Ethical Consumer Group News

Chinese state-owned enterprises

2012-02-01T02:16:37+11:00

Chinese state-owned enterprises now have the Government of China listed as their parent company, which receives criticisms for human rights abuse.

Primo Smallgoods

2012-01-30T12:26:06+11:00

Primo Smallgoods is now foriegn owned after Hong Kong-based private equity firm, Affinity Equity Partners, bought a 70% stake in Oct 2011. Primo's founders, the Lederer family, still own the remaining 30%.

WWF Palm Oil Scorecard 2011

2012-01-08T19:55:22+11:00

The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2011 was released in Nov 2011 (as our book was being printed). This report measures if major retailers and consumer goods manufacturers are acting responsibly in terms of palm oil use and sourcing. This has changed the rating for Lactalis (owners of Parmalat), L'Occitane, Snack Brands Australia and Peerless to a 'cross'.

Climate Counts scores

2012-01-08T19:55:22+11:00

Climate Counts compares companies on their commitment to tackling global warming. Updated company scores were released on Dec 2011.

Woolworths buys 31 hotels in NSW, including pokies

2011-12-21T23:29:37+11:00

Woolworths' hospitality arm ALH Group has signed long-term leases and acquired the businesses and associated assets of 31 hotels and one detached bottleshop in NSW for $500 million from the Laundy, Waugh and De Angelis groups. The deal also strengthens Woolworths' position as the country's biggest owner-operator of poker machines, lifting the number of machines under its control to 13,480.

Foster's bought by SABMiller

2011-12-01T14:52:01+11:00

Fosters shareholders voted on 1 Dec 2011, over 99% in favour, to end 100 years of Australian ownership when they approved the sale of the company the world's second largest brewer, SABMiller. Brewing operation are to remain in Australia. SABMiller will also acquire the remaining 50 per cent of Pacific Beverages owned by Coca-Cola Amatil. All of Australias major breweries except Coopers are now foreign owned.

Foster's bought by SABMiller

2011-12-01T14:52:01+11:00

Foster's is now owned by UK-based SABMiller.

Bright Foods buys 75% of Manassen Foods

2011-11-30T11:26:29+11:00

On 30th November 2011 Manassen Foods Group was acquired by Bright Foods Group Holdings Pty Ltd, which is 75% owned by Bright Foods of China, one of Chinas largest food companies.

Manassen Foods

2011-11-30T11:26:29+11:00

Manassen Foods is now 75% owned by Chinese food group Bright Food.

The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping 2012

2011-10-30T16:11:01+11:00

The 2012 edition of the Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping will be released in mid-November with special features on Beauty, Toys, Meat and Beer. In anticipation, we have substantially reduced the prices on the 2011 edition. We are also taking pre-orders for the 2012 edition. Our SHOP page has plenty of other goodies to help you match your purchases with your values too. Start your Christmas shopping early.

Primo Smallgoods sold to private equity firm

2011-10-19T12:26:06+11:00

Hong Kong-based private equity firm Affinity Equity Partners bought a 70% stake of Australia's Primo Smallgoods in Oct 2011, with Primo's founders, the Lederer family, holding the remaining 30%.

Sustainable Seafood Guide iPhone app

2011-09-22T13:40:11+10:00

Australian Marine Conservation Society have launched Australia's first ever Sustainable Seafood Guide iPhone App. If you don't have an iPhone, the guide is also available online or you can buy a hard copy guide from our online store.

Watchdog acts on chickens

2011-09-14T11:58:18+10:00

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is alleging barn-raised chickens are not ''free to roam'' and has launched Federal Court action against Baiada Poultry and Bartter Enterprises (one company), which supply chickens under the Steggles brand. Steggles is a major supplier to fast-food giant KFC.

Call for improved price transparency on food

2011-09-08T11:57:04+10:00

Independents Bob Katter and Nick Xenophon will introduce a bill to Federal Parliament calling for retailers to display the prices they pay farmers for their fresh produce next to the price they're asking from customers. In some cases products like citrus have a mark-up of 1,000 per cent. They say Coles and Woolworths need to explain the large price disparity between farm gate prices and retail prices of produce.

Cargill and Teys Bros combine beef

2011-09-05T11:59:26+10:00

US commodity-trading giant Cargill has completed the merging its Australian beef business with Teys Bros, the countrys second-largest beef processor. The companies have combined their businesses into a 50:50 joint venture, which will trade under the name of "Teys Australia - A Cargill Joint Venture".

Big catch for canned tuna campaign

2011-08-31T11:55:58+10:00

Coles releases a range of pole and line caught skipjack tuna a sustainable tuna product. While, disappointingly, Coles hasnt cleaned up its entire range, this is a significant improvement.

Metcash to buy Franklins after all

2011-08-26T16:45:01+10:00

Metcash / IGA have been cleared to buy Franklins Supermarkets after the Federal Court ruled against the ACCCs attempt to block the acquisition. Franklins is owned by South African company Pick n Pay. The court ruling means the 90 Franklins stores (all in NSW) will be returning to Australian ownership, and will be rebadged as IGA.

Asahi buys NZ's Independent Liquor

2011-08-18T15:25:50+10:00

Hot on the heels of the purchases of the juice business of P&N Beverages, and New Zealand drinks maker Charlie's Group (maker of Phoenix soft drinks), Asahi has announced it is also acquiring NZ's largest maker of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, Independent Liquor, for $1.2bn.

Asahi to buy P&N's juice business + Charlie's

2011-08-16T14:18:46+10:00

Japan's Asahi Group has agreed to buy the mineral water and juice business of P&N Beverages for $188 million, and has bought New Zealand drinks maker Charlie's Group (maker of Phoenix soft drinks). Asahis bid to buy all of P&N earlier this year was blocked by the ACCC. Asahi is Kirins main rival in Japan in the beer/beverages sector. The ACCC has approved the revised deal.

Australian Paper buys Australian Envelopes

2011-08-09T10:40:40+10:00

Envotec, which previously traded as Australian Envelopes, was Australia's largest envelope manufacturer until it ceased operations after being placed into administration on 30 June 2011. It was acquired by Japanese owned Australian Paper soon afterwards. The ACCC is reviewing the purchase.

Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health

2011-07-19T21:39:56+10:00

The Environmental Working Group (US) release their 'Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change & Health'. EWG partnered with CleanMetrics, an environmental analysis firm, to assess the greenhouse gas emissions associated with 20 types of meat, fish, dairy and vegetable proteins, as well as these foods effects on health.

Gunns sell Tassie woodchip mill to environmentalists

2011-07-14T22:57:34+10:00

Gunns have sold their Tasmanian woodchip mill to two environmentalists (Graeme Wood and Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron) for $10 million. Ms Cameron and Mr Wood are closely allied to green groups and strongly opposed to native forest logging in Tasmania. While the mill will continue operating for now as it phases out native forest logging, its long-term future looks to be as a tourism destination.

Parmalat sold to Lactalis

2011-07-14T15:37:46+10:00

French dairy giant Lactalis has acquired 83% of Italian owned Parmalat after a lengthy ownership battle. Lactalis claims the purchase makes it the world's biggest milk group. Parmalat is a major player in Australia's dairy industry.

Cool Pak popcorn

2011-07-10T11:01:00+10:00

Cool Pak popcorn is now owned by Smith's Snackfood Co, which is owned by Pepsico (USA).

Bead Foods sold to Agro Farma

2011-07-01T22:47:46+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) US yoghurt makers Agro Farma has acquired Australias Bead Foods, maker of Gippsland Dairy and Rowena choc-tops.

Bead Foods

2011-07-01T22:47:46+10:00

Bead Foods, maker of Gippsland Dairy and Rowena choc-tops, is now owned by US yoghurt makers Agro Farma.

Senate passes palm oil labelling bill

2011-06-24T21:15:43+10:00

A bill requiring products containing palm oil be explicitly labelled, rather than described as vegetable oil, has been passed by the Australian Senate thanks to a Coalition-Greens alliance. It still needs to pass in the House of Representatives, which seems likely if the Coalition-Greens alliance holds.

SABMiller bid to acquire Fosters

2011-06-23T21:07:41+10:00

The United Kingdom's SAB Miller plans to buyout Australia's largest brewer, the Foster's Group (formerly Carlton and United Breweries) for $A 12.22 billion. The deal would partly put the London-listed brewer in a strategic position to grab the market from Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch inBev.

Woolworths switches own-label milk from NF to Parmalat

2011-06-20T21:10:54+10:00

Woolworths has announced plans to source all its own-label fresh milk products from Parmalat in NSW, a move the company said is not related to its milk war with Coles.

Health group calls for palm oil labelling

2011-06-17T21:14:56+10:00

FOOD manufacturers should be forced to label all products containing palm oil to help push down the nation's soaring levels of saturated fat consumption, a leading heath group says.

Bausch & Lomb

2011-06-08T14:43:21+10:00

Bausch & Lomb now receive a cross for being on PETA's "Companies that do test on animals" list.

SunRice rejects Ebro Foods takeover bid

2011-05-31T13:54:01+10:00

SunRice shareholders have rejected a $610 million takeover bid from Spain's Ebro Foods, keeping the iconic Australian company in local grower ownership.

New methodology rules

2011-05-26T14:51:21+10:00

We have introduced two new rules to our assessment methodology: (1) if a company has praises and no criticisms, but does have minor criticisms (listed under information), the company's rating is downgraded from a full tick to a light tick. For example Bonne Bell get a full praise for being cruelty free, but their overall rating is a light tick, as they receive a minor criticism for rating poorly on EWG's Cosmetics Safety Database. (2) Company ratings are limited to a light tick if that company has an annual revenue of exceeding one billion dollars. This is consistent with our approach of supporting small local businesses over large multinationals.

Assessment system upgrade

2011-05-24T14:36:26+10:00

A major assessment system upgrade has been completed on the ethical.org.au website. Our new colour-coded icons reveal a much greater depth of information. At a glance you can see the category (Environment, Social, Animals, Business Ethics) and weighting (Praise, Lesser Praise, Minor Praise, Criticism, Lesser Criticism, Minor Criticism, Boycott Call, Neutral) assigned to each assessment item. This 8 tier weighting system is a significant improvement on our previous 4 tier system.

Cosmetics section expanded

2011-05-23T14:31:35+10:00

Good news for the ladies: Our Cosmetics section has grown. Weve added 100 cosmetics and skin care brands to our database, which you can see right now on our website. Shampoo and several other personal care product types have also been expanded.

Greenpeace Truefood Guide data updated

2011-05-18T23:17:42+10:00

We have updated our assessment database with the latest data from Greenpeaces 2011 Truefood Guide. As a result Bellamys (baby food), Snack Brands Australia (CC's etc), and Freedom Foods now receive a full tick for being GE-Free.

Australian Packaging Covenant signatory list updated

2011-05-18T23:15:58+10:00

We have updated our assessment database to reflect the latest Australian Packaging Covenant signatory list. The APC is a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation, and being a signatory counts as a light praise in our company assessments. As a result the ratings of several companies changed from a light tick to a ~, or from a ~ to a light tick.

DuPont buys Danisco

2011-05-17T14:41:24+10:00

DuPont bought Danish food ingredients company Danisco for US$6.4 billion.

Factory farming assessment added

2011-04-18T22:25:03+10:00

We have added factory farming as a criticism for several companies. Namely egg producers Pace Farms, Fard Pride Foods and Sunny Queen, and chicken meat producers Baiada and Inghams. All these companies now receive a 'cross' rating.

White King

2011-04-08T13:47:57+10:00

Sara Lee, who has been selling off its non-food divisions, sold Australian brand White King to Pental Products in Dec 2010.

Playtex Products

2011-04-08T13:47:57+10:00

Playtex Products (makers of Banana Boat sunscreen and Wet Ones) is now owned by Energizer.

Energizer

2011-04-08T13:05:08+10:00

Energizer now receive a cross because their subsidiary, Schick, is on PETA's "Companies that do test on animals" list.

Assessment data updated

2011-03-24T22:21:34+11:00

Our assessment database has had a significant update. Some dead weblinks have been fixed, a bunch of aging data has been removed, data from the FREE2WORK.org website has been added, plus other random bits and pieces. Our rating of a few companies changed. For owners of the 2011 edition of The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping, be sure to check our Update Your Print Guide page:

E.T. Browne

2011-03-24T22:15:12+11:00

E.T. Browne now get a 'tick' rating for being on PETA's 'Companies That Don't Test on Animals' list.

McPherson's Consumer Products

2011-03-24T22:03:11+11:00

McPherson's Consumer Products 'light tick' rating has been reinstated after returning to compliance with the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.

McCormick

2011-03-10T01:07:09+11:00

McCormick now receives a cross for its 'D' rating at FREE2WORK.org, which rates companies on labor practices and supply chain transparency

Big supermarkets gain fresh food market share at the expense of the small guys

2011-03-09T14:51:42+11:00

Concentration of the dairy industry.

Kellogg covers 100% of usage with GreenPalm oil certificates

2011-03-07T03:01:26+11:00

Kellogg Company announced last week that it is helping fund sustainable palm oil production through purchasing GreenPalm certificates covering 100 percent of its global palm oil use.

Who's really buying the farm?

2011-03-06T20:59:04+11:00

Foreign investment in Australia's food chain is increasing at a rate that is causing concern, and not just for people on the land.

Campbells

2011-03-04T22:57:34+11:00

Campbells rating has changed back to a grey tick. The previous criticism for Campbells was the Good Shopping Guide (UK) rating of 48/100 (bottom of sector), however there were no specifics for the reason behind rating. We have decided to stop using this particular assessment source for company criticisms.

Shop Ethical! iPhone app

2011-02-22T00:36:55+11:00

The new Shop Ethical! iPhone app has just hit the App Store and is already #2 in the reference category. It features the latest data, a new favourites section and a brand new look and feel.

Westpork faces abuse charges, again

2011-02-15T23:24:48+11:00

One of Australia's biggest pork producers, Westpork, is facing over 30 charges of alleged animal cruelty. This is the second time the piggery, based north of Perth, and housing over 30,000 pigs, has been charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.

It's hard to swallow food rules that treat us like mushrooms

2011-02-03T21:14:33+11:00

Elizabeth Farrelly comments on the long-awaited Blewett report on Food labelling.

Bobby calf cruelty

2011-01-31T14:51:39+11:00

Most people aren't aware that in order to produce milk, dairy cows are kept almost continually pregnant. Each year in Australia 700,000 unwanted calves (known as ''bobby calves'') are sent to slaughter in their first week of life so that milk can be harvested for human consumption. Now the industry wants to legalise the withholding of liquid food from these unwanted calves for the last 30 hours of their lives as they are trucked and prepared for slaughter. Visit the Animals Australia website to see how you can help.

Premier sells Quorn to private equity

2011-01-29T00:13:20+11:00

UK food producer Premier sold its meat-free foods division, including the Quorn and Cauldron brands, to UK firms Exponent Private Equity and Intermediate Capital Group in 2011. Quorn was introduced in Australia in 2010. Exponent is a private equity firm founded in 2004 that invests in UK headquartered businesses with an enterprise value of between £75m-£350m.

Monsanto versus Steve Marsh: First GM legal battle in Oz

2011-01-20T00:49:11+11:00

One of the biggest legal battles in Australian GM history is brewing in Western Australia, following organic farmer Steve Marsh's loss of his organic certification because of GM contamination.

CHAMP buys Constellations Wines Australia

2010-12-27T14:36:54+11:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) USA based Constellation Brands, the world's largest winemaker, has agreed to sell 80 per cent of its Australian and UK business to Australian private equity firm, CHAMP, for about $290 million.

White King returns to Australian ownership

2010-12-26T13:47:57+11:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) Sara Lee, who has been selling off its non-food divisions, sold Australian brand White King to Pental Products in Dec 2010.

Hormone beef off the shelves at Coles

2010-12-26T00:54:05+11:00

BEEF pumped with growth hormones will be banned by supermarket giant Coles from New Year's Day in an Australian first, sending shock waves through the meat industry.

Agrium offloads AWB unit to Cargill for $870m

2010-12-16T14:54:38+11:00

AGRIUM has reached a deal to sell a majority of the AWB's Australian commodity-management business to Cargill Inc.

Aspen Pharmacare buys Sigma Pharmaceuticals

2010-12-16T14:54:27+11:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) The ACCC has given the all-clear to South Africa based Aspen Pharmacare to buy Australian company Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd's pharmaceutical division for $900 million. Brands include Herron and Goanna.

Nestle buys Jenny Craig

2010-12-15T21:19:08+11:00

Nestle has bought the Australia/NZ franchise of Jenny Craig. Nestle bought the USA based Jenny Craig Inc in 2006 from private investment firms MidOcean Partners and ACI Capital and founders Jenny and Sid Craig. Founded in Australia in 1983, today they have 650 centres in US, Canada, UK, France, Australia, NZ and more. Jenny Craig is the world's second largest diet firm (after Weight Watchers).

The Ethical Christmas Resource Kit

2010-12-08T14:36:49+11:00

This resource kit explores some things you can do to make a difference with the way you celebrate this Christmas.

Safe Sunscreen Guide update

2010-12-03T12:06:51+11:00

Friends of the Earth Australia have released their latest Safe Sunscreen Guide. Some sunscreens sold in Australia have the potential to cause skin damage. They contain tiny particles (nanoparticles) which have not undergone safety testing and are not labelled. Which brands are nano-free?

New Shop page

2010-12-01T14:27:33+11:00

Our new online shop is now online with other ethical goodies on offer as well as the new Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping 2011.

The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping 2011 is out now!

2010-12-01T14:23:34+11:00

This new edition is completely revised and updated. We've added 250 brands, 50 companies, 5 product types and a brand new section on agribusiness.

Australia to go sow stall free by 2017.

2010-11-18T00:55:10+11:00

The Australian pig industry announced plans to phase out sow stalls by 2017. This follows Coles' announcement to phase out sow-stall pork products, including ham and bacon, from Australian and overseas suppliers by 2014.

AWB sold to Canada's Agrium

2010-11-16T14:53:40+11:00

Shareholders of the Australian Wheat Board have agreed to a $1.2 billion takeover bid from Canadian-based Agrium, the largest agricultural retailer in North America.

KraMar Pet Company

2010-11-03T23:00:41+11:00

The KraMar Pet Company is now owned by Nestle Australia (foreign owned with a boycott call).

Arnotts ensure Tim Tams are free from child labour

2010-10-29T15:59:11+11:00

Arnotts announced that it will source ethical cocoa that has not been made with the use of child labour for all of its chocolate-based products, including the iconic Tim Tam biscuit, after being the target of a public campaign by World Vision earlier this year (2010).

Australias Most Fairtrade Friendly Supermarkets

2010-10-27T12:56:56+11:00

Independent supermarket Leos Fine Food & Wine in Heidelberg and Woolworths Mordialloc, both in Victoria, have taken top honours in the Checkout Fairtrade search to find Australias Most Fairtrade Friendly Supermarket, Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand announced today. Held from 27 September to 11 October 2010, the Checkout Fairtrade competition set out to find the major and independent supermarkets stocking the biggest range of Fairtrade Certified and Labelled products in the country.

Reckitt Benckiser buys SSL International

2010-10-26T19:14:08+11:00

Reckitt Benckiser acquired Durex condom maker SSL International in 2010 for US$3.9 billion.

Republica & Scarborough Fair

2010-09-27T22:44:36+10:00

Republica and Scarborough Fair now receive ticks for selling only Fairtrade certified goods

Unilever buys Alberto Culver

2010-09-27T18:15:34+10:00

Unilever is buying hair and skin care products maker Alberto Culver for US$3.7 billion. Brands include TRESemme, VO5 and St Ives.

Checkout Fairtrade campaign

2010-09-16T11:44:51+10:00

Fairtrade Australia is getting ready to launch the Checkout Fairtrade campaign, to run from 27 September to 10 October 2010. The Checkout Fairtrade campaign is aiming to find Australia's most Fairtrade Friendly Supermarket. People can be involved by visiting their local supermarket and noting all the Fairtrade Certified products they can find on a postcard.

FoodWorks in trouble after Coles deal goes bad

2010-09-14T13:09:07+10:00

The independent supermarket chain FoodWorks has been deeply wounded by its failed bid to take over 45 Coles stores, running up a loss of $26 million for the year. There is 'significant doubt' the group can continue as a going concern because liabilities exceed assets by $7.2 million.

August public workshop & supermarket tour

2010-08-26T18:00:00+10:00

Thursday 26th August, 6pm 8.30pm Presentation of issues & principles, trip to the local supermarket, shared meal following with best buys. Meet at Footscray Baptist church, 60 Paisley

Jeyes and Bloo

2010-08-26T00:54:47+10:00

Jeyes and Bloo toilet cleaners are owned by Jeyes Group Ltd (UK)

Issues section upgraded

2010-08-12T14:11:34+10:00

We have overhauled the Issues section on our website. Several of the blurbs have been updated, plus there's 7 new ones including Overfishing, BPA and the High Cost of Animal Products.

Fonterra

2010-08-09T10:37:40+10:00

Fonterra now receive a cross for criticisms by Greenpeace NZ including the use and importation of palm Kernel (PKE) animal feed and its impact on Indonesian rainforest, intensification and fertiliser use, burning coal and domestic deforestation.

The Ethical Consumer Guide joins facebook

2010-08-08T13:07:09+10:00

Come and join the conversation at our new facebook page.

SABMiller beers now brewed locally

2010-08-08T12:37:17+10:00

Pacific beverages, a joint venture between Coca Cola Amatil and SABMiller, opened a new brewery in Newcastle, NSW, in July 2010, where it will produce Bluetongue beer and the majority of brands in the SABMiller global portfolio. We have moved imported beers Castle, Grolsch, Miller Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell to the beer product table.

Heritage Brands buys Creative Brands

2010-08-06T23:32:09+10:00

Private equity controlled Heritage Brands (formerly Soda Brands) bought Creative Brands (owner of beauty brands Australis and Le Tan) in 2010. They also bought cosmetics company Innoxa in 2009.

Fosters demerger

2010-08-03T11:38:42+10:00

Fosters demerger of its beer and its struggling wine division will be finalised in the first half of 2011. Its struggling wine division will be listed as a new entity called "Treasury Wine Estates". Japan's Asahi Breweries, Belgium's AB InBev, USA's SABMiller and Coca-Cola Amatil are all rumoured to be interested in buying Fosters beer division after the demerger.

Shop Ethical! iPhone app v1.2 released

2010-08-02T16:20:08+10:00

The first major update of our popular Shop Ethical! iPhone app has just been released. Whats new in version 1.2? Updated data; more intuitive navigation; Share through Facebook, Twitter or email; ownership tree display improved; blurbs on Important Issues under Get Informed; improved sort order in tables; various bug fixes; compatible with iOS 4.0; and more. This is a free update for all Shop Ethical! owners.

Greenseas Tuna

2010-07-17T12:28:11+10:00

Greenseas canned tuna (owned by Heinz) had an outstanding product star from April to July 2010, for topping the list on Greenpeace's Canned Tuna Guide. In the revised Tuna Guide they dropped to fourth place. We have removed the outstanding product star.

CSR Sugar

2010-07-16T22:31:48+10:00

CSR's sugar division, Sucrogen, is now owned by Wilmar (foreign owned with a cross)

Greenpeace update their Canned Tuna Guide

2010-07-16T16:32:08+10:00

Greenpeace's updated Canned Tuna Guide reveals which brands to buy, and which brands still source overfished species or use destructive fishing techniques. Since Greenpeace launched their first tuna ranking, Australian tuna brands have started to clean up their act. For the first time, Australians can buy a sustainable canned tuna brand Fish4Ever. Aldi and IGA have introduced sustainable seafood policies. Tuna brands play a key role in the overfishing crisis by selling us unsustainable tuna.

Wilmar buys CSR Sugar

2010-07-06T22:31:48+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) Diversified conglomerate CSR Ltd has agreed to sell its sugar division, Sucrogen, to Singapore-based agribusiness Wilmar International Ltd for $1.75 billion. Wilmar is the world's largest palm oil trader.

CSR sells Sucrogen to Wilmar for $1.75b

2010-07-05T23:29:19+10:00

CSR has agreed to sell its sugar and renewable energy business, Sucrogen, to Wilmar International Ltd, a Singapore-listed agribusiness group, for $1.75 billion.

Unilever commits to sustainable sourcing of paper packaging

2010-07-05T22:31:48+10:00

Unilever has committed to sourcing 75 per cent of its paper and board packaging from sustainably managed forests or from recycled material by 2015, rising to 100 per cent by 2020. Unilever is the first global FMCG company to commit to sourcing all of its paper and board packaging from sustainably managed forests or recycled material within a clearly defined timeframe.

Metcash to buy Franklins supermarkets

2010-07-01T22:31:48+10:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) South African owned supermarket chain Franklins has been acquired by its wholesale supplier, Metcash Trading Ltd for $215 million. The sale is still pending approval from the ACCC. Metcash will acquire 85 supermarkets (77 corporate outlets and supply to 8 franchises) with a view to selling them to independent IGA retailers. In the meantime, Metcash will operate the Franklins stores.

Objections raised over free-range eggs plan

2010-06-28T22:31:48+10:00

Changing the definition of free-range eggs and lifting the maximum number of hens in an area would put Australia behind the rest of the world, critics say. Discussions between the Australian Egg Corporation and farmers could see the maximum number of hens per hectare increase from 1500 to up to 20,000.

New navigation bar on www.ethical.org.au

2010-06-28T12:28:11+10:00

We have made some changes our navigation bar. Check out our new Spread the Word and Household Action Challenge pages under GET INVOLVED, as well as our new improved News area, now with RSS.

PETA Cruelty Free Shopping Guide

2010-06-10T12:28:11+10:00

We have added praises to several companies for being included on PETA's Cruelty Free Shopping Guide. This changed the rating of some companies from a ~ to a full tick. Namely Bonne Bell, King of Shaves, Method, Naturopathica and Lifesource (Nads).

7-Eleven acquires Mobil service stations

2010-06-01T09:00:39+10:00

7-Eleven Australia has agreed to acquire the retail fuels business of Mobil Oil Australia, comprising 295 company owned or leased service stations, bringing the total number of outlets to more than 650. Most of the Mobil sites will be converted into 7-Eleven stores by the end of 2011

Seventh Generation

2010-05-27T12:28:11+10:00

Seventh Generation's rating has changed from a ~ to a tick due to its outstanding palm oil policy.

Nestle's palm oil pledge

2010-05-17T09:00:39+10:00

Following a two month campaign by Greenpeace, Nestle, the biggest food and drink company in the world, announced it was committing to stop using products that come from rainforest destruction. The new policy commits Nestle to identify and exclude companies from its supply chain that own or manage 'high risk plantations or farms linked to deforestation'. This would apply to notorious Sinar Mas, a palm oil and paper supplier that Greenpeace has repeatedly caught destroying the rainforest - if it fails to meet Nestle's new criteria - and also have implications for Cargill, one of Nestle's palm oil suppliers which purchases from Sinar Mas.

National Packaging Covenant Signatories

2010-05-12T12:28:11+10:00

The National Packaging Covenant has released a list of non-compliant signatories. This has changed the rating of some companies from a light tick to a ~. Namely Bevco, ET Browne, Fletchers Foods, Freedom Nutritional Products, McPherson's Consumer Products, Scott's, Snow Confectionery, Suntory Australia, Unibic, and Yakult.

The ratings for Podravka and Sunny Queen have changed from a ~ to a light tick for being NPC signatories.

Labelling survey - Take action

2010-05-11T09:00:39+10:00

As part of the Ethical Consumer Group's submission for the Food Labelling Review, due on Friday 14th May, we have put together this quick survey to assess what are the important issues for you in making an informed choice about your food purchases. We hope to ascertain: 1) consumer concerns in relation to adequate labelling of food products, and 2) the usefulness of present labelling. Please take a minute to fill in our survey.

Food Labelling Review

2010-05-04T00:00:00+10:00

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council have agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of food labelling law and policy. This Review will play an important role both for consumers who are looking for clarity in labelling and industry who are looking for certainty about their roles and responsibilities. All Stakeholders are encouraged to take this opportunity to make a written submission.

Green packaging an agenda for consumers, study says

2010-05-04T00:00:00+10:00

According to Datamonitor, it revealed 57 per cent of consumers thought that it was important to buy ethical or socially responsible products and that packaging was a key consideration in their purchase decisions.

Dagoba chocolate

2010-05-01T12:28:11+10:00

Dagoba chocolate (made by Artisan Confections) is owned by Hershey, who have a boycott call.

Fairtrade Dairy Milk chocolate hits Australian shelves

2010-04-08T00:00:00+10:00

In a huge milestone for the Fairtrade movement, Cadbury Dairy Milk milk chocolate is now Fairtrade Certified and starting to hit shelves across both Australia and New Zealand. However the new Fairtrade Dairy Milk will not contain only Fairtrade ingredients. Instead, Cadbury (owned by Kraft) purchases "an amount of Fairtrade Certified cocoa and sugar equivalent to that required to make the Cadbury Dairy Milk milk chocolate products carrying the Fairtrade Label". The end result for cocoa farmers in Ghana is the same either way.

Greenpeace targets Nestle in palm oil campaign

2010-03-17T00:00:00+11:00

Greenpeace launched a campaign in March 2010 asking Nestle to stop buying palm oil from Sinar Mas, who is trashing Indonesian rainforests, threatening the livelihoods of local people and pushing orang-utans towards extinction.

Revlon

2010-03-05T12:28:11+11:00

Revlon's rating has changed from a light tick to a cross due to its use of nanoparticles in cosmetics.

Greenpeace release Canned Tuna Guide

2010-03-05T00:00:00+11:00

The biggest selling seafood item in Australia is canned tuna. As supermarkets sell more and more of this profitable product, tuna stocks are in a critical condition. Supermarkets play a key role in the overfishing crisis by selling us overfished tuna. It's time they take responsibility. Greenpeace's Canned Tuna Guide exposes the supermarkets selling us overfished species or using destructive fishing techniques.

Australia's last tuna cannery closes

2010-02-23T12:29:32+11:00

Austraia's last tuna cannery, at Port Lincoln, will halt production because of cuts to the southern bluefin tuna quota and the high Australian dollar. At the end of May, Port Lincoln Tuna Processors will stop producing John West canned tuna products, which will instead be made in Thailand. This will end Australia's long history of canning tuna with Simplot sourcing the complete product from Thailand, along with every other major brand, including Greenseas, Safcol and Sirena.

New online database now includes Alcohol and Office Supplies

2010-02-16T00:00:00+11:00

We've also completed a major upgrade of our assessment data, and introduced a more detailed ratings system.

The Shop Ethical! iPhone app is now available

2010-02-12T00:00:00+11:00

For those of you with an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can now get the Guide as an app! You'll never forget to bring the Guide to the supermarket again.

The 2010 Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping is now available

2010-02-10T00:00:00+11:00

To help you navigate through the issues connected to your everyday purchases, weve not only updated company information, but also added a more detailed rating system, new blurbs, and two new categories Alcohol and Office Supplies.

Kao Corporation

2010-02-05T12:28:11+11:00

Kao Corporation's rating has changed from a light tick to a cross due to its animal testing policy.

Kraft buys Cadbury

2010-02-03T00:00:00+11:00

Kraft Foods (USA), the world's second largest food company, clinched a takeover deal for UK confectioner Cadbury, after winning support from shareholders representing 72 per cent of the chocolate company. In Jan 2010 the Cadbury board unanimously recommended that it's shareholders sell to Kraft after Kraft revised their offer.

Australia warns bag firms about using environmental claims

2010-01-28T19:28:03+11:00

Australias national business watchdog has published an online guide explaining potential legal pitfalls in making unsubstantiated claims about the environmental performance of plastic single-use shopping bags.

Industry applauds GM decision

2010-01-28T00:00:00+11:00

WA decision to lift ban on genetically modified canola brings WA in line with New South Wales and Victoria where farmers have grown GM canola commercially since 2008.

SA must hold the line on GM crops

2010-01-28T00:00:00+11:00

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has urged the Rann Government to maintain the moratorium on GM crops in South Australia, in the wake of the decision to allow GM crops to be grown in WA.

Green & Black's to go Fairtrade in 2010

2010-01-28T00:00:00+11:00

Green & Black's has announced plans to go Fairtrade Certified across most of its block chocolate and beverages range this year [more]. Soon after this announcement, Cadbury (who own Green & Black's) was bought by Kraft. It is unknown whether Kraft will continue with Cadbury's push to increase it's range of Fairtrade chocolate.

Push for GM canola, SA farmers urged

2010-01-27T00:00:00+11:00

Biotechnology company Monsanto is urging South Australian grain growers to think about whether they want to be one of only two states to ban genetically modified (GM) canola.

Kraft to buy Cadbury. Will they keep fair trade agreements?

2010-01-20T00:00:00+11:00

The Cadbury board has unanimously recommended that it's shareholders sell to Kraft after Kraft revised their offer. Shareholders have until February 2 to accept the proposal. This has possible implications for Cadbury's plans to use Fairtrade cocoa in their Dairy Milk chocolate bars.

Unilever palm oil victory

2009-12-11T00:00:00+11:00

Unilever has altered it's palm oil supply chain after Greenpeace presented them with a new report on Sinar Mas, an Indonesian conglomerate with extensive interests in both the palm oil and pulp and paper sectors. A Unilever spokesman said that the claims were 'too serious for us to ignore' and they have stopped buying palm oil from Sinar Mas.

WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2009

2009-10-28T00:00:00+11:00

From lipstick to ice cream, and even some breads and biscuits, palm oil is used in a variety of products we purchase every day. But the true cost of palm oil is being paid in high-biodiversity tropical rainforests, which continue to be cleared for ever expanding oil palm plantations. WWF's Scorecard is an assessment of the palm oil purchasing practices of major European companies that produce and sell everyday consumer products.

2010 Truefood Guide

2009-10-28T00:00:00+11:00

Greenpeace Australia have released the new 2010 Truefood Guide. It includes even more food and beverage brands, as well as incorporating the alcoholic beverages edition we launched earlier this year. It also sees leading brands Nestle, Foster's, Schweppes and Lindt shift to GE-free.

Lion Nathan National Foods

2009-10-28T00:00:00+11:00

Lion Nathan and National Foods were officially merged into one entity on 21 October 2009. The merged entity, Lion Nathan National Foods, is wholly owned by Japanese drinks giant Kirin Holdings. Meanwhile the outcry continues from Tasmanian farmers, who are being paid less than 21c for every litre of milk by National Foods, well below the cost of production of about 39c a litre. A Senate inquiry has been called.

Pfizer buys Wyeth

2009-10-15T00:00:00+11:00

Pfizer Inc. acquired Wyeth in a US$68 billion deal. Wyeth is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company. Both companies are based in USA.

Nestle boycott over Mugabe averted

2009-10-04T00:00:00+10:00

The South African civil rights initiative, AfriForum, launched an international campaign calling on people to boycott all Nestle products, unless Nestle decided by 7 October 2009 to stop buying milk from Grace Mugabe ? wife of the Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe. From 4 October 2009, Nestle stopped buying any milk from Grace Mugabe.

Kirin buys Lion Nathan

2009-09-18T00:00:00+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) Japanese brewing giant Kirin bought the 54 per cent of Lion Nathan it didn't already own in a $3.4 billion deal. Lion Nathan is Australia's #2 brewer, after Fosters. Kirin recently bought National Foods and Dairy Farmers, and will combine them with Lion to create Lion Nathan National Foods Pty Ltd, which will be the largest supplier to Australian supermarkets.

Cadbury Dairy Milk to go Fairtrade in 2010

2009-08-26T00:00:00+10:00

Cadbury?s plans to achieve Fairtrade certification on their Dairy Milk chocolate by Easter 2010. The UK confectioner, which launched Fairtrade Dairy Milk in Britain and Ireland earlier this year, advised that they would extend their commitment to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

Cadbury takes palm oil out

2009-08-17T00:00:00+10:00

Consumers secured an important victory with Cadbury reversing its previous decision to put palm oil in its dairy milk chocolate. This will include all dairy milk chocolate made in Australia and New Zealand.

Palm oil labelling campaign

2009-08-16T00:00:00+10:00

Zoos Victoria has launched it's Don't Palm Us Off campaign, which is pushing for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to change legislation to have palm oil labelled on all food products. Sign the petition here to tell FSANZ that you want the choice!

Greenpeace Ends Its "Kleercut" Campaign - Kimberley-Clark Boycott is over!

2009-08-05T00:00:00+10:00

Kimberly-Clark, the largest tissue company in the world and maker of Kleenex and Huggies, has committed to sourcing 100% of the wood fiber for its products from environmentally responsible sources. By the end of 2011 Kimberly-Clark will no longer use any pulp cut from endangered forests; instead they will increase the company?s use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified pulp and recycled fiber globally.

Bottled Water Alliance victories

2009-07-09T00:00:00+10:00

The Bottled Water Alliance is an Australian campaign run by "Do Something", aimed at reducing bottled water use in Australia. Recent victories include:* NSW Government is to place a ban on all agencies and departments buying bottled water.* The NSW rural town, Bundanoon, has become Australia's first bottled water free town.

Baiada to buy Bartter/Steggles

2009-07-01T00:00:00+10:00

The ACCC rejected the deal in Feb 09, but now the proposed takeover of chicken processor Bartter has been approved after Baiada announced they would be prepared to divest all assets currently owned by Bartter in Victoria to La Ionica Poultry. Bartter Enterprises (Steggles) is the second largest producer and marketer of chicken and turkey products in Australia. Inghams is the largest, with Baiada the third largest. Together, the three companies hold around 65 per cent of the Australian market.

Woolworths buys Macro Wholefoods

2009-05-13T00:00:00+10:00

Supermarket giant Woolworths will expand its Thomas Dux premium grocery chain by acquiring Melbourne organic grocery chain Macro Wholefoods. All 8 Macro stores in Victoria and NSW will be rebranded Thomas Dux.

Schweppes Australia sold to Asahi Breweries (Japan) for $1.2 billion

2009-03-13T00:00:00+11:00

Drinks giant Asahi Breweries has bought Schweppes Australia for $1.2 billion, in the latest Japanese raid on an Australian food and drinks company. This is the fourth buy-out of an Australian company by a Japanese brewer in just over a year, following Kirin's acquisition of Dairy Farmers and National Foods, and Suntory's successful bid for Frucor. Australia was the last country where Cadbury maintained a drinks operation. US-based Coca-Cola Company relinquished its negotiation right regarding the takeover. Asahi Breweries will complete the deal by the end of April 2009

Nippon Paper Group buys Australian Paper (makers of Reflex Paper)

2009-02-17T00:00:00+11:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) Australian paper company PaperlinX has sold it's subsidiary Australian Paper (including the Maryvale pulp mill in Gippsland), to Japan's Nippon Paper Group, Inc. for $700 million.

Lion Nathan offer for Coca-Cola Amatil rejected

2009-02-09T00:00:00+11:00

Lion Nathan's $7.3 billion takeover proposal for Coca-Cola Amatil, made in Nov 2008, has been rejected. Lion Nathan is 46% owned by Japanese beer giant Kirin Holdings, while Coca-Cola Amatil is 30% owned by The Coca-Cola Company (USA). TCCC wrote to Kirin Holdings rejecting the offer.

Heinz buys Golden Circle

2008-12-02T00:00:00+11:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) Golden Circle, a 61 year-old Australian company renowned for their canned fruit and vegetables, fruit juice and jam, was bought by US food giant Heinz in Dec 2008, for $288 million.

National Foods acquires Dairy Farmers for A$910 million

2008-11-28T00:00:00+11:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) National Foods (owned by Japanese alcohol and pharmaceuticals giant Kirin) bought Australian Co-operative Foods, which trades as Dairy Farmers, for A$910 million in Nov 2008. Kirin bought National Foods last year, and already owns 46% of brewer Lion Nathan. National Foods owns the Pura Milk and Berri juice brands, while Dairy Farmers makes its own branded milk, Coon cheese and Ski yoghurt.

InBev buys Anheuser-Busch

2008-11-18T00:00:00+11:00

In Nov 2008, Belgium based brewing giant InBev bought USA brewing giant Anheuser-Busch for US$52 billion, creating the world's largest brewer with nearly 25% global market share and one of the world's top five consumer products companies. Brands include Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's.

Primo buys Hans Smallgoods

2008-11-02T00:00:00+11:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) Hans Smallgoods has been sold to Australian smallgoods company P&M Smallgoods, owners of the Primo brand. Hans was placed into receivership by it's previous owners Japan Tobacco.

Kellogg buys Specialty Cereals

2008-09-18T00:00:00+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) In September 2008, Kellogg Australia bought Specialty Cereals, a privately-owned cereals manufacturer based in Sydney. Brands include Vogels, Wild Oats, and Cerevite. Kellogg Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kellogg Company, USA's #1 cereal producer.

Symbion Consumer

2008-09-01T22:46:39+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) The French vaccine and pharmaceutical giant sanofi-aventis bought Australia's largest vitamins manufacturer, Symbion Consumer, for $560 million in 2008. Brands include Cenovis, Nature's Own and Faulding.

Cadbury Schweppes plc demerger

2008-05-07T00:00:00+10:00

On May 7, Cadbury Scweppes plc split into 2 companies, UK based confectionery makers Cadbury plc, and American soft drink company Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

Mars Inc. buys Wrigley's

2008-04-29T00:00:00+10:00

Mars, backed by billionaire Warren Buffett, has agreed to buy Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for $US23 billion to create the world's biggest candy maker.

The Real McCoy Snackfood Co buys Arnotts snack foods

2008-04-28T00:00:00+10:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) A consortium of investors lead by The Real McCoy Snackfood Co purchased the snack foods business of Campbells/Arnotts in May 2008. The combined businesses was renamed ?Snack Brands Australia?. The deal brings several brands back to Australian ownership, including Kettle Chips, Thins, Cheezels, CCs, French Fries & Samboy.

Goodman Fielder buys Paradise Food

2008-03-07T00:00:00+11:00

The largest Australian-owned biscuit manufacturer, Paradise Food Industries also make the entire Dick Smith range of biscuits. Paradise was bought by Australia's largest food company, Goodman Fielder, for about $80 million in Mar 2008.

Suntory buys Frucor

2008-02-13T00:00:00+11:00

Japan's leading producer and distributor of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, Suntory, bought Frucor (makers of V energy drinks) from French food and drinks giant, Danone, in Oct 2008 for NZ$1.3 billion.

George Weston Foods buys KR Castlemaine

2008-02-04T00:00:00+11:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) British owned George Weston Foods Ltd bought 100 year old Castlemaine smallgoods company KR Castlemaine

Kirin buys National Foods/Berri from San Miguel

2007-11-08T00:00:00+11:00

Australia's largest dairy company, National Foods, operates in the milk, dairy foods and juice production industries. It was taken over by San Miguel, Phillipino beer giant in 2005, and sold to the Japanese food and drinks giant Kirin Holdings for $2.8 billion in 2007. Kirin owns 46% of Australia's 2nd largest brewer, Lion Nathan.

Wesfarmers buys Coles Group

2007-11-01T00:00:00+11:00

Wesfarmers acquired Coles Group Ltd for $22 billion in November 2007.Wesfarmers now owns Coles, Bi-Lo, Bunnings, Officeworks, Target, Kmart, liquor retailers (1st Choice Liquor Superstore, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars), fuel & convenience outlets (Coles Express), online stores (Coles Online, Pharmacy Direct). Plus other divisions in the areas of coal mining, energy, insurance, chemicals &fertilisers, and industrial & safety products.

Kraft Foods no longer owned by Altria (Philip Morris)

2007-03-30T00:00:00+10:00

Kraft Foods was spun off from parent company Altria in March 2007, and is now an independent publicly held company. The Altria Group and subsidiaries had been subject to an international Boycott from 1993 due to another of their subsidiaries being Philip Morris, the largest tobacco company in the world.

Danone buys Royal Numico

2007-01-01T00:00:00+11:00

Groupe Danone (France) bought baby formula makers, Royal Numico (the Netherlands) for US$16.8bn in 2007

Freedom Nutritional Products buys Norganic

2007-01-01T00:00:00+11:00

In February 2007, shareholders approved the change of name from So Natural Foods Australia Ltd to Freedom Nutritional Products Ltd. The Perich Group (NSW's biggest dairy farmer) own 78% of the company. They acquired Norganic Foods in Oct 2007, Brunswick Seafoods in 2005, and Paramount Seafoods and Freedom Foods in 2003.

Goodman Fielder buys three bread brands

2006-07-13T00:00:00+10:00

Goodman Fielder bought Hawlee Nominees, makers of bread brands Country Life Bakery, Flinders and Early Harvest

Johnson & Johnson buys Pfizer healthcare division

2006-06-26T00:00:00+10:00

Pfizer divested its Consumer Health Division to Johnson & Johnson for $22 billion in late 2006. Brands include Listerine, Sudafed, and Benadryl.

Nestle Australia buys Uncle Tobys

2006-05-26T00:00:00+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) Food group Burns Philp and Company Ltd sold snack food business Uncle Tobys to Nestle Australia Ltd for $890 million.

Manassen Foods

2006-04-12T00:00:00+10:00

In April 2006, CHAMP together with existing Manassen Foods Australia shareholders created a new company, Food Holdings Pty Ltd which acquired Manassen Foods Australia, Great Southern Foods, King Oscar and Hutchinsons New Zealand. The combined entities which will continue to trade as Manassen Foods were merged to form Australia?s leading specialty branded food supplier with over 350 employees and revenues in excess of A$250 million. Private equity company CHAMP owns 51%.

L'Oreal buys The Body Shop

2006-03-17T00:00:00+11:00

In a controversial move, Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, sold the business to french cosmetics giant, L'Oreal, in March 2006. A boycott has since been called on The Body Shop.

Unilever sells Miracle to Peerless

2005-11-17T00:00:00+11:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) Unilever sold retail brands of Miracle, Copha, Fairy and Kremelta to Australian owned company Peerless Holdings. In addition, Unilever brands such as Flora, Flora Proactiv, Olivio, Bertolli, and Becel are now manufactured by Peerless for Unilever under a long-term supply contract.

Unilever sells John West Foods to Simplot

2005-10-01T00:00:00+10:00

Ally, John West & Seakist brands of canned fish are now owned by Simplot Australia

Smith's Snackfood buys Sakata Rice Snacks Australia

2005-08-09T00:00:00+10:00

The Smith's Snackfood Company (owned by Pepsico) bought Sakata Rice Snacks Australia. Under the deal, Smith's has also acquired rights to manufacture, distribute and market Sakata products worldwide, apart from Japan.

Coca-Cola Amatil buys SPC Ardmona

2005-02-25T00:00:00+11:00

In February 2005, Coca-Cola Amatil's acquisition of SPC Ardmona Pty Ltd was formallly completed. SPC Ardmona is Australia?s largest producer of packaged fruit and operates 6 principal brands across the processed fruit, vegetables, jams and sauces markets. These brands are SPC, Ardmona, Goulburn Valley, IXL, Southern Cross and Taylor?s.

Procter & Gamble buys Gillette for US$57 billion

2005-01-01T00:00:00+11:00

Deal creates world?s largest consumer-products company

Reckitt Benckiser plc acquired Boots Healthcare International

2005-01-01T00:00:00+11:00

Upon completion of the sale Boots Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd changed its name to Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Fonterra buys all of Bonlac, and consolidates Australian businesses

2005-01-01T00:00:00+11:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) Bonlac Foods becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Fonterra (previously Fonterra owned 50%). Fonterra's three separate brands businesses - formerly known as Bonland, PB Foods and Murrumbidgee Dairy Products (MDP) - were brought under the same name, Fonterra Brands Australia, in 2005.

Unilever sells Aim, Close-Up and Huggie to Pental Products

2004-08-11T00:00:00+10:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) Symex announced that Pental Products, which it wholly owns, had acquired the rights to toothpaste brands Aim and Close-Up, as well as fabric softener Huggie, from Unilever for an undisclosed amount.

Roche sells consumer health business to Bayer

2004-07-19T00:00:00+10:00

Roche Consumer Health sold to Bayer for a price of 3.6 billion Swiss francs

Cambell Brothers sells brands to Colgate Palmolive

2004-06-04T00:00:00+10:00

(AUST >> FOREIGN) In 2004 Campbell sold it's major laundry and detergent brands Hurricane, Love N Care, Fluffy, Moresoft and Castle to Colgate Palmolive Pty Ltd.

SCA buys Carter Holt Harvey out of Sancella joint venture

2004-03-25T00:00:00+11:00

In May 2004, SCA acquired Carter Holt Harvey's (CHH) tissue business and the remaining 50% of the SCA/CCH joint venture, Sancella. These companies now operate as SCA Hygiene Australasia. Brands include, Sorbent, Tork, Hygenex, Purex, Handee, Deeko, Treasures, Libra and Tena.

Unilever sells Brut and Norsca to Pharmacare

2003-09-01T00:00:00+10:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) Previously owned by Unilever, the two brands were sold to a smaller company, Pharmacare (Australian Owned), in 2003 as part of Unilever's strategy to pare down its product portfolio and focus only on a core range of global brands.

Unilever sells Rosella to Stuart Alexander

2002-08-22T00:00:00+10:00

(FOREIGN >> AUST) Unilever Australia has sold the Rosella brand to Stuart Alexander, as a part of a decision to concentrate on its core brands.

Ethical Consumer Group News

Chinese state-owned enterprises

Primo Smallgoods

WWF Palm Oil Scorecard 2011

Climate Counts scores

Woolworths buys 31 hotels in NSW, including pokies

Foster's bought by SABMiller

Foster's bought by SABMiller

Bright Foods buys 75% of Manassen Foods

Manassen Foods

The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping 2012

Primo Smallgoods sold to private equity firm

Sustainable Seafood Guide iPhone app

Watchdog acts on chickens

Call for improved price transparency on food

Cargill and Teys Bros combine beef

Big catch for canned tuna campaign

Metcash to buy Franklins after all

Asahi buys NZ's Independent Liquor

Asahi to buy P&N's juice business + Charlie's

Australian Paper buys Australian Envelopes

Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health

Gunns sell Tassie woodchip mill to environmentalists

Parmalat sold to Lactalis

Cool Pak popcorn

Bead Foods sold to Agro Farma

Bead Foods

Senate passes palm oil labelling bill

SABMiller bid to acquire Fosters

Woolworths switches own-label milk from NF to Parmalat

Health group calls for palm oil labelling

Bausch & Lomb

SunRice rejects Ebro Foods takeover bid

New methodology rules

Assessment system upgrade

Cosmetics section expanded

Greenpeace Truefood Guide data updated

Australian Packaging Covenant signatory list updated

DuPont buys Danisco

Factory farming assessment added

White King

Playtex Products

Energizer

Assessment data updated

E.T. Browne

McPherson's Consumer Products

McCormick

Big supermarkets gain fresh food market share at the expense of the small guys

Kellogg covers 100% of usage with GreenPalm oil certificates

Who's really buying the farm?

Campbells

Shop Ethical! iPhone app

Westpork faces abuse charges, again

It's hard to swallow food rules that treat us like mushrooms

Bobby calf cruelty

Premier sells Quorn to private equity

Monsanto versus Steve Marsh: First GM legal battle in Oz

CHAMP buys Constellations Wines Australia

White King returns to Australian ownership

Hormone beef off the shelves at Coles

Agrium offloads AWB unit to Cargill for $870m

Aspen Pharmacare buys Sigma Pharmaceuticals

Nestle buys Jenny Craig

The Ethical Christmas Resource Kit

Safe Sunscreen Guide update

New Shop page

The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping 2011 is out now!

Australia to go sow stall free by 2017.

AWB sold to Canada's Agrium

KraMar Pet Company

Arnotts ensure Tim Tams are free from child labour

Australias Most Fairtrade Friendly Supermarkets

Reckitt Benckiser buys SSL International

Republica & Scarborough Fair

Unilever buys Alberto Culver

Checkout Fairtrade campaign

FoodWorks in trouble after Coles deal goes bad

August public workshop & supermarket tour

Jeyes and Bloo

Issues section upgraded

SABMiller bid to acquire Fosters

Arnotts ensure Tim Tams are free from child labour

Australias Most Fairtrade Friendly Supermarkets