Bacteria — the scourge of food processing and health facilities. Now a new approach is on the horizon — scientists have developed a textile that disinfects itself. In fact, it is claimed that it can reduce bacterial loads by more than 90%. [ + ]

The World Union of Wholesale Markets Congress (WUWM) will bring together over 250 local and international delegates from 20 countries around the world to discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry. [ + ]

Researchers at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision at QUT have developed a robot that could reduce labour costs on farms and help sustainable food production. [ + ]

The Employsure Workplace Safety Index has revealed that 81% of Australian small businesses don't fully understand their workplace safety obligations. [ + ]

Automated technology supplier Dematic has announced it will distribute Vuzix Smart Glasses in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

GlobalData's report 'Top Growth Opportunities: Dairy & Soy Food in Australia' predicts that the dairy and soy market will be worth US$13 billion between 2016 and 2021, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. [ + ]

The Australian Government is providing financial backing of $1.3 million into the use of robots in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on pig and chicken farms. [ + ]

Researchers at Clarkson University, led by Professor Silvana Andreescu, have developed a sensor that can detect food spoilage. [ + ]

After announcing their multiyear global licensing agreement in January, NRGene and Monsanto Company's partnership has progressed. [ + ]

Sugar is widely associated with health concerns and obesity, but Sunshine Sugar aims to be the first in the world to install the technology to produce a sugar that is rich in antioxidants with a low glycemic index, called nucane. [ + ]

Australian family business Organic & Raw recently announced it had hit its five-million-bottle production milestone of kombucha. [ + ]

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will invest CA$320,000 (AU$326,631) in the University of Guelph's Biodiversity Institute of Ontario to support collaborative research projects using DNA barcoding. [ + ]

Milk-alternative drinks such as soya, almond, coconut, oat, rice, hazelnut and hemp could put consumers at risk of iodine deficiency, according to a study conducted by the University of Surrey. [ + ]

With safety concerns over food and drink becoming more prevalent, brand trust has become important in influencing consumer choices, according to research from Mintel. [ + ]

Scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have discovered the reason why areas prone to forest fires produce unpalatable wine. [ + ]