The reduced shelf life of food rations is costing the US military millions of dollars each year in wasted food. To combat this, researchers have been working to improve the shelf life of the US Army's MREs and FSRs for front-line troops. [ + ]

The federal government's rejection of SPC Ardmona's request for a $25 million assistance package has left many uncertain about the future of the company and food manufacturing in Australia. Up to 5000 jobs could be affected if the company folds. [ + ]

To help the Australian horticultural industry maximise the potential value of its products, a project led by CQ University is reviewing the entire value chain, from soil to supermarket. [ + ]

Hemp is gaining interest, and not just for its hallucinogenic properties. Low-THC varieties are used not only as a source of fibre for textiles, but also for their oils, which may have a variety of health benefits. [ + ]

After a single Queensland fruit fly sent the New Zealand horticultural industry into a spin, the MPI set up 245 traps to determine the extent of the insect's incursion into the country. So far, no further flies have been detected. [ + ]

Engraving networks of 3D microcracks in borosilicate glass increased the toughness of the glass by 200 times compared to non-engraved slides, researchers at McGill University in Canada discovered. [ + ]

Process Partners and Schneider Electric have teamed up to offer clean-in-place (CIP) optimisation solutions to the food and beverage sector. [ + ]

The packaging market for meat, poultry and seafood is on the rise, with demand forecast to hit US$9.7 billion in 2017. Increased meat, poultry and seafood production, along with accelerated food service revenues, are expected to propel the industry forward. [ + ]

Time is running out to book for the AIP NSW Technical Dinner. Guest speakers from NSW Health and Arthritis Australia will deliver a joint presentation discussing why NSW Health is encouraging manufacturers to make food packaging easier to open. [ + ]

A new white fish filleting machine could improve productivity and ensure the future of the Norwegian fish processing industry. The machine uses X-ray technology and jets of water to locate bones and efficiently fillet the fish. [ + ]

The Carlsberg Circular Community (CCC) will see Carlsberg and O-I - along with selected suppliers - collaborate to develop packaging solutions. CCC partners will use the Cradle to Cradle Design Framework to improve the quality of products. [ + ]

US researchers have found the solution to obesity-related disease: a sugar tax. Taxing sugar before it’s actually added to processed foods is one way to reduce the disease burden - and associated medical costs - of obesity in America, the researchers claim. [ + ]

Artisan food and winemakers looking to improve their business skills can now do so with TAFE SA's Entrepreneurship for Food and Wine course. [ + ]

Fibre King has opened a new factory in Thailand under the name of its export brand, Oryx Automation. The new facility, in combination with an existing Brisbane facility and doubling of staff numbers, is expected to significantly increase the company's capacity. [ + ]

European research institutes have partnered with SMEs to develop a bioinformatics platform to predict the functionality of food bacteria and probiotics based on their genome sequence. [ + ]