Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for the regulation of food and beverages met in Canberra last week, and announced a full review of the Policy Guideline for formulated caffeinated energy drinks. The meeting of the Australia and New ZeaZealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council also discussed closer scrutiny of infant formula, scores on doors for restaurants, a review of the mandatory folate fortification of bread flour, and its response to the Blewett labelling review, which it expects... ...Read more »

The Roy Morgan February Supermarket Satisfaction Report has shown an underwhelming month of satisfaction results at all four of the major supermarkets, with none showing an increase. Aldi’s impressive run of recent increases in customer satisfaction was put on hold and Woolworth’s satisfaction has stabilised after three consecutive months of decline. However, both Coles and IGA lost ground after their recent notable satisfaction gains. Among Aldi customers, 94.5% were satisfied, followed by IGA... ...Read more »

The NSW Primary Industries Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced that NSW has made a submission to Biosecurity Australia in an attempt to prevent the importation of New Zealand potatoes, which it says are a disease risk to NSW’s $53 million potato industry. The incoming Liberal Government of NSW and the NSW Department of Primary Industries made a submission on the subject of ‘zebra chip’, a condition causing dark streaks or patches in potatoes. While the condition is mostly cosmetic,... ...Read more »

Supabarn Supermarkets Pty Ltd has agreed not to enter into new restrictive provisions in supermarket lease agreements, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced today. The ACT-based group is a family owned and run supermarket operator with five full service stores in the ACT and NSW, including one in the Canberra Centre in Canberra’s CBD. Supabarn has undertaken not to seek any restrictive provisions in new leases. Supabarn only has one existing supermarket lease containing a... ...Read more »

You may have noticed that consumer behaviour is changing significantly. People are not only demanding better quality food, they are also seeking more information about how their food is produced. The welfare of the animals that give us our food is becoming a key influencer in consumer purchasing decisions. In fact, market research shows around half of grocery buyers would prefer to purchase a humanely farmed product, over a conventionally farmed product. Just like cartons of eggs on the supermarket... ...Read more »

Cafe chain The Coffee Club has announced new additions to its menu for the cooler months, with the ‘Greatest of Britain’ menu featuring a range of hearty British meals. The new menu features meals inspired by traditional British recipes using seasonally-available ingredients, and will be available from May 9 to June 19. The ‘Greatest of Britain’ menu includes a traditional British Beef Pie with mushy peas, mashed potato and gravy, a chicken and mushroom filo, a bacon and zucchini quiche,... ...Read more »

Kellogg’s has launched a new offering in its LCMs range, the LCM 4D Choc, a 25% larger bar aimed at an older demographic than its normal LCMs lines, which will be sold as a supermarket multi-pack snack and through convenience channels as a single bar. The LCM 4D Choc features darker, more intricate packaging, including a movie-rating style “MA+ For Older Kids: Look out I’m bigger than a stampeding black rhino” tagline. The new snack is designed to appeal to adults as well... ...Read more »

Higher costs have dented US cereal giant Kellogg’s first-quarter earnings, which fell 12% in the three month period. The Cornflakes maker said that profit in the period to 2 April fell to US$366 million, down from $418m last year. The group said that earnings were hit by higher costs, with gross margin dippping to 40.8%, down from 42.9%. The cost of goods sold rose 9% year-on-year. Nevertheless, Kellogg insisted that it was pleased with its sales performance and raised its full-year revenue... ...Read more »

Once reserved for royalty, blood oranges remain a coveted gourmet ingredient, with the exotic-looking citrus fruit expected to be an essential ingredient in Australian kitchens and restaurants this winter. CEO of Citrus Australia, Judith Damiani, said with their striking crimson flesh, unique berry flavour and nutritional value, blood oranges were the ideal fruit to transform an ordinary dish into a gourmet masterpiece. “As well as an unusual appearance, blood oranges have a raspberry like flavour... ...Read more »

The Fairtrade Association of Australia & New Zealand (FTAANZ) has urged all Aussies to show off their swap to Fairtrade Certified and fair trade products this Fair Trade Fortnight, whether it be their morning coffee, afternoon cuppa, chocolate treat, their t-shirt or even the Mother’s Day gift they give. Fair Trade Fortnight (7-22 May) is Australia’s biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade, recognising the life-changing difference fair trade makes to the lives of more than six... ...Read more »