Increasing consumer demand for transparency has led to a growing number of food traceability certification schemes and analytical tools, according to Organic Monitor. [ + ]

Universal Robots (UR) has announced plans to open its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. This will be the sixth global office for the company. [ + ]

After relying on rice and wheat for millennia, China could soon turn to a new staple: potatoes. The country's Ministry of Agriculture announced that by 2020, 50% of the country's production of potatoes will be consumed as a staple food. [ + ]

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has just received another blow to its already tarnished reputation: researchers have found that it is more toxic to mice than table sugar. [ + ]

A Tasmanian organic certifier is merging with the country's largest organic certification body. Tasmanian Organic-dynamic Producers (TOP) has announced that it will merge with Australian Certified Organic (ACO). [ + ]

Owens-Illinois (O-I) has announced several leadership changes, naming Andres Lopez president of glass containers and chief operating officer, and announcing the resignation of Erik Bouts, president of O-I Europe. [ + ]

Cardia Bioplastics secured seven new patents in 2014 for its Cardia Compostable, Biohybrid and PPC-starch resin and finished products from Patent and Trademark Offices in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and China. [ + ]

Coles has been ordered to pay $10 million plus costs after being found guilty of unconscionable conduct in its dealing with suppliers. It will also be forced to establish a formal process to provide redress for the more than 200 affected suppliers. [ + ]

Recommendations to extend seafood country of origin labelling to restaurants and fast food outlets have been welcomed by the Australian Made Campaign. The recommendations were made by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. [ + ]

The Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR) has developed a document on how to comply with the Nutrition, Health and Related Claims Standard (Standard 1.2.7) in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. [ + ]

In September 2015, international and Australian scientific and technical experts will meet at the 65th Australasian Grain Science Conference. [ + ]

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is giving small businesses an early Christmas present: up to $25,000 in government rebates for recycling. [ + ]

Packaging and processing solutions company tna has launched a new website in Arabic for its clients in the Middle East region. Customised for the needs of the region, the new website is located at www.tnasolutions.ae. [ + ]

Tasmanian vegetable growers could gain permission to collectively bargain with vegetable processors Simplot and McCain if a draft determination issued by the ACCC goes ahead. [ + ]

Innovia Group has announced several changes to its executive team, including the retirement of its Group CEO David Beeby. Mark Robertshaw has been selected as Beeby's replacement and will start in the role in late January 2015. [ + ]