Kraft is seeking high-tech chocolate bar packaging that will prevent bars from melting. The owner of the Cadbury’s chocolate brand said it is seeking “novel materials or approaches to packaging that can protect single serve chocolate bars from medium term exposure to warm ambient conditions”. Nine Sigma, an ‘open innovation’ consultancy has issued a design tender on the manufacturer’s behalf, with “proof of concept” sought within nine months. “These... ...Read more »

Australians are about to be introduced to a whole new world of dessert extremism that is strictly adults only.  The internationally coveted dessert range Gü will launch in Australia mid- September. Inspiring cult-like behaviour from sweeth tooth fantatics around the globe, it is estimated that a divinely chocolately or fruity Gü product is eaten somewhere in the world every 2 seconds. Next month, Australians will no doubt rapidly become a part of that statistic. Created from a desire to harness... ...Read more »

Australia’s food manufacturing sector and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) retailers have already made strong inroads in addressing obesity through making foods healthier, reducing advertising to children and front-of-pack labelling, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC). NSW Greens MP John Kaye today accused the NSW Coalition of “pandering to their friends in the [food] industry” for not supporting mandatory reductions in salt, fat and sugar in fast foods and... ...Read more »

A new report by consumer research company The Hartman Group investigates the myths of ‘shopper marketing’, a popular marketing strategy aimed at the people who purchase goods, particularly during the actual shopping process. Shopper marketing is a major factor in food marketing, with large numbers of food consumers having their food purchased for them by others, and many decisions on food purchases being made on impulse, or by comparison in-store. The new white paper examines three of... ...Read more »

The Heart Foundation and National Stroke Foundation today expressed disappointment that neither major political party has offered a national action plan addressing Australia’s leading cause of death – cardiovascular disease. The two Foundations called on major parties to commit themselves to a comprehensive national action plan for this largely preventable disease, saying funds invested would reduce costs, save lives and ease the strain on hospitals. It would also reduce the incidence... ...Read more »

Channel 7 has announced an Australian version of the international hit TV show Iron Chef, featuring Neil Perry, Guillaume Brahimi and Guy Grossi, to begin filming in a new Melbourne Kitchen Stadium in September. The original Japanese cult favourite Iron Chef (which screens on SBS on Saturdays) and its successful American spin-off feature well-known restaurant chefs competing against their choice of one of three Iron Chefs, to create a meal using a secret special ingredient. In Channel 7′s version,... ...Read more »

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally yesterday convened the NSW Government’s fast food forum, which includes key policy makers, health representatives, consumer advocates, and fast food producers, manufacturers and suppliers, to discuss food content, labelling and point-of-sale nutritional information. “I would like to thank both health and consumer advocates, and the fast food industry for participating in today’s NSW fast food forum,” Keneally said. “This is a great opportunity to work with... ...Read more »

Russian Standard Vodka today announced the launch of its first ready-to-drink beverage, Russian Standard Vodka Citrus, for the Australian market. The product is the first foray into the RTD market for the 22-year-old premium vodka brand, which holds a 60% share of the Russian premium market. “We are proud to continue our success in Australia with the launch of Russian Standard Vodka Citrus RTD,” said Roustam Tariko, founder and President of Russian Standard Vodka. “Our new RTD is produced with... ...Read more »

US food and drinks giant PepsiCo said its latest investment in Vietnam will take its planned expenditure in the country to US$400 million (A$445.8 million) between 2008 and 2013. PepsiCo yesterday (16 August) committed US$250 million (A$278.6 million) to the country over the next three years in a bid to increase its manufacturing capacity, introduce new products and “strengthen” its existing brands. Speaking at a gathering in Ho Chi Minh City, Saad Abdul-Latif, CEO of PepsiCo Asia, Middle... ...Read more »

US food and edible oils giant Cargill ended its fiscal year with a fourth quarter in which its profits more than doubled, the company announced this week. Cargill posted fourth-quarter net earnings of US$691 million for the three months to the end of May, up from $327 million a year ago. Excluding the results from fertilizer firm The Mosaic Co., in which Cargill owns a majority stake, fourth-quarter profits were up 87%. For the full fiscal year, Cargill’s profits dropped 22% to $3.33bn. Excluding... ...Read more »