Industry News
Reducing food waste key to solving sustainability challenges
Addressing the issue of food waste could help resolve many sustainability challenges faced by the food industry, according to the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [ + ]
New information page on NZ imports available
A new information page on importing food from New Zealand is now available on the DAFF website. [ + ]
Depression-beverage link is “unfounded”, says Bev Council
The Australian Beverages Council has called findings from a recent study that suggests a link between beverage consumption and depression “unfounded” and has criticised the authors’ scientific methods. [ + ]
Discount milk at Coles Express a “shallow marketing tactic”
Coles’ move to offer discount fresh milk at its Coles Express stores has angered Queensland dairy farmers, who say the supermarket giant has learnt nothing from the supermarket price wars. [ + ]
Private label campaigns reducing choice, says AFGC
Major supermarkets are reducing their overall product range as they aggressively promote their home brand products, the Australian Food and Grocery Council claims. [ + ]
Onion and garlic waste clean up heavy metals
Indian researchers have discovered a use for onion and garlic waste from the food industry: mopping up hazardous heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury and tin. [ + ]
The super-trend of 2013: naturality
‘Naturality’ is likely to be the dominant trend of 2013, according to a new report. The author of 10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition & Health 2013 calls naturality a ‘super-trend’ that is influencing the food industry across all categories. [ + ]
Packaging rage trumps environmental credentials
New research conducted on behalf of Payne found difficulty in opening different pack types is a greater concern to most consumers than environmental criticisms such as perceived overpackaging. [ + ]
OIV publishes good fining practice for allergens
The OIV has published a document for winemakers entitled Good fining practice guidelines for wine to be applied after the use of proteinaceous [allergenic] wine fining agents [casein and egg white]. [ + ]
Bonsoy class action widens to include manufacturer and distributor
More than 600 Australians have joined a class action against companies associated with Bonsoy soy milk. Maurice Blackburn Lawyers has extended the statement of claim to include the manufacturer and exporter, as well as the brand owner, Spiral Foods. [ + ]
Forget ready meals and celebrity chefs - cook it yourself, researchers say
While ready meals often get a bad rap for being a less-than-healthy choice, they’re at least healthier than recipes pushed by popular TV chefs, according to researchers from the UK’s University of Newcastle. Their advice? Stick to making it yourself. [ + ]
Text and colour key to nutrition understanding
According to a literature review conducted by RTI International, using text and colour to describe nutrient levels, rather than just numbers, is a more effective way to ensure consumers understand nutritional information. [ + ]
Tetra Pak acquires US membrane filtration technology leader
Tetra Pak has strengthened its portfolio of complete processing production solutions for the dairy and cheese industries with the acquisition of Filtration Engineering Company. [ + ]
Human genes influence gut microbial composition
A link between a human gene and the composition of human gastrointestinal bacteria has been identified. [ + ]
Calls for submissions on carbon monoxide in fish processing
FSANZ is calling for submissions on a proposal to clarify the permissions in the Food Standards Code on the use of carbon monoxide (CO) in fish processing. CO is used to treat the dark muscle tissue of fish such as tuna to turn the flesh bright cherry red. This can make the fish look fresher than it actually is. [ + ]
