Capital A Bhd and Food Empire Holdings have announced a partnership to co-develop and launch a new range of ready-to-drink beverages, starting with a Vietnamese iced coffee.
The product will be introduced both in-flight on AirAsia and at selected retail outlets under the Santan brand, aiming to deliver authentic regional flavours in line with modern health-conscious preferences, including reduced sugar options.
The collaboration was formalised via a Memorandum of Understanding between Santan Food Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Capital A and Empire International Sdn Bhd, under Food Empire.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A, said, “This partnership reflects our belief in the power of ASEAN, its culture, its flavours and its people. By combining Food Empire’s global expertise with Santan’s regional insights, we’re not just launching a drink; we’re creating a product that tells a story of heritage, innovation and ambition.”
Food Empire’s Executive Chairman Tan Wang Cheow added, “This collaboration with Santan aligns with our strategy to cater to consumer trends and bring an authentic CaféPHỐ Vietnamese coffee experience on AirAsia flights.”
The venture may also expand into co-branded and private label snacks and beverages, leveraging Capital A’s distribution network and Food Empire’s manufacturing reach across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
