Australian spirits producers had an outstanding showing at the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London, with top scoring producers including 30 Knots Spirits, Australian Distilling Co., Ester Distilling, Mt. Uncle Distillery, Nine Circles Distillery, and Turner Stillhouse.

The recent innovation forum hosted by the Australian Marketing Institute and research company, T Garage, examined the reality for the rapidly evolving landscape of consumer goods that innovation is now table stakes. Experts from three of Australia's Top 100 food and drink companies shared their experiences and confirmed innovation is not just a corporate strategy, but a mindset permeating personal and professional life. 

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

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.

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.

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.

Workout Meals has launched a range of ready meals specifically designed for air-fryers, as Australian households gravitate towards the benchtop appliances. Food & Drink Business spoke with Workout Meals co-founder, Tomi Jurlina, to discuss the beginnings of the range and how the company has grown over the past decade.

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.

Australian flour and bakery manufacturer, Allied Pinnacle, has appointed Anthony Ogilvie as its first head of Sustainability, marking a significant step forward in the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.

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.

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.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has released its second Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT) report, showing consumers would prefer food labels to contain more and clearer information, and confidence in cell-cultured food is on the rise.

With food and beverage manufacturing the third largest energy user of manufacturing industries in Australia, the Australian Food and Grocery Council says funding from the Victorian government to help companies transition to renewable energy is a positive move.

As the 2024/25 dairy season draws to a close, Australian production is down in key regions and geopolitical uncertainty leaves the global market remaining volatile, according to Maxum Foods’ June Dairy Commodity Update and Rabobank’s 2025/26 Australian Dairy Market Outlook.

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. 

FoodTech Qld made a welcome return last week on Queensland’s Gold Coast last week, its first time being held since 2022. The event drew food and beverage manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators together from across the country for two days of connection.