North American packaged foods giant ConAgra Foods announced today that it will withdraw a US$5.18 billion proposal to takeover US food manufacturer Ralcorp Holdings if negotiations do not begin by 19 September 2011. ConAgra has put forward three separate takeover proposals to Ralcorp in the past six months, all of which have been rejected by Ralcorp. On 12 August 2011, Ralcorp snubbed a proposal from ConAgra to buy a US$94 per share in the company. In a statement released today, ConAgra said, “Since... ...Read more »

A farm in Colorado, U.S., is recalling cantaloupe melons it sold this summer out of concern they may be contaminated with Listeria, a deadly bacteria. At least 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes had been reported from four American states. All illnesses started on or after 15 August 2011. Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has applied to the Federal Court for an interim injunction restraining Metcash’s proposed acquisition of the Franklins supermarket chain. The ACCC was given notice on Sunday 11 September by Metcash that after the expiry of five business days Metcash considers itself free to agree with Pick n Pay to waive the condition requiring ACCC approval for its proposed acquisition of the Franklins supermarket business. In a statement, the ACCC said... ...Read more »

Major fast food chain KFC has removed claims that it sources chickens that are ‘free to roam’ from its Australian website. The move comes days after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) accused Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd and Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd, both of which supply chickens to KFC in Australia, of making misleading promotional claims to sell their chicken products. The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd and Bartter Enterprises... ...Read more »

Tighter regulation of food vending machines in Victoria has angered some operators, who say recent changes in government legislation will do little to solve the problem of illegitimate operators. From 1 July 2011, changes to the Food Act have been implemented in Victoria. These changes have created additional legal responsibility and food business registration requirements in relation to food vending machines. As well as being required to register food vending machines with their principal council... ...Read more »

As part of an international study, researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) claim they have identified a gene that plays a role in influencing how much coffee people drink. Dr Enda Byrne from QIMR said the study, published today in Molecular Psychiatry journal, shows that there is a small genetic variant in the population that determines how people react to coffee and therefore explains why some people will consume coffee at higher levels and why others won’t drink it... ...Read more »

A new report published today by the Asian Development Bank (ABD) urges Pacific nations to increase local food production, particularly of climate-resistant crops such as taro, yam, and cassava. The report also says that climate change threatens to increase hunger and malnutrition among the Pacific region’s poorest people unless there is action soon. According to Food Security and Climate Change in the Pacific: Rethinking the Options., unseasonal weather has already reduced crop production for... ...Read more »

Change made by food giant Heinz to the ingredients of its HP Sauce in the UK is reported to be causing uproar amongst fans of the sauce living in the UK. However, according to Heinz Australia, not a single complaint had been received in Australia, where the sauce is also popular, before today’s report. Heinz was directed by the UK government to lower the salt content of HP Sauce under a new health initiative. The salt level in the sauce has been reduced from 2.1g per 100g to 1.3g per 100g. In... ...Read more »

Australia’s second largest wheat harvest on record is predicted for 2011-2012, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES). The ABARES crop report for the September quarter predicts Australia’s total winter crop production to be around 41 million tonnes in 2011–12. This would be the fourth largest winter crop on record and is an upward revision from the ABARES June 2011 forecast of 40.8 million tonnes. Wheat... ...Read more »

Australian grocery and hardware wholesaler Metcash has notified the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that, from Friday 15 September, it will no longer require the ACCC’s approval to acquire the Franklins supermarket chain. Metcash has signalled that, after this Friday, it intends to complete the agreement with Pick n Pay, which owns the Franklins chain, by waiving a condition requiring the ACCC’s approval and to settle the acquisition of the Franklins supermarket chain. Metcash’s... ...Read more »