Roche has released SeqCap EZ Exome Designs for the target enrichment of the wheat, barley and maize genomes. These agriculture exome designs provide researchers a cost-effective and easy-to-use alternative sequencing method beyond whole genome sequencing. [ + ]

Foods suitable for irritable bowel syndrome sufferers and others who have intolerance towards ingredients high in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols can now be easily identified with the FODMAP logo. [ + ]

Consumers' taste for aspartame has soured, new data from Canadean shows. Overall, sweetener consumption is changing across the globe, with increasing positive sentiment towards all-natural sweetness and clean label products. [ + ]

Celebrity chef Rick Stein and Dr Pia Winberg, a sustainable seafood expert from the University of Wollongong, have lent their support to a plan from Fisheries NSW to introduce three Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture Leases in the town of Jervis Bay. [ + ]

Record production and strong demand has seen the value of canola increase by 25% since 2012, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows. [ + ]

Ardagh has won the Can of the Year Award for 2013 for a food can that could potentially save the food canning industry thousands of tonnes of steel each year. [ + ]

Coles and Woolworths have reached an agreement with the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) on the terms of a food and grocery industry code of conduct. [ + ]

Not all vegetable oils are as healthy as they seem, new research suggests. An analysis in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has found that some vegetable oils may actually increase the risk of heart disease. [ + ]

In an attempt to help food manufacturers reduce acrylamide levels in certain foods, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance on the topic. [ + ]

Finally, the news we've all been hoping for: researchers have discovered that the more chocolate you eat, the lower your body fat. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that eating a family-sized block each day will help you lose weight, but nevertheless it's good news for chocolate lovers: your addiction may be helping, rather than harming, your health. [ + ]

For the second year in a row, Aurecon has won the Food and Drink Award at the global IChemE Awards 2013. Aurecon won the award for its work on the Clandeboye Lactose Evaporator Project in New Zealand. [ + ]

The Anti-Dumping Commission has made a preliminary decision to impose a tariff penalty on tinned tomatoes imported from Italy which have been dumped in Australia, causing material injury to Australian processors. [ + ]

ecoeggs has been named as the 2013 People's Choice Shonkiest Shonky by consumer watchdog CHOICE. ecoeggs' high stocking density, high price and questionable eco credentials won it the dubious honour of the award. [ + ]

A Bill to merge the Wine Australia Corporation (WAC) and Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) to form a new Australian Grape and Wine Authority has been introduced into parliament. [ + ]

The Native American buffaloberry could become the next 'super fruit', after researchers found that the underutilised berry contains high levels of antioxidants and nutrients. [ + ]