While the federal government's support of small business in the recent Budget has been welcomed by industry, mid-size businesses are missing out, according to Tony Pititto, national head of food & beverage, Grant Thornton Australia. [ + ]

A Kansas State University food safety specialist has explained how ice-cream could be contaminated. [ + ]

Consumer foodservice sales increased by more than 5.4% globally in 2014. Latin America and the Middle East/Africa showed the greatest growth, but while the rest of the world is growing, sales have remained flat or even declined every year since 2009 in Western Europe.

Dutch biotech Micreos has applied to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for approval of a preparation of two bacteriophages S16 and FO1a (Salmonelex) as a processing aid to reduce Salmonella contamination in specified foods including raw poultry and meat. [ + ]

The food and packaging industries will receive a boost of specialist graduates in a few years: the University of Melbourne has launched a Masters degree that aims to drive innovation in these sectors. [ + ]

A 165-year-old scientific principle is behind the development of a new, non-contact way to measure high temperatures. [ + ]

A new concept in laboratory management is offering flexible, high-end lab spaces for rental in the heart of Sydney. [ + ]

An idea, born from hunger during a late-night working session, has come to fruition as a device that can deliver your choice of food to the plate in less than a minute.

A new concept in laboratory management is offering flexible, high-end lab spaces for rental in the heart of Sydney. [ + ]

'Grains for a Healthy Future' is the theme of the 65th Australasian Grain Science Conference. [ + ]

Food companies are now responding to the growing demand for vegetarian food offerings by releasing a greater variety of prepared vegetarian offerings in the form of shelf-stable, refrigerated and frozen products, David Despain writes in Food Technology magazine. [ + ]

At US$260 for a single 50 g bar, To'ak Chocolate is the most expensive chocolate in the world, according to its creators. [ + ]

It seems that people who drink bottled water have a greater taste for other non-alcoholic beverages as well. [ + ]

Fonterra's new mozzarella plant at its Clandeboye site is now up and running, doubling the company's production of the cheese to produce enough mozzarella for 300 million pizzas each year. [ + ]

End-user experience was a key focus of the 2015 DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, with 77% of the winners being honoured for design that enhances the user's experience. [ + ]