Page 6 - Food & Drink Magazine April 2019

NEWS
Coles partners
with eBay
EBAY and Coles have forged an online grocery partnership in a global first for the online marketplace. eBay users in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be able to shop from Coles’ perishable and non-perishable “everyday essentials”. Several categories including pre-packed fresh food, pantry, personal care and household items will be available.
The announcement follows a recent deal between Coles and UberEats to home deliver a range of ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meals. The pricing is the same as Coles’ national in-store prices, but subscribers to eBay’s membership program eBay Plus will get free delivery on orders $49 and over and double the number of flybuys points on all orders.
Coles Online chief executive Alister Jordan said Coles
is “always
looking for ways to make life easier for its customers”.
“By partnering
with eBay, we are
providing our customers another convenient way to access our products and have them delivered straight to their door.”
Around 40,000 Australian retailers already trade on eBay including Myer, The Good Guys and Target.
eBay Australia and New Zealand managing director Tim MacKinnon says Coles was one of Australia’s oldest and most trusted brands, and eBay was “excited to welcome them
to eBay as they broaden their online channels”.
“Both eBay and Coles share the vision of providing convenience, range and value to our customers and together we can make it even easier for Aussies to meet all their shopping needs in one place.”
Coles on eBay will offer the unattended delivery option which enables customers to have their order dropped off even if no-one is home, with further delivery options to be provided throughout theyear. ✷
Undeclared allergens the main cause of recalls
THE number of food recalls in Australia rose last year, with undeclared allergens the leading cause, according to the latest data from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
There were 100 food recalls in 2018, up from 69 in 2017, with 46 per cent due to undeclared allergens. Microbial contamination was next at 20 per cent.
FSANZ CEO Mark Booth says a review of allergen-related recalls showed four main problem areas, with packaging errors the leading issue.
Other causes included: a lack of skills and knowledge of labelling requirements; supplier verification; packaging errors; and accidental cross contamination.
“These results demonstrate that food businesses in Australia need to be across the mandatory allergen labelling
requirements in the Food Standards Code,” Booth says. “Correct allergen labelling
can mean the difference between life and death for people with food allergies, so it is vital that food businesses meet labelling requirements.”
Issues surrounding a lack of skills and knowledge of labelling
requirements saw, for example, pasta being declared as an ingredient, but not wheat. Similarly, ingredients lists on labelling not being updated following reformulation, and ingredients not being fully translated into English from the original language occurred. ✷
Maggie Beer to sell her food business
MAGGIE Beer is selling the 52 per cent majority stake she holds in the gourmet food company she founded for $10m.
The sale will give full ownership of Maggie Beer
Products to ASX-listed Longtable Group, which bought a 48 per cent stake in 2016.
Maggie Beer Products is based in South Australia’s Barossa Valley.
Maggie Beer started out in pheasant and grape farming and later opened a restaurant. She has published several books and regularly appears on TV cooking shows including MasterChef.
MBP makes gourmet jams, sauces, pastes, ice cream and cooking ingredients. According to Longtable Group, MBP has considerably improved its operating performance in the past year thanks to growth from new
categories, major retailer sales, and a program to reduce selling, marketing and overhead expenses.
“The Maggie Beer team has successfully managed costs to create a profitable, sustainable business with a very powerful brand that is highly regarded by consumers looking for premium food products,” Longtable managing director Laura McBain told shareholders this week.
“We are currently finalising negotiations to acquire the remaining 52 per cent equity in this business that Longtable does not already own, and bring the brand firmly into our portfolio.”
Maggie Beer, now 74, will continue to have a role in product development for two years and intends to become a directorofLongtable. ✷
6 | Food&Drink business | April 2019 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au