A joint venture between The Maryborough Sugar Factory and Bundaberg Sugar is one step closer, with a green light from the Foreign Investment Review Board. The 50/50 joint venture would include the far north Queensland sugar cane milling operations of both parties. “We now look forward to completing this transaction and having the joint venture ready for the 2011 sugar crushing season. This joint venture is a critical element in our efforts to consolidate sugar milling operations in Far North Queensland... ...Read more »

Geographical indications – food products which are ‘trademarked’ only if they come from a particular production region – are an effective tool for countries to compete in a global economy, but good implementation is vital. Some of the most famous products bearing geographical indications (GI) include Champagne, Brie, tequila and Bordeaux, all of which must be generically named unless they are made in their specific GIs. Assistant professor of sociology at North Carolina State... ...Read more »

A Canberra restaurant has been closed and its owner fined $1500 after it was discovered that food was being prepared in the car park behind the restaurant. The owner of the Tak Kee Roast Inn, Kin Wah Wong, was convicted in the ACT Magistrates Court of three food safety offences relating to food preparation on dirty premises (including a dirty chopping block and rusty knife), and defrosting and food preparation in the car park without protection from contamination. The court was told that the violations... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council has called on the Federal Government to create a national food strategy to sustain Australia’s growing population and safeguard the nation’s food manufacturing industry. “The rising population in Australia is a major challenge facing industry as without a sustainable food supply in the future, Australia’s ability to produce safe and affordable, clean and nutritious food is at grave risk,” said AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell. “That’s why we... ...Read more »

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today announced a $790,000 supply chain assistance payment for horticulture exporters. The money will cover 40% of the fees paid by exporters between 1 July 2009 and 15 September 2009, before the introduction of the Export Certification Reform Package (ECRP). “After consultation with the joint industry-Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Horticulture Export Ministerial Taskforce, I have agreed to this one-off assistance... ...Read more »

Charlie’s Group Australia, producer of Charlie’s brand juices and smoothies and Phoenix Organics soft drinks, has received a $120,000 grant from the South Australian government to increase production capacity. Charlie’s Group, based in New Zealand, took over the Renmark orchard and factory of Australia’s Gallard and Mirage Group in 2007, to form Charlie’s Group Australia. The move allowed the company to produce its juices close to a long-term assured fruit supply, and... ...Read more »

Campbell Soup Company will begin shipping 21 lines of reduced-sodium soup this month, with salt levels reduced between 25% and 45% on previous levels. The soups, including favorites like Chicken with Rice and Minestrone, are expected to appear on supermarket shelves beginning in June, with all varieties in stores by mid-September. Most will feature communication on the front label that reads “Less Sodium – With Natural Sea Salt Added” to indicate that they are now lower in sodium. Campbells... ...Read more »

SPC Ardmona have advised their suppliers that the company will not be able to accept all the peaches and pears produced in the coming season. A letter from SPC Ardmona, owned by soft drink giant Coca-Cola Amatil, said that the quota for canning pears would be reduced by as much as 25%. “In the current economic climate, the company anticipates difficulties in recovering lost export markets for pear products, and we expect there will be a reduction in the canning pear requirement,” said... ...Read more »

Health experts have advised women who are pregnant or breastfeeding that they need to ensure they get enough iodine. Recent findings from the National Iodine Nutrition Survey showed that much of the Australian population is mildly iodine deficient. Mandatory fortification of bread with iodine has recently been introduced, but Dr John Burgess of the Tasmanian Ministerial Thyroid Committee said that while the measures were excellent for the general population, they do not provide enough iodine for... ...Read more »

The latest figures from consumer research company Roy Morgan show customer satisfaction in Australia remains highest among Aldi’s patrons by a wide margin, followed by Coles and IGA, with Woolworths dropping to last place. Aldi customers reported 91.9% satisfaction – a 12-month high – compared to 86.4% for Coles, 85% for IGA and Woolworths 84.3%, over the 6 months’ average to April 2010. “The lead that Aldi holds for satisfying more of its customers is back on the increase,”... ...Read more »