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.

PureCircle and Firmenich are collaborating to accelerate the commercialisation of Reb A in the food and beverage industry.

Plant & Food Research is a New Zealand-based science company formed in December 2008 through the merger of HortResearch and Crop & Food Research. With over 900 staff based at sites across New Zealand, as well as in Europe, the US and Australia, Plant & Food Research provides research and development that adds value to fruit, vegetable, crop and food products.

Coca-Cola South Pacific is seeking approval for the use of phytosterols, derived from vegetable oils, in fruit juice and fruit juice drinks. FSANZ has invited public comment with the final date for submissions 11/2/2009.

AUSPACK will be introducing a Bioplastics Pavilion in 2009 to further enhance the visitor's experience and educational opportunities over the four-day exhibition next June.

The Australian and New Zealand wine industries have been invited to share in the environmental and cost benefits of a cross-industry project focusing on the bulk export of wine to the UK and packing into lighter weight bottles with a higher recycled glass content.

As part of its strategy to reduce the incidence of Campylobacter in the food chain, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority has released a series of reports on scientific studies which cover aspects of managing Campylobacter across the food chain and include on-farm management practices, information about the effectiveness of freezing and leak-proof packaging, consumer issues and determining the source of Campylobacter.