Australia is presently suffering a severe shortage of CO2 required for soft drinks to bubble. Ironically, the Australian Federal government recently passing a law to impose a carbon tax (still to come into effect) and this law aims to discourage production of carbon dioxide (CO2). In actual fact, the current shortage is  a consequence of necessary State government protective measures responding to non-comformances with environmental safety laws  by an upstream supplier to the CO2 plant.The temporary... ...Read more »

An $18.5 million expansion of Nestlé’s Smithtown factory on the New South Wales Mid North Coast will create around 30 full time jobs and turn the site into the company’s production hub for its Nescafé Café Menu range in Australia. NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner, welcomed Nestlé Australia’s investment. “This is a significant boost for the local economy, both the Macleay Valley and the Mid North Coast more generally,” Mr Stoner said. “The... ...Read more »

The NSW Government has unveiled an action plan to tackle the growing global problem of food security, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today. The Minister launched the plan, Research for Action – Productivity and Food Security, as part of a major food security forum held in Sydney today, featuring experts from science and industry. “Food security is one of the biggest issues facing our planet,” Mr Macdonald said. “Today’s event in Sydney brings together... ...Read more »

The bottled water industry is expected to come under heightened scrutiny following the decision by the NSW Government to place a ban on all agencies and departments buying bottled water. And Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, has shown support for the move. Mr Garrett told ABC radio today that other states should consider following the lead of New South Wales. “I think it’s worth looking at,” he said. “Quite clearly we’re having a really important, pretty healthy... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council, the national body representing Australia’s food and grocery products manufacturers today welcomed the New South Wales Government’s $36 million initiative aimed at tackling obesity. The NSW Government yesterday unveiled their ‘Obesity Strategy’, with a $36 million commitment designed to decrease obesity levels amongst children from 25 per cent to 22 per cent by 2016. It involves a social marketing campaign, a research centre, advice... ...Read more »