What do a glow-in-the-dark water bottle, elderflower green currant juice and sheep milk powder have in common? While they sound like something one might encounter during a molecular gastronomy dining experience, they're actually all finalists in the 2013 NZ Food Awards. [ + ]

The world's largest milk powder drier has produced its first batches of whole milk powder. The drier, which is located at Fonterra's Darfield site, will produce powder for export to more than 20 markets worldwide. [ + ]

Measurement company Agilent Technologies has announced the opening of its new Spectroscopy Technology Innovation Centre in Mulgrave, Victoria. The $25 million centre houses cutting-edge research and testing laboratories, as well as user demo and training facilities. [ + ]

Matthew Rowland has been appointed as the new managing director of Jasol, a market leader in the manufacture and supply of cleaning and hygiene solutions for the food and beverage, manufacturing, dairy processing and water treatment sectors. [ + ]

The 2013 HACCP Awards winners all share a passion for food safety and the Australian and New Zealand food industries. [ + ]

Day two of the 20th Australian HACCP Conference got off to a slow start for some after the preceding night’s gala dinner and awards event. The speakers didn’t miss a beat, however, with first speaker Bill McBride delivering a comprehensive update and overview of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). [ + ]

The Labor party has funding in its budget to bring the supermarkets, processors and farmers to the table to finalise a Food and Grocery Code of Conduct that will ensure fairness across the food supply chain. [ + ]

The path to happiness may travel via an unexpected stopover: the fruit bowl. Researchers at the University of Otago, Christchurch, have found that eating two kiwifruit each day can improve mood and boost energy. [ + ]

One item sure to be on the agenda in the coming half-century will be food: the lack of it, how to produce more of it, how to get it where it's needed and how much it will be worth. These topics - and more - were covered in depth on day one of the 20th Australian HACCP Conference. [ + ]

The recall of frozen broccoli from China could impact on Australian frozen vegetable processors, AUSVEG claims. Earlier this week, Metcash issued a recall of a batch of its Black & Gold Broccoli Florets after receiving several complaints of glass fragments in the bag. [ + ]

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), CIC Holdings and Chemanex have formed a joint venture - Chemcel - and will build and operate a processing facility in Sri Lanka, manufacturing bio-based superabsorbent polymers. [ + ]

The Australian sparkling wine category is projected to see the most growth in the wine category to 2017, according to Canadean. The sparkling wine category’s growth rates are set to more than double the sector average over the period. [ + ]

JBS Australia and Primo have committed to the Foodbank Beef Program, a major new beef initiative that will supply Foodbank with more than 130 tonnes of sausages per year to those in need. [ + ]

Recent calls for soft drink labels to carry warning statements have been criticised by the Australian Beverages Council. Geoff Parker says a recent study linking soft drink consumption with behavioural problems does not prove cause and effect. [ + ]

A US health insurer has come up with a novel way to ensure its members stay healthy: money-back rewards for buying fresh fruits and vegetables. Independent Health members will earn $1 credit for every $2 spent on fresh fruit and vegetables. [ + ]