Market research firms Packaged Facts and The Hartman Group have discovered a close relationship between consumer perceptions of sustainability and food quality that could impact on shopping behaviour. Sustainability means different things to different people. Asked to identify what the term means to them, consumers most frequently respond “the ability to last over time” and “the ability to support oneself”. Sustainability is also strongly associated with environmental concerns,... ...Read more »

Kraft is changing the name of their Vegemite spin-off after facing a backlash from consumers. The company announced the naming of the new product on Saturday, but iSnack 2.0 doesn’t appear to have struck the right chord with consumers. The internet is littered with negative posts about the name and it has already been infused into the famous Hitler outrage scene from the movie Downfall. For those unfamiliar with the Downfall clip, it shows Hitler getting upset in German with English subtitles.... ...Read more »

A leading anti-obesity group is calling on the Federal Government to fund a nutritional survey as part of their drive to determine what food items should be taxed. The Obesity Policy Coalition, which includes the Cancer Council Victoria and VicHealth among its members, is pushing for a junk food tax and they claim a new nutritional survey would allow for analysis of the ‘highest risk’ foods and future comparisons. As such, a framework could be developed for a targeted junk food tax. The... ...Read more »

It’s been billed as the ultimate in convenience and enjoyed phenomenal growth over the past few years but according to new research from Mintel, it seems many Brits are yet to click with online grocery shopping – a sign that it will not be plain sailing for Australia’s supermarket chains. Market share of online grocery is considerably higher in the UK, largely due to an earlier commitment by the major retailers. In Australia, Coles and Woolworths have only this year branched out... ...Read more »

Three semi-naked male food handlers working in a kitchen at a Sydney restaurant are the latest in a record list of 127 fines to appear on the NSW Government’s Name and Shame website yesterday, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said. Two kitchen staff at Vinh Phat restaurant in Cabramatta were found working in the kitchen topless to the waist and a third man was wearing a singlet, during an inspection by council health officers. “This incident is a blatant breach of food safety... ...Read more »

The head of global marketing and innovation at brewer Foster’s has resigned this week to take up a new role with a different company, according to reports. Anthony Heraghty controversially joined the brewer three years ago after leaving the former advertising agency of Foster’s. A year later the ad agency at Foster’s was changed. During his time at the agency Foster’s received acclaim for their Boonie doll promotion and the Big Ad for Carlton Draught. Court case Mr Heraghty,... ...Read more »

Pie and sausage roll lovers can tuck into their favourite fare with confidence, after a new food safety survey gave a selection of bakery products an almost perfect score, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said this week.A survey of 172 savoury pastry products by the NSW Food Authority showed 99.75 per cent were microbiologically safe. “This is a great result, it means consumers can be confident that their meat pie or other favourite bakery products are being made to the highest... ...Read more »

The new international crop year begins 1 October and sugar is facing a global deficit, while corn, soybean and wheat prices may have a soft end to the year. If sugar prices rise too high, demand could temporarily weaken. This month, the Rabobank Agri Commodities Monthly looks at the effects of global fundamentals, prices and gives an outlook for sugar, wheat, corn and soybeans. Sugar * Deficit of 9 million tonnes expected for 2008/09 international crop year. * Continuing concern regarding impact... ...Read more »

Federal Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has announced a two-year, $2 million funding program to help Foodbank Australia address the growing problem of hunger in Australia. Foodbank is Australia’s largest national food relief organisation which receives generous support from the nation’s food and grocery manufacturers to deliver valuable food and drink supplies to every state via charities, including St Vincent De Paul, to thousands of... ...Read more »

After years of mediocre sales, the potato chip market came alive again during the global downturn, according to market research firm Mintel, with sales jumping 22%*. In addition, other salty snacks experienced recession-fueled sales surges. The tortilla chip market increased by 18% since 2007, while smaller segments like popcorn and cheese snacks saw similar gains (17% and 20%, respectively). Now that economic recovery is starting to take hold, however, Mintel expects sales increases to taper. Over... ...Read more »