Industry News
MPC gets cracking on energy efficiency with $1.4m grant
The Macadamia Processing Company (MPC) has secured a $1.484 million grant for major energy-efficiency upgrades and expansion to its factory macadamia nut drying system. [ + ]
The Chinese ready meals market
The prepared meals sector in China is expected to grow rapidly up to 2017 with ready meals leading the way. [ + ]
Natural performance enhancer boosts performance by 6%
Ithaca College researchers have found that betaine - a nutrient found in shellfish and beetroot - can boost athletic performance by nearly 6% when added to a sports drink. [ + ]
Economy product launches overtake premium in UK
The uncertain economic climate is impacting new product launches in the UK, with the number of economy food and drink products launched in 2012 outstripping the number of premium launches for the first time. [ + ]
Reducing tuber crop losses in Africa and Asia
Around 700 million people in Africa and Asia rely on yams and cassava for food and income. But harvesting these staple crops isn’t easy: losses during harvesting and processing are exceptionally high, at 60% for yams and 30% for cassava. [ + ]
Nestlé to open Malaysian RTD beverage facility
Nestlé has announced plans to build a new factory in Malaysia to meet growing domestic demand for its ready-to-drink beverages. [ + ]
The sugar-fat seesaw: the reason dieting is difficult
The sugar-fat seesaw: while it may sound like a ride at an amusement park, nutritionists say it’s the reason people struggle to follow government guidelines to cut both fat and sugars simultaneously. [ + ]
SMEs to benefit from SCLAA energy-efficiency program
The SCLAA has received a $743,310 grant to develop and deliver a program called Energy Efficiency Solutions for Australian Transport and Logistics SMEs. [ + ]
Drug-resistant bacteria, farm workers and antibiotic use
A new study found drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock in the noses of industrial livestock workers but not in the noses of antibiotic-free livestock workers. [ + ]
Devondale to open $60m western Sydney processing plant
Devondale has announced the location of it $60 million milk processing facility. The company recently confirmed that the new state-of-the-art facility will be built at Erskine Park in Sydney’s western suburbs. [ + ]
Bio-based acrylic acid process achieves milestone
BASF, Cargill and Novozymes have successfully demonstrated the production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) in pilot scale, a significant milestone in the development of technologies to produce acrylic acid from renewable raw materials. [ + ]
Teaching children to eat more vegies - voluntarily
Stanford researchers have found that teaching children the importance of healthy foods leads them to voluntarily eat more vegetables. [ + ]
Addressing the buzz around bee health
Grants totalling $550,000 are helping a leading international bee expert - along with local beekeepers - combat the global decline in bee health that threatens world food production. [ + ]
Sacre bleu! French consumers embrace ready meals
Market research firm Canadean says that meal kits are set to grow in Germany, while ready meals are expected to dominate the prepared meals sector in France. [ + ]
The GS1 Barcode celebrates 40 years
GS1, a not-for-profit organisation which facilitates collaboration among trading partners with global standards across 150 countries is celebrating its 40th anniversary. [ + ]