Full-spectrum malt solutions from raw ingredient processing to finished products, backed by ABF's technical resources and global R&D.
• Nutritional Formulation: All consumer beverages are fortified with essential vitamins (A, B, D, E) and minerals like calcium, zinc, and iron.
• Localized Manufacturing: Products are manufactured in China with regionally adapted formulations to match local flavor preferences and dietary norms.

Financials

While specific revenue for the Shanghai entity is undisclosed, ABF’s Grocery division (including Ovaltine) contributes over £3.7 billion annually to group turnover. The China market continues to be a growth driver for nutritional beverages and functional food ingredients, with Shanghai AB Food & Beverages Ltd. playing a pivotal role in expanding regional penetration.

Shipment Data

According to trade sources and logistics platforms:

• Key Export and Distribution Regions: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia
• Top Distributed Products: Ovaltine sachets, Fu Pai malted milk jars, and malt ingredient packs
• Distribution Channels: Retail (modern trade, e-commerce), Institutional (schools, hospitals), Industrial (ingredient supply to food processors)

Target Market

• Retail Consumers: Families, children, and elderly populations seeking energy-rich, comforting beverages
• Foodservice Operators: Schools, cafés, and institutional kitchens
• Industrial Food Manufacturers: Bakeries, confectioners, breweries, dairy processors

The brand's multi-segment positioning allows it to simultaneously address B2C nutritional needs and B2B functional ingredient demand.

Capabilities

• Local blending and packing facilities in Shanghai
• Regional distribution logistics for China and nearby Asian markets
• Application and formulation support for industrial clients
• Multilingual product and regulatory documentation for domestic compliance

Certifications and Compliance

• Products manufactured in accordance with China GB Food Safety Standards
• HACCP and ISO-certified production facilities
• Select ingredients compliant with international additive regulations (EU/FDA standards)
• Kosher and Halal certifications available upon request for industrial malt ingredients

Customer Testimonials

Feedback from consumer forums and B2B buyers indicates:

• “Consistently smooth texture and malty taste – ideal for kids”
• “Trusted brand for generations, now reformulated for modern health needs”
• “Malt extracts deliver excellent flavor and color balance in our baked goods”

These reflect strong customer loyalty, taste acceptance, and functional reliability across product lines.

Major Achievements

• Ovaltine ranked among top 10 nutritional beverage brands in several major Chinese provinces
• Strategic partnerships with e-commerce giants and major supermarket chains across China
• Revival and modernization of the Fu Pai brand, a legacy Chinese nutritional product
• Expansion into Southeast Asian markets with malt ingredient exports for foodservice chains

Shanghai AB Food & Beverages Ltd. continues to bridge global nutrition innovation and Chinese dietary culture, offering wholesome, trusted, and multi-functional beverage and ingredient solutions.