Regulation
Funding Available To Farmers To Improve Irrigation Water Efficiency
May 23, 2012 9:09 am | News | CommentsThe USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in California, in partnership with DOI's Bureau of Reclamation, is providing funds to improve the efficiency of agricultural water use in five select locations throughout California.
Under the Regulatory Microscope
May 22, 2012 10:02 am | by Damien Canac, Global Marketing Manager, Food & Beverages, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics | Articles | CommentsRecent global economic challenges have caused most manufacturing sectors to focus heavily on maximizing cost-efficiency; however, leading food and beverage processors have more pressing concerns. What could be more important than the bottom line? In a word: safety.
GMA Praises U.S. Trade Agreement With Columbia
May 22, 2012 8:55 am | News | CommentsThe Grocery Manufacturers Association praised last week's implementation of the U.S. – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA). CTPA will drastically eliminate tariffs and other barriers to U.S. exports and significantly expand trade between the U.S. and Colombia.
Sunday Alcohol Sales Law Takes Effect In Conn.
May 21, 2012 1:46 pm | News | CommentsPerhaps out of curiosity or simply to be first, customers began lining up at a couple of Connecticut businesses selling alcohol on Sunday, the first time that Sunday alcohol sales in the state are legal.
EPA: Mining Could Affect Quality Of Water, Fish
May 21, 2012 8:16 am | by BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe possible failure of a dam holding waste from a large-scale mine near the headwaters of one of the world's premier salmon fisheries in Alaska could wipe out or degrade rivers and streams in the region for decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a draft watershed assessment released Friday.
Horse Advocates Press For Fines On NM Slaughterhouse
May 21, 2012 8:11 am | News | CommentsA Colorado-based horse advocacy group says a New Mexico company seeking to become the nation's first slaughterhouse for horses since 2007 should face fines for violating laws on waste disposal, having just recently hauled 400 tons of composted cattle parts from its property after two years of prodding by the state Environment Department.
Saputo Cheese Plant Gets New Life As Smokehouse
May 21, 2012 8:06 am | News | CommentsA Vermont cheese-making plant that closed down after a fire four years ago is getting new life with two new businesses that are opening in its place. A ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday marked the grand opening for Vermont Smoke and Cure and Green Mountain Organic Creamery at the site of the former Saputo Cheese plant in Hinesburg.
Photo Of The Day: Farmers Face Fracking Dilemma
May 21, 2012 8:00 am | News | CommentsWhile other states are reaping the wealth of the Marcellus Shale, New York has had a moratorium on drilling for four years while it overhauls regulations amid intense lobbying for a ban. In the middle of the debate over whether the gas unlocked by fracking is worth the risks of drinking water contamination and adverse health effects are the landowners who must decide whether to sell their mineral rights. Many are dairy farmers and many struggle under heavy debt.
Neb. Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Omaha Tax
May 18, 2012 12:55 pm | by MARGERY A. BECK, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday rejected a challenge to Omaha's 2.5 percent dining tax on all restaurants within city limits. The appeal came from two Omaha restaurants and restaurant owner Anthony Fucinaro Jr., who sued to stop the tax, saying it amounts to a sales tax that the city does not have the authority to enact without a referendum.
Kraft Gets IRS OK For Tax-Free Split
May 18, 2012 12:51 pm | News | CommentsKraft Foods Inc. said Friday that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service indicated that it will approve the company's plan to spin off a new division in a tax-free split. Kraft plans to split into two companies by the end of the year, one focusing on candy and snacks and the other focusing on grocery products.
HACCP Update: Developing A HACCP Plan
May 18, 2012 12:18 pm | by Krystal Gabert, Editor | Articles | CommentsHACCP plan development has evolved with the changing economic and regulatory environment in the food industry. Food Manufacturing surveyed its readers to find out how manufacturers are trying to do less with more while meeting new demands from customers and from federal regulations.
Opponents Make Last Bid To Halt Wash. Liquor Law
May 18, 2012 10:01 am | by MIKE BAKER, Associated Press | News | CommentsOpponents of Washington state's liquor-privatization initiative made a final bid Thursday to invalidate the voter-approved law just two weeks before it is set to take effect.
Food Policy Splits Along Party Lines
May 18, 2012 10:00 am | News | CommentsFoodMinds' third "Food Temperance in America" survey found that when it comes to food policy issues, there are clear party lines between Democrats and Republicans.
Ala. Beer Lovers Await Action On Home Brewing Bills
May 16, 2012 10:03 am | by ANDY BROWNFIELD,Associated Press | News | CommentsAlabama beer lovers are pleased that the state Legislature passed a measure to allow beer to be sold in larger containers, but they're still awaiting the fate of a measure to legalize home brewing.
Deep-Sea Water Bottler To Pay $2M For Violations
May 15, 2012 12:52 pm | News | CommentsA deep-sea water bottling company has agreed to pay $2 million to the Hawaii Department of Health to settle a violation order. Hawaii health officials last year issued an order alleging Koyo USA Corp. adulterated its product with rejected water over five years. Koyo mines, desalinates and bottles deep-sea water off the Big Island with the slogan, "Purely the Best Water in the World."
What Is 'Clean Label'?
May 15, 2012 9:50 am | Videos | CommentsThe clean label trend is not related to food safety for consumers and has no legal distinction or definition, but the term is beginning to take on meaning among food industry insiders.
Mass. Backs Off Ban On School Bake Sales
May 11, 2012 12:52 pm | News | CommentsCupcakes, brownies and other baked goodies will be spared the chopping block at Massachusetts schools after Gov. Deval Patrick backed down from planned regulations to prohibit the sale of the treats at bake sales during school hours.
Raw Milk Case Pits Food Safety Against Consumer Choice
May 11, 2012 12:49 pm | News | CommentsA Minnesota farmer who distributes raw milk is due to stand trial next week for food code violations next week in a case that pits the government's efforts to ensure a safe food supply against consumers' rights to choose what they drink and eat.
Conn. Lawmakers Drop Modified Food Labeling Bill
May 11, 2012 9:39 am | News | CommentsA key Connecticut lawmaker says efforts to enact state legislation requiring labeling of genetically modified food died in the face of threatened lawsuits by food producers.
Challenges Of Regulating Genetically Engineered Crops
May 10, 2012 12:49 pm | News | CommentsThe development of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the 1980s ignited a buzz in the agricultural community with the potential for higher crop yields and better nutritional content, along with the reduction of herbicide and pesticide use. GE crops grew to play a significant role in the U.S., with more than 160 million acres of farmland used to produce GE crops in 2011. However, the development of new GE crops has recently slowed to a trickle due to litigation over field testing and deregulation.
Washington's Food Fight
May 10, 2012 10:08 am | Videos | CommentsFormer lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who served jail time for fraud committed during his time as a lobbyist, discusses the true cost of 'Big Food' lobbying.
Frozen Food Company To Pay $84K To EPA
May 9, 2012 9:37 am | News | CommentsAn Idaho frozen food company has agreed to pay the Environmental Protection Agency $84,000 for failing to report its possession of hazardous chemicals to safety officials.
Photo Of The Day: Funding Food Stamps
May 9, 2012 9:33 am | News | CommentsThe federal government is spending $4 million to make such markets more accessible to food stamp recipients.
New Pot Eatery Opens In Oregon
May 7, 2012 10:02 am | by JEFF BARNARD,Associated Press | News | CommentsAt the Earth Dragon Edibles Restaurant & Lounge in Ashland, Ore., Kevin Wallace and Michael Shea are trying to bring Mongolian barbecue dosed with medical marijuana to a higher level, though they are still feeling their way through the fuzzy legalities of it all.
Calif. Lawmakers: Foie Gras Ban Stays
May 7, 2012 9:59 am | by HANNAH DREIER,Associated Press | News | CommentsCalifornia's legislative leaders said Wednesday that they will not help a group of chefs who want to overturn an impending foie gras ban.
