The Leading Source for Food Manufacturing News
U.S. Regulators Examine Competition In Agriculture
March 12, 2010 9:22 am | News | CommentsANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Federal officials concerned about how much control a few corporations have over the nation's food supply pledged Friday to begin a new era of antitrust enforcement, seeking to balance agricultural power between companies, farmers and consumers. More than 650 farmers, slaughterhouse workers, lobbyists and executives gathered for a hearing on competition in agriculture that will help shape how the Obama administration redraws its antitrust policy after decades of industry consolidation.
Collaborative Innovation: How To Partner For Profit With Retailers
March 12, 2010 8:30 am | by George Young, Founding Partner, Kalypso | Articles | CommentsAt first glance, today’s retailers and food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers appear to be in a fierce battle of the brands. Retailers facing mounting pressures to differentiate continue to successfully expand and launch private brands in the marketplace. Meanwhile, F&B manufacturers are trying to protect their brand value and win back market share.
How Does Your Gearbox Sound?
March 12, 2010 8:28 am | by To read the white paper in its entirety, click here. | Articles | CommentsSound can be a very subjective thing. What may sound “unusual” to one individual may very well sound “normal” to another. As a method of diagnosing a potential problem with a gearbox or gearmotor, the sound coming from it should not solely be relied upon to determine whether-or-not a problem exists.
Universal Signal Conditioners
March 12, 2010 8:13 am | Product Releases | CommentsThese universal signal conditioners, in plastic slim-line housings, convert, isolate and transmit scale signals from a wide variety of process sensor and controller I/O. The DIN-rail mountable models (884114 and 84116) support scalable input signals including mA, VDC, thermocouple with internal cold junction compensation, two to four-wire RTDs, linear resistance and potentiometer signals.
Dickies Clothing Line
March 12, 2010 5:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsReid Supply has added the Dickies family clothing line as well as more safety products to its online offerings. Dickies has made a wide array of work apparel since 1922 and is well known for their high quality and low cost. The company offers an extensive selection of Dickies work pants and work shirts, as well as garments such as denim jeans, bib overalls, shorts, high visibility, coveralls, jackets, and insulated goods in a variety of colors and washes.
Temperature Measurement Handbook
March 12, 2010 5:10 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Volume MMXIV Omega Temperature Measurement Handbook® offers detailed information and specifications on over 40,000 products for process measurement and control featured on over 2,000 Full Color pages. The new 7th Edition contains the latest technology and new products in sanitary temperature sensors and devices, wireless connectors and instruments, profile temperature labels, thermal imagers and infrared temperature products, automation products, new technical books related to measurement and control, as well as updated technical references and data.
Chocolate Crocodile Tears
March 12, 2010 4:53 am | by Karen Langhauser, Editor-in-Chief | Articles | CommentsIn Defense of Kraft Just when you thought you were done reading about Kraft and Cadbury, the saga continues. The latest news is that Kraft plans to close Cadbury’s Somerdale plant, leaving 400 Cadbury employees without jobs. In Kraft’s original offer, the company had stated that it would be "in a position to continue to operate the Somerdale facility.
A Bitter Sweet Takeover
March 12, 2010 4:49 am | by Krystal Gabert, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsIn Defense of Cadbury I guess there’s not much to defend, really. Kraft made an offer; Cadbury accepted. The once-British company is soon to join the ranks of the American food giant. And because Cadbury shareholders voted to approve the takeover bid, defending Cadbury would mean defending it against itself.
Health Officials Concerned By 'Downer Drinks'
March 12, 2010 4:36 am | News | CommentsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — At the 7-Eleven in Brookside, one of the latest entries in the beverage wars sits behind a refrigerator door between the beer and soda sections. Appropriate, given the product. Drank is a sweet, purplish potion touted to deliver "extreme relaxation" this side of liquor.
UN Food Agency Accused Of Diverting Food Aid
March 12, 2010 4:34 am | News | CommentsROME (Canadian Press) — A U.N. food agency said Thursday it will co-operate with any independent probe into its food operations in Somalia, after a report found that up to half the food aid intended for the nation's hungry people does not reach its destination. The report said food aid in Somalia is being diverted to corrupt contractors, radical Islamic militants and local U.
Pepsi Agrees To $20M Settlement
March 12, 2010 4:34 am | News | CommentsALBANY, Ore. (AP) — The city of Albany has accepted $20 million to settle a lawsuit it filed over a promised Gatorade plant that was never built. The Albany Democrat-Herald reports the deal includes an extra $5 million for the city if PepsiCo subsidiary SVC sells the 242 acres it bought as the intended site.
Class Action Allowed In Cargill Plant Wage Fight
March 12, 2010 4:33 am | News | CommentsSCHUYLER, Neb. (AP) — A federal judge has certified a class-action lawsuit against Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. over whether workers at the company's Schuyler plant should be paid for preparation and cleanup work. Several similar lawsuits are pending against other meatpacking companies in Nebraska.
McCormick Expands Recall
March 12, 2010 4:31 am | News | CommentsSPARKS, Md. (AP) — Spice maker McCormick & Co. Inc. said Thursday it is expanding a recall of some of its products in case they are contaminated with salmonella bacteria. The company said last week that it was recalling McCormick French Onion dip mix, McCormick vegetable dip mix, McCormick onion gravy mix and McCormick corn bread stuffing with certain "Best By" dates and product codes.
One Question With Smithfield Foods' CEO
March 12, 2010 4:30 am | News | CommentsWhen Smithfield Foods Inc. reported its third-quarter results Thursday, it said it has seen pork prices rising in the past month. As prices come up, meat companies are likely to pass those increases along to retailers, especially as they emerge from several down years. But retailers are trying to keep their prices low to draw shoppers, creating some tension.
Death By Pop Rocks?
March 10, 2010 11:33 am | Videos | CommentsThe Mythbusters crew answers the age-old question: Are Pop Rocks and cola a deadly combination?
Meat Sciences Lab Promotes Safety
March 10, 2010 11:33 am | Videos | CommentsThe University of Arizona's Meat Sciences Laboratory is a critical resource for people responsible for meat processing and food safety.
Food Recall Puts Spotlight Back On FDA
March 10, 2010 11:32 am | Videos | CommentsIn light of the recent HVP recall affecting many producers, new questions are being raised about what the FDA's role should be in ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply.
No More Lying On Food Labels
March 10, 2010 11:31 am | Videos | CommentsThe FDA has sent letters to 17 food companies demanding they stop using what the agency deems misleading statements and unfounded claims on product labels.
Kan. Mulling New Soda Tax, Raising Other Levies
March 10, 2010 4:26 am | News | CommentsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas would impose a new tax on soda — a penny for every teaspoon of sugar — under a proposal that a key legislator outlined Tuesday while lawmakers considered raising taxes to erase a projected budget shortfall. The soda tax advanced by Sen. John Vratil, a Leawood Republican, would increase the cost of a 12-ounce can of soda by a dime and raise an estimated $90 million during the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Meatpackers Call Inspection Cuts Shortsighted
March 10, 2010 4:25 am | News | CommentsINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's plan to lay off some meat inspectors to save money and reduce the time inspectors spend with small, independent processors has the industry and farmers fearing it could hurt what has been a growing industry. It's not clear how many of the state's 52 inspectors will be let go, but meatpackers say any layoffs will prevent them from growing to meet demand for locally raised meat.
