Melbourne-based Franchised Food Company (FFCo)’s new general manager of new business, Jason Charles has big plans for the growth of the business. Previously national operations manager for potato-based franchise Spudbar, and with extensive franchise experience with groups including Dominoes, Coffee Club and BB’s Cafe, Mr Charles will be responsible for the recruitment of franchisees and selection of store sites with the expanding franchise company, which owns the Cold Rock Ice Creamery,... ...Read more »

World-famous restuarant El Bulli is to become a non-profit foundation from 2014 after a two-year closure, announced chef and owner Ferran Adria on Monday at the Santiago Gastronomic Forum. The Catalan restaurant, with three Michelin stars and winner of the S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant four years running, is set to become a “foundation for all avant-garde gastronomy lovers… a breeding ground for new ideas and for new talents.”  Adria will offer scholarships for chefs and... ...Read more »

Red Rooster yesterday released a new promotional line of free range chicken burgers, sourced from Ferguson Valley Free Range chicken farms in Western Australia. The two burgers target a higher price point than the standard Red Rooster range, combining sourdough buns, avocado, lettuce and sweet onion relish with the free-range chicken.  The Deluxe Free Range burger will include tomato, and the Ultimate Free Range burger will include tasty cheese and (non-free-range) bacon. The burgers begin at $6.95... ...Read more »

New consumer research released today by Millward brown, using the ‘TrustR’ metric, named Cadbury Dairy Milk as Australia’s third most trusted brand, after Colgate and Nokia. Nescafé came in fifth, Coca-Cola’s Mount Franklin at seventh, and Woolworth’s/Safeway in the tenth place. The metric measures consumer responses to the question “How trustworthy is this brand?” and “Would you recommend this brand?” The scores are indexed and combined to... ...Read more »

The European Commission today proposed that the European Union should press for a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna, to enter into force within the next year. European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said, “We have a responsibility to future generations to take decisive action when faced with the likelihood that a species will disappear forever. We have the duty to preserve our natural capital. Since there is a high risk that Atlantic bluefin tuna will soon be gone... ...Read more »

Lamb production and prices are on track to post a record high in 2010, up 2% on 2009 levels, despite extremely low flock numbers, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s 2010 Sheep Projections. “The key factor underpinning this production growth is improved pasture conditions in southern Australia, combined with the positive price signals for lamb that continue to drive the shift in flock composition towards prime lamb production,” said MLA sheepmeat analyst Kara Tighe. “The... ...Read more »

Nutritional health expert Dr Peter Clifton, co-author of the popular CSIRO Wellbeing Diet and head of the Obesity and Preventative Health Flagship at Adelaide University, said today that reducing salt in bread could drastically reduce heart attacks and strokes. Speaking to food industry leaders at today’s FoodLegal Symposium in Sydney, Dr Clifton said, “Salt is a major issue with levels for many foods still rising rather than falling.” According to Dr Clifton, reducing salt levels in bread... ...Read more »

UK company Associated British Foods has today announced an expected strong increase in revenue for the period to 27 February 2010, on the back of strong sugar performance and Australian grocery profits. ABF, Australia’s second-largest food business, owns George Weston, including brands such as Tip Top, Burgen, Don smallgoods and KR Castlemaine.  Their companies also include Twinings, Patak’s, Maille and Tabasco. According to ABF, in addition to the Australian dollar, infrastructure improvements... ...Read more »

Campbell Soup Co. plans to use promotions to revive sales of its ready-to-serve soups in the US after a quarter in which sales of the products slid 18%.The fall in ready-to-serve soup sales, particularly Campbell’s Chunky range, weighed on the company’s domestic soup revenues, which fell 8% during the three months to the end of January. The company said it had managed to increase sales of condensed soup and broths on a volume basis but admitted a lack of promotional activity had held... ...Read more »

Consumer group CHOICE has announced today the short list of nominees for the inaugural CHOICE Awards which are being held in Sydney on March 15 2010.The awards, which highlight the very best in goods and services, are for six categories including Best Retailer, Best Baby Brand, Best Technology Innovator, Best Food Endorsement Program and Best Low-Fee Bank Account. The organisations short listed in each category have been selected from hundreds of product tests and research projects undertaken by... ...Read more »