DuPont has opened a US$40 million plant genetics research facility as part of its commitment to increasing agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. Experts in plant physiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics will focus on plant breeding and developing new transgenic products, with the aim of developing and testing new products and traits in Pioneer’s research and development pipeline, the company said. [ + ]

Researchers at the University of Leicester, together with the Food and Drink iNet, are exploring ways to recycle eggshells, potentially creating an income-generating product from costly waste for the industry. [ + ]

Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ’s) proposed Nutrition, Health & Related Claims (P293) draft standard will threaten the food industry’s future viability, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has claimed. [ + ]

Australian tree nut exports are set to exceed $750 million within eight years, according to a report developed by the Australian Nut Industry Council. [ + ]

Anuga FoodTec 2012 posted its best event result to date, with visitor numbers up 25% from the last FoodTec. More than 42,000 trade visitors from 131 countries attended the trade fair. [ + ]

AUSVEG, the national peak industry body for Australia’s vegetable and potato growers, has announced that it is running an Education Road Show that will feature seminars on alternative fruit fly treatments. [ + ]

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued a media release regarding food safety while handling eggs this Easter. [ + ]

The Coca-Cola Company has continued its investment in China, opening Coca-Cola China’s 42nd bottling plant on 29 March. [ + ]

The ACCC has said it will not intervene in Amcor’s proposed acquisition of flexible packaging company Aperio. [ + ]

Tate & Lyle has launched a dedicated website for beverage manufacturers. The company says the website is intended to be a “one-stop shop for innovation” for beverage manufacturers. [ + ]

Quality by design rather than by testing. Many labs are moving onto the process line but this does not mean the end of the food lab. [ + ]

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released a consultation paper on a proposed approach that could see changes to the way nutritive substances and novel foods are regulated. [ + ]

The most significant addition to food and beverage processing technologies at Anuga Food Tec would have to be cold pasteurisation. [ + ]

Scientists have developed a capsule that can remove radiation and heavy metals from beverages. [ + ]

Today at Anuga Food Tec, President and CEO of PMMI Charles Yuska discussed “trends and issues affecting the global food chain”. This turned out to be a truly time-warped, US-centric experience. [ + ]