Researchers at Deakin University have completed a nutritional audit of 700 plant-based foods that are on sale in Australian supermarkets. While results varied widely within and across categories, they found a consistent trend of plant-based meats getting saltier.

Announcing its 1H24 results, Bega said its performance reflected the importance of the group’s diversity, with its Branded business unit more than offsetting the decline it had in the Bulk segment.

Australian Vintage has achieved B Corp certification for its Australian operations and global pillar brands, including Tempus Two, McGuigan Wines, Nepenthe, Barossa Valley Wine Company, and Not Guilty. The winemaker has set a net zero target for 2040, and will transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity across all sites this year. 

Winners of the Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show have been revealed, with Bega’s Rindless Vintage Cheese taking out the top honour of Champion Cheese, and Lactalis Australia’s Pauls Farmhouse Gold crowned Champion White Milk.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is inviting stakeholders to participate in the review of Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. Submissions close on 4 April.

As Woolworths Group announced the resignation of CEO Brad Banducci, it also released its 1H24 financial results, recording a 4.4 per cent increase in group sales to $34.6 billion and a net loss after tax of $781 million.

Maggie Beer Holdings (MBH) has put the planned investment into Paris Creek Farms on hold after a 10 per cent drop in its revenue. MBH also announced it is in advanced conversations with a third-party supplier to produce its Maggie Beer cheeses.

A new $12.2 million food and beverage manufacturing centre in Western Australia will be open to all food and beverage businesses that are looking for low-risk environment to scale up production.

Cultivate Food and Beverage, a social enterprise backed by South Australian disability services provider Bedford, has acquired Adelaide Hills Food, with major growth plans for the well-known bakery and food manufacturer.

JBS Australia has commenced the second shift at its Dinmore processing facility. Following its $77 million upgrade, the site has welcomed more than 300 new team members, with the dual-shift system expected to double Dinmore’s daily processing capacity. 

Cargill has launched SustainConnect, a sustainable agriculture program designed to connect Australian canola growers with new and emerging markets, while catering to the rising domestic and international demand for sustainable Australian canola.

Woolworths Group CEO and managing director, Brad Banducci, has resigned and will step down in September. The MD of WooliesX, Amanda Bardwell, will be the company’s new CEO.

The a2Milk Company’s (a2MC) focus on the China market has delivered a strong 1H24 with 3.7 per cent revenue growth to NZ$812 million. However, the overall China infant milk formula market was down 10.7 per cent.

Six months since acquiring Betta Milk and Meander Valley Dairy from TasFoods, Bega Group is relocating the brands’ manufacturing to its existing Lenah Valley site in Hobart. The consolidation means Betta's Burnie factory will close with 21 job losses.

Fonterra has announced the integration of two of its business units, Fonterra Brands New Zealand (FBNZ) and Fonterra Australia, to form Fonterra Oceania, saying the merge would strengthen its trans-Tasman offerings in an ‘increasingly competitive marketplace’. 

Industry figure Robert Becher, managing director of food processing solutions supplier INOX, and director on the APPMA Board, passed away on Saturday 17 February.