Innovative “sticky notes”, which can be placed on the front page of newspapers to engage readers in a never-before-offered taste sampling advertising experience, could provide a welcome boost to the struggling advertising sector. Created by First Flavor and US Ink, the interactive ad allows readers to literally smell and taste a flavoured food, beverage or other flavoured product. Each ‘Taste-it Note’ provides readers with “an easy-to-open, tamper evident foil pouch... ...Read more »

Tesco, the world’s third largest retailer, is planning to introduce bank branches into 30 of its supermarkets before the end of the year, as supermarkets around the world continue to look for ways to boost profits outside of their basic grocery offerings. The branches at Tesco outlets will offer Tesco’s existing range of financial services as well as provide access to Tesco Compare, a website comparing different insurance products. The supermarket chain has also advised that it will offer... ...Read more »

Victoria’s produce will be promoted in Indonesia over the next two weeks in a bid to strengthen trade relationships with the state’s fifth most valuable food export market. The State’s Agriculture Minister, Joe Helper, said some of Victoria’s finest producers of beef, lamb, seafood, fruit, vegetable and dairy produce would meet with Indonesian food service representatives, importers, distributors and executive chefs, to discuss expanding trade opportunities. “Indonesia’s... ...Read more »

In challenging times, the American refreshment beverage market contracted by 2.0% in 2008, according to Beverage Marketing Corporation, but some beverage types continued to shine. During the first several years of the 21st century, newer beverage categories have been principally responsible for what growth has occurred in the non-alcoholic marketplace. Carbonated soft drinks accounted for close to half of total liquid refreshment beverage volume. However, their market share eroded slightly, as it... ...Read more »

An investigation by a leading consumer group into supermarket cakes has discovered some contain more than 20 additives, including those used to prolong shelf life or cover up cheaper ingredients. Of the almost 100 cakes tested by Choice, Woolworths Bakehouse Sponge Iced and Fresh-Filled Cream cake was the worst offender with 27 additives. Top Taste Rollettes Choc and Woolworths Bakehouse Sponge Single Birthday Fresh Cream were a close second with 26 additives each. “Most people wouldn’t... ...Read more »

A pilot program to test an all-natural refrigeration system in Pepsi-Cola vending machines begins this month in the US. Under the new program, The Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) is placing 30 Pepsi-Cola vending machines in high-consumer traffic areas in the Washington, D.C. area. The machines, which feature the new Pepsi logo along with a special green refrigerant sticker, use less energy and generate 12% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than current vending machines. In addition to their energy efficiency... ...Read more »

The name and shame website of food law offences today received an upgrade that includes multiple search functions to allow consumers easier access to food law violations, NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said.It comes as a bakery in the Blue Mountains sold a loaf of bread which contained a cigarette butt. “This website is extremely popular, it’s an Australian first, it’s less than 12 months old and we have already made improvements to make it more user-friendly for... ...Read more »

The majority of shopper purchasing decisions are made in the supermarket, according to new research from Germany. Just below 70% of purchasing decisions are made at the point of sale (POS) itself, and the brand strength has considerable influence over whether or not a product makes it into a customer’s shopping trolley. The GfK Store Effect fast-moving consumer goods survey, in which GfK Marktforschung carried out around 800 interviews at its test market MarketingLab, solidified a theory that... ...Read more »

A senior food advisor to the UK Government has indicated that rationing may be a possible consequence of high levels of water use in the industry. Professor Tim Lang, from City University London, suggested that the threat to the food chain was just as high from its water footprint as its carbon footprint. He added that people needed to become aware of how much water is used in producing staple goods. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Lang said his team at City University London was working toward... ...Read more »

Biscuit manufacturer Arnott’s has announced a $37 million capital investment in a new, state-of-the-art biscuit production line to help boost the Virginia bakery’s capacity by 10,000 tonnes per annum. Arnott’s anticipates the new line, which will be operational by mid-2010, will result in approximately 25-30 new roles in the first year of operation, increasing to a possible 50-60 over the course of the next couple of years. The manufacturer, a subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company,... ...Read more »