Take a look at the stories that caught everyone’s attention on the Food & Drink Business website this week: Suntory Oceania marks one year of construction in QLD; Norco reopens Lismore factory; Husic launches Industry Growth Program; Moo yoghurt investigated by ACCC, and APCO’s 2023 consumer insights. 

Every week, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry brings you the latest news in the food and drink manufacturing sector. This week: Norco, Industry Growth Program, National Reconstruction Fund, Brown Family Wine Group, Moo Premium Foods, Riverland Wine, Givaudan,

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Roberto Carbone from Cucina Classica about his experience with food, from his family’s delis and own enterprises in restaurants and cafés to his ready meal business today.

In Episode 4 of our special series with Calyx and Kurrajong Kitchen, CEO Karen Lebsanft has many questions for Calyx CEO, Lauren Branson, after receiving the data on Oaklees' sustainability credentials.

Registrations for the inaugural Australasian Processing and Packaging Expo (APPEX) 2024 are now open, with the country’s largest expo for the processing and packaging sector running from 12-15 March, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Food & Drink Business, in collaboration with IBISWorld, presents a bird’s eye view of the state of play in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector with the annual Top 100 companies report.

National Reconstruction Fund ready to invest

The $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) is open for business, and can begin investing across seven key areas outlined in the newly published NRF Corporation Investment Mandate. 

AFGC releases position paper on 'ultra-processed foods'

The Australian Food & Grocery Council has released a position paper, highlighting the limitations of the term ‘ultra-processed foods’ in research focused on public health and environmental outcomes, and offering an alternative perspective.

Moo to remove ocean plastic packaging claims

Following an investigation by the ACCC, yoghurt manufacturer Moo Premium Foods (Moo) will remove the ‘100 per cent ocean plastic’ claims from its packaging, social media and website.

Licensed sales director appointed at Suntory Oceania

Suntory Oceania has appointed Gordon Treanor as licensed sales director for Australia. Treanor will establish and lead the new Alcohol Route to Market team, a unit dedicated to executing sales, channel, and customer growth strategies in the Australian market.

Woolworths matches donations for OzHarvest appeal

Woolworths’ partnership with OzHarvest will see the supermarket match every dollar donated by customers to the charity's Christmas appeal in store and online until 26 December.

Beston FY24: Efficiency and Lactoferrin

Beston Global Food Company’s Lactoferrin capacity expansion has progressed forward as the company anticipates Lactoferrin sales to surpass 10MT in the first half of FY24.

FIAL launches forum series

Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) will soon deliver its Middle East Trade Readiness Forum, the first of a series of region-specific forums designed for Australian food businesses wanting to fast-track export and import developments.

Coopers Brewery appoints first female chair

Melanie Cooper has been appointed as the first female chair of Coopers Brewery in its 161-year history, taking over from Glenn Cooper who will step down in December after 22 years.

Retail Food Group acquires Beefy’s Pies

Global food and beverage group Retail Food Group (RFG) has entered into a conditional SPA to acquire Queensland pie maker Beefy’s Pies for $10 million. Family-owned, Beefy’s opened its first store in 1997.

Packaging News

Pact Group and global infrastructure investment management company Morrison & Co have concluded a deal to form a new JV entity, branded as Viscount Reuse.

PKN’s latest issue is out, and befitting what has been a huge year for packaging innovation, sustainability and investment, this final issue for 2023 is jam-packed with news and in-depth features, including all the latest developments in Circular Economy, Packaging Innovation, Food & Beverage Packaging, and Design, plus our reports on Pack Expo and Labelexpo.

This month, rigid plastics specialist Wellman Packaging, supplier to many multinational brands, is celebrating five decades of innovation, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability.