Consumers are more likely to throw a dented can or cut-up piece of paper in the bin than recycle them, according to a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. [ + ]

Reducing the salt, sugar and fat content of foods has long been the focus of research, but all this work counts for nothing if consumers avoid the low-salt/sugar/fat option. In order to reduce the public health burden by designing healthier processed food, scientists need to ensure consumers will actually want to eat it. [ + ]

While some researchers are reporting that babies fed with DHA-enriched formula score higher on intelligence tests, others have found that formula-fed babies may be more susceptible to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. [ + ]

A simplistic 'fat tax' is not the answer to the looming type 2 diabetes epidemic, the Australian Diabetes Council claims. Dr Alan Barclay says a 'fat tax' was trialled and abandoned in Denmark as it had negative economic consequences. [ + ]

One solution to overeating is foods that alter their structure once ingested, helping you feel full. Chemical engineers have designed a self-structuring gel that can withstand the stomach’s harsh environment to trick the body into thinking it’s full. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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). [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]