FreshCase Packaging has taken out the Diamond award at the recent 24th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. Curwood’s FreshCase is an innovative vacuum packaging system that reduces food waste by keeping red meat looking and staying fresh for longer. [ + ]

Adelaide company Haigh’s Chocolates is investing $25,000 to train 10 of its workers. The Federal Government has co-contributed a further $25,000 so the workers can complete a Certificate IV in Competitive Manufacturing. [ + ]

The National Heart Foundation has welcomed the news that fast food company KFC has decided to use canola oil in place of palm oil, saying it’s a step in the right direction. [ + ]

Efforts by New Zealand potato crisp manufacturers to reduce acrylamide in their products have been successful, resulting in a two-thirds reduction in acrylamide concentrations since 2006. [ + ]

Metal packaging supplier Crown Holdings announced its intention to build a new beverage can plant in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. The new plant will accommodate multiple can lines and will initially produce 725 million two-piece 330mL cans annually. Crown anticipates the plant will be operational in Q3 2013. [ + ]

Tasmanian company Tamar Valley Dairy has signed a five-year contract with Coles to produce its private label yoghurt range. Initially, Tamar Valley will produce seven product lines of Coles’ private label yoghurt, but the two companies will collaborate over the five years to create new product lines and grow the business. [ + ]

ABB Australia has acquired Bob White Electrix and LE Jarvis for an undisclosed amount as part of a strategy to broaden its motor and generator repair and service business in Australia. ABB anticipates the acquisition will close in July. [ + ]

Sanderson Australia has acquired Total Systems for Management (TSM) in a move to strengthen its position as a software provider to the food and drink industry. [ + ]

As part of 2012 Food Allergy Awareness Week, GS1 Australia has announced an iPhone app that gives consumers access to extended labelling product data. The GS1 GoScan was launched yesterday and will be available from September. By scanning a product’s barcode, consumers can receive comprehensive product data, including allergen information, ingredient lists, nutritional content, Daily Intake information and dietary information such as Kosher, Halal, vegan, organic. [ + ]

The Scottish Government is funding a school program to foster a better understanding of the food and drink manufacturing sector in Scotland. The Scottish Food and Drink Federation’s (SFDF’s) schools program, A Future in Food, will receive £270,000 over three years from the government to help teachers, students and parents better understand the sector. [ + ]

Kemin has launched an antimicrobial for ready-to-eat (RTE) products. BactoCease is a propionic acid-based antimicrobial designed to protect RTE meat and poultry products from Listeria monocytogenes. [ + ]

Developments in nanotechnology could help production of the humble vegetable. Speaking at the AUSVEG Future Technologies Seminar in Hobart on 9 May, Dr Terry Turney from Monash University explained how products that were previously only science fiction imaginings are becoming a commercial reality. [ + ]

A new ‘super apple’ will soon be available to Australian consumers. The Kalei apple - meaning ‘loveable’ in Hawaiian - is the result of 20 years of breeding research conducted by the Queensland Government. [ + ]

US company MillerCoors has released a new can for its Miller Lite brand. The punch top can has a second tab that can be opened to increase airflow and reduce glug. The company says the second tab gives a smoother pour and a more enjoyable drinking experience. [ + ]

Murray Goulburn Cooperative (MG) has announced it will be scrapping 301 jobs at its head office and processing sites as part of its aim to reduce operating costs by $100 million this year. [ + ]