News
UN Food Agency Accused Of Diverting Food Aid
March 12, 2010 4:34 am | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
Kan. Mulling New Soda Tax, Raising Other Levies
March 10, 2010 4:26 am | 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 | 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.
China To Boost Food Safety Measures
March 10, 2010 4:25 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — China will step up food safety efforts in the wake of a massive dairy scandal, expanding supervision to reach more of the country's countless small farms, an agriculture official said Wednesday. China has been struggling for several years to overcome a series of food safety problems, including one that started two years ago when at least six children died and nearly 300,000 children fell ill after consuming tainted infant formula.
Expert Summit: The Future of Food
March 10, 2010 4:24 am | CommentsCHICAGO (PRNewswire) — Field Trip Factory, the nation's leading provider of hands-on, immersion learning experiences, will host its second annual Dietitian Summit in conjunction with National Nutrition Month. The only forum of its kind, the primary goal of this intimate gathering of leading experts is to help the food industry better support consumer health where it matters most, in the aisles of the nation's grocery stores.
New Owner Eying Closed Neb. Meat Plants
March 10, 2010 4:23 am | CommentsHASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A new company is buying the former Premium Protein Products plant in Hastings, planning to run a custom slaughter operation. Managing partner Jim Stevens says Hastings Acquisitions LLC also hopes to buy the Premium Protein operation in Lincoln. He said Tuesday that his group has two weeks to reach a deal for the Lincoln plant.
Georgia House Lawmakers OK Food Safety Bill
March 10, 2010 4:21 am | CommentsATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia House has approved a bill that puts teeth in a food safety bill that cleared the Legislature last year. It was prompted by a 2009 salmonella outbreak that originated in a south Georgia peanut processing plant, sickened hundreds and was linked to the deaths of at least nine people.
P&G Recalls 2 Pringles Flavors
March 9, 2010 6:39 am | CommentsCINCINNATI (AP) — Procter & Gamble Co. has recalled two versions of Pringles chips because of concerns about potential Salmonella exposure. The Cincinnati-based consumer products maker says the Cheeseburger and "Taco Night" versions of the snack are being recalled. The company is offering replacement coupons or refunds.
'Food Policy Blueprint' Lays Out Healthy Food Plan
March 9, 2010 4:22 am | CommentsDENVER (LiveWell) — LiveWell Colorado, a non-profit organization committed to reducing obesity in Colorado by promoting healthy eating and active living, today released a "Food Policy Blueprint." The Blueprint identifies the most pressing policy needs and opportunities to strengthen access to healthy foods in Colorado.
Clinton, Beverage Group: School Efforts Working
March 9, 2010 4:21 am | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. beverage industry has largely stopped delivering sugary drinks to schools and has replaced them with lower-calorie options, the head of the industry's trade association said Monday. The association released a report showing a a 95 percent decline in sales of full-calorie soft drinks to schools between fall 2004 and fall 2009.
Fishermen Prepare For Coming Federal Rules
March 9, 2010 4:20 am | CommentsNEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — Some fishermen and advocates for the industry voiced concern at a regional summit Monday about upcoming federal regulations they warn could put them out of business, while others suggested the changes were a necessary way to curb overfishing. Fishermen and elected leaders gathered at the New Bedford Whaling Museum ahead of a scheduled May 1 switch to a "sector" system of fishing.
Reed's, Jones Soda Consider Merger
March 9, 2010 4:19 am | CommentsLOS ANGELES (Reed's) — Reed's, Inc., maker of top-selling sodas in natural food stores nationwide, and Jones Soda, Inc., a leader in the premium soda category and known for its unique branding and innovative marketing, announced today that the two companies have entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) regarding a merger, with Reed's as the surviving company.
Manufacturer Expands Pet Food Recall
March 9, 2010 4:18 am | CommentsLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nature's Variety has expanded its recall of chicken-flavored pet food because of concerns over salmonella. The Lincoln, Neb.-based company said Monday that the raw, frozen food is being recalled because it could be contaminated with salmonella. The recall includes three-pound packages of chicken medallions, six-pound packages of chicken patties and two-pound packages of chicken chubs.
Sweetener Colloquium Draws Record Attendance
March 9, 2010 4:17 am | CommentsWASHINGTON, D.C. (IDFA) — Supply shortages, the use of corn sweeteners and Mexican market factors were just a few of the topics covered at this year's International Sweetener Colloquium, February 21-24 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Fla. With record-breaking attendance, the 2010 Sweetener Colloquium drew nearly 400 industry professionals, making it the largest annual gathering in almost a decade.
Technology Essential In Future Food Production
March 8, 2010 4:42 am | CommentsMANHATTAN, Kansas (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — To feed a world population projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, technology that can enhance food production will be a significant asset, according to a Kansas State University agricultural economist. Ted Schroeder, university distinguished professor of agricultural economics, said dramatically increased food prices around the world in recent years, social unrest over food scarcity in countries like Argentina, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mozambique and many others — combined with a growing world population — are raising the question what will it take to feed the world's population 40 years from now.
Consultant Questions Viability Of U.S. Sugar Deal
March 8, 2010 4:41 am | CommentsWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A state financial consultant is questioning whether Florida's multimillion-dollar plan to buy land from U.S. Sugar Corp. for Everglades restoration remains affordable. In a Feb. 17 letter to the South Florida Water Management District's chief financial officer, the consultant warns the district has difficult "financial decisions.
