Hosted on 23 August in Melbourne, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation's (APCO) annual awards named The Smith's Snackfood Company & Sakata Rice Snacks Australia, Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Rawbone Pet Foods as winners. [ + ]

Worker exploitation in Lockyer Valley has been targeted in a multiagency operation including the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and the Queensland Police. [ + ]

As a New Zealand first, Ingham's Te Aroha primary processing plant has achieved certification from the international Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). The plant is the seventh site in the world to be certified. [ + ]

Fast molecular detection of foodborne pathogens — including Salmonella, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157 (including H7) in food or environment-collected samples and Cronobacter for powdered infant formula — has won 3M a Gold Edison Award. [ + ]

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has alerted consumers with peanut allergies to the recalls of South Korean bean paste products manufactured by Chung Jung One. [ + ]

The National Product Catalogue is GS1 Australia's data synchronisation solution that helps businesses exchange standardised supply chain data including product details, pricing and marketing-related information with their trading partners. Started in 1997, the service has just welcomed its 2000th registration. [ + ]

E-commerce is encroaching more and more into food and ready meal marketing — this conference will keep you in the loop. [ + ]

Probiotics could form an alternative to antimicrobials, according to researchers from Ontario Veterinary College. [ + ]

High levels of microbes that eat choline can lead to a lack of nutrients, according to a new study published in Cell Host & Microbe. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered the oldest evidence of wine dating back to 4000 BC, according to a study. [ + ]

According to the 2017 national employee engagement survey, the Winson Group is exceeding the national benchmark by 13%. [ + ]

Allied Market Research has published a report which segmented the global ready meals market based on type, distribution channel and geography. It found that the popularity of ready meals is set to increase dramatically over the next few years. [ + ]

Researchers from the University of Warwick have developed a synthetic antifreeze that prevents the growth of ice crystals. [ + ]

With approximately 650,000–750,000 children worldwide dying from vitamin A deficiency, Professor James Dale from the University of Queensland Technology (QUT) has been researching a way to enhance pro-vitamin A in bananas. [ + ]

Some specially designed plastic films have been developed which can not only kill the bacteria in biofilms but can also prevent the formation of biofilms. [ + ]