“There’s a peacock in my back yard – can I eat it for Christmas dinner?” This was just one of the quirky enquiries to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA)’s free consumer helpline over the past year. The answer? We don’t regulate traditional Kiwi activities, like hunting, so there are no food safety rules around killing and eating wild food. But, your catch can still make you sick if it is unhealthy, contaminated or not handled hygienically, so we’ve... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised people not to consume Bonsoy soy milk. Coffee shops, retail and other outlets should also not use this product. This follows a cluster of nine adults aged from 29 to 47, and one child, who have recently presented in NSW with thyroid problems. These individuals all reported consuming Bonsoy soy milk. Subsequent testing of samples of Bonsoy soy milk revealed unusually high levels of iodine. This brand of soy milk is enriched with “Kombu”,... ...Read more »

The Sydney Fish Market has opened its doors on their annual 36-hour Seafood Marathon, with Sydneysiders flocking to the market to get their essential Christmas supplies. Sydneysiders are expected to buy, on average, almost 1,000 oysters, 93kg of Snapper and 83kg of prawns every minute. The marathon began at 5am today and concludes at 5pm on Christmas Eve. With over 80,000 shoppers expected to descend on the Sydney Fish Market during the event, Louise Nock, Marketing and Communications Manager for... ...Read more »

Federal Trade Minister Simon Crean has welcomed a breakthrough deal on banana imports into the European Union ending a dispute that has been running for 16 years.Mr Crean also welcomed a related agreement to provide deeper tariff cuts on the importation of tropical products into Europe, and other markets, which will benefit Australian exporters once the Doha Round is concluded. The minister said the deals on bananas and tropical products would generate much needed momentum towards concluding the... ...Read more »

While trading down and out of some segments is common during tough economic times, consumers that buy natural and organic food are staying loyal to this health-conscious category, according to new American research. A recent survey from market research firm Mintel shows that nearly 40% of consumers claim they haven’t changed organic product purchasing habits because of the recession and only a mere 3% have stopped buying organic products altogether. “Heavy users of natural and organic... ...Read more »

Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group today announced that an agreement to acquire the Big Dad’s Pies franchise system. Big Dad’s Pies brings to four the number of acquisition transactions announced by the ASX-listed firm in the past month. “The Big Dad’s Pies franchise system comprises 37 South East Queensland based outlets renowned for their specialty pies produced fresh daily,” Retail Food Group CEO Tony Alford said. “The menu... ...Read more »

The US is claiming victory in a trade dispute with China, after Beijing announced it would scrap so-called “famous brand” subsidies. China is withdrawing subsidies for products including sugar confectionery, chocolate, fruit jelly, pies, dried noodles, frozen pork, beef and mutton after Washington successfully argued these handouts were export subsidies banned by the World Trade Organisation. Claiming there have been “dozens” such subsidies, US Trade Representative (USTR)... ...Read more »

The leading representative of food and beverage manufacturers in the UK has expressed disappointment with the outcome of the UN’s conference on climate change summit due to the lack of certainty for the future. “In common with many other sectors, UK food and drink manufacturers were looking to Copenhagen to set a clear and legally binding framework for concerted and equitable international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the development of new low carbon technologies... ...Read more »

Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett yesterday advised of a $12 million rescue package that will “save every job at the King Island abattoir and ensure the long-term future of the renowned beef brand”. Mr Bartlett said the finalisation of the deal had been a long time coming due to a number of complexities. “I am particularly pleased that we have been able to deliver this community some good news before Christmas,” he said. “My goal was to save every single job and that... ...Read more »

In the aim of protecting consumers’ interests, the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) have created a new consumer feedback program to assist with the regulation of unscrupulous organic claims in the market. Consumers are encouraged to provide feedback, report on dubious organic claims on products in the marketplace, (whether certified or non-certified) and to ask their questions relating to organic certification and standards. While certified organic products such as those carrying the “Bud”... ...Read more »