A new website has been developed to help crop producers get the full benefit of honey bee pollination. The BeeAware site aims to protect honey bees by promoting the increased yield honey bee pollination provides crops. [ + ]

Malaysian researchers are developing a testing kit that identifies non-halal ingredients within one minute. The kit, developed by the University of Selangor, can be used to test food, cosmetics and medicines. [ + ]

There's a new emulsifier in town: okra. An Estonian PhD student is investigating the potential of carbohydrates extracted from the pods of the okra plant as emulsifiers. [ + ]

Planning to sponsor a participant in the Ignite Packaging pilot program? Time's running out: submissions close 25 July. [ + ]

The Health Star Rating System has one fatal flaw, according to AUSVEG: at least 50% of vegetables don't receive a five-star rating. If the system fails to identify these foods as optimum healthy choices, where else does it fall down? [ + ]

Fonterra has signed an agreement with Abbott to develop a dairy farm hub in China. The hub would be Fonterra's third in the country. [ + ]

Sustainable palm oil certificate-trading program GreenPalm recently traded its 11 millionth certificate. [ + ]

FSANZ is calling for submissions, for a second time, on two different proposals: one pertaining to the production of raw milk products, the other on a revision of the Food Standards Code. [ + ]

The AIP is delivering a half-day training course alongside FoodTech PackTech on 24 September. Presented by Dr Carol Lawrence MAIP, the Labelling & Matching the Label with the Package course will run from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm. [ + ]

The Australian Certified Organic Standard has achieved equivalence with organic standards in Switzerland. This means that Australian businesses exporting ACO products to Switzerland no longer require Swiss organic certification. [ + ]

Nestlé has revealed plans for a modular factory that can be built in half the time that it takes to build a conventional factory - and for half the cost. [ + ]

AFGC has released a series of reports that aim to improve the Australian food industry's understanding of the opportunities available in the Asian market. [ + ]

The gap between rich and poor is beginning to close - at least in terms of prepared meal consumption. A report from Canadean shows that 48.3% of the richest consumers and 51.7% of the poorest consumers purchase prepared meals regularly. [ + ]

The Goodman Fielder Board has recommended that shareholders accept a lower takeover offer from Wilmar International and First Pacific than was initially offered. [ + ]

Finalists for the HACCP Awards have been announced. The awards will be presented on 27 August at the HACCP Conference Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. [ + ]