In a response to notification of a low pathogenic influenza detection in ducks on a property in Victoria, the Japanese government announced today that it had suspended imports of Australian poultry products and egg-derived products. However, questions were being raised as to the extent of the suspension, given that there are many processed foods that can contain small amounts of egg-based ingredients. Further talks are taking place between the Australian government and the Japanese government officials... ...Read more »

Woolworths Limited today announced first half year sales of $29.7 billion, a 5 percent increase on the previous year. CEO Grant O’Brien said, “The first half year result was solid considering the ongoing headwinds facing the retail sector with subdued consumer confidence and significant deflation along with the change agenda we are driving through our business”. He also stated that the first half year result includes a 5.6 percent growth for the supermarket division, an overall customer increase,... ...Read more »

Australia’s most talented chocolatiers and pastry chefs will descend on the Foodservice Expo on 27-29 May, 2012 at Moore Park, Sydney to compete for a spot in a prestigious World Chocolate Masters competition. The World Chocolate Masters, an initiative by Cacao Barry and Callebaut Chocolate, is the world’s premier culinary competition devoted solely to the art of chocolate. During the Australian Qualifier, the talented pastry chefs will go head-to-head as they create a range of chocolate masterpieces. The... ...Read more »

New Zealand based Cookie Time Limited (CTL) and Australian health-food giant Sanitarium have partnered in a major licensing deal to launch CTL’s new ‘breakthrough’ meal bar, ‘One Square Meal’, into the Australian market. The product features New Zealand’s famed manuka honey. The One Square Meal is described as “the total meal to go”, consisting of one-third of the recommended daily intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, good fats and dietary fibre. The meal bar is presented in... ...Read more »

For over 40 years, scientists and physicians have thought eating a high-fibre diet lowered a person’s risk of diverticulosis. A new US study of 2,104 people shows this may not be accurate. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at the Chapel Hill School of Medicine found that eating high fibre diets raised, as opposed to lowered, the risks of developing diverticulosis. The study also suggests the commonly-held belief that constipation increases the... ...Read more »

A national disease emergency plan has been activated by the culling of stock at Golden Duck Farms in Victoria to prevent the outbreak of a pathogenic avian influenza. According to reports, to prevent any potential risks of outbreaks, 25,000 ducks were gassed to death in the last two days. Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Andrew Cameron said while the virus discovered on the farms posed little risk to humans, the cull was a way to eliminate any potential of the virus affecting humans or mutating. In... ...Read more »

While Australian environment ministers reported on December 15, 2011 the substantial costs of a national Container Depositing Scheme (CDS), Australia’s leading recycling company Visy is advocating against a similar scheme for Victoria. As previously reported by Australian Food News, the Northern Territory (NT) has now implemented its own “Cash for Containers” recycling scheme, modelled on South Australia (SA)’s Container Deposit scheme, which has been operating since 1977. Although there... ...Read more »

Australia’s Meat and Livestock Association’s (MLA) cattle industry projections for 2012, released on 23 January 2012, provide a comprehensive outlook on the Australian cattle industry, including national herd, cattle and beef supply, and export numbers. Projections for 2012: Continued strong demand from a diverse range of global markets combined with favourable seasons will drive an expansion in Australian meat production and exports Australian beef and veal production is forecast to reach a... ...Read more »

Victoria is Australia’s leading agricultural exporter, according to its Department of Primary Industries report released this week for the 12 months financial year ending 30 June 2011. Over the 12 months period ending 30 June 2011, Victoria accounted for 28 per cent of Australia’s total food and fibre exports, while Victorian food exports were valued at AUD $6.3 billion, an increase of AUD $839 million (15 per cent) from the previous financial year. This financial year saw export increases in... ...Read more »

  The lackluster economy  in the US may have dampened growth for the restaurant industry at large, but fast casual restaurants continue to stand out as one notable exception. With $27 billion in annual sales, food industry consultants Technomic point out that fast casual restaurants now represent 14 percent of all quick-service restaurant sales, compared to 5 percent just ten years ago. They are expected to continue outpacing the industry over the next five years, when fast casual growth is... ...Read more »