Industry News
AIP Technical Dinner bookings closing soon
Time is running out to book for the AIP NSW Technical Dinner. Guest speakers from NSW Health and Arthritis Australia will deliver a joint presentation discussing why NSW Health is encouraging manufacturers to make food packaging easier to open. [ + ]
O-I and Carlsberg launch sustainable packaging initiative
The Carlsberg Circular Community (CCC) will see Carlsberg and O-I - along with selected suppliers - collaborate to develop packaging solutions. CCC partners will use the Cradle to Cradle Design Framework to improve the quality of products. [ + ]
Calling all artisan food and winemakers: entrepreneurship course launched
Artisan food and winemakers looking to improve their business skills can now do so with TAFE SA's Entrepreneurship for Food and Wine course. [ + ]
Sugar tax could solve obesity crisis: researchers
US researchers have found the solution to obesity-related disease: a sugar tax. Taxing sugar before it’s actually added to processed foods is one way to reduce the disease burden - and associated medical costs - of obesity in America, the researchers claim. [ + ]
Fibre King expands to Thailand
Fibre King has opened a new factory in Thailand under the name of its export brand, Oryx Automation. The new facility, in combination with an existing Brisbane facility and doubling of staff numbers, is expected to significantly increase the company's capacity. [ + ]
Chip-based infant formula detection for functional proteins developed
Researchers in Singapore have developed a chip-based detection system for measuring functional protein in infant formula which they say could help to control and monitor quality. [ + ]
Bioinformatics platform to predict probiotic functionality
European research institutes have partnered with SMEs to develop a bioinformatics platform to predict the functionality of food bacteria and probiotics based on their genome sequence. [ + ]
DAFF ceases radionuclide testing of imported Japanese food
DAFF has announced it will cease testing food imported from Japan for radioactive contamination, following advice from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. [ + ]
Saputo triumphs in WCB bidding war
Saputo has gained a majority stake in Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB), acquiring 52.07% of the company's shares. [ + ]
'Diving board' Salmonella test developed
Testing for many strains of Salmonella at once could become faster and easier after a novel biosensor was developed by scientists at Rice University in collaboration with colleagues in Thailand and Ireland. [ + ]
SA flavour producer fined $41K for workplace injury
South Australian flavour producer Taste Master Pty Ltd has been fined $41,250 by SafeWork SA for failing to provide and maintain its plant in a safe condition, and failing to ensure that the plant was operated safety. [ + ]
CCA expands juice production, sheds 28 jobs in SA
Coca-Cola Amatil will transfer bottling and packaging operations from its Ramco facility to its Thebarton facility in Adelaide. The company will invest $2.9 million in the Adelaide facility and make 28 positions from the Ramco facility redundant. [ + ]
DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation call for entries
A call for entries in the 26th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation - the industry's longest-running, independently judged competition - has been issued. The deadline for entries is 1 March 2014. [ + ]
'Healthy' chocolates to drive US chocolate products
A market research report from Lucintel suggests that 'healthy' chocolate products such as low-calorie chocolate and chocolates which double as health supplements could drive industry growth to 2018. [ + ]
CAPS named as exclusive Pedro Gil distributor for Aust
CAPS Australia has been announced as the exclusive Australian distributor for Pedro Gil positive displacement blowers. [ + ]