Food-lovers across the Middle East may soon be able to enjoy more high quality Australian made and grown foods, as some of Australia’s leading food processors and growers are exhibiting at this year’s Gulfood (held on 23-26 February, 2009) – offering buyers a wide range of exciting new products from Down Under. This year buyers are encouraged to look for Australia’s most recognised and trusted country of origin symbol, a stylised golden kangaroo in a green triangle, to easily... ...Read more »

Australian consumers should have the right to claim for compensation if they are adversely affected by food which has been fortified with additives by Government mandate, according to Deakin University’s Adjunct Professor Joe Lederman. Professor Lederman who was addressing an international symposium on Food Law and Policy, run by Deakin University’s Law School at the weekend, said the mandatory fortification of bread-making flour with folic acid was due to take effect from 13 September... ...Read more »

Australis Aquaculture Limited, a publicly listed Barramundi farming company, has gone into voluntary administration after failing to gain access to the credit needed to repay a $2.75 million loan. They have appointed Mr Mervyn Kitay of WHK Horwath as Voluntary Administrator of the company. “The Administrator is being appointed following many months of fundraising activity within an exceptionally challenging debt and equity environment,” the company advised in a statement. “To date,... ...Read more »

Gen Y, the largest demographic group in history, is passionate about big flavours that pack a punch, according to new research. They are drawn to bold and complex flavours that turn mealtime into a culinary trip around the world. According to a recent study by the Center for Culinary Development (CCD) exploring Gen Y’s attitudes and eating behaviors, more than 50 per cent eat global foods and 46 per cent like to layer flavours and customise recipes. For the well-cultivated palates of this influential... ...Read more »

The Coca-Cola Company has been served notice of a class action lawsuit from an American consumer group and a San Fransisco customer amid accusations of “deceptive and unsubstantiated claims” on its glaceau vitaminwater line of beverages. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) argues that The Coca-Cola Company “makes a wide range of dramatic claims, including that its drinks variously reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce the risk of eye disease, promote healthy... ...Read more »

Butchers and bakers are the latest target of a campaign to stamp out exploitation of workers in South Australia.The Federal Workplace Ombudsman has written to almost 500 businesses alerting them to a crackdown on the food services industry. Up to 100 employers will be randomly selected for audit by workplace inspectors to ensure staff are being properly paid. Executive Director Michael Campbell said the decision to closely scrutinise butchers and bakers follows an increase in complaints. “One... ...Read more »

Cadbury, the world’s second largest confectioner, will add a warning label to their popular Dairy Milk chocolate products, ensuring consumers are aware they contain milk. The decision has been made by the British-based confectioner to ensure they do not fall foul of allergy warning label requirements. The decision has been met with the complaint that it is a symbol of society going too far in its bid for political correctness. After all, Dairy Milk chocolate has milk in its brand name, shows... ...Read more »

The Coca-Cola Company and United Resource Recovery Corporation (URRC) have launched the world’s largest plastic bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in the US state of South Carolina. Coca-Cola said the new plant would be a key in their quest to recycle and reuse 100 per cent of their cans and bottles in America. When fully operational, the plant will produce approximately 100 million pounds of food-grade recycled PET plastic each year – the equivalent of nearly two billion 20-ounce Coca-Cola... ...Read more »

Following the example of New York City and the state of California, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is launching the first phase of its plan to introduce nutrition information in a range of catering outlets. The FSA is wanting to see more consistent nutrition information for consumers at the point they make a decision about what they eat out of home and announced that the first step will be the introduction of calorie labelling. A similar plan may be unveiled in Australia later this year,... ...Read more »

American research suggests consumer habits are shifting toward thrifty grocery spending but away from more extreme belt-tightening measures seen last year. The American economy has entered the third stage of its unprecedented transformation and will be characterised by shoppers permanently changing several of their most important rituals involved in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) products they select, purchase and use, according to the “Transforming Economy 3.0: The Search for Affordable... ...Read more »