Australia’s food industry has cautioned regulators not to impose new rules for Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for food products, with the nation’s trade body citing cost and compliance concerns from its members.
Heineken is acquiring Strongbow from Asahi in Australia, after the Japanese firm was forced to sell the cider brand by competition chiefs as part of its deal to buy Carlton & United Breweries (CUB).
Sydney-based start-up Seeweedery is transforming processing waste such as prawn shells into prawn oil for cooking, rescuing some of the flavours and nutrients lost, wasted or underutilised in Australia’s seafood supply chain.
Australian researchers have called out the local food system for being uncoordinated and overly complex in its governance, urging the government to work out a coherent and strategic approach for food-related policy-making.
Supplement giant Swisse is expanding its Australian Nutra+ practitioner-only range with six new products this month, bringing the total to 10 supplements.
The Australian food and beverage industry says a new government manufacturing strategy will propel exports, boost jobs and revitalise its stagnant capital investment environment.
The head of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has challenged Australian chocolate manufacturer Darrell Lea to explain its sustainability claims after the latter announced that it would be going totally palm oil-free.
A new plant-based meat report has highlighted the sector’s health merits over conventional processed meats, but stressed they should not replace whole foods such as legumes, vegetables or moderate amounts of meat as staples for a balanced diet.
Brisbane plant-based company Fenn Foods is set to release three new products early next year under its vEEF brand, one of which will be the ‘world’s first carbon neutral’ plant-based meat.
Cambodia-based exporter and producer of rice Bayon Cereal is planning to launch three low to mid glycaemic index (GI) products next year, after achieving certification from Australia’s Glycemic Index Foundation (GIF) and being spurred into action after...
Australian Aboriginal group Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) is targeting a premium market for its Ngooka honey based on its anti-microbial and health-promoting properties, which the group’s CEO says is likely comparable with that of manuka honey.
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.
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...
Australian dessert manufacturer Frosty Boy has made its first foray into nutritional beverages and plans to make a push into major markets such as China, Middle East, and Indonesia.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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...
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.
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...
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
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.
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.
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 functional energy drink Kanguru recently launched in South Korea and has big ambitions to beat traditional local tonic drinks as well as conquer the late-night gaming and entertainment scene.
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.
Wine consumption rates in Australia have maintained steady pre-COVID-19 rates even during the pandemic-induced lockdown, mostly driven by the alcohol consumption behaviour of the nation’s Gen X consumers during this period.
Big brands can no longer rely on their heavyweight clout for food business success in Australia, with consumers and retailers increasingly attracted to smaller ‘underdog’ start-ups, which they perceive to be more innovative
Australian food and beverage companies making the shift to or adding e-commerce platforms to their businesses must carefully manage any new risk profiles – or run the risk of cyber attacks similar to those recently experienced by the country’s largest...
Australian e-commerce platform BuyNatural believes there are “exceptional opportunities” in China for local dietary supplement brands, with consumers eager to purchase “newer and smaller” brands.
Australia and Indonesia have finally ratified a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after 15 years of discussion, but cold chain issues and live cattle disputes are clearly still holding food trade back for the South East Asian nation.
Non-alcoholic spirits firm Lyre’s has launched into Singapore right after winning multiple awards at an international spirits competition, and hopes to use the City State as a stepping stone to further expansion across Asia.
Australia’s complementary medicines sector continues to surge, with the sector officially valued at AUD$5.6bn last year (US$3.9bn), up from AUD$5.2bn (US$3.5bn) in 2018, while exports grew by another 15% to AUD$1.1bn (US$766m).