UK department store Marks and Spencer is introducing packaging for its Swiss chocolate range that can either dissolve or be put on the compost heap. The tray is made out of Plantic, a corn starch-based product that breaks down when it becomes moist. Once outside, the Plantic tray will take around three weeks to totally break down, the UK retailer said. It can also be put under water, where it will dissolve in a matter of minutes. Helene Roberts, head of packaging at M&S, said: “This is... ...Read more »

A new study by Cornell University suggests that the simplest way to persuade kids to make healthy food choices in school canteens is to make them easy and appealing. In one set of schools examined, sales of fruit increased by 100% when it was moved to a colorful bowl. Salad bar sales tripled when the cart was placed in front of cash registers. The conclusion of six different studies with over 11,000 middle and high school studies show that psychology and economics might be better than outlawing tasty... ...Read more »

Food manufacturers have joined forces with the Canadian government on a campaign aimed at helping consumers understand nutrition labels on food products. Around 34 firms, including Kellogg, PepsiCo, Campbell Soup Co. and Kraft Foods have signed up to the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign, which was launched on Friday (22 October). Health Canada, the country’s government department dealing with national health policy and Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), the industry association,... ...Read more »

The news that Australasian premium beverage company Charlie’s Group Australia has sold in to 750 Coles stores nation-wide is a big boost for fruit growers in the South Australian region.Charlie’s produces its ‘not from concentrate’ juices and smoothies from a Renmark (S.A.) production unit established in 2008 especially to take advantage of the region’s prolific citrus production. Coles is stocking 11 of Charlie’s products nationally with the deal having the potential... ...Read more »

Last week at the 2010 Royal Melbourne Wine Show Awards, WA wine producer Harvey River Bridge Estate was awarded the Jimmy Watson memorial Trophy for the 2009 Joseph River Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine blended from the Margaret River and the Geographe region.Margaret River is traditionally known as a premium producer of cabernet sauvignon, but lesser known regions such as Geographe are now also becoming acknowledged for their production of premium wines. This is the second major award won in the... ...Read more »

Nestle has recorded an increase in sales for the first nine months of the year, driven by double-digit organic growth in emerging markets. For the January to September period, group sales reached CHF82.8bn (US$85bn), representing growth of 6.1% on an organic basis and 4.5% of “real internal growth” – Nestle’s figure to measure the growth achieved without external funding and excluding pricing, currency exchange and acquisitions Nestle’s food and beverage operations... ...Read more »

Australian olive oil maker Kailis Organic Olive Groves has acquired the olive assets of collapsed local agribusiness Great Southern Limited. According to Kailis, the deal will make it the “world’s largest vertically integrated organic olive oil producer”. The acquisition includes 1,795 hectares of planted and irrigated olive groves, water licences, associated infrastructure and equipment. The value of the deal was not disclosed, however a company spokesperson told just-food that... ...Read more »

Book 8 times, Eat On The HouseFrom the people who brought Australia’s dining lovers Dimmi instant online reservations comes Dimmi Rewards for those who like to have their cake and eat it! Dimmi has been embraced by over 1,500 restaurants and cafes around Australia from our local diners to the hottest dining establishments who regularly grace the pages of glossy food and lifestyle magazines, not to mention our most watched TV programs. Simply make eight (8) bookings online with Dimmi and diners... ...Read more »

McCAIN Foods Season’s Choice Frozen Berry range will be available in Coles supermarkets nationwide from November, providing more customers with the convenience of having their favourite berries frozen fresh and available all year round.Having already established its presence through strong sales at Woolworths and other independent supermarkets, the addition of the Season’s Choice range into Coles cements McCAIN Foods as a leader in the frozen fruit category. “McCAIN has been providing... ...Read more »

The first insights released today from the latest research report from Kidspot.com.au (Australia’s leading parenting website) puts the buying habits of Australian mums under the microscope and reveals what has the greatest influence on their decisions at each stage of the purchase journey. Based on a quantitative study of 2,165 mums conducted between August and September this year, across www.kidspot.com.au and www.birth.com.au plus Facebook, the study set out to help marketers successfully... ...Read more »