The Leading Source for Food Manufacturing News
Regulators May Expand E. Coli Testing
June 16, 2010 4:42 am | News | CommentsYAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — The food industry and government regulators have focused for years on finding the most virulent strain of E. coli bacteria, which has killed hundreds of people and sickened thousands every year. But they don't regularly test for six less common E. coli strains that can cause illnesses equally as serious.
Campbell Ships Low-Salt Soups
June 16, 2010 4:41 am | News | CommentsCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Campbell Soup Co. said Tuesday that it will begin shipping 21 varieties of its lower sodium soups this month. The company has been gradually reducing the amount of sodium in its products over several years and said these soups have 25 to 45 percent lower sodium than earlier levels.
Wholesale Prices Fall In May
June 16, 2010 4:41 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale prices fell for a second straight month in May, the first time that has happened in a year, reflecting big declines in the cost of energy and food. The Labor Department says wholesale prices dropped 0.3 percent in May following a 0.1 percent decline in April.
Purchasing Poison for my Daughter
June 15, 2010 5:30 am | by Meaghan Ziemba, Associate Editor, PD&D | Articles | CommentsFor those of you who are not familiar with my Zhu Zhu dilemma from last Christmas, my most recent poisonous purchase for my daughter would make number two. I’m not trying to off my six-year-old. I’m just one of those consumers that assume big corporations test their products for safety issues before selling them to the public.
The State Of U.S. Manufacturing
June 15, 2010 5:28 am | by Craig Hodges, general manager, U.S. Manufacturing and Resources Sector, Microsoft | Articles | CommentsIn a 2008 research paper titled, “Revised Forecast Advances Date of China Becoming the Preeminent Global Manufacturer,” Global Insights predicted that by the year 2016-17, the United States could lose its status as the world’s top manufacturer for the first time in more than 100 years, providing a clear call to action for U.
FIFA: Brewer Used Mini-Dresses As World Cup Marketing Ploy
June 15, 2010 5:20 am | News | CommentsJOHANNESBURG (AP) — FIFA is defending itself for questioning more than 30 young, blonde women who showed up for a World Cup match in orange mini-dresses that are the symbol of a beer advertising campaign in the Netherlands. Soccer's governing body says the outfits, which the women wore to the Netherlands-Denmark game Monday at Soccer City, were an ambush marketing campaign by the Dutch brewery Bavaria NV.
Olive Oil Production Moves Beyond Italy
June 15, 2010 5:19 am | News | CommentsBERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Call it the EVOO evolution. Extra-virgin olive oil, once the domain of Spain and Italy, is popping up in surprising new places. It's on the up-and-up Down Under, growing in Croatia and is becoming such an industry in South America that a Chilean producer is bringing two products to the U.
Brazil Poised To Lead Agricultural Boom
June 15, 2010 5:18 am | News | CommentsROME (AP) — The rising economies of Brazil, China, and India will see strong growth in their agricultural sectors in the next decade as output remains stagnant among big importers in Western Europe, international experts forecast Tuesday. Russia and Ukraine will also make big gains while high prices, which had caused riots over the cost of staples like rice and bread in some developing countries in 2008, will likely ease somewhat, according to a report by the U.
Coca-Cola Wants Industry To Fight Soda Taxes
June 15, 2010 5:18 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — The soft drink industry has to work together to make sure proposed soda taxes never come to pass, the chief financial officer of soft drink giant Coca-Cola Co. said Monday. Gary Fayard told analysts at a meeting that shoppers will continue to buy soft drinks even if prices go up — which taxes would do — but the industry's profits would be hurt and it doesn't want to see taxes passed.
ConAgra Buys American Pie
June 15, 2010 5:17 am | News | CommentsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — ConAgra Foods Inc. said Monday it's acquiring American Pie LLC, a maker of desserts and frozen dinners under the Marie Callender's and Claim Jumper brand names. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close in 30 days. American Pie makes pies, fruit cobblers and pie crusts under license from Marie Callender's and Claim Jumper.
Hershey Plans $250M Upgrade
June 15, 2010 5:15 am | News | CommentsHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Chocolate maker The Hershey Co. said Monday it will spend $250 million to $300 million to modernize several facilities and cut costs as part of a plan that is intended to save $80 million a year and could mean big changes for the company's hometown. Hershey made the announcement after its board unanimously approved the plan.
Controlling Fugitive Emissions From Ball Valves
June 14, 2010 5:48 am | by Michael Adkins and Pete Ehlers, Swagelok Company | Articles | CommentsMore and more attention is being focused on fugitive emissions, which are defined as equipment leaks as opposed to point-source emissions from reactor vents or boiler exhaust stacks. United States regulations are honing in on fugitive emissions in regions, such as the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Berries Benefit From Project Management Solution
June 14, 2010 5:47 am | Articles | CommentsDriscoll’s is a fourth-generation family-owned company that is the world’s leading supplier of fresh berries. The company works with a network of independent farmers throughout the world and needed a project management solution that would enable it to efficiently oversee and execute global projects throughout the organization.
Foreign Competition Hurts U.S. Mint Production
June 14, 2010 4:49 am | News | CommentsSAN PIERRE, Ind. (AP) — Larry Wappel strode into one of his peppermint fields, stirring up a refreshing fragrance as he brushed past deep-green plants holding the potent oil that gives a cool burst of flavor to toothpaste, candies and other products. When Wappel planted his first peppermint fields in northern Indiana's mint-growing region in 1988, the U.
Author Claims To Solve Coke Bottle Mystery
June 14, 2010 4:48 am | News | CommentsTERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The world knows Coca-Cola by its bottle. The contour container of "The Real Thing" is unmistakable, the most famous product package in history. People even can recognize it by touch in the dark. Ironically, the real story of its creation has been clouded for decades by "myths, misconceptions, inconsistencies and contradictions," as Seattle-based author Norman L.
Ag Dept. Drops Chinese Inspector
June 14, 2010 4:47 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The New York Times reports that the Agriculture Department has banned a leading American inspector of organic foods in China for conflicts of interest. The Organic Crop Improvement Association of Nebraska allegedly used Chinese government employees to inspect farms and food processing facilities that are state controlled.
Jimmy Dean Dies At 81
June 14, 2010 4:46 am | News | CommentsRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jimmy Dean, a country music legend for his smash hit about a workingman hero, "Big Bad John," and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died on Sunday. He was 81. His wife, Donna Meade Dean, said her husband died at their Henrico County, Va., home. She told The Associated Press that he had some health problems but was still functioning well, so his death came as a shock.
Thomas' Keeps Nooks And Crannies A Secret
June 14, 2010 4:46 am | News | CommentsPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chris Botticella knows the secret to those "nooks and crannies" in Thomas' English Muffins — the way they cradle butter and jam, and after a good toasting, produce just the right crunch. It's a secret that the muffins' makers have gone to great lengths to protect over 75 years, allowing it to rack up $500 million in sales annually of the toaster treats.
Bimbo Bakeries Issues Bread Recall
June 14, 2010 4:45 am | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bimbo Bakeries USA is recalling some of its bread distributed in California and three other states after discovering the label did not indicate the product contained milk. The company said Saturday that it has not received any reports of illness from the mislabeled bread, but warned that people who are allergic to milk could experience serious or even life-threatening reactions if they eat it.
Shrinking Ingredient Shrinkage
June 11, 2010 5:33 am | Articles | CommentsSeeing 250,000 pounds of product go to waste each year can bring a tear to any company’s eye. For powdered food processor Allied Blending & Ingredients, Inc., (Keokuk, IA) there was little comfort in knowing that product shrinkage on this order — one percent — is actually the industry norm when handling 25 million pounds of ingredients each year.
