Industry News
AFGC accused of undermining star rating system
The AFGC has been accused of undermining the star rating front-of-pack labelling system that was agreed to by the former Labor government. The AFGC has defended the allegations, saying it remains committed to the scheme. [ + ]
Brewers Association funds alcohol policy research
The Brewers Association of Australia and New Zealand is funding a three-year research grant into the area of alcohol policy, in partnership with the University of Canterbury. [ + ]
Macfarlane pressured to apologise to SPC Ardmona staff
The Electrical Trades Union has called on Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane to apologise to SPC Ardmona workers for comments he made regarding employees' leave and pay arrangements. [ + ]
UPM Raflatac awarded FSC and PEFC certification for Malaysian labelstock
UPM Raflatac has been awarded FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certifications for labelstock produced in its Asia-Pacific factories. This means that all UPM Raflatac factories in the Asia-Pacific region are now PEFC and FSC certified. [ + ]
Meat antimicrobial developed from nut processing by-product
Organic meat processors could have a new weapon in the war on Listeria growth on meat. A study published in the Journal of Food Science shows that antimicrobials extracted from pecan shells protect meat against Listeria growth. [ + ]
NZ focuses on 'lifestyle' wines
A partnership between the New Zealand wine industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries is aiming to make the country the world’s leading producer of high-quality, reduced-calorie and lower-alcohol 'lifestyle' wines. [ + ]
Consumers will pay extra for eco-labelled vegies
Consumers will happily pay more for eco-labelled vegetables, new research published in Vegetables Australia magazine has shown. [ + ]
Native superfood a cash crop for Indigenous communities
The Kakadu plum will be studied as part of a University of Western Australia-led project to explore the native fruit's viability as a cash crop for Indigenous communities. [ + ]
Fi Europe 2013 the largest ever
Food ingredients Europe (Fi Europe) 2013 has closed with record attendance: almost 25,000 attendees visited the event in Frankfurt between 19 and 21 November. [ + ]
Multiple awards for Wine-In-Tube product
Taylors Wines has won two gold medals at the 2013 Printing Industry Craftsmanship Awards, a gold medal at the 2013 Australian Packaging Design Awards and an award at the 2014 Worldstar World Packaging Organisation Awards. [ + ]
Energy drinks affect heart function
Research has shown that caffeinated beverages increase the heart’s contraction rates, leading researchers to suggest that children and people with cardiac arrhythmia should avoid these drinks. [ + ]
Riverina to become hazelnut capital with Ferrero initiative
Ferrero Group has announced the establishment of a $70 million hazelnut production facility in the Riverina region, which has been launched by Agri Australis, a subsidiary of the Ferrero Group. [ + ]
93% of imported olive oils fail Australian standards
Australian Olive Association testing has found that of 106 imported oils representing 40 different brands, 77% of oils tested failed the Australian Standard AS 5264-2011 and 93% of brands tested failed the standard for at least one product of their brand range. [ + ]
Controversial GM maize study retracted
The Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology has retracted a controversial article which claimed to have found evidence that genetically modified (GM) maize is toxic when consumed by rats. [ + ]
Too many foodies, not enough food producers
Industry experts are concerned that increased awareness of food production methods could be for naught if there's no-one left to produce food in Australia. [ + ]
