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The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) will be hosting its 50th Annual Convention at the new International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney's Darling Harbour alongside Foodpro.

This year’s theme is The Future of Food, with confirmed speakers including Bega Cheese executive chairman Barry Irvin and CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall.

Sessions will cover the consumer of the future; future technologies and innovations advancing the food industry; managing emerging threats and vulnerabilities; navigating the export and regulatory market; and insights into current scientific research that will underpin next 50 years of the Australian food industry.

Key sessions will include food safety, packaging, sensory, and nutrition, according to organisers.

Packaging News

Australia's environment ministers have declared packaging reform urgent and named soft plastics as an initial priority, but offered no firm timetable or regulatory commitments. SPSA has welcomed the soft plastics focus, while Boomerang Alliance and WMRR have raised concerns about the lack of concrete action.

Economic analysis commissioned by SPSA estimates national recycling reforms could deliver up to $278m in net productivity gains and stimulate up to $2.6b in capital investment each year.

A cross-sector open letter is urging national leaders to agree on a pathway for regulated producer responsibility schemes at the September Environment Ministers Meeting.