Australia’s peak dairy farming body, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), has told a Senate Committee inquiry that Australian dairy farmers are being pushed out of business by supermarkets retailing milk at “unsustainable” prices. The ADF was addressing the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into the impacts of supermarket price decisions on the dairy industry. The inquiry met the ADF representatives on Thursday 6 October 2011. ADF President Chris Griffin said that in the last eight months,... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil’s Managing Director Terry Davis has indicated that the company is considering buying the spirits, ready-to-drink mixed spirits and non-alcoholic brands of Australian brewer Foster’s Group Limited. Mr Davis made the announcement at a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, held in Melbourne. The brands in questions include Foster’s Cascade brand of soft drinks, its Cougar and Black Douglas spirit brands, as well as its Fiji brewery and distillery. However,... ...Read more »

Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE, today warned that many ready-to-eat desserts with low-fat claims such as ‘fat free’, ‘reduced fat’ and ’97 per cent fat free’ are not always as healthy as their labels suggest. CHOICE reviewed 31 low-fat desserts found in the fridge and freezer section of Australian supermarkets. According to CHOICE, the review has proven that many so-called ‘low-fat’ products contain high sugar and sodium levels. CHOICE spokesperson, Ingrid Just said, “Low-fat... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) today urged the Federal Government’s Future Jobs Forum, at Parliament House, Canberra, to explore new ways of safeguarding jobs in Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing sector. The Future Jobs Forum was a meeting called by Prime Minister Julia Gillard to bring together representatives from business, unions, government and academia to discuss the challenges facing Australian industry over the next decade. Addressing the forum, AFGC Chief Executive... ...Read more »

A group of grocery stores in a remote far northwest region of South Australia will be allowed to work together to improve the supply of food under a ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The Mai Wiru Stores Group, in the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, will collectively negotiate terms and conditions with suppliers of essential grocery and supermarket items through a collective bargaining arrangement. Collective bargaining refers to two or... ...Read more »

The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, said today that the State’s salmon production will likely double by 2030. Last year, Tasmania’s salmon industry produced over 30,000 tonnes of fish. Minister Green said that salmon production in Tasmania had increased by A$250 million in the past five years, growing by almost A$1 Million a week. Minister Green said, “The roll out of irrigation schemes as part of Tasmania’s A$400 Million water development plan should keep... ...Read more »

Mars Chocolate Australia has created special edition Pink and White M&Ms, to be sold exclusively at IGA stores during October 2011 as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Pink and White M&Ms are now available exclusively at more than 700 independent IGA grocery stores nationwide. Mars Chocolate Australia will be donating 30 cents from each 200g pack sold to the McGrath Foundation. Co-founded by Australian cricketer hero Glenn McGrath and his wife Jane after her initial recovery from... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest ASX-listed dairy company Bega Cheese has announced plans to complete a merger with Victorian-based dairy co-operative Tatura Milk Industries by the end of 2011. Bega Cheese acquired 70 per cent of Tatura Milk Industries in 2007 for approximately A$39 Million. By agreement made between the two companies in March 2011, Tatura Milk advised Bega Cheese it must be listed with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in order to acquire the remaining shares from Tatura Milk Industries.... ...Read more »

Australia’s peak farming industry body, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and multinational Australian-based Westpac bank have launched plans for a Blueprint for Australian Agriculture. The blueprint will allow Australia’s food producers to help map Australia’s role in global food production over the next 40 years. Launching the Blueprint at Parliament House, Canberra, NFF President Jock Laurie said, “This initiative provides the opportunity for industry stakeholders to highlight... ...Read more »

Food manufacturing giant Heinz Australia is keeping its lips sealed over a rumour that it plans to introduce a Vegemite-flavoured baked beans product to its Baked Beanz range. Heinz Australia already manufactures its canned baked beans in a variety of flavours including Ham Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Mild Curry Sauce and Sweet Chilli Sauce. However, Heinz Australia told Australian Food News today that it was unable to either confirm or deny the Vegemite rumour. The company’s Corporate Affairs Manager,... ...Read more »