CCEP is extending Australia’s recycling capability into the Pacific, launching a cross-border PET recovery program that brings community-collected plastic into local processing streams to produce food-grade rPET.

The Queensland government is investing $4.5 million into Beef2027 in Rockhampton, taking place from 2-8 May next year, aiming to showcase the state’s beef industry.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is consulting on whether packaged food manufacturers should be required by law to display a Health Star Rating, after voluntary uptake targets were not met.

The federal government has committed an additional $387.4 million to CSIRO over four years, but the agency has confirmed its restructure – including a reduction of 300 to 350 full-time equivalent roles and closure of its food science division – will proceed regardless.

The World Drinks Awards has revealed its Gin medallists and country winners for 2026 – with Australia standing tall. Broken Hill Distillery, Callington Mill Distillery, and Never Never Distilling all had standout achievements.

Data from inventory management software provider, Unleashed, drawn from more than 600 Australian manufacturing firms, found local food and beverage manufacturers recorded significant revenue declines in the first quarter of 2026, with purchase orders cut sharply across both sectors as the Iran conflict rattled global supply chains and cost pressures intensified.

Woolworths has confirmed the return of in-store soft plastics collection points across more than 700 supermarkets nationally, with South Australia the latest state to join the renewed recycling scheme this week.

For many growing businesses, passion and purpose are what spark success in the early years. But as a company expands, instinct alone is no longer enough. Sustainable growth requires a clear strategy, a deep understanding of customers, and the ability to adapt as markets evolve. Gewürzhaus co-founder and managing director, Maria Konecsny shares insights from establishing a specialty herb and spice business that has expanded across Australia.

FOODiQ Global has completed a 28-year analysis of Australian non-alcoholic drink sales, revealing a strong swing towards water and low- and no-sugar carbonated drinks for consumer choices in the beverage aisle. The study was commissioned by the Australian Beverages Council.

Australian Plant Proteins (APP) has launched Nothing Else, a direct-to-consumer brand offering faba bean and yellow pea protein isolates manufactured entirely at its Horsham, Victoria facility, making it the only vertically integrated plant protein isolate producer in the country with a consumer-facing product line.

Baiada Poultry has completed a national network infrastructure overhaul to strengthen operational resilience and cybersecurity visibility across its vertically integrated supply chain, from breeding farms and feed mills through to processing plants and distribution facilities.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has warned that a convergence of Middle East conflict, energy market disruption, and domestic interest rate pressure is forcing unsustainable cost increases onto the nation’s food and grocery manufacturers.

The trade show at Hort Connections 2026 is sold out, with a record number of booths confirmed for the event, which takes place at the Adelaide Convention Centre from Monday 1 to Thursday 4 June.

The New South Wales government is supporting 10 Aboriginal-owned enterprises and five regional producers from across the state to represent New South Wales at Fine Food Australia 2026, taking place from 31 August-3 September at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has opened another Western Australian focused Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech program, following the success of the 2025 round.

OzHarvest’s Frontline Report 2026 paints a grim picture of the Australian food insecurity crisis, revealing more than 74,000 people are turned away from food support every month, as frontline charities struggle to cope with rising demand.