News
Starbucks Sees Myanmar Entry in Coming Years
May 13, 2013 9:39 am | by PAMELA SAMPSON,AP Business Writer | CommentsStarbucks CEO Howard Schultz said Monday the coffee chain's first stores in India and Vietnam have been received positively and it might soon be time to give Myanmar a shot too. "Within the next couple of years, I'd say," said Schultz of plans to enter Myanmar. His visit to Bangkok this week coincides with the coffee giant's 15 year anniversary of opening in Thailand.
NCBA Says EPA Releasing Producers’ Personal Information
May 13, 2013 9:37 am | CommentsThe National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says it is appalled to learn that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to illegally release information on cattle operations to the activist groups Earth Justice, the Pew Charitable Trust and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
U.S. Winter Wheat Production Forecast Down
May 13, 2013 9:34 am | by ROXANA HEGEMAN,Associated Press | CommentsIn the first government projection on the harvest's anticipated size, the National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated winter wheat production will be down 10 percent to 1.49 billion bushels, due to fewer acres — 32.7 million acres, some 6 percent fewer acres than a year ago — and a 1.8-bushel decrease in average yields, to 45.4 bushels per acre.
Conn. Craft Brewers Launch Promo Campaign
May 13, 2013 9:33 am | by STEPHEN KALIN,Associated Press | CommentsWithout the advertising budgets of the big domestic beer companies, microbrewers rely on grass-roots marketing and face-to-face interactions to promote their products. Through a new "Brew and Buy Local" campaign, Connecticut beer manufacturers, distributors and retailers are highlighting the state's growing craft beer industry and encouraging consumers to buy locally-produced brews.
UN: Eat More Insects
May 13, 2013 9:31 am | by FRANCES D'EMILIO,Associated Press | CommentsThe U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects. The Food and Agriculture Organization on Monday hailed the likes of grasshoppers, ants and other members of the insect world as an underutilized food for people, livestock and pets.
Photo of the Day: A Worrying Wheat Forecast
May 13, 2013 9:29 am | CommentsIn this May 1, 2013, photo Kansas farmer Ben McClure, a farmer from Hugoton, Kan., examines a wheat stalk in a Reno County wheat field. The Agriculture Department Friday, May 10, 2013, forecast U.S. farmers will harvest a far smaller winter wheat crop this season than a year ago, particularly for the hard red varieties used to bake bread.
TreeHouse Foods 1Q Profit Up
May 10, 2013 12:33 pm | CommentsTreeHouse Foods Inc. reported a 4 percent increase in its first-quarter net income as the food maker's revenue improved on recent acquisitions. The Oak Brook, Ill., company, which makes a number of products including non-dairy powdered creamers, private-label canned soups and salad dressings, also backed its full-year forecast.
Whole Foods Mixes Up Chicken, Vegan Salads
May 10, 2013 12:32 pm | CommentsThe mislabeled salads — a curried chicken salad and a vegan curried "chick'n" salad — were sold in 15 stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, Whole Foods said. In some locations, the company said the salads were sold in the cold food bars where customers can scoop food into containers, which are then weighed at the register.
Vt. House Approves GMO Labeling Bill
May 10, 2013 12:30 pm | CommentsThe Vermont House has approved legislation calling for labeling of food products containing genetically modified organisms. Thursday's vote came after the House spent most of the day debating a measure that will not see final action this year because the Senate lacks time to take it up.
WhiteWave 1Q Profit Falls
May 10, 2013 12:29 pm | CommentsWhiteWave Foods Co., which makes Horizon organic milk and Silk brand food and beverages, reported Thursday that its first-quarter net income fell 23 percent, weighed down by higher operating costs and expenses. Its adjusted earnings topped Wall Street's view, but revenue missed analysts' estimates.
Pepsi Testing New Soda Fountain
May 10, 2013 12:27 pm | CommentsPepsiCo says it plans to start testing a new fountain machine at restaurants that lets people create a variety of flavor combinations, such as strawberry Mountain Dew. The test follows Coca-Cola's introduction in 2009 of its Freestyle machine, which also lets customers touch a screen to pick from a wide array of flavor combinations. PepsiCo's test is set to begin at five restaurants in Denver next week.
Consumer Trends: Millions Will Eat Out This Mother's Day
May 10, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsNew research from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) shows that more than one-quarter of American adults will celebrate Mother's Day by dining out, and nearly one in 10 will rely on restaurant takeout or delivery for their special Mother's Day meal. Overall, the NRA projects that 80 million American adults will enjoy restaurant meals on May 12, 2013.
Daily Sound Bite: Mondelez Takes Gum Seriosuly
May 10, 2013 11:26 am | CommentsKraft spinoff Mondelez, which owns Trident, Chiclets and other gum brands, has seen a dip in gum sales as gum chewing has dropped among U.S. consumers. Despite the dip in gum sales, the company saw increases in sales among other brands such as Oreos.
Company Orders Ice Cream Recall
May 10, 2013 9:38 am | CommentsA dairy company is voluntarily recalling ice cream produced in Winston-Salem and distributed to 10 states that don't identify possible allergens because the product is packed in the wrong containers. Dairy Fresh said Thursday it's recalling some IGA Brand Vanilla and Chocolate in a 1.75 quart package because it's really Heavenly Hash ice cream that may contain almonds, coconut and soy.
Dean Foods 1Q Profit Soars on Morningstar Sale
May 10, 2013 9:36 am | CommentsDean Foods' net income skyrocketed in the first quarter on the sale of its massive Morningstar division. The Dallas food and beverage company surprised Wall Street even when the sale of Morningstar is excluded and shares rose in early trading.
McDonald’s Pulls Angus Burgers from Menu
May 10, 2013 9:34 am | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | CommentsThe changes come as McDonald's looks to keep up with shifting tastes, even as it underscores the affordability of its food. The website BurgerBusiness.com, which reported that the burgers were being dropped earlier Thursday, also said that it learned from McDonald's franchisees that the company intends to expand its line of lower-cost Quarter Pounders in coming months, including an option with bacon.
Green Mountain 2Q Income Rises 42 Percent
May 10, 2013 9:33 am | CommentsGreen Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. shares soared in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company said net income rose 42 percent in its fiscal second quarter, and it raised its earnings forecast for the full year. Green Mountain said sales of single-serve coffee packs climbed 26 percent compared to a year ago. That balanced a decrease in sales of Keurig brewing systems.
Post To Acquire Hearthside Food
May 10, 2013 9:31 am | CommentsCereal maker Post Holdings Inc. is buying the branded and private label cereal, granola and snacks business of Hearthside Food Solutions for $158 million, partly as a way to broaden its presence in the cereals category. Post's existing cereal brands include Honey Bunches of Oats, Post Raisin Bran and Grape-Nuts.
Photo of the Day: McDonald’s Cuts Angus Burgers
May 10, 2013 9:30 am | CommentsOn Thursday, May 9, 2013, McDonald’s said it is cutting the Angus burger from its menu. McDonald's had said earlier this year that it was evaluating whether to continue selling the Angus Third Pounders, which were introduced in 2009 and among the chain’s priciest. The company also said at the time that it was it was cutting Chicken Selects and Fruit & Walnut Salad.
Daily Sound Bite: Wrigley Removes Alert Gum from Shelves
May 9, 2013 12:58 pm | CommentsA Food and Drug Administration investigation into the safety of caffeine-added foods has prompted Wrigley to take its new caffeinated gum off the market for the time being. Wrigley said Wednesday that it will temporarily halt sales and marketing of Alert caffeinated gum after discussions with the FDA.
