The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a sensor that detects ethanol in food packaging headspace and is now searching for a partner in order to commercialise the sensor.

The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has announced DIN CERTCO as its technical auditing partner for the Australian Standard AS 4736-2006, which covers biodegradable plastics suitable for industrial composting.

Entries are now open for the 2015 Label Industry Global Awards. To be held on 29 September as part of Labelexpo Europe in Brussels, four awards over three categories are up for grabs. [ + ]

Cattle transport in Australia accounts for up to 40% of the market price - not surprising given that cattle can travel up to 2500 km to abattoirs. TRANSIT, a new tool developed by the CSIRO, identifies ways to reduce the distance, time and cost of transporting cattle. [ + ]

It took eight scientists at the Nestlé Research Center more than five years and 6000 hours to research and develop dishes for the pilots of the Solar Impulse plane, who are attempting to become the first to fly a solar-powered plane around the world.

Researchers have developed a way to synthesise the highly prized, natural flavour Nootkatone cheaply and in useful quantities from sugar. [ + ]

New Australian research has added some more weight to the argument for java, demonstrating how free radicals and antioxidants behave during every stage of the coffee brewing process, from bean to brew.

Current dietary guidelines for potassium and sodium are "completely unfeasible", according to a US researcher. Only 0.1% of British people and 0.3% of Americans meet the WHO's recommendations for potassium and sodium consumption.

We expect to see calorie labels on all forms of packaged food and drink, but when was the last time you saw a calorie label on a bottle of wine or a can of beer? A leading British public health doctor is calling for calorie counts to be displayed on all alcoholic drinks.

Looking to expand your packaging knowledge? The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has three upcoming events for your calendar. [ + ]

Want to convince people that a cheap bottle of plonk tastes great? Tell them it cost more than it actually did. Preconceived beliefs may create a placebo effect so strong that the actual chemistry of the brain changes, blinding consumers to the actual taste.

Distribution is key to widening the appeal of green brands, according to research from Organic Monitor. Green brands that have achieved the most success are those that have expanded their distribution into mainstream channels.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has commenced the revision of ISO 22000 on food safety management.

Year-on-year growth in retail sales is expected to slow, the 17th AFGC CHEP Retail Index suggests. The index shows growth of 4% year-on-year in the March quarter, slowing to 3% by the June quarter.

Carbonates have traditionally led global soft drink consumption, but things are about to change. In 2015, for the first time, packaged water will overtake carbonates, according to new forecasts.