Industry News
Demand for food assistance increasing
Foodbank’s Greg Warren will outline the issue of food security in Australia and the increasing demand for food donations at the 20th HACCP Conference in August. [ + ]
Energy-efficiency grants to aid vegetable growers
Australian vegetables growers will have access to $100 million in energy-efficiency grants under a new policy announced by Greens leader Senator Christine Milne. [ + ]
Web page helps new food businesses get off the ground
Starting a new food business just got easier with the launch of an interactive web page, ‘Starting a food business’, which is part of the NSW Food Authority website. [ + ]
Health benefits of fructooliogosaccharides
Short-chain fructooliogosaccharides (scFOSs) are low-kilojoule, non-digestible carbohydrates that are claimed can improve food taste and texture while aiding immunity, bone health and the growth and balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. [ + ]
Wiley signs $8m contract for Cerebos warehouse
Wiley has signed a contract with Cerebos Australia to expand and refurbish its warehouse at Seven Hills in Sydney. The upgrade will provide Cerebos with a larger, optimised warehouse space and address current logistics, safety and storage issues. [ + ]
Ignore allergen labelling at your peril: Maria Said
According to Maria Said of Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia, increasing numbers of people with food allergies mean food label standardisation is becoming even more important. Said will discuss this topic at the HACCP Conference in Melbourne this August. [ + ]
New FCC standards proposed for ingredients
New quality standards for spirulina, Brilliant Black PN and pomegranate juice are being proposed for the USP Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) 9th edition. [ + ]
New research tracks consumers’ perceptions of vegetables
New research commissioned by AUSVEG will track consumers’ perceptions of vegetables. The research will be released as monthly reports, the first of which has just been released. [ + ]
Organic bottled water? No such thing, says ABWI
The Australasian Bottled Water Institute has supported the ACCC’s position that bottled water products should not be labelled as organic. [ + ]
Markem-Imaje expands TIJ solutions with acquisition
Markem-Imaje has acquired thermal ink jet (TIJ) printing solutions manufacturer RSI Systems. The acquisition enables Markem-Imaje to offer TIJ solutions for printing codes that can be used for traceability, anti-diversion and promotional-coding printing applications. [ + ]
Call for submissions on GM soybean application
FSANZ is inviting submissions on an application to change the Food Standards Code to allow food derived from genetically modified soybeans. [ + ]
Dairy expert appointed as AIFST President
An acclaimed dairy expert has been announced as the new president of the AIFST. Dr Anne Astin was inducted on 14 July, following two years as AIFST president elect. [ + ]
Marel adds Carnitech’s mixing and grinding back into its portfolio
The Icelandic fish, poultry and meat equipment, systems and further processing company Marel has strengthened its market position by acquiring the mixing and grinding sections of Carnitech for EU1.5 million. [ + ]
Conference to explore the French Paradox
The French Paradox and the complex relationship between wine consumption and health will be the focus of WineHealth 2013, which will be held from 18 to 20 July in Sydney. [ + ]
Steggles, ACMF found guilty over “free to roam” claims
Steggles has been found guilty of engaging in false, misleading and deceptive conduct by describing its meat chickens as “free to roam” in large barns. The Australian Chicken Meat Foundation was also found guilty of deceptive conduct. [ + ]