Food Standards Australia and New Zealand has recalled batches of Arla Protein Pudding 200g after glass was found in the products. Chocolate tubs with a best before date of 09/05/2027 and caramel packs with a best before date of 28/04/2027 are affected. The chocolate version was sold at Coles in New South Wales and Queensland, and at independent retailers including IGA and Supabarn. Costco in New South Wales sold the salted caramel version. The watchdog warns consumers not to eat the affected batches.
Phizz, an electrolyte tablet designed to add to water, is set to launch in Australia for the first time. The product was created by Australian entrepreneur Daniel Cray and co-founders, but first launched in the United Kingdom in 2015. A chance meeting between Mr Cray and a Woolworths merchandising manager at a wedding in 2024 led to a deal with the supermarket. Selected Phizz products will be sold in stores and online from Monday.
Aldi will open at Hooper Centre Shopping Village in Toowoomba on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at 8.30 am. The centre's owners, Hadley Green Investment Group, say the supermarket adds another grocery option for local shoppers. Hooper Centre has served the community for nearly five decades and houses around 20 specialty retailers. Customers will also get two hours of free parking. A refreshed brand identity will launch alongside the supermarket, with further details to follow.
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The City of Mandurah has voted 9-1 to back planning changes that could allow a Woolworths supermarket in Lakelands. The site, across Lake Valley Drive from Lakelands Shopping Centre, would also include smaller shops and a 306-bay carpark. IFM Investors, which owns Lakelands Shopping Centre, and Meadow Springs Shopping Centre objected, arguing the site was the wrong location. City officers said the objections were not enough to refuse the amendment. The WA Planning Commission will make the final decision on the proposed changes.
Geelong council has submitted a planning amendment to the Victorian Planning Minister to oppose a proposed Coles supermarket on the Bellarine Peninsula. The amendment would rezone land at 2341-2349 Bellarine Highway, Point Lonsdale, to restrict its use to tourism. Coles bought the land in March 2024 and lodged a pre-application enquiry later that year, but the proposal has stalled. Council mayor Stretch Kontelj said residents want the site developed for low-scale tourism. Pending ministerial approval, a public exhibition process is likely.
The City of Greater Geelong has asked the state government to rezone a site at the entrance to Point Lonsdale so it can be used only for tourism. If approved, the site could not host a supermarket. Coles says the project is at a pre-application stage and no planning permit has been lodged. Community members opposed to the store cite concerns about nearby Ramsar-listed wetlands, the visual impact and effects on local traders. The Borough of Queenscliffe has joined the council in opposing the development. A community meeting on October 22 will discuss possible tourism uses for the site.
Woolworths has launched a $10 insulated bag styled like its hot roast chicken packaging, called the Bachelor's Handbag. It went on sale on 14 October and is available only at select stores and online while stocks last. The bag has a zip, a detachable strap and built-in insulation, and works best as a cooler or lunch bag. Woolworths says it made the nickname literal. The care label advises wiping it clean only.
Australian billionaire Adrian Portelli has launched a new supermarket chain, LMCT+, in Melbourne's Deer Park, aiming to challenge major retailers like Coles and Woolworths. The store offers locally sourced products and a 10% price match guarantee, though customer reactions to pricing have been varied. Portelli's venture requires an annual $99 membership fee and operates at a loss, with the focus on gaining members. He has relocated to Dubai but denies abandoning Australia, criticising the current government and media. Portelli claims his mission is to hold leaders accountable while expanding his business empire.
Coles has quietly raised the price of its shopping bags, drawing anger from shoppers. Paper bags now cost 30c, up from 5c, and larger branded reusable bags have risen from $4 to $4.20. Online click and collect bag fees remain at $2 per order. A Coles spokesperson said the changes reflect higher material costs and encouraged customers to bring their own bags. The increases follow a $1.09 billion profit for the 2025-2026 financial year. Competitors Woolworths and Aldi continue to charge 25c for paper bags.
Police have released an image of a man they believe may be able to help with an investigation into an alleged assault in South Brisbane on Thursday, 8 October. Initial enquiries indicate that at about 9.35am, a man entered a supermarket on Melbourne Street and approached a female staff member before assaulting her. She was not physically injured. Police are asking anyone who recognises the man in the image to contact them. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Coles has raised the price of its paper shopping bags by 5 cents to 30 cents each. Its larger chipper bags have risen from $4 to $4.20. The increases follow a reported $1.09 billion profit after tax for the 2025-26 financial year. Coles' online flat fee for bags remains $2, while Woolworths and Aldi paper bags stay at 25 cents. A Coles spokesperson said the rises were kept as low as possible due to changes in materials and transport costs.
A 34-year-old man is in police custody after an incident at a supermarket complex on Wellington Street in Longford on Saturday morning. Police allege he entered the supermarket at about 9.40am and armed himself with a knife and scissors he stole from the premises. Police took him into custody without incident. No specific threats were made, but the incident was very confronting for customers and staff. Police say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Anyone in or near the complex who saw the man's actions and has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact them.
