Health policy formulators take note: a recent Spanish study has found an improvement in diet quality and better weight management were both associated with an increase in diet cost. [ + ]

The US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) is conducting a gut health study titled 'Effects of Meal, Ready-to-Eat consumption on gut health'. The question is how to get volunteers to eat nothing except Meals, Ready-to-Eat for 21 days. [ + ]

4.3% CAGR increases in volume and increasing demand for PET bottles, especially in the bottled water category, are just two of the predictions for the Asia Pacific region in a recent PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, market research study. [ + ]

Aurizon has expanded its relationship with Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited with the signing of a new rail haulage agreement. The two-year agreement will see Aurizon haul approximately 245,000 tonnes per annum of bulk sugar from the Proserpine Mill to Queensland Sugar at Mackay Harbour and 60,000 tonnes of molasses from the Burdekin mills to Port of Townsville from January 2016. [ + ]

FSANZ is reviewing the labelling requirements for irradiated foods and is seeking industry input. [ + ]

Juremont has won the exclusive Australian agency to supply Barry Callebaut cocoa powder, butter and liquor to the Australian food manufacturing sector from March 2016. [ + ]

Food safety auditing, training and consulting company NSF International has acquired the Burwater Pacific Group, a NZ-based food safety training, auditing and consulting business. [ + ]

Milacron Holdings' Klear Can technology, which will give users an alternative to metal cans for fruits, vegetables, soups, meats and other products, has passed an important food safety test and is undergoing additional testing with a number of select prospects. [ + ]

The next generation of home cooks will cook in kitchens of interconnected smart appliances, 3D printers and touchscreen controls that will simplify food preparation, create customised meal solutions and produce far less waste. [ + ]

A new in-house test laboratory at GEA's facility in Hamilton, New Zealand, will enable engineers to obtain data to optimise production and reduce waste. [ + ]

Innovations in the chocolate industry are made possible by the highly flexible production lines which will be on display at ProSweets Cologne. [ + ]

An ancient Indian spice might hold the key to the development of countertops, cutting boards and knives that prevent cross-contamination by killing bacteria on contact. [ + ]

Graphic Packaging has agreed to acquire all the issued shares of Colorpak Limited. [ + ]

Consumers could soon be carrying miniature sensors in their smartphones that can analyse the freshness of fruit and vegetables in the supermarket. [ + ]

Japan-based Xware has released its menu-translating app SmartMenu in Australia. [ + ]