The proposed sale of Lion’s Dairy & Drinks business to China Mengniu Dairy Company has fallen through, with both parties walking away due to approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) being “unlikely”.

Bubs Australia has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with joint venture partner Beingmate to manufacture Bubs Goat Infant Formula, made from 100 per cent Bubs Australian goat milk, in China.

After months of working with industry and carrying out pilot projects, this week saw 2DBarcodes by GS1 go-live at Woolworths. The small barcode can hold a wealth of information compared to traditional linear barcodes.

CCA said “challenging” trading conditions resulted in a 9.2 per cent decline in trading revenue over the first half of 2020. Its margins were impacted as consumers responded to Covid-19.

When the first COVID-19 restrictions came into play, Melbourne café chain The Jolly Miller Group looked for new income streams. Its new venture, iPantry, is an example of growing ecommerce success.

IoT-based, ‘perfect serve’ system IntelliCUP is helping to manage consistency and waste for merchants and brewers, as well as responsible consumption for consumers.

Food Frontier has joined agricultural bodies National Farmers’ Federation and NSW Farmers to launch a new Future of Protein Forum to meet the projected demand for Australian protein.

In a move that will build its infant nutrition capacity and capabilities, a2 Milk Company is looking to take a 75.1 per cent stake in New Zealand dairy nutrition business Mataura Valley Milk (MVM) for around $245 million (NZ$270 million).

Nestlé has launched its plant-based alternative to tuna under its Gourmet Garden brand in Switzerland. The product is Nestlé’s first move into the plant-based seafood alternatives market.

The Edible Bug Shop has launched its consumer facing brand Circle Harvest as part of National Science Week, with new branding and reformulated products for the range.

Food company Alt Saints has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign to raise $1 million in its bid to increase conscious consumerism and sustainability targets.

Seafood production consultancy SmartAqua and construction firm Wiley have joined forces to develop land-based aquaculture solutions for sustainable growth in the industry.

Woolworths Group will acquire a 65 per cent stake in foodservice supplier PFD Food Services for $552 million, as well as 100 per cent of PFD’s freehold properties, including its 26 distribution centres.

The a2 Milk Company summarised its FY20 results as showing “strong performance across all key product segments and all core markets”. Its total revenue increased nearly a third on the previous year, with sales of infant formula products into China more than doubling.

Hiring staff, retaining workers and managing people during times of fast technological change are a daily reality. APG Workforce CEO Glenn Redman writes.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce will investigate complaints Australian wines are being subsidised and sold into mainland China below cost. Federal trade minister Simon Birmingham said the allegations are “deeply troubling and quite perplexing”.