A proposal to ban alcohol advertising in sport has been put forward by the Federal Government’s Preventative Health Taskforce, according to newspaper reports. The Taskforce, set up to offer a guide to the future health strategy of the nation, handed their report to the government at the end of last month – although it has yet to be publicly released. Reports from News Limited suggest that it highlights a need to rid sport of alcohol advertising in a bid to tackle binge drinking. The issue... ...Read more »

Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage firm, San Miguel Corporation, has outlined an interest in the Asia Pacific operations of multinational producer Dole Food Company. The brewer told the Manila Stock Exchange that they were hoping their expansion could gather pace via a possible acquisition of Dole’s regional business. “We confirm that the Company is interested in Dole Food Co. and its other units in the Asia-Pacific Region,” they said in a statement. San Miguel did... ...Read more »

Discount grocer Aldi has suggested that Western Australia is not in their short-medium term plans after announcing expansion plans earlier this week. The German-owned retailer launched its first television campaign in Australia on Wednesday and outlined plans for a future national store network of up to 700 – or over three times current levels. Aldi indicated western expansion was likely for the first time this week, when saying they would expand to Adelaide at some point – although they... ...Read more »

From organic sneakers to yoga packs, turmeric paste to potatoes, certified organic products are in demand and growing in popularity around the world. The 2009 Organic Expo Awards, launched in 2007 by organisers Smeaton Hackett Evans, recognise excellence in the flourishing industry. All products entered must be certified organic and on display at the 2009 Organic Expo. They are judged on taste, aroma, quality, fitness-for-purpose, packaging, impact on the environment, aesthetics, saleability, labelling,... ...Read more »

A report released yesterday by ABARE has highlighted an 8% increase in the value of Australian aquaculture despite an overall value decline of one per cent for the seafood industry last year. The total volume of Australian fisheries production fell by 3 per cent (7,800 tonnes) to 236,000 tonnes, while the overall value fell by one per cent to $2.19 billion. Tasmania was the largest producer by value (22%) followed by South Australia (21%) and Western Australia (20%), with the northern prawn fishery... ...Read more »

Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has reported plans to develop a worldwide sustainable product index that will see an eco-rating placed on all grocery products sold at their stores. The groundbreaking initiative, announced overnight during a meeting with 1,500 of its suppliers, associates and sustainability leaders, will establish a single source of data for evaluating the sustainability of products. “Customers want products that are more efficient, that last longer and perform... ...Read more »

Leading British supermarkets and their customers have effectively halved the number of carrier bags handed out since 2006. Having achieved a cut in bag numbers of 26 per cent by the end of 2008 (compared with 2006 figures), supermarket customers have made incredible progress and extended this to a 48 per cent reduction in England in just a further five months. Comparing May 2006 to May 2009, 346 million fewer bags were used by customers in that one month alone. The new figures, announced today by... ...Read more »

The latest research from UK research firm Mintel has discovered the market for mints is suffering. After seeing growth in the early part of this decade on the back of strong and sugar-free products, sales of mints have performed poorly in the UK. Over the last five years alone, the mint sector has declined by as much as 8% – falling from £204 million (A$416m) in 2004 to just £187 (A$382m) million in 2009. What is more, things are looking pretty sticky for the future of the humble mint, as... ...Read more »

The UK’s competition watchdog has defended its proposal for a planning test for the country’s supermarkets despite fierce criticism from Tesco and questions from some industry watchers.The Competition Commission told just-food that the UK grocery sector was not “flawless” and that its plan for a “competition test” would boost competition and benefit consumers. “We believe it is needed. Retailers have to work a bit harder when faced by their competitors,”... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Sydney against Personalised Chocolates 4U Pty Ltd and its director, Troy Patching, for alleged contraventions of the Trade Practices Act 1974.The ACCC has alleged that PC4U marketed and sold personalised chocolate franchises by making false, misleading and deceptive representations, including representations that: * software essential to the franchise business would be provided to franchisees when... ...Read more »