International and local dairy experts have warned that dairy farmers must be rewarded for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives if the industry is to overcome the challenges of climate change.The advice comes from dairy industry leaders who attended a forum hosted by the NSW Dairy Industry Conference and Milk Marketing NSW earlier this month in Sydney, where a commitment was made to the development of a ‘Climate Change Road Map’, modeled on UK and USA examples. Mr George... ...Read more »

Engineered nanoscale materials (ENMs), which contain novel properties that might offer benefits for use in food packaging, raise new safety evaluation challenges for regulators and industry, according to a report released today by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).The food-packaging industry, food companies and consumers all share an interest in ensuring that any possible safety questions are identified and are carefully evaluated and resolved... ...Read more »

Graeme Samuel, Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, appears set to be reappointed for another term. Cabinet has reportedly given the green light for Mr Samuel to continue in his current position with the approval of state governments currently being sought after. The process of appointing a Chairman for the competition watchdog begins with a Federal Government nomination which is then forwarded to the state governments to approve or reject the candidate. Mr Samuel, who... ...Read more »

Fraudulent activity has been discovered in the UK which could be leading to the sale of unsafe food. The Food Standards Agency and police are warning food companies to be on the alert to a fraud, which involves identity theft, that may have affected a number of food businesses across the country. The fraudsters are alleged to have targeted small legitimate wholesale food businesses that supply meat, seafood and fruit and vegetables. The alleged offenders work by acquiring authentic letter heads of... ...Read more »

Queensland is set to be the first state to introduce mandatory unit pricing in supermarkets. Premier Anna Bligh released the proposal for public comment today, which would require supermarkets to display not only the selling price on each grocery item but also the price per unit (ie kilograms or litres). “Unit pricing ensures consumers are better informed to choose brands or package sizes that offer the most value-for-money and can significantly reduce their grocery bills,” Ms Bligh claimed. Ms... ...Read more »

Australia’s skills crisis is becoming more evident by the day with fast-food giants McDonald’s and KFC forced to use the ‘457′ skilled visa program to recruit staff in Queensland.The ’457′ visa, which is currently under review by the Rudd Government, is the most commonly used program for employers to sponsor skilled overseas recruits to work in Australia and allows for a stay of between three months and four years. McDonald’s Queensland regional manager Andrew... ...Read more »

Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars and SumoSalad have confirmed their reputations as retailers to watch following the NRA American Express Rewards for Excellence last night. The awards, organized by the National Retail Association (NRA), were held for the 14th time, with Crust presented with a specially created encouragement award in the Best Food Retailer category after the judges found it very hard to split Crust and SumoSalad. The competition for Best Food Retailer incorporated a strong list of up and coming... ...Read more »

Concerns are growing rapidly within Western Australia’s $5.5 billion food and beverage manufacturing sector that the current gas supply crisis will cause both immediate and permanent damage to the industry, resulting in a loss of jobs, threats to the State’s food supply, and potential jeopardy to important interstate and export markets. The Food Industry Association of WA , which represents the State’s food and beverage manufacturers and associated suppliers, says that major industry... ...Read more »

InBev have reaffirmed their interest in Anheuser-Busch via a letter prodding a response from the American company. The unsolicited takeover bid, which values Anheuser-Busch at US$46.3b, was made two weeks ago, but Anheuser-Busch has since remained coy about their possible response. It has been reported that members of the Busch family are divided about the potential takeover, while the company’s second largest shareholder, billionaire investor Warren Buffett, had been in support of a takeover... ...Read more »

The climate is now right for Australia to embark on a third wave of competition and consumer policy law reform, ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. The proposed reforms already foreshadowed to the Trade Practices Act 1974, include changes to the misuse of market power and predatory pricing provisions, legislating against so-called creeping acquisitions, the introduction of criminal sanctions for cartel conduct and reforms to the whole framework of consumer protection. Mr Samuel said it was... ...Read more »