Ensuring that nutrition and health form a major focus for the development of national food policy will be the aim of a national food conference in November, organised the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). Food industry experts and practitioners from around Australia and overseas visitors will meet for the PHAA’s second National Food Futures Conference on 22-23 November 2011, to be held this time in Hobart. Some of the key speakers at the conference are now locked in, with the program... ...Read more »

Chinese food group Bright Food has reportedly agreed to buy a 75 per cent stake in Australian-branded food manufacturer and importer Manassen Foods. A Reuters report said yesterday (14 July 2011) the stake is being sold by CHAMP Private Equity, an independent buyout fund manager. According to the report, existing shareholders and management will continue to own the rest of Manassen Foods. Manassen Foods has developed into an iconic Australian business over the past 60 years. Beginning from humble... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of P&N Beverages Australia by Japanese brewery group Asahi after competition concerns were resolved by Asahi. On 9 March 2011, the ACCC opposed an earlier acquisition proposal, saying it would ‘remove P&N as a vigorous and effective competitor in the markets for the supply of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and cordial’. Asahi then revised its proposal to acquire P&N... ...Read more »

A new private member’s Bill to be tabled this week to Australian Parliament would, if passed, require Australia’s major supermarkets to reveal what percentage of the retail price of their fresh produce goes to the farmers. The Farm Gate Pricing Bill, drafted by Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and House of Representatives Independent Bob Katter, would need the support of a major party, in order to be passed. Senator Xenophon’s Media Advisor, Rohan Wenn told Australian Food News,... ...Read more »

Plans by McDonald’s Corporation to expand its store network in China could spell good news for Australia’s beef producers. The fast food chain plans to bring the number of its restaurants in China from 1,356 to 2,000 by 2013 and, according to McDonald’s Australia, Australia’s beef producers are well placed to benefit from the expansion. McDonald’s Australia’s Skye Oxenham told Australian Food News, “Australia is already one of the largest beef suppliers to the McDonald’s system worldwide,... ...Read more »

The future of Sara Lee’s Australian frozen desserts business is hanging in the balance. In its fourth quarter global report, just published, the consumer goods company states that the Australian arm of the business is “under strategic review”. At the same time, Sara Lee announced it is divesting its Spanish bakery and French refrigerated dough businesses. Sara Lee is one of the largest processors of fresh produce in Australia, consuming large quantities of butter, eggs, cream and cheese.... ...Read more »

 Woolworths has announced it is offering its customers a more efficient way to do their grocery shopping with a newly launched iPhone application. Customers can personalise the app to their local Woolworths supermarket and create an aisle ordered shopping list, making it easier to navigate the store. Customers can also add items to a shopping list with a barcode scanner, access recipes, and receive exclusive member offers and weekly catalogue specials. Innovation Program Manager at Woolworths Supermarkets,... ...Read more »

The South Australian Fisherman’s Co-Operative Limited (SAFCOL)’s new ‘pole and line’ range of tuna has placed SAFCOL near the top amongst food groups supplying major supermarkets for a sustainable tuna product, according to environmental activist group Greenpeace Australia Pacific. The product ranked second to the more boutique ‘Fish 4 Ever’ brand which is largely sold through Australian organic and health stores. The SAFCOL tuna brand’s other lines currently appear on the shelves... ...Read more »

Kellogg’s has modernised the packaging of one of its leading cereal brands, All-Bran. To help customers recognise the brand, the company has adopted wraparound packaging that features the original All-Bran design. Customers tear off the packaging to reveal the new look box. According to Kellogg’s, the use of wraparound packaging is a first for the cereal category. The new design targets women who are concerned about everyday digestive health, with a particular focus on younger females. The wraparound... ...Read more »

The Australian live cattle export industry will receive Australian Government assistance to recover from the temporary suspension of live cattle to Indonesia. Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said that Northern Australian pastoralists affected by the suspension will be able to access additional working capital loans of up to $300,000 with subsidized interest rates. Pastoralists will also be eligible for grants of up to $5,500 for financial advice and... ...Read more »