Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may soon have access to the simple pleasure of a daily espresso, thanks to a new cup designed specifically to defy the low-gravity environment. [ + ]

Targeting 'mid-lifers' - those aged 35 to 44 - with 'natural' and 'sustainable' chocolate products is the way to go, according to Canadean. Labels such as Fairtrade give consumers permission to enjoy the treat free of guilt. [ + ]

Defence ration packs could get an overhaul thanks to Microwave Assisted Thermal Sterilisation (MATS) technology, which has been shown to produce better-tasting packaged foods in minutes rather than hours. [ + ]

The Berry Rural Cooperative has commenced work on its new dairy processing plant. Once operational, the plant will be able to process 18,000 litres of milk per day. [ + ]

Lorna Raine has been announced as the new chief financial officer of George Weston Foods, one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

Frozen dessert and beverage manufacturer Frosty Boy Australia has doubled its production capacity with the opening of a new factory at Yatala, north of the Gold Coast. [ + ]

Auto-Bake has been highly commended for manufacturing excellence in the Manufacturing Export Awards category of the Premier's NSW Export Award. [ + ]

Agrifood demand is set to rise by 136% in India between 2009 and 2050, according to a new ABARES report, What India wants: Analysis of India's food demand to 2050. [ + ]

As of today (26 November), all eggs produced in NSW must be stamped with a unique identifying mark so they can be traced back to the farm of origin should a food-poisoning outbreak occur. [ + ]

Eagerly awaiting the 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards? Never fear - the APPMA has announced the date for the awards. The winners will be announced on 25 March at the Crown Complex Melbourne. Submissions are now open for the awards. [ + ]

Emerson Process Management has opened the first manufacturing and integration centre in Asia for its Rosemount Analytical technologies. [ + ]

Emerson Process Management has opened its first Pervasive Sensing Centre of Excellence in Singapore. [ + ]

Cardia Bioplastics has announced a proposed merger with privately held Australian company Stellar Films Group. [ + ]

Rydell Industrial (Belting) Co is celebrating 40 years of supplying and servicing the Australian food industry. [ + ]

Researchers at Washington State University have studied the impact of mechanical harvesting of cider apples. [ + ]