August issue of Food New Zealand out next week

Richard Archer to lead Food Industry Enabling Technologies, $16.5M research investment

Reporting the Red Meat Sector Conference

Dean Stockwell, 2015 J C Andrews Award Address - "On becoming a food technologist!"

IFT Lead 360 reports

Request your copy here: Type August/September issue in message box.

Wattie’s judged ‘Most Influential Brand’ in FMCG

In the first research of its kind done in New Zealand by global market research company IPSOS, Wattie’s headed off global heavyweights including Coca Cola, Sanitarium and Cadbury, as well as another well-loved, home-grown brand, Whittaker’s.

The five factors measured in the Survey were: Leading Edge, Trustworthiness, Engagement, Citizenship and Presence.

Trustworthiness was a key feature of all the food brands rated in the survey. As a brand founded in Hawke’s Bay over 80 years ago, Wattie’s has a special place in New Zealand’s food industry.

Heinz Wattie’s MD, Mike Pretty says a very pleasing aspect of the IPSOS research is the way the findings parallel independent research undertaken by Wattie’s.

Pretty says there has been a very positive response to recent campaigns including the participation of Hawke’s Bay growers to show the provenance of locally grown peaches, plums and tomatoes used in specific Wattie’s products; and Mikey Havoc’s search for the “sauce of kiwiness” – Wattie’s Tomato Sauce.

Total Diet Study planning underway

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has commenced planning for the 2016 New Zealand Total Diet Study (NZTDS).

New Zealand has undertaken seven total diet studies since the 1970s.  These studies are intended to give a periodic snapshot of the estimated potential dietary exposure of New Zealanders to selected chemical residues, contaminant and nutrient elements.  The last NZTDS was undertaken in 2009 with the final report published by MPI in November 2011.  The main report, related data and historical reports can be found here.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) previously undertook extensive public consultation on the design and content of the NZTDS.  The outline for the 2016 NZTDS will closely follow that of previous NZTDSs, agreed via a similar consultation process. MPI will be informing interested parties of the intended overall protocol for the 2016 NZTDS, highlighting any additions or omissions from the protocol compared with the last NZTDS. This is likely to be in late July 2016.

If you, would like to be on this list, please register by sending an email to tds.2016@mpi.govt.nz outlining your name, organisation, email address and physical address.  Those on this list will be contacted directly when information about the 2016 NZTDS is made available and as results from the quarterly analysis of food samples is released on the MPI website.

Helping Kiwis Own Their Tomorrow –

Applications for AMP Scholarships Open for 2015

AMP is searching out talented, passionate and determined Kiwis who are ready to do their thing and own their tomorrow, by applying for an AMP Scholarship.

Whether it’s a community project, a business idea, a passion for underwater creatures, education or a dream to represent New Zealand at the next Olympics – AMP encourages inspirational individuals from all walks of life to apply.

Applications to the AMP Scholarships open today and close on 18 September 2015 – and almost anyone is eligible, as there are no age limit restrictions in place – simply visit www.doyourthing.co.nz to get started.

Jeff Ruscoe, Chief Customer Officer, at AMP says: “AMP has one of the largest scholarship funds of its kind and over the last 17 years, has provided over $2million to help more than 160 Kiwis achieve and do their thing.”

“With up to $200,000 available this year through the AMP Scholarship programme, the largest Scholarship fund of its kind in New Zealand, there’s nothing stopping you from applying!” concludes Ruscoe.

Applications for the 2015 AMP Scholarships open from 27 July to 18 September 2015 – apply today!  For more information, and to apply online, visit www.doyourthing.co.nz