Australia’s food safety regulator, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), has today announced a number of proposed changes to current food laws and is welcoming the views of any individual or organisation. The three changes under consideration concern the use of phytosterols in food and national food safety standards for eggs and egg products and for meat and meat products. Exclusive use of phytosterol esters in reduced fat cheese products (Application A1019 – Assessment) Kraft... ...Read more »

A new online service released in the US is set to improve information exchange between retailers/wholesalers and suppliers about food and product recalls and withdrawals. Named Rapid Recall Exchange, the service replaces an existing recall system by improving ease of use and adding significant capabilities. “Rapid Recall Exchange represents industry consensus that a standardised product recall system is critical to enhancing effective communication. It is a system designed by the industry and... ...Read more »

Today, the global economy is showing glimmers of stabilising, energy prices have receded, and food prices are increasing at a much slower rate, but the growth of private brands continues, creating strong opportunities for retailers and serving as a cautionary tale for manufacturers. According to the latest “IRI Times & Trends Report: Game-Changing Economy Taking Private Label to New Heights,” American private label unit share has grown at a similar rate to own brands in Australia... ...Read more »

A new nutrition and healthy eating guide released by the CSIRO will help Australian children to enjoy a more balanced and nutritious diet, according to the nation’s leading organisation representing food and grocery manufacturers, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC). Based on scientific research, the CSIRO Wellbeing Plan for Kids book provides a useful guide for parents to encourage their children to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle. The book includes more than 100 healthy... ...Read more »

Water resources are not capable of making the northern regions of Australia the new food bowl of South-East Asia, according to a new study from the CSIRO. There has been great hope for northern Australia to become the new hub of agricultural activity in the nation as drought continues to hamper a number of leading agricultural regions in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. However, the CSIRO has dampened such plans with a new study showing this area to be “water limited” thanks to high... ...Read more »

A new study from the UK has suggested that British supermarkets are more often rounding up their prices to the nearest pound, breaking away from one of the traditional tricks of the trade. Price comparison website mySupermarket.co.uk researched prices at the leading UK grocery chains and discovered that rounding up to the nearest pound or 50 pence was becoming commonplace. For example, a small packet of tuna pate at Sainsbury’s rose from 99 pence to £1 between 2008 and 2009, while half a dozen... ...Read more »

It’s stevia’s year. All-natural and calorie-free, stevia is poised to become the “holy grail” of sweeteners, according to the latest report from market researchers Mintel. Since December 2008, when the FDA approved use of rebaudioside A (an active ingredient of stevia) in US food and beverage, the stevia market has erupted in that nation. The same can’t be said in Australia, however, with the buzz around stevia failing to ignite here despite the ingredient receiving... ...Read more »

The Heart Foundation Tick has netted its first five star chef, with northern Sydney gourmet chain Pizzacutters launching six Tick approved pizzas today.Co-founder of Pizzacutters, Sam Lumbroso, was a five star hotel chef before joining brother Simon at Pizzacutters in 1998. With outlets in Wahroonga, Castle Hill and Mona Vale, Pizzacutters is now embarking on a national franchise expansion strategy. “As a chef, it’s easy to reach for the butter, cream and salt to boost flavour. When... ...Read more »

The Dannon Company, American-based subsidiary of French dairy group Danone, has announced the US$35 million (A$40.6m) settlement of a class action lawsuit regarding alleged misleading advertising for its Activia and DanActive products. Under the settlement, Dannon will make certain changes and enhancements to the labeling and marketing of Activia and DanActive to increase the visibility of the scientific names of the unique strains of probiotics that are in each of these products. Dannon also agreed... ...Read more »

Key elements of the EU food industry should be exempt from plans to auction carbon dioxide emissions permits from 2013, the European Commission has said. The EU executive has unveiled a draft list of businesses it fears could relocate to jurisdictions with weaker climate change rules. Under the list released on Friday (18 September), selected industries would have free carbon credits from 2013 to 2020 and pollution permits would be capped at the 2007-8 levels of the most efficient 10% of companies... ...Read more »