The Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) and the US Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) have announced a five-year exclusive agreement for the joint benefit of their respective members. The two groups said they hope the alliance will “enhance SCLAA’s global presence and outreach while contributing to the advancement of SCLAA’s mission within Australia”. [ + ]

Each year, World Accreditation Day is celebrated on 9 June. This year’s theme is Accreditation - Supporting Safe Food and Clean Drinking Water. [ + ]

Tetra Pak has teamed up with recycling advocate LoveNZ to help New Zealanders recycle coffee cups and cartons, as well as cans and plastic bottles, outside the home. [ + ]

Fonterra has signed a memorandum of understanding with Netherlands-based company A-ware Food Group to establish a cheese and dairy factory in the Netherlands. The companies plan to open two factories side by side: A-ware will operate a cheese plant and Fonterra will operate a dairy ingredients plant. [ + ]

NatureWorks’ biopolymer product Ingeo has recently received Silver Cradle to Cradle certification from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Made from plants, rather than oil, the product is reportedly the first of its kind to receive the certification. [ + ]

A group of industry and union representatives has rejected the proposed national container deposit scheme (CDS), claiming it would effectively impose a tax on beverages that would cost jobs in the manufacturing sector and increase the pressure on struggling Australian families. [ + ]

The Tasmanian dairy industry has been boosted by a partnership between Coles and Cadbury, with dairy farmers now supplying 78 million L of fresh milk yearly to the chocolate manufacturer. [ + ]

Ministers responsible for the regulation of food in Australia and New Zealand met in Canberra recently to consider the progress of issues such as a revised health claims standard and front-of-pack labelling. [ + ]

The Statewide Independent Wholesalers (SIW) Distribution Centre was opened in Launceston on 31 May, with guest of honour Lara Giddings, Premier of Tasmania, in attendance. [ + ]

While the wine market in China continues to grow, Australian wine suppliers still need to be mindful of a number of gaps in the market, says a recent Rabobank report. [ + ]

GS1 New Zealand is urging companies in the food and grocery sector to register for ProductRecall^nz, an online service for rapid recall or withdrawal of products in consumer supply chains. [ + ]

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Biosecurity (DAFF Biosecurity) has released a media statement on the alleged implication of Australian beef in US ground beef products that recently tested positive to E. coli 0157:H7. [ + ]

The 2012 Australian Institute of Packaging/IGD in-store shelf friendly packaging (SFP) training helped 70 packaging technologists, engineers and designers understand the complexities and difficulties that poor SFP design causes for store fillers and staff. [ + ]

Entries are now open for the 2012 NZ Food Awards. Organisers are encouraging all ‘food innovators’ to enter, from boutique producers through to large-scale manufacturers. The awards - held in association with Massey University - recognise creativity in product development, enterprise, food safety and packaging. [ + ]

Polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PET, saw a growth of around 7% last decade, according to chemicals intelligence provider GBI Research. The demand for the flexible packaging chemical is a result of its diverse application in a range of new products in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food sectors, the research company said. [ + ]