PepsiCo has announced it will invest Rs. 33,000 crores (equivalent to US$5.5 billion) in India as part of plans to more than double production by 2020. [ + ]

Researchers have published a study in Food Control journal showing that blackberries possess several biological activities, including antimicrobial and nutritional effects. [ + ]

The AFGC's Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) has extra reason to celebrate National Recycling Week, knowing that its projects throughout the country have increased recycling rates by 6704 tonnes. [ + ]

Australian consumers want natural, locally produced food - but they also want convenience, the new Ipsos Food Health Report shows. Even for health-conscious consumers, convenience is a driving factor in food choice, the report reveals. [ + ]

US meat processor Cargill has announced it will label all its fresh ground beef products containing finely textured beef in the interests of transparency. [ + ]

Sharp declines in soft drink consumers under the age of 35 mean that middle-aged Australians (aged 35 to 49) are now the group most likely to buy a soft drink in an average week, new research from Roy Morgan Research shows. [ + ]

Less than half of Australian consumers read and comply with 'best before' dates, new research shows. In addition, only 55% always read and comply with 'use by' dates, a national Newspoll survey has revealed. [ + ]

For the first time in five years, the AIP scholarship has been awarded to two winners. The scholarship is traditionally awarded to one finalist in the Cormack Innovation awards; however, this year it was awarded to two: James Bossi and Justin Chong. [ + ]

Passionate about raw milk products? Have your say! FSANZ has issued a call for submissions on a proposal that will permit the production and sale of an increased range of raw milk products in Australia. [ + ]

Fonterra will acquire the assets of Tasmanian yoghurt producer Tamar Valley Dairy, including its processing equipment, related services, intellectual property and trademark. [ + ]

Goodman Fielder, Sanitarium and Bakers Delight have become the first registered users of the Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims. [ + ]

Following pressure from an Oxfam campaign, Coca-Cola has announced it will take steps to stamp out the practice of land grabs among its suppliers. [ + ]

Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary source of trans fat in processed foods, will no longer be considered "generally recognised as safe" under a new determination issued by the FDA. [ + ]

Australia's outbreaks of Salmonella poisoning can be reduced through the careful and hygienic handling of eggs through the supply chain, as well as in the kitchen, according to University of Adelaide research. [ + ]

New research suggests that our instinctive appetite for protein is so powerful that it drives us to continue eating until we have sufficient protein - even if it means consuming far more energy than we need. [ + ]