Food processing techniques could be key to solving the problem of food insecurity in Africa, researchers say. [ + ]

The first phase of the 24th Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS) has been released by FSANZ. The study examines Australian consumers' dietary exposure to acrylamide and aluminium. [ + ]

Demand for industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning chemicals is predicted to grow rapidly in the US in the next four years. The Freedonia Group anticipates that demand for the products will rise more than 3% per year to $11.5 billion by 2018. [ + ]

While the recently released Australian Total Diet Study revealed mostly good news for acrylamide levels in Australian food and beverages, experts are urging the public to consume products containing acrylamide in moderation. [ + ]

Pactum Dairy Group's new UHT milk facility in Shepparton was officially opened today. The facility's four lines include Tetra Pak processing and packaging equipment which will handle UHT milk for proprietary and private label customers in Southeast Asia. [ + ]

Norco and PGS have delivered a trial shipment of nearly 1000 litres of fresh milk to China in a new cold chain 'pipeline'. The commercially viable cold chain pipeline will open the door for millions of litres of fresh milk exports to China each year. [ + ]

Flexicon Corporation has announced the opening of a new facility in Singapore as part of its expansion into south-east Asia. [ + ]

Early bird registration for the 2014 AIP National Conference closes on 5 May. With 10 international speakers from seven countries and 40 speakers over two days, the conference will be held from 17-18 June at the Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney. [ + ]

Marel has a new managing director of its Fish Industry Center. Sigurdur Olason will succeed Jon Birgir Gunnarsson, who is leaving the company, on 1 May 2014. [ + ]

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. [ + ]