News
Carlsberg Strike Ends
May 18, 2010 4:45 am | CommentsCOPENHAGEN (AP) — Union officials say the 1,100 Carlsberg employees on strike have returned to work to enable new negotiations with the brewer about wage increases. Union spokesman Hans Andersen Tuesday said the employees "had to go back" if they wanted to have wage talks with Carlsberg.
Japan's PM Accepts Blame In Cattle Disease Case
May 18, 2010 4:45 am | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — Japan's prime minister admitted fault Tuesday in the government's efforts to contain a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which is crippling farmers in a southern prefecture known for its prized beef. The disease was detected in Miyazaki, southern Japan on April 20. Since then, authorities have killed 60,000 animals — 55,000 pigs and 5,000 cows.
Smucker Raises Coffee Prices
May 18, 2010 4:44 am | CommentsORRVILLE, Ohio (AP) — The J.M. Smucker Co. said it will raise prices on many of its coffee products by about 4 percent immediately. The brands include Folgers, Dunkin' Donuts, Millstone and Folgers Gourmet Selections. Smucker said the price hike is due to higher costs for green coffee, fuel and packaging.
Vending Machines Go Green, Healthy
May 18, 2010 4:43 am | CommentsANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maybe you can't put a price on good health or even a little peace of mind, but an Annapolis company is starting with $1.45. That's the average price of the healthy snacks — fresh-cut pineapple slices, carrot sticks, organic fruit juices, kettle corn and multigrain bars — Vend Natural Inc.
Supervisor: Minors 'Definitely' Worked At Slaughterhouse
May 17, 2010 5:03 am | CommentsWATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A former night shift supervisor at an Iowa slaughterhouse testified Friday that minors "definitely" worked at the plant. Mark Andrew Spangler told jurors that anyone who walked through the Agriprocessors Inc. plant in Postville could tell many workers were underage because of the way they looked and acted.
Premium Standard Farms Cuts Hog Stink
May 17, 2010 5:02 am | CommentsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hog processing giant Premium Standard Farms LLC spent $40 million over the last decade developing technology after a court ordered it to sharply reduce odors at its Missouri farms, but a looming deadline is threatening another costly lawsuit. A panel of experts recently approved a barn-scraper system that met goals established under a 1999 court settlement with environmental groups to develop "next-generation technology.
Starbucks Launches Flavored Coffee Line
May 17, 2010 5:01 am | CommentsCHICAGO (AP) — First came fancy Frappuccinos. Up next from the Starbucks: A basic cup of vanilla-flavored Joe brewed in your own kitchen. Starbucks Corp. plans to roll out three types of ground flavored coffee at hundreds of thousands of grocery stores — its first foray into the $265 million premium flavored coffee market where staid brands such as Folgers and Maxwell House dominate.
Fed Says Midwest Farm Economy To Improve
May 17, 2010 5:01 am | CommentsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Farm income should improve in some Midwest and Western states during the second quarter because livestock businesses will benefit from lower feed costs, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said Friday. The Fed's survey of banks in the 10th District says total farm income fell slightly in the first quarter as crop prices declined, so that is expected to reduce farmers' income this year.
Groups Want Veto Of Wisconsin Raw Milk Bill
May 17, 2010 5:00 am | CommentsMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Cheesemakers, doctors, veterinarians and other opponents of legalizing raw milk sales in Wisconsin urged Gov. Jim Doyle on Friday to veto the bill, citing safety risks. Doyle last month indicated he was likely to sign it into law, but this week began to back off those statements after being barraged with opposition to the plan.
USDA Aims To Make School Lunch Safer
May 17, 2010 4:59 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Students will be eating safer beef in school cafeterias when they return to school in the fall. The Agriculture Department announced Friday that the government will require higher standards for ground beef purchased for schools starting in July. The standards will force producers to test the beef for contamination more often and will prohibit certain trimmings from being used.
Over 1,000 Carlsberg Workers Go On Strike
May 14, 2010 6:23 am | CommentsCOPENHAGEN (AP) — Danish brewer Carlsberg says a total of 1,100 employees have walked off their jobs to protest its decision not to increase salaries. Carlsberg spokesman Jens Bekke says the drivers walked off Friday after management had asked non-striking staff to load beer crates onto trucks.
Cargill Settles E.Coli Lawsuit
May 14, 2010 4:35 am | CommentsMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota woman who became severely ill with an E. coli infection from a tainted hamburger has reached a settlement with the meatpacking arm of agribusiness giant Cargill Inc., both sides announced Wednesday. Stephanie Smith, 23, of Cold Spring, and Cargill said the terms of the settlement were confidential, but that it will provide for Smith's care throughout her life.
Sara Lee Sells Joint Venture Stake For $233M
May 14, 2010 4:32 am | CommentsDOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (AP) — Sara Lee Corp. will sell its majority stake in a joint venture in India that makes insecticides as it continues to sell off the part of its portfolio that sells household and body care products overseas. The company said it will sell its 51 percent stake in Godrej Sara Lee Ltd.
Seafood Industry Touts Safety Despite Oil
May 14, 2010 4:27 am | CommentsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — With oil still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, leaders of the state's seafood industry met Thursday to discuss ways to get out the message that Louisiana seafood is safe to eat and available, if not as abundant as before an April 20 offshore rig explosion. The Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board adopted a draft budget for the use of $2 million granted to the agency by BP PLC, which operated the rig owned by Transocean Ltd.
George Weston Hunting For Acquisitions
May 14, 2010 4:24 am | CommentsTORONTO (CP) — The head of food conglomerate George Weston Ltd. tried to reassure investors Thursday that the Canadian bakery and grocery giant is combing the investment landscape for ways to spend the billions of dollars of cash on its balance sheet. At the company's annual meeting, president and chairman Galen Weston Sr.
Venezuela Forcefully Acquires Mexican Company
May 14, 2010 4:21 am | CommentsCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez's government ordered the expropriation Thursday of a Mexican-owned food company that is one of the largest operating in Venezuela. A notice in the Official Gazette announced the "forced acquisition" of the property and assets of Molinos Nacionales CA, or Monaca.
Congress May Change Wine Shipment Rules
May 14, 2010 4:19 am | CommentsLOWDEN, Wash. (AP) — Try to be a wine connoisseur in Dickinson, N.D. Gordon and Sandee Schnell had a hard time until the state changed its rules in 2001 and allowed wineries to buy permits to ship directly to residents — one case of wine per person, per month. But now Congress is considering legislation that could limit wineries' ability to sell and ship directly to consumers.
Leprino Foods Building New Cheese Factory
May 14, 2010 4:18 am | CommentsDENVER (AP) — Greeley city officials say Leprino Foods has submitted plans to begin building a new cheese factory. Greeley Community Development Director Becky Safarik says Leprino submitted its construction plans this week. Denver-based Leprino said in 2008 that it would build a cheese plant in Greeley on the site of the former Western Sugar processing plant.
Washington State Candy Tax Starts In June
May 12, 2010 6:05 am | CommentsEVERETT, Wash. (AP) — When it comes to candy, Washington will soon be a state of the taxed and taxed-nots. Come June 1, the state will begin adding sales tax onto the price of gum and most but not all candy products. If you've got a sweet tooth, you need a spreadsheet to figure out whether your favorite goodie is about to get more expensive.
Lawyer Denies Dole Conspiracy Claims
May 12, 2010 6:03 am | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — A Texas lawyer testifying against Dole Foods denied Tuesday that he was one of a group that allegedly conspired with a Nicaraguan judge to commit a massive fraud against the firm. Charles Benton Musslewhite denounced the claims of a conspiracy with the judge to fix sperm tests for men claiming to have been sterilized by exposure to pesticides on Dole banana plantations.
