Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler today announced the phase out by major retailers of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A (BPA).The voluntary phase out by the Wesfarmers group (Coles, K Mart and Target), and retailers Woolworths, Big W and Aldi is the result of months of constructive discussions between the Australian Government and retailers. The phase out will begin on July 1. “Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has evaluated the safety of BPA and plasticisers in baby... ...Read more »

SABMiller, one of the world’s leading brewers, is providing an education for children of sugar cane workers in Honduras.Cerveceria Hondurena, SABMiller’s Honduran subsidiary, set up the ‘Azunosa’ school with the aim of trying to ensure that the sugarcane fields which supply its soft drinks operation are not worked in by under 18 year olds. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) states that sugar cane harvesting is hazardous and is not suitable for people under 18 years old.... ...Read more »

Kvass has been a Russian staple of refreshment for centuries, enjoyed by generations of Russians across the country. Russian poet and novelist Alexander Pushkin describes how Russians believed they needed Kvass like the air for living. This unique taste lands on the shores of America this month when Coca-Cola North America launches Krushka & Bochka Kvass in the New York City area. Opening a bottle of Kvass releases a fragrant bouquet reminiscent of freshly baked bread cooling on a windowsill.... ...Read more »

Kraft Foods today announced it has signed an agreement to sell Cadbury’s E. Wedel-branded chocolate and sugar confectionery operations in Poland to Lotte Group for an undisclosed sum. The sale, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, includes the E. Wedel business, its related brands and a manufacturing facility in Warsaw. Approximately 1,000 Cadbury Wedel employees will transfer to Lotte Group.Kraft Foods will keep the remaining Cadbury business in Poland, including the Halls brand... ...Read more »

Testing by CHOICE of 28 brands of extra virgin olive oil sold in Australian supermarkets has found that half don’t meet widely accepted international standards.  The consumer group says there needs to be a mandatory Australian standard for all olive oils labelled “extra virgin” to ensure they meet basic purity and quality requirements. Of the oils that failed the CHOICE test, most were imported from Italy and Spain. Nine of the top ten tasting brands were Australian and rated... ...Read more »

Wal-Mart has appointed vice chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright as president and CEO of Global.com and Global Sourcing.Bill Simon has been promoted into Castro-Wright’s former position as president and CEO of Wal-Mart US, the retail giant said yesterday (29 June). Castro-Wright, who will continue to serve as vice chairman, and Simon will report directly to company president and CEO Mike Duke. The company said that Global.com and Global Sourcing are becoming increasingly important to Wal-Mart as... ...Read more »

Organic bodies around the world need to work together more closely to promote the environmental benefits of sustainable farming, the departing director of the UK’s Soil Association said yesterday (29 June). Patrick Holden, director of the organic certification body since 1995, plans to step down from the role in September to forward the case for sustainable agriculture around the world. Speaking to just-food, he refused to be drawn on the exact nature of his next role and said more would be... ...Read more »

National Foods to close Wetherill Park and Cobden sites National Foods today advised its workers that the Wetherill Park and Cobden fresh dairy sites will be closed over the next two years, with 280 jobs to be lost. The company will expand its Morwell site in Victoria and Baulkham Hills site in NSW, with volumes expected to triple and equipment to be imported from the closing factories. National Foods plans to spend $55 million on infrastructure for the expansion of the Morwell facility and $10.5... ...Read more »

Victorian fast-food and chain food businesses will be required to put nutritional information on their menus by 2012. Premier John Brumby today announced that all food businesses with 50 or more Victorian outlets, or more than 200 outlets nationwide, would be required to display kilojoule counts next to all food and drink items on menus, as well as including a daily intake statement on all printed menus and menu boards. “This new kilojoule or calorie count will give all Victorians the latest information... ...Read more »

After ten years of careful breeding and research, CSIRO scientists and the prawn industry have developed what could be the world’s most perfect prawn. The Black Tiger prawn is producing record yields in aquaculture farms and winning awards, netting five gold medals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the past two years, including ‘Champion of Show’. Selective breeding for desirable traits like size, markings and preferred conditions are assisted by DNA fingerprints to capture the very best Black... ...Read more »