Australian public health organisations have co-signed a letter from consumer advocacy group CHOICE, urging Federal Government to adopt the Traffic Light front-of-pack food labelling scheme. Signatories to the letter, sent to the Australian Government’s Ministerial Council responsible for labelling law and policy, include Public Health Association of Australia, Australian Medical Association, Diabetes Australia, Cancer Council Australia, Obesity Policy Coalition, The Australian New Zealand Obesity... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil Australasia (CCAA) has invested A$35 Million in new “blowfill” technology at its Thebarton production facility in Adelaide, enabling the company to design and manufacture its own bottles using less raw materials. CCAA’s Managing Director, Warwick White, described the new technology as the single largest capital investment in the company’s history, adding that it will fundamentally change the nature of manufacturing in the business. He said, “The introduction of this technology... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) today urged the Federal Government’s Future Jobs Forum, at Parliament House, Canberra, to explore new ways of safeguarding jobs in Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing sector. The Future Jobs Forum was a meeting called by Prime Minister Julia Gillard to bring together representatives from business, unions, government and academia to discuss the challenges facing Australian industry over the next decade. Addressing the forum, AFGC Chief Executive... ...Read more »

Research conducted by the research-house Innova Database group has revealed a shift over the past few years in the way dairy products are marketed. According to the research, dairy product development and marketing in Australia and elsewhere has become more sophisticated. There are more ingredient blends, not only with calcium, but also vitamin D, vitamin K2, lysine, prebiotic fibres and isoflavones in dairy (or dairy substitutes). These are claimed to help boost calcium absorption and bone formation. While... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest dairy processor, Parmalat, in conjunction with packaging giant Tetra, has launched a new white milk carton. Parmalat, which fields fresh white milk brands Pauls Full Cream, Rev and Skinny Milk in Victoria, claims the new packaging is the “first significant innovation in fresh white milk packaging for 10 years”. Parmalat’s Rowville processing plant, in Victoria, has been undergone a A$2.2 million refit to allow a shift from existing gable top cartons to the... ...Read more »

A German scientist believes he has discovered the scientific explanation for chocolate’s unique aroma and taste. Professor Peter Schieberle, of the Technical University of Munich, says a combination of raw beef fat, human sweat, cabbage and an improbable palate of other distinctly un-cocoa-like aromas are what makes chocolate taste and smell the way it does. His findings have been published this week by the American Chemical Society. Professor Schieberle believes that better knowledge of flavor... ...Read more »

Australia’s national farming industry association, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Federal Government to ensure the future viability of Australia’s food manufacturing sector, without resorting to protectionist measures. NFF President Jock Laurie said in a statement today that it is in the interests of farmers to see a strong and vibrant manufacturing industry in Australia, particularly food manufacturing, but without compromising Australia’s long running trading... ...Read more »

For the first time in its 100 year history, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) is bringing its international forum to Australia. The Securing Global Food Safety conferencence is to be held on 26 – 28 September 2011 in Melbourne. The event also incorporates the 14th Australian Food Microbiology Conference, and is presented by the IAFP, the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Inc (AIFST) and the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food... ...Read more »

Nestlé has closed its three production plants in Egypt – and its local headquarters in Cairo – due to the political unrest in the African country. The world’s largest food manufacturer makes culinary products, beverages and ice cream in Egypt but said its operations in the country had been “temporarily interrupted” amid the crisis. “Nestlé Egypt’s headquarters in Cairo, as well as its three factories, will remain closed until the security situation improves.... ...Read more »

The industrial action at Heinz’s flagship UK production site could rumble on into next week with staff planning another 24-hour strike tomorrow (21 December). Jennie Formby, national officer for the Unite union, told just-food today that another stoppage was being lined up to take place at the Kitt Green plant from 06:00 on Tuesday until 06:00 on Wednesday. Workers at the plant in north-west England have already held one 24-hour strike this week after rejecting what they labelled a “below-inflation”... ...Read more »