Industry News
Energy drinks affect heart function
Research has shown that caffeinated beverages increase the heart’s contraction rates, leading researchers to suggest that children and people with cardiac arrhythmia should avoid these drinks. [ + ]
Riverina to become hazelnut capital with Ferrero initiative
Ferrero Group has announced the establishment of a $70 million hazelnut production facility in the Riverina region, which has been launched by Agri Australis, a subsidiary of the Ferrero Group. [ + ]
93% of imported olive oils fail Australian standards
Australian Olive Association testing has found that of 106 imported oils representing 40 different brands, 77% of oils tested failed the Australian Standard AS 5264-2011 and 93% of brands tested failed the standard for at least one product of their brand range. [ + ]
Controversial GM maize study retracted
The Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology has retracted a controversial article which claimed to have found evidence that genetically modified (GM) maize is toxic when consumed by rats. [ + ]
Too many foodies, not enough food producers
Industry experts are concerned that increased awareness of food production methods could be for naught if there's no-one left to produce food in Australia. [ + ]
Cambodian hydropower project threatens food security
Cambodia faces a dilemma: 80% of the population lacks reliable access to electricity, a situation which could be remedied by developing dams for hydropower. However, in developing such dams, the country's own ecosystems and food security are under threat. [ + ]
Sugarcane grower elected to Australian Made Campaign board
The Australian Made Campaign has welcomed Alf Cristaudo to its board of directors. Cristaudo is the former chairman of Canegrowers Australia and recently completed his terms as director of the National Farmers’ Federation. [ + ]
Indonesia, spying allegations and the live beef trade in context
How important is trade from Australia to Indonesia? Then again, how important is trade from Indonesia to Australia? The answer is probably not very. [ + ]
Low-carb back in vogue in Europe
The holiday period is never a good time to embark on a new diet. However, low-carb diets appear to be making a resurgence, according to new research from Mintel. [ + ]
ADM's bid for 100% of GrainCorp denied
Joe Hockey has finally resolved the long-running saga of ADM's takeover bid for GrainCorp. [ + ]
Murray Goulburn ups WCB bid to $9.50
The bidding war for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter continues, with Murray Goulburn increasing its takeover offer to $9.50 cash per share, or $533 million in total. [ + ]
Food industry loses by coming first
Coming first doesn't always mean being a winner. The food and beverage industry beats all other industries when it comes to the number of workplace accidents in Australia. GTAV has launched an app that will help OHS understanding. [ + ]
Fi Europe Excellence Awards winners announced
Roquette has won Most Innovative Food Ingredient at the 2013 Fi Europe Excellence Awards for its Microalgae High Lipid Algal Flour. [ + ]
Consumers want more bad news on food packaging
A Cornell University study found that consumers are willing to pay a premium for products labelled 'free from' something, but only if the packaging includes negative information on whatever the product is free from. [ + ]
People more fatal than food for allergy sufferers
Those with a food allergy have a 1.81 in a million chance of dying from anaphylaxis, compared with an 11 in a million chance of being murdered, an Imperial College London study shows. [ + ]
