Tree nuts are set to be the stars of the new Health Star Rating system, according to nut industry groups. They predict that food manufacturers will increasingly use tree nuts to add extra 'star power' to their products. [ + ]

Woolworths has voiced its support for the Health Star Rating scheme, promising to implement the star ratings for its own-brand ranges, including Homebrand, Select, Macro and Gold. [ + ]

The vast majority of food imported into Australia complies with our regulations. More than 270 tests a day have been conducted on imported food, with a high compliance rate of 99.4%, excluding labelling mistakes. [ + ]

The Australian Grape and Wine Authority has begun operations. It brings together R&D functions and marketing and export regulation functions following a proposal by the Winemakers' Federation of Australia and Wine Grape Growers Australia. [ + ]

Australian food professionals can now gain international recognition for their skills through the Certified Food Scientist certification. The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology has launched the program in Australia. [ + ]

Researchers have found traces of a banned antibiotic - fluoroquionolone - in chicken sold in supermarkets and butchers. [ + ]

Consumer confusion about just what date labelling means is contributing significantly to food waste, according to a scientific review paper in the journal Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. [ + ]

Now scanned 5 billion times every day, the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode made its debut 40 years ago with a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum that was scanned and purchased at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. [ + ]

Despite dairy not traditionally being part of the Chinese diet, China is projected to become the world's largest dairy market in the world by 2018, worth $60,639 million, according to a new report from Canadean. [ + ]

NSW poultry growers have been granted authorisation by the ACCC to collectively bargain with processors. The decision covers members of the NSW Farmers' Association who grow chicken, turkey and duck meat. [ + ]

Some positive changes have been made to the proposed Heath Star Rating (HSR) system, but further work needs to be done, the Australian Food and Grocery Council says. [ + ]

The answer to feeding the world's growing population? Bugs, according to experts at the 2014 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo. [ + ]

Stuart Shaw has been named as a new director to the APPMA board. Shaw is the innovations manager for Machinery Automation & Robotics (MAR). [ + ]

Guidelines for sugar consumption vary between health organisations, leading to confusion about what's healthy and what's not. But it's not just consumers who are confused: contradictory studies leave experts scratching their heads, too. [ + ]

SPX and PeopleFlo Manufacturing have signed a technical and commercial agreement that will see the two companies collaborate on a project to develop new technology. [ + ]