The non-profit Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER Foundation) today presented a report to the Australian Government calling for urgent reform of taxes on wine in Australia. The report “Alcohol Taxation Reform – Starting with the Wine Equalisation Tax”, was produced by leading economic consultants the Allen Consulting Group, commissioned by the AER Foundation. The AER Foundation report claims that Federal Government would earn an extra $1.5 billion by applying similar tax... ...Read more »

New research by Professor Boyd Swinburn and Gary Sacks, with the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Obesity at Deakin University, Melbourne, has found that global obesity rates began to rise in the 1970s, and that by 2008 an estimated 1.46 billion adults were overweight while a further 502 million were obese. The research paper concludes that the changes needed are likely to require many sustained interventions at several levels, but that national governments should take the lead. Professor... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has applauded the decision by the Federal Government to oppose the Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Palm Oil) Bill 2011. The AFGC is now urging the Coalition to follow suit. Tabled into the Australian Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill by Independent senator Nick Xenophon, the legislation was rejected by a Senate Committee in July, but passed by the Australian Federal Senate through an alliance between independent senator Nick Xenophon,... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) is urging the Federal Government to act quickly to keep Australia’s food manufacturing industry alive. The AFGC has called on the Australian government to “remove unnecessary regulation and duplication, such as food labelling changes, and reduce costs of doing business”. The AFGC also says it is “critical” that Australian government fast-tracks its National Food Plan. The AFGC’s CEO Kate Carnell says several food and grocery manufacturing... ...Read more »

Leading Australian scientists based at the CSIRO are working with the Australian ingredients manufacturer, Clover Corporation Limited, to improve the nutritional content of infant formulas. They are developing a better understanding of how nutritional bioactives can be combined in the milk formulas with natural essential Omega 3 fatty acid DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). The aim is to improve the ability of infants to absorb bioactive ingredients that can boost the immune system of the infant. CSIRO’s... ...Read more »

Pressure from anti-palm oil campaigners on Australia’s distributors and retailers continues. The campaigns concern how palm oil should be labelled as a food ingredient. The issue is now before a Federal Parliamentary Committee inquiry in the House of Representatives. Public submissions are being invited by the committee and are due by Monday 15 August 2011. The House Economics Committee has commenced its inquiry into the Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling – Palm Oil) Bill 2011 that... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery council has decried the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax, saying it will increase the cost of food and grocery manufacturing in Australia. While full details of the carbon tax have not yet been announced, AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said a tax on carbon would be another cost to food and grocery manufacturers who are currently weathering a “perfect storm”. “Industry is under growing pressure from rising input costs across the supply chain,... ...Read more »

The Australian senate has announced an inquiry into the ongoing price war between the country’s major supermarket chains.The price war, which began around Australia Day (26 January), when Coles dropped the price of milk to A$1 (US$1) a litre. Woolworths Ltd, Aldi and Franklins have quickly followed Coles’ lead. The senate inquiry will consider whether the behaviour of the leading supermarkets’ anti-competitive and whether the price reductions will have a negative impact on dairy... ...Read more »

A two day conference which has helped establish the Mornington Peninsula as a premium producer of Pinot Noir has received a $20,000 Victorian Government grant to ensure Victorian winemakers can continue to increase the profile of their product.Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration, which starts today in Red Hill, provided a forum for Victorian and Australian Pinot Noir producers to exchange information... ...Read more »

As Aussie’s proudly display their national pride during Australia Day celebrations, NSW food retailers are being reminded to ensure the labels they display are not breaking the law, NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said on Wednesday. “Labelling imported food as Australian is up there with one of the most un-Australian things you can do,” Minister Whan said. “You’re ripping off the consumer, you’re ripping off the farmer and you’re short changing... ...Read more »