Fruit flavours dominate the international yoghurt market, featuring in over two-thirds of new products globally in the year to March 2013, according to market research organisation Innova Market Insights. That figure rises to three-quarters of new yoghurt products in the US, and nearly 70 per cent in Latin America. Innova Market Insights said the flavours come from a wide range of fruit, from the more traditional strawberry and peach to more unusual flavours such as papaya, damson and coconut. Plain,... ...Read more »

Rules on the labelling and content of baby milks and foods for special medical purposes will be better defined in order to “protect consumers and distinguish more clearly between foods for normal consumption and foods for specific groups” under legislation passed on Tuesday 11 June 2013. The new rules also cover some low-calorie diets. The new legislation simplifies and clarifies the rules on the labelling and the composition of infant formula and follow-on formula (for babies between six and... ...Read more »

New Zealand’s infant formula export brand is being put at risk by “inexperienced companies cashing in” on booming demand from China, according the Infant Nutrition Council (INC). The INC, which comprises the major manufacturers and marketers of infant formula in Australia and New Zealand, said the issues facing the infant formula industry are not about composition, but claims that have been made. “Recent media reports have highlighted that companies that lack basic supply chain integrity... ...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 »

A new Bill due to be introduced to the Australian Parliament next week by Independent MP Rob Oakeshott aims to strengthen rules about misuse of market power and curb the powers of Australia’s major supermarkets. Independent MP Rob Oakeshott will introduce a private member’s Bill that moves to change legislation to allow the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make judgements in “a broader context than the direct consumer affected, or the direct supplier affected”, according... ...Read more »

Australian customers, communities and the economy have benefited from supermarket group Coles’ “investment in lower prices”, according to Coles Managing Director, Ian McLeod. At the same time, Coles has been forced by Australian farming groups to reassess its endorsement for an animal rights group opposed to intensive farming. MD describes wider benefits of lower price campaign Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce in Sydney on 4 June 2013, Managing Director Mr McLeod said that the Coles... ...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 »

Australians are buying less cheese, and there has been a shift in preferences, with supermarket-brand blocks overtaking some old favourites in popularity, according to findings from market research organisation Roy Morgan Research. According to Roy Morgan Research, in 2012, 48 per cent of Australians aged 14 and over bought blocks of cheese in an average four-week period, down from 52 per cent five years earlier. Supermarkets-brand cheese blocks have increased their market share over the past five... ...Read more »

The recent first quarter trading update from Japanese-owned Australian food and beverage manufacturer Lion shows a volume increase of 14 per cent in the beer, wine and spirits category for the quarter ended 31 December 2012, despite an overall slowing of the category’s market. Lion said the alcohol sales volume increase came because of its acquisition of international premium and craft brands. But the Company reported that its dairy and drinks category faced challenges in the first quarter, and... ...Read more »

Creditors have decided to allow Northern Tasmanian dairy company Tamar Valley Dairy (Tamar) to continue trading, despite the Company reportedly owing up to $9 million. Sydney-based accountants Lawler Partners met with creditors in Launceston last Friday to ask for up to four months of “breathing space” for Tamar. Tamar moved to a new $20 million factory last year, and secured a 10 year-supply contract with Coles. The Company’s Managing Director, Archie Matteo, told The Australian that the Company’s... ...Read more »