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Rockwell Automation has a big win at Control Design’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Rockwell Automation took home awards in 23 product categories of the Control Design’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2014 Top Automation Product Providers.

These awards are judged on the recommendations of machine-builders and system integrator subscribers with buying influence or buying authority for industrial automation and control products.

With approximately 60 hardware and software categories listed, participants were asked to name the companies that provide them the best technology value for products with which they have experience. This year the results of more than 250 eligible ballots were compiled. After the participants choose the best product providers, they rate the service and support they receive from them.

“Our goal is to help make our customers more productive. This is the reason we constantly innovate our products to support our customers’ applications and production efficiency. These awards are an important indicator that we are on the right track,” said Matthew Treeby, commercial marketing manager, South Pacific at Rockwell Automation.

In addition to the product category awards, Rockwell Automation received the top rating service scores in the Machine Safety Components, Operator Interface Terminals and PLC Programming Software categories. The company also received recognition for service and support in 31 product categories.

In addition to the Remote Machine Access category, Cisco was also awarded first place for products in the following three categories: Industrial Network Router/Switch; Software, Network Management and the Industrial Network Components-Wireless category.

For the complete list of the 2014 Reader’s Choice Awards winners, click here.

 

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T63 and D63 Autolabel Series Thermal Transfer Printers [VIDEO]

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Mark Dingley, general manager of operations at Matthews Australasia takes a look at the new Autolabel series printers.

Designed to be compact, simple to operate and easy to maintain, the T63 and D63 printers use thermal transfer technology and can also handle direct thermal printing.

For more information on the product, click here.

 

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Heat and Control: CEIA THS/21 Metal Detector

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Heat and Control's Packaging Manager for Inspection and Sorting Equipment Rob Marguccio previews the CEIA THS/21 metal detector.

The CEIA THS/21 is designed to offer extreme sensitivity to all magnetic and non-magnetic metals, including stainless steel, and variations in product effect.

 

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Foodmach: HEUFT Prime Fill Height Inspection System

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Foodmach National Sales Engineer Lachie Hyndman provides an overview of the HEUFT Prime Fill Height Inspection System for bottles and cans.

The HEUFT Prime is designed to check full containers on filling and packaging lines of the beverage, food and pharmaceutical industry.

It includes modules for examining fill levels, closures, internal pressure and labels as well as detecting burst bottles and serial faults with a high degree of automation.

 

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Matthews takes on Compact agency

Matthews Australasia has been appointed the Australasian agent for Compact Labelling Systems.

Mark Dingley, general manager of Matthews, said “the Compact range has both automatic and semi-automatic models that will suit a wide variety of applications.

“The easy-to-set-up, robust units are designed for low maintenance, with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency, so manufacturers can confidently run their labellers for even the most demanding production lines. The modular designs have a smaller footprint, are simple to use and very cost-effective to operate.”

Dingley says taking on the Compact agency has allowed Matthews to expand its range of labellers from Label Print and Apply Systems to in-line labelling solutions, offering customers even more options.

“When we take on an agency, we do so because of what knowledge we can bring to the table and how we feel the solutions will meet the needs of Australian manufacturers.”

Compact’s automatic, inline labellers suit a variety of applications and needs, including top labelling, wrap labelling, wrap labelling with seam orientation, front and back, a combination of front & back and wrap, wrap labels oriented to flip marks on tubes, and wrap labelling or partially wrap labelling cones.

The semi-automatic models, which are portable, are suitable for slower production lines, low volumes or short runs to label bottles, jars, tubs, cans, tubes and the like.

 

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HMPS8000 Coffee Pod Cartoning Machine [VIDEO]

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HMPS State Manager Warren Brooker discusses the HMPS8000 coffee pod cartoning machine, which won the Best New Product Award at the 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards.

Designed specifically for Vittoria coffee, the HMPS8000 coffee pod cartoning machine is a carton erector and robotic pick-and-place system that enables the company to carton and case pack locally.

 

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Walls Machinery: Ulysses Robotic Shelf Ready Case Packer [VIDEO]

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Walls Machinery General Manager Rob Lawrence provides an overview of the Adaptapack Ulysses Robotic Shelf Ready Case Packer, which received a High Commendation in the Best New Product Award category of the 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards.

Made in Australia, Adaptapack’s Ulysses Case Packer features a patented collation gripper that is designed to offer simple collation for product lines.

 

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Insignia’s A520i Continuous Inkjet printer [VIDEO]

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Insignia product manager Peter Livingstone discusses the company's new water resistant A520i continuous inkjet printer.

Designed for wash-down environments, the A520i uses marine grade stainless steel (316) with IP66 rated fully sealed electronics from Domino’s plenum airflow cooling system.

 

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The Skyfall conveyor system [VIDEO]

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WRH Global Marketing Manager Adam Newman provides an overview of the Skyfall conveyor system.

Skyfall is designed to pick-up, transfer, weigh, eject and label products at high speed in a single plane or in the third dimension.

 

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Furphy’s wall-climbing robot [VIDEO]

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In the first of our Spotlight video series, Food Magazine takes a look at Furphy's climbing robot technology.

Furphy Engineering Managing Director Adam Furphy introduces the company's robotic tank inspection technology.

Developed in New Zealand, the remote climbing robot is designed to increase safety, reduce risk and improve the accuracy of tank inspections.

To check out what else Food Magazine got up to at AUSPACK, click here.

 

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Best New Product Finalists announced

The finalists are out for the 2015 Best New Product Award which will be awarded on March 25 at the 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards.

The Best New Product Award is designed to recognise the most innovative product or equipment in the packaging and processing industry that is launched in Australia for the first time during AUSPACK 2015.

The finalists:

CLP Casepacker (Case Packing Systems)

The CLP Casepacker is a highly flexible compact designed pick and place casepacking machine with simplicity in mind. The system loads products into plastic crates, corrugated cases or open top trays (with or without stacking shoulders) automatically.

Skyfall Conveyor System (Denipro)

Skyfall is the conveyor system for Distribution, Logistics and Industrial applications and is a highly flexible conveyor and processing system that can be used across a wide range of industries. It has been designed for conveying from A to B, Linking processes in a simple way, compensating of varying process speeds, decoupling processes by buffering, order-picking, sorting, processing, controlling.

Coffee Pod Cartoning Machine (HMPS)

This HMPS8000 is a carton erector and robotic pick and place system for small pre-sealed product (pods), and is manufactured at HMPS in Adelaide, Australia. The major requirements of the coffee pod cartooning machine were to provide a means of conveying the coffee pods from two different types of filling machines to the HMPS8000 Carton Packing Cell, with the proviso that either system could be used with minor changes required.

HEUFT prime (Heuft SystemTechnik GMBH)

The HEUFT prime combines tried and tested modules for examining fill levels, closures, internal pressure and labels as well as detecting burst bottles and serial faults with a very high degree of automation and a revolutionary new user guidance.

Packaging Safety System (SICK)

The guarding or protection of the Infeed Zone has always been a challenge for designers and engineers which often leads to complex machine design. The solution to this is the use of two optical sensors in combination with a safety relay for redundant presence and position control at the infeed zone delivering personnel safety. The new safety solution designed by SICK is more economical and easy to install without interfering in machine operability and also aligns with the AS4044 standard.

Domino A520i IP66 inkjet printer (insignia)

The Domino A520i continuous inkjet printer has been designed to meet the specific needs of wash down or very dusty environments using marine grade stainless steel. The IP66 electronics sealed enclosure is cooled using an innovative plenum cooling system. The total cost of ownership is significantly reduced through the combination of ultra-low make up usage and service-free operation through the innovative i-Tech ink system.

IRB1200 Case Packing Robot (ABB Australia)

The IRB 1200 is a fast, compact case-packing robot that is ideally suited for high speed pick-and-place applications, particularly case packing and the loading of thermoform packaging machines. The IRB’s compactness is achieved by design as it has no offset in axis two. This innovation results in a longer stroke than other robots, meaning the IRB 1200 can work very close to its base and still be functional.

A-Series Label Printer Applicator (Matthews Australasia)

The unique and brilliant A-Series Label Printer Applicator is the easiest-to-use print-and apply system on the market. It is ideal for manufacturers with very high demands on ease of use and uptime. The A-Series only uses sealed ball-bearings, giving maximum working life — even in rough environments.

Ulysses Shelf Ready Case Packer (Walls Machinery/Adaptapack)

This new machine has been specifically designed to offer a robotic, automated packaging solution for shelf ready products, a growing trend in today’s market. The Ulysses uses patented collation system offers simple collation for product lines. It has a small footprint and the flexible design can be tailored to suit the individual customers’ needs, easily being combined with existing case erecting/sealing equipment if required.

 

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Inventor turns food factory waste into free fuel

A Brisbane inventor has developed an environmentally friendly, modular system of turning food factory waste into free energy.

Ron Lakin has developed the BioBowser, a small scale bio digester that produces methane gas. After the gas is extracted the leftover material can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer, although oils and fats should be mixed with other material.

The BioBowser has significant environmental benefits as methane is a highly destructive greenhouse gas that is rated as 27 times more destructive than CO2.

The principal of converting waste to methane has been known for centuries. Large intensive farms in Australia like piggeries have long been harvesting methane to use as an energy source. But these require large one-off systems that can cost millions to build. Small scale biogas digesters are popular in China, India, Germany, Sweden and Norway.

With the BioBowser, methane bio digesting is now accessible to smaller scale operations such as food factories.

“It’s like having your own bowser, but the fuel is free,” Lakin said.

“A food factory with twenty cubic metres of waste a week could produce methane of the equivalent heat value of sixty kilograms of LPG which would be more than sufficient for cooking, heating and lighting while a larger facility producing 5 tonne of waste a day could provide sufficient energy to power a generator to produce electricity for the entire plant.

“The biodegradable waste material could range from bakery, kitchen or restaurant waste or fruit and vegetables,” Ron said.

 

 On The Shelf

SunPork Fresh Foods Pork Schnitzels

Product name: SunPork Fresh Foods Pork Schnitzels – Italian Herb Crumbs and Lightly seasoned Crumbs.

Product manufacturer: SunPork Fresh Foods

Ingredients:

Italian Herb Crumbs variety: Australian Pork (71%), water, wheat flour, thickeners (1422, 1404, 415), wheat starch, wheat gluten, dextrin (1400), wheat bran, maize flour, salt, mineral salts (451, 452), spice, vegetable gums (461, 412), canola oil, sugar, yeast, Italian herb crumbs (12%) [crumb (wheat flour, water, salt, yeast) parmesan cheese (milk, salt, starter cultures, enzymes, cellulose), herbs (1.2%) (parsley, basil, oregano), dehydrated vegetables (tomato, garlic) salt, pepper, sugar, yeast extract]

Lightly seasoned Crumbs variety: Australian Pork (71%), water, wheat flour, thickeners (1422, 1404, 415), wheat starch, wheat gluten, dextrin (1400), wheat bran, maize flour, salt, mineral salts (451, 452), spice, vegetable gums (461, 412), canola oil, sugar, yeast, Seasons bread crumb [crumb (wheat flour, water, salt, yeast) parmesan cheese (milk, salt, starter cultures, enzymes, cellulose), parsley]

Packaging: Delivered in trays, with various weights between the range of 400g to 700g – 8 servings per 1kg

Product manager: Damien Cleary

Brand website: https://sunporkfreshfoods.com.au/

What the company says
Italian Herb Crumbs variety: Seriously crunchy pork schnitzels are made from fresh, tasty Australian pork, tossed in bread crumbs seasoned with Italian Herbs – Oregano, Basil and Parsley. They make a popular and delicious meal for the whole family with fresh vegetables, pasta or rice. Also great in a bread roll or wrap.

Lightly seasoned Crumbs: Seriously crunchy pork schnitzels are made from fresh, tasty Australian pork, tossed in bread crumbs and parsley and lightly seasoned. They make a popular and delicious meal for the whole family. Serve with fresh vegetables, a crisp salad or pasta. Also great in a bread roll or wrap. 

 On The Shelf

Chris’ Dips Heritage Range

Product Name: Chris' Dips Heritage Range

Product manufacturer: Chris’ Dips

Ingredients: There are 8 flavour combinations in the Heritage Range:

Vintage cheddar & caramelised onion: Cream Cheese [Milk, Cream, Milk Solids Non Fat, Salt, Vegetable Gum (410), Food Acid (270), Starter Culture, E235], Vintage Cheddar (17%) [Milk, Salt, Mineral salt (509), Cultures (Animal Rennet), Preservatives (202, 221)], Caramelised Onion (12%) [Onion (80%), Balsamic Vinegar, Canola Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sugar, Salt, Cultured Dextrose], Cream [Milk], Mayonnaise [Canola Oil, Water, Egg, Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice, Vegetable Gums (415, 401), Sodium Citrate (331)], Yoghurt [Milk, Milk Solids, Skim Milk, Cream, Live Cultures], Canola Oil, Food Acid (330), Vegetable Gum (415).

Blue cheese, fig & pistachio: Cream Cheese [Milk, Cream, Milk Solids Non Fat, Salt, Vegetable Gum (410), Food Acid (270), Starter Culture, E235], Blue Cheese (16%) [Milk, Bacterial Culture, Salt, P. Requeforti], Cream [Milk], Mayonnaise [Canola Oil, Water, Egg, Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice, Vegetable Gums (415, 401), Sodium Citrate (331)], Fig Compote (7%) [Fig (60%), Sugar, Lemon, Cultured Dextrose], Canola Oil, Yoghurt [Milk, Milk Solids, Skim Milk, Cream, Live Cultures], Pistachio (3%), Food Acid (330), Vegetable Gum (415).

Vintage cheddar & marinated onion: Cream Cheese [Milk, Cream, Milk Solids Non Fat, Salt, Vegetable Gum (410), Food Acid (270), Starter Culture, E235], Vintage Cheddar (16%) [Milk, Salt, Mineral Salt (509), Cultures (Animal Rennet), Preservatives (202, 221)], Cream (12%) [Milk], Marinated Onion (11%) [Onions (60%), Vinegar, Sugar, Natural Colour (150C), Salt, Spices], Mayonnaise [Canola Oil, Water, Egg, Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice, Vegetable Gums (415, 401), Sodium Citrate (331)], Yoghurt [Milk, Milk Solids, Skim Milk, Cream, Live Cultures], Canola Oil, Food Acid (330), Vegetable Gum (415).

Smoked gouda & almond: Cream Cheese [Milk, Cream, Milk Solids Non Fat, Salt, Vegetable Gum (410), Food Acid (270), Starter Culture, E235], Smoked Gouda (19%) [Cheese, Water, Butter, Corn Starch, Emulsifiers (E452, E339), Salt], Cream [Milk], Mayonnaise [Canola Oil, Water, Egg, Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice, Vegetable Gums (415, 401), Sodium Citrate (331)], Yoghurt [Milk, Milk Solids, Skim Milk, Cream, Live Cultures], Canola Oil, Roasted Almonds (4%), Parsley (1%), Food Acid (330), Vegetable Gum (415).

Roasted beetroot & chickpea: Roasted Beetroot (35%) [Beetroot, Sugar, Salt, Water, Acetic Acid, Cultured Dextrose], Cooked Chickpeas (48%) [Chickpeas, Water], Canola Oil, Unhulled Tahini (6%) [Sesame seeds], Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1.5%), Salt, Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Cumin, Food Acid (330), Vegetable Gum (415), Preservative (202). Enclosed sachet: Sesame Seeds.

Hommus & black sea salt: Cooked Chickpeas (73%) [Chickpeas, Water], Canola Oil, Unhulled Tahini (9%) [Sesame seeds], Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic (2.4%), Black Sea Salt(1%), Salt (0.9%), Vinegar, Food Acid (330), Lemon Juice (0.1%), Vegetable Gum (415), Preservative (202). Enclosed sachet: Black Sea Salt.

Classic greek tzatziki: Yoghurt (62%) [Milk, Milk Solids, Skim Milk, Cream, Cultures], Cucumber (32%), Garlic (3%), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1.5%), Canola Oil, Salt, Vegetable Gum (415), Preservative (202). Enclosed sachet: Paprika.

Artichoke, parmesan & green chilli: Cream Cheese [Milk, Cream, Milk Solids Non Fat, Salt, Vegetable Gum (410), Food Acid (270), Starter Culture, E235], Mayonnaise [Canola Oil, Water, Vinegar, Egg, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice, Vegetable Gums (415, 401), Sodium Citrate], Parmesan Cheese (6%) [Pasteurised Milk, Starter Culture, Salt, Rennet (non-animal)], Artichoke (40%) [Artichoke, Water, Salt, Citric Acid (330), Ascorbic Acid (300)], Green Chilli (7%) [Green Chilli (98%), Acetic Acid (260)], Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1%). Enclosed sachet: Chilli Flakes.

Packaging: Terracotta Pots

Brand Website: www.eatloveshare.com.au

What the company says

In November, Chris’ Dips launched a new, innovative, naturally packaged range of Heritage dips sold in handmade European terracotta pots. The new Heritage Range is an industry-first in the dip category and can be found in the Deli section of selected Woolworths stores nationally.

Drawing on the highest quality ingredients available, the premium dip range offers eight flavour combinations such as Smoked Gouda & Almond, and Blue Cheese, Fig & Pistachio.

The new selection of premium flavour combinations sold in terracotta pots are made for going straight to the table, additionally to providing friendly non plastic packaging.

 

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Top food brands recognised at SA awards

Ray Borda from Macro Meats Gourmet Game has been praised for his efforts to promote kangaroo meat to the food service industry, claiming two awards at this year’s South Australian Food Industry Awards Program.

Borda, the founder of Macro Meat Gourmet Game, was presented with the inaugural Duncan MacGillivray Entrepreneurs Award, and his company won the Foodland SA New Product Award for its Paroo Premium Kangaroo range.

The South Australian Food Industry Awards Program recognises some of the state’s leading food businesses and professionals who demonstrate vision, leadership and excellence. The awards were presented at a dinner at the Adelaide Oval on 20 November.

Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said “This year’s awards attracted a record number of entries, including a number of first-time applicants, which strongly illustrates the strength of South Australia’s food industry.

“Our food industry generates more than $14 billion for the state’s economy every year, employs around one in five working South Australians, and accounts for more than 32 percent of the state’s merchandise exports.”

Other awards presented include:

SAN REMO HALL OF FAME WINNER:
Maggie Beer Products (Maggie Beer)

BICKFORD’S AUSTRALIA LEADER AWARD:
Mark Laucke, managing director, Laucke Flour Mills, former president of the Flour Millers Council of Australia, Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment ambassador.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY BEST PRACTICE AWARD:
Almondco Australia – almond processor co-operative comprising more than 35 percent of Australia’s almond crop and 80 percent of its almond growers.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AWARD:
MOO Premium Foods –manufacturer of premium yoghurts and ready-to-eat desserts.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE INNOVATION AWARD:
Greater than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Almondco Australia – for “Almondco Pure” – its new brand developed using an in-line pasteurisation system.

Less than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Ashton Valley Fresh – apple juice production company – for designing and installing a spray system that atomises enzymes and ascorbic acid to enable higher juice extraction levels.

THOMAS FOODS INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY PRODUCER AWARD:
Greater than 15 full time equivalent employees:
B.-d. Farm Paris Creek – South Australia’s first biodynamic dairy farm utilising a friendly liquid compost system.

Less than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Rainbow Fresh – sustainable producers of safe, high quality fresh gourmet lettuces that they grow, harvest, processes and distribute.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE DEVELOPMENT EXPORT AWARD:
Greater than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Almondco Australia – current exporter to established markets and actively expanding production capacity and building demand in markets worldwide.

Less than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Seafood Exporters Australia – operating one of the largest oyster exporters into the Chinese market for South Australian oysters.

PEATS SOIL AND GARDEN SUPPLIES SUSTAINABILITY AWARD:
Greater than 15 full time equivalent employees:
B.-d. Farm Paris Creek – comprising two biodynamic dairy farms, that continue to reduce water usage and usage of cleaning chemicals, and operate a power factor regulator.

Less than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Najobe Park Red Angus – cattle breeders that have identified new growth areas and utilised social media for promoting breeding program, animal traceability and sustainable practices.

FOODLAND SA NEW PRODUCT AWARD:
Greater than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Macro Meats Gourmet Game – for Paroo Premium Kangaroo, a range of premium kangaroo cuts developed especially for chefs and restaurants.

Less than 15 full time equivalent employees:
Woodside Cheese Wrights – for Kris Lloyd Artisan Persian Feta, available in three varieties with different blends of cow and goats milk.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGIONAL AWARD:
Golden North – located at Laura in the Mid North and produces palm oil free, rich ice cream using fresh milk and cream.

BRANS SOUTH AUSTRALIA CONSUMER AWARD:
Enzos at Home – produces authentic Italian gourmet meals, available at six locations, packaged and available for in-home consumption.

 

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Sanitarium rolls out Health Star Rating

Weet-Bix and UP&GO will be the first Sanitarium products to arrive on shelves with front of pack Health Star labelling.

UP&GO, which scored four and a half stars will roll out its new labelling this month, and Weet-Bix, which was awarded five stars, in December, with more products set to roll out until mid-2015.

Endorsed by the State and Federal Governments in June, the Health Star Rating system scores products on a scale of 0.5 to five stars based on nutrient and whole food content, and is aligned with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

It takes into account the four aspects of food associated with increasing the risk factors for chronic diseases: energy; saturated fat; total sugars; and sodium content. Food products that are low in saturated fat, total sugars, sodium and/or energy will generally have a higher star rating.

Todd Saunders, General Manager – Sanitarium Australia, said Sanitarium was one of the first companies to support the voluntary Health Star Rating labelling system and is proud to be taking a leading role in implementing the important national initiative.

“The Health Star Rating system is an effective way to deliver this and we see the use of a consumer-friendly visual guide on packs as a great way to empower shoppers to make healthy food choices.”

Trish Guy, Australian Practising Dietician and nutritionist at Sanitarium, said the Health Star Rating system makes interpreting the nutritional credentials of a product simpler.

“Nutrition labelling can be difficult to understand and contextualise for many people, so the star system, which is backed by considerable research, provides an easy, reliable reference that consumers can use when selecting products,” she said.

In June, Sanitarium made the commitment to adopt the new Health Star Rating system across its entire product range. Nestle, Woolworths, Coles and several other companies have also either begun using, or have announced that they will adopt the health star rating system.

The rollout of consumer watchdog Choice’s front-of-pack Health Stars Rating Scheme has been surrounded by scandals and resistance from industry groups.

More significantly, federal assistant health minister Fiona Nash's chief of staff was prompted to resign when strong, direct links to food industry lobby groups were revealed – after he had ordered the Health Stars website to be taken down.

In response to the announcement, Fiona Nash congratulated Sanitarium on their commitment.

"The point of the star rating system is to make it easier for people to make a simple, informed choice about the food products they buy. Earlier this year, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation agreed that the health star rating system should be implemented voluntarily over the next five years with a review of the progress of implementation after two years. This will enable cost effective implementation, provide time for industry to work on food reformulation – to include less saturated fats, sugars or sodium – and for consultation with small and medium sized enterprises.” 

The Health Star Rating Scheme was signed off by food and health ministers from federal, state and territory governments in June. 

 

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Chobani US encourages innovation with food incubator

Chobani has launched a food incubator in New York in an effort to step away from overly processed foods and towards healthy, innovative products.

The Greek yoghurt company announced yesterday that it will open a new food incubator in New York where it will be accepting business plans and proposals from start-up companies. Companies selected by Chobani will receive investment capital as well as use of a commercial kitchen rent-free.

Hamdi Ulukaya, Chobani's founder and CEO said that the chosen products will be in line with Chobani’s ethos of making delicious, nutritious, natural and affordable food.

“Today we’re opening our doors to entrepreneurs who share our vision for better food for tomorrow—food that’s natural and affordable,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO, Chobani.

“Making a product the right way is not always easy, but we’ve proven that the model works. I’m excited to work with entrepreneurs who share our goal and who can benefit from our experience.”

Food Magazine recently caught up with Chobani Australia’s CEO, Peter Meek to discuss the brand’s recent export endeavours, together with the success of the brand in Australia to date.

Click here to read the full article.

 

 On The Shelf

Barilla ‘Family Favourites’ Pasta Sauce Range

Product name: Barilla 'Family Favourites' Pasta Sauce Range

Product manufacturer: Barilla

Ingredients: Red Wine & Garlic variety: tomatoes 72,8% (puree, chopped), onion, rehydrated garlic 9,1%, red wine 3%, sugar, salt, extra virgin olive oil, parsley, wine vinegar, oregano 0.07%

Shelf life: Bolognese and Red Wine & Garlic have a shelf life of 22 months and the Cheese & Tomato Pasta Bake has a shelf life of 18 months.

Packaging: Each sauce is packaged in a slim-line 575g jar

Product manager: Carly King

Brand website: https://barilla.net.au

What the company says
Barilla's new 'Family Favourites' pasta sauce range is designed to be a deliciously convenient Italian meal solution for Australian families.

Packaged in a slim-line 575g jar, the three new sauces include Cheese & Tomato Pasta Bake, Red Wine & Garlic and a delicious base for Australia’s most popular family dinner, Spaghetti Bolognese.

Like all Barilla pasta sauces, they are made from all natural ingredients, are gluten free, have no added preservatives and eight to 10 whole Italian tomatoes in each jar.

 

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Canadean predicts five biggest trends within FMCGs

A new report from market research company Canadean has identified what it believes to be the best opportunities in consumer markets over the next five years.

Taking out the number one position and predicted to be worth US$1.71b by 2018 is that of ‘Magic Bullet Health Solutions’. These are inclusive of ingredients such as ‘superfoods’ that offer immediate health benefits such as disease prevention, weight management and nutritional boosts.

Coming in second at a predicted value of US$1.66b by 2018, is a focus on the Next Emerging Economies which offer opportunities for new product development and innovation.

“Companies have already seen the value in setting up innovation centres in emerging economies to help tailor their products to consumer needs,” Ronan Stafford, analyst at Canadean says.

“We increasingly see pack formats developed to keep costs low in emerging economies used to target austerity-minded consumers in Europe. Meanwhile, consumers are now highly aware of global culinary trends and want more experiential flavours. This means that Far Eastern and African flavours and ingredients are high in demand,” Stafford says. 

"The more big brands invest in targeting consumers in Lagos, Jakarta and Hanoi, the better they will meet the value and experience-seeking needs of consumers in New York, London, Madrid and Sydney."

The third trend revolves around “The Health Time Bomb” where society takes dramatic steps to reverse the effects of food related diseases such as obesity and type-two diabetes. This trend is expected to represent US$1.03b within the next five years.

Augmented Purchasing comes in at number four to represent US$838m by 2018, and the last trend, Trading on Trust is expected to represent US$427m with the five year period.

Stafford says that women aged 45 and over from low and middle income households in urban areas will be early adopters of innovation arising from companies investing in the next wave of emerging economies. “The low incomes of many early adopters in the next emerging economies means that manufacturers need to simplify formulations,” he says. “This includes strategies such as using fewer ingredients to lower costs or investing in lightweight packaging that is still robust enough to withstand poor quality supply chains.”

In addition to measuring the value of targeting early adopters in 2018, the report evaluates the likelihood and impact on business practices of each scenario. When all three dimensions are analysed, one scenario rises above the rest: The deep impact the next wave of emerging economies will have on consumer markets. “These opportunities in the next emerging economies need to be targeted now, or companies will lag behind their competitors on not just opening up new markets, but in better meeting the needs of their current customers,” says Stafford.

 

 Uncategorised

Demand for innovative breakfast snack foods on the rise

A new report from New Nutrition Business has found that the demand for on-the-go breakfast snack alternatives is continuing to rise across the globe.

The report titled, The snackification of breakfast: How changing consumer habits are creating new opportunities, states that US$300m was wiped off breakfast cereal sales this year in the US due to the increasing popularity of breakfast snack alternatives.

“Breakfast has become one of the most fought-over battlegrounds in food and health, a battle fuelled by consumers’ need for easy and quick meals in the morning – and by two massively successful disruptive innovations, Belvita’s breakfast biscuit and Up & Go’s liquid breakfast,” says Julian Mellentin, author of the new report.

The report outlined that time precious consumers are increasingly skipping breakfast across the globe. The report found that 66 percent of professional workers in Asia ate breakfast away from home three or more times in a two-week period, and 20 percent consumed breakfast away from home every single day. A study of 500 young Americans found that 27 percent skipped breakfast, and of those who did not, 25 percent ate breakfast away from home.

According to Mellentin, these changing habits provide a wealth of new opportunities for companies in every food category.

“Every type of food or beverage company, in every category, either is looking at what they can do to get their own slice of the breakfast market or is in the process of launching or building up products,” says Mellentin. “And what the successes so far – including Belvita, Up & Go, and Quaker’s single-serve oat pot Oat So Simple – have in common is a focus on the five factors that add up to success in the changing breakfast category”.

“By delivering on the five factors, Oat So Simple has gone from niche to mass despite super-premium pricing of over 950% compared to other breakfast oats,” he continues.

Mellentin adds that companies with ambitions in the breakfast category should not rule out any new product idea because it is too unfamiliar to consumers or too innovative, as it is these products that have paved the way for success thus far.

 

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