June/July issue out now

Welcome to the June/July issue of Food & Drink Business magazine. We catch-up on the latest for the RTD market with Lion's director of RTD and Spirits, Albertus Lombard, and furthering our Beverage Business feature T Garage provides its insights on natural beverages and opportunities for brands. And while winter is upon us, it is certainly not dampening the joy and success of this year's Hive Awards as our wrap-up and gallery attest. These stories and so much more are ready for your reading. Enjoy. 

Every two years, Anuga provides the platform, creates the events, and the program that enables the world’s food and beverage sector to showcase the trends and directions of the industry around the world. Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, speaks with the director of Anuga, Jan Phillip Hartman, about what visitors can expect at Anuga 2025.

From printing to publishing, Yaffa Media has always been about its people and niche audiences. Founded in 1925, it is one of Australia’s largest independent media companies. This year marks a centenary of storytelling.

Food & Drink Business presents its annual flagship Top 100 Food & Drink Companies Report for 2024. Compiled in collaboration with IBISWorld, the report ranks by revenue Australia’s biggest players in the food and drink sector. It’s your go-to industry resource into Australia’s largest manufacturing sector.

Noumi finalises last legacy costs

The Victorian Supreme Court has approved the settlement terms of the consolidated class action brought against Noumi and its former auditor, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

UNSW food scientists reinventing plant-based dairy

UNSW researchers are using plant proteins and food engineering to recreate the texture, melt and nutrition of traditional cheeses – without the cow.

AFGC appoints Bernie Brookes as first independent chair

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has appointed its first independent chair, Bernie Brookes. Brookes starts immediately and brings more than four decades of executive and board level experience in retail and consumer goods in Australia and internationally.

IKU celebrates 40 years of plant-based meals

One of Australia’s first plant-based, chef-led eateries and now ready meal provider IKU is celebrating its 40 year anniversary, with the business experiencing record growth since switching to an e-commerce model.

New Inghams CEO officially starts in the role

Inghams has confirmed that as of this week, Edward Alexander is the CEO and managing director of the company. The retirement of Andrew Reeves was announced to the market in December, along with news Alexander would be taking his place.

Mars Australia increases Foodbank support with Dolmio meals

Mars Food & Nutrition Australia is continuing to support Foodbank Australia in tackling food insecurity, with plans to deliver four million meals to Australians in need this year through pasta sauce brand, Dolmio.

IFF report: five forces shaping taste for the future

In an increasingly complex world, taste remains one of the most powerful connectors between people, culture and experience. Global ingredients company, IFF, looks at the necessity of creating meaningful and personalised flavours to future-proof products, and how the taste trends landscape looks in 2025.

Barcode economics suggests opportunity for $50bn boost

Australia’s GDP could be boosted by up to $50 billion a year if supply chain data standards were improved, according to a new report commissioned by GS1 Australia, and launched to coincide with World Barcodes Day, which marks the anniversary of the first barcode scan on 26 June 1974.

Packaging News

Ego Pharmaceuticals has unveiled a bold new chapter in its commitment to local manufacturing, announcing a $156 million, decade-long investment to expand its Victorian operations.

After an extended period of grace for brands whose packaging carried the REDcycle and Return to Store labelling, the deadline is here for complete removal from soft plastic packaging in Australia.

The 2025 PKN Women in Packaging Awards, presented in Sydney today, have once again shone a powerful spotlight on the exceptional women driving progress, innovation, and impact across every corner of the packaging value chain.