Microwaves could have a greater impact than just consumer convenience. MicroZap technology can extend the shelf life of fresh bread to 60 days - a result that could have positive implications for global food waste and food safety. [ + ]

Cold-pressed oil manufacturer Proteco Gold received a $51,400 grant to upgrade its filtration system, which will reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 13.4% and reduce its annual $150,000 electricity bill. [ + ]

To achieve its stated aim of becoming “one of the most hygienically clean and professional working bakeries in the world,” Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses has implemented Vikan’s colour-coded cleaning hygiene system in its production facility. [ + ]

Heineken has launched Ignite, the world’s first smart beer bottle, which can interact with other Ignite bottles, its environment and the people around it using microsensors and wireless networking technology. [ + ]

As part of a feasibility study, Barilla tested NIRS from BUCHI as a screening technology to quickly measure total moisture, water activity and ethanol content to determine shelf stability in bakery products.

In recent years in China, illegal cooking oil incidents have led to serious food safety risks and negative social repercussions. The illegal cooking oils include the refined waste oil from restaurants, repeatedly used oil and waste animal fats. Because such cooking oils may contain toxic polymers, peroxide and so on, they can be dangerous to human health. [ + ]

A new study that examined food poisoning infection ‘as it happens’ in mice revealed harmful bacteria, such as a common type of Salmonella, takes over beneficial bacteria within the gut amid previously unseen changes to the gut environment. The results provide new insights into the course of infection and could lead to better prevention or new treatments. [ + ]

Packaging plays a vital role in the food industry and now new Australian research has established how this role can be extended to assist in minimising food waste. [ + ]

Dagab’s cold storage warehouse is powered by 407 solar cells, which generate 87,000 kWh electricity per year - roughly the amount of energy required to heat five average-sized homes. [ + ]

The JetSpray humidifier is helping GM Steel reduce carcass moisture loss after slaughter by up to 1.5%. By maintaining a consistently high humidity in the chill-down area, GM steel has been able to reduce moisture loss from 2.5% to less than 1%. [ + ]

For around every 4 L of olive oil that’s pressed, about 17 kg of pomace is left behind. These leftovers typically have low-value uses. But US engineers are working with growers and processors in California to find new, environmentally friendly and profitable uses for pomace. [ + ]

As astronauts journey deeper and deeper into space, space agencies are finding they need to modify life support systems, including how to feed the crew. NASA is conducting a feasibility study into using 3D printing of food for long space voyages. [ + ]

Alba Edible Oils received a grant of nearly $500,000 as part of the Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program. The company has reduced energy wastage by more than 80%, saving $190,000 per year in energy costs. [ + ]

In South Africa, Durban’s moist and warm climate is an attraction for tourists but caused problems at Chester Wholesale Meat. The moist tropical air kept moving inwards from the truck loading area and condensing in the holding dispatch section, which is kept at 10˚C. In addition to blinding mist, large amounts of condensation on the meat product, walls and floor caused a slippery build-up of water and provided a potential hazard for the workforce. This became so problematic that the area earned the nickname ‘the fish tank’. [ + ]

State and federal health ministers are meeting to approve a new star rating system for food packaging. Easy-to-interpret front-of-pack labels are expected to help consumers quickly assess the nutritive value of food and help fight the epidemic of obesity and related chronic diseases. [ + ]