Industry News
NSW poultry producers granted authorisation to collectively bargain
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. [ + ]
Changes made to Health Star Rating system; further change required
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. [ + ]
Feeding the world with bugs
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. [ + ]
APPMA announces new director to the board
Stuart Shaw has been named as a new director to the APPMA board. Shaw is the innovations manager for Machinery Automation & Robotics (MAR). [ + ]
Sugar: is it as bad as it seems?
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 announce collaboration
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. [ + ]
Acquisition opportunities abound in Aust food and bev sector
Don't believe the bad news: despite difficult market conditions around the world, Australia has more food and beverage acquisition targets than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region, a new report from Grant Thornton shows. [ + ]
NZ collaborates with Singapore on Foods for Health projects
The New Zealand Government has pledged to invest NZ$1.75 million in collaborative research projects with Singapore to develop food products with validated health benefits. [ + ]
What consumers want (it's not what you think)
Forget reduced fat: it's reduced sugar and reduced salt that consumers want. But it seems that what's on our shelves is yet to catch up with what consumers are looking for. [ + ]
Workshop: building better supply chains through collaboration
Today at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Connections conference in Auckland, CHEP will conduct a workshop on building better supply chains through collaboration and innovation. [ + ]
Laucke opens $20m specialist flour mill
Flour miller Laucke has opened a $20 million specialist flour mill in central Victoria, The Australian has reported. [ + ]
Malaysian scientists develop sarcocystis spp PCR kit
Researchers from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia have developed a PCR kit that provides a sensitive and specific means of screening, detecting and identifying sarcocystis spp. [ + ]
Young consumers opt for energy drinks over coffee
The functional beverage industry looks set to grow, with revenue increasing by an estimated 2.5% in 2013-14 to reach $1.1 billion. This growth is expected to continue through 2018-19, with industry revenue growing by 11.4% to reach $1.3 billion. [ + ]
Labelling influences perceptions of portion size
What's the difference between regular and supersized? Just the label, according to US researchers. New research conducted by the Cornell Food & Brand Lab suggests that portion labels impact our entire eating experience. [ + ]
Fake honey costs importer $30K
False claims about honey products has cost food importer Basfoods $30,600 in penalties after the ACCC instigated legal proceedings against the company. [ + ]
