New biochemical evidence shows that the cereal grain sorghum is a safe food for people with coeliac disease, according to new research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The new study, which was undertaken by researchers at chemistry science representative body American Chemical Society, found molecular evidence that sorghum lacks the proteins dangerous to people with coeliac disease. People with coeliac disease must avoid wheat, barley and some other grains, because the... ...Read more »

Soft drink brand Fanta Australia has launched a new campaign called the Fanta Flavour Lab, which is asking Australians to name their favourite combinations of Fanta flavours. At the heart of the campaign is a Fanta Flavour Lab mobile phone app, where users will be able to play drink-mixing-inspired games, earn Fanta ‘tokens’ and compete for prizes, including mobile phones with Fanta branded cases. “The Fanta Flavour Lab campaign is all about celebrating self-expression by inspiring Aussies... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest supermarket group Woolworths has launched a dedicated ‘beauty bar’ in its best-known supermarket in central Sydney. The launch of the ‘beauty bar’ at its Sydney Town Hall store signals a potentially wider new strategy for the whole supermarket group. The in-store ‘beauty bar’ will offer free beauty treatments, including make-overs, skin consultations and mini-manicures conducted by professional beauty consultants. The treatments, which will be available daily from... ...Read more »

The espresso machine and coffee giant Nestle Nespresso said it has taken inspiration from Italy’s coffee culture to create two new limited edition coffees, which will be released in April 2013. Nestle Nespresso, which is an operating unit of food manufacturing giant Nestle, said the two new ‘Limited Edition Grand Gru’ coffees are based on the distinct coffee cultures of the Italian cities of Napoli and Trieste. The two new flavours are named after the cities. The ‘Nespresso Trieste’ flavour... ...Read more »

A new report tabled in the South Australian parliament shows that despite overwhelming community support for a plastic bag ban in the State, sales of bin liners have increased by more 80 per cent in South Australia (SA). According to research conducted by the Ehrenberg Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia, the plastic bag ban, which was implemented in South Australia in May 2009, has seen the household purchase of bin liners increase from 15 per cent to 80 per... ...Read more »

Data analysis is changing the way we manufacture food, track our diets and serve our dishes, having an impact on everything from food safety to trends in restaurants, according to US-based business analysis organisation Good Data. Writing on the Business2Community website, Good Data’s Ana Andreescu said the saying “you are what you eat” might have to be updated to “you analyse what you eat”. In the area of food safety, Andreescu said ‘big data’ is already being used by farmers to analyse... ...Read more »

Remember the days back in the 1960s when Coca Cola bottle-tops in Australia each had the etching of a footballer’s face photo image under the cork, and kids collected and swapped lids of their favourite footy heroes or favourite teams? Well, global food packaging giant, Gualapack, has released a new packaging closure, called BrickCap, which becomes a child’s toy once it’s no longer needed as a lid. “What makes BrickCap really special is its function as a toy,” said the company. “After... ...Read more »

Frozen yoghurt is experiencing a global resurgence, according to dairy company Frosty Boy Australia. Frosty Boy Australia says the frozen yoghurt concept, which is already big in the US, is also spilling over into Europe. The Company said the growth in the market for frozen yoghurt has allowed them to expand their range from 8 to 25 frozen yoghurt blends over the last three years. “The resurgence was first evident to us in Korea about eight years ago and until today it is still one of our biggest... ...Read more »

The University of Sydney will today launch a $20 million multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to tackling problems of food security and environmental challenges in Australia and the surrounding region. The Centre for Carbon, Water and Food, funded by the Federal Government and the University of Sydney, will be launched at a major event at the Centre’s new site in the south western Sydney suburb of Camden. The Centre has already attracted international interest. Two agreements with leading... ...Read more »

Kraft Foods Australia has released a new low-fat cheese that it claims has 80 per cent less fat than other leading Australian light tasty brands. The cheese, Kraft ‘Livefree’, has 5.5 per cent fat, which Kraft says “is four times less fat than other leading Australian light tasty cheeses”. The new cheese is also said to be higher in protein and calcium than other light tasty cheeses. Kraft says a typical serving size (25g) of Kraft ‘Livefree’ contains only 2 per cent of the recommended... ...Read more »