Retail sales rose 5.8% in the March quarter and are expected to further strengthen, according to the 13th AFGC CHEP Retailed Index. The Index was also 5.8% higher in March 2014 than March 2013 with a turnover in excess of $23 billion. [ + ]

The AIP will offer a half-day training course on intellectual property, packaging and labelling (legal) on Wednesday, 14 May in Sydney. [ + ]

Yoghurt company Chobani has secured a US$750 million investment from TPG Capital to fund future growth, expansion and innovation. As part of the agreement, TPG will be represented on Chobani's Board of Directors. [ + ]

Goodman Fielder has received a takeover offer from First Pacific Company and Wilmar International for $0.65 per share, valuing the shares at $1.27 billion. [ + ]

Recent research showed that the use of antibacterial soap results in a statistically significant reduction in the presence of Shigella on melon balls. The soap reduced Shigella on the hands and its subsequent transfer to ready-to-eat food. [ + ]

Despite having access to a plethora of fruit and vegetables year round, few of us manage to eat the suggested quota of vegetables each day. As consumers become increasingly health conscious, vegetable juices have gained popularity. [ + ]

To help battle food waste, an alliance of US food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators has developed a toolkit to help businesses in the food sector keep food out of landfills and reduce food waste at the source. [ + ]

Research presented at the Society for General Microbiology's annual meeting shows that the disease-causing E. coli O157:H7 interacts directly with plant cells, allowing it to anchor to the surface of a plant where it can multiply. [ + ]

The texture of food plays a significant role in how calorie-dense consumers perceive it to be, with hard or rough foods perceived to have fewer calories, new research published in the Journal of Consumer Research has shown. [ + ]

The first 25,000 Anchor UHT cream packs have rolled off the production line at Fonterra's $120 million UHT milk processing site at Waitoa in New Zealand. [ + ]

The Anti-Dumping Commission has recommended that a dumping notice be published regarding several imported Italian tomato products. Exporters of these products may be forced to pay a dumping duty. [ + ]

The APC has developed a resource on the inclusion of recycled content in food packaging items. Developed in consultation with industry, the resource details the challenges, opportunities and legislation relevant to including recycled content in food packaging. [ + ]

Twenty-five young Australians will soon have the chance to gain an insight into all aspects of the Australian food chain from producer to supermarket with the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarships. [ + ]

The Monster Health Food Co has become the first company to sport the front-of-pack Health Star Rating on its product. The labelling appears on its Berry and Free&Lo mueslis, with its remaining products to feature the new labelling in the next 12 months. [ + ]

Speakers from Cardia Bioplastics and BASF will discuss bioplastics at the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) Victoria Branch technical dinner on 7 May. [ + ]