The Plant Products Scheme only covers five product types: fresh cut fruit (usually consumed raw); fresh cut vegetables (usually consumed raw); vegetables in oil; unpasteurised juice; and seed sprouts. No other fruit or vegetable foods are affected.

More than half (57%) of Australian manufacturers are already supplying private label products to retailers, a first of its kind private label survey conducted by ACNielsen has found.

Based in New South Wales Australia, dairy farming started in the Bega Valley in the 1850s. During these early years each farmer produced and sold cheese from his own dairy.

Bega has implemented full wireless VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and wireless data capture coverage within its massive NSW packaging and distribution facility.

Fears from the hospitality industry that an increasing number of patrons are at risk from having their drinks spiked with drugs such as GHB and Ketamine have led Drink Safe Technologies to develop the Drink Safe Coaster.

CSIRO's research team at CMIT Victoria has developed a sunscreen formula for glass bottles that screens the contents from damaging wavelengths of ultraviolet and visible violet, indigo and blue light.

Selective Micro Technologies has announced that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conditionally approved Selectrocide, a chlorine dioxide product, as a disinfectant, sanitiser and algaecide for applications in the horticulture and food processing industries. Announcement of EPA approval follows only two weeks after Selective Micro Technologies announced an allowance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use its chlorine dioxide product to wash fruits and vegetables.

Arcelor Packaging International has launched Creasteel, a new steel for food packaging that could revolutionise the sector by opening up a whole new world of design possibilities.

Agilent Technologies has released a paper outlining the feasibility of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) time-of-flight (TOF) in conjunction with LC/MSD ion trap to analyse chloronicotinyl insecticides: acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and thiacloprid, in four salad vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and cucumbers.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne are developing an ultrasound technology that could help the Australian dairy industry of overcome many of the difficulties currently encountered in dairy processing.

Brice Australia has signed an exclusive distributor agreement with Mainca SL, a Spanish meat processing equipment manufacturer.

The Australian native food industry will be better placed to take advantage of its large potential with the formation of a new peak industry body.

Strong emotions will be part of the agenda at the 28th annual AIFST convention in Sydney in July when food scientists from Australia and other nations gather to hear the latest research and talk about their passion for food.

OBS Equipment and Curtin Global Food Equipment have merged and will operate as Curtin OBS.

Advancing Food Safety Pty Ltd will convene the 12th Australian HACCP Conference from September 5 to 9 in Sydney. The conference will again drive forward the food safety issues that face the Australasian food industry every day.