COMPANY & PRODUCT BACKGROUND

Established in September 2019, Fav Food Sdn Bhd (1340740-V) is led by Ts. Dr. Aida Azmi, a Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, UiTM Shah Alam.

Our expertise lies in the development of innovative functional foods, specializing in the enhancement of physico-chemical properties and the extension of product shelf life. 

UnaCoffee—a low-caffeine, high-protein, and vitamin-enriched energy coffee—is the flagship brand of Fav Food Sdn Bhd . UnaCoffee is simply a Smarter Energy for Brighter Days.

We believe that healthy food should never compromise on taste. It is our core mission to bridge the gap between nutrition and flavor, providing consumers with functional foods that are both healthy and delicious. By doing so, we empower our customers to enhance their quality of life through nutritious and enjoyable consumption."

CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Entering the competitive functional food and government procurement sectors presented several strategic challenges for Fav Food Sdn Bhd

• Establishing Market Trust vs. Established Brands: As a growing local brand, competing with multinational beverage giants required a way to prove that our "Smart Coffee" was backed by rigorous science, not just marketing.

• Overcoming the "Healthy Equals Tasteless" Perception: Consumers often associate functional or low-caffeine products with poor flavor profiles, making it difficult to gain mass-market appeal.

• Strict Compliance and Regulatory Standards: Meeting the high bars for food safety, physico-chemical stability and nutritional claims required extensive verification.

The Role of Academic Expertise & Innovation

The leadership of Ts. Dr. Aida Azmi and our roots in UiTM’s Food Science and Technology research played a critical role in addressing these challenges:

• R&D Credibility: By leveraging academic research, we demonstrated that UnaCoffee is not just a beverage, but a precision-formulated product. This strengthened our position during technical evaluations and increased confidence among health-conscious consumers and procurement officers.

• Formulation Excellence: Our expertise in improving physico-chemical properties allowed us to develop a "Smart Coffee" that maintains a premium taste while delivering high protein and vitamins, effectively solving the "taste-nutrition" trade-off.

• Streamlined Certification: Our commitment to high-level R&D ensured that all local content and innovation compliance requirements, especially MySTI were met efficiently, shortening the verification process for government and institutional supply chains.

IMPACT & ACHIEVEMENTS

Since the commercial launch of UnaCoffee, Fav Food Sdn Bhd has achieved significant milestones in the functional food sector and wellness industry:

• Market Expansion & Deployment: Successfully introduced UnaCoffee into MOSTI and its agencies (Jabatan Tenaga Atom Malaysia, Agensi Angkasa Malaysia, Pusat Sains Negara), serving smarter caffeine alternative to professionals.

• Scientifically Proven Formulation: Achieved a 60-70% reduction in caffeine content compared to standard energy coffee, while maintaining high protein and vitamin levels, effectively eliminating "caffeine jitters" for sensitive consumers.

• Enhanced Consumer Well-being: Based on consumer trials, more than 90% of regular users reported sustained focus and improved alertness without the typical mid-day energy crash.

• UNA&Co Café: UnaCoffee has launched UNA&Co Cafe, a dedicated event kiosk arm, which offers a sophisticated "Smart Coffee" service for conferences, seminars, and corporate functions. 

• Recognition of Innovation: Awarded (see List of Award Received) at a prestigious national and international research exhibition, recognizing the product’s superior physico-chemical stability and nutritional profile.

List of Award Received:

• Anugerah Akademik Universiti UiTM (AAU, 2021)

• Finalis, Malaysia Commercialization Year, 2020 (MOSTI)

• Leaders in Innovation Fellowship, 2020 (United Kingdom)

• Pingat Emas (IIDEX 2021)

• Pingat Emas & Best of The Best (RISE) 2021

• Pingat Emas (ITEX 2020)

• Pingat Emas (IIDEX 2020)

• Cradle Special Award and Gold Medal (IIDEX 2019)

Key Benefits Identified by Consumers

Feedback from our growing user base, including professionals and fitness enthusiasts, highlights the following core benefits of the UnaCoffee experience:

1. Optimized Performance: Enhanced cognitive focus and physical energy levels suitable for high-stress work environments.

2. Nutritional Superiority: Seamless integration of high-quality protein and essential vitamins into a daily coffee routine.

3. Superior Taste Profile: High satisfaction rates regarding the flavour, successfully debunking the myth that "functional food" cannot be delicious.

4. Long-term Health Support: A safer alternative for daily consumption that supports a healthy lifestyle through nutrient-dense ingredients.

Conclusions

The journey of Fav Food Sdn Bhd demonstrates how homegrown R&D innovation, led by academic expertise from UiTM and supported by MySTI certification can effectively redefine the functional food landscape. The development of UnaCoffee serves as a testament to the power of bridging food science with consumer wellness, validating that high-performance nutrition can be both safe and palatable.

By leveraging advanced physico-chemical research and a commitment to "Smart Energy," Fav Food Sdn Bhd has not only established a new standard for the beverage industry but has also strengthened consumer trust in local, research-driven products. Through UnaCoffee, the company continues to contribute to Malaysia’s health and wellness agenda, showcasing the immense potential of homegrown R&D to enhance the quality of life through science-backed nutrition.