Neighbourhood property values predict local obesity rates better than education or incomes, according to a study published online this week by the journal Social Science and Medicine. For each additional $100,000 in the median price of homes, US researchers found obesity rates in a given ZIP code dropped by 2 %.

Researchers at the US University of Arkansas have discovered that some dangerous bacteria thrive as strongly without food as they do with it – a finding that could have great implications with current food preservation and hygiene practices.

Hepatitis E virus infections can be fatal in pregnant women, but until recently doctors thought the disease was confined to China, India and developing countries. Now Europeans are also contracting the disease, according to scientists at the Society for General Microbiology’s 161st Meeting at the University of Edinburgh, UK, from 3 to 6 September 2007.

In an effort to boost Japanese trade with Sydney businesses, the Japanese Government is funding a free seminar on 3 October, organised by Austrade.

Antibacterial soaps show no hygiene benefits over plain soaps and, instead, may increase bacterial resistance to some common antibiotics, according to a study in the August edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Two of Australia’s largest logistics companies have combined forces this week, with the announcement that CRT Group has acquired the family owned Golden Bros.

Amcor has announced it will invest $10 million to upgrade the corrugated box plant in Townsville, increasing their delivery capability to customers in north and central Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Unsubstantiated scaremongering claims by Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning could cause some people real harm says the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

New research launched today shows the skills shortages and the associated workplace expectations of Generation Y are here to stay. Many employers assume that the skills shortages come from 16 straight years of economic growth and the resulting increased demand for staff.

In the lead-up to the federal election Australian industry is calling for priority action to clean up the nation's legacy of past industrial contamination, to enhance the nation's ‘clean green’ export image.

Twelve native Australian fruits contain much higher levels of antioxidants than found in other fruit, according to research published in the journal Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies.

National Australia Bank has created a specialist national business banking unit dedicated to the post farm gate food, fibre and beverage industries.

The food, beverage, packaging and manufacturing industries are invited to submit an abstract for the 2008 Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Conference, to be held 12-13 June 2008 at Luna Park, Sydney.

The Australian HACCP Conference Series finished in early August, and the winners of the various awards are now in.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released its latest batch of proposed changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.