Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) first survey using its Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT) found when consumers are making their food choices, nutrition is top of mind, before values like naturalness, convenience, and country of origin.

China has reinstated the export approval for five Australian meat export processors, after suspending them in 2020 for technical reasons. Three other companies were reinstated six months ago, and two more remain suspended. 

With Food Allergy Week currently underway, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and the National Allergy Council are calling for mandatory allergy training of food service staff.

The family owned and operated baked goods manufacturer, Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, says its $53 million AI-powered smart factory will create at least 56 new jobs and spur its launch into the retail market.

Oakridge Wines has released the Junction Street Vineyard & Co 2023 Vintage Pinot Noir, a wine made from grapes tended to and harvested by students and staff at Upper Yarra Secondary College in Victoria.

Australia's first commercial plant protein manufacturer, Proform Foods, has gone into voluntary administration. Gayle Dickerson and James Dampney from KPMG Australia have been appointed administrators.

Gone are the days of sustainability being viewed as a ‘tick box exercise’ on the factory floor. In today’s modern manufacturing era, companies are quickly realising the true impact of deploying (or not deploying) green measures and are holding themselves accountable for their actions. Beckhoff Automation category manager – Connectivity, Supriya Suhale, looks at the shifts taking place.

Three new appointments to Wine Australia’s leadership team are to strengthen its service delivery to levy payers, as the body gears up to deliver the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan.

Australian Vintage has gone into a trading halt, requested its shares be suspended while it finalises a “proposed capital raising, debt refinancing and trading update”, and revealed Accolade Wines walked away from merger talks on 22 May.

Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania has appointed Brad Erceg as its chief commercial officer. Erceg will be responsible for the Australian and New Zealand sales teams.  

The National Food Waste Summit returns on 24-25 July, bringing together the brightest minds and leaders committed to creating a more productive, sustainable, and resilient Australian food system by ending food waste and food insecurity. In the lead-up to the summit, Food & Drink Business is profiling some of the changemakers that will be on-hand at the summit’s Trade Show. This week we hear from Empauer.

The New South Wales government says its new loan program will help regionally based food and beverage manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing capabilities. Applications for the Engine and Emerging Industries (EEI) Loan pilot are now open.

This year’s AltProteins conference is set for Thursday 10 October at the Sofitel on Collins in Melbourne. An array of speakers in industry-led discussions as well as networking opportunities will frame the day.

New Zealand based goat milk formula brand, The LittleOak Company, has launched a new facility in Perth, to reduce delivery times for families in Western Australia.

Two of Australasia’s hospitality technology pioneers – HungryHungry and Mobi – have merged to allow brands to engage more effectively with customers.

Australia’s largest integrated protein producer, Inghams Group, has launched its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan as part of its commitment to support inclusion, equity and diversity.