The Leading Source for Food Manufacturing News
Target Rolls Out Organic, Natural Brand
June 7, 2013 12:26 pm | News | CommentsTarget Corp. is planning a new organic and natural store brand as it works to rev up its grocery business. The big-box retailer said the new brand, called Simply Balanced, will start with drinks and snacks like corn chips on Sunday. The line is an outgrowth of similar products within its existing Archer Farms store brand, which is positioned as a premium alternative to national name brands.
Ark. Poultry Plant Closes
June 7, 2013 12:25 pm | News | CommentsA poultry plant that opened in Pine Bluff a year ago has closed its doors, putting 180 people out of work while the owners look for a buyer or new investors. Horizon Foods shut down on Monday and is seeking new money to keep the venture going.
Daily Sound Bite: Chocolate Collusion?
June 7, 2013 12:22 pm | News | CommentsCanada's Competition Bureau is filing charges against the Canadian divisions of global chocolate giants Nestle and Mars, accusing the companies of price fixing. Hershey Canada has already pleaded guilty of price fixing and is cooperating with the Canadian investigation.
Study Sheds Light on Origins of French Winemaking
June 7, 2013 12:21 pm | by GREG KELLER,Associated Press | News | CommentsScrapings from the bottoms of 2,500-year-old pottery containers have shed new light on the origins of French winemaking. A team of archaeologists led by the University of Pennsylvania's Patrick McGovern used biomolecular analysis to confirm that fifth-century B.C. Etruscan amphorae found near Montpellier in southern France once contained a type of wine flavored with thyme, rosemary and basil.
China’s Top Butcher Tries To Sell U.S. on Smithfield Takeover
June 7, 2013 12:18 pm | by JOE McDONALD,AP Business Writer | News | CommentsShuanghui International's $4.7 billion bid for Smithfield Foods Ltd. has the endorsement of the American company's board. But facing anxiety over food safety scandals in China and complaints about Chinese cyber spying, 72-year-old chairman Wan Long has launched a charm offensive to reassure Americans they have nothing to fear and possibly much to gain from the tie-up.
Brainstorm: Plant Sanitation (Part III)
June 7, 2013 12:17 pm | by Victor Hayes Popovics, Owner, Ultimate Washer | Articles | CommentsThe Food Manufacturing Brainstorm features industry experts sharing their perspectives on issues critical to the overall food industry marketplace. In this issue, we ask: What plant sanitation techniques can food processors employ to improve food safety in their facilities?
Washington Farmers Sue Monsanto over GMO Wheat
June 7, 2013 12:16 pm | by SHANNON DININNY,Associated Press | News | CommentsSeveral Washington wheat growers filed suit Thursday against Monsanto Co. over the unauthorized release of genetically modified wheat, claiming the discovery of the wheat in an Oregon field last week has damaged sales of exports. The lawsuits seek class-action status on behalf of all growers of soft white wheat who may have been harmed by the release of an unapproved product.
Consumer Trends: Coconut Water Takes Off
June 7, 2013 12:00 pm | News | CommentsWhile coconut water was once the preserve of exotic holidays, according to new research from Mintel, coconut water has been the surprise toast of the beverage industry in recent years. Indeed, the number of product introductions more than quintupled (+540%) in the past five years and products containing it have been taking off on an international scale.
Artisanal: What Does It Really Mean?
June 7, 2013 9:56 am | by NBC News | Videos | CommentsArtisanal is a word we've all heard, but the meaning has begun to evolve. NBC's Rock Center reports on the growing spate of products labeled as artisanal. The word used to connote products made in small batches, but recently larger companies have expanded the definition to suggest "quality."
Officials Revoke Dairy Plant’s Permit
June 7, 2013 9:38 am | News | CommentsAgriculture officials have revoked the permit of a dairy plant in northern Iowa because of food safety concerns. An administrative law judge ruled Wednesday in favor of the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which revoked the dairy plant permit for Meinders Farm Fresh Dairy in Buffalo Center. The company must cease all operations and sales.
PepsiCo Denies Reports of SodaStream Talks
June 7, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsPepsiCo is shooting down a report that the company is in talks to buy SodaStream, an Israeli company that makes at-home carbonation machines. PepsiCo Inc. spokesman Jeff Dahncke said the report in an Israeli newspaper is "completely and totally untrue."
Negligence at China Poultry Plant Caused 'Chaotic' Conditions
June 7, 2013 9:34 am | by CHRISTOPHER BODEEN,Associated Press | News | CommentsChina's workplace safety agency said negligence among factory managers and government inspectors caused "extremely chaotic" work-safety conditions at a poultry plant where a deadly fire killed 120 workers this week. Safety exits were blocked at the Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Co. plant and managers neglected to hold required safety drills or worker education.
Global Food Prices Expected To Rise
June 7, 2013 9:32 am | by JOE McDONALD,AP Business Writer | News | CommentsRising global food demand will push up prices 10 to 40 percent over the coming decade and governments need to boost investment to increase farm production, a forecast by two international agencies said Thursday. Growth in food production has slowed over the past decade even as rising incomes in developing countries boosted consumption.
Canada Accuses Nestle, Mars of Price Fixing
June 7, 2013 9:30 am | News | CommentsThe accused in a chocolate price-fixing case could face a bitter fate if convicted — millions of dollars in fines for the companies and potential jail time for the individuals. Canada's Competition Bureau said Thursday it is laying criminal charges against Nestle SA's Canada arm, Mars Inc.'s Canada division and ITWAL Ltd., a network of independent wholesale distributors.
Brainstorm: Plant Sanitation (Part II)
June 7, 2013 9:29 am | by Daniel Peterson, Product Manager, Industrial Vacuum Division, Nilfisk-Advance, Inc. | Articles | CommentsThe Food Manufacturing Brainstorm features industry experts sharing their perspectives on issues critical to the overall food industry marketplace. In this issue, we ask: What plant sanitation techniques can food processors employ to improve food safety in their facilities?
Photo of the Day: Rummaging Through the Rubble
June 7, 2013 9:28 am | News | CommentsIn this photo taken Tuesday June 4, 2013, Chinese paramilitary policemen go through the burnt factory of Jilin Baoyuanfeng Poultry Co. in Dehui city in northeast China's Jilin province. China's workplace safety agency said negligence among factory managers and government inspectors caused "extremely chaotic" work-safety conditions at a poultry plant where a deadly fire killed 120 workers this week.
Rotary Valve Selector
June 7, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsCompany's web-based rotary valve selector tool is designed for those involved in the evaluation, comparison, specification and purchase of rotary valves, rotary airlocks and rotary feeders.
SRP Bottle Unscrambler
June 7, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsThe Servo-Controlled Rotary Pocket (SRP) Bottle Unscrambler features rotary pockets and provides speed, precision and expandability while positively handling printed or pre-labeled bottles at speeds exceeding 300 per minute.
Washdown Duty Motor
June 7, 2013 1:00 am | by Food Manufacturing Staff | Product Releases | CommentsThe Super White Washdown Duty Motor is designed for humid and moist environments in the food and beverage industry where motors receive sanitary washdowns on a regular basis.
FDA To Hold Hearings for New England Farmers
June 6, 2013 12:40 pm | News | CommentsThe Food and Drug Administration is organizing public hearings in New England for farmers who are concerned that proposed safety rules could hurt their businesses. New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Annie Kuster have led a bipartisan effort of lawmakers to call on the FDA to come to New England.
