Industry News
Tasmanian vegie growers to collectively bargain with processors
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 CEO retires; new CEO announced
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. [ + ]
Work begins on NSW's largest prepacked salad facility
Food manufacturing facility specialist Wiley has secured a contract for what will be NSW's largest prepacked salad facility. OneHarvest engaged Wiley to create an early concept design for the multimillion-dollar project, which is located in Camden. [ + ]
Mould-fighting yeast revolutionary for grain producers
An accidental discovery by Swedish researchers could revolutionise the storage of grain in tropical environments. [ + ]
Fresh is best for Gen Z and Millennials
Fresh is best - at least for younger generations. From 2003 to 2013, consumption of fresh foods grew by 20% to more than 100 billion eating occasions, driven predominantly by younger generations, according to a report from The NPD Group. [ + ]
Coles owns up to unconscionable conduct
Coles has admitted to unconscionable conduct in its dealings with suppliers in 2010-11. The company had vehemently denied all allegations of unconscionable conduct previously, but admitted to the conduct after reviewing the ACCC's materials and an internal investigation. [ + ]
Two Korean tariff cuts to benefit Australian industries
The landmark Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) has passed into the parliaments of both countries. This is accompanied by two tariff cuts for Australian industries - one on 12 December and one on 1 January 2015. [ + ]
Nutrition, food safety makes GM foods more palatable
The majority of consumers will accept the presence of nanotechnology or genetic modification (GM) technology in foods if the technology enhances the nutrition or improves the safety of the food, according to research. [ + ]
Researchers laser in on the perfect apple
Researchers have developed a method to help farmers harvest climacteric fruits - like apples, bananas, pears and tomatoes - at their precise peak in ripeness, using laser biospeckle technology. [ + ]
Food and agriculture precinct to encourage science, industry collaboration
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has launched the National Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Precinct (NAESP) at CSIRO's redeveloped $200 million Black Mountain site in Canberra. [ + ]
Associations help Foodbank spread festive cheer
Congratulations to over 130 members of the SCLAA, AIP and the APPMA, who spent their annual Christmas party packing hampers for Foodbank to distribute to those in need at Christmas. [ + ]
Study examines transfer of packaging ink to food
A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Dyes and Pigments investigates the migration of printing inks from food contact materials (FCMs). [ + ]
US gluten-free market surges 63%
The surge in popularity of gluten-free diets has led to a 63% growth in the US gluten-free food market in the past two years. [ + ]
Levy to combat oyster mortality syndrome
Australian Seafood Industries (ASI) will collect a levy, in conjunction with hatcheries, to undertake research into developing spat with resistance to the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS). [ + ]
Australian manufacturing sector edges into growth
The Australian manufacturing sector has shown some positive signs, experiencing its third consecutive month of improved results and edging narrowly into overall growth, according to November's Australian Industry Group PMI result. [ + ]
