The London, UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers recently estimated that anywhere between 35 and 50% - or 1.2 to 2 billion tons - of all food produced is wasted worldwide; a fraction of which is due to by-products in food processing. [ + ]

Matthews Australasia will launch the Avery Dennison 81x Label Printer Applicator (LPA) at AUSPACK PLUS tomorrow. [ + ]

Hally Labels Group has acquired a majority shareholding in AC Labels Pty Ltd. The companies say the investment is an exciting opportunity to grow and develop their core business. [ + ]

The Minister for Fair Trading will officially open AUSPACK PLUS 2013, the largest biennial packaging and processing machinery and materials exhibition in Australia. [ + ]

A government plan to secure jobs for Australians and build sustainable industries will see Australia’s food, manufacturing and defence industries work with university researchers to become more competitive in the global marketplace. [ + ]

A three-month Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) campaign has resulted in the arrest of 904 people who are alleged to have been involved in meat-related crimes such as producing fake beef and mutton made from rat and fox. [ + ]

The government will not consider imposing tariffs on imported tinned fruit, the Prime Minister has told ABC Rural, despite calls from SPC Ardmona to put temporary tariff protection in place. [ + ]

AUSPACK PLUS 2013 isn’t just about the exhibition. The event also features the WorldStar Packaging Awards and World Packaging Organisation (WPO) board meetings. [ + ]

Aside from seeing the largest selection of working packaging and processing machinery on display in Australia, visitors to AUSPACK PLUS 2013 will have plenty of networking opportunities and the chance to win prizes. [ + ]

Already active in Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, IMCD Group has opened an office in Thailand to strengthen its presence in the region even further. The office in Bangkok currently employs four members of staff, covering personal care and food market sectors. [ + ]

According to market research organisation Canadean, demand for packaged water has rocketed exponentially, with volumes doubling in the past decade despite the global downturn. [ + ]

Agr International has officially opened Agr Bangkok, Ltd, a new sales and service office located in Bangkok, in response to significant growth in its customer base in the Asian region. [ + ]

Searching for processing or filling solutions? AUSPACK PLUS will showcase plenty of processing and filling machinery from local and international companies at the 2013 event. [ + ]

A new feature on the food label-scanning app FoodSwitch will help coeliacs and people intolerant to gluten make more informed decisions in the supermarket. [ + ]

Consumer pressure has prompted Cadbury owner Mondelez International, the world’s biggest chocolate maker, to address the inequality faced by female cocoa farmers and workers. [ + ]