The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has responded to claims that Australian processed foods for children contain ‘unacceptably high’ levels of salt. The claims were made this week in research published by Australian consumer group CHOICE, which was based on research by the George Institute for Global Health. ‘World Salt Awareness Week’, which runs from 11 March 2013 to 17 March 2013, has triggered fierce debate in Australia about ‘hidden salt’ in food. The average Australian... ...Read more »

The food and agriculture sectors in Western Australia are likely to be major beneficiaries of favourable policies that were promised by the returning Coalition government. The Liberal Party won an overall majority, with 32 seats, in the State’s election on Saturday 9 March 2013. The Liberals have said they intend to maintain their coalition with the WA Nationals, who held 3 Cabinet positions in the Coalition government prior to last Saturday’s results. Under the Barnett-led State Liberal... ...Read more »

Pork and poultry meal will be allowed in fish feed in Europe from 1 July 2013, following an announcement from the European Commission (EC) on 14 February 2013. The approval goes against the UK Food Standards Agency’s recommendations. Use of animal meal had been banned in 2001, after its role in the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (better known as ‘mad cow disease’) crisis. ‘Mad cow disease’ and animal meal in stock feed Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), often called ‘mad cow disease’,... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest retailer, Woolworths Limited, last week announced its first half year sales from continuing operations increased to $30.7 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion or 4.8% on the same period in the previous year. CEO Grant O’Brien said, “This solid first half result is a reflection of the sharpened focus on our core businesses and better meeting our customers’ needs. The growth our businesses are achieving while pursuing a transformational path for Woolworths is pleasing. However,... ...Read more »

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) today released revised Australian Dietary Guidelines which the NHMRC said was a “clear and practical approach” to health. Since the last set of Australian Dietary Guidelines in 2003, the focus has shifted to healthier foods options, as opposed to the previous guidelines that focused on specific amounts of nutrients that should be consumed.   The new guidelines also reflect Australian food supply and consumption patterns. The new 2013... ...Read more »

After many years of Australian customers requesting further ALDI expansion, the discount grocery chain has made the decision to build stores in both Western Australia and South Australia. A previous Australian Food News story about ALDI expansion in Queensland led to immediate calls and enquiries from readers about their desire to see ALDI open stores beyond the Australian Eastern seaboard. Since 2001, ALDI Australia has been expanding across the Eastern seaboard of Australia and Group Managing Director,... ...Read more »

Queensland’s flood damaged produce will not be wasted in a Sydney Market initiative that is converting damaged fruit and vegetables into green electricity. Sydney Market, which saw a 25 per cent spike in perished produce last year during the floods, expects to turn the same amount of wasted fruit and vegetables into energy this time around. Early damage reports following the Queensland floods reveal that vegetable and fruit crop losses could exceed $100 million, with orchards in Bundaberg, Gayndah... ...Read more »

General Mills has expanded its Mount Waverley manufacturing facility in Melbourne. The expansion was marked with a visit by Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade, The Hon. Richard Dalla-Riva MLC and City of Monash Mayor, Cr Micaela Drieberg, who toured the plant this week. Expansion in its chilled meals capability will allow General Mills to extend its market leading brand Latina into single serve chilled pasta meals and Latina™ family size lasagne and cannelloni products to add to its... ...Read more »

The Australian farming and manufacturing sectors have expressed growing concerns about Australia’s booming gas export industry. While the energy and mining sector is generating billions of dollars that are underpinning the strength of the Australian dollar, this has led to the so-called “2-tier economy” with economic dislocation or slowdown for other parts of the Australian economy outside the energy and minerals export industry. Difficulties for local food producers and manufacturers have... ...Read more »

A report just out of the US is highlighting a surge in the number of hospital emergency admissions involving energy drinks. The news is stirring up Australian discussions surrounding such beverages. In the January 2013 issue of the American Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) Report, published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, energy drinks have been attributed as the cause of over 20,000 emergency department visits in the US. Energy drinks contain substantial amounts... ...Read more »