News
Photo of the Day: Egypt's Wheat Woes
June 13, 2013 9:26 am | CommentsBread is perhaps the most volatile issue amid mounting economic concerns as Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi nears the end of the first year in office. In recent months, Egypt has faced fuel shortages, water and electricity cuts and rising food prices, at a time of intense political polarization between Morsi and his Islamist supporters and the mainly secular and liberal opposition.
Daily Sound Bite: NYC Takes Its Soda Battle to Court
June 12, 2013 12:41 pm | CommentsDefending the city's recent ban on large, sugary sodas, City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley argued that the growing obesity crisis forced the city to take drastic measures to address public health risks. An attorney for groups challenging the ban disagreed.
Driving Manufacturing Success by Backing Up
June 12, 2013 12:36 pm | by Michael Krutikov, Senior Global Marketing Manager, SMB Data Protection, Symantec | CommentsToday’s smaller manufacturers are creating enormous amounts of data — everything from new product designs to top-secret intellectual property, as well as a constant flow of customer and sales information that must be managed and protected every day.
Mich. Lawmakers OK Wine Sales at Farmers Markets
June 12, 2013 12:33 pm | CommentsSmall winemakers could offer tastings and sell their wine at farmers markets around Michigan under legislation headed to Gov. Rick Snyder. The bill approved 37-0 by the state Senate Wednesday would require small winemakers wanting to do business at a farmers market to pay $25 for a permit.
Boehner Pledges Support for Farm Bill
June 12, 2013 12:32 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | CommentsHouse Speaker John Boehner says he will vote for a wide-ranging farm bill headed to the House floor this month, a major boost for the five year, half-trillion dollar legislation that stalled in the House last year. The Ohio Republican voted against the last farm bill in 2008 and said Wednesday that he has concerns with this year's version as well.
Yum Brands: Sales Decline in China Is Easing
June 12, 2013 12:30 pm | CommentsYum Brands says a key sales figure for China dropped 19 percent in May, as the parent company of KFC began to see signs of recovery from the double whammy of a bird flu scare and an earlier controversy over its chicken supply. The drop is an improvement from the 29 percent decline in April. The company said the latest figure reflects a 25 percent decline at KFC and 12 percent growth at Pizza Hut.
More Wineries Come Out in Support of Gay Marriage
June 12, 2013 12:28 pm | by MICHELLE LOCKE,Associated Press | CommentsWineries are coming out loud and proud in their support of gay marriage. They're putting it right on the label. One of the barrier-breakers is Same Sex Meritage, a red blend that sends its message on the bottle and at the cash register — $1 for every bottle sold is donated to the advocacy group Freedom to Marry.
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.
