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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

Researchers studied the microbiomes of 116 houseflies and blowflies from three different continents and found they carried over 600 hundred different species of bacteria. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

Electrolyte drinks may be an effective solution to help our canine friends stay hydrated, according to a study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

Australian vegetable farmers are responding to consumer demands for a wider variety of fresh vegetables and increasing their profitability as well. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

Does your Christmas menu feature wild boar? If so, you might want to rethink. [ + ]

In conjunction with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the Packaging Council of New Zealand has announced the launch of an annual acholarship program. [ + ]

Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings has been appointed as chairman of the Global Dairy Platform (GDP). [ + ]

With the lactose-free milk market expanding, GlobalData labels dairy producer Parmalat's launch of its 'lactose-free' milk product as very timely. [ + ]