Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on a draft nutrition, health and related claims standard. [ + ]

The Packaging Council of New Zealand is hosting a one-day seminar, ‘The Business of Sustainable Packaging’. [ + ]

A new type of packaging for instant coffee could be a greener way for consumers to buy their morning brew. According to a peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the Nescafé Gold SMART Pack laminate pouch is a more environmentally friendly way to package coffee than the traditional glass jar format. [ + ]

Food manufacturers are preoccupied with food safety, while consumers think that food manufacturers are not making better products today than five years ago, according to a global study from Underwriters Laboratories (UL). [ + ]

Researchers at Drexel University have demonstrated a technique for killing pathogens on raw poultry that could reduce foodborne illness. Using plasma, the research team was able to eliminate or significantly reduce bacteria on skinless chicken breast and chicken skin. [ + ]

Stricter regulations for fresh chicken processing in New Zealand have been linked to a significant decrease in an autoimmune condition. [ + ]

Woolworths has overtaken fruit and vegetable shops in terms of percentage of market share, with Coles close behind, the latest Roy Morgan Supermarket Currency Report shows. [ + ]

The US Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has submitted its thoughts on reducing sodium consumption in the United States to several official bodies: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS). The IFT offered scientific perspectives and practical insights on reducing sodium intake in the US. [ + ]

A state-of-the-art glass container manufacturing plant has opened in Vietnam. Joint venture partners Owens-Illinois (O-I), Berli Jucker Public Company Limited (BJC) and Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Company (SABECO) opened the US$47 million factory. [ + ]

After the recent flurry of testing imported orange juice products for the fungicide carbendazim, it has been revealed that US officials will not be taking action against US manufacturers whose orange juice products contain more than 10 parts per billion of the fungicide. [ + ]

Californian beverage group Joseph Company International is launching its self-chilling beverage can in the US in March 2012. [ + ]

Australians are eating more eggs than ever. Statistics released by the Australian Egg Corporation reveal that egg consumption is up by 7% on last year. [ + ]

The AIP Sustainable Packaging and Additives technical dinner will be held on Thursday 9 February at the Oatlands Golf Course, in Sydney. [ + ]

Bürkert Fluid Control Systems has appointed Jeff Allen as manufacturer’s agent in the Albury-Wodonga region. [ + ]

Over 100 CEOs will trade in their suits for aprons at the inaugural CEO CookOff on 6 February. An initiative of OzHarvest and Qantas, the CookOff will raise much-needed funds for OzHarvest and Mission Australia. [ + ]