Australia - New Zealand

21-May-2012 - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has fined a South Australian olive oil producer, The Big Olive Company, for “misleading” ‘extra virgin olive oil’ labels and has vowed to clamp down further across industry.

Local or imports? Time for Australians to choose, asks Coke chief

18-May-2012 - Australian consumers and retailers will have to decide whether to support local food producers or watch the sector diminish, the head of beverages supplier Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) said.

New Zealand calls for ban on ‘damaging’ soy-based infant formulas

15-May-2012 - Health and medical experts in New Zealand have called for a ban on soy-based infant formula after a recent mouse study suggested soy damages the reproductive tract and immune system.

Coles is being bold about allergens

14-May-2012 - Australian supermarket giant, Coles, has taken the lead in ensuring that its food products are labelled appropriately enough for customers with allergies.

Foreign food investments - easier said than done: NZFGC

14-May-2012 - Tripling foreign capital in New Zealand’s food and beverage sector is too ambitious, says the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC).

Australia turns significant corner in children’s food advertising: AFGC

10-May-2012 - New research has shown that advertisements for high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods have fallen to almost zero in Australia, according to the country’s Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

Foreign capital needed to boost Kiwi food and beverage sector: Government agency

10-May-2012 - New Zealand’s food and beverage industry must shift to producing end products in a bid to drive its export market, but this transition will require hefty foreign capital, a Ministry report said.

Australia’s unappetising, business-as-usual Budget: AFGC

09-May-2012 - Australia’s Federal Budget is unappetising, with no bold policies directly impacting the country’s food and drink industry, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Australia embraces healthy drinks and snacks: Report

09-May-2012 - The consumption of soft drinks and confectionery is estimated to be falling due to health concerns in Australia, while healthy offerings are seeing growing demand.

FSANZ’s raw milk cheese approval awaits ministerial review

03-May-2012 - Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved a proposal recommending the sale of raw milk curd cheeses that is now awaiting review from food regulation ministers.

Hot Potato: Acrylamide concerns in New Zealand

02-May-2012 - A New Zealand report has found varied acrylamide concentrations in particular foods, with potato-based foods the worst offenders.

Sulphite safe foods in Australia?

30-Apr-2012 - ‘Nearly all’ Australian foods comply with authorised sulphite levels and this data will be used to compile dietary exposure estimates for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

Front-of-Pack labelling has stakeholder support in NZ, report suggests

30-Apr-2012 - A New Zealand study suggests industry stakeholders favour a new Front-of-Pack (FOP) labelling regime, but more “real-life” research is needed.

Australian ‘toxic’ traditional Chinese medicine curbed with DNA testing, say researchers

19-Apr-2012 - DNA sequencing on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) imported into Australia could prove invaluable in ensuring safe and legal product entry, suggests new research.

News in brief

Australian health group calls for junk food tax

17-Apr-2012 - Public Health Australia (PHA) has called on the Australian federal government to tax junk foods.

South African foods in NZ GE muddle

10-Apr-2012 - An anti-genetically engineered (GE) foods group in New Zealand is protesting infant and gluten-free products imported into the country from South Africa.

Substantial scope to reduce sodium in NZ processed foods: Study

10-Apr-2012 - New Zealand’s processed foods sector is contributing significantly to excessive salt intake in the country but there is substantial scope to reduce the sodium levels in these foods, a new study suggests.

Australian grocers reject health claim proposals

05-Apr-2012 - Australia’s biggest food trade group has rejected in its entirety, proposed nutrition and health claim regulations.

NZ honey research indicates possible wound-healing value

03-Apr-2012 - Key compounds in honey that stimulate the immune system have been identified by researchers in New Zealand, paving the way for possible new wound-healing products.

News in brief

Growth opportunities in dairy derivatives: Australia, New Zealand

02-Apr-2012 - Dairy-derived ingredients are in strong demand across Australia and New Zealand, with cheese powder and whey proteins forecast a CAGR of 3% between 2010 and 2015, according to Euromonitor.

Retail regulation a must, say Australian industry execs

29-Mar-2012 - Australia’s food and grocery sector desperately needs greater regulation in the retail sector and more transparency around foreign direct investment, Australian industry executives said in a new survey.