Industry News
Nestlé signs water and hygiene pledge
Nestlé has signed a pledge to provide access to safe water and sanitation, as well as appropriate facilities to ensure personal hygiene, to all employees in all premises within three years. [ + ]
Japan embraces Tasmanian whisky
The latest shipments of Sullivans Cove Whisky from Tasmania went to distributors in Canada, Spain and Japan, where demand is being driven by local whisky fans' increasing knowledge and awareness of Tasmanian whisky in general. [ + ]
Manufacturers urged to switch to natural colours
A leading authority on natural food colours has urged Australian food manufacturers to convert to natural food colours. Chr. Hansen's Ji Hoong Too said that Australia is falling behind developing markets in conversion to natural colours. [ + ]
RSPO palm oil linked to deforestation, Greenpeace claims
A new Greenpeace analysis shows that significant deforestation in Indonesia took place in concessions owned by members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the industry's largest sustainability organisation. [ + ]
Pectin and inulin suitable fat replacers in cake
Researchers experimented with replacing 35-100% of the fat in cakes with maltodextrin, inulin, oligofructose, citrus pectin and microparticulated protein and found pectin and inulin were the most effective. [ + ]
Rudd pledges $10m to Simplot's vegetable growers
Kevin Rudd has pledged $10 million to help Simplot's Tasmanian vegetable growers improve their competitiveness. AUSVEG has called on all political parties to consider the future of food manufacturing in their policies. [ + ]
Fonterra review findings announced
Fonterra is choosing to see its recent recall as a glass half full (of whey protein, presumably), rather than half empty. Chief Executive Theo Spierings said the review has enabled the company to strengthen its systems to prevent such an incident occurring again. [ + ]
Woolworths' deciduous canned fruit to be Australian sourced
Woolworths has announced it will source all of its private-label deciduous canned fruit products from SPC Ardmona. The retail giant will invest $3 million to ensure all its own-brand apples, pears, peaches and apricots will be Australian sourced. [ + ]
Skip the juice to avoid type 2 diabetes
While fruit consumption has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers have suggested that fruit juice consumption may have an adverse effect. [ + ]
It's the giveaways, not the food
Advertising and fast foods is always a controversial topic. Now new research is showing how companies target their juvenile audience in a completely different way to their adult audience and that for children it has little to do with the food. [ + ]
NZ Food Awards finalists announced
What do a glow-in-the-dark water bottle, elderflower green currant juice and sheep milk powder have in common? While they sound like something one might encounter during a molecular gastronomy dining experience, they're actually all finalists in the 2013 NZ Food Awards. [ + ]
Bosch finalises Tecsor acquisition
Bosch Packaging Technology has finalised the acquisition of the assets of French company Tecsor Machines et Systémes SAS. Agreements for the acquisition were signed in June 2013. The purchase price has not been disclosed. [ + ]
World's largest milk drier produces first powder
The world's largest milk powder drier has produced its first batches of whole milk powder. The drier, which is located at Fonterra's Darfield site, will produce powder for export to more than 20 markets worldwide. [ + ]
Agilent opens $25m Spectroscopy Technology Innovation Centre in Victoria
Measurement company Agilent Technologies has announced the opening of its new Spectroscopy Technology Innovation Centre in Mulgrave, Victoria. The $25 million centre houses cutting-edge research and testing laboratories, as well as user demo and training facilities. [ + ]
Jasol appoints new managing director
Matthew Rowland has been appointed as the new managing director of Jasol, a market leader in the manufacture and supply of cleaning and hygiene solutions for the food and beverage, manufacturing, dairy processing and water treatment sectors. [ + ]