The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Egg Group has warned that egg prices will have to rise if fuel costs continue to soar. VFF Egg Group President Brian Ahmed claimed the egg industry was a victim of the factors leading to rising food prices. “Producers have been forced to absorb much of the historic highs being experienced with grain prices, which represent over 50 per cent of input costs,” Mr Ahmed said. “Now on top of that we are being hit with these fuel price increases.” “Something... ...Read more »
South Australia’s wine makers and grape growers are the first industry group in the nation to sign an agreement to accurately track and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Premier Mike Rann signed the Sector Agreement on climate change at the London Wine Fair with Orlando’s Chief Winemaker, Philip Laffer, on behalf of the SA Wine Industry Association and Jim Caddy, Chairman of CCW Co-op Ltd, on behalf of the Wine Grape Council SA. Premier Rann claims this is an important... ...Read more »
Discussion about unit pricing has been a hot topic in the Australian press for months, but what is the debate really about? Australian Food News spoke with Dr Alan Kallir, who made a submission to the ACCC’s grocery price inquiry, and summarised other comments to simplify the issue. What is unit pricing? Unit pricing involves retailers providing a price per unit measurement on the price tag (e.g. $/kg) in addition to the sale price. Consequently, shelf price tags will need to have two... ...Read more »
Checkpoint Systems and Sealed Air Cryovac have reportedly created the first integrated and automated anti-theft tagging system for direct contact with fresh food products. The combination of Checkpoint’s Food-Safe EAS labels, certified for direct contact with food, and Sealed Air Cryovac Smartpak vacuum shrink bags, is also anticipated to allow retailers to reduce inventory shrinkage of cheese and fresh products. According to Checkpoint Systems, the idea came from concerns about increasing... ...Read more »
Europe is fast becoming the world’s leading exporter of food regulation as authorities in many countries increasingly look for models on which to base their legislation, a food policy expert has said. Speaking at the Vitafoods International Discussion Forum in Geneva on Thursday 8 May, Simon Pettman said that, with international regulators now more closely monitoring developments in the EU, ‘getting it right’ in Europe is essential. Mr Pettman, Director of international food and nutrition... ...Read more »
Adding of an illegal preservative to minced lamb and selling excessively fatty lamb sausages has copped a Western Sydney butcher a $5,500 fine, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.The proprietor of Lurnea Noureddine Butchery, near Liverpool, was convicted of two charges under the Food Act 2003 for illegally adding sulphur dioxide (SO2) preservative to minced lamb meat and lamb sausages. A third charge related to lamb sausages containing excess fat, contrary to the Food Standards... ...Read more »
The US Candy Expo was held in Chicago last week with the world’s biggest names in candy showing off their latest creations. Mars Inc. signalled their intentions to improve their share of the premium chocolate market with the introduction of a different M&M’s product. Premium M&M’s result in Mars changing the M&M production formula for the first time, as well as changing the packaging and look of the product. The new product complements the presence of Mars’... ...Read more »
AsureQuality’s Melbourne based food laboratory operations have entered into a strategic partnership with Dairy Technical Services Limited (DTS), creating the single largest independent food testing laboratory in Australia. DTS Food Laboratories Chief Executive Graeme Richardson and AsureQuality Chief Executive Tony Egan announced the deal together last week, highlighting that the partnership was built on sound business acumen. “The consolidation is a great outcome, it strengthens our... ...Read more »
McDonald’s is attempting to appeal to the growing number of Australian consumers looking for environmentally friendly products. Via their McCafe outlets, McDonald’s are planning to ensure that all the coffee they sell comes from environmentally friendly coffee growing areas. To do this they will need to source almost 500 tonnes of coffee this year from farms in South America which undergo an annual inspection by the Rainforest Alliance, an international not-for-profit conservation... ...Read more »
It now appears that unit pricing will be prevalent in Australian supermarkets within 12 months in the wake of comments made by Chief Operating Officer of Coles, Mick McMahon, at yesterday’s hearing into grocery prices. Mr McMahon told the inquiry that Coles, which has previously been non-committal to the idea, now supported unit pricing. “Our view is that unit pricing will benefit customers and we would prefer to see this adopted universally by all supermarkets and food retailers across... ...Read more »