The Australian beverage market has changed, with some clear winners and losers over the past couple of years. Here are six trends worth knowing in 2017, along with the 'business takeaway'. [ + ]

With applications in beverages such as fruit juices, dairy products, proteins, water treatment and any application where water is removed, forward osmosis (FO) has lots of potential in the food and beverage industry. [ + ]

Wacker Chemie has launched a completely new confectionery manufacturing technology that turns a chewy lolly into chewing gum after a short time. The confectionery is made in a boiling process so water-based, fat-containing and natural ingredients, such as fruit juice, cocoa and coffee, can be added to the lollies. [ + ]

Been lying to your doctor (and yourself) about what you have been eating? You won't be able to get away with this for much longer as a new urine test is being developed that will reveal the truth. It's not up to revealing three glasses of shiraz, a handful of chips and a plate of nachos yet, but it is getting there. [ + ]

Alternative, sustainably generated protein sources are going to be needed to ensure there will be enough food to support global population growth. It has been estimated that more than 250 million tonnes of additional protein a year — an increase of 50% compared to today's level — will be needed annually by 2050, and insects could be the ideal source. [ + ]

Although food distributors and manufacturers handle routine business with complex enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, too often application-specific solutions can be left out. [ + ]

AUSPACK is a free, 'must attend' event for everyone involved in the ready meals and high-volume catering markets. [ + ]

Malnourishment is rife in Australian hospitals and healthcare facilities and a significant contributor to medical care costs. As affordability becomes a bigger and bigger priority in Australian health care, there is an urgent need to address this ongoing issue and ensure that medical nutrition therapy plays a critical role in patient care. [ + ]

AUSPACK is a 'must attend' event for everyone in the food and business processing and packaging industries. [ + ]

Make the most of your time at AUSPACK by attending the 2017 AIP National Technical Forums, which are colocated with the exhibition. [ + ]

It's the holiday season when large meals and long naps are the norm. Now you don't have to be concerned that your desire for a post-prandial nap is presaging a dire medical problem — it is a direct result of the large meal that preceded the sleepiness. Well, researchers have established that this is true for fruit flies anyway. [ + ]

Since 2014, methane concentrations in the atmosphere have begun to track the most carbon-intensive pathways developed for the 21st century by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). [ + ]

A quick look at the trends expected to impact the eating habits of Australian and New Zealand consumers in 2017. [ + ]

If food safety reminders are included in recipes, compliance improves dramatically. [ + ]

Milk flavour is adversely affected by fluorescent lighting in supermarket display cabinets. [ + ]