New research conducted on behalf of Payne found difficulty in opening different pack types is a greater concern to most consumers than environmental criticisms such as perceived overpackaging. [ + ]

Indian researchers have discovered a use for onion and garlic waste from the food industry: mopping up hazardous heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury and tin. [ + ]

‘Naturality’ is likely to be the dominant trend of 2013, according to a new report. The author of 10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition & Health 2013 calls naturality a ‘super-trend’ that is influencing the food industry across all categories. [ + ]

According to a literature review conducted by RTI International, using text and colour to describe nutrient levels, rather than just numbers, is a more effective way to ensure consumers understand nutritional information. [ + ]

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. [ + ]