Woolworths store-baked soft white bread now contains 25% less salt and the company has also reduced salt in its wholemeal, grain and sourdough breads.

IFR has helped develop a tool for modelling the growth of Salmonella in the pork supply chain as part of an EU-funded research program investigating the main sources of contamination that cause human salmonellosis.

As resources become more and more scarce around the world, it has become apparent it is more effective to reduce food losses than to increase food production, according to two recent studies commissioned by the FAO.

As the issue of chemical migration from food contact packaging materials receives more attention, FSANZ has released a survey on the range of chemicals used in packaging materials.

National rigid packaging supplier Plasdene Glass-Pak reached agreement to acquire the bottle distribution business of J.McCarthy, effective 29 April 2011.

With billions of kilos of meat and bone meal going to waste in landfills after a US government ban on its use in cattle feed, scientists have developed a process for using that so-called meat and bone meal to make partially biodegradable plastic that does not require raw materials made from oil or natural gas. They reported the finding at the 241st National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Demand for meat, poultry and seafood packaging in the US will increase 3.0% per annum to $9.2 billion in 2015. Gains will be fuelled by expanding meat, poultry and seafood production for the domestic market, as well as rising export opportunities to countries such as Japan and Chile. Packaging demand will also be stimulated by the ongoing shift to case-ready packaging by many retailers as a means of reducing in-store labour costs.

The AFGC has found it disappointing that it has been left out of carbon tax discussions with the PM.

IMCD has launched its Food & Nutrition Academy to focus on new trends in the market.

Growing consumer trends and advice to assist food retailers will be discussed at the annual AIFST convention in July.

The AIFST Convention is set to be the best yet with workshops, practical advice and opportunities for discussion.

After one year of development from chilli seed to full plant and fruiting we now can introduce to you the new hottest chilli in the world.

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.

“Swapping high-GI grains in our diet for an ancient, nutrient-packed ‘super seed’ may lead to better health for millions of Australians,” says Dr Joanna McMillan, registered nutritionist and accredited practising dietician.

A new scientific study has shown that walnuts have a combination of more healthful antioxidants and higher-quality antioxidants than any other nut.