One of southern Queensland’s biggest meat manufacturers has received a $6.2 million grant to invest in clean technology to improve its production efficiency and cut energy costs in its operations. [ + ]

New Zealand and the US have signed a Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement - a document signifying that each country recognises the other’s food safety systems as providing a comparable degree of food safety assurance. [ + ]

Professor Daryl Joyce of UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences has been selecting and evaluating new varieties of the ancient Chinese red bayberry fruit (Myrica rubra) for commercialisation in Australia. [ + ]

A team of scientists from the Research Laboratories at the Fondazione di ricerca e cura Giovanni Paolo II have found that the poorest people in the Mediterranean region simply can’t afford to stick to the Mediterranean diet. [ + ]

“2013 looks like it’s shaping up as another tough slog for Australian businesses, with no indication the international economy will improve dramatically or that we will see any pressure taken off the high Australian dollar,” said NSW Business Chamber CEO Stephen Cartwright. [ + ]

Winemakers now have something new to drink to. New laws to the Wine Equalisation Tax Rebate have been passed, which will reportedly ensure its integrity. [ + ]

New regulation on nutrition content and health claims will result in unnecessary costs, discourage innovation and reduce trade competitiveness in the food processing sector, claims the AFGC. [ + ]

Researchers have found that by influencing the juiciness of processed meat products, a salt reduction of 15% or more can be achieved while retaining the same salt perception. [ + ]

Mike Lightfoot has been appointed CEO of Milmeq after current CEO Matthew Wall announced his intention to retire at the end of 2012. [ + ]

Submissions are now open for the 2013 APPMA Awards of Excellence. Designed to recognise innovative and outstanding packaging and processing solutions, the awards will be announed at AUSPACK PLUS 2013. [ + ]

Packaging trends and innovations will be key topics of conversation at the AIP’s first NSW Technical Dinner for 2013. [ + ]

Demag Cranes Group has become Terex Material Handling & Port Solutions following Terex’s purchase of a majority share of the company in August 2011 and a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement in April 2012. [ + ]

The Australian Beverages Council, on behalf of the country’s energy drinks industry, has responded to the AMA’s calls for greater regulations on energy drinks. [ + ]

The Food and Drink Federation has launched a free guide to help food and drink companies identify and manage supply chain risks. Suitable for small and large companies, the guide forms part of an approach to sustainable sourcing. [ + ]

Summing up the food labelling debate in Australia, AFGC CEO Gary Dawson likened it most appropriately to a piece of food that looks dry on the outside, but is hot and spicy when you bite into it. [ + ]