The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), in collaboration with Emberin, has announced the launch of the 'Drive Your Career' mentoring program, designed to support men and women to reach their potential in the food, beverage, manufacturing and packaging industries. [ + ]

It seems logical: limit the accessibility of fast-food outlets and fewer people will be obese. The problem is that, as sensible as this sounds, it apparently doesn't work: a fast-food ban in Los Angeles has failed to reduce obesity rates or improve consumers' diets. [ + ]

What do you think of the new requirements for nutrition content claims about dietary fibre? The Australian Food and Grocery Council has applied to FSANZ to have the transition date extended by one year to January 2017. [ + ]

The www.foodprocessing.com.au website and newsletters have moved to a new platform. All the same great news, articles, case studies and products are now available on all the mobile platforms.

Think that diet soft drink will help keep the middle-aged spread at bay? Think again. Despite their name, 'diet' soft drinks have been directly linked to belly fat in older adults. [ + ]

While meat consumption has grown in emerging markets, it has actually declined in developed markets. Greece's recession led to a severe decline in meat consumption in 2014, while India emerged as the top-growing meat market in the world.

Orora will build a $20 million dairy bag production line to supply multiwalled dairy bags to Fonterra's New Zealand milk powder operations under a new supply agreement. [ + ]

While organic dairy remains a specialty product, more people are choosing organic dairy - and this trend is expected to continue, particularly in South-East Asia, China and the US, according to Craig Deadman, Fonterra's global business manager for organics. [ + ]

The Australian Water Association has set the Australian Water Innovation Challenge: entrepreneurs and established companies have been challenged to enter their most innovative water technology solutions in this new competition. [ + ]

Fonterra has completed a partial tender offer to acquire 18.8% of Beingmate Baby & Child Food Company, a leading Chinese infant formula manufacturer. [ + ]

Worldwide consumer demand for miniature Rockit apples has grown 700% since 2013, leading Havelock North Fruit Company to invest $17 million in a state-of-the-art food packaging facility in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Goodman Fielder has announced Scott Weitemeyer as its new CEO after the resignation of Scott Delaney. The announcement comes as the acquisition of the company by Wilmar International and First Pacific settles. [ + ]

The 2015 APPMA Member Directory contains all the relevant information on the 97 APPMA member companies, their products and the brands they represent. [ + ]

The iconic Brisbane Produce Market trading floor in Rocklea, which trades more than one billion dollars' worth of fresh produce annually, is undertaking a $10 million roofing project. [ + ]

After strong interest from investors, Betta Foods' administrators Cor Cordis have found a buyer for the struggling company. The sale to Prydes Confectionery Holdings settled on Friday, 13 March. [ + ]