Industry News
50% rebate available for small exporters
Small exporters of agricultural commodities have one week to apply for a rebate of 50% (up to $5000) on export registration charges. [ + ]
Older consumers need educating about protein
Consumers are becoming aware of how important protein is in the diet - but most of them aren't eating enough of it and don't fully understand its benefits. According to research firm Canadean, this presents an opportunity for manufacturers. [ + ]
Cherries that keep their cool travel better
How do you keep cherries fresh when exporting? The secret's in the cooling, according to Canadian agrifood research. Just a few degrees can have a big impact on cherries that are transported via ocean container. [ + ]
Taste and convenience are key factors in potato consumption
Australian consumers are buying potatoes for taste and convenience, and are keen to purchase more, according to the Potato Tracker research study. [ + ]
Facebook could be making children fat, study shows
Despite bans on television advertisements of energy dense, nutrient poor (EDNP) food brands to children, many companies are circumventing these laws by promoting their brand through Facebook, University of Sydney researchers say. [ + ]
Roll over: fresh wins over fried in the battle of the roll
Apparently, when it comes to rolls, we're turning Japanese. New research from Roy Morgan shows that sushi is gaining popularity while the popularity of spring rolls is waning. The research firm says this is part of an overall preference shift towards fresh, rather than fried, food. [ + ]
Survey reveals future needs, trends of cold chain industry
The results of a survey on the cold chain industry have been released at an industry forum. [ + ]
'Difficult' tins provide an opportunity for new packaging types
A survey by market research company Canadean has found that one in five consumers consider tinned food difficult to open. The researchers see this as an opportunity for the development of new packaging types to meet the growing demand for convenience. [ + ]
Farm fresh milk keeps kids healthy
A European study has shown that infants fed on fresh, unprocessed milk rather than UHT milk are less prone to infection. [ + ]
NZ fails to identify source of gastroenteritis outbreak
An outbreak of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has been reported in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have been working to discover the cause of the outbreak but thus far have been unable to pinpoint the source. [ + ]
I was going to have celery but my brain wanted chocolate!
Choosing healthy snacks instead of junk food might be more difficult than we realised. Scientists have found that, as we read a menu or scan the shelves at the supermarket, our brains are making decisions based on a food's calorie content. [ + ]
Could grapefruit juice be the new weapon against Type 2 diabetes?
Grapefruit diets have been around since the 1930s and are often dismissed as fads. But new research from the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that a closer look at grapefruit juice is warranted. [ + ]
Chinese food scandal further erodes consumer trust
Yet another Chinese food scandal has irreparably eroded consumer trust in the government and food safety regulations, according to research from the University of Illinois. [ + ]
Reducing water use in livestock use through food labels
Something as small as a food label could help reduce the amount of water used in livestock production, according to Washington State University researchers. [ + ]
Energy drinks pose public health risk
Researchers from the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe have warned that increased consumption of energy drinks may pose danger to public health, especially among young people. [ + ]

