The High Court of Australia has ordered Lion Nathan National Foods to scrap the word ‘Barefoot’ on its Barefoot Radler beer range, after losing a trademark case against US wine giant E. & J. Gallo Winery. Gallo is the current registered owner of the registered trade mark ‘Barefoot’ and took the brewer to the Federal Court more than two years ago, claiming Lion Nathan’s Barefoot Radler brand infringed Gallo Winery’s ‘barefoot’ trademark, used to... ...Read more »

The Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign (AMAG) believes it should be mandatory for all food products to carry a country of origin claim. In its submission to the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy AMAG also recommended the term  ‘Made in Australia’ may only be used when the food product meets the full criteria set out in the Trade Practices Act. AMAG also called for more stringent guidelines for country of origin claims so a food product which contains a high percentage of... ...Read more »

Two contestants on Australian reality cooking show MasterChef are up for elimination after last night having to completely scrap one of their dishes after discovering the filo pastry bought from Coles was past its use-by date. Contestants Philip Vakos and Callum Hann found themselves in a race against the clock when they discovered the frozen filo pastry was expired after they had left the supermarket. Instead of making the traditional Greek pie, spanakopita, they compromised by using what they had... ...Read more »

 The Australian Government is looking to reduce the consumption of high sugar drinks in remote communities. The move comes on the back of a study published by the Menzies School of Health Research on Monday (17 May), which found income management in the Northern Territory had done little to dampen soft-drink sales. The research showed there had been an increase in the consumption of high sugar drinks in stores from October 2006 to September 2009. The research also cited reports that soft drinks... ...Read more »

Brazilian orange juice manufacturers Citrosuco and Citrovita announced earlier this week their plans to merge to form the biggest orange juice producer in the world with sales exceeding two billion reais ($A1.23 billion). Chief Executive of Citrosuco Tales Lemos Cubero told Estado news agency that after the merge, the new company will have the capacity to produce 25 per cent of all orange juice in the world. The two companies Citrosuco and Citrovita will each have 50 per cent stakes in the new company.... ...Read more »

After more than a decade of industry push to Australian governments, Australia has now adopted internationally competitive and uniform national trade measurements, which will bring Australian requirements for weights and measures on pre-packaged goods into line with other major OECD countries, including New Zealand and Europe. Chief Executive of Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Kate Carnell believes this is a milestone and said the new single national system will allow industry to improve... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) director Terry Davis has denied speculation that the firm is interested in buying rival beverage firm Foster’s. In July last year, Davis hinted that the soft drinks group might consider a play for Foster’s’ beer unit, should Foster’s sell off its wine business. He was quoted in local reports at the time as saying that CCA’s portfolio has no space for wine brands. The firm also appointed former Foster’s Group executive John Murphy as managing... ...Read more »

National Foods could be set to close down its yoghurt production facility at Wetherill Park in NSW. According to Crikey, who was sent a tip by an anonymous source, says the closure will run by the project name ‘Rainbow’, under Logistics Manager Kevin Bull, and that many jobs will be lost in NSW, with only the Morwell yoghurt facility to remain. Also reported was that the food giant has spent close to $30 million in building a brand new line at Wetherill Park to make its Thick ‘n Creamy... ...Read more »

The Australian Hotels Association (NSW) has expressed concern over recent revelations that kids are having takeaway liquor delivered to their front doors. AHA (NSW) Chief Executive Officer Sally Fielke said it was alarming that minors could so easily access discount, bulk liquor and that so little controls were in place to combat this. “We know that 70% of alcohol purchased is consumed away from licensed venues and that 90% of alcohol-related crime also occurs away from licensed venues. Clearly... ...Read more »

A Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Miyazaki Prefecture on the southern Island of Kyushu in Japan has caused Japan to suspend exports of its famous wagyu beef.  The outbreak has spread to over 100 farms, resulting in the slaughter of around 85,000 pigs and cattle, including wagyu breeding stock. The Japanese government has pledged over $1 billion in assistance to help contain the outbreak and protect the wagyu name. The Australian Wagyu Association said “It is times like these that we are... ...Read more »