Research published recently by international food and grocery expert IGD, has found that 80% of food manufacturers and retailers expect to increase their training and development budget per head over the next ten years.The research was unveiled by Joanne Denney-Finch, Chief Executive, IGD, at the Employment and Skills Summit in London. Other findings from the research include:One fifth (19%) of companies expect their training and development budget to increase by more than 25%’Leadership’... ...Read more »

A high-level Saudi Arabian delegation is this week touring Western Australia to investigate significantly boosting wheat exports to the kingdom.The visit is in response to Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman’s invitation to the kingdom’s sole wheat importer, the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organisation.Mr Redman, who visited Saudi Arabia last year as part of a trade mission, said there was considerable potential for WA to become a major wheat supplier to the kingdom.”Saudi... ...Read more »

Campbell’s® Select Harvest® soups were ranked the top new food and beverage product of 2009, according to a report released by Information Resources Inc. (IRI). IRI’s annual New Product PacesettersTM report showcases the most innovative and successful new products of the year in the consumer packaged goods industry. According to the IRI report, Campbell’s Select Harvest soups generated $202 million in sales in its first year on the market.This marks the second time in three years... ...Read more »

Campbell Soup Company, General Mills, PepsiCo and Solae have been recognized by Ethisphere Institute as the World’s Most Ethical Food and Beverage Companies for 2010.This is the fourth year Ethisphere, a think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability, has published the World’s Most Ethical Companies rankings, which appear in Ethisphere Magazine’s Q1 issue.The... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a draft decision proposing to re-authorise collective bargaining arrangements put forward by the Victorian Farmers Federation on behalf of its chicken grower members for a further five years.Victorian chicken growers and processors have been collectively negotiating contracts since 2005 under an existing ACCC authorisation that is due to expire shortly. Authorisation was granted in 2005 following deregulation of the Victorian broiler chicken... ...Read more »

Swedish confectioner Cloetta has insisted its focus on developing innovative new products will drive growth at the company and continue to attract new customers.The company yesterday (23 March) reported a 7% increase in sales for the first half of its fiscal year, excluding the impact of last year’s demerger with Fazer. “We have focused very strongly on developing new products that will attract new customers – not just new customers to our products but consumers who might not otherwise... ...Read more »

Upmarket chocolate maker Lindt & Sprungli had something of a bitter 2009. The downturn, higher cocoa prices and restructuring in key markets hit profits. With consumer confidence fragile, there are questions over whether Lindt will fare much better in 2010. However, the Swiss firm remains confident and, as the business published its 2009 results in Zurich, Dean Best spoke to marketing director Uwe Sommer. You would hardly expect the head office of a chocolate maker to be a gloomy place to work. And... ...Read more »

Seaweed could hold the key to tackling obesity, after it was found it reduces fat uptake by more than 75 per cent, new research at the University of Newcastle has shown. The research, funded by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) found that dietary fibre in seaweed can reduce fat absorbtion by around 75%. Using an artificial gut, they tested the effectiveness of more than 60 different natural fibres by measuring the amount of fat that was digested and absorbed... ...Read more »

European drinks trade publication the drinks business has awarded Tesco their Green Retailer of the Year award, for demonstrated business practices in improving environmental credentials in the drinks retailing industry. Tesco reports that their efforts in packaging reduction, efficient distribution and customer education have had a tangible positive effect on retailing alcoholic drinks. Initiatives such as Tetra Pak wine packaging, made from 75% low-carbon paperboard, have been extremely successful,... ...Read more »

The Restaurant & Catering Industry Association has recognised and celebrated six individuals at their annual Lifetime Achievers presentation dinner, held on Tuesday 9 March 2010. The annual awards night, the seventh since the program was launched in 2003, was held at Parliament House in Canberra and was attended by previous recipients of the award, as well as over fifty MPs. The Lifetime Achiever Program was launched by RCIA to acknowledge those individuals who have made a commitment and contribution... ...Read more »