Researchers have developed a way to introduce sustainably cultivated seaweeds as feedstock for biodegradable bioplastics. SEABIOPLAS is an FP7-funded project that aims to develop a greener alternative to bioplastics. [ + ]

The Department of Agriculture's administration of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme is being audited by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). [ + ]

Burger King has merged with restaurant chain Tim Hortons to create the world’s third-largest quick-service restaurant company. Between them, the two companies have more than 18,000 restaurants in 100 countries and US$23 billion in system sales. [ + ]

The winners of the 2014 HACCP Awards have been announced at an event hosted by SAI Global. Outstanding food safety experts were recognised across five major categories, including the Ross Peters Memorial Award for Excellence in Food Safety. [ + ]

Do you feel strongly one way or another about irradiation of fruit and vegetables? Submissions are being welcomed on an application to permit the irradiation of 12 specific fruits and vegetables. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered that a common class of gut bacteria can protect against food allergies, potentially paving the way for probiotic therapies to treat food allergies. [ + ]

The third edition of the Food Code of Practice has been published by ASSDA. The free document is a technical specification covering the requirements for stainless steel plant and equipment in the food and beverage industry. [ + ]

Australia will implement emergency quarantine measures from 20 October 2014 to protect the carrot and celery industries from an exotic bacterial pathogen that has become widespread in Europe. [ + ]

Gourmet flavours, health-conscious consumers and the relatively untapped European market present the greatest opportunities for popcorn sales, according to data recorded by Innova Market Insights. [ + ]

Coles has recently adopted RANGEme, an online tool developed in Australia that gives smaller companies the opportunity to promote their products and exchange information with the Coles buying team over the internet. [ + ]

More than 300 wine industry leaders are expected to attend Outlook 2014: Taking Charge of Our Future, the wine industry's major conference. Held once every two years, this year the event will be held in Adelaide on 1 and 2 October. [ + ]

The Global Food Traceability Center has issued a guidance document on food traceability best practices. The document summarises the similarities and differences among them in regards to traceability. [ + ]

 state of conservation of poultry and detects malformations by analysing its electrical properties. It is a non-invasive system that would help to guarantee the quality of the final product before it is delivered to the consumer. [ + ]

North America's beverage packaging industry is expected to reach US$26.3 billion by 2015 - and plastic bottles are set to lead the way in popularity. The trends have been outlined in a new study by PMMI. [ + ]

Here's a novel approach to dealing with food waste: turn it into biodegradable plastics. A report on the process of converting cocoa, rice and vegetable waste into biodegradable plastics has been published in the journal Macromolecules. [ + ]