The results of the latest National Litter Index show that there are better, cheaper and more effective waste reduction alternatives to a container deposit scheme (CDS), the Australian Food and Grocery Council claims. [ + ]

The occurrence of litter national is declining, the National Litter Index (NLI) shows. Victoria is ahead of the other states and territories with a 17% reduction by item on the 2012 count. [ + ]

Consumers prefer to buy local, even if it costs more, and buying Australian made matters more to consumers now than it did 12 months ago, according to new research from Roy Morgan, commissioned by the Australian Made Campaign. [ + ]

China looks set to become the world’s biggest consumer of packaged water and is predicted to overtake the US in terms of water consumption by the end of the year, according to a new report by Canadean. [ + ]

Fonterra has placed two senior managers on leave after its internal investigation found they did not pre-empt the findings of the operational review. The managers will continue to be involved in the ongoing investigation into the WPC80 recall. [ + ]

Murray Goulburn Co-operative has engaged engineering consultancy pitt&sherry to design two state-of-the-art pasteurised milk processing plants as part of its $120 million development of two greenfield sites. [ + ]

The Australian Made Campaign has called for the government to commit to stronger support for country-of-origin labelling (CoOL) in the lead-up to the election. [ + ]

The NSW Food Authority is highlighting the important role science plays in improving food safety and preventing food poisoning as part of National Science Week (10-18 August). [ + ]

Infants fed DHA-enriched formula score higher on intelligence tests than those fed standard formula, University of Kansas researchers have found. The results were not immediately apparent, but were noticeable from ages three to six. [ + ]

The Fonterra board has appointed several more members to its WPC80 inquiry committee, as well as losing its managing director of NZ milk products. [ + ]

You may not need to have your imports inspected and tested under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). Instead, a Food Import Compliance Agreement can give food importers formal recognition that their food management system obviates the need for further testing. [ + ]

The first Rosella brand products, including sauces, soups, chutneys and relishes, will soon hit supermarkets around the country, new owner Sabrands has announced. [ + ]

As part of an Asia-Pacific investment strategy, German lubricant manufacturer Fuchs has invested in a new state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Melbourne. [ + ]

Cheese sales are slowly declining, according to Roy Morgan Research. The market research firm reports that, in the 12 months to March 2013, 89% of Australian grocery buyers reported purchasing cheese, down from 92% in the 12 months to March 2009. [ + ]

Agr International has officially opened its new Bangkok sales and service centre. The company held the formal inauguration and ribbon cutting on 25 July, incorporating Thai traditions such as a blessing by monks. [ + ]