CSIRO has worked with Mars to produce ‘life cycle analyses’ on a range of Mars's food products that are relevant to almost every major food commodity produced in Australia. The research partnership has produced a database and information toolkit that will be available to a wide range of food businesses to help improve their sustainability strategies.

Tough economic times are impacting shoppers in the US where lower-income shoppers are the fastest growing income group.

Over the next few decades, the global food system will come under renewed pressure from the combined effects of seven fundamental factors: population growth, the nutrition transition, energy, land, water, labour and climate change. The UK has been rethinking its food strategy.

A look at the yoghurt launches across the world in 2008 reveals some healthy trends.

The Australian Institute of Packaging has bolstered its packaging training and education through a cooperation agreement with the Australian Management Academy.

The 2009 EHEDG Symposium will be held at the same time as AnugaFoodTec in March in Germany.

Researchers at RMIT have developed a toolkit that food processors can use to assess and reduce their water consumption.

The Australian Institute of Packaging has appointed Pierre Pienaar FAIP as its new Vice-President.

Meat & Livestock Australia, the National Livestock Research Institute in Korea and the Beef CRC conducted a study which used the Meat Standards Australia beef grading scheme to compare the tastes of Korean and Australian beef consumers.

The use of RFID devices up to 4 W of power between the 920 to 926 MHz band has been approved in Australia. This will lead to improved efficiencies and greater ROI for companies wanting to use EPC/RFID systems in their supply chain.

In response to the world slump in dairy prices, Europe is reintroducing export refunds for butter, cheese and whole and skimmed milk powder.

In 2008, food and drink claims classified as ‘Natural’ — including all natural, no additives/preservatives, organic and wholegrain — were the most frequently featured on new products globally.

LabWare LIMS v6.0 is one of the first enterprise LIMS to become certified for use with SAP’s Enterprise SOA-based Integration Technology.

Expressions of interest for Round 1 of the Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program are being called for and close on 9 February 2009.

Nestlé Australia Limited, Cereal Partners Worldwide, Kraft Food Australia/New Zealand, Cadbury Plc, George Weston Limited, Unilever Australia Limited, Coca-Cola South Pacific and PepsiCo Australia have have publicly committed to advertise to children under 12, only when it will further the goal of promoting healthy dietary choices and healthy lifestyles.