Industry News
Heart Foundation launches Halt Hidden Salt campaign
If Australians were to reduce their salt intake from processed foods by just 15% over 10 years, 5800 heart attacks and 4900 strokes per year could be prevented, the National Heart Foundation of Australia estimates. [ + ]
$70m agreement gives SPC Ardmona a boost
SPC Ardmona has received a much-needed boost in the form of a five-year partnership with Woolworths. The $70 million agreement will see an extra 24,000 tonnes of fruit, tomatoes and navy beans sourced locally. [ + ]
Calorie counting off the menu
Researchers have shown that calorie restriction has no beneficial effects on life span in mice. The researchers found that not all calories are created equal: protein, carbohydrate and fat have very different effects on food intake, health and ageing. [ + ]
80% of hospital food contaminated with ESBL-producing E. coli
A new study may have cemented hospital food's bad reputation. The study found that more than 80% of raw chicken in hospitals was contaminated with an ESBL-producing E. coli strain which is resistant to antibiotics. [ + ]
Triple win for Ampac
Ampac has started the year off with a bang, receiving awards from three separate organisations for its packaging products. [ + ]
Packaging legalities on the table at AIP technical dinner
The AIP's next technical dinner will feature guest speakers Gwen Blake, managing director of Boxer & Co, and Sharon Givoni, an intellectual property law expert. [ + ]
Funding for sustainable fisheries
OceanWatch has been recognised as a natural resource management (NRM) organisation and will receive $439,836 as part of the National Landcare Program to promote best-practice harvest practices and help increase long-term returns for Australian fishers. [ + ]
Wine research gives excellent return on investment
Investing in research into wine yeast pays off, new research shows. An independent study commissioned by the GWRDC has found that $1 spent on research into improving the performance of yeasts generates $7.40 in returns to winemakers. [ + ]
WHO recommends cutting sugar intake in half
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sugar in its sights, recommending that consumers aim to cut their sugar consumption in half to 5% of total daily calories. [ + ]
Benchmarking trial for sparkling wine closures commences soon
The world's first large-scale benchmarking trial for sparkling wine closures is due to commence in 2014. To be conducted by the AWRI, the trial will evaluate the impact of a range of different closure technologies on bottle-fermented Chardonnay Pinot Noir. [ + ]
Industry welcomes Food To Asia Action Plan
The Victorian Government's Food To Asia Action Plan is a positive step that will enhance competitiveness and growth in the domestic food processing sector, the AFGC says. [ + ]
Saturated fat: unfairly targeted?
A US cardiovascular researcher and doctor has made waves within both the medical and research sectors by publishing an editorial arguing that the theory that saturated fat raises cholesterol levels is false. [ + ]
LINPAC recognised for customer service
The Institute of Customer Service has awarded LINPAC Packaging the prestigious ServiceMark accreditation. LINPAC was recognised for its excellent standards of customer service through its LINcare program. [ + ]
Changing Aust demograph affects packaging demand
Australia's ageing population is driving demand for lightweight, easy-to-open packaging with clear labelling. A new report from Canadean predicts that the Australian packaging market will grow at a CAGR of 2.21% up to 2017. [ + ]
Canned food can do you good, study shows
Canned food has received the tick of approval after an analysis of more than 40 scientific studies found that canned foods are a good way to help people increase their fruit and vegetable intake, regardless of geography or income level. [ + ]