The New York City soup stall which inspired Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Soup Nazi’ has reopened its doors, with its strict rules about ordering soup firmly in place. Al Yeganeh, the famously touchy ‘Original Soup Man’, ran a soup stall on 55th Street in Manhattan for 20 years, requiring patrons to “Pick the soup you want. Have your money ready. Move to the extreme left after ordering,” or risk getting the short end of Yeganeh’s temper. Seinfeld’s “No... ...Read more »

British-based baked goods and snacks giant United Biscuits, producer of McVities, Carr’s, Jaffa Cakes, McCoy’s and Phileas Fogg, is rumoured to be next for the hammer, with UK news outlets reporting that a sale is under consideration. Owners, private equity firms Blackstone Group LP and PAI Partners, could net as much as 2 billion pounds (A$3.4 billion) for the sale of the company they purchased in 2006, for 1.6 billion. There is also speculation that the biscuit and snack divisions of... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest grocery retailer Woolworths Ltd yesterday posted a 4.8% increase in annual sales, excluding petrol, for the financial year ended 30 June. Turnover reached $51.7 billion on the back of higher revenues and same-store sales from its divisions in Australia and New Zealand. The retailer’s Australian Food and Liquor division posted the most significant gains, increasing 5.1% on the previous year, to reach $34.67 billion. Woolworths’ New Zealand Supermarkets division... ...Read more »

UK retailer Tesco has withdrawn an advertisement claiming its bread is baked from scratch in-store following a complaint by the Real Bread Campaign (RBC). The complaint, which was upheld by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), questioned the authenticity of the retailer’s claim, when it is believed the majority of loaves are cooked from chilled or frozen. The press ad stated: “Fresh bread. Baked from scratch in our in store bakery. Using 100% British flour. So every single... ...Read more »

- Vote for your favourite steak for the chance to win a trip to Buenos Aires -Are you the kind of person who boasts about knowing where the greatest steak is served? Well, now is the time to put your money where your mouth is and help your favourite steak venue be crowned Pepperjack’s National Steak Champion. Head down to your local participating restaurant, club or pub from 1 August 2010, and put their steak and reputation to the test. If you think their steak lives up to the standard of being... ...Read more »

VicHealth has today welcomed a bid to introduce a mandatory levy on alcohol and junk food advertising, in light of research that shows the overwhelming majority of Victorians want these industries to be accountable for the harm they cause. “A levy on junk food and alcohol advertising would shift the focus away from products that are harmful for health and put the spotlight on the promotion of healthier products,” VicHealth CEO, Todd Harper, said. “We know from VicHealth research... ...Read more »

With only a month until the federal election, peak horticulture body Growcom today called for the major parties to outline their agricultural policies. Chief Executive Officer Alex Livingstone said it was pleasing to see that in recent weeks both major parties had “made the right noises” in accepting the need for a ‘sustainable Australia’ rather than just a ‘big Australia’, whichever side of the population debate they are on. “The Minister for Agriculture and for... ...Read more »

Australian primary schools have given a thumbs-up to McCain School Veggie Patches with a resounding response to a national callout to register for the initiative. More than 1,700 Australian primary schools have registered for the chance to earn resources for their vegetable gardens, including seeds, tools and gardening equipment.For Middle Kinglake Primary School in Victoria, the program’s gardening resources represent a way to expand the vegetable garden they are rebuilding after the devastation... ...Read more »

Fibre-containing food products have flooded the market as Americans struggle to meet their daily fibre recommendations, but the need for something tasty and nutritious doesn’t stop at fibre. Research shows that consumers also are seeking to add more antioxidants and other nutrients to their diets. That’s why Kellogg Company is introducing new Kellogg’s FiberPlusTM Antioxidants Cereals, great-tasting sources of fibre and antioxidant vitamins C and E. Kellogg’s FiberPlusTM... ...Read more »

Belgium-based retailer Delhaize refused to be drawn on whether it would bid for parts of Aldi’s estate in Greece, which the German discount giant is looking to offload.Delhaize, which owns the Alfa-Beta supermarket chain in Greece, has been linked to Aldi’s business in the country, which comprises 38 stores. Aldi said on Friday that it wanted to quit the market and was in talks to sell its outlets. However, a Delhaize spokesman declined to comment directly on whether the retailer would... ...Read more »