The Australian Wine Research Institute is hosting a series of webinars covering a range of winemaking, winery management and viticulture topics, from climate change to phylloxera to Chinese consumer insights. [ + ]

While robots on banana farms may sound like a sci-fi movie plot, a University of Sydney robotics expert says this could be a reality in Australia within 10 years. [ + ]

What’s New in Food Technology & Manufacturing talked with Tony Dinallo from JL Lennard about the new Multipond multihead weigher. [ + ]

A journal article claiming that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy in mice can affect brain function and behaviour has drawn mixed responses from experts. [ + ]

In conjunction with PAC.NZ, the Australian Institute of Packaging will deliver its Introduction to Packaging Economics half-day training course in New Zealand. [ + ]

A sustainable farming model could transform cassava from a poor people’s food crop into a 21st-century crop, the FAO says. Cassava is a cheaper alternative to wheat and maize, and can be processed into a high-quality flour. [ + ]

Mushrooms packed with Sira-Flex Resolve film reportedly showed no browning and no condensation after seven days. [ + ]

Queensland Conservation has called on the Newman government to urgently act to reduce plastics entering the environment following the Tasmanian Government’s announcement of a plastic bag ban. [ + ]

Meat, poultry and seafood packaging demand in the US is expected to increase 3.2% annually to $9.7 billion in 2017, a new study from the Freedonia Group shows. [ + ]

Elevating Food Safety says its Food Industry Masterclasses offer an opportunity to discover the “success secrets” of successful food industry companies and learn how to apply these strategies. [ + ]

Small to medium enterprises will have stronger representation on the Australian Food and Grocery Council Board, following changes to the Board’s composition. [ + ]

BSI, the world’s first National Standards Body, has acquired NCSI from the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia. NCSI’s business will be combined with BSI to form BSI incorporating NCSI. [ + ]

Coinciding with its recent expansion, Emrich has had a brand makeover, including an updated company name, logo and website. [ + ]

Smithfield Foods has been acquired by Chinese company Shuanghui International Holdings. Shuanghui is the majority shareholder of Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development, China’s largest meat processing enterprise. [ + ]

The National Food Plan has elicited critical responses from several industry bodies, including the Australian Food and Grocery Council and AUSVEG. [ + ]