News
Conn. Must Wait for Other States To Act on GMO Labeling
June 12, 2013 12:26 pm | by STEPHEN KALIN,Associated Press | CommentsAdvocates are celebrating the nation's most sweeping legislation requiring special labels for genetically modified food, but to take effect the new Connecticut law will need help from lawmakers in neighboring states. The bill, which Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he will sign into law, calls for packaging on food that is entirely or partially genetically engineered to include the words "Produced with Genetic Engineering."
Consumer Trends: Canned Food Facts
June 12, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsAmericans enjoy the many benefits of canned foods, including convenience, value and ease of preparation, according to a new consumer survey commissioned by the Canned Food Alliance (CFA). More than 80 percent of respondents say they rely on canned foods to prepare meals at least a couple of times each month, with 61 percent of those saying they reach for canned foods at least one to two times each week.
Shares of Coca-Cola Enterprises Fall on Outlook
June 12, 2013 9:34 am | CommentsShares of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. fell Tuesday after the independent bottler warned that economic factors have "dampened" its fiscal second-quarter expectations. The Atlanta-based company, which bottles and distributes Coca-Cola Co. drinks in Europe, cited "persistent underlying macroeconomic weakness," bad weather and the ongoing impact of a tax in France for the bleaker outlook.
New Tools Help Pork Producers Evaluate Sow Housing Choices
June 12, 2013 9:32 am | CommentsThe Pork Checkoff today announced new and improved tools to assist pork producers in evaluating the financial impact of sow housing choices, improving workplace safety, reducing their environmental footprint and identifying problems within breeding stock.
Court Hears Arguments on NYC’s Sugary Drink Ban
June 12, 2013 9:30 am | by DAVID B. CARUSO,Associated Press | CommentsA state appeals court panel had few sweet words Tuesday for a city health regulation that would fight diabetes and obesity by setting a size limit on sugary beverages sold in restaurants. The four justices peppered a city lawyer with tough questions during a Manhattan court session aimed at determining whether health officials exceeded their authority in placing a 16-ounce limit on most sweetened beverages at city-licensed eateries.
Diamond Foods 3Q Beats Street Forecast
June 12, 2013 9:28 am | by SARAH SKIDMORE,AP Business Writer | CommentsDiamond Foods Inc. on Tuesday reported a better-than-expected fiscal third quarter and appointed a new Chief Financial Officer. The San Francisco snack food company said that Raymond Silcock will be its executive vice president and chief financial officer. Silcock, 62, was most recently CFO of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., the privately held parent company of the A&P grocery chain.
Hepatitis A Linked to Frozen Berries Sickens 87
June 12, 2013 9:26 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | CommentsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco has grown to 87 people with illnesses in eight states. The CDC said Tuesday that illnesses have been reported in Arizona, California Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington.
Photo of the Day: Arguing over Big Sodas
June 12, 2013 9:23 am | CommentsA state appeals court panel peppered a city lawyer with tough questions during a Manhattan court session, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, aimed at determining whether New York City health officials exceeded their authority in placing a 16-ounce limit on most sweetened beverages at city-licensed eateries.
Health Groups Unite Against Wis. Provision To Prohibit Sugar Bans
June 11, 2013 12:38 pm | CommentsSix health groups have united against a provision in the Wisconsin state budget that would prohibit local communities from banning sugary foods and drinks. The groups on Tuesday called on the Legislature to remove the provision before passing the budget later this month.
Amazon Expands Grocery Service
June 11, 2013 12:37 pm | CommentsAmazon.com's push into the grocery business could win over shoppers with convenience, but it faces a tougher challenge if the decision comes down to price, Janney Capital Markets said in a research report Tuesday. Amazon has tested an online grocery service for almost six years in Seattle and on Monday it said it's bringing AmazonFresh to Los Angeles. The company may add dozens of markets.
NCBA Comments on Senate’s Passage of Farm Bill
June 11, 2013 12:35 pm | CommentsThe U.S. Senate in a 66 to 27 vote passed the 2013 Farm Bill (S. 954) today. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Cody, Wyo., issued the following statement on the passage of the legislation.
General Mills Increases Forecast
June 11, 2013 12:34 pm | CommentsGeneral Mills Inc. on Monday raised its earnings forecast for its 2013 fiscal year. The company now expects to earn between $2.68 and $2.69 per share for the year on an adjusted basis. This compares with its prior guidance of $2.66 to $2.68 per share.
NM Attorney General Says Slaughter of Some Horses Illegal
June 11, 2013 12:32 pm | by JERI CLAUSING,Associated Press | CommentsNew Mexico Attorney General Gary King, who has been a vocal opponent of plans by a southeastern New Mexico company to resume domestic horse slaughter, says state law could prohibit the operation. In an opinion issued Monday, King says the slaughter of horses with certain drugs in their system would be a violation of the state's adulterated food act.
Daily Sound Bite: Farm Bill Approved in Senate
June 11, 2013 12:25 pm | CommentsThe U.S. Senate has passed a comprehensive Farm Bill for the first time in five years. The bipartisan bill was approved with over 60 yea votes but is expected to face a tougher road in the U.S. House of Representatives. House Speaker John Bohener urged his colleagues to bring their suggestions to the table as the congress prepares to consider the bill.
Consumer Trends: Flavored Milk To Spur Dairy Industry Growth
June 11, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsNew research from Tetra Pak forecasts that flavored milk consumption will grow at more than double the rate of white milk globally between 2012 and 2015. Consumers are increasingly turning to tasty, nutritious and conveniently packaged flavored milk as an alternative to other beverages, creating opportunities for dairies to improve profitability.
Pa. Liquor Privatization Hits Wholesale Snag
June 11, 2013 9:46 am | by MARC LEVY,Associated Press | CommentsWhat may end up derailing the Republicans' drive to privatize Pennsylvania's sale of wine and liquor is not who gets to sell it — but who gets to deliver it. Both a four-month-old plan by Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, and a bill that passed the GOP-controlled House in March would dismantle the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's less-seen but lucrative business of buying and delivering wine and liquor.
Dominican Official Denies Report of Bird Flu
June 11, 2013 9:44 am | by EZEQUIEL ABIU LOPEZ,Associated Press | CommentsA Dominican official says Haiti erroneously reported that his country has an outbreak of avian flu when it cited the disease as a reason for imposing a ban this week on the import of Dominican meats, chicken, eggs and other goods. Dominican Ambassador in Haiti Ruben Silie said in a statement on Friday that there's no evidence of bird flu in the country, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
China May Approve Monsanto’s Modified Soybeans
June 11, 2013 9:43 am | CommentsAfter meeting with China's agriculture minister, several analysts said China's agriculture minister Han Changfu indicated he would approve Monsanto's Intacta soybeans for importation. China is hosting a summit on agriculture and food. The U.S. is not attending but Brazil and Argentina are. China has made no official announcement. Monsanto declined to comment.
Senate Passes Farm Bill
June 11, 2013 9:41 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | CommentsConservatives calling for an overhaul of the domestic food aid program will try to trim the nation's nearly $80 billion grocery bill when the House weighs in on farm legislation in a few weeks. The Senate overwhelmingly voted Monday to expand farm subsidies and make small cuts to food stamps in a five-year, half-trillion dollar measure. But passage in the House isn't expected to be so easy — or so bipartisan.
Dole CEO Makes Buyout Bid
June 11, 2013 9:39 am | CommentsDole Food's Chairman and CEO David Murdock and his family are offering to buy the business with a bid that values the entire company at approximately $1.07 billion. Shares of the fresh fruit and vegetable company jumped in premarket trading on Tuesday.
