Consumers are increasingly voicing their gripes about the food industry through online campaigns - and some companies are being swayed by this new type of consumer influence, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News. [ + ]

The Victorian Department of State Development, Business and Innovation has announced that its Government Business Lounge will be open to foodpro 2014 visitors. [ + ]

A method called 'basal wire coiling' has been effective in increasing the sugar concentration of tomato juice. Researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture say the finding could improve the marketability of tomato juice. [ + ]

The AIP has announced a new half-day training course: Labelling and Matching the Label with the Package. Delivered in conjunction with UPM Raflatac, the course will be held on Wednesday 23 July. [ + ]

Food packaging company tna has acquired Oregon-based FOODesign, expanding its portfolio to offer manufacturers a range of processing solutions. FOODesign will retain its brand and be integrated into the tna group. [ + ]

Arle Capital has acquired Innovia Group from the Candover 2001 Fund for €498 million with funds raised from a syndicate of new investors. This means that ownership remains with funds managed by the same international private equity company. [ + ]

Sugar Research Australia has announced a five-year strategic plan to strengthen the sugar industry. The plan includes efficient plant breeding, minimising pests and disease, optimising farming systems and production techniques and developing economically viable alternative uses for sugar cane. [ + ]

Nutricia has announced plans to acquire a spray dryer from Gardians, which produces nutritional dairy products, in addition to the blending, packing and can-forming business of Auckland company the Sutton Group. [ + ]

The ACCC has alleged that Coles threatened "commercial consequences" if suppliers refused to pay a rebate that was "based on purported benefits … that Coles asserted had resulted from changes Coles had made to its supply chain". [ + ]

Food processing techniques could be key to solving the problem of food insecurity in Africa, researchers say. [ + ]

Despite what Australia's love affair with cut-price food might suggest, consumers value food that is more expensive. Researchers have found that taste perception - as well as feelings of overeating and guilt - can be manipulated by price alone. [ + ]

There's more to losing weight than just eating less and moving more, according to Dr Claude Bouchard, who studies the genetics of obesity. [ + ]

Submissions are now open for the SCL Awards programs for the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia New South Wales and Victorian divisions. Winners of these state programs will progress to the Australian Supply Chain and Logistics Awards. [ + ]

Demand for industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning chemicals is predicted to grow rapidly in the US in the next four years. The Freedonia Group anticipates that demand for the products will rise more than 3% per year to $11.5 billion by 2018. [ + ]

The first phase of the 24th Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS) has been released by FSANZ. The study examines Australian consumers' dietary exposure to acrylamide and aluminium. [ + ]