New figures show that Western Australia exported a record $6 billion worth of food and agricultural commodities in the last financial year despite a deterioration in global markets. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said growing demand for WA products from the Middle East and Asia had seen exports easily exceed the previous year’s record $4.7 billion. “The value of our agrifood exports grew 28 per cent in 2008-09. This is a real testament to the strength of our industries... ...Read more »

America’s food watchdog is testing nutrition claims found on the front of food packaging after complaints of misleading health claims, the regulator informed food companies earlier this week. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned that the health claims may be becoming a marketing gimmick and will punish anyone breaking labelling laws. “Some nutritionists have questioned whether this information is more marketing oriented than health oriented, and judging from some of the... ...Read more »

Minister for Trade Simon Crean today announced the make-up of the business Advisory Panel to the Building Brand Australia project, with two the country’s leading players in the FMCG sector joining forces. Michael Luscombe, CEO of Woolworths – the nation’s largest supermarket chain and Rob Murray, Chief Executive of dairy, juice and alcohol group Lion Nathan National Foods, will be on a six-member board to be chaired by eminent businessman David Mortimer. Mr Crean said he was delighted... ...Read more »

As concern is raised about the availability of affordable, healthy food, a new food rating system has been introduced to analyse both the nutrition and cost value of food. The Affordable Nutrition Index (ANI), unveiled this week at the American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo by leading nutrition expert Adam Drewnowski, PhD, professor at the University of Washington, is the first and only tool that assesses food’s nutritional profile and cost value to create... ...Read more »

A new funding program will bolster support for Victoria’s organic food industry, according to the state government. Announcing the grants package during National Organics Week, Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said Victoria was the biggest producer of organic milk and is the nation’s leading organic food processor. “The Brumby Labor Government’s $400,000 Support for Organics Grant Program will continue to foster Victoria’s nation-leading approach... ...Read more »

Kirin Holdings’ purchase of Lion Nathan was implemented today, ensuring the creation of the largest supplier of food and beverages to Australian supermarkets. Kirin’s operations in Australia will now be merged under the name of Lion Nathan National Foods, although the day-to-day operations of the two firms are unlikely to change greatly. The headquarters of Lion Nathan will remain in Sydney, while the headquarters of National Foods will still be in Melbourne. Lion boss Rob Murray will... ...Read more »

A new report has revealed what Indigenous Australians have known for years: that the bush contains many native foods that have significant health benefits.The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) commissioned the CSIRO to produce the report Evaluation of Native Foods for Health-Enhancing Compounds. The report looked at 13 native herbs and spices and fresh fruit samples, including the Kakadu Plum, Desert Lime, Lemon Aspen, Tasmania Pepper Berry, Bush Tomato and Lemon Myrtle. It... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, Coca-Cola Amatil, yesterday informed delegates at the Citigroup Australian Investment Conference that strong sales growth in the first half of 2009 had continued in the third quarter, while capital expenditure is set to rise. Nessa O’Sullivan, Chief Financial Officer – Operations, gave a brief insight into the third quarter trading performance of the firm prior to the official results presentation on November 5. Her assertions that strong... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest brewer has today informed shareholders that they are on track to meet guidance for the current year (ex-currency), but are beginning to encounter headwinds as a result of a surging Australian dollar. “Adjusting for currency, Foster’s performance in the first quarter has been in line with expectations,” Chief Executive Officer Ian Johnston said at the AGM. “In Australia, beer is continuing to benefit from positive market conditions and earnings momentum... ...Read more »

Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket operator, has indicated that it expects to see continued food disinflation for the remainder of this year.Speaking following the release of Woolworth’s first quarter results, CEO Michael Luscombe said that the company had passed lower commodity costs onto consumers. “I think this was a really good quarter for Woolies, but more importantly I think it was a really good quarter for Australian families,” he told analysts during a conference... ...Read more »