The EU Parliament has voted against the labelling of food with “X% less” or “no added X” claims. The Food and Drink Federation, the UK’s leading voice for the food and drink industry, has expressed disappointment with the vote, which took place on 2 February 2012. The UK industry said it was concerned about the potential impact on industry’s discouragement of industry formulation of healthier foods. UK Food and Drink Federation’s response Barbara Gallani, Director of Food Safety... ...Read more »

The cider market has been growing rapidly in Australia, and Australia’s major consumer advocacy group has now undertaken further research on this. In recent taste-test research conducted by CHOICE, Australia’s leading consumer group, CHOICE found the three top-ranked ciders to be a low alcohol French cider, Boulard Cidre de Normandie Doux, British Aspall Draught Suffolk Cider and Australian Mercury Dry Cider. CHOICE reviewed all of the popular ciders consumed in Australia including cider beverages... ...Read more »

The Victorian State Government has been heavily criticised for offering a grant to Singapore-based Olam International Limited for helping build its proposed “state-of-the-art” almond processing plant in Victoria. The criticisms come at the same time as the Australian Government is being criticised for inadequate support for Australian-owned companies, when foreign investment in the country’s food industry is at a record high. The Singapore based international Olam group bought 8,000 hectares... ...Read more »

Grower groups from Queensland and elsewhere are launching a national campaign encouraging people to “eat Australian-sourced food” on Australia Day, this Thursday 26 January 2012. President of AgForce,the Queensland horticultural growers organisation, Brent Finlay, is launching the campaign with a presentation to the Deputy Prime Minister, Treasurer Wayne Swan, of a hamper of Australian produce. The Hamper is being described as a symbolic gesture of appreciation of Australian Government support... ...Read more »

Despite a fall in Australian lamb production during 2011, strong overseas demand and tight global supplies (particularly out of New Zealand) resulted in the third largest volume of lamb exported from Australia on record.   China saw a major jump during 2011 in Australian lamb imports, up 15 per cent year-on-year, to 29,620 tonnes. This is a region identified by both Australia and New Zealand as a key growth market for lamb (and mutton). With disruptions to New Zealand supply during late 2010... ...Read more »

Latest figures from Australia’s Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry show that the volume of beef exported to Japan during 2011 was the lowest since 2003. Japan is the largest destination of Australian beef exports. Australia sent 30,202 tonnes of beef to Japan in December 2011, taking the annual total to 342,186 tonnes. This was four per cent less than the amount exported in 2010. According to Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian beef exports have been impacted by the... ...Read more »

Queensland Government scientists and researchers from the University of Queensland have discovered new anti-microbial properties in a combination of natural-plant ingredients, including two common native Australian plums. A research team led by QAAFI food scientist Dr Yasmina Sultanbawa has discovered that when small amounts of the kakadu and Queensland Davidson plum are combined with organic acids they display new anti-microbial properties. The researchers are now looking at ways to extend the shelf-life... ...Read more »

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has used an address to members of the National Diet of Japan to support further agricultural trade liberalisation and to emphasise the importance of addressing agricultural protectionist reforms in Japan, by negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Japan is Australia’s largest export market for beef and dairy products and is also a key market for Australian wine. Japan is also an important trading partner for a range of Australian... ...Read more »

A leading Australian dietitian believes the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)’s new Australian Dietary Guidelines is a “missed opportunity to promote healthy eating habits” in Australia. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released the revised guidelines yesterday. Criticism of Approach Australian Dietitian and Nutritionist, Nicole Senior, who has previously been a consultant nutritionist to Unilever Australia, said the guidelines need to be revised so... ...Read more »

Consumer concerns surrounding health issues such as obesity are giving the confectionery markets a challenging time in the EU, where sales of sugar and gum confectionery have remained stagnant over the past four years (2008-2011), from €8.6 billion in 2008 to an estimated €8.9billion in 2011. According to global market research company Mintel’s latest research, sales declined the most in mature markets such as Germany, which despite remaining the largest market in Europe has seen sales drop... ...Read more »