The New Zealand food and beverage industry has vehemently rejected anti-GM (genetically modified) group GE Free NZ’s suggestion that New Zealand should split from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and establish its own food standards authority.
Domestic legislation is finally on the horizon for the Australian organic industry, which would particularly benefit food and beverage companies looking to export by providing more efficient access to foreign markets.
The New Zealand honey industry has refuted recent claims of its products being unsafe for consumption in the wake of reports that over 20% of retail packed honey contains glyphosate residues, saying that these findings have been ‘over-sensationalised’.
New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are the next top targets for healthier noodle brand Mr Lee’s – with the firm focusing on its freeze-dried manufacturing tech as its USP and new product development tailored to Asian tastes.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has confirmed that the existing ban implemented on pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products will not be removed even with a new proposal underway to assess caffeine governance in the food supply.
Australian grain specialist firm The Healthy Grain has grand plans to develop a novel source of naturally gluten-free barley for food and beverage firms seeking a healthier, less-allergenic alternative ingredient.
Fonterra’s five-year digital transformation partnership with Microsoft will enhance food safety and security measures, as well as improve the management of its massive amounts of data, according to its Chief Information Officer.
An Australian report by the New South Wales government has found both widespread Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria presence in raw chicken obtained from local processing plants and retail outlets, with the latter a potential new source of food safety...
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Dr David Kitchen, CEO of better-for-you energy drink Kanguru about his experience juggling both a full-time medical career as an ophthalmologist alongside his beverage entrepreneurial...
The Australian beverage sector has urged the New Zealand government to design its proposed Container Return Scheme (CRS) to be industry-led instead of state-led.
New Zealand clean label energy drink brand Phoric is resuming its nationwide launch after plans were put on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier in March.
The taste, sustainability and health factor are driving the consumption of natural wines in Australia, according to Sydney-based online natural wine retailer, Notwasted.
Bega Cheese’s honey arm B honey will be focusing its Purple Hive AI-powered bee-protection technology on ‘high-risk’ entry areas in Australia - the last-known country to not have its bee populations ravaged by the deadly Varroa Destructor mite.
Australian seafood purchasers such as food firms and retailers will benefit from the development of portable X-ray based traceability technology, which will deliver faster results and skip the need to bring samples for laboratory testing.
Singapore healthier sugar firm Nutrition Innovation is riding on consumer demand for healthier, less-refined products, especially post-COVID-19, to launch in several new markets as well as push a new commercial sugar variety.
Food and beverage firms will not need to fork out any extra cash to integrate into Australia’s new National Food Traceability Programme, whether they currently use GS1 standards within their supply chains – which covers many major MNCs – or not.
New Zealand alternative protein firm Sustainable Foods is planning a 2021 launch for its hemp-based meat analogues, which will be made will locally-grown hemp and processed using a private hydroelectric power plant.
Australian blockchain firm Two Hands has developed a platform removing all middle men along the supply chain between food producers and end-users, which it believes can also be applied to smoothen meat and seafood exports to China by ‘pre-authenticating’...
A label claiming that beef is "Australian Made" is no longer enough for Chinese consumers, but backing-up origin claims with blockchain tech would boost trust and potentially value, according to a new report.
The New Zealand seafood industry is positive that its shellfish trade with China and Hong Kong is on the way back up despite taking a hit in recent weeks due to a slew of toxin warnings.
The Australian juice industry will need to play up the health benefits of consumption and its role in meeting current local dietary guidelines both on-pack and off, if it hopes to recover from the blow of its five health star rating loss.
India has emerged as the top supporter of stronger alcohol policy implementation in a new study, where researchers also criticised labelling changes in Australia and New Zealand and called for stronger, more effective measures to be put in place.
The New Zealand F&B industry has blasted the local government’s upcoming container return scheme, calling this costly, bureaucratic, and almost-certainly going to raise beverage costs and prices, which will be passed on to consumers.
Australia’s Vow is pledging to take the cell-based sector a step further by creating cultured versions of unconventional exotic animals - such as tortoise, yak and lion.
Australian flavour and ingredient company The Product Makers (TPM) has used its sugarcane extract (Saccharum officinarum) to create a gold coloured chocolate product, citing potential for its use as a colouring agent and as an ingredient for healthier...
New Zealand’s premium gin company Scapegrace Distilling is set to export its naturally coloured black gin in Asia, with the first shipments expected to land in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Japan this month.
Plant-based cheese firm Grounded has revealed hemp as its main secret ingredient in formulating products ahead of an October launch in the United States, as well as plans to establish an independent supply chain in Australia further down the road.
The Australian government has released a range of sodium reformulation targets to be implemented on a voluntary basis by the local F&B industry over the next four years, but public health researchers believe that this should be made mandatory.
New Zealand-based plant-based meat firm Sunfed Meats’ recent launch of its Boar-Free Bacon in supermarkets nationwide has seen strong success due to its taste, texture and a rising demand for healthy and clean foods by consumers, according to the firm’s...
Researchers in New Zealand have revealed that a mint product can control sugar cravings by suppressing the sweet taste receptors on the tongue, leading to an overall decrease in desire to consume sweet foods.
The potato industry in Australia is now in a state of ‘high alert’ for any potential French fries dumping activity from the EU, highlighting its chief concerns as price plummeting and farmer welfare after a tough season.
Food and beverage firms in Australia would do well to maintain product pricing, focus on advertising and research, as well as wisely streamline their product ranges in order to come out on top post-COVID-19, according to recommendations from an industry...
Sugar taxation has remained the most effective for of food taxation when it comes to reducing diet-related diseases as compared to taxes on salt, saturated fat and junk food, according to a recent New Zealand study.
New Zealand nut butter specialist firm Fix & Fogg has opted to establish a local production facility in the United States so as to overcome quota challenges and facilitate further expansion in the country.
Researchers in Australia have called for more stringent food allergen labelling regulations after recent data revealed that the lack of warning labels poses a bigger risk for consumers than cross-contamination during food processing.
Camel Milk Co Australia has expanded its e-commerce sales platform to include a world-wide online shopping cart to cope with rising global demand for its camel milk post-COVID-19
Australian food and beverage firms need to improve their social media engagement to maximise reach to consumers in all of the country’s key export markets, especially given the rise of e-commerce post-COVID-19.
An Australian-based start-up MyVi has developed a system to create customised beverages according to the real-time needs of an individual’s vitamin requirements through the use of electroacupuncture.
Bulla Dairy Foods’ decision to shift its popular ice cream Choc Tops from a cinema foodservice-style distribution format to a ‘shelf-ready’ product for Coles supermarkets during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia enabled the brand to continue successful...
Australia’s implementation of the revised Health Star Ratings (HSR) system is on track with a focus on sugar and sodium reduction via a new nutrient calculator, as well as plans for 70% of industry uptake, the Australian Department of Health has confirmed.
The world’s largest lemon myrtle grower and harvester Australian Native Products has set its sights on large tea brands in India and Sri Lanka as it seeks to market lemon myrtle across the region.
New Zealand food exports of traditionally strong-performing products such as seafood and dairy are expected to take hits in the coming months in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak due to transportation challenges and weakened demand from key markets.
The indigenous Australian green plum has been singled out as a strong candidate for commercialisation benefitting Aboriginal communities due to its natural sweetness and high nutrient value.
Australia-based Fiji Kava is selling its new sleep and relax range of kava supplements for the first time globally, with domestic supermarket chain Coles being the first to stock the products.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recently announced that it would be making industry-friendly changes to the text requirements for pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages – but its insistence to mandate coloured labels has left industry...
Nestle, Tip Top, and Mondelez in Australia and New Zealand are joining a growing list of companies renaming controversial product names amid the Black Lives Matter movement to end racial stereotyping.
Wine Australia has released its five-year Strategic Plan 2020-2025: noting that 'many significant challenges lie ahead, given the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic'.
Food and beverage companies should place more focus on building branding and reputational value as a core business strategy in order to accelerate growth and sustain it in a post-COVID-19 era, according to expert advice.
Orange juice may be a potential non‐dairy based carrier for the probiotic Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia.
