A PET blow-moulded package for Planters peanuts has won Sonoco Plastics first place in the advanced food packaging applications category of the first annual Parts Competition at the Society of Plastics Engineers' Blow Molding Conference. [ + ]

If you're interested in attending the FTAA's Innovation, Grants and Services for the Food Industry in Australia workshop, you'd better get your skates on: registrations close on 6 November. [ + ]

Australia and NZ are the top exporters of beef and sheepmeat to China - and sales are increasing. [ + ]

Food labels provide more than just nutritional information. They give consumers insight into the production of food and influence their trust in the food system - from the companies that manufacture foods to the governments that regulate them. [ + ]

As part of its commitment to responsible seafood products, John West has launched two conservation projects with partner WWF in the Pacific Islands and the Maldives. [ + ]

While inspecting a recreational fishing vessel in New Zealand's Kawakawa Bay to ensure the owners were in their daily recreational catch limits, MPI compliance officers came across more than 200 rotting snapper. [ + ]

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has emerged victorious in an unofficial Iron Chef of Seafood Sustainability ranking conducted by the University of York’s Environment Department. [ + ]

Bega Cheese's proposed acquisition of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter will not be opposed by the ACCC. The ACCC has reviewed the proposed acquisition at Bega's request following its offer to acquire all shares in WCB. [ + ]

Spring Gully Foods has made its first dividend payment to unsecured creditors. The payment wipes $1 million off the company’s total debts and is the largest single payment the company will make to unsecured creditors under the terms of the DoCA. [ + ]

Meat processors, block your ears: you may not want to hear this. More Australians are identifying as vegetarian - or at least embracing a meat-minimal lifestyle. [ + ]

Coles has committed to using 100% Australian produce for its private label canned peaches, pears and apricots from early 2014 under a contract with SPC Ardmona. The contract is due to commence with the November harvest. [ + ]

The global aquaculture market is predicted to reach US$195 billion by 2019, according to a new report published by Transparency Market Research. Valued at US$135 billion in 2012, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% to 2019. [ + ]

Speakers from Supply Stratagems and Echo Design will be the highlight of the AIP NSW Branch’s technical dinner. The dinner will be held on Wednesday 13 November at the Oatlands Golf Course. [ + ]

Marel will open the doors of Progress Point, the newest and most extensive Marel training and demonstration facility, on 7 November. The facility is located five minutes from Copenhagen airport. [ + ]

US consumers want food processors to declare which food products use nanotechnology - regardless of whether the nanotechnology is in the food or is used in food packaging. [ + ]