New product activity levels in the ice-cream market are continuing to grow globally, with over 3300 launches recorded on the Innova Database in 2010. This is well up on 2009 levels, which in turn increased over 2008 and 2007 totals (www.innovadatabase.com). The majority of these introductions (over 80%) were take-home lines, with single-serve impulse products accounting for the remainder.

Cargill’s flavour business has made a significant investment in the liquid flavour-blending plant at its production facility in Grasse, France. The redevelopment has resulted in increased efficiencies in production flow.

For meat producers, cooling the meat once it is cooked poses a real challenge: conventional methods for cooling meat are very time consuming and do not easily enable producers to meet with ‘cook-cool’ guidelines to minimise the growth of any pathogens that may have survived the cooking process. In light of this, the meat industry continuously seeks rapid cooling methods.

Health claims continue to be a marketing strategy in many new food launches. Innova lists the Top Ten in Europe.

Nominations are open for the annual HACCP Conference Awards.

Domino celebrates 10,000th scribing laser installation.

Choice and the AFGC have called for the establishment of a supermarket ombudsman.

Anthony Garreffi has been appointed as business development manager for the Asia-Pacific by Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group.

Nineteen manufacturers and the AFGC have co-signed a joint industry letter to the Prime Minister raising concerns over the carbon pricing plan.

Tate & Lyle’s sugar replacement ingredients have received positive feedback from the European Food Safety Authority, as they can reduce post-prandial blood glucose responses.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council is warning that the proposed carbon tax will put even more pressure on food and grocery manufacturing by increasing its cost.

The Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation will present the government with recommendations that would prevent farmers from suffering as a result of the milk price war.

Preparations for Anuga FoodTec 2012 are now underway with registration documents now available.

Anuga FoodTec will open its doors for the sixth time from 27th to 30th March 2012.

The AIP, along with LATMA, is going to hold a technical dinner with various speakers.