Halal & Trade Expansion: Qatar Chamber used the Global Halal Summit in Kuala Lumpur to push deeper Qatar–Malaysia business ties and boost the Qatar-Malaysia Joint Business Council’s role in partnerships and investment. Market Access via Exhibitions: Jordan’s exporters are set to take a large food-and-beverage pavilion to Saudi Food Expo and Saudi Industrial Expo in Jeddah, spanning sweets, dairy, grains, soft drinks, ingredients, packaging and machinery. Brand Growth in Beverages: Saudi brand Kinza says it’s not trying to outmuscle giants, but to match shifting consumer expectations as it expands across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia and Indonesia flagged as key. Distribution Deal: Varun Beverages Zimbabwe signed an exclusive Mondelez distribution agreement for chocolate, biscuits, candy and gum starting Oct. 1, leveraging its existing network. US Consumer Health Claims: Cornell research finds many US food and drink products with health claims aren’t consistently healthier and can trade one “bad” nutrient for another. Kidney Health & Drinks: A new roundup highlights water as the most reliable choice for kidney health, while linking sugary drinks and some caffeinated beverages to higher kidney risks. On-the-Ground Recycling: Hawaii’s HI-5 deposit program fund hit $105M as redemptions slow, with lawmakers hearing about limited redemption-center space and convenience gaps.