Peak horticulture organisation Growcom today reminded Queenslanders and the state government that repercussions of Queensland’s floods will echo beyond the immediate losses, with disastrous weather since November seriously hitting a number of other horticultural growing regions in the state, and that urgent action was needed to assist all growers who had lost their livelihoods. “Growcom offers our deepest condolences to families who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in Queensland... ...Read more »

The owners of United Biscuits are reportedly looking to auction the company’s biscuits division for around GBP1.5 billion (US$2.39 billion), after China’s Bright Food walked away from talks to acquire the whole company. According to a report in The Mail on Sunday, the move would put the division, which makes brands like McVitie’s and Penguin, up for sale at a value of around nine times last year’s profits – which worth 80% of United Biscuits’ total GBP223m profit. The... ...Read more »

Queensland beverage manufacturer Wimmers Soft Drink has unveiled Wimmers Crave, a blue creaming soda with a secret twist.Aimed at Generation X and Y Crave signals a strategic move away from the brand’s traditionally sophisticated range towards a market the company had not actively focused on in the past. Wimmers Soft Drink National Sales Manager Cameron Wyer said Crave has been well received among distributors with the first production run a sell out before it had commenced. Crave is a sub... ...Read more »

Australians have always been supportive of their local communities, but Datamonitor research has found that this desire has intensified over the past 12 months. Local products are shaping up to be a key source of growth for food and drink companies in 2011. It is well known that Australian consumers want to buy Australian. Most recently a survey (conducted by Roy Morgan Research) of almost 19,000 people found that 90% prefer to buy products Made in Australia.  Now it seems that we do not just want... ...Read more »

Western Australia’s most prestigious biennial event for the foodservice industry, Fine Food Western Australia, is returning to the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre for the fourth time on 20-22 March 2011. Over three days, thousands of visitors will attend WA’s largest food, drink and equipment trade event for the retail, foodservice and hospitality industries. Featuring approximately 200 local and international exhibitors with the latest food, drink and equipment ideas, attendees... ...Read more »

Mars Inc is looking to boost sales of its range of Dolmio Bolognese sauces in the UK with revamped packaging that emphasises the products contain “100% natural ingredients”.The company said the new packaging will also feature the “infamous Papa Dolmio”, a character featured in the brand’s advertising, but until now has not appeared on pack. The new packaging will also feature the key ingredients within the sauces and will not contain any artificial colours, flavours... ...Read more »

UK food manufacturers have been warned that new EU legislation changes could have a major impact on egg availability in 2012.  The EU Welfare of Laying Hens Directive takes effect on 1 January next year and will require egg producers using caged hens to use larger cages, rather than traditional battery farm conditions. British Lion Egg Processors (BLEP) on Friday (14 January) outlined concerns that many EU countries, including Greece, Italy, Portugal, Poland and Spain, will not be compliant by... ...Read more »

The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Bryan Green today announced a reduction in next season’s total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery. “To ensure the industry remains viable in the future decisions need to be made now because of declining fish stocks,” Mr Green said. Mr Green said harvesting levels had shown decreasing numbers over several seasons.  “These measures are about providing a sustainable fishery for generations to come. The... ...Read more »

With over 900 products on shelf displaying the Australian Made logo, Coles Brand is celebrating having more Australian Made products than any other brand in the country. “Buying Australian made and grown products makes sense. Not only are you getting great products that have been made or grown right here, by Australians and to Australia’s high standards; you are also supporting Aussie farmers, fisherman, manufacturers and processors.” Said Ian Harrison, Campaign Chief Executive,... ...Read more »

Childhood obesity appears to have plateaued in NSW, but 23 per cent of school children are still above the healthy weight range, according to a University of Sydney survey released this week.The results of the Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey of over 8,000 NSW schoolchildren were similar to a survey carried out in 2004. Lead researcher, Dr Louise Hardy, said the findings were promising and suggested that current investments to reduce the risk of unhealthy weight gain were beginning... ...Read more »