Food companies will find it easier to collect required information to meet the legal obligations surrounding the sale of food with a new product information form, launched recently.

Researchers have laboratory evidence that the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their intake and body weight. The findings appear in the February issue of Behavioural Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are developing a new technology that could lead to low-calorie foods that taste like the real thing. Low-fat foods are often disappointing to consumers since removing the fat changes the desirable taste, texture and aroma of the original product.

Demand for frozen-food packaging in the US is projected to increase 4.1% per year to US$6.4 billion in 2011. This, along with other trends, was presented in Frozen Food Packaging — a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

A European labelling proposal has been welcomed by the peak body of Australian food producers, the Australian Food and Grocery Council. This labelling includes placing nutritional information on the front of packs to give consumers clearer information to help them with their dietary choices.

The 2008 Australasian Milling Conference is excited by its positive progress and near completion for the biennial conference, to be held on April 14-16.

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) will be holding an 'Introduction to Plastics' half-day training course in Sydney and Brisbane in March for the industry. Pierre Pienaar, a Fellow of the AIP, will be the course presenter, commencing in Sydney on Friday 7 March, and in Brisbane on Wednesday 26 March.

The initial stage of a review of New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) risk management processes is nearing completion.

'New England Australia' has just become the latest officially recognised Australian wine region.

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) announced, on Australia Day 2008, that Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell has been awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours 2008. The professor has been recognised for his outstanding and significant contribution to business and commerce through the food and packaging industries, particularly as an advocate for education and training, with over fifty years industry experience.

Marketing may influence how often parents feed their children fast food, according to a study by Sonya A. Grier, an associate professor of marketing at American University’s Kogod School of Business.

Avocados Australia and Australian avocado growers congratulate both Dr Tony Whiley and Mr Ken Pegg for their tireless and dedicated work for the avocado industry, recognised in the Australia Day 2008 Honours List.

Demand for Australian dairy products is expected to remain strong throughout key Asian export markets despite commodity prices increasing during the past 12 months.

Australian organic meat exporters say their business could be bolstered by the US Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to approve the consumption of food from cloned animals and their offspring.

Targeted foods have broad implications for the future of the food and beverage industry. As consumers are using diet to address health conditions, companies are responding by launching products with functional benefits targeted at specific health needs or population groups.