Fibre King has opened a new factory in Thailand under the name of its export brand, Oryx Automation. The new facility, in combination with an existing Brisbane facility and doubling of staff numbers, is expected to significantly increase the company's capacity. [ + ]

European research institutes have partnered with SMEs to develop a bioinformatics platform to predict the functionality of food bacteria and probiotics based on their genome sequence. [ + ]

Researchers in Singapore have developed a chip-based detection system for measuring functional protein in infant formula which they say could help to control and monitor quality. [ + ]

DAFF has announced it will cease testing food imported from Japan for radioactive contamination, following advice from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. [ + ]

Coca-Cola Amatil will transfer bottling and packaging operations from its Ramco facility to its Thebarton facility in Adelaide. The company will invest $2.9 million in the Adelaide facility and make 28 positions from the Ramco facility redundant. [ + ]

South Australian flavour producer Taste Master Pty Ltd has been fined $41,250 by SafeWork SA for failing to provide and maintain its plant in a safe condition, and failing to ensure that the plant was operated safety. [ + ]

Testing for many strains of Salmonella at once could become faster and easier after a novel biosensor was developed by scientists at Rice University in collaboration with colleagues in Thailand and Ireland. [ + ]

Saputo has gained a majority stake in Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB), acquiring 52.07% of the company's shares. [ + ]

A market research report from Lucintel suggests that 'healthy' chocolate products such as low-calorie chocolate and chocolates which double as health supplements could drive industry growth to 2018. [ + ]

A call for entries in the 26th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation - the industry's longest-running, independently judged competition - has been issued. The deadline for entries is 1 March 2014. [ + ]

CAPS Australia has been announced as the exclusive Australian distributor for Pedro Gil positive displacement blowers. [ + ]

Wilbur-Ellis Company subsidiary Connell Brothers Australasia has acquired Melbourne company Enzyme Solutions. [ + ]

Scientists have developed a method to authenticate the varietal purity and origin of cacao beans to ensure that the chocolate inside matches the country of origin labelling outside. [ + ]

Active and intelligent packaging demand is forecast to expand 8% annually to US$3.5 billion in 2017 in the US alone, according to a new study from Freedonia Group. [ + ]

In response to increased demand for monitoring and labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods, scientists have developed a comprehensive method for detecting GM ingredients. It is claimed to be the first of its kind in the world. [ + ]