Changes to the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code – which is designed to protect consumers and ensure that manufacturers provide adequate information to the buying public – have been proposed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

The Australian Institute of Packaging in conjunction with the Centre for Design, RMIT University and the Sustainable Packaging Alliance combined to present a half-day forum on the New Packaging Covenant. Participants debated the issues surrounding the NPC that is due to expire this year and be replaced with NPC mark 2.

Compounds found in plastic products used to wrap or contain food and beverages have aroused concerns as possible cancer-causing agents because they can sometimes leach out of the plastic and migrate into the food, researchers are claiming.

Key Technology has bought Freshline Machines.

Dr Susan Nelle has been appointed as the new managing director of NFIS Ltd, following the resignation in February of Richard Brooks. Susan's strengths are in understanding and developing business strategy, managing change and working with boards in the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. She was instrumental in developing a strong and cohesive partnership between the food industry and government in South Australia.

Infor Global Solutions has acquired Mercia Software, a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmatica.

Swiss company Cybox has developed a square oak barrel, which is claimed to triple barrel storage capacity.

Canadian biotech firm Forbes Medi-Tech has gained European approval to market its cholesterol-lowering ingredient Reducol in seven new food applications.

Israeli scientists have discovered a gene that determines the concentration of protein found in cow's milk, and plan to use that finding to spur the production of higher-protein milk in dairy herds all over the world.

Ingredient Resources has been appointed master agent for Australia and New Zealand by Taiyo Kagaku Co Ltd of Japan.

A Finnish innovation has resulted in a patent for the first method for removing lactose from food without affecting flavour.

The CSIRO has created business units to strengthen the organisation's food and nutrition, health and biotechnology, and marine and atmospheric research activities.

Flexicon USA has established a new, wholly owned Australian subsidiary named Flexicon Corporation (Australia) Pty Limited.

SAI Global has been accredited by JAS-ANZ to certify products under the Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme (AWPCS). The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has established this scheme to help Australian exporters meet the international standard for treated wood packaging used in the export trade.

Macro Wholefoods and the BFA have announced that Macro has chosen ACO for its organic retail certification.