Tetra Pak has strengthened its portfolio of complete processing production solutions for the dairy and cheese industries with the acquisition of Filtration Engineering Company. [ + ]

While ready meals often get a bad rap for being a less-than-healthy choice, they’re at least healthier than recipes pushed by popular TV chefs, according to researchers from the UK’s University of Newcastle. Their advice? Stick to making it yourself. [ + ]

More than 600 Australians have joined a class action against companies associated with Bonsoy soy milk. Maurice Blackburn Lawyers has extended the statement of claim to include the manufacturer and exporter, as well as the brand owner, Spiral Foods. [ + ]

A link between a human gene and the composition of human gastrointestinal bacteria has been identified. [ + ]

A clinical study has evaluated the use of sublingual immunotherapy as a peanut allergy treatment. [ + ]

McCain Foods has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of the Kitchens of Sara Lee frozen bakery business from Hillshire Brands for $82 million. [ + ]

Chemists at the University of California, Davis, have engineered blue-green algae to grow chemical precursors for fuels and plastics - the first step in replacing fossil fuels as raw materials for the chemical industry. [ + ]

Two researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the University of Oxford have proven that hot chocolate tastes better in an orange- or cream-coloured cup than in a white or red one. [ + ]

FSANZ is calling for submissions on a proposal to clarify the permissions in the Food Standards Code on the use of carbon monoxide (CO) in fish processing. CO is used to treat the dark muscle tissue of fish such as tuna to turn the flesh bright cherry red. This can make the fish look fresher than it actually is. [ + ]

FSANZ is calling for submissions on an application seeking permission to use a new form of an ingredient in products for infants and young children. [ + ]

In response to changes since the first launch of the Code of Practice for Packaging Design, Education and Procurement, PAC.NZ has released Version 2 of the Code. [ + ]

The Australian Beverages Council has responded to the government’s announcement that it has commissioned a study into the effects of mixing alcohol and energy drinks. [ + ]

A decision on importing pineapples has prompted an argument between the federal and Queensland Ministers for Agriculture, with John McVeigh calling Joe Ludwig a “coward” and Ludwig accusing McVeigh of failing to understand Australia’s biosecurity system. [ + ]

Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology are working to develop early detection of Campylobacter jejuni bacteria - a significant contributor to foodborne illness in Australia and around the world. [ + ]

PAC.NZ has released the Year Two Progress Report for its Packaging Product Stewardship Scheme, which reports a second year of success for the scheme. [ + ]