Recent research suggesting that compounds found in cocoa can improve memory in older people makes old age seem not quite so bad. But is it too soon to start plying grandma with a family-sized block of chocolate every time you go to visit? [ + ]

New requirements for nutrition content claims about dietary fibre could be delayed by 12 months after the Australian Food and Grocery Council applied to extend the requirements to January 2017. [ + ]

Small exporters of agricultural commodities have one week to apply for a rebate of 50% (up to $5000) on export registration charges. [ + ]

Consumers are becoming aware of how important protein is in the diet - but most of them aren't eating enough of it and don't fully understand its benefits. According to research firm Canadean, this presents an opportunity for manufacturers. [ + ]

How do you keep cherries fresh when exporting? The secret's in the cooling, according to Canadian agrifood research. Just a few degrees can have a big impact on cherries that are transported via ocean container. [ + ]

Australian consumers are buying potatoes for taste and convenience, and are keen to purchase more, according to the Potato Tracker research study. [ + ]

Despite bans on television advertisements of energy dense, nutrient poor (EDNP) food brands to children, many companies are circumventing these laws by promoting their brand through Facebook, University of Sydney researchers say. [ + ]

Apparently, when it comes to rolls, we're turning Japanese. New research from Roy Morgan shows that sushi is gaining popularity while the popularity of spring rolls is waning. The research firm says this is part of an overall preference shift towards fresh, rather than fried, food. [ + ]

The results of a survey on the cold chain industry have been released at an industry forum. [ + ]

A survey by market research company Canadean has found that one in five consumers consider tinned food difficult to open. The researchers see this as an opportunity for the development of new packaging types to meet the growing demand for convenience. [ + ]

A European study has shown that infants fed on fresh, unprocessed milk rather than UHT milk are less prone to infection. [ + ]

An outbreak of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has been reported in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have been working to discover the cause of the outbreak but thus far have been unable to pinpoint the source. [ + ]

Choosing healthy snacks instead of junk food might be more difficult than we realised. Scientists have found that, as we read a menu or scan the shelves at the supermarket, our brains are making decisions based on a food's calorie content. [ + ]

Grapefruit diets have been around since the 1930s and are often dismissed as fads. But new research from the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that a closer look at grapefruit juice is warranted. [ + ]

Yet another Chinese food scandal has irreparably eroded consumer trust in the government and food safety regulations, according to research from the University of Illinois. [ + ]