Speaking last night to the Law Society of NSW on the first anniversary of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), the Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ,  Mr Rod Sims, issued a warning to businesses. According to Mr Sims, ensuring that businesses do not engage in misleading and deceptive conduct “goes to the heart of a market economy where consumers can make more informed choices.” “Too many businesses still have a long way to go before they meet legal and public... ...Read more »

Latest statistics published by Australian research survey company Roy Morgan suggest Australians are increasingly choosing natural yoghurt. However, fruit or flavoured yoghurt still remained the most popular amongst survey participants with 52 per cent of consumers eating fruit or flavoured yoghurt in a four week period. Drinking yoghurt or pro-biotic/cultured milk was being consumed by 9 per cent of consumers. The research was based on a survey undertaken by Roy Morgan of 18,483 Australian consumers... ...Read more »

EU researchers believe that whey protein’s future potential as a packaging material could reduce or replace the use of petrochemicals in food packaging. Researchers working on the EU’s “Wheylayer” project have developed a whey protein layer to replace a petrochemical-based polymer layer in packaging. The natural ingredients in the whey extend the shelf life of food products, and the whey protein layer is biodegradable. Currently, transparent multilayer films, in which each... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has again called upon the Australian Government to take action to help Australian food manufacturers cope with “immense pressures” on their business. The AFGC’s call coincides with last Friday’s closure of Heinz Australia’s tomato sauce factory in Girgarre, Victoria. Despite the Girgarre closing, Heinz Australia continues to manufacture in the Goulburn Valley region through its baby food factory in Echuca. AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell... ...Read more »

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is the Australian government regulatory agency for medicines, legal drugs and complementary health products, has issued a public safety advisory to notify consumers (or potential consumers) of  serious risks that a product known as Lipro Diet Pills may pose to health. The TGA points out that the commercial supply of Lipro Diet Pills in Australia is illegal. However a number of people in Australia appear to have bought the product, seemingly through... ...Read more »

Three varieties of Kamfen brand noodles  that have been found to have microbial contamination. The brand-owner EKO Australia Pty Ltd has voluntarily issued a consumer-level recall today. The three recalled Kamfen products are: •Kamfen Buckwheat Noodles: 340g in plastic packaging •Kamfen Beijing Noodles – Abalone Chicken Soup Flavour: 160g in plastic packaging •Kamfen Sichuan Noodles – Abalone Chicken Soup Flavour: 160g in plastic packaging Date markings: •Kamfen Buckwheat Noodles:... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) today launched a campaign urging Australian consumers to buy Australian-made products to support the food industry during the holiday season. According to the AFGC, the cost of manufacturing food is, on average, 25 per cent higher in Australia than in regional competitor nations. The AFGC says this is seriously affecting the Australian industry’s competitiveness and profitability. The high Australian dollar is also to blame, making imports cheaper... ...Read more »

A London-based market research company has outlined four trends that it believes will shape the way foodservice operators develop menu options during 2012. The four trends are identified by Mintel Group are: Slow it down: Fast food restaurants are returning to more time-intensive preparation methods for their menu items. As such, items described as “hand-made” or “home-style” are popping up on restaurant menus. Consumers are prepared to seek more from their dining experience... ...Read more »

Newly appointed CEO of Australian retail giant, Woolworths Limited, Grant O’Brien today warned of subdued Christmas trading in Australia this year. Addressing shareholders at Woolworths’ Annual General Meeting in Sydney, Mr O’Brien said he believes trading in Australia will “remain subdued – most probably through to the next financial year”. His warning comes days after market research organisation, IBISWorld, forecasted a flat Christmas for food retailers in Australia. Mr O’Brien... ...Read more »

International research body, Innova Market Insights, has identified five key trends that it claims will impact the Australian food and beverage market through 2012 and beyond. According to Innova, the top trends for 2012 relate purity, authenticity and sustainability, as consumers continue to look for products with added value, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty. Innova’s top five trends are as follows: ‘Pure’ is the new ‘natural’: Natural products are becoming the rule rather... ...Read more »