News on Food Trends from Australia

Simplot Australia announced today it is to enter the Australasian ready meals market through a combined license and acquisition arrangement with Nestlé Australia. Simplot Australia will licence the leading frozen meals brand Lean Cuisine and Maggi fr...

Australian potato growers are fuming at Woolworths' importation of its "home brand"french fries from the Netherlands. A grower, who did not wish to be named, said Woolworths was "notorious"for overlooking Australian growers to sourc...

In a report published today, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has shown that intake of trans fatty acids (TFAs) from manufactured sources has declined in the Australian and New Zealand population by 25-40% since 2007. FSANZ Chief Scientist...

Capitalising on the success of their snack bars, Australian health food company Slim Secrets is broadening their range of snack products to include potato chips. The launch is indicative of a push from manufacturers to improve the health content of t...

A new, healthier variety of potato is set to take the Australian market by storm. Unlike most spuds, Almera is suitable for people who are diabetic or striving to maintain a healthy weight. Graham Liney, who lives about two hours from Canberra, in La...

A property at Thorpdale, in West Gippsland, has been found to have potato cyst nematode (PCN) and a freeze has been put on potato trade from the area.John Hodgkin from the Thorpdale branch of the Victorian Farmers Federation says the Government has to ...

In an article entitled "Grocery report's disparities only small fry",  Paul Sheehan notes: "The figure you need to know is the price for a kilo of potatoes from the farm gate: 55 cents. That is the most common bulk price sold to wholesal...

An attempt to make Ausveg into a grower-controlled organisation at a special general meeting in Sydney today has been torpedoed by a group of State executive officers. A draft new constitution was put to the Ausveg board - principally representatives o...

The Victorian potato industry is struggling because of the heatwave. This year's potato crop was expected to be successful after a good start, but the recent hot weather has dried up irrigation sources. Norm Suckling, a potato farmer from Mollongghip ...

In Australia, a country with 21 million people, an average of 1.2 million Australians a day walked through the golden arches in 2007. The McDoanld's franchise, which has 762 restaurants across Australia, notched double-digit growth over the calendar ...

 new study of Australians' fast food eating habits is raising the question: should more be done to promote so-called "healthier"fast food options, instead of trying to prevent people from eating fast food altogether?   Emily Brindal, a Univer...

The Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Jacinta Allan, today announced a $635,474 Brumby Government grant for a Central Highlands Water project which will help McCain Foods Australia/New Zealand reduce its potable water use by a further 15 per cent.

SIMPLOT chief information officer Martin Nowak-Rowe has more to worry about than server loads and service-oriented architecture. As the tech chief of a major food manufacturer he also has to keep tabs on the latest technologies to stop produce-borne e...

The Australian potato industry is set for increased success after AUSVEG and the Potato Processors Association of Australian (PPAA) formalised their commitment to working together for the betterment of the industry by signing a historic Memorandum of ...

Fast food chains in Australia have cut down on the use of unhealthy trans fats amid threats of regulation, and have agreed to reduce saturated fats following pressure from health groups. Major chains including McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jacks and Pizza ...

The Australian Vegetable and Potato Growers Association says growing your own vegetables could help combat rising food prices and a potential shortage of fresh produce because of the drought.   "We're seeing a shortage of carrots and we could pot...

McCain Foods Australia has launched a new range of frozen fruits, Season’s Choice allowing consumers to eat their favourite fruits all year round. Season’s Choice is available in four varieties: Golden Pineapple, Raspberries, Blueberries and Four Berry...