Sixteen major food and beverage manufacturers have now signed up to the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative, as the AFGC announced full details of the compliance program. The companies have publicly committed not to advertise to children aged under 12, unless the product promotes healthy dietary choices and a healthy lifestyle consistent with scientific standards. AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said the initiative, which came into effect... ...Read more »

CSR, Australia’s largest sugar producer and exporter, is planning a separation of their sugar and building products businesses. The company advised investors this morning that they were “proceeding with final evaluation and due diligence to confirm the benefits of undertaking a demerger”, which would see two separate listing on the ASX. If the demerger goes ahead it will ensure the creation of a Sugar and Renewable Energy business, and a Building Products business and Property division. “Today’s... ...Read more »

There is optimism regarding winter crop planting and production because of recent rains across the Australian grains belt, according to ABARE’s June issue of the Australian crop report.”Rainfall in late May and early June was timely for those winter crops that had already been sown and provided an opportunity for remaining planting intentions to be realised,” Phillip Glyde, Executive Director of ABARE, said upon releasing the report. The area sown to winter crops in Australia is... ...Read more »

Fine Food Australia is shaping up to be a showcase for everything new in natural foods for retail and hospitality businesses, according to Exhibition Manager, Minnie Constan. “We’re seeing that changing consumption habits are driving an increase in organic food sales, despite the economic downturn. People today prefer to adopt a natural, healthier approach to life and their eating habits,” Ms Constan said. While the economic downturn has led to more Australian families ‘eating... ...Read more »

Western Australia’s independent grocery sector is embarking on a new campaign to convince parliament not to introduce weeknight trading legislation. The campaign began with a full page advertisement in today’s West Australian (June 16) highlighting the fact that extended hours will contradict statements made by the Premier about honouring the daylight saving referendum outcome and go directly against the results of the trading hours referendum held a little over four years ago. Independent... ...Read more »

Private equity group Harmony Capital has acquired all shares in Western Australia’s largest meat processor, Harvey Beef, from Stark Investments and Elders. The deal, which values the company at around $3.5 million, highlights the troubles faced by the firm since the $27 million purchase by joint venture company Harvey Industries Group just three years ago. In March, financial difficulties saw the struggling firm make 160 workers redundant after a new pay deal could not be reached, with the... ...Read more »

Unilever Australasia and Sara Lee Australia today announced a distribution agreement for the full service supply of the Sara Lee Premium Ice Cream range to the ‘out of home market’. Sara Lee, the first brand to enter the Super Premium ice cream market, has close to 30% of the Super Premium segment and is the market leader in frozen desserts in the grocery distribution channel. Sara Lee’s out of home distribution has, to date, focused on cafes and restaurants, with the new deal designed... ...Read more »

A minimum price per standard drink should be introduced as part of an overhaul of alcohol taxes, according to an editorial published in The Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Steven Skov, writing on behalf of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Alcohol Advisory Group, also argues the alcopops tax has helped to reduce overall alcohol consumption in the community and should be reintroduced. “Reintroducing the alcopops tax is important but more comprehensive reform of alcohol taxation and... ...Read more »

First there was wind and solar energy, now UK supermarket operator Sainsbury’s is opening a store where the checkouts will be powered by people.In a European first, Sainsbury’s is installing a revolutionary invention which creates green energy every time a customer simply drives into the car park to do their shopping. The system ensures that whenever a vehicle passes over the ‘Kinetic Road Plates’ in the car park, energy is captured which would otherwise be wasted. Sainsbury’s... ...Read more »

FoodLegal-LawMedia, food industry information and regulatory compliance specialists, will provide guests with everything they need to know about natural and superfoods – a burgeoning sector in the food industry. Presenters at the four hour Symposium include Adjunct Professor Joe Lederman of FoodLegal, Clare Hughes from leading consumer group Choice, Jane Allen from FSANZ, Associate Professor Peter Williams from the Smart Foods Centre of Wollongong University, food science expert Dr Dilip Ghosh... ...Read more »