A leading Australian expert in Food Law and Policy, Professor Joe Lederman, has called for decisive Federal government leadership to ensure the security of Australia’s food supply in the event of any pandemic. The Managing Principal of the FoodLegal law firm and an Adjunct Professor of Food Law at Deakin University, Professor Lederman said that news of the human-to-human transmission of a lethal influenza strain out of Mexico made it imperative that governments, industry suppliers and retailers... ...Read more »

The Australian grocery industry, driven by the Just-In-Time (JIT) supply chain model, could be underprepared for the threat of a global pandemic, a leading expert has warned. Concern is mounting about an epidemic following the reported deaths of 86 people in Mexico due to Swine Flu and the illness of around 1300 in Mexico and 20 in the US. It is hoped that the outbreak will fizzle out within weeks, but it has forced the topic of a pandemic back onto the agenda. Professor Joe Lederman, Managing Principal... ...Read more »

Fonterra’s The Pastryhouse business will begin supplying premium pastries to McDonald’s McCafés across Australia and New Zealand this month as the fast-food giant looks to capture a greater slice of the market. The move is an extension on a 25-year relationship, which has seen them work together to create dairy-based products for McDonald’s in 30 markets worldwide. Currently, they supply McDonald’s with slice-on-slice cheese in 25 markets in the Asia Pacific Middle East and... ...Read more »

Coles boss Ian McLeod has today informed analysts of the rapid change taking place at Coles but remained cautious about the future despite announcing third quarter sales growth of 6 per cent – well above that recorded in the third quarter. Mr McLeod joined with Wesfarmers Chief Executive Richard Goyder to report what is now a prettier picture at Australia’s second largest supermarket chain, but both noted that there remained “a lot more to do”. “We have a business which... ...Read more »

By 2022 we will source and eat our food in ways radically different from today, according to a new report from the UK-based Food Ethics Council. Although the future is unpredictable, the scenarios highlight some of the challenges consumers, business and governments may face in the next decade. An insight into emerging and possible future trends, they can help us make the right choices to ensure our future food is good for people and the planet. Headlines from the future, in the different scenarios,... ...Read more »

Australia must urgently adopt a National Food and Grocery Agenda to ensure the nation’s long-term health, food supply and to protect thousands of jobs, the leading organisation representing Australia’s food and grocery manufacturers has advised. Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Chief Executive, Kate Carnell, told the National Press Club in Canberra that Federal, State and Territory Governments must unite to fast-track new policy for Australia’s $70 billion industry food... ...Read more »

Iconic Sri Lankan tea producer, Dilmah, has celebrated their 21st year with Founder, Merrill J. Fernando, and his son, Dilhan, recently returning to Australian shores – where the family company took their first steps toward competing on the cutthroat international stage. The remarkable Dilmah success story began over half a century ago when Merrill, or ‘Mr Dilmah’ as he is often referred to in Australia, saw an opportunity for his country – a major tea producer – to... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council, in partnership with GS1 Australia and industry partners, this week launched the Global Up Stream Integration (GUSI) model for the supply chain within Australia. A project leading to the implementation of GUSI standards in the Australian FMCG sector began in late 2007, with Unilever, Lion Nathan, Simplot and Sugar Australia taking part. They then reported to a reference group of 35 businesses resulting in the final endorsement by Australian FMCG manufacturers. Based... ...Read more »

Businesses in the grocery supply chain can increase their competitive edge and reap other benefits by showcasing their approaches to sustainable packaging through an international study launched by UK-based WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme). The project, which is being managed on WRAP’s behalf by PEC Partnership Ltd, seeks to promote best practice in the grocery and home improvement sectors by demonstrating innovative technologies and cutting-edge systems aimed at reducing product,... ...Read more »

A senior food advisor to the UK Government has indicated that rationing may be a possible consequence of high levels of water use in the industry. Professor Tim Lang, from City University London, suggested that the threat to the food chain was just as high from its water footprint as its carbon footprint. He added that people needed to become aware of how much water is used in producing staple goods. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Lang said his team at City University London was working toward... ...Read more »