Industry News
Encouragement for regional food processing
Agrifood businesses across Australia have been provided with $2 million to encourage more food processing in regional areas.
[ + ]Tracking that container
Radio frequency identification is being used in the Smart Box, a shipping container that can be located during transit and offers numerous other useful functions.
[ + ]Risk assessment conference
Representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), two international bodies that are at the forefront of the development of risk-based assessment for both chemical and microbiological hazards, will be in Australia for the first time next month to speak to food scientists on the current status of the science and its implementation.
[ + ]FSANZ responds to health claims
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has refuted claims in the media it would not allow fresh fruit to have health claims as their naturally occurring sugar content was too high.
[ + ]Echidna milk unlikely study tool
High tech analysis of milk from an echidna will assist Australian Dairy CRC scientists to discover new components, known as bioactives, which may have health and nutritional benefits for humans.
[ + ]Plain ol' salt water does the trick
Researchers at Penn State University in the US have devised a novel way to clean and disinfect milking equipment, using little more than salt water. The new method could be a safer and cheaper alternative to conventional cleaning systems.
[ + ]Funding feeds the next generation of foods
Australia's leading food researchers will invest new Victorian government funding to develop the next generation of potentially revolutionary food processing technologies.
[ + ]Augmented reality technology could improve communication in poultry plants
Technology that transfers computer-generated information onto the physical world is being tested for use in poultry farms to improve communication between computers and workers.
[ + ]White whole wheat flour
Using new milling technology, ConAgra Food Ingredients (USA) has introduced Ultragrain White whole-wheat flour, a product the company describes as a 'revolutionary whole grain flour'.
[ + ]Insulating wine and beer against ultraviolet rays
Australian beer and wine could soon come in glass bottles that insulate them from the damaging effects of ultraviolet and visible light.
[ + ]Providing regional customer solutions
With the acquisitions of well-established ingredient specialists Bronson & Jacobs (B&J), Woods & Woods (W&W) and Keith Harris (KH) in the last 15 months, adding to the previous acquisition of Fernz, Orica has established a platform on which to grow their food ingredients business in the region.
[ + ]Developing safe mercury message
The NSW Food Authority has been asked by the world’s leading health body to help devise communication solutions so other countries can show people how to safely eat fish while reducing the risk from mercury.
[ + ]Collaboration on biodegradable flexible packaging
Amcor Australasia and Plantic Technologies have announced an alliance to work towards the development of a new biodegradable material, which if successful, has potential to change the mainstream confectionery packaging market and provide manufacturers and retailers with a cost effective, functional and environmentally-sustainable packaging solution.
[ + ]Engineering manager appointed
Simon Hall has been named applications engineering manager of Flexicon Corporation (Australia) by John Simonof, vice president of Worldwide Operations.
[ + ]Infrared cuts dust explosion risk
Five elements are necessary for a dust explosion: ignitable dust; suspension of the dust into a cloud (in sufficient concentration); confinement; oxidant (usually air); and ignition.
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