Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry takes a look at the week that was in Australia's food and beverage manufacturing sector. From another craft brewery going into voluntary administration, to Dr Craig Emerson's interim report into the Food & Grocery Code of Conduct, and out the other side with one of the very first plant-based meat companies having to close, this is the week that was. 

Vintage Cellars has revealed the winning line-up from its annual Best of Wine Awards. Margaret River claimed the most winners with three wines taking the top spot, with 60 per cent of all winners priced at $30.00 or less.

The IFPA A-NZ is calling for a national approach to SA's proposed ban on produce stickers, one that does not compromise food safety, is cost-effective, and supported by practical and effective alternatives.

One of the early rising stars of plant-based meat sector has closed. Sunfed was launched in 2018 by Shama Sukul Lee with its first product, Chicken Free Chicken. Boar Free Bacon followed in 2020 and Bull Free Beef in 2022.

A new report by Foodbank has revealed that pet owners living in food insecure households are resorting to self-sacrifice to protect the welfare of their pets, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) skipping meals so their pets can eat.

The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Scheme (ABAC) regulator has shared its latest decisions and warnings for complaints against alcohol products in breach of the code, all of which consistently occurred on social media channels. In late 2023, a new Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code was introduced.

Top Shelf International's recently launched Act of Treason agave spirit was the product of research at the University of Adelaide, funded by a three-year ARC Linkage grant.

Expressions of interest are open for emerging premium food and beverage manufacturers across New South Wales to showcase their products at this year's Fine Food Australia trade show in Melbourne in September.

Riverland Wine has revised its live Riverland Wine Industry Blueprint Implementation Plan, outlining the priority activities and feedback from the recent Riverland Town Meeting.

Committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Casella Family Brands has switched on its solar power facility at its Yenda, New South Wales site. Casella says the solar facility is the largest of its kind in the Australian beverage sector.

Dr Craig Emerson has delivered his interim report on his review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct. Making the code mandatory is widely accepted as the large supermarkets call for broadening its reach to other large retailers like Bunnings, Costco and Amazon. Emerson delivered eight recommendations and three for further consultation.

In partnership with a European plant-based engineering provider, Australian company Wide Open Agriculture is ready to commercialise its lupin fibre product, an alternative to traditional dietary fibres.

After 35 years of craft brewing, Victorian-based Grand Ridge Brewery has filed for voluntary administration, appointing Mackay Goodwin as administrators. The brewer said the decision followed mounting financial pressures and rising costs and taxes. 

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is launching an Awards of Excellence program, to highlighting the outstanding performance and achievements of small businesses customers within their total business operations.

Inflation and labour shortages have placed significant burdens on the food and beverage manufacturing sector, exacerbated by consumers facing a cost-of-living crisis. Liam Merrick from ECI Solutions explains how digital technologies can help streamline and optimise operations. 

Just two and a half years after Mighty Craft acquired the Adelaide Hills Group for $47 million, it has sold the remaining brands – Adelaide Hills Distillery (78 Degrees gin) and Mismatch Brewing Co – to a consortium of pubs and high-profile industry investors for $7.2 million.