Japan Logs Record Trade Deficit in 2014 on Weakening Yen
January 26, 2015 2:55 pm | by ELAINE KURTENBACH, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsThe Japanese yen has weakened over the past year to about 117 yen to the dollar compared with about 100 yen in early 2014. That raises the value of Japan's exports in yen terms. But it also pushes up costs for imports of fuel and food.
Consumer Trends Continue to Evolve in 2015
January 26, 2015 2:20 pm | by Technomic, Inc. | Blogs | CommentsIt's difficult to anticipate the next shift in consumers' preferences and needs, but operators can count on one thing heading into 2015: Consumers will expect more from their brands, especially in the areas of technological amenities and food quality.
Colorado Lawmakers: To Ban or Not to Ban Powdered Alcohol?
January 26, 2015 1:50 pm | by IVAN MORENO, Associated Press | News | CommentsLawmakers will consider whether to ban powdered alcohol before the product arrives in stores amid worries that its convenience will make it easy to sneak into schools and sporting events. The product called "Palcohol" is an ounce of rum or vodka in powdered form.
Milk Industry Fights Back Against 'Anti-Dairy' Groups
January 26, 2015 1:15 pm | by CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsAs Americans continue turning away from milk, an industry group is pushing back at its critics with a social media campaign trumpeting the benefits of milk. The association says it needs to act because attitudes about milk are deteriorating rapidly.
Bird Flu Found at Foster Farms' Turkey Ranch in Central Calif.
January 26, 2015 12:50 pm | by Kari Imberg, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | News | CommentsHundreds of turkeys at a central California ranch are being killed to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Federal officials say they found the commercial turkey flock at Foster Farms' Stanislaus County facility to be infected with the H5N8 strain.
Experts Agree: Prices, Demand For Beef to Remain High
January 26, 2015 12:25 pm | by Associated Press | News | CommentsHigh beef prices are here to stay for a while, as recent drought conditions in Texas and around the country have reduced the nation's cattle supply to its lowest numbers in more than 50 years, according to agricultural experts.
10 Key Initiatives to Drive Value From Supply Chain Networks in 2015
January 26, 2015 11:45 am | by Elemica | Articles | CommentsUsing these 10 key initiatives, business leaders will gain greater profitability, improve productivity, and increase customer satisfaction to drive more value out of their supply chains.
VIDEO: Serving Up 8K Pounds of Meat on the 'World's Largest BBQ Pit'
January 26, 2015 11:05 am | by USA Today | Videos | CommentsThe world's largest barbecue pit: A barbecue pit so big it is hooked up to a Peterbilt with an 18-speed transmission. The trailer alone is 75 feet long, weighs 80,000 pounds and serves up 8,000 pounds of meat.
How Drones Are Flying Their Way Into the Food Industry
January 26, 2015 10:30 am | by Kari Imberg, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | News | CommentsDrone technology is already being used in various countries worldwide. With the possibility of drones showing farmers exactly where to spray, fewer chemicals could be used. This could easily translate to lower costs for consumers and less of an impact on the environment.
Ohio Pot Legislation Movement Has High Ambitions
January 26, 2015 9:55 am | by JULIE CARR SMYTH, AP Statehouse Correspondent | News | CommentsCampaign representative Chris Stock said the Ohio amendment will make marijuana legal for both medical and personal use for those over 21 years old, and set up checks and balances not unlike those that currently exist for alcoholic beverages.
Listeria Recall: How a Web of Oversight Couldn't Prevent an Outbreak
January 26, 2015 9:20 am | by MOLLY ROSBACH, Yakima Herald-Republic | News | CommentsSince the most recent recall, retailers have pulled Queseria Bendita products. While the cheese shop owners maintain that investigators have not found listeria in their cheese, but only in the Third Street facility — implying their products are safe — experts say the evidence is clear.
Post Holdings to Buy Cereal Maker MOM Brands For $1.15B
January 26, 2015 9:00 am | by Associated Press | News | CommentsPost Holdings will spend $1.15 billion to bulk up its presence in the market for bagged and hot cereals by buying the privately held MOM Brands Co., maker of Malt-o-Meal cereals.
Yogurt Founder Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison For Arson
January 26, 2015 8:25 am | by Associated Press | News | CommentsU.S. District Judge Jane Boyle sentenced 56-year-old Edgar Diaz — who formed Three Happy Cows in 2010 — to five years in prison this month on a federal charge of arson and also ordered him to pay $1.5 million in restitution.
Number of Japan Food Complaints Tops 16K in 6 Years
January 26, 2015 8:00 am | by Associated Press | News | CommentsThe number of complaints about foreign substances found in food bought at stores or served at restaurants in Japan has mounted to 16,094 in nearly six years since fiscal 2009, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan said.
Magnetic Mat
January 26, 2015 7:45 am | by Kari Imberg, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Product Releases | CommentsThe MAGNATTACK Magnetic Mat controls the transfer of ferrous metal into sensitive areas, such as production rooms and offices.
Report Offers Framework to Analyze Effects of Possible Changes to US Food System
January 23, 2015 3:45 pm | by Kari Imberg, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | News | CommentsTo assist U.S. regulators on decisions about the nation’s food system, the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council issued a new report. The study focuses on assessing the health, environmental, social and economic effects of proposed changes to the system.
New Video Examines Role of Technology in Raising Animals
January 23, 2015 3:15 pm | by North American Meat Institute | News | CommentsThe use of modern technologies to raise animals has come under scrutiny in recent years as some call for a return to "simpler" practices. A new video examines the role of technology in raising animals and challenges the claim that a return to lower tech livestock production and processing would improve our food supply.
$300K in Stolen Wine From Famed Restaurant is Found
January 23, 2015 2:35 pm | by Associated Press | News | CommentsMore than $300,000 in world-class wine stolen from a famed Napa Valley, California, restaurant has been recovered from a private cellar in North Carolina. Napa County sheriff's Capt. Doug Pike says it's unclear how the 76 bottles ended up in Greensboro.
Study: New Rating System Would Be Easier to Digest Than Current Nutrition Labels
January 23, 2015 2:00 pm | by Lois Abraham, The Canadian Press | News | CommentsIf labeling on food was easier for consumers to digest it might improve nutrition and curb the obesity epidemic, suggest two McGill University researchers. Two of the authors of the study compared four labeling systems.
Manufacturers Merge Customer Service Components Into the Lifecycles of Their Products
January 23, 2015 1:25 pm | by Larry Korak, Industry & Solution Strategy Director, Infor | Articles | CommentsEstablishing new customer engagement opportunities is a top priority for manufacturers who are looking to build brand loyalty plus meet the expectations of the highly demanding Millennial consumer.
