AGP Executive Report

Front-of-pack nutrition: Australia’s Health Star Rating plan moves into another step, with hundreds of submissions received in the first consultation round on making the at-a-glance stars compulsory for most packaged foods (with alcohol and some special products exempt). Packaging shift: Asahi Beverages has completed its switch of Australian soft drink bottles to 100% recycled PET, covering major brands including Schweppes, Solo and Pepsi Max, backed by new domestic recycling capacity. Plastic exposure trial: A Perth study found that cutting plastic contact in food handling and switching to lower-plastic personal care products can reduce phthalates and bisphenols in urine within a week. Food culture & travel: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji has appointed Australian chef Shaun Thomson as executive chef, aiming to reposition the eco-luxury property as a culinary destination. Food safety recall: Mr Chen’s Szechuan Chilli Oil and Walter’s Artisan Bread Banana Loaf have been pulled from shelves in Australia. Global food pressure: El Niño warnings are again tied to potential weather disruption and higher food prices, with impacts expected across harvests and supply chains.

Retail Alcohol Flash-Sale Fallout: Coles’ website and app went offline after a viral Reddit post flagged near-80% discounts on Liquorland premixed alcohol 24-packs, with reports of orders later being cancelled. Marine Restoration: Australia-backed oyster reef projects are aiming to rebuild habitat, with funding and habitat restoration efforts highlighted as oysters return to the spotlight. Avian Biosecurity: H5N1 bird flu is spreading across Australia, with hundreds of confirmed events in all states and mass mortality events raising concerns about the scale of the outbreak. Food Safety Incident: Victoria health authorities are investigating two STEC-linked cases in children after a petting farm visit, including one with severe brain and kidney damage. Cattle & Prices (US): Trump’s temporary ground beef import plan sparked backlash from US cattle groups, with fears it won’t fix supply squeeze-driven price pressures. Wine & Awards: Tasmania’s Pooley Syrah took Best in Show at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, signalling strong cool-climate performance. Live Music Costs: New superannuation rules are adding complexity and cost for live venues and musicians, with operators warning budgets may be forced to shrink. Recipe Round-Up: Adam Liaw’s Cook Up features crowd-pleasers including curry sausages with Johnny cakes and kangaroo burgers.

Food & Drink Innovation: Allulose is emerging as a “clean-label” sugar alternative, with brands exploring it for sweetness and baking performance, though high intakes can cause digestive upset. Dairy & Consumer Trends: Bega is leaning into protein-led dairy, reporting revenue up 6.7% on protein yoghurt and flavoured milk, reflecting a wider shift away from cheese toward high-protein products. Packaging & Materials: As beverage makers face aluminium volatility, the industry is also moving on packaging—Asahi has completed a switch to recycled PET across its Australian soft drink range. Trade & Supply: The US is temporarily easing ground beef tariffs to lower prices, with Australia flagged as a major source of increased supply amid a US cattle shortage. Water & Climate Risk: El Niño is building toward an “unprecedented” event, with knock-on effects for drought risk in parts of Australia and major weather disruption that can hit global harvests and food prices. Food Safety & Compliance: An Australian-linked ready-meal expansion story highlights ongoing demand for food-industry jobs, while separate food retail inspections abroad show regulators still cracking down on hygiene and labelling issues.

Dairy Pressure Point: Rabobank warns Australia’s contracting milk pool is squeezing the cheese-first model, with stable demand but margin pressure from supermarket competition and affordability limits, plus GLP-1 potentially weighing on processed cheese categories. Food Retail & Events: Sydney’s Little Food Market returns with 180+ makers at Carriageworks (Aug 21–23), built for tastings and direct-from-producer shopping. Wine & Exports: Cassegrain Wines marks Sri Lanka launch with a local distribution partner, while Dilmah pushes deeper into India’s luxury tea and hospitality via new tea lounges and retail plans. Hospitality Distribution: Paramount Liquor takes over Lion’s keg and packaged beverage distribution in Tasmania from Aug 24, scaling a local warehouse-and-delivery model. Restaurant Stocks: Guzman y Gomez shares surge after FY26 results as it exits the US, leans into Australia momentum, and ramps shareholder returns. Food Security Tech: UNSW-led work uses ocean temperature sensors on fishing vessels to help Pacific tuna fishers adapt to shifting ocean conditions.

Organic Growth: Australia’s certified organic sector has topped A$1bn in annual direct sales for the first time, with A$1.02bn in 2024/25 driven by stronger retail spending and rising exports. Food Safety & Supply Chain: A report flags refrigeration controller flaws that could cause silent spoilage, raising fresh pressure on cold-chain reliability. Regulatory Watch: Australia’s regulator is probing contamination allegations at Skretting, keeping animal feed quality in the spotlight. Beverage Industry: Recorp has entered Australia’s beverage can market, adding to competition in packaging supply. Trade & Climate Risk: Black Sea attacks are disrupting wheat shipments, pushing Asian buyers to consider pricier alternatives like Australia, while El Niño warnings point to broader agriculture and food-cost impacts. New Product Development: BioCheese has unveiled Australia’s first high-protein dairy-free cheese, signalling continued momentum in functional plant-based categories. Market Signals: Hospitality is facing closures and defaults, and one in eight cafes and restaurants have shut in the past year.

Hospitality Pressure: CreditorWatch data shows 3,910 cafes, restaurants and takeaway outlets closed in the year to July (about 12% of the sector), with payment stress rising as costs bite and defaults lift. Food Safety Recall: Woolworths has pulled Mr Chen’s Szechuan Chilli Oil ($7) nationwide after FSANZ flagged an undeclared peanut allergen; affected best-before dates are 04/12/2026, 07/04/2027 and 11/12/2027. Water & Food Security: Irrigation groups are pushing the message that “water policy is food policy”, warning Australia’s food security strategy can’t ignore river health and water access. Sustainability in Drinks Packaging: Asahi says its Australian beverage bottles are now made from 100% recycled PET, supported by domestic recycling capacity and container deposit schemes. Community Food Connections: Wodonga Council launches a six-month Community Fresh Food Swap to share surplus produce, cut waste and build local connections. Mekong Fisheries & Protein: ACIAR’s FishTech Plus (A$9.5m) backs fish passage tech to protect inland fisheries as river infrastructure grows across Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

AFL Discipline Fallout: Sydney Swans have suspended five players for the rest of the 2026 season after late-night drinking and bringing women back to a Melbourne hotel, with the club stressing the action is separate from a police investigation into sexual assault allegations. Food & Retail Markets: NZX 50 rose as Ebos and Fletcher earnings lifted sentiment, while My Food Bag flagged a strategic review outcome ahead of its November update. Food Safety & Health: An Australian singer, Betty Who, says she’s recovering from a nasty E. coli infection that forced her to miss a major Broadway event. Everyday Food Tips: A UK researcher says seagulls are slower to steal when people make direct eye contact—useful for anyone trying to keep lunch on the beach. Global Food Supply Pressure: Attacks on shipping have shut down most grain export capacity from the Sea of Azov and Black Sea, pushing importers toward higher-cost suppliers like Australia. Hospitality & Community Food Relief: A Victoria/Tasmania volunteer has been named Coles Community Food Relief Champion for her role running nutritious meals and conversation at a local neighbourhood kitchen.

Aussie food TV & culture: Nigella Lawson says she’s “a bit nervous” as she joins The Great British Bake Off as a judge for the new Channel 4 series. Travel & food tourism: Korean Air will relaunch Melbourne–Seoul direct flights from Dec 18, 2026 to Mar 14, 2027 (three times weekly), giving travellers easier access to Korean food and shopping. Dairy & value shift: Rabobank warns Australia’s milk protein is getting scarcer and says the dairy playbook must move from “cheese-centric” processing to extracting more value from limited protein. Pet food & sustainability: Sealord launches Skipper seafood-based pet food with a “Feed Them Beautiful” campaign, aiming to turn fish waste into nutritionally complete products. Alcohol policy: The Spirits Council backs tougher ATO compliance on the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission Scheme, but wants a broader rules review to stop misuse. Biosecurity for growers: NSW starts building a new $1.2m pest insects research lab in Tamworth to improve resistance testing and protect crops and dairy.

Drink-Driving Fallout: Australian cricket great David Warner has been convicted and fined A$1,500 for mid-range drink-driving, with a 12-month alcohol interlock order and a breathalyser vehicle lock after he tried to swap seats near a random breath test in April—raising fresh questions for his Sydney Thunder role. Food Safety & Recalls: Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety has urged consumers not to eat an imported French spread (Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread, L’atelier Blini) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, with the batch pulled from shelves. Workplace Health: A new study links quartz countertop fabrication work to a growing silicosis problem, reporting hundreds of cases in California and warning of likely thousands more—fueling calls for safer alternatives and stronger protections. Hospitality Tech: Square has expanded its preferred partnership with OpenTable, aiming to connect reservations, payments and guest data for restaurants using Square systems. Cross-Category Brand Play: Cadbury is teaming with Australian beauty brand MCoBeauty for a Watermelon Dairy Milk chocolate plus a matching cosmetics range, leaning into the “unexpected partnership” trend.

Medical Nutrition Deal: Xenitra (ASX:XEN) expands into specialised medical nutrition with a 3-year A$5m FSMP framework purchase agreement, building on its Fukang acquisition and adding another healthcare pipeline link. PFAS Court Fight: The Commonwealth alleges 3M hid health risks from PFAS in firefighting foam used by the ADF, with a major Federal Court case spotlighting long-running contamination concerns. Food Safety Alert: Woolworths and Tip Top investigate after a Brisbane shopper reports a child found glass in a bread loaf, triggering urgent consumer checks. GLP-1 Nutrition Push: Nestlé is using AI to develop products for people on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, aiming to address side effects like muscle loss and “Ozempic face.” Packaging Innovation: Cobram Estate launches a propellant-free EVOO spray made from fresh, cold-pressed oil. Retail Value Pressure: An industry op-ed argues Australia’s “value shopper” shift is permanent, reshaping foodservice and convenience pricing expectations.

GLP-1 Pivot: Nestlé says GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are creating a new market for products aimed at side effects like muscle loss and “Ozempic face”, using AI and nutrition science to develop tailored nutrition. Retail Privacy: Coles and Woolworths have tested facial recognition in stores to tackle retail crime, sparking a security-versus-privacy backlash from consumer advocates. Dairy Deal Rumours Denied: Synlait rejects reports it’s in takeover talks with A2 Milk and Fonterra, despite ongoing recovery efforts. Water & Food Security: Zaytuna Farm argues roof-caught rainwater can be cleaner than groundwater when systems are properly managed, as Australia weighs water resilience. Work Pay Rules: New minimum pay and safety standards for gig delivery workers took effect, covering food and grocery app-based “employee-like” roles. Cold Storage Pressure: Reports flag a cold storage crunch hitting food supply. Industry Watch: Australia’s minimum pay order for gig delivery riders lands as platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash adjust to new floors.

Gig Economy Pay & Safety: Australia’s Fair Work Commission minimum standards for on-demand delivery workers took effect today, setting hourly floors of $31.30–$32 (depending on vehicle) and requiring accident insurance for riders handling food, alcohol and groceries, with platforms topping up pay if earnings fall short. Supermarket Pricing Pressure: The Greens are pushing a supermarket price plan and a bill to ban “price gouging,” with enforcement framed around excessive pricing and penalties. GLP-1 Food Strategy: Nestlé says it’s using AI and nutrition science to develop products for people on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, aiming to address side effects such as muscle loss and “Ozempic face.” Food Insecurity Reality Check: Foodbank Australia says many Australians are resorting to expired goods as grocery costs bite, highlighting a food waste irony. Hospitality & Local Food: Bright Brewery launched Bright Taphouses to expand its Victoria hospitality footprint under an “independent beer, quality food” banner. Cider Awards Open: Entries are now open for the 2026 Australian Cider Awards, with judging across 31 classes. National Potato Day: Spudbar will give away 1,000 free loaded spuds for National Potato Day on 19 August.

Marine Heatwaves & Food Security: A new report warns marine heatwaves are set to intensify as oceans stay abnormally hot, with knock-on impacts for coral, seagrass and fish stocks that underpin coastal food systems. Trade & Supply Chains: Colombia has asked the US to temporarily suspend high tariffs after a deadly earthquake, with the US offering $US26.5m in aid including food and health supplies—an issue that could ripple into regional product flows. Dairy Innovation: Hebrew University researchers say they’ve found a way to make real dairy proteins from plants by engineering seeds to produce ß-casein, a potential step toward lower-emissions dairy ingredients. Retail & Convenience Tech: Metcash is rolling out agentic AI search and personalisation across its B2B e-commerce to help independent retailers find products faster and lift conversions. Food Safety & Labelling: A push is underway to shake up “best before” and “use-by” dates, aiming to improve clarity for shoppers and reduce waste. Sustainability & Farming Inputs: Research on nitrogen mitigation in pasture-based dairy shows restricted-duration grazing can cut nitrogen leaching and ammonia losses—relevant for cleaner, more resilient farm operations. Industry Watch (Alcohol): Au Vodka is reportedly in advanced talks for a major acquisition, highlighting ongoing investment and consolidation in premium drinks markets with reach into Australia.

GLP-1 Ripple in Supplements: Kirin’s Australian health chief says the boom in weight-loss drugs is lifting demand for vitamins, supplements and nutrition products aimed at side effects like digestion and poor nutrition. Biosecurity & Food Prices: Australia’s H5 bird flu response ramps up as officials warn they can’t stop spread; any poultry farm hit could trigger culls and push up food prices. Circular Farming Boost: NSW backs Blantyre Farms with $1m for an on-farm feed mill to turn food by-products into concentrated livestock feed, cutting reliance on grain. Food Waste Push: AAP reports households bin up to $1,500 of edible food a year, with OzHarvest backing date-labelling reform to help shoppers waste less. Gig Worker Pay in Food Delivery: From Monday, Uber Eats/DoorDash delivery workers get minimum safety-net pay and accident insurance under a TWU deal, covering the food delivery sector. Food Trend Watch: Sardines are surging in Australia via social media “sardinemaxxing”, with tinned fish framed as a cheap, healthy pantry option. Community Food & Culture: Canberra’s Spanish Australian Club market day keeps drawing crowds with churros, Spanish deli goods and paella.

Food Safety Watch: South Africa’s West Coast sardine mass deaths are under investigation after pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) was detected in dead fish and at lower levels in some apparently healthy sardines, with authorities also checking whether harmful algae, low oxygen or other ocean conditions helped trigger or worsen the event. Trade & Exports: APEDA and Tripura’s organic farming agencies hosted an international organic buyer-seller meet in Agartala, bringing about 200 participants and international buyers (including from Australia and New Zealand) to connect Tripura growers with export demand for products like pineapple, ginger, turmeric, sesame and rice. Climate & Food Risk: NOAA says there’s a 95% chance of a very strong El Niño by late 2026, raising concerns for rainfall, farming output and food supplies across Latin America. Native Food Spotlight: The second Australian Native Food Festival returns to Carriageworks (Sept 27–28), with 30 market stalls and Indigenous-led tastings of ingredients like lemon myrtle, wattleseed and finger lime. Sustainability in Beverages: A “carbon-negative” coffee roasting process is being trialled using used coffee grounds turned into biochar, aiming to lock carbon in soil while keeping the supply chain local.

Meat Processing Push: Bangladesh plans modern meat processing centres in every district to lift safe processing, preservation and future export capacity, with 13 already inaugurated and more rolling out in phases. Rural Food Security: A fifth heatwave is driving crop failures and feed shortages, forcing farmers to burn through reserves early and raising pressure on livestock supply. Remote Community Cookbook: School of the Air’s 70th anniversary is marked with a fundraising recipe cookbook celebrating how bush families stay connected through shared food. Food Service Work Migration: Thirteen workers are set to leave Lae for Australia under a labour mobility program for NSW casino food service roles. Home Water & Plumbing: Melbourne Water urges simple household checks to prevent leaks and waste, including a “meter test” to catch hidden plumbing faults. Sausage Innovation: Queensland’s “Sausage King” competition spotlights creative flavours and gourmet upgrades for independent butchers. Alcohol & Risk: Reports highlight risky drinking patterns in Australian women, with perimenopause linked to worsening effects. Recycling Reality Check: Cleanaway survey finds many Australians “wish-cycle” wrong items, risking contamination of recycling loads. Food Culture & Craft: Chef’s Table Festival panels and global lunch menus spotlight women shaping food and cross-cultural seafood flavour parallels.