News
Maker of 'Pink Slime' Continues to Struggle
May 20, 2013 8:02 am | CommentsThe beef-processing company that makes the product that critics call "pink slime" continues to struggle more than a year after the initial stories on the lean bits of beef that Beef Products Inc. (BPI) makes. The company lost 80 percent of its business after the uproar over what BPI calls lean finely textured beef.
Cider Company Sues Coffee Roaster Over 'Woodchuck'
May 20, 2013 8:00 am | CommentsVermont Hard Cider Co. filed a complaint against Woodchuck Coffee Roasters in U.S. District Court last week seeking an unspecified financial award and an injunction preventing further trademark infringement over the woodchuck name, a colloquial term for a hardy Vermonter.
Photo of the Day: 100 Years of Hellmann's
May 20, 2013 8:00 am | CommentsHellman's turns 100 in 2013 and to celebrate the anniversary, owner Unilever Food is launching a marketing campaign including a Facebook page and YouTube videos featuring chef Mario Batali cooking up his favorite Hellman's recipes, a smartphone app and a June event featuring the world's largest picnic table.
Deep Divide in Congress Over Domestic Food Aid
May 17, 2013 12:50 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | CommentsThe House and Senate Agriculture Committees laid the groundwork this week for reducing the size of the federal food stamp program, approving farm bills that would shrink food aid and alter the way people qualify for it. The two chambers are far apart on how much the $80 billion-a-year program should be cut.
Tougher Food-Safety Rules Ahead for Canadian Meat Processors
May 17, 2013 12:15 pm | by The Canadian Press | CommentsCanadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says the country's food watchdog is planning to impose tougher rules to deal with the threat of E. coli in slaughterhouses. The agency will soon begin a two-year review of the country's food regulations to ensure they are in line with the Safe Food for Canadians Act passed last year.
Puerto Rico Sees Lowest Coffee Production Ever
May 17, 2013 12:05 pm | by DANICA COTO, Associated Press | CommentsCoffee production in Puerto Rico has hit the lowest level ever in the island's history, leaving farmers and government officials worried about how to revive a once burgeoning industry amid a deep economic crisis. The U.S. territory has been forced to import coffee from countries including Mexico and the Dominican Republic to meet local demand.
Beef Plant Courts Laid-Off Workers
May 17, 2013 12:02 pm | Commentsbeef processing plant in the South Dakota city of Yankton is recruiting dozens of workers laid off from their jobs at the Northern Beef Packers plant. Representatives from the Cimpl's beef plant in Yankton conducted job interviews in Aberdeen on Tuesday and had more scheduled Wednesday.
Buffet Backs Off Mondelez International
May 17, 2013 12:00 pm | by JOSH FUNK, AP Business Writer | CommentsWarren Buffett's company sold off some of its stake in snack food maker Mondelez International Inc. on Wednesday. Berkshire Hathaway cut its Mondelez stake to 7 million shares from 12.8 million at the end of 2012. It also trimmed its Kraft Foods investment slightly to 1.6 million shares from 1.67 million shares.
Consumer Trends: Encouraging Women To Eat Healthy
May 17, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsThis year, Mother's Day kicked off the 14th annual National Women's Health Week (May 12 – 18), which includes National Women's Checkup Day (May 13). This national week-long observance promotes healthy eating, regular activity and mental health.
Daily Sound Bite: Wine with a Cause
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | CommentsSince late 2011, the Murphy-Goode Winery in California's Sonoma County wine country has donated over $100,000 to Operation Homefront, an organization that gives financial assistance to military families in need. The winery and its distributors donate a portion of profits to the organization.
NC House Votes to Block Obesity Lawsuits
May 17, 2013 10:01 am | CommentsA majority in the North Carolina House voted Wednesday night for legislation that would bar civil law suits against food producers, manufacturers and marketers on claims long-term consumption led to weight gain and obesity-related health problems.
ND Pasta Plant to Restart Production
May 17, 2013 9:59 am | Commentsformer Noodles by Leonardo plant in Cando will start producing pasta again next week after six months of closed doors. The facility is now owned by Cando Pasta LLC, a partnership of local businessmen Jim and Bruce Gibbens and two other investors. The plant should have as many as 20 employees later this month and as many as 40 by next year.
Wineries Raise a Glass to Veterans
May 17, 2013 9:53 am | by MICHELLE LOCKE, Associated Press | CommentsIf you're looking to raise a glass to veterans this Memorial Day you might consider filling it with wine that will raise funds for them, too. A number of wineries are making the veterans-and-vines connection. And if you're not so fine on wine, there's even a liquor — Wild Turkey — that's gotten into the spirit with a Boots and Bourbon campaign.
AB InBev Abandons Plans to Acquire Czech Brewer
May 17, 2013 9:51 am | CommentsBrewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev says it no longer has plans to acquire Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar, with whom it has been fighting a long legal battle over the use of the "Budweiser" brand. Frank Hellwig, legal director for AB InBev, says "we don't have any plans, or intention, or desire to buy Budvar" as a way of solving the dispute.
Organic Industry Grows with Consumer Demand
May 17, 2013 9:48 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | CommentsTensions between conventional and organic agriculture boiled over this week during a late-night House Agriculture Committee debate on a sweeping farm bill that has for decades propped up traditional crops and largely ignored organics.
Photo of the Day: Study Shakes Up Salt Recommendations
May 17, 2013 8:00 am | CommentsThe Institute of Medicine said Tuesday there's no evidence that cutting well below established guidelines offers any benefit — even though that's recommended for certain people at high risk of heart disease. There are some suggestions that going way too low might harm certain patients.
Kosher & Halal Industries Under Siege in Poland
May 16, 2013 12:15 pm | CommentsAfter Polish animal rights activists succeeded in banning "barbaric" religious slaughter methods used in kosher and halal production — the process involves slashing the throats of conscious animals and letting them bleed out — religious and industry supporters are coming together to fight the changes.
NC House OKs Blocking Obesity Lawsuits
May 16, 2013 12:07 pm | CommentsLegislation that attempts to prevent people from suing North Carolina food manufacturers, sellers and advertisers by claiming their products made them overweight has passed one General Assembly chamber. A majority in the House voted Wednesday night for legislation that would bar civil actions against food producers and marketers on claims long-term consumption led to weight gain and obesity-related health problems.
Flowers Foods 1Q Net Income More Than Doubles
May 16, 2013 12:05 pm | CommentsFlowers Foods' first-quarter net income more than doubled thanks to a large gain related to its acquisition of the Sara Lee business in California. The baked goods company, which is best known for its Tastykake products and is pursuing some of Hostess' major bread brands, earned $113.3 million, or 81 cents per share, for the period ended April 20. That's up sharply from $37.9 million, or 28 cents per share, a year ago.
Montana Judge Hears Arguments over Milk Freshness
May 16, 2013 12:04 pm | CommentsA Helena judge heard arguments Tuesday over a California-based food distributor's challenge of a rule that says milk sold in Montana must be stamped with a "sell-by" date of 12 days after it is pasteurized. Core-Mark International argues consumers would be better informed with a "use-by" date set by the processor, while Montana's milk-producing industry supports the current rule.
