While fruit consumption has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers have suggested that fruit juice consumption may have an adverse effect. [ + ]

Bosch Packaging Technology has finalised the acquisition of the assets of French company Tecsor Machines et Systémes SAS. Agreements for the acquisition were signed in June 2013. The purchase price has not been disclosed. [ + ]

Advertising and fast foods is always a controversial topic. Now new research is showing how companies target their juvenile audience in a completely different way to their adult audience and that for children it has little to do with the food. [ + ]

What do a glow-in-the-dark water bottle, elderflower green currant juice and sheep milk powder have in common? While they sound like something one might encounter during a molecular gastronomy dining experience, they're actually all finalists in the 2013 NZ Food Awards. [ + ]

Measurement company Agilent Technologies has announced the opening of its new Spectroscopy Technology Innovation Centre in Mulgrave, Victoria. The $25 million centre houses cutting-edge research and testing laboratories, as well as user demo and training facilities. [ + ]

The world's largest milk powder drier has produced its first batches of whole milk powder. The drier, which is located at Fonterra's Darfield site, will produce powder for export to more than 20 markets worldwide. [ + ]

Matthew Rowland has been appointed as the new managing director of Jasol, a market leader in the manufacture and supply of cleaning and hygiene solutions for the food and beverage, manufacturing, dairy processing and water treatment sectors. [ + ]

Day two of the 20th Australian HACCP Conference got off to a slow start for some after the preceding night’s gala dinner and awards event. The speakers didn’t miss a beat, however, with first speaker Bill McBride delivering a comprehensive update and overview of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). [ + ]

The Labor party has funding in its budget to bring the supermarkets, processors and farmers to the table to finalise a Food and Grocery Code of Conduct that will ensure fairness across the food supply chain. [ + ]

The 2013 HACCP Awards winners all share a passion for food safety and the Australian and New Zealand food industries. [ + ]

The path to happiness may travel via an unexpected stopover: the fruit bowl. Researchers at the University of Otago, Christchurch, have found that eating two kiwifruit each day can improve mood and boost energy. [ + ]

One item sure to be on the agenda in the coming half-century will be food: the lack of it, how to produce more of it, how to get it where it's needed and how much it will be worth. These topics - and more - were covered in depth on day one of the 20th Australian HACCP Conference. [ + ]

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), CIC Holdings and Chemanex have formed a joint venture - Chemcel - and will build and operate a processing facility in Sri Lanka, manufacturing bio-based superabsorbent polymers. [ + ]

The recall of frozen broccoli from China could impact on Australian frozen vegetable processors, AUSVEG claims. Earlier this week, Metcash issued a recall of a batch of its Black & Gold Broccoli Florets after receiving several complaints of glass fragments in the bag. [ + ]

Recent calls for soft drink labels to carry warning statements have been criticised by the Australian Beverages Council. Geoff Parker says a recent study linking soft drink consumption with behavioural problems does not prove cause and effect. [ + ]