The ongoing viability and competitiveness of food processing in Australia has been investigated with a report tabled in the Senate yesterday (16 August). The report examines possible policy responses to the challenges and pressures within the broader economy that threaten the $108 billion food and grocery manufacturing sector that is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector, employing around 200,000 Australians. [ + ]

Small businesses will have the opportunity to ask questions and get guidance on carbon price claims with the ACCC’s interactive webinar on 16 August. [ + ]

LycoRed has been granted a European patent for its extraction process of the Lyc-O-Mato oleoresin from tomatoes. [ + ]

Goodman Fielder Limited has posted an NPAT loss of $146.9 million for the 2011-12 financial year, slightly less than the 2010-11 NPAT loss of $166.7 million. [ + ]

Researchers have found that microwave heating of red palm oil (RPO) retains a higher carotene content than RPO that has been conventionally heated. [ + ]

DAFF has issued the Provisional Final Import Risk Analysis Report for Fresh Ginger from Fiji, which proposes strict quarantine conditions. [ + ]

Butter flavouring used in microwave popcorn which was thought to be safe has been shown to be a respiratory hazard for workers who inhale the substance, causing ‘popcorn workers’ lung’. [ + ]

The Container Deposit Scheme will penalise consumers and damage small and medium manufacturers, the Australian Beverages Council CEO has said. [ + ]

By 2016, the global aseptic packaging market will reach 153 billion litres, according to the 2012 Global Aseptic Packaging Report. [ + ]

The AFGC has announced the formation of the Australian Breakfast Cerreal Manufacturers Forum, which brings together Australia’s largest breakfast cereal producers. [ + ]

RS Components has extended its global partnership with pneumatics and automation specialist SMC Corporation into Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

IDEX has acquired Matcon Group for £24 million. IDEX will incorporate Matcon into its Health and Science Technologies segment. [ + ]

The New Zealand MPI has released a discussion paper on proposed regulations governing the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme. [ + ]

Summit Machinery Services has been announced as the agent for FAM in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

Murray Goulburn Co-operative (MG) has announced its plans to invest $200 million in state-of-the-art dairy food manufacturing facilities for UHT milk, cheese, butter and spreads. [ + ]