Amcor has announced it will demerge its AAPD business. Amcor’s directors say the demerger will enhance shareholder value by enabling each company to better pursue its own growth agendas and strategic priorities. [ + ]

The directors of Bruce Imports pleaded guilty and were convicted of 32 charges relating to the sale of imported weight-loss coffees, dried fruit and jelly which contained Sibutramine. [ + ]

Farmed prawns don’t have a great reputation - but a new prawn feed additive developed by CSIRO could change that. Marine microbe-based Novacq feed additive is reportedly good for the environment, the prawns and consumers. [ + ]

Dairy exporters, take note: the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India no longer permits the use of animal rennet in the manufacture of dairy products. [ + ]

Coles is noticing a resurgence of branded milk sales, with 8-10% growth in some branded product lines. [ + ]

APPMA has joined the PMMI Allied Association Partner Program. APPMA has also announced it will exhibit at PACK EXPO in Las Vegas this September. [ + ]

Urschel has been awarded for Outstanding Innovation in Cutting Technology by Fleischerei Technik for its Affinity Dicer. The award was presented at the recent IFFA international trade fair. [ + ]

The 2013 Food Structures, Digestion and Health international conference will bring together food industry professionals and world-leading scientists with a common interest in food design to deliver better nutrition and improve consumer wellbeing. [ + ]

Submissions on an Application to use Quillaja extract as a food additive are being sought by FSANZ. Quillaja extract is used in beverages to emulsify oil-soluble substances. [ + ]

The Heart Foundation has called for mandatory salt reduction targets to be applied to processed and takeaway foods. However, industry is already taking action to reduce salt consumption, AFGC CEO Gary Dawson says. [ + ]

KM Packaging Services and Ispak will bring their respective strengths to an expanded strategic alliance that could bring some interesting new developments to the confectionery packaging market. [ + ]

Coles and Alligator Brand Fresh Pasta were named as the 2013 Good Egg Award winners in the retail and manufacturing category respectively. The two companies were presented with the awards at a ceremony in Sydney today held by the RSPCA in conjunction with Compassion in World Farming. [ + ]

Indian and British research has proven a link between high arsenic levels in rice and chromosomal damage, as measured by micronuclei in urothelial cells in humans who eat rice as a staple. [ + ]

The 11th Urschel International branch in Europe has opened in Madrid. Urschel España SL contains a test cutting facility with a full range of Urschel slicers and dicers. [ + ]

FSANZ is calling for submissions on proposed changes to Maximum Residue Limits of agricultural and veterinary chemicals that are sometimes found in foods. [ + ]