Industry News
ETU: asbestos issues in Qld food production are “ongoing”
The Electrical Trades Union says investigations reveal ongoing issues in some of Queensland’s major food-production factories. [ + ]
Company fined $40K for double digit amputation
A West Australian salad processor has been fined $40,000, plus $12,000 costs, after one of its employees had two fingers amputated when opening a belt slicer. [ + ]
Consumers prefer clamshells to cardboard
Recent research has shown that consumers have a strong preference for clear plastic clamshell packaging over printed cardboard boxes, with 402% more purchases recorded for clamshells. [ + ]
Factors influencing fish consumption
A team of researchers has determined that consumers are not getting all the information they need to make informed decisions about fish consumption. [ + ]
New restrictions in place for use of fenthion
The use of fenthion on a number of food crops has been restricted due to potential short-term dietary risks. It has also been prohibited for use on specific fruits and vegetables. [ + ]
Water recycling in food production
Increasing the use of water recycling in food production and manufacturing is among new research being undertaken by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence. [ + ]
Green manufacturing gets a boost with VCSCM opening
The opening of the Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing is expected to boost green manufacturing in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. [ + ]
Greenpeace calls for Simplot to comment on John West campaign
Greenpeace claims John West coerced a company to remove a billboard featuring Greenpeace‘s “Reject John West” campaign advertising. The charity is calling on Simplot to clarify whether this is true. [ + ]
Applications for Industrial Transformation Research Program open next week
Applications for the ARC’s Industrial Transformation Research Program schemes open next week. The first round funds research into food storage, food processing, manufacturing capabilities and product opportunities. [ + ]
Sealed Air sells Diversey Japan
Sealed Air Corporation has entered into an agreement with the Carlyle Group for Carlyle to acquire Diversey Japan for ¥30 billion (equivalent to US$377 million). [ + ]
New method identifies milk source of premium dairy products
A new method described in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry is said to be able to determine whether specialty cheeses are true to label. [ + ]
Plantic announces exclusive distributor agreement with LINPAC
Plantic Technologies has struck an exclusive distributor agreement with LINPAC Packaging, which will see Plantic expand its product offering with the addition of LINPAC’s range of high-barrier films. [ + ]
Reform is required to realise Asian Century aspirations, says AFGC
Australia’s food processing sector will need urgent and significant policy reform if it is to achieve the aspirations identified in the ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ white paper, according to the AFGC. [ + ]
Schneider Electric’s MIX2012 coming to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
Schneider Electric has announced that MIX2012, a worldwide power and cooling event, will be coming to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in November. [ + ]
Food processor wins 2012 Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award
Macleay River Meats, which trades at Eversons Food Processors, has won the 2012 Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award. The award was presented at the savewater! awards gala dinner on 26 October. [ + ]