Edward Helmore 11 May 2014 The Observer US documentary calls for laws to limit consumption of harmful sweeteners hidden in ‘healthy’ food First came An Inconvenient Truth. Then Fast Food Nation. Then Blackfish. Each showed the power of critically acclaimed, successful documentaries to alter perceptions about controversial issues ranging from global warming to mistreatment of animals in captivity and the behaviour of food industry giants. Now comes Fed Up, a film that looks at the global problem of surging human obesity rates and obesity-related diseases. The film, produced by Laurie David, former wife of Seinfeld creator Larry David, and narrated by TV journalist Katie Couric, seeks to challenge decades of misconception and food industry-sponsored misinformation about diet and exercise, good and bad calories, fat genes and lifestyle. When it comes to obesity, fat may not be our friend but it’s not the enemy that sugar is, says the film’s scientific…

MITCHELL NEEMS MAY 12, 2014 BUSINESS SPECTATOR COCA-COLA Amatil managing director Alison Watkins has announced a restructure of the group’s Australian beverages operations, following the first phase of a strategic review. The key change will see the non-alcoholic beverages and the licensed and alcohol business units report separately to the managing director. CCA managing director for Australian beverages John Murphy will leave the company at the end of June, having agreed there were no suitable positions for him in the restructured organisation, the company said. CCA New Zealand managing director Barry O’Connell has been appointed managing director of the non-alcoholic beverages division of CCA Australia. CCA New Zealand’s sales director Chris Litchfield will be acting managing director of CCA New Zealand and Fiji, with a decision on a permanent appointment to be made in the coming months. Shane Richardson will continue in the role of director of the licensed and…

Don Longo April 25, 2014 Convenience Store News NATIONAL REPORT — Convenience stores are facing all kinds of new competition in the foodservice category, but in their long-standing battle with quick-service restaurants (QSRs), new research shows that c-stores are scoring some key victories. Convenience stores are successfully taking business away from quick-service restaurants and coffee shops, according to consumer data provided exclusively to Convenience Store News by Technomic Inc., the fact-based research and consulting firm based in Chicago that focuses solely on the foodservice food and beverage industry. The firm compiled a special Convenience Store Insights Report for CSNews, providing the latest information on what’s important to consumers when purchasing convenience foodservice, which c-store chains are winning on the key attributes, and how the leading c-store chains fare against the leading QSR chains when pitted head to head. The Convenience Store Insights Report combines data from Technomic’s Convenience Store Insights…

Sue Mitchell May 7, 2014 The Age The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is attempting to calm grocery suppliers who fear retribution after being named in court documents setting out the commission’s unconscionable conduct case against Coles. The ACCC’s statement of claim, lodged with the Federal Court on Monday, lists 200 businesses that were approached by Coles and asked to pay ongoing rebates in return for benefits related to supply chain improvements. The ACCC has alleged that Coles engaged in unconscionable conduct by using unfair tactics and misleading information to force smaller suppliers to pay the rebates. Industry groups have welcomed the legal action, saying Coles’ heavy-handed tactics had been the bane of suppliers for years. But suppliers fear those named in the claim or those who give evidence in court could face retribution from Coles. The ACCC emailed suppliers on Tuesday, saying that to make its case it was…

MAY 05, 2014 COLES threatened to boot Guylian chocolates and Orange Power cleaners from its shelves unless suppliers paid rebates that had no legitimate basis, according to allegations contained in explosive court documents filed by the competition cops. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched Federal Courtaction against the supermarket giant today, alleging standover tactics were used against 200 small and medium-size suppliers. ACCC IN COURT: Coles accused of $16M scam The ACCC alleges in March 2011 Coles contracted consultants to help find ways to lift earnings. Within a month a plan was developed to cut the cost of buying groceries from suppliers by seeking rebates — a “sharing of benefits” from changes to the Coles supply chain. Coles indicated today it will vigorously defend the allegations. According to the ACCC’s statement of claim, smaller suppliers were to pay Coles 1 per cent of the cost of groceries supplied. The…