After launching their sustainability strategy one year ago the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has this week reported on progress, with a number of companies already well on the way to the stated aim of a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Innovation BSDA President and Britvic Chief Executive, Paul Moody, said the industry had made a number of innovative moves in line with consumer demands. “The soft drinks industry depends on a continual stream of new ideas,... ...Read more »

Foster’s Group, Australia’s largest brewer, has today announced the appointment of a new leader of the wine division in Australasia. David Dearie, former Managing Director of global drinks business Brown Forman, will assume the role of Managing Director, Australasian Wine – a role created by the Wine Strategic Review completed in February this year. “I am delighted to welcome someone of David’s calibre to the executive leadership team” CEO, Ian Johnston, said.... ...Read more »

Heinz has announced a “leadership realignment” involving five top senior executives as part of their process of broadening the capabilities of their leadership team. The management changes, effective July 15, include a switch in responsibilities of the two current Heinz executives in charge of the Company’s North American and European businesses. Dave Moran becomes Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Heinz Europe after serving as Executive Vice President, President and... ...Read more »

Costco Wholesale Managing Director Patrick Noone has reported that the retailer remains unperturbed by the economic conditions as results from their early membership drive surpass expectations. “I think any time is a good time to open,” he told the Sunshine Coast Daily. “If people are value-conscious and brand-conscious, they will come to us.” The world’s ninth largest retailer is destined to shake things up in the retail sector in Australia but questions still linger... ...Read more »

A record 43 fines in eateries from Armidale to Warringah appear on the Government’s name and shame weekly update, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald advised yesterday. Twenty-nine new names join the list, with nine food outlets receiving two or more fines. “For the second week in a row an eatery appears on the list which was caught allowing cigarette smoking in the food preparation area,” Minister Macdonald noted. “Food outlets need to be aware that it’s an offence... ...Read more »

The UK Government has outlined new tactics in their bid to tackle waste, including the possibility of ridding packaging of ‘best before’ dates. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has also indicated that supermarkets could face prosecution for excessive packaging and be required to used more recycled content. The Government is looking to reduce confusion with regard to food labelling – which sees perfectly good food thrown away too often. Consultation with industry... ...Read more »

Discount grocer Aldi has announced it will reformulate all its private label food items to remove the six food colours which were linked to hyperactivity in children by a UK study in 2007. The six colours, [sunset yellow (E110), quinoline yellow (E104), carmoisine (E122), allura red (E129), tartrazine (E102) and ponceau 4R (E124)], have been under fire ever since the late-2007 ‘Southampton Study’ which found that a mix of one of the six food additives with the preservative sodium benzoate... ...Read more »

New findings from research house Mintel have dissected current trends for three of the hottest food and drink markets in the US: ice cream, coffee-houses and alcoholic beverages. Ice cream preferences Mintel discovered seven out of every 10 men prefer plain ice cream flavours, such as chocolate or vanilla, while 74% of women seek out those containing chocolate or candy pieces. Still, each gender seems to enjoy the other’s taste preferences: 66% of women say they also look for plain ice cream,... ...Read more »

Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble, has announced a change at the top of their organisation, with Robert McDonald taking over the role of CEO from A.G. Lafley. Since becoming President and Chief Executive in June 2000, Mr Lafley has overseen a company that has more than doubled sales and has grown its portfolio of billion-dollar brands – from 10 to 23. “A.G. Lafley has led the transformation of P&G over the past nine years,” Jim McNerney, Presiding Director of P&G’s... ...Read more »

A showcase featuring some of the Australasian confectionery industry’s most innovative and ground breaking new products and services was a major highlight at the industry’s premier annual conference, ConTechPlus, held last month. The inaugural Supplier Innovation Showcase, run by the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australasia (CMA) to celebrate confectionery supply chain innovation, attracted extensive interest from throughout Australia and overseas. The four finalists were Innovia Films,... ...Read more »