News
Consumer Trends: Best Iced Teas for Summer
May 30, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsJust in time for summer and National Iced Tea Month in June, the North American Tea Championship selected 19 first-place winners in numerous categories during its annual Iced Tea Class evaluation. The Championship is the only independent competition, judged by professional cuppers, to distinguish the highest quality and best tasting teas that are commercially available in the North American marketplace.
Print-to-Order Pizza
May 30, 2013 9:52 am | by Eric Sorensen, Multimedia Coordinator | CommentsThe editors at Product Design & Development discuss the recent announcement that NASA has awarded an engineer $125,000 to develop a working prototype of his food synthesizer. NASA is interested in the food printer's functionality in space and the possibility that it could feed astronauts on long missions.
Conn. To Enforce Local-Food Rules
May 30, 2013 9:52 am | CommentsConnecticut is stepping up inspection and enforcement of its "Connecticut Grown" program of locally grown food. An announcement in the Department of Agriculture's weekly report on Wednesday says the agency will investigate complaints and make unannounced inspections of farmers' markets and other sites this summer.
HP Hood To Expand Maryland Operation
May 30, 2013 9:50 am | CommentsDairy operator HP Hood is planning an expansion of its plant in Maryland's Frederick County that will create 75 jobs. Gov. Bob McDonnell said Wednesday that the expansion will increase the ultra-high temperature processing plant's capacity.
U.S. Sen. Baucus Eyes Summer Deal on Farm Bill
May 30, 2013 9:49 am | by MATT GOURAS,Associated Press | CommentsFarmers told U.S. Sen. Max Baucus on Wednesday that planned cuts to the farm bill could make the crop insurance safety net too expensive. Baucus held a round-table discussion with farmers and agricultural groups Wednesday. The six-term Democrat said that the measure is a top priority for him before he retires next year.
French President Auctions Off Wine
May 30, 2013 9:47 am | by SYLVIE CORBET,Associated Press | CommentsIn headier times, some of these wines were served at dinner for French presidents and their guests — kings, queens, other heads of state. In today's times of austerity, the Elysee Palace is selling these vintage bottles. French President Francois Hollande's palace has decided to dive into its wine cellar and sell some of its treasures, to raise money and replenish its collection with more modest vintages.
Unapproved Modified Wheat Found in Oregon Field
May 30, 2013 9:45 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK and NIGEL DUARA,Associated Press | CommentsField workers at an Eastern Oregon wheat farm were clearing acres for the bare offseason when they came across a patch of wheat that didn't belong. A few weeks later, Oregon State wheat scientists made a startling discovery: The wheat was genetically modified, in clear violation of U.S. law, although there's no evidence that modified wheat entered the marketplace.
Photo of the Day: No Two Recalls Are Alike
May 30, 2013 9:41 am | CommentsExpertRECALL has released an infographic illustrating the various impacts of food safety recalls. From 2012 to 2013, there were 107 recalls recorded by the USDA, resulting in more than 3.9 million pounds of recalled product. Undeclared substances were the source of just eight recall events, but these events accounted for 50 percent of the volume of recalled food during this period.
Avoiding Food Fraud
May 30, 2013 9:36 am | by Lori Leskin and Aaron Levine, Kaye Scholer | CommentsRecent news stories about horse meat found in beef products from reputable companies raise questions not just about whether consumers know what is in a product, but whether manufacturers themselves are aware that they contain adulterated ingredients.
Daily Sound Bite: Chinese Company to Acquire Smithfield
May 29, 2013 12:51 pm | CommentsHong Kong-based Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. will buy Smithfield Foods Inc. for $4.72 billion, turning the publicly traded company private. Both companies' boards unanimously approved the transaction, and Smithfield CEO assures industry spectators that not much will change.
Consumer Confidence Rises to 5-Year High
May 29, 2013 12:45 pm | by CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER and MARTIN CRUTSINGER,AP Economics Writers | CommentsHome prices are surging. Job growth is strengthening. And stocks are setting record highs. All of which explains why Americans are more hopeful about the economy than at any other point in five years. Consider Michael Quintos, head of a Chicago advertising agency that helps small businesses market themselves through social media. Quintos sees more optimism at work and among friends and relatives.
NCBA ‘Disappointed’ with USDA Rule on Country of Origin Labeling
May 29, 2013 12:42 pm | CommentsThe following is a statement from National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George, a Cody, Wyo. dairy and cattle producer, regarding an announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule regarding the Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Rule (MCOOL).
Proposed Beef Plant To Focus on South Korean Market
May 29, 2013 12:40 pm | CommentsA company manager says the unique business model of a proposed Scottsbluff beef processing plant includes its eventual focus on the South Korean market. Keith DeHaan of Future Food Energy LLC told members of the Scottsbluff-Gering Rotary Club on Tuesday that the plant investors are in South Korea. He says they're looking for a higher quality of beef than what is generally sold in the United States.
Mich. Cider Company Expands Facilities
May 29, 2013 12:38 pm | by DAVE ALEXANDER,The Muskegon Chronicle | CommentsVander Mill Cider has completed a major expansion that will allow the craft hard cider producer to more easily get its product into to customers' hands. The Spring Lake producer of hard — or alcoholic — ciders has expanded its operation by 3,500-square-feet to allow for new canning equipment. Vander Mill Ciders will now be available in 16-ounce aluminum cans.
United Natural 3Q Profit Up 9 Percent
May 29, 2013 12:37 pm | CommentsUnited Natural Foods Inc.'s fiscal third-quarter net income jumped nearly 9 percent on strong demand for its natural and organic products. The company, based in Providence, R.I., distributes natural, organic and specialty foods and products.
Consumer Trends: Uptick in Breakfast Sandwich Offerings
May 29, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsSandwiches may dominate lunch menus, but at the largest chain restaurants sandwiches are increasingly part of the breakfast scene. In early 2013, breakfast sandwiches were up 8.1 percent annually on the menus of Top 500 limited service restaurants, according to Technomic's MenuMonitor service.
Dole Suspends Buyback and Shares Sink
May 29, 2013 9:48 am | CommentsDole Food Company Inc.'s shares sank Tuesday after the fruit and vegetable company said it would suspend its share repurchase plans and use its cash instead to update its shipping fleet to enhance its growth prospects. The company said that it is indefinitely suspending its $200 million share repurchase program.
Mo. Relaxes Rules for Egg Sales
May 29, 2013 9:45 am | CommentsFarmers' market merchants and roadside vendors in Missouri can now sell eggs more easily directly to consumers. The state Department of Agriculture says it has lessened licensing requirements for such businesses. Those who sell eggs directly to consumers now only need a $5 retail license.
Rio Breaks Down Prejudice with Food
May 29, 2013 9:44 am | by JENNY BARCHFIELD,Associated Press | CommentsRio's favelas, or slums, are the newest hotspots for both locals and foreign visitors, who are spending more time at the former no-go zones than traditional tourist magnets like the Christ the Redeemer statue. Now, there's another reason to visit: the growing buzz about the best food and drink the pacified favelas have to offer.
Odor Complaints Persist at Food Waste Plant
May 29, 2013 9:41 am | CommentsNew complaints about the odor coming from a Green Bay area plant that processes animal fats and food waste has some Brown County supervisors pushing harder to punish the owners if the matter isn't addressed soon. Supervisor Patrick Evans says the county has provided plenty of time for Sanimax to fix the odor problems.
