Matthews Australasia has appointed Mark Dingley to the role of general manager of operations. Dingley joined Matthews in 1994 in customer service and was involved in developing iDSnet and its roadmap. [ + ]

A Norwegian study has found an association between allergies and triclosan levels in children’s urine. Increased levels of triclosan were associated with elevated levels of Immunoglobulin E and rhinitis in 10-year-old children. [ + ]

McDonald’s Corporation has announced its sales in the Asia-Pacific region are down 2.4%, with the company experiencing negative results in Australia, Japan and China. [ + ]

While Chinese might be Australia’s favourite ethnic cuisine, Australian consumers say they are less likely to buy wine and food labelled “Made in China”, according to recent Roy Morgan Research data. [ + ]

Despite health not usually being a key driver in confectionery purchase and consumption, increasing consumer interest in naturalness is having an effect on the confectionery sector, says Innova Market Insights. [ + ]

The NSW Food Authority has busted the urban myth about carrots in vomit in a YouTube video about food poisoning. The video was launched as part of Australian Food Safety Week. [ + ]

Brazil has retained its number one ranking for aluminium beverage can recycling, achieving a 98.3% recycling rate. It has held the top spot globally since 2001. [ + ]

The Obesity Policy Coalition has slammed Australia’s self-regulatory system for food marketing, saying it has “resolutely failed” to protect children from junk food advertising. [ + ]

New recycling systems have been installed in 59 KFC restaurants in NSW to provide away-from-home recycling opportunities for around 30 million customer visits each year. [ + ]

This harvest, grain farmers have the opportunity to donate a portion of their crop to Foodbank Australia, the country’s largest food relief organisation. [ + ]

Robyn Murray has been appointed to the newly created position of Director of Food Technology and Quality at Weston Milling, a division of George Weston Foods. [ + ]

More than 400 participants caught up on the latest developments and progress in the bioplastics industry at the 7th European Bioplastics Conference on 6 and 7 November in Berlin. [ + ]

Submissions are being sought on Application A1074 - Minimum L-histidine in Infant Formula Products, which involves a proposed change to infant formula requirements in the Food Standards Code. [ + ]

Winners of the 2012 Australian Supply Chain and Logistics Awards have been announced by the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia. [ + ]

Some children who have mild egg allergies can tolerate small amounts of baked hen’s egg, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and 55% may outgrow their allergy entirely. [ + ]