Market intelligence agency Mintel's latest report Global Food & Drink Trends 2018 predicts five key trends that will gain traction in the industry in 2018. [ + ]

Murray Goulburn Co-Operative (MG) has agreed to sell its Australian business to Canadian dairy company Saputo for $1.31 billion. [ + ]

The average Australian household wastes 14% of the food it procures every year. Reducing this wastage by half would result in $525 in savings, according to the RaboDirect 2017 Food & Farming Report. [ + ]

Consuming more green vegetables has been linked to up to a 40% reduced risk of heart disease or stroke, according to researchers from Edith Cowan University's School of Medical and Health Sciences. [ + ]

A European research program that aims to develop and share scientific knowledge on issues such as foodborne zoonoses will be coordinated by ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety. [ + ]

We've heard of probiotic, alcoholic and infused beverages, but how about a beverage featuring marijuana? Constellation Brands' C$245 million (AU$251 million) investment into Canopy Growth Corporation, a leading provider of medicinal cannabis products, aims to develop cannabis-infused drinks. [ + ]

Researchers from the University of Surrey found that advertising food products as 'snacks' rather than 'meals' leads to overeating and weight gain. [ + ]

The AIP and APPMA are calling for volunteers to help pack Foodbank hampers for people in need during the Christmas period. [ + ]

A mentoring program especially for women involved in the Australian, New Zealand and Asian packaging industries, organised by the Australian Institute of Packaging, is open for registrations. [ + ]

Fines have been issued to three Sydney noodle manufacturing businesses reaching a total of over $150,000 after they failed to comply with the Food Act 2003 and the Food Standards Code. [ + ]

There are now three stevedores operating at each of the nation's three largest container ports and the ACCC's annual Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report predicts that this will spark an increase in competition. [ + ]

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd (SBF) has entered an agreement to sell its Cerebos Food & Instant Coffee business in Australia and New Zealand and its Asian Home Gourmet Singapore business to US giant The Kraft Heinz Company for a total of AU$290 million. [ + ]

Research published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension suggests that eating spicy foods may help control salt cravings. [ + ]

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a warning to those selling seafood illegally through social media that they will incur penalties for violating the Fisheries Act. [ + ]

Pallet pooling company Loscam recently celebrated the opening of its new depot located in Erskine Park, Sydney. [ + ]