One of Western Australia’s oldest companies and most recognised brands, Anchor Foods, has received recognition as the overall winner of the inaugural Westpac Food and Beverage Industry Awards, organised by the Food Industry Association of WA (FIA). The Fremantle-based company, which reinvented itself after being returned to Western Australian ownership two years ago, was awarded the Westpac Best Business Award, as well as winning the Innovation Category Award for its Lighthouse Special Purpose... ...Read more »

Western Australian food and beverage companies will take their produce to new international markets at three upcoming major food trade events. Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has invited local companies to explore promotional opportunities available in India, Japan and the United States. “I’m inviting local food and beverage companies, including wine producers, to promote their wares to the world through the WA booth at the International Food Exhibition in New Delhi to be held... ...Read more »

UK food and beverage manufacturers have pledged to continue to improve the nutritional value of their products despite reporting that economic concerns are beginning to weigh more heavily on their plans. Speaking at the ‘Tackling Obesity: Working Towards a Healthier Nation’ conference in London overnight, Melanie Leech, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation, outlined the ways the food and drink manufacturing industry is responding to the challenges of the UK Government’s... ...Read more »

Fibre, green tea extract and soy protein are among the ingredients food and beverage manufacturers are turning towards to help lighten the growing pressures of the global obesity epidemic, according to Euromonitor International’s new report “Weight Management Ingredients in Foods and Beverages“. As consumers increasingly turn to healthier lifestyle choices and governments push to address and create a solution for rising obesity rates, manufacturers are looking towards ingredients... ...Read more »

All school pupils in grades one to three (P1 - P3) in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes. The move is designed to improve the nutritious content of foods eaten by young children. Plans for a national roll out were announced overnight after pilot schemes ran across five local authorities and 35,000 children between October 2007 and June 2008. Uptake of meals among these students rose from 53 per cent to 75 per cent. Within the target group of pupils... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola has laid claim to the best global brand for the eighth year in a row in the coveted Interbrand Best Global Brands ranking*. The beverage giant, which had a brand value of US$66.7 billion, was among sixteen food and beverage companies to feature in the top 100 brands. “The Best Global Brands 2008 ranking is a reflection of the global economy - the current credit crisis in the U.S., the growth of emerging markets and the increased emphasis on sustainability are all key trends that resulted... ...Read more »

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP last night announced the winners of this year’s City of Sydney Business Awards, with Almond Bar, Crema 55, Sassy Treats and DARE - Delicious and Responsible Eating among the award winners. Atlassian, a small software company started by two young graduates in 2002, took the top honour as Business of the Year. “This year’s City of Sydney Business Awards saw an enormous number of entries, as well as a record number of attendees to the Gala Awards Dinner,... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, has reported their first half profit after tax has risen 22% to $171.9 million. The distributor of Coca-Cola in Australia advised that stronger cash control one of the reasons for the increase. New beverage products added impetus to the results, with the Mother re-launch, Kirk’s Ginger Beer, Powerade Edge and Recovery and Glacéau - which is likely reap sales 4 times the original forecasts - among the successful new products introduced... ...Read more »

Sydney has spoken, sending thousands of emails and text messages to decide the finalists for this year’s City of Sydney Business Awards.”In just one month, we received nearly 10,000 votes from members of the public who want to support local small businesses, which shows a fabulous amount of community spirit,” reported Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP. “This year’s Business Awards are by far the most professional, competitive and sustainable City of Sydney has ever produced.... ...Read more »

As time-pressed workers try to cut costs and eat healthier, carried lunches are becoming increasingly popular in the American workplace, according to a new study from The NPD Group - a leading market research company. NPD reports that the rise in lunches carried from home is contributing to the softening of the mid-day meal business at commercial restaurants. According to the NPD study, entitled, “How Brown-Bagging Is Affecting Foodservice Lunch”, weekday lunches carried from home reached... ...Read more »