The European Union is looking into possible ways to improve communication about the qualities of agricultural products and reconnect farmers with consumers. The region is also trying to enhance food quality labelling schemes to make it easier for people to use and understand. “The EU’s agri-food sector has a well-deserved reputation for high quality thanks to decades, even centuries, of commitment to excellence,” said Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Heinz reported record sales and profit last night, with organic sales rising by 5.5% during Fiscal 2009 on the back of continued growth in emerging markets and acceleration of the consumer trend toward at-home eating.”Heinz delivered record sales and profit in Fiscal 2009 despite the difficult global environment,” William Johnson, Chairman, President and CEO of Heinz, noted. “Heinz brands around the world performed well, benefitting from the growing trend of at-home... ...Read more »

Foster’s was rewarded as one of Australia’s leading businesses at the Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) Awards – held last night at the 10th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development at Parliament House in Canberra.Senator Nick Sherry, Federal Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, presented the awards, with no food or beverage company managing to claim one of the top three awards. The winners were EnergyAustralia (Best Performance), Sensis (Best New... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has partnered with Oporto in Sydney and Visy Recycling to trial specially designed recycling bins in 13 Oporto outlets. This initiative, if extended to all NSW stores, could see up to 7 tonnes of bottles and cans per month being diverted from landfill and sent to Visy to be processed for reuse. Oporto customers eating at selected Oporto outlets in Sydney can now make sure their empty beverage bottles and cans are kept out of landfill by utilising the new recycling bins. Jon... ...Read more »

Victoria’s south-west dairy industry has outlined its goal to achieve milk production of 3 billion litres by 2020. The goal is highlighted in Down the Track – Dairy 2020, a 10-year strategic plan for the state’s fastest growing dairy region that was released yesterday in Warrnambool. “Victoria’s 1700 south-west dairy farming enterprises along with an additional 100 in south-east South Australia, produce a total of about 2.4 billion litres of milk annually,” Regional... ...Read more »

The grocery purchase behaviour of Australians has not been confined to the pursuit of lower prices despite a general belief that the country is in the midst of a recession. Australians are reluctant to initiate wholesale changes to their grocery product consumption preferences but minor alterations – including greater demand for private label goods – are being made, according to a study by market research firm Datamonitor. Low prices help, but high quality a must With 70% of Australians... ...Read more »

The NSW Food Authority has reported that 10 per cent of food businesses investigated in the state have failed recent food safety inspections. Of the 23,000 food outlets inspected by local councils in the last six months of 2008, around ten per cent were found to breach or were alleged to have breached NSW food safety laws. The nature of alleged offences ranged from failing to maintain food premises to the required standard of cleanliness, to operating a food business without a license, and evidence... ...Read more »

Reports are circulating in the European press that the world’s largest yoghurt maker Danone could make a play for Italian dairy firm Parmalat. Parmalat’s share price soared overnight as rumours swirled in the wake of a 3 billion euro (A$5.4b) capital raising by Danone earlier this week. The French company indicated the money would be used to pay down debt and/or make acquisitions and, given Parmalat’s market capitalisation is around the exact amount they raised, it has ensured speculation... ...Read more »

A new study from New Zealand has indicated that supermarket chains are much more likely to discounts unhealthy drinks than healthier alternatives. The research, published in Nutrition & Dietetics by Wiley-Blackwell, covered 1,500 discounts over a month in four supermarkets in the New Zealand city of Wellington, with just 15 per cent related to the promotion of healthy non-alcoholic beverages. Author Louise Signal, from the University of Otago, believes some, but not all, of the difference can... ...Read more »

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory (WCB) has this morning announced a profit downgrade as continued dairy market volatility and decisions made earlier in the year continue to bite. “Continuing volatility in factors affecting the Company’s financial performance means that the Company’s net loss is likely to exceed the $10-12m foreshadowed earlier in the year,” the dairy firm advised in a statement. “The continuing volatility means that the final amount of the loss... ...Read more »