News
Consumer Trends: Health and Wellness Products Gain Traction
June 5, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsGrowth trends indicate that a number of products with individual health and wellness claims have recently experienced declining sales; however, there is evidence that products providing a holistic approach that advances general health and well being are gaining market traction.
Monster Beverage Sales Improving
June 5, 2013 9:35 am | CommentsShares of Monster Beverage rose Tuesday after CEO Rodney Sacks reiterated the safety of the company's energy drinks and said sales have been improving. The company, based in Corona, Calif., held its annual shareholders meeting Monday. While noting that sales have risen in the past few months, Sacks also cautioned that it was "very, very soon" to be able to tell whether they were indicative of a long-term trend.
Farmer Sues Monsanto over GMO Wheat Discovery
June 5, 2013 9:33 am | by ROXANA HEGEMAN,Associated Press | CommentsA Kansas farmer has sued seed giant Monsanto over last week's discovery of genetically engineered experimental wheat in an 80-acre field in Oregon, claiming the company's gross negligence hurt U.S. growers by driving down wheat prices and causing some international markets to suspend certain imports.
Wet Spring Forces Tough Decisions on Farmers
June 5, 2013 9:32 am | by DAVID PITT,Associated Press | CommentsIt's decision time for many Midwest corn farmers stuck in one of the wettest springs ever: Plant late in ground that's been too wet, replant corn in muddy fields or collect crop insurance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said 91 percent of the nation's corn crop is in the ground but just 74 percent of the plants have emerged. But some states — leading corn producer Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and North Dakota — are much further behind.
General Mills Recalls Some Cinnamon Toast Crunch
June 5, 2013 9:30 am | CommentsGeneral Mills Inc. said Tuesday it is recalling about 168 cases of its single-serve reduced-sugar Cinnamon Toast Crunch sold to restaurants and foodservice customers due to risk of salmonella exposure. The cereal maker said Tuesday that it is making the move after a supplier recalled an ingredient due to the possible presence of salmonella.
Death Toll Hits 120 in Poultry Plant Fire
June 5, 2013 9:28 am | CommentsAuthorities raised the death toll Wednesday by one to 120 in this week's disastrous fire at a northeast China poultry processing plant, with another 17 people unaccounted for. The State Administration of Work Safety said a total of 395 people were at work during Monday's tragedy, the country's worst industrial accident in almost five years.
Photo of the Day: Soggy Spring Troubles Farmers
June 5, 2013 9:26 am | CommentsCorn stalks grow in standing water in a field, Tuesday, June 4, 2013, near Colfax, Iowa. Many corn farmers in the Midwest are running out of time to plant — or replant — their crops after the soggy spring kept them out of the fields and, in some cases, washed away their seeds.
Senate Votes on Changes to International Food Aid
June 4, 2013 12:30 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | CommentsThe Senate on Monday voted to make modest changes to the way international food aid is delivered, a much scaled-back version of an overhaul proposed by President Barack Obama earlier this year. Senators adopted an amendment by voice vote to a wide-ranging farm bill Monday that would slightly boost dollars to buy locally-grown food close to needy areas abroad.
Q&A: The Farm Bill
June 4, 2013 12:28 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | CommentsThe Senate is considering a massive, five-year farm bill this week that would set policy for farm subsidies and food stamps. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the nearly $100 billion-a-year bill, which outlines government farm subsidies and pays for the country's nutrition programs, including food stamps.
Cargill Opens $40M Chicken Plant in Russia
June 4, 2013 12:25 pm | CommentsCargill has officially opened a chicken processing facility at its complex in Efremov, Russia. This poultry facility represents a further investment of US$40 million at the company's industrial complex, located 300 kilometres south of Moscow. The facility will predominantly supply McDonald's restaurants in Russia with high quality Chicken McNuggets as well as other chicken products.
NYC Ads Warn About Sweet Tea, Energy Drinks
June 4, 2013 12:23 pm | CommentsNew York City's campaign to cut consumption of sugary drinks now features ads warning people about sweet teas, sports and energy drinks and fruit-flavored beverages. The city health department launched the TV and bus ads Monday. The spots say such drinks might sound healthy but are packed with added sugar and that can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Fire Forces Closure of Oat Processing Plant
June 4, 2013 12:22 pm | CommentsAn early morning fire on Monday prompted the closure of a South Sioux City oat processing plant. The Sioux City Journal reports firefighters responded about 3 a.m. Monday to a fire on a manufacturing line at the Viterra grain processing plant.
Consumer Trends: Rise of the 'Hybrid Consumer'
June 4, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsAccording to a new report from Rabobank, consumers are becoming less interested in mid-market products and are instead trading down when it comes to everyday value-for-money items, such as basic groceries. Using money saved by trading down on staples, hybrid consumers are trading up to premium, high-end products that matter most from an emotional and social perspective, such as premium brands in supermarkets and fine dining.
Daily Sound Bite: China's Safety Lapses Are Deadly for Workers
June 4, 2013 11:51 am | CommentsThe two deadliest industrial plant disasters in China — including Monday's poultry fire that killed at least 119 workers — have one thing in common: locked doors. A cavalier attitude towards laborers and little punishment for employers who break the rules mean safety threats are rampant.
Modified Foods Law Heads to Conn. Governor
June 4, 2013 9:48 am | CommentsLegislation requiring special labels on food sold in Connecticut that contains genetically modified ingredients, so long as other states pass similar legislation, is heading to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's desk for his signature. The House of Representatives on Monday passed the bill on a 134-3 vote, giving final legislative approval to the bipartisan agreement reached over the weekend.
Wal-Mart To Improve Quality of Produce Sections
June 4, 2013 9:47 am | by ANNE D'INNOCENZIO,AP Retail Writer | CommentsThe nation's largest grocer and retailer said Monday it is making more changes in its operations, training and sourcing as it looks to increase sales of bananas, lettuce and other produce and instill more confidence among shoppers looking for healthier choices.
Coca-Cola Opens Bottling Plant in Myanmar
June 4, 2013 9:45 am | by YADANA HTUN,Associated Press | CommentsCoca-Cola began bottling its famous soft drink in Myanmar on Tuesday as part of a planned five-year, $200 million investment after having no local production for more than 60 years. The company announced in a press release the ceremonial inauguration of its bottling plant in Hmawbi Township, a suburb of Yangon, the country's biggest city, with local partner Pinya Manufacturing Co.
Dunkin Adds Donut Bacon Sandwich to National Menu
June 4, 2013 9:44 am | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | CommentsEven as fast-food chains tout their healthy offerings, they're also coming up with fatty new treats to keep customers interested. Case in point: Dunkin' Donuts is adding a doughnut breakfast sandwich to its national menu this week. The sandwich, which comes with fried eggs and bacon between a split glazed doughnut, will become a part of the permanent menu starting Friday, which the chain claims is "National Donut Day."
Torched Poultry Plant Exposes China’s Work-Safety Failings
June 4, 2013 9:40 am | by CHRISTOPHER BODEEN,Associated Press | CommentsA fire breaks out in a Chinese factory, and panicked workers discover one exit after another is locked. That describes not only the poultry plant fire that killed 119 people Monday, but a toy-factory blaze that left 87 workers dead 20 years earlier. The similarities between the two worst factory fires in China's history suggest that little has changed for industrial workers even as the country has transformed its economy.
Photo of the Day: Coca-Cola Begins Bottling in Myanmar
June 4, 2013 9:38 am | CommentsCoca-Cola began bottling its famous soft drink in Myanmar on Tuesday as part of a planned five-year, $200 million investment after having no local production for more than 60 years. The company announced in a press release the ceremonial inauguration of its bottling plant in Hmawbi Township, a suburb of Yangon, the country's biggest city, with local partner Pinya Manufacturing Co.
