Heliae begins work on commercial algae production facility
23 May, 2012Algae technology company Heliae has commenced work on a commercial demonstration facility in Arizona that it says will “showcase the scalability and economics of its proprietary algae technology platform”. The company plans to build several more facilities throughout the world.
UNSW and Korean NIAS to research food allergies and food safety technologies
22 May, 2012Innovative food processing techniques could soon be helping to minimise the adverse health effects of food allergens. The food allergy research group at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), led by Dr Alice Lee, is developing nanosensors to better detect allergens in food, while researching how allergens change during food processing and how this affects the human reaction.
Acrylamide levels in NZ potato crisps reduced: study
18 May, 2012Efforts by New Zealand potato crisp manufacturers to reduce acrylamide in their products have been successful, resulting in a two-thirds reduction in acrylamide concentrations since 2006.
New beverage can plant to open in Cambodia
17 May, 2012Metal packaging supplier Crown Holdings announced its intention to build a new beverage can plant in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. The new plant will accommodate multiple can lines and will initially produce 725 million two-piece 330mL cans annually. Crown anticipates the plant will be operational in Q3 2013.
iPhone app for food allergy sufferers launched
15 May, 2012As part of 2012 Food Allergy Awareness Week, GS1 Australia has announced an iPhone app that gives consumers access to extended labelling product data. The GS1 GoScan was launched yesterday and will be available from September. By scanning a product’s barcode, consumers can receive comprehensive product data, including allergen information, ingredient lists, nutritional content, Daily Intake information and dietary information such as Kosher, Halal, vegan, organic.
New ‘super apple’ developed in Queensland
15 May, 2012A new ‘super apple’ will soon be available to Australian consumers. The Kalei apple - meaning ‘loveable’ in Hawaiian - is the result of 20 years of breeding research conducted by the Queensland Government.
Cacao and soy improve CVD biomarkers in women with type 2 diabetes
10 May, 2012Post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes can significantly improve biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by consuming cacao flavonoids and soy isoflavones, a recent study has shown. The double-blind controlled clinical study, published in Diabetes Care in February, was led by Peter J Curtis, funded by Diabetes UK and supported by Frutarom and Barry Callebaut. The study assessed the effect of dietary flavonoids on CVD risk in post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes on established statin and hypoglycaemic therapy.
AMAG supports FSANZ’s decision on country-of-origin labelling
09 May, 2012Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) decision to extend country-of-origin labelling to unpackaged beef, lamb and chicken has been welcomed by the Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) campaign. The campaign has been pushing for tougher food labelling laws in Australia.
Most foods contain acceptable sulfite levels, FSANZ study shows
08 May, 2012Most foods contain sulfites at acceptable levels, a recent FSANZ survey has shown. The survey examined sausages, cordials and dried fruit and found that sulfite levels in almost all foods tested were well below those allowed in the Food Standards Code.
All the fizz, none of the pop: screw-capped sparkling wine closure launched
08 May, 2012 by Alice RichardYesterday, Guala Closures Australia launched Viiva - what they claim is Australia’s first screw-capped sparkling wine closure. Guala partnered with glass manufacturer Owens-Illinois (O-I) and Australian winemakers De Bortoli Wines to create the closure, which they say was developed in response to industry complaints about loss of fizz and difficulty opening traditional sparkling wine closures.
CSIRO’s rusty research could protect cereal crops
07 May, 2012CSIRO researcher Dr Peter Dodds is developing synthetic rust resistance genes that that could help protect cereal crops from damage by rust diseases. It’s estimated that rust fungi has the potential to cause up to $300 million in losses to the Australian wheat industry each year.
Banana industry gets a $6 million research boost
04 May, 2012To help the banana industry achieve its aim of a 5% increase in production efficiency “with minimal to no environmental impact” by 2014, researchers are launching a $6 million research project. A Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) research team, led by principal research scientist Associate Professor Andre Drenth, will spearhead the Banana Plant Protection Program.
ABARES forecasts increased grape production for 2012-13
04 May, 2012 | Supplied by: Department of Agriculture2012-13 will be a good year for grape production, according to a recent report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).
Swiss engineers develop cost-effective microsilver formula
27 April, 2012Swiss engineers have developed a new formula for microsilver that could benefit the healthcare and food industries. Antibiotics and chemicals are generally used to combat mites, fungi, viruses and bacteria, and especially E. coli in the food industry, but with the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains, demand for antibiotic- and chemical-free solutions has increased.
Bite size is directly affected by aroma
26 April, 2012Research indicating that bite size is affected by aroma offers a new approach to controlling portion size.
