News
Launch of U.S.-EU Trade Talks Hits Snag
June 14, 2013 12:34 pm | by MARJORIE OLSTER,Associated Press | CommentsOne of the big goals of President Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Europe may be in jeopardy, with French objections threatening to hold up the launch of negotiations on a sweeping U.S.-European Union free trade pact. The proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has raised great expectations of boosting growth and jobs by eliminating tariffs and other barriers that have long plagued economic relations.
Misbranded Beef Jerky Recalled
June 14, 2013 12:29 pm | CommentsUnited States Department of Agriculture officials said Wednesday that products manufactured by Eufaula-based Hickory Hollow Jerky, LLC contain Worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste. Officials say fish is a known allergen and should be listed on the product's labels.
Photo of the Day: Pricey Potato Scandal
June 14, 2013 12:25 pm | CommentsPotatoes are harvested at farm west of Idaho Falls , Idaho, in this September 2010 file photo. A U.S. wholesale grocer says America's potato farmers are running an illegal price-fixing scheme, driving up spud prices while spying on farmers with satellites to enforce strict limits on how many tubers they can grow.
NYC Restaurant Owners Protest Foam-Container Ban
June 14, 2013 12:00 pm | by BETHAN MCKERNAN,Associated Press | CommentsA proposal to eliminate plastic foam takeout containers in New York City was met with criticism Wednesday by restaurateurs who said a ban on the ubiquitous containers would drive up costs and potentially put them out of business. Around 40 opponents bearing signs reading "Put a lid on it NYC" rallied on the steps of City Hall before a City Council meeting in which the ban on polystyrene foam containers was introduced.
Smithfield Foods 4Q Profit Plummets 63 Percent
June 14, 2013 9:56 am | by MICHAEL FELBERBAUM,AP Business Writer | CommentsPork producer Smithfield Foods says its net income fell nearly 63 percent in the fourth quarter as it experienced lower hog prices, higher feed costs and a decline in exports to China and Russia. The results come amid the company's pending $4.72 billion takeover by the majority shareholder in China's largest meat processor.
The Latest Seafood Trend: Trash Fish Dining
June 14, 2013 9:54 am | by MICHELE KAYAL,Associated Press | CommentsMost people have only ever seen a scorpion fish in an aquarium. Unless they dine at Carolina Crossroads Restaurant in Chapel Hill, N.C., where they'll find the spiny, venomous creature on the menu. It's called trash fish dining, and it's catching on with chefs around the country searching for fresh ways to fill their menus with sustainable — and delicious — seafood.
Grocers Say Potato Group Pumped Up Spud Prices
June 14, 2013 9:31 am | by JOHN MILLER,Associated Press | CommentsA battle between grocers and potato growers has been silently hitting shoppers' pocketbooks, according to a U.S. wholesaler accusing America's spud farmers of driving up prices while spying on farmers with satellites and aircraft fly-overs to enforce strict limits on how many tubers they can grow.
Senators Ask Nickelodeon To Ban Kids’ Junk Food Ads
June 14, 2013 9:27 am | by JOHN RABY,Associated Press | CommentsFour U.S. senators are calling on children's cable network Nickelodeon to ban ads targeted at children that promote and sell junk food and sugar. A letter was sent this week to Nickelodeon and its parent company, Viacom Inc., by Democratic Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Tom Harkin of Iowa.
Daily Sound Bite: Hostess Prepares for Rebirth
June 13, 2013 12:44 pm | CommentsAfter the purchase of Hostess Brands' assets by Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co., the company's Dolly Madison plant in Columbus, Ga., is preparing to again begin production. The company plans to begin production by July, but it is unknown how many jobs the relaunch will create.
Coffee Holding 2Q Loss Widens
June 13, 2013 12:31 pm | CommentsCoffee Holding's second-quarter loss widened, stung by lower coffee prices. President and CEO Andrew Gordon said in a statement that Coffee Holding was more promotional in the period in order to stay competitive at supermarkets. He added that coffee prices may rise during the year's second half, with the company well-positioned to take advantage of the potential opportunity.
Maine GMO Measure Moves Through Senate
June 13, 2013 12:30 pm | CommentsA bill that would require Maine food retailers to put special labels on products that contain genetically modified ingredients is moving forward in the Legislature. The Democratic-led state Senate gave initial approval to the bill. It faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Chicken Salad Recalled due to Improper Labeling
June 13, 2013 12:28 pm | CommentsTracy-based Taylor Farms Pacific said Wednesday it's recalling approximately 678 pounds of its 12.25-oz. Signature Cafe BBQ Flavored Ranch Salad with Chicken, because the dressing packaged with it contains egg, a product that's not declared on the label and can be harmful to some people with allergies.
USDA Reduces Corn Crop Estimate
June 13, 2013 12:27 pm | by DAVID PITT,Associated Press | CommentsCorn farmers are feeling the impact of a cool, wet spring but are still expected to bring in a record crop this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its monthly report released Wednesday that farmers are expected to bring in 14 billion bushels of corn this year. That's 135 million bushels less than last month's estimate, reflecting the impact of the cooler spring.
New Hostess Owner Prepares To Re-Start Ga. Plant
June 13, 2013 12:25 pm | CommentsThe smell of snack cakes could soon return to the Dolly Madison plant in Columbus as Hostess Brands LLC prepares to relaunch production. Hostess Brands LLC spokesman Michael Cramer said workers will be resuming production by July. He said crews are now getting the facility ready to bake goods again, including testing equipment that's been idle since November.
Consumer Trends: Top 10 Natural and Organic Food Trends
June 13, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsSterling-Rice Group (SRG) has identified the top ten natural and organic food trends that will influence mainstream grocery shelves soon. With a breadth and depth of culinary experience, the brand strategy, innovation, and communications firm has counseled and created foods for several of the largest food companies in the world.
Mich. Company Recalls Sunflower Seed Products
June 13, 2013 9:37 am | CommentsA Michigan snack food maker is recalling sunflower seeds due to the potential of listeria contamination. Lipari Foods in Warren, north of Detroit, says Wednesday the recall includes Raw Sunflower Seeds, Roasted Sunflower Seeds, and Snack Mixes.
Nathan’s Famous 4Q Profit Up 44 Percent
June 13, 2013 9:36 am | CommentsNathan's Famous said Wednesday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income jumped 44 percent as the company sold more hot dogs. For the quarter ended March 31, Nathan's earned $1.6 million, or 34 cents per share, up from $1.1 million, or 23 cents per share, in the same quarter the year before.
Egypt’s Wheat Harvest Mired by Politics
June 13, 2013 9:32 am | by MAGGIE MICHAEL,Associated Press | CommentsEarly in Egypt's wheat harvest this year, President Mohammed Morsi proclaimed the crop would be 30 percent higher than the year before. Now, weeks later with farmers almost finished bringing in their crops, experts and famers have challenged the claim, raising doubts that the harvest will meet government predictions.
Maine Advances GMO Labeling Bill
June 13, 2013 9:29 am | by ALANNA DURKIN,Associated Press | CommentsMaine food retailers would have to put special labels on products that contain genetically modified ingredients, under a measure advanced by the House on Tuesday. Maine residents have the right to know whether they're eating foods that have been genetically modified, which they say can lead to potential health risks, supporters of the bill say.
‘Pink Slime’ Case Heads Back to State Court
June 13, 2013 9:28 am | by DIRK LAMMERS,Associated Press | CommentsA federal judge on Wednesday moved a South Dakota beef processing company's defamation lawsuit against ABC News back to state court. Beef Products Inc. sued American Broadcasting Companies Inc. and ABC News Inc. for defamation in September over its coverage of a meat product the company calls lean, finely textured beef but that critics dubbed "pink slime."
