2012-13 will be a good year for grape production, according to a recent report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). [ + ]

To help the banana industry achieve its aim of a 5% increase in production efficiency “with minimal to no environmental impact” by 2014, researchers are launching a $6 million research project. A Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) research team, led by principal research scientist Associate Professor Andre Drenth, will spearhead the Banana Plant Protection Program. [ + ]

interpack has organised PACK PLUS, a special exhibition devoted to the topic of package printing that will be staged at drupa, from 3 to 16 May in Düsseldorf. [ + ]

Warequip has launched a website (palletlifting.com.au) which is designed “to aid its distributors in helping customers get the right product while improving revenue and profits”. [ + ]

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) Victoria Branch, in conjunction with LATMA, will be holding a technical dinner on 2 May with keynote speakers from GS1 Australia and David Simpson Graphics. [ + ]

Tetra Pak has acquired the business of Sealing Technology Ltd, enabling Tetra Pak to offer customers a complete solution for post-gassing and heat-sealing technology for bulk powder packing. [ + ]

Swiss engineers have developed a new formula for microsilver that could benefit the healthcare and food industries. Antibiotics and chemicals are generally used to combat mites, fungi, viruses and bacteria, and especially E. coli in the food industry, but with the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains, demand for antibiotic- and chemical-free solutions has increased. [ + ]

Research indicating that bite size is affected by aroma offers a new approach to controlling portion size. [ + ]

Front-of-pack (FOP) food labelling is a hot topic in New Zealand at the moment, with new research from the University of Otago and University of Auckland showing that industry, policy-makers and NGOs think food labelling should be improved. [ + ]

UPM Raflatac has been granted FSC and PEFC chain of custody certificates for its labelstock operations in Australia and New Zealand. The chain of custody certifications guarantee that the wood used in UPM Raflatac’s label materials originates from sustainably managed forests.

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. [ + ]