• The AIFST convention will run three days of seminars addressing hot topics in food and packaging.
    The AIFST convention will run three days of seminars addressing hot topics in food and packaging.
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The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) will be hosting a series of seminars, some of them packaging-related, in Sydney's Darling Harbour alongside Foodpro in less than three weeks.

This year’s theme is The Future of Food, and here are some of the packaging highlights to expect from 17-19 July:

  • Sealed Air's Matthew Fenech will be speaking on 'The future of packaging: Trends driving the next wave of innovation'.
  • The CSIRO's Dr Roman Buckow will address the use of high-value functional ingredients using extrusion porosification technology (EPT) including 3D ink technology.
  • Dr Paul Gurr from the University of Melbourne will be speaking on 'Packaging for export: guaranteeing food safety',
  • The Result Group's Michael Dossor will address anti-counterfeiting with his talk on "innovating to keep ahead of the pack".

Mintel's Justin Nel will also be addressing the topic of understanding the iGeneration and Millennials.

Food processing-related 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.

Food & Drink Business

Woolworths Group reported Australian Food sales of $53.85 billion for F26, up 4.6 per cent, with segment EBIT of $2,953 million up 8.5 per cent on the prior year. Group sales reached $71.5 billion, up 3.6 per cent, with group EBIT before significant items of $3,105 million, up 12.7 per cent. Net profit after significant items was $1,138 million, up 18.1 per cent. 

Dr Mark Krstic, MD of the Australian Wine Research Institute, will be stepping down from his position at the end of 2026, following seven years of leadership and a total of 15 years of service to the Institute.

Asahi Beverages has switched to recycled material for all of its plastic soft drink bottles in a major sustainability milestone for the company.