The texture of food plays a significant role in how calorie-dense consumers perceive it to be, with hard or rough foods perceived to have fewer calories, new research published in the Journal of Consumer Research has shown. [ + ]

The first 25,000 Anchor UHT cream packs have rolled off the production line at Fonterra's $120 million UHT milk processing site at Waitoa in New Zealand. [ + ]

The APC has developed a resource on the inclusion of recycled content in food packaging items. Developed in consultation with industry, the resource details the challenges, opportunities and legislation relevant to including recycled content in food packaging. [ + ]

Twenty-five young Australians will soon have the chance to gain an insight into all aspects of the Australian food chain from producer to supermarket with the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarships. [ + ]

The Anti-Dumping Commission has recommended that a dumping notice be published regarding several imported Italian tomato products. Exporters of these products may be forced to pay a dumping duty. [ + ]

Speakers from Cardia Bioplastics and BASF will discuss bioplastics at the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) Victoria Branch technical dinner on 7 May. [ + ]

The Monster Health Food Co has become the first company to sport the front-of-pack Health Star Rating on its product. The labelling appears on its Berry and Free&Lo mueslis, with its remaining products to feature the new labelling in the next 12 months. [ + ]

While well-known 'free-from' products like gluten-free and lactose-free continue to do well, the entire category has expanded to include broader definitions such as dairy-free, additive-free, preservative-free and even, increasingly, GM-free. [ + ]

A 'virtual mouth' developed by the CSIRO is providing researchers with new information on how to produce healthier foods - while still ensuring they taste good. [ + ]

New guidance on complying with the Australian Consumer Law when making country-of-origin claims has been published by the ACCC. [ + ]

Australian manufacturers and growers should take advantage of the fact that Asian shoppers look for the Australian Made, Australian Grown logo to identify authentic goods, said Ian Harrison, Australian Made Campaign chief executive. [ + ]

How can you tell if a food product is counterfeit? Soon, if MIT researchers have anything to do with it, you'll be able to use your smartphone. [ + ]

Simply changing the face of a model in an ad can increase the number of potential purchasers by as much as 15% (8% on average). [ + ]

Pactum Dairy Group has signed a strategic supply agreement with Chinese company Bright Dairy. [ + ]

Tassal's major salmon farming site, Macquarie Harbour, has been certified to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard by SCS Global Services. [ + ]