Tomato farming operation Basacar Produce entered into voluntary administration on 18 April, costing 41 workers their jobs. Basacar is the third major tomato-growing operation to enter administration in the past 12 months, following SP Exports and Barbera. [ + ]

Coles has partnered with Ella’s Kitchen to introduce the UK baby food manufacturer’s products into Australia. [ + ]

The Alcohol Policy Coalition (APC) has urged the government to reform alcohol taxation in this year’s Federal Budget. The APC claims that increasing taxes on alcohol will reduce overall alcohol consumption and thus alcohol-related illness and injury. The group said that cider and cheap wine should be taxed in the same way as alcopops. [ + ]

Queensland produce was profiled at the Harvest Queensland Winter Showcase. [ + ]

Carton finishers at a Melbourne packaging company could soon begin protected industrial action to defend sick leave entitlements, according to the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union. [ + ]

New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra has announced that it plans to invest in a blending and packing plant in Indonesia in response to the growing demand for dairy products in Indonesia. Fonterra says the investment will support the local expansion of its brands Anlene, Anmum and Anchor Boneeto. [ + ]

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced changes to coffee imports and abalone exports. Coffee importers who have an exemplary record of quarantine compliance will have a reduced rate of inspection, while abalone divers who shuck their products at sea for export will no longer need to pay registration and associated fees. [ + ]

A study published in the Journal of Food Science has suggested that super palm olein (SPO) is a suitable replacement for olive oil for frying and cooking as it provides higher oxidative stability than olive oil. The study quotes several studies that have shown that palm oil and high-oleic oils exhibit similar frying performance. [ + ]

The world could be facing a chocolate supply crisis, according to a University of Sydney academic. At a public lecture, “The Chocolate Crisis”, Professor David Guest, from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, will detail the potential shortage and how he and his colleagues are working to prevent it. [ + ]

Tetra Pak announced four new features of its carton packaging portfolio at Anuga FoodTec 2012, demonstrating its commitment to developing sustainable packaging solutions. The company said it aims to add further environmental innovations to its product portfolio and continue to help customers achieve sustainable profitable growth. [ + ]

Heat and Control has added Spray Dynamics to its portfolio. The Spray Dynamics range of coating and seasoning applicators applies oils, seasonings, vitamins, tack and release agents, chocolate, yoghurt and candy coatings, antioxidants, polishing wax and anticlumping agents. [ + ]

Submissions for the 4th annual APPMA 2012 Annual Scholarship program close on 11 May 2012. [ + ]

Universities in the UK are being invited to compete to develop a specialised food and beverage engineering degree to address the industry shortage of food and beverage engineers. [ + ]

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released a report stating that genetically modified maize has no adverse effects on human and animal health or the environment. [ + ]

Consumer watchdog Choice has made a submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regarding its proposed Nutrition, Health & Related Claims (P293) draft, claiming that the proposed changes will “create a loophole and potentially increase customer confusion”. [ + ]