BREAKING NEWS – Supermarket case closed
The Commerce Commission announced it has closed its investigation into Progressive Enterprises Ltd having found no evidence to support false allegations made under Parliamentary Privilege earlier this year.
News
Burns victim awarded $45K payout
A New Zealand woman whose arm was trapped in an industrial biscuit oven for 40 minutes has been awarded a NZ$45,000 payout.
Delays cause frustrations for suppliers
Several suppliers in New Zealand have apparently experienced cashflow, stock and marketing issues as a result of delays with Foodstuffs’ new SAP system and lack of codes for suppliers in recent months. FMCG Business talked to Foodstuffs’ management to find out when this situation will be resolved.
Trolley Report reveals shoppers’ changing behaviour
Countdown has launched its inaugural Trolley Report, a detailed analysis of New Zealand food and grocery trends based on the 2.7 million people who shop at Countdown each week.
Consultation paper on food packaging
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released a consultation paper seeking further information on the management of the migration of chemicals from packaging into food.
New Zealand’s first social cola experiment
For the first time in New Zealand, Charlie’s is using social media to ask Kiwis to decide if the first batch of their new Charlie’s Straight Up Cola is up to scratch.
Candy Warhol ice cream creation
Famous Sydney ice cream parlour Gelato Messina has partnered with the Art Gallery of New South Wales to release a special pop-art inspired flavour, Candy Warhol, to celebrate the opening of the major summer exhibition, Pop to popism.
Foodstuffs announces test results – Y. pseudotuberculosis not detected
Foodstuffs has just announced the results of testing carried out by independent laboratory AsureQuality. Results have confirmed that Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was not detected in any of the samples taken from the Living Foods property and processing plant.
Danone loses appeal
The Court of Appeal has rejected an attempt by French food giant Danone to overturn a stay of proceedings in its law suit against Fonterra Cooperative Group pending arbitration in Singapore. The judges ordered Danone meet Fonterra’s costs for the appeal.
New Veritas deal could lift annual revenue to over $90 million
Veritas Investments Limited (“Veritas”) has entered into a conditional agreement to purchase the business and assets of The Better Bar Group of companies (“BBC”) as a going concern for $31.2m. This acquisition is expected to increase Veritas’ annual revenue to over $90m on a full-year basis.
Vogel’s expands its ‘Very Thin’ range
Vogel’s fans can rejoice with the addition of a Sunflower and Barley variant to the exceedingly popular Vogel’s Very Thin range. Loved by Kiwis for its super crunchy-when-toasted quality, Vogel’s Very Thin range has less calories per slice, and nine more slices per loaf than Vogel’s Original Mixed Grain Toast.
Robots to sell coffee machines
Food giant Nestle is planning to hire 1000 robots as sales clerks at stores across Japan. The first batch of the chatty humanoid called Pepper will report to work by the end of the year at outlets that sell coffee capsules and home espresso machines.