Australian burrito chain Mad Mex has seen a successful uptake on its month-long Cinco de Mayo Big Burrito challenge, reporting over 2000 of the one-kilogram burritos sold at its nine outlets in NSW, Queensland and Victoria. “It’s fantastic to see how popular and how much excitement the Big Burrito Challenge has created with our customers,” says Mad Mex Founder, Clovis Young. “The level of activity on twitter, facebook pages, and in blogs has exceeded our expectation and certainly the sheer... ...Read more »

Key members of the Australian seafood industry and environmental NGOs have come together at the Seafood Services Australia Network Meeting, held at Sydney Fish Market last week, to discuss the need for clearer definitions and terminology, and increased community engagement on sustainability. “The issue we face is that there are many varied definitions and complex terminology relating to sustainability. There are also many eco-labels for seafood around the world – each with different criteria.... ...Read more »

Unilever has been voted as the outright global leader in sustainability, according to the latest survey findings from GlobeScan and SustainAbility. Sustainability experts from across the globe were canvassed as part of the annual SustainAbility survey, with respondents asked to name the companies they consider sustainability leaders; why they think the firm is a leader in sustainable development; and which industries have done the most to advance sustainability in the past year. In a year when commitment... ...Read more »

Consulting firm DMR Corporate has defended its claim that Ricegrowers is undervalued by as much as $100 million, after criticism from the rice processor’s chairman. Ricegrowers shareholders are set to vote on a takeover offer from Spanish group Ebro Foods at the end of the month.DMR Corporate, which “specialises in securities and business valuations”, made its claim when asked by the largest shareholder in the rice firm, which trades as SunRice, to value the company. The DMR report,... ...Read more »

General Mills said today yesterday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a controlling stake in French yoghurt maker Yoplait for EUR810m (US$1.15bn).Under the agreement with Yoplait’s current owners, private-equity group PAI Partners and French dairy co-operative Sodiaal, General Mills with acquire a 51% stake in Yoplait and a 50% stake in a related entity that holds the worldwide rights to the Yoplait brand. Sodiaal, which founded Yoplait, will hold the remaining interest... ...Read more »

A new website, eFarmersMarket, is aiming to bring fresh Australian-made artisan food products to the doorstep of busy Australians everywhere. The website, launching this month, features a range of 750 all-Australian products, including messages from producers about their products and how they are produced. A huge variety of products are available, from an antipasto to sweets, with sections specifically for organic and gluten free products. eFarmersMarket endeavours to source all natural products... ...Read more »

The George Institute for Global Health has called on the Government to take tougher action on reformulating products to reduce salt, in an effort to reduce hypertension (or high blood pressure) – a condition caused mostly by salt, which kills large numbers of Australians each year through strokes, heart attacks and heart failure. The UK, US and Canada are far ahead of Australia in salt reduction, having set targets for 80 food categories, compared to Australia’s 9. The UK has already... ...Read more »

The UK food industry has cautiously welcomed the British Government’s fourth “carbon budget” but maintained that meeting goals to cut emissions must not put the country at a competitive disadvantage globally.UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has committed the Government to halving greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels for the period 2023-2027. This is ahead of EU targets to reduce emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020 and the UK is among some European countries calling for... ...Read more »

The Baskin-Robbins ice-cream franchise, part of the Dunkin’ Brands group, is planning to expand its Australian presence, with ten new stores planned for Western Australia. The chain celebrated the opening of their 78th store at Canning Vale, West Australia, with an grand opening party on May 14. “This is an exciting time for Baskin-Robbins in Australia. We see a real potential in this market, and we’re aiming to open as many as 10 stores in the Golden State this year,” said General... ...Read more »

IGA stores nationwide are supporting Special Olympics Australia this May with a month-long promotion where one customer will win a trip to Athens, Greece for the 2011 Special Olympics in June. IGA first partnered with Special Olympics Australia in 2001 to launch a range of Special Olympics branded products, to increase awareness of the organisation and raise much needed funds to support Special Olympics Australia growing into new communities across the country. The IGA Signature range gives 2c back... ...Read more »