New Zealand’s High-Value Nutrition (HVN) National Science Challenge and industry partners are seeking to establish two new ‘highly functional natural foods’ – Karengo, a type of edible seaweed, and Mamaku, a type of tree fern.
The food and beverage industry in Australia has expressed ‘full support’ for the addition of information about added sugar onto food and beverage labels – but want this to be consistent with the Health Star Rating (HSR) system to avoid negatively affecting...
The New Zealand Food Safety unit has recently opened its draft strategy for public consultation, and has identified four key emerging risks and opportunities to focus on within the New Zealand food safety system, which apply to both local and foreign...
The New Zealand food and beverage industry has responded with doubt over the efficacy and benefits of supermarket Countdown’s decision to ban the sales of energy drinks to all consumers under the age of 16.
New Zealand supermarket chain Countdown has banned the sale of energy drinks to under 16s, with its 180 outlets requiring young customers to present their ID when seeking to make purchases.
Australian ‘health and wellness’ products including functional foods, supplements and personalised nutrition, along with more sustainable products such as alternative protein, will become a AU$25bn billion market by 2030, according to new data.
A new New Zealand report has revived calls for the government to make the Health Star Rating (HSR) system mandatory in the country after highlighting that almost all leading food brands carried high numbers of ultra-processed foods.
Australian firms have a great opportunity to tap into the clean meat movement, according to the founder of Heuros, one of just two Aussie companies currently operating in the sector.
The ban on exporting live sheep from Australia to the Middle East has been extended to September 22, due to the risk of heat stress, Australia’s Department of Agriculture announced.
The European Union (EU)’s recent demands that Australia remove food product names it claims are protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) scheme, such as feta or gruyere cheese, has angered the country’s F&B industry, but the government insists...
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has launched two proposals to overhaul of the Australian food safety standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), marking the first time in almost two decades these have been reviewed.
Over 20% of fermented beverages in Australia have been found to contain alcohol content above that of the limits stipulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), a government study has revealed.
A new allergy prevention project in Australia has recommended that children be exposed to a variety of common allergy-causing foods within the first year of age in order to decrease their risk of allergy development later in life – but how strong is the...
Coca-Cola Amatil has expanded further into the Australian health beverages market via a new distribution agreement with specialty beverage firm Made Group, which owns protein smoothie brand Rokeby Farms and cold-pressed juice brand Impressed Juices.
As the EU and Australia negotiate a free trade agreement, the EU has given Australia a list of more than 400 products it wants protected as part of any deal, with many dairy terms included.
A senior Australian academic has branded a major new study that discovered a possible association between drinking lots of sugary drinks and an increased risk of cancer as little more than “hypothesis-generating”, rather than establishing a meaningful...
Danone will invest NZ$40m (US$26m) to drive environmental efficiencies in its New Zealand spray drying plant – a facility where the base of infant formula powder is made.
Australians are consuming inadequate amounts of protein, as well as the wrong sources of it, according to Dr Natalie Luscombe-Marsh, senior research scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia.
An Australian trial has found that curcumin extract with high bioavailability is able to improve neurocognitive function and mood in healthy aged subjects.
A little more than half of Australians drink at least one cup of coffee a week, just under half drink tea and a round eighth drink hot chocolate, according to new data.
After launching its Asia business in Singapore and Hong Kong in 2014, swiftly followed by Vietnam and Thailand, Aussie craft gin brand Four Pillars is now seeking to build its name in the altogether different environment of Japan’s capital.
The Health Star Ratings (HSR) scoring system has come under fire yet again as the completion of its five-year-review draws close, with both consumer groups and academics calling for major changes in its proceedings.
South Australia’s reputation for being Australia’s epicurean centre is getting a boost, with spirits distilling now making a name for itself in the state, in addition to the wineries that first brought it that distinction.
Most New Zealand consumers have “got the message” about switching to some of the many no- or low-sugar drinks now available, according to the country’s top food and beverage industry association.
Snacking giant Mondelez International has established a new Growth Hub in Oceania, separate from its global innovation hub SnackFutures, which it claims underscores its commitment to growth and innovation in the region.
Australian niche ice cream maker Golden North expects to quadruple its shipments to Asia after signing a deal to start send stocks to MM Mega Market stores across Vietnam.
A new study from the University of Otago has highlighted the overall effectiveness of sugar taxation in several countries where it has been implemented, but stressed that both taxation design and policy consistency need to be taken into account to increase...
Low-cost social media marketing, ensuring suitable software and systems are in place, and brand protection have been identified as key traits for fast healthy FMCG company growth, according to a panel of industry leaders.
Nestle is collaborating with blockchain provider OpenSC on a pilot for its New Zealand dairy operations that will create supply chain traceability from farm-to-fork, with a second phase set to focus on palm oil.
A New Zealand study has revealed that sugar-sweetened beverages appears to contain higher health risks than sugar-containing foods, especially when it comes to metabolic syndrome development.
Healthy, natural and organic food firms from Australia seeking to crack the US market can’t afford to ignore traditional retail channels, while at the same time ensuring they don’t seek to run before they can walk, according to a leading expert.
Australian beverage giant Coca-Cola Amatil has recently announced its pioneering development of a 100% recyclable, carbonated-pressure proof soft drink bottle.
An increasing focus on gut health, alternative protein sources and better-for-you product development are amongst the major trends that industry experts have identified as crucial to the Australian healthy foods industry.
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology will soon embark on a trial to investigate if prebiotic supplementation can reduce anxiety levels in autistic children by acting on their gut microbiome.
New Zealand-based dairy company Megadairy has highlighted several major differences between dairy consumption patterns in their two major markets, China and Oceania.
New Zealand’s Lewis Road Creamery has cited its dairy quality and innovative capabilities as major reasons it is not concerned about competition from the plant-based products sector as it targets expansion into Asia.
The first ever artificial intelligence analysis of 5mn hectares of Australian vineyards using satellite imagery has found that the total number of vine rows will wrap around the world 11 times.
Australian researchers have voiced their support for two large international studies that further hammer the nail into processed food’s coffin by finding an association between eating or drinking junk food and an increased risk of heart disease and dying....
The content marketer behind campaigns for Australian organic baby food company Bellamy’s Organic has revealed his top tips on forming an effective content marketing strategy for food and beverage firms.
Australian brands are at high risk of falling victim to food fraud, especially in overseas markets, due to the high premium placed on goods made in the country, according to a leading food fraud prevention expert.
The New Zealand food industry has hailed plans by retail giant Costco to open its first outlet in Auckland, with trade leaders claiming it ‘a win’ for the local market.
The board of Westland Co-operative Dairy Company Limited is urging all its shareholders to exercise their votes at, or before, the Scheme Meeting on July 4 to support the sale of the cooperative to Hongkong Jingang Trade Holding Co., Limited, a wholly...
An expert panel from major Australian supermarkets Drakes, Coles and The Natural Grocery Company have revealed that food firms who stay on trend, focus on packaging and come well-prepared will increase their chances of getting their products on store...
Australian Food and Pharmaceutical Industries (AFPI) has launched a science-based chewing gum that aims to not only cleanse the mouth and eliminate bad breath, but also help heal the gut.
Global sweetener manufacturer Lakanto has highlighted the multiple benefits of monkfruit as a natural sweetener over stevia, on the heels of its successful bid to get monkfruit approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Australian firm MOJO Kombucha’s pledge to authenticity and no artificial sweeteners are what have helped it grow from a small family business to becoming a major name in the country, and recently being acquired by beverage giant Coca-Cola, according to...
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) recent seizure of unlicensed bloodroot and black salve supplements has highlighted a dangerous emerging trend for unlicensed ‘natural’ products that claim to help fight cancers.
