Foster’s today announced that their Chief Strategy Officer, David Bortolussi, has resigned to take on the position of Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Pacific Brands, while confectioner Cadbury Australia has appointed its new Marketing Director. Mr Bortolussi joined Foster’s in 2004 from McKinsey & Company and was appointed to Foster’s Executive Management Team in 2006. Foster’s CEO, Ian Johnston, said that Bortolussi made a solid contribution at Australia’s... ...Read more »

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has launched its plan to reduce the incidence of Salmonella in food. There are 1,274 cases reported by Australia’s eastern neighbours to public health units a year, or 30.2 cases for every 100,000 New Zealanders. NZFSA’s Salmonella risk management strategy spells out a specific programme of work aimed at reducing the incidence of foodborne salmonellosis. NZFSA Principal Advisor (Risk Management) Judi Lee noted that foodborne diseases have... ...Read more »

Two Sydney restaurants have been fined over $120,000 for a range of food safety violations after successful prosecutions by local councils, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald advised yesterday. Chiu Chow Palace in St Marys received a $70,500 fine for five breaches of food laws, while Sam’s Singapore Laksa House in Crows Nest was dealt a $51,500 fine for five offences (fines include legal costs). Penrith and North Sydney councils brought the actions against the two eateries. “These... ...Read more »

The leading industry body for the restaurant sector is worried about the potential impact of the Award Modernisation proposal on the industry next year. “It is disappointing … that we are under great pressure from Australian Government reforms that could see the end of our industry, particularly in New South Wales,” CEO John Hart said this week. The restaurant industry is slated for massive change in 2010, Mr Hart suggested, when wage costs (in NSW for a business open weekends... ...Read more »

Sunbeam is conducting a voluntary recall of pistachio nuts after being informed by its Australian supplier of pistachio nuts that the pistachio nuts may be contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning are vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain – which persists for more than 24 hours. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice, while retailers should remove the products from their shelves (if they have not already done so). This voluntary... ...Read more »

Glutenfree Bakery is conducting a voluntary consumer level recall of Lamingtons due to an undeclared allergen. The product contains eggs which are not declared on the label and may pose a health risk to consumers with an allergy to eggs. Consumers who are not allergic to eggs can safely consume this product (full details listed below). The recall only applies to the product with the nominated size and use by dates. No other Glutenfree Bakery products are affected by this food recall. Apart from this... ...Read more »

The world’s largest food group has reported a 2.1% decline in sales as currency fluctuations counter organic growth at Nestlé. The company once again saw bottled water sales decline as European demand remained subdued. Despite this, overall organic growth was a robust 3.8%. Paul Bulcke, CEO of Nestlé, was confident that momentum was beginning to develop around initiatives they had only recently implemented. “The Group achieved positive organic growth in the first quarter of 2009, despite... ...Read more »

Tesco, the UK’s leading supermarket operator and world’s third largest retailer, reported their highest ever profit overnight but has been criticised by an analyst for a “short-term approach” to counter the economic crisis in the UK. Mostly lauded for a 10% lift in underlying profit given the tough economic conditions, there were some critics willing to suggest the company may have erred in attempting to take on the discount grocers, whose share – while growing –... ...Read more »

Alcohol researchers from Curtin University in Perth believe they have discovered evidence that the alcohol sector uses a variety of strategies to distract public debate on the issue of health and alcohol and maintain the status quo. The researchers have suggested that there is a link between the actions of the alcohol industry and “big tobacco” of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Professor Mike Daube from Curtin’s public health faculty says they have found documents, made public because of... ...Read more »

First quarter profit at The Coca-Cola Company has fallen by 10 per cent, as currency fluctuations and one-time costs outweigh an increase in unit case volume of 2 per cent.Internationally, the Company achieved unit case volume growth of 3 per cent led by strong gains in the key future growth countries of India (31%) and China (10%). Latin America was resilient, while they “outperformed the industry” in Europe despite “significant macroeconomic challenges” leading to a 2 per... ...Read more »