CHOICE and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) have united forces to call for the establishment of a Supermarket Ombudsman as a part of a joint submission to Senate Economics Committee’s inquiry into the impacts of supermarket price decisions on the dairy industry. The groups, often in fierce opposition to eachother, have agreed that an Ombudsman would help create a level playing field in the highly-concentrated retail and supermarket industry and provide “much-needed leadership”... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced that it does not intend to oppose Woolworths Limited’s proposed acquisition of The Cellarmasters Group. The ACCC said it had concluded that the proposed acquisition would be “unlikely to substantially lessen competition given the presence of several significant competitors in wine retailing, production and associated services”. The competition regulator said it had consulted widely with competitors, suppliers and customers... ...Read more »

Lenard Poulter, founder of the successful Lenard’s chicken franchise, has struck out at retail giant Coles for its decision to include fresh chicken in its price war with rival Woolworths. Poulter called on the Federal Government to intervene to stop the market domination by Coles and Woolworths, which he says is damaging farmers, manufacturers and suppliers and is not in the long-term interests of consumers. “This market dominance by the major retailers who are insisting on unsustainable... ...Read more »

Coles has pegged fresh chicken as the next target for its ‘Down, Down’ price reduction campaign, sparking fears of a new price war with rival Coles and further concern that primary producers will eventually bear the financial burden of the supermarkets’ cheaper products. Coles boss Ian McLeod told The Age that chicken is next on the company’s list last night, just hours before he was due to appear in front of a Senate economics committee to explain the price war’s implications... ...Read more »

Supermarket retailer Coles is using its market dominance to destabilise the whole of Australia’s food and grocery supply chain by cutting prices on essential daily items, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said today. AFGC highlighted that Coles’ “Down, Down” campaign to heavily discount staple foods like bread and dairy products was designed to increase traffic in Coles supermarkets without considering the long-term, flow-on effects to farmers, industry and consumers. AFGC... ...Read more »

On the 23 and 24 January 2011 in Berne, six chocolatiers will compete for the coveted title of “Swiss Chocolate Master”.  The winner will compete in the world of chocolate in Paris.  The six finalists represent the best hotels, restaurants and confectioners in Switzerland. The winner of the “Swiss Chocolate Masters 2011″ will have the honor of representing Switzerland at the prestigious Salon du Chocolat in Paris to be held in October 2011, where he or she will compete for... ...Read more »

Following a review of more than 5,600 creative submissions – the most ever in a single year of competition – Doritos and Pepsi MAX today revealed the names of the 10 finalists in the Crash the Super Bowl challenge. These 10 finalists will go on to compete to be one of six consumer-created ads – three for Doritos and three for Pepsi MAX – airing during the Super Bowl XLV broadcast, Feb. 6, on FOX. As the contest enters its next phase, Doritos and Pepsi MAX fans in the United... ...Read more »

Aussie foodies will have the chance to win a master class with celebrity chef Darren Simpson, dinner at his restaurant La Scala on Jersey, and an online nutrition consultation with renowned dietitian, Kate Di Prima, by submitting their own great tasting, healthy recipes featuring cranberries.The Cranberry Institute, in conjunction with www.taste.com.au, is celebrating the little red fruit that packs a powerful punch – the cranberry – with The Best Little Fruit in Australia competition,... ...Read more »

Fonterra Foodservices is pleased to announce entries are now open for Fonterra Foodservices Proud to be a Chef 2011 for apprentices across Australia and New Zealand. Fonterra Foodservices Proud to be a Chef is designed to publicly recognise and reward the dedication and commitment of apprentice chefs, giving 24 apprentices the opportunity to participate in master classes conducted by highly acclaimed world leading chefs. One participating apprentice will receive the major prize of an international... ...Read more »

The sale of grocery retailer Franklins to local rival Metcash has come under scrutiny from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) which said it has serious concerns about the planned acquisition. The ACCC yesterday released a statement of issues, which said the proposed acquisition is likely to result in a “substantial lessening of competition in the market for the supply of packaged groceries to independent retailers in NSW”. The competition watchdog said it was particularly... ...Read more »