Industry News
Dairy Tomorrow — NZ dairy sector launches new strategic vision
New Zealand's dairy sector has launched its 'Dairy Tomorrow' strategy, which is intended to lead to a longer term conversation about what New Zealand's future farm and food systems could look like. [ + ]
ABB and Kawasaki partner on cobot project
Industrial automation and robot suppliers ABB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have announced the world's first cooperation that will focus on collaborative robots, or 'cobots'. [ + ]
New oyster on the horizon for Queensland
Griffith Australian Rivers Institute's Carmel McDougall has suggested replacing the Sydney Rock oyster, which is susceptible to QX disease, with a disease-resistant species called the Blacklip oyster. [ + ]
European meat industry poised for catastrophic impact of a hard Brexit
Trade down 84%, 32,000 job losses, annual beef production down $3.9 billion, annual pork production down $3.7 billion… these are just some of the catastrophic forecasts made in a recent report about the impact that a hard Brexit scenario would have on the European meat industry. [ + ]
In-store sampling increases product sales
Stores selling food and drinks often have a representative holding a little platter of mini treats, and this is because it can actually be a very effective marketing strategy that encourages sales, according to research published in the Journal of Retailing. [ + ]
Could sacha inchi be the new superfood?
The world is constantly on the hunt for the next superfood. In the past it has been kale, chia seeds and acai berries, but a popular one in Asia right now is sacha inchi. [ + ]
Unified national brand announced for Australian exports
The federal government has announced in the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper that it plans to introduce a unified national brand, 'Brand Australia', to promote the country's products in international markets. [ + ]
Red meat industry productivity relies on reliable information
ACCC Commissioner Mick Keogh said reliable information is important in encouraging future investment and ensuring the productivity of the red meat industry, but there is still much to be done before this is achieved. [ + ]
You are guilty anyway — buckwheat flour causing recalls
In New Zealand the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is working with several food businesses to recall products that contain buckwheat flour that has been found to contain gluten. The affected buckwheat flour, supplied by Davis Food Ingredients, has been unwittingly used in products advertised as gluten-free or in products consumers consider to be gluten-free. [ + ]
Want your dog to drink more? Use chicken flavouring
Electrolyte drinks may be an effective solution to help our canine friends stay hydrated, according to a study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. [ + ]
Flies carry more harmful bacteria than suspected
Researchers studied the microbiomes of 116 houseflies and blowflies from three different continents and found they carried over 600 hundred different species of bacteria. [ + ]
Are you a food start-up needing cash and a mentor?
Mentorship, access to experts, $10,000 cash and more are being offered to food industry start-ups by Chobani — but you'd better be quick, applications close on 30 November. [ + ]
Holiday spice has fat-burning properties
Christmas treats such as German cinnamon biscuits, cinnamon rolls and cinnamon eggnog may be slightly more guilt-free this year in light of new research which suggests the common holiday spice may help prevent obesity. [ + ]
Veggie farm profits up but farm numbers down
Australian vegetable farmers are responding to consumer demands for a wider variety of fresh vegetables and increasing their profitability as well. [ + ]
Foodbank tackles food insecurity in Australia
Despite Australia being considered as a 'lucky country', hunger still affects many Australians, which is why Foodbank is calling on the federal government to develop a National Food Insecurity Strategy. [ + ]