Alcohol beverage distributor and manufacturer Independent Distillers fear the introduction of alcopops tax will cut jobs, not drinking. If new excise measures are passed by the Senate, this could mean the closure of its factory in Laverton – a loss of 135 jobs, and potentially a further 150 among suppliers and customers. It could also mean the company may have to consider moving operations overseas. Since the 70 per cent tax on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages was introduced in April 2008... ...Read more »

Food and beverage firms in Europe are discovering exciting new options for prebiotics in infant formula products, dairy and beverages and expanding prebiotic ingredients into new application sectors such as snack products and meat products as consumer demand grows. New prebiotic ingredients with unique functional properties are entering the prebiotics market and the importance of prebiotic fibres as opposed to general fibres is steadily increasing in market applications. The food industry remains... ...Read more »

The UK’s Food Standards Agency has today published revised, voluntary salt reduction targets for industry to meet by 2012 – offering more challenging targets to the food industry. The revision has been set for 80 categories of foods, to ensure continued momentum in reducing salt levels is maintained by food retailers and manufacturers, the food standards body advised. Around 75% of the salt consumed is already in everyday foods, the FSA said, with the targets being set for foods that... ...Read more »

An Australia-wide drink container deposit system is being considered by the Federal Government, with Family First and the Greens both pushing for legislation similar to that seen in South Australia. The idea involves adding a 10c levy to packaged beverages, which can be recovered by consumers when they recycle it. The leading representative of food and beverage manufacturers, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, is against the push, claiming it could cost Australians almost $500 million a year... ...Read more »

Private label share has risen dramatically across retail channels and product categories during the past two years as consumers struggle with high food prices and other economic pressures, new research from America has indicated. According to the latest research from Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), “The 2009 Private Label Report,” this trend is expected to continue through 2009 and beyond, representing an unprecedented opportunity for retailers and a threat for branded manufacturers. “With... ...Read more »

Fourteen brands will be entitled to place the ‘whatsnew? Product of the Year’ label on their products after coming out on top in a survey of Australian consumers. In its second year in Australia, 5,000 consumers were queried as to the best new products in 14 different categories. The consumer decision was made after an expert panel of judges from marketing, advertising and design, agreed on a short list of finalists. Consumers were then asked in an online survey conducted by Roy Morgan,... ...Read more »

Kosher and Halal foods – as defined by the sacred dietary laws of Judaism and Islam, respectively – must be produced and processed according to standards that typically exceed those imposed by governments around the world. In kosher and halal food production, sanitation requirements are more exacting, supervision is rigorous, inspection is more frequent, prohibitions against certain ingredients and contaminants are stricter, and label information is more forthcoming than required by most... ...Read more »

An ageing population can no longer be ignored by the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector, with a new approach needed to attract the lucrative market, according to a new series of reports from independent market analyst Datamonitor. Traditionally, Young Adults have been the key target demographic, but marketers must adapt in order to maximise the huge potential of the Seniors market, their research found. “The ageing of populations globally is an issue that will increasingly shape both society... ...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 »

European consumers are keen to see food and beverage manufacturers enhance the environmental credentials of their packaging, according to a new survey released this week. Consumer survey results published at the Anuga Trade Fair show that 86% of consumers say they recycle their glass and over 80% think not enough attention is paid to household waste. The survey of 6200 consumers in 12 European Countries was conducted for FEVE – the European Federation for container glass. The survey established... ...Read more »