With an 850% increase in cider consumption in the last five years, the time is ripe for finding how to manipulate cider quality in the orchard. [ + ]

The AIP and the APPMA are currently at the planning stage for the 2017 National Technical Forums, set to be held during Packaging & Processing Week from 6–10 March 2017. [ + ]

The Australian Made, Australian Grown logo has marked 30 years of helping businesses promote and consumers easily identify Australian products and produce. [ + ]

2017 will see AUSPACK expand to be the largest Sydney show in its history. [ + ]

A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting found most US colleges don't have integrated systems in place to support food-allergic students. [ + ]

The fight against childhood obesity could begin in the womb, with research finding that mothers who eat a diet that is relatively rich in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat during pregnancy have babies with less abdominal fat. [ + ]

The Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation has met in Brisbane to discuss issues such as the legalisation of hemp as food and labelling reform. [ + ]

International economic and political instability is driving disillusionment and risk in supply chains across most of the globe. [ + ]

A report in The American Journal of Medicine has found that a glass or two of red wine before lighting up a cigarette can counteract some of the short-term negative effects of smoking on blood vessels. [ + ]

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) have established the Packaging & Processing Innovation and Design Awards for Australia. [ + ]

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has released the third edition of Safe Food Australia — a guide to the food safety standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. [ + ]

Researchers studying microalgae cultivation believe it could become a top-tier contender to combat global warming, climate change and food insecurity. [ + ]

One of the most frequently used operations across the food processing sector, drying is critical to the safety, quality and functionality of many food products and ingredients. However, it is also one of the most energy-intensive processes and is often poorly understood and inefficient. [ + ]

DuPont Industrial Biosciences will supply enzymes for incorporation into biogas-boosting products distributed by MIAVIT under a new supply agreement. [ + ]

Amcor has announced it will expand its flexible packaging platform in the northern China region with the US$28 million acquisition of Hebei Qite Packing (Qite). [ + ]