Western Australian (WA) Commissioner of Police Karl O’Callaghan says alcohol advertising should be banned during sport broadcasts because they cause “far more harm” than betting promotion. The comments come after a new report found that self-regulation of alcohol advertising is “failing”. New policy responses needed to address ‘alcohol toll’ A vocal proponent of effective measures to tackle the “growing alcohol toll” in WA, Commissioner O’Callaghan was delivering the keynote address... ...Read more »

Flavoured milk consumption is predicted to grow at more than double the rate of white milk globally between 2012 and 2015, according to new research from food processing and packaging company Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak said that flavoured milk, which is currently the second most widely consumed Liquid Dairy Product (LDP) after white milk, is forecast to increase by a compound annual rate of 4.1 per cent between 2012 and 2013, rising from 17 billion litres to 19.2 billion litres. Developing countries will... ...Read more »

The espresso machine and coffee giant Nespresso has announced that three of its most popular ‘limited edition’ flavours – Vanilla, Dark Chocolate and Caramel – are returning as part of the permanent Nespresso Grand Crus range. Nespresso, which is an operating unit of food manufacturing giant Nestle, said it had reintroduced the flavours, based on feedback of its Club Members, as ‘Vanilio’, ‘Ciocattino’ and ‘Caramelito’. The new permanent flavours are combined with the ‘Livanto... ...Read more »

Victoria’s Cartel Coffee Roasters has been named as Champion Australian Roaster in the inaugural Australian International Coffee Awards (AICA). New Zealand’s Toasted Espresso has been named as Champion International Roaster. Announced at the opening day of the 2013 Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE2013) in May 2013, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) presented two champion roaster trophies and three best in class trophies to local and international coffee roasters as part... ...Read more »

Researchers at an Australian university, Swinburne University of Technology, have found that the polyphenols in dark chocolate increase calmness and contentedness. At the same time, global market research of chocolate consumption shows some very interesting trends. Mood link trial The research, which was published in the May 2013 issue of the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that participants who drank a high dose concentration of cocoa polyphenols reported greater calmness and contentedness... ...Read more »

Coconut water has taken the global beverage industry by storm, growing by 540 per cent between 2008 and 2012, according to new findings from global research organisation Mintel. New product launches containing coconut water were dominated by North America, with 35 per cent of global coconut water introductions in 2012, up from just 17 per cent in 2008. Europe followed with 34 per cent of new products launched in 2012, up from 13 per cent in 2008, while Asia Pacific accounted for 14 per cent in 2012,... ...Read more »

The winners of the 2013 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) have been announced at a prestigious presentation dinner in Melbourne. The title of Champion Australian Beer went to ‘Alpha Pale Ale’, which is brewed by the Matilda Bay Brewing Company in Victoria, and the Champion International Beer title went to German beer ‘Oud Beersel Oude Geuze’, which is brewed by Oud Beersel from Vlaams-Brabant in Belgium. Now in its 21st year, the AIBA is the pre-eminent showcase for premium beer... ...Read more »

Energy drink brand Mother has expanded its Australian range with a new flavour called Mother Green Storm. “With Mother Green Storm we’ve expanded the Mother range to add a variety that is perfect for consumers who are looking for mother of an energy hit, with naturally sourced caffeine,” said Steven Ruhl, Mother Marketing Manager. The launch of Mother Green Storm will be accompanied by an integrated marketing communications campaign, including sampling and social media. Mother Green Storm will... ...Read more »

Western Australian researchers hoping to demonstrate improved cardiovascular function among coffee lovers have found that drinking too much of the popular brew may actually be linked to worsening of the metabolic syndrome. The study, published in May 2013 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, by researchers from the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) and the University of Western Australia’s School of Medicine and Pharmacology looked at a compound known as Chlorogenic... ...Read more »

In the interests of securing an assured supply, it seems big food businesses globally could be moving towards vertical supply chain ownership models, with the US-based Coca-Cola Company recently announcing a US$2 billion investment in orange groves in Florida. Partnering with citrus companies Cutrale Citrus Juices and Peace River Citrus Products, the Coca-Cola Company says the investment will enable growers to plant 25,000 acres of orange trees. In the US, the Coca-Cola Company owns two juice brands,... ...Read more »