Despite an increase in food prices worldwide, fresh foods remain an important part of the weekly shop globally, according to research published earlier this month by global market researcher Nielsen. The Nielsen Global Survey of Fresh Foods, which surveyed more than 29,000 respondents in 58 countries, found that consumers globally now spend between 30 and 60 per cent of their total food, grocery and personal care funds on fresh foods. The research found that consumers globally shop for fresh foods... ...Read more »

Poultry manufacturer Luv-a-Duck Pty Ltd is being taken to the Federal Court of Australia by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC says the company’s claims that its ducks are ‘range reared and grain fed’ are false, misleading and deceptive. Luv-a-Duck claims on its packaging, website and brochures that its birds are ‘grown and grain fed in the spacious Victorian Wimmera Wheatlands’. But the ACCC alleges this is not true and that the ducks do not “have substantial... ...Read more »

The Food Safety Information Council has released concerning national survey data this week that shows 60% of home cooks in Australia are putting themselves at additional risk of food poisoning from chicken. The data showed that 60 per cent were at risk from washing whole poultry before it was cooked, which can spread bacteria around the kitchen. A further 16% of those surveyed incorrectly tasted chicken to see if it was cooked properly rather than using a safe meat thermometer. The focus on cross-contamination... ...Read more »

Popular Australian poultry brand, Steggles has just launched new Mini Chicken Kievs, re-creating the classic chicken kiev as a bite size snack. Steggles new Mini Chicken Kievs are made from quality chicken, filled with garlic butter and coated in a parsley sprinkled breadcrumb. The Mini Kievs are being promoted as being “free from palm oil, artificial colours and artificial flavours.” Steggles Brand Manager Nicole Camilleri said “We have been able to re-create a traditional favourite as a mini... ...Read more »

Frozen foods continue to grow in popularity in the UK and Australia. The British Frozen Food Federation values the industry at just under 5.4 billion pounds, with a growth of 6.1% year on year. The British Frozen Food Federation said that the frozen meat and poultry sector was leading the way as consumers ‘are switching to frozen meat and poultry from fresh as they try desperately to manage their diminishing household budgets.’ The details from British Frozen Food Federation March 2012 statistics... ...Read more »

South Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman has announced a new compliance campaign taking aim at food businesses. The new focus will be on bakeries, poultry and smallgoods retailers, butchers, greengrocers and fruit and vegetable stores in suburban Adelaide and the regional centres of Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Berri, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.  The Fair Work campaign will audit the employment practices of up to 250 food retailers in South Australia over the next four months. SA Fair Work Ombudsman... ...Read more »

One of Australia’s biggest poultry businesses Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd, is being prepared for sale. “My decision marks the next phase for the successful ongoing development of the company and is one that I, as sole shareholder, have considered for a number of years,” Bob Ingham, its sole shareholder, announced yesterday. The company produces a wide variety of fresh and processed chicken and turkey products along with animal stock feeds and is believed to have recorded sales of over AU$2... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituted legal proceedings for misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to the promotion and supply of a line of duck-meat products. The company is alleged to have claimed that its ducks were ‘open range’ and ‘grown in nature’s way’. Pictorial representations of ducks in natural surroundings are also depicted on their packaging, website and advertising material.  The company against whom the ACCC is taking action is Pepe’s... ...Read more »

A new scheme will provide greater transparency for New South Wales consumers about farm production systems. Terms such as “free-range”, “barn” and “cage” are now more clearly defined on the NSW Food Authority website. Information on the various egg production schemes operating in NSW is now available online to enable consumers to make informed food choices. “The NSW Food Authority has responded to calls for more transparent information on egg labelling and consumers who want to... ...Read more »

A parliamentary inquiry will investigate the performance of Victorian food safety regulators Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV) and PrimeSafe. The Victorian Government’s Rural and Regional Parliamentary Committee will assess the competitiveness and regulatory burden of national primary production and processing standards on businesses regulated by PrimeSafe and Dairy Food Safety Victoria. Dairy Food Safety Victoria administers the Dairy Act 2000. Its role is to ensure national food safety standards... ...Read more »