Cadbury Australia has released a special edition of Australia’s oldest chocolate bar, the Cherry Ripe. The new Cherry Roll is a 50g chocolate bar, described by Cadbury as ‘Ripe Juicy Cherries and Coconut all dipped in Old Gold® Rich Dark Chocolate, sprinkled with Coconut’, contains whole glace cherries and is covered in coconut. Cadbury will bolster the release of the new bar with “Paint the Town Red” retailer and wholesaler promotional competitions during August and... ...Read more »

NSW abbatoir Ramsey Food Processing will be prosecuted for alleged underpayments, totalling more than $60,000, for workers laid off in 2008. The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operator of the beef and veal abattoir at South Grafton, in NSW, with documents lodged in the Federal Court in Sydney allegeing that the company denied 11 of its employees more than $60,000 when it terminated their employment. Facing court over alleged contraventions of workplace laws is Ramsey Food... ...Read more »

Synutra International, Inc, a leading infant formula company in China and a producer, marketer and seller of nutritional products for infants, children and adults, today announced that China’s Ministry of Health has found no link between Synutra’s infant milk powder and premature development of breasts in infants. The MOH announced on August 15th, after investigating claims that Synutra’s infant milk formula was linked to premature development in three infants, that no banned hormones... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Sara Lee is reformulating the recipes on two of its bread products in the US to remove high fructose corn syrup. It is reformulating its Sara Lee Soft and Smooth white and whole wheat breads varieties to remove the high fructose corn syrup and use sugar instead. In addition, its Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread now includes vitamin D. “Sara Lee Soft & Smooth breads are among the best selling breads in the United States and our core audience, parents with... ...Read more »

PepsiCo stands to benefit from “significant” investment in functional and healthy products, amid tightening restrictions on the marketing of ‘junk foods’ to children, the head of health policy at the company said yesterday. Derek Yach, senior vice president of global health policy for PepsiCo, said the US group had set itself nutrition targets to meet the increasing global focus on reducing childhood obesity. “You can argue that every time there is a restriction on marketing... ...Read more »

Carlton & United Breweries and Asahi Breweries Ltd, brewer of Japan’s leading exported beer, Asahi Super Dry, today extended a long term exclusive license to sell and market Asahi Super Dry in Australia. “We have a longstanding relationship with Carlton & United Breweries and we’re delighted it is set to continue,” said Asahi Breweries Ltd President and Chief Operating Officer Mr Naoki Izumiya. “We are extremely pleased with Asahi Super Dry’s performance in Australia and are confident... ...Read more »

Australian franchise giant Retail Food Group, owner of Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, bb’s cafe and Big Dad’s Pies franchise systems, has today reported a record 10.6% increase in full year net profit after tax, to $26 million.  Collectively, RFG has 1,122 stores across Australia and New Zealand. RFG’s board announced a 37% increase in fully franked final dividend to 6.5 cents per share, given the Company’s strong performance and robust cash position. “The... ...Read more »

The UK Food Standards Agency is reminding caterers and consumers of the importance of refrigerating fish properly, following a number of incidents involving scombrotoxic fish poisoning during the (UK) summer. Scombrotoxic fish poisoning is linked to eating fish from the family that includes tuna, mackerel, and herring. It is caused when fish and fish products are not refrigerated correctly. Warmer temperatures allow bacteria to multiply and produce a chemical called histamine at levels that can... ...Read more »

Leading premium brand, Bonne Maman, is being relaunched in Australia by national food marketing and distribution business, Menora Foods. Bonne Maman, the unrivalled market leader in France with more than 35 percent of market share, is now available in Australia at leading independent supermarkets and from September in selected Coles stores nationwide. “Menora Foods is excited to add Bonne Maman conserves to its range of market-leading brands, and allow Australians the opportunity to experience... ...Read more »

From today, all primary and secondary schools across Australia can register for the Coles Sports for Schools program to get new sporting equipment for their school. Launched at Carlton Gardens Primary School by Coles Managing Director, Ian McLeod, and seven-time Gold Medal winner, Cathy Freeman, Coles Sports for Schools offers schools the chance to get brand new sporting equipment simply through families, friends and the local school community doing their normal weekly shop at Coles. “The fact... ...Read more »