The world is at a crossroads - facing an unclear future. In 2014, we have broken economic, health, food and ecological systems - all interconnected - and find ourselves on a short time frame for correction. Global action is required - and required urgently. [ + ]

Television shows like Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men have reinvigorated Scotch whisky's popularity. In a nod to the past, Edrington has released its Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition in a black glass bottle produced by O-I. The premium edition blended Scotch is the first of its kind released in the US market by the brand. [ + ]

Food loss and its food waste subcomponent are increasingly in the spotlight both in the United States and around the world. This attention reflects concern about the resources wasted in the production and disposal of uneaten food, the negative side effects associated with food loss (such as pollution created during food production) and the growing pressures on the global food supply. [ + ]

The transition from a small to a larger business is not simply a matter of producing more; it poses many challenges and requires a long-term growth strategy. Finance, storage, distribution and staffing are just some of the key barriers to expansion.

New research from South Dakota State University (SDSU) could help improve the palatability of low-fat products with the use of a strain of lactic acid bacteria that mimics fat. [ + ]

The time taken to remove waste yeast from wine can be reduced from weeks to minutes if the yeast itself is magnetised. [ + ]

In a recently installed snack food conveyor system, an integrated system of drives was implemented without compromising the design objectives.

Pierre Pienaar talks about the importance of education in the packaging industry. Pienaar is the education coordinator for the Australian Institute of Packaging. [ + ]

Specialist food processing design and construction firm Wiley has been commissioned to deliver Huon Aquaculture's $12m value-added seafood processing facility.

Pod Pack is Australia's first contract manufacturer of coffee pods. The company has more than tripled the capacity of its contract manufacturing plant due to increased demand for fresh coffee and, in particular, decaffeinated coffee. [ + ]

Schweppes Australia changed its paper-based picking system over to a voice-operated system in its Archerfield distribution centre. The new system has improved efficiency, accuracy and worker safety.

Eating an organic diet for a week can cause pesticide levels to drop by almost 90% in adults, research from RMIT University has found. [ + ]

A large meat processor approached Enmin Vibratory Equipment's engineers to develop a system that would weigh the frozen meat pieces individually before they were transferred to the packaging process.

Major New Zealand meat processor the Alliance Group upgraded its carton conveyors at its Dannevirke processing plant with units selected for their suitability and ultimate reliability for the washdown environment inside the boning room.

Cerebos recently embarked on a full-scale upgrade to its Sydney factory, which was built in 1971. The company challenged CHEP to come up with an innovative solution to its existing stretch wrapper.