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Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Avure launches new 100-L HPP system
2/09/2010-Avure Technologies’ new horizontal High Pressure Processing (HPP) system makes advanced food safety technology more affordable for small and mid-range processors. It also enables them to respond to growing consumer preferences for fresher, preservative-free, and reduced-sodium foods. HPP is the post-packaging lethality treatment that inactivates foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms in products as diverse as RTE meats, soups, wet salads, fruit smoothies, and seafood. The new QFP 100-L 600, is the next logical step in the evolution of the Avure HPP family, which now processes over $2 billion of food products around the globe. The smaller-footprint 100-L HPP system is a perfect match for small/medium-volume or seasonal processors that want to add this layer of food safety protection, extend the shelf-life of their products, forego the use of preservatives, or develop new food applications. “As food recalls continue to grab the headlines, high pressure processing becomes more and more compelling as a food safety measure,” said Pat Adams, Avure’s President and CEO. “It also allows processors to plug into the mounting demand for convenient, high-quality, healthful foods that don’t contain additives and which have a much lower sodium content. HPP is the game-changer. It replaces chemicals while dramatically extending shelf-life. It is not a heat treatment, so there are limited effects on taste, texture, and nutritional properties.” With a sub-$1 million price tag that parallels its smaller footprint, Avure’s new 100-L system brings the multiple benefits of HPP technology to a much broader swath of processors. The lower cost of entry comes with no sacrifice in throughput. The 12.1-inch (308mm) diameter vessel, into which product is loaded, affords maximum efficiency, accommodating various shaped packages, including bottles and cups. Production rates are 28,000 lbs (13,000 kilos) over a 20-hr workday.
The primary key food sectors for HPP are: ready-to-eat whole muscle and sliced meats; seafood; fresh-cut fruits and juices; deli salads, condiments, and dips; and soups, salsas, and sauces. Cost of the treatment is very product dependent but averages just pennies per pound. The HPP expense is often partially mitigated by the corresponding reduction in the cost of additives.
Avure Technologies
Results from the IFT Annual Employment and Salary Survey
2/09/2010-Despite the recessionary climate, the median salary for food scientists polled by Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) increased by 4.4%over the past two years according to the recently released IFT Annual Employment and Salary Survey.All business sectors have been affected by the economic downturn; however, the food science profession managed to break the mold by increasing the median salary to $87,700 from $84,000 in 2007. According to food science academics and recruiters, interviewed for the February Food Technology magazine article that accompanied the release of survey findings in the publication, the industry may be a bit sluggish but it is stable. The IFT Annual Employment and Salary Survey produced a 25% return rate with over 2,500 responses to a 33-question national survey last fall. This survey is conducted every two years and is sent to IFT members in the U.S. Highlights from the survey include: • Survey participants were split almost equally between men (51%) and women (49%), but among respondents under age 30, more than three-fourths (76%) were women.
• 60% of the respondents are under the age of 50.
• The starting salary for both sexes combined—considered here as the median salary for those with one year or less of professional food-related work experience since receiving their BS degree—increased by 9.2% to $50,000 from $45,800 in 2007.
• Approximately one-third (34%) of the respondents have had 10 or fewer years of professional food-related work experience since receiving their BS degree, and well over one-third (42%) have had more than 20 years of experience.
• Nearly three-fourths (72%) of the respondents have worked for more than one employer, and more than half (54%) have had two to four employers.
• Slightly more than half (52%) of the respondents work for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees; about one-fourth (26%) work for companies with more than 5,000 employees.
• More than two-thirds (67%) of the respondents work in the R&D/scientific/technical category, while 10% are employed in Sales/Marketing, 9% in Education, 8% in Management, 2% in Consulting, 2% in Government, and 1% in Purchasing.
• More than two-thirds (70%) of survey respondents work for food and beverage companies and ingredient suppliers, with the next largest percentage (9%) working in academia.
• Almost 60% of the respondents work in states east of the Mississippi River, nearly one-third in East Coast states; of the U.S. Census Bureau’s geographic divisions of the U.S., the East North Central region—Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio—has the highest percentage of respondents.
• The New England and South Atlantic regions had the highest median salaries.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Missouri firm recalls beef products due to possible E. coli contamination
2/08/2010-West Missouri Beef, LLC, Rockville, Mo., is recalling approximately 14,000 lbs of fresh boneless beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) announced Feb. 2.The following products are subject to recall:
• One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 lbs of fresh boneless beef identified as “75 1-M,” produced on Oct. 26, 2009.
• One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 lbs of fresh boneless beef identified as “90 3-D,” produced on Nov. 25, 2009.
• One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 lbs of fresh boneless beef identified as “90 5-D,” produced on Nov. 27, 2009.
• Combo bins containing approximately 2,000 lbs of fresh boneless beef identified as “90 2-P,” “90 2-R,” or “90 2-V,” produced on Dec. 8, 2009.
• One combo bin containing approximately 2,000 lbs of fresh boneless beef identified as “90 3-E,” produced on Jan. 13, 2010. Each container is marked with the establishment number “EST. 5821” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The fresh boneless beef products were distributed to wholesalers in the Chicago, Ill., area. The problem was discovered by FSIS during a verification review performed at the establishment. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Press release
Study questions cleanliness of packaged salad greens
2/08/2010-A study conducted by Consumer Reports shows that packaged salad greens may have bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination—in some cases, at rather high levels. The sample size consisted of 208 containers of packaged greens—all of which were within their use-by date—representing 16 brands purchased at stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Consumer Reports tested for total coliforms and for other bacteria, including enterococcus, that are better indicators of fecal contamination. Federal action limits exist for indicator organisms in water, raw meat, milk, and some processed foods, but not produce. Those organisms are typically used to gauge possible pathogen contamination. Consumer Reports consulted industry experts who suggested that for leafy greens, an unacceptable level of total coliforms or enterococcus is 10,000 or more colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) or a comparable estimate. In the tests, 39% of samples exceeded that level for total coliforms and 23% for enterococcus. Results varied widely among samples, even within the same brand, from undetectable levels of those bacteria to more than 1 million CFU/g. Packages with higher bacteria levels had similarities. Many contained spinach and were one to five days from their use-by date. Packages six to eight days from their use-by date fared better. Whether the greens came in a clamshell or bag, included “baby” greens, or were organic made no difference. Brands for which there were more than four samples, including national brands Dole, Earthbound Farm Organic, and Fresh Express, plus regional and store brands, had at least one package with relatively high levels of total coliforms or enterococcus. Consumer Reports article
Antimicrobials sourced from rBST-free milk
2/08/2010-Danisco is now offering U.S. dairy manufacturers the opportunity to optimize the shelf life of their products using natural milk-based fermentates free of artificial growth hormones. From Feb. 1, 2010, the company has pledged that all MicroGARD fermentates made from cultured skim milk are derived from cows that have not received the growth hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST). The move is a direct response to growing consumer demand for milk-based products that do not contain milk from rBST-treated cows.“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that there is no significant difference in the milk from cows treated with rBST and cows that are not. Our reason for switching to rBST-free milk is purely a proactive response to consumer demand,” said Matthew Hundt, Global Product Manager at Danisco. “The change has no impact on product performance, allergen status, or nutritional labeling. We are also pleased to provide these products at no additional cost to our customers.” MicroGARD is a key range within the Danisco natural food protection portfolio. Used in cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, dairy beverages, and other fresh dairy applications, the milk fermentates are an effective tool for keeping spoilage organisms at bay. Shelf life is up to 50% longer as a result. Danisco also produces MicroGARD fermentates derived from certified GMO-free dextrose for meat and bakery products, soups, sauces, and dressings. Both milk and dextrose fermentates are available in organic versions. Danisco
Deal gives Salmonella victims $12 million
2/08/2010-According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, about 120 victims of 2009’s Salmonella outbreak or their families—along with their attorneys—will split about $12 million as part of a settlement with the insurer of Peanut Corp. of America. The money doesn’t come from the bankrupt Peanut Corp. or the sale of its assets, including equipment and other property at the company’s now-infamous Blakely, Ga.-plant, where the Salmonella outbreak originated. Proceeds from the asset sales will go to Peanut Corp. creditors, say attorneys. The $12 million comes from an insurance policy that Lynchburg, Va.-based Peanut Corp. had with the Hartford insurance company. To be eligible, victims or their survivors had to file a claim by Oct. 31, 2009, as part of Peanut Corp.’s bankruptcy settlement. Victims will not get an equal share of the money. The size of the settlements will be determined based on losses; death cases will get the most.
The number of claimants—123 in all—was relatively small for the size of the outbreak. Nine people died and more than 700 were sickened at last count from eating peanuts and peanut paste traced to Peanut Corp. But the settlement with Hartford is likely only a start for many victims. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution article
Study reveals unprecedented number of Americans seeking food
2/08/2010-A study released from Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, reports that more than 37 million people, one in eight Americans—including 14 million children and nearly 3 million seniors—receive emergency food each year through the nation’s network of food banks and the agencies they serve. The findings represent a staggering 46% increase since the organization’s previously released study in 2006.Hunger in America 2010 is the first research study to capture the significant connection between the recent economic downturn and an increased need for emergency food assistance. The number of children and adults in need of food as a result of experiencing food insecurity has significantly increased. More than one in three client households are experiencing very low food security—or hunger—a 54% increase in the number of households compared to four years ago. An estimated 5.7 million people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other agency served by one of Feeding America’s more than 200 food banks. This is a 27% increase over numbers reported in Hunger in America 2006, which reported that 4.5 million people were served each week. “Clearly, the economic recession, resulting in dramatically increasing unemployment nationwide, has driven unprecedented, sharp increases in the need for emergency food assistance and enrollment in federal nutrition programs,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. “Hunger in America 2010 exposes the absolutely tragic reality of just how many people in our nation don’t have enough to eat. Millions our clients are families with children finding themselves in need of food assistance for the very first time.” Report
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Lack of visibility + product recall = perfect disaster
2/04/2010-The rising number of large-scale food recalls in recent years is not going unnoticed. Incidents such as the recent Italian sausage recall from Daniele International and the January 2009 peanut butter Salmonella outbreak are all stacking up, adding to the lack of consumer confidence, growing scrutiny from regulators, unprecedented demand for food from emerging nations, and increased demands for brand-protection assurance. In the latest ePerspective post, Jack Payne, Director of Solutions Consulting, CDC Software, explains how important it is for food processors to do their parts in protecting food by leveraging enterprise software to automate and integrate traceability across all steps in their supply chains. Considering the ever-growing regulatory pressures worldwide, greater consumer awareness, and the increased safety risks inherent in the extended global supply chain, having the right technology in place is no longer a luxury. It’s a strategic differentiator that is imperative for surviving and thriving today and in the years ahead.ePerspective
Campbell further reduces sodium in V8
2/04/2010-Campbell Soup Co. has announced a further sodium reduction to its original V8 100% vegetable juice, while still maintaining the same taste. The company will roll out original V8 100% vegetable juice with 420 mg of sodium per 8-oz glass—a 12% reduction and the second in the last three years. In addition, the popular Spicy Hot V8 variety has been reduced in sodium to 480 mg/serving, bringing the entire line of V8 beverages to meet the U.S. government-designated “healthy” criteria. “Our goal for V8 juices is to provide people with a variety of great tasting, healthy beverages that help them to get their vegetable servings,” said Dale Clemiss, VP, Beverage Marketing, V8 Beverages. “We are proud that now our entire line of V8 juices meets or in some cases even exceeds government standards for healthy foods, while still providing the taste that people know and love.” Sodium reduction is Campbell’s number one strategic priority. In the past four years, the company has quadrupled its number of lower sodium products in the marketplace from 25 in 2005 to 110. In addition to the entire line of V8 beverages, Campbell recently announced plans to reduce sodium in its line of SpaghettiOs pastas by 35%. The company has also lowered the sodium content in many Campbell’s soups, Prego sauces, and Pepperidge Farm breads. Press release
Restaurant performance index rises to highest level in 2 years
2/04/2010-Driven by improvements in both business performance and expectations for future business conditions, the National Restaurant Association’s comprehensive index of restaurant activity rose to its highest level in 22 months in December 2009. The Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI)—a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry—stood at 98.7 in December, up 0.9% from November and its strongest level in nearly two years. “The RPI’s strong gain in December was the result of broad-based improvements among several index components,” said Hudson Riehle, Senior Vice President of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. “Although restaurant operators continued to report a net decline in same-store sales and customer traffic, both registered their strongest performances since the summer of 2008.” “Along with a solid improvement among the current situation indicators, restaurant operators are increasingly optimistic about industry growth in the months ahead,” Riehle added. “More than a third of restaurant operators expect to their sales to improve in six months, the highest level in more than two years.” The RPI is based on the responses to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Tracking Survey, which is fielded monthly among restaurant operators nationwide on a variety of indicators including sales, traffic, labor, and capital expenditures. The RPI is constructed so that the health of the restaurant industry is measured in relation to a steady-state level of 100. Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are in a period of expansion, and index values below 100 represent a period of contraction for key industry indicators. Despite the solid improvement in December, the RPI remained below 100 for the 26th consecutive month. Report (pdf)
The Pepsi Bottling Group to acquire California bottler
2/04/2010-The Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. (PBG) has signed a letter of intent to acquire Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Yuba City Inc., a Pepsi-Cola franchised bottler based in northern California. The origins of the Yuba City-based company date back to 1944, when John Cary, Sr. purchased the local Pepsi-Cola franchise. It has been a successful family-owned and operated business ever since, with John Cary II serving as the company’s President since 1989. “Acquiring well-run independent bottlers continues to be an important part of our strategy to capitalize on geographic growth opportunities,” said PBG Chairman and CEO Eric Foss. “The Cary family has operated a terrific company for more than six decades. Their business, as well as their talented employees, will strengthen our organization. We look forward to building on their commitment to customer service and community involvement in the years to come.” PBG expects the transaction to be completed during the second quarter of 2010. Financial terms were not disclosed. This is the sixth in a series of deals that PBG has announced since the beginning of 2008 to expand the company’s U.S. footprint. Press release
Helpful yeast battles food-contaminating aflatoxin
2/04/2010-Pistachios, almonds, and other popular tree nuts might someday be routinely sprayed with a yeast called Pichia anomala. Laboratory and field studies by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Plant Physiologist Sui-Sheng (Sylvia) Hua have shown that the yeast competes successfully for nutrients—and space to grow—that might otherwise be used by an unwanted mold, Aspergillus flavus. A. flavus and some other Aspergillus species can produce troublesome toxins known collectively as aflatoxins. Hua has received a patent for use of the yeast as an eco-friendly way to protect tree nuts, as well as corn, from becoming contaminated with aflatoxins. Standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration help prevent sale of aflatoxin-contaminated food and feed. In tests conducted in a California pistachio orchard, Hua and colleagues found that spraying the trees with the yeast inhibited incidence of A. flavus in pistachios by up to 97%, compared to unsprayed trees. The yeast can also be sprayed on the harvested or stored crop instead of on trees before the harvest, according to Hua. Besides inhibiting the A. flavus fungus, the versatile yeast may also be effective in protecting other crops against any of at least half a dozen other species of microbes that can ruin a food’s taste, texture, yield, safety, or other attributes. Those microbes include, for example, Botrytis cinerea, which causes gray mold of table grapes. Press release
Public health in focus at USP international conference
2/04/2010-The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) will convene a meeting of its member organizations on April 21–24 in Washington, D.C. Member delegates and experts from around the world will gather to discuss pressing global and domestic public health issues. Known for its large international roster of scientific and regulatory experts, USP member delegates representing more than 400 member organizations meet every five years to set strategic direction. Adopting the theme “Advancing Health through Public Standards,” the Convention will address a wide range of topics, from the quality of manufactured medicines to improving access to quality medicines in the developing world. The scope of USP’s activities is reflected in a series of white papers developed to provide a basis for discussion at the Convention. Among the eminent speakers addressing the Convention is Peter Agre, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in chemistry and who now directs the Johns Hopkins’ Malaria Research Institute. One significant new addition to the 2010 Convention will be the inclusion of many international observers, underscoring the extent to which the drug and food industries—and USP itself—have become truly global. While observers are not voting members of the Convention, they contribute to policy discussions and reflect USP’s commitment to seek the perspectives of all those affected by its standards. In other Convention activities, a new Board of Trustees will be elected, as will a new Council of Experts—the chairs of the volunteer Expert Committees who, in conjunction with USP staff, create and revise USP standards. Resolutions will be debated and adopted, and important changes to USP bylaws are anticipated. To learn more about the Convention or to register, go to usp.org/meetings/convention/.
The Culinary Trust announces scholarship program
2/04/2010-The Culinary Trust, philanthropic partner of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, will accept scholarship applications for formal culinary education and independent study and research now through March 1, 2010. There are 24 scholarships available with a value of nearly $150,000 for the 2010–11 academic year. The scholarships offer an assortment of funding opportunities available for the educational pursuits of beginning and/or currently enrolled culinary students as well as long-time culinary professionals seeking funding for continuing education short-courses and/or conducting independent study and research.Scholarship selection is based on merit, foodservice work experience, culinary goals, skills, and references. In order to qualify: • Applicants to vocational, associates, or bachelors degree scholarships do not need to have foodservice experience unless required for admission to the program of study.
• Applicants to continuing education and advanced degree scholarships must have two years of foodservice or related industry experience.
• Applicants to vocational, associates, and bachelor’s degree and continuing education scholarships are required to submit a two-page essay (double-spaced) illustrating their culinary goals. Applicants to independent study scholarships will provide a three-page project proposal in place of the essay.
• Applicants, who have been students at any time during the five years prior to application, must have a 3.0 grade-point-average (GPA) or higher and provide a transcript.
• All applicants are required to submit two letters of professional reference on business or personal letterhead.
• Independent research scholarship applicants must submit a project proposal with a budget, tentative travel dates, and current resume.
• There is an application fee due upon receipt of application. The scholarships are valid from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 (unless otherwise noted in the 2010–11 Scholarship Program Listing) and applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2010. Applicants may visit The Culinary Trust’s Web site to download the 2010-2011 Scholarship Program Listing which provides complete details for all available awards, and the 2010-2011 Scholarship Application. Applications may also be received by contacting The Culinary Trust by mail at PO Box 273, New York, N.Y. 10013, by phone or fax at 646-224-6989, or by email at culinarytrust@mac.com.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Obama submits 2011 budget proposal for USDA, FDA
2/03/2010-President Obama has submitted his Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget proposal to Congress, suggesting that while the Administration will pursue many priorities, it will work to limit discretionary spending this year, and in years to come. In budget briefings Feb. 1, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said that there were three primary factors that directed the development of the USDA’s budget. First, he said that recognizing that families are struggling, the budget had to both provide for programs needed by families, such as strong funding for nutrition assistance programs, and had to make tough decisions regarding what other programs would have to be lower priorities this year. Secondly, the condition of rural America calls for a renewed effort for a “new economy” in rural areas. Fifty percent of rural counties have lost population since the 2000 census. Aging populations and fewer college educated young people remaining in rural areas has created a situation in which there are both higher poverty and higher unemployment rates in rural areas. Finally, the federal budget cannot sustain deficits of $1.6 trillion, so some reductions need to be made, and some programs need to be reassessed. USDA budget overview
The FY 2011 USDA budget request is for a total of $149 billion, an increase of $14 billion over FY 2010. Eighty percent of the USDA budget stems from mandatory programs including most nutrition assistance programs and farm support programs. In FY 2011, mandatory spending will increase to $123 billion, up from $108 billion in FY 2010. The Administration proposes that in FY 2011 discretionary spending will drop from $27 billion enacted in FY 2010 to $26 billion in FY 2011.
According to the USDA, 70% of all spending in FY 2011 will be for nutrition programs—primarily the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. The rest will be allotted as follows: 17% for Farm and Commodity Programs; 7% for Conservation and Forestry Programs; and the remaining 6% includes Rural Development, Research, Food Safety, and Marketing and Regulatory programs. The Strategic Goals presented within the budget request include:
• Help America promote agricultural production and biotechnology exports as America works to increase food security;
• Ensure that all of America’s children have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals;
• Assist rural communities to create prosperity so they are self-sustaining, repopulating, and economically thriving;
• Ensure that our national forests and private working lands are conserved, restored, and made more resilient to climate change, while enhancing our water resources. FDA budget overview
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a significant increase in food safety funding. The budget proposes increasing food safety efforts from $1.049 billion in FY 2010 to $1.368 billion in FY 2011. The FDA says its Transforming Food Safety Initiative will result in an increase of $318.3 million, and the hiring of 718 additional Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs); $79.8 million of this increase would come from appropriations. The balance would come from three new user fees: Food Registration and Inspection User Fee ($220.2 million); Reinspection Fee ($13.9 million); and an Export Certification Fee ($4.4 million). According to the FDA budget description, “FDA will set standards for safety, expand laboratory capacity, pilot track and trace technology, strengthen its import safety program, improve data collection and risk analysis, and begin to establish an integrated national food safety system with stronger inspection and response capacity.” Vilsack statement USDA budget summary (pdf) FDA press release
Cyvex Nutrition hires Hinkis as Technical Manager
2/03/2010-Cyvex Nutrition has announced the hiring of Sabrina Hinkis as Technical Manager. In this role, Hinkis is charged with various aspects of quality control, quality assurance, research and development of new products, and technical customer service initiatives. She comes to Cyvex with more than 10 years of research experience and a deep understanding of pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Processes (GMPs).“As technical manager, Sabrina will leverage her extensive knowledge of GMPs for the pharmaceutical industry and apply those stringent standards to quality control processes at Cyvex,” said Matt Phillips, President, Cyvex Nutrition. “We are continually striving to strengthen our manufacturing practices, and we feel that Sabrina’s expertise and experience will help us build upon our already rigorous quality assurance foundation.” Hinkis previously worked as Genetic Research Consultant at the Weizmann Institute, as well as a DNA Lab Manager at Sequana Therapeutics. She holds a Masters in Human Nutrition from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Bachelor of Science from the Hebrew University. She is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists. Press release
Public meeting to discuss Codex Committee on Food Additives
2/03/2010-The Office for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced a public meeting to discuss information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 42nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to be held in China, March 15–19, 2010. The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2010, 1–4 p.m., in the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building Auditorium (Room 1A003), FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), 5100 Paint Branch Highway, College Park, Md. Attendees are encouraged to register electronically at cfsan-ccfda@fda.hhs.gov by Feb. 4. Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged to expedite entry in the building and its parking area. Attendees that are unable to attend the meeting in-person, but wish to participate may do so by phone. They should request the call-in number and conference code when they register for the meeting. Comments may also be sent electronically to cfsan-ccfda@fda.hhs.gov. Agenda items and documents related to the 42nd Session of the CCFA may be accessed prior to the public meeting at http://www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp. Press release
Diet changes improve older adults' cholesterol too
2/03/2010-A study published in the Journal of Nutrition shows that older adults can cut their cholesterol levels by revamping their dietary fat intake—even if they are already on cholesterol-lowering statins.
There has been little research into how well older adults’ cholesterol and triglyceride levels respond to diet changes. In the new study, researchers looked at the effects of dietary fat changes among 903 Australian adults, ages 49+. The participants were followed for 10 years. At the outset, 5% were taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, usually a statin; a decade later, one-quarter were using drugs to control their cholesterol.The study found that people who managed to cut down on butter and saturated fats, in general, showed subsequent dips in their total cholesterol levels—regardless of whether they were on a statin. At the same time, “good” HDL cholesterol levels rose when study participants started eating more fish and omega-3 fatty acids. People who boosted their omega-3 from food also showed declining triglyceride levels. The researchers concluded that older adults can make a difference in their heart health by choosing good dietary fats. Abstract
Nestlé to invest $390 M in Mexico coffee plant
2/03/2010-Nestlé has announced it will invest 5 thousand million pesos (US$390 million) in Mexico over the next three years. The series of investments are aimed at strengthening Nestlé’s production capacity and infrastructure in Mexico. A major part of the 5 thousand million pesos will be invested in the Nescafé soluble coffee plant in Toluca (State of Mexico). Nestlé will increase the facility’s capacity by 40%, which will make it the biggest soluble coffee plant in the world. “2010 marks the 80th anniversary of Nestlé in Mexico,” said Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO. “Our presence in this important country includes 14 state of the art factories, over 6,000 employees, hundreds of local business partners, and a distribution network unparalleled in the industry. Our brands such as Abuelita, Nido, Carnation, and Nescafé are not only staples but part of important family traditions. Our continued investment in Mexico demonstrates our commitment to delighting Mexican consumers every day.” Thanks to the improvement of the flexible manufacturing capacity in its Toluca and Querétaro plants, Nestlé will be able to further customize its products to specific consumer needs such as Popularly Positioned Products (PPP) and out-of-home (OOH) formats. The company will also invest in cutting-edge technology to increase the nutritional value of its milk products such as Nido and Svelty. In addition, investment will be used to strengthen Mexico’s regional supply position in Latin America where it exports brands such as Nesquik, Coffee-Mate, and Maggi.
In line with Creating Shared Value, Nestlé’s way of doing business by not only creating value for its shareholders but also for society, the company will install a coffee waste boiler in its Toluca plant. This boiler will generate energy from the waste of the soluble coffee manufacturing process. Nestlé will also replace artificial lighting systems in the production and distribution areas with the efficient use of solar light. Press release
Studies provide insight into key oat chemical
2/03/2010-Studies conducted by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are helping to increase understanding about the environmental factors that regulate avenanthramide (Avn) production in oat grain.Avns, metabolites with potent antioxidant properties, are one reason oats have been widely touted for their many health benefits. The specific purpose of Avns inside the oat plant is still largely unknown, but previous studies have found an increased production of Avns in oat leaves when the plant is attacked by a fungus. This finding leads researchers to believe that Avns help oat plants fight off these fungi. Chemist Mitchell Wise with the ARS Cereal Crops Research Unit in Madison, Wis., teamed up with fellow Chemist Doug Doehlert with the ARS Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center in Fargo, N.D., to examine the correlation between disease pressure and Avn concentration in the oat grain. The scientists tested 16 oat cultivars and two breeding lines at three locations in North Dakota over a two-year period. They found that oat plants with the strongest crown rust resistance typically had the highest Avn concentrations in environments where crown rust occurred. They also found that Avn production is likely influenced by additional environmental factors, because not all cultivars with strong crown rust resistance produced high Avn concentrations. Still, according to Wise, the results suggest that oat breeders—taking into account crown rust pressure during growth—can select certain cultivars for enhanced production of Avns. Wise is also further researching the biosynthesis of Avns in the laboratory. He developed a suspension culture system from oat shoot tissue in which Avns are produced in response to a chemical that mimics fungal infection. This useful tool can be used for more detailed investigation into how certain Avns are produced. Details of this study can be found in the scientific journal Cereal Chemistry. Agricultural Research article Abstract
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Novus & IMG to launch new human nutrition division
2/02/2010-Novus International has chosen Integrated Marketing Group (IMG) to help create an identity for and formally launch Stratum Nutrition, Novus’ newly formed human nutrition division. IMG will help manage overall branding efforts, including logo development, strategic positioning, and creative development, as well as execute a targeted public relations campaign.As a global leader in animal agriculture health and nutrition, Novus International has been playing an active, albeit behind-the-scenes role in human nutrition since its inception in 1991. The company’s core competency is in creating science-based, nutritional solutions for the daily health and welfare concerns that farmers have for their animals. Drawing upon this nutritional solutions-based business approach, Novus is launching Stratum Nutrition, a dedicated human nutrition division that will include ingredients and technologies that can be directly utilized in supplements, beverages, and foods. “We look forward to working with Novus to introduce Stratum Nutrition to the industry, as well as collaborate on branding efforts for the company’s specialty ingredients,” said Jeff Hilton, IMG Co-founder and Partner. “Novus’ commitment to product innovation, clinical research, and intellectual property will greatly enhance Stratum Nutrition’s success in the human health market.” Novus International
BioVittoria receives GRAS status for Fruit-Sweetness
2/02/2010-BioVittoria, producer and processor of monk fruit (luo han guo), has received official notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that its Fruit-Sweetness branded monk fruit concentrate is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) as a sweetener and flavor enhancer. Fruit-Sweetness is the first natural zero-calorie fruit concentrate sweetener to be GRAS notified by the FDA. “Monk fruit has been a traditional food in South East Asia for hundreds of years, but the existing technology for cultivating and processing the fruit could not provide the volume, product consistency, and taste quality needed in a natural sweetener for the food and beverage industry,” said BioVittoria’s CEO David Thorrold. “BioVittoria has transformed the monk fruit industry through advances in plant varieties, seedling cultivation, growing methods, and fruit processing, creating the world’s only vertically integrated monk fruit supply chain.” The zero-calorie sweetness of monk fruit concentrate comes from naturally occurring compounds in the fruit that are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. This means that just a fourth of a gram of Fruit-Sweetness can replace eight teaspoons of sugar. “We have conducted extensive sensory profiling which shows Fruit-Sweetness possesses a clean taste profile without the off notes found in some natural sweeteners,” said Thorrold. “This testing has also shown cost and taste benefits for blending Fruit-Sweetness with other natural sweeteners such as rebaudioside A.” BioVittoria
Plant flavanoid may help prevent leukemia
2/02/2010-According to Reuters, a study published in Cell Death and Disease shows that eating foods like celery and parsley that contain the naturally occurring flavanoid apigenin may help prevent leukemia. Maikel Peppelenbosch of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands said tests showed that apigenin—a common component of fruit and vegetables—was able to halt the development of two kinds of cells in leukemia and cut their survival chances.The findings suggest apigenin could hold promise for preventing leukemia, Peppelenbosch said.
But he warned that his study had also found the compound has chemotherapy resistance properties, suggesting it might interfere with standard treatments for people already diagnosed with leukemia. “Apigenin might be a useful preventative agent for leukemia, but it should not be taken at the same time as chemotherapy for established disease as it could interfere with the positive effects of treatment,” Peppelenbosch wrote. Flavanoids are compounds with antioxidant properties that protect cells against damage by oxygen molecules. Previous studies have shown that apigenin, which is found in celery, parsley, red wine, tomato sauce, and other plant-based foods, may also be beneficial in protecting against ovarian cancer. Abstract Reuters article
Low-fat milk in schools reduces calories
2/02/2010-A study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) shows that substituting low-fat and fat-free milk for whole milk in schools can substantively reduce student consumption of calories and fat. According to the report, changes to the New York City department of education’s milk policy greatly reduced the amount of calories and fat available to public school students. “Due to the system-wide switch from whole to low-fat/fat-free milk in 2005, a milk-drinking student is exposed to 33 fewer calories and 3.4 fewer g of fat per school day, or almost 6,000 fewer calories and over 600 fewer g of fat annually,” the report said. Annual savings are larger for students who drink white milk—7,000 fewer calories and over 900 fewer g of fat—and school purchases of milk per student actually increased 1.3% after the switch. School milk policy changes are a viable way to reduce calorie/fat exposure without decreasing consumption of important vitamins and minerals, health officials say. MMWR article
Minute Maid to raise orange juice prices 6–9% in April
2/02/2010-According to The Wall Street Journal, Minute Maid plans to raise prices on its refrigerated orange juice products in North America by 6–9% in April due to higher costs after a freeze damaged Florida crops in early January. Minute Maid, a unit of Coca-Cola Co., is still evaluating the impact of the Florida freeze on the crop volume and yield, spokesman Ray Crockett said Jan. 28. But “they are expected to affect our orange costs for 2010,” he added. The price increase marks the first time since October 2006 that Minute Maid, one of the biggest juice makers in the U.S., will pass on an orange juice price increase to retailers. The news could indicate that crop damage is worse than originally thought, according to some market participants. Growers and state agriculture officials continue to survey their groves for fruit loss and damage to the trees. According to preliminary estimates from growers and analysts, the freeze will trim between 3 million and 7 million 90-lb boxes from the 2009–2010 Florida orange crops. Before the freeze, which brought the coldest temperatures to the state in at least two decades, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had projected the Florida orange crop at 135 million boxes, already the second smallest in a decade. Orange juice producers haven’t been raising prices in recent years as consumption has moderated and supplies have been running high. Amid that backdrop, the Minute Maid price increase took on even more significance. The Minute Maid price hike affects all Simply Orange and Minute Maid 100% orange juice products—the chilled segment of the fresh juice market. Frozen concentrated orange juice isn’t affected, because frozen juice comes from storage and isn’t immediately affected in the way that fresh juice is by the crop damage concerns. Crockett declined to comment on why the price increase won’t take effect until April. The Wall Street Journal article (subscription required) CNN Money article
Monday, February 01, 2010
Rhode Island firm expands recall of Italian sausage products
2/01/2010-Daniele International Inc., an establishment with operations in Pascoag and Mapleville, R.I., is expanding its January 23 recall to include approximately 17,235 lbs of ready-to-eat (RTE) varieties of Italian sausage products, including salami/salame, that may be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Jan. 31. The recall is being expanded as a result of a confirmed finding of Salmonella in an unopened salami product reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The product was sampled during the course of an ongoing investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo illnesses. The product tested was not included in the previous recall (FSIS Recall 006-2010) issued January 23, but is similar to products bought by customers who later became sick in the Montevideo investigation. Product subject to the expanded recall may have been cross-contaminated with black pepper before it was packed. The company believes that black pepper is a possible source of Salmonella contamination. Further testing is ongoing at a state health partner laboratory, and may determine if the product contained the Salmonella Montevideo strain associated with the multi-state outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FSIS, state health and agriculture departments, and Daniele International are cooperating in this investigation. The CDC has posted information about the multi-state outbreak on its Web site but the investigation is ongoing, and has not yet definitively identified a food vehicle(s). The products subject to recall include:
• Packages of “Daniele Hot Sopressata Calabrese,” produced on 11/7/09, 12/16/09, and 12/18/09.
• Packages of “Daniele Sopressata Calabrese,” produced on 12/16/09 and 12/18/09.
• Packages of “Boar’s Head brand Hot Sopressata Calabrese,” produced on 11/28/09, 12/9/09, and 12/14/09. Each package bears a label with establishment number “EST. 54” inside the USDA mark of inspection and weighs approximately 3–3.5 lbs. These products were distributed to retail establishments nationwide. Press release
ADM releases first corporate responsibility report
2/01/2010-Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) has made considerable progress in the areas of supply chain integrity, environmental stewardship, social investing, and safety since the company convened its Sustainability Steering Committee in 2007. Those achievements are now detailed in the company’s first corporate responsibility report (pdf). “Because ADM serves vital human needs for food and energy, our work is intimately tied to our social responsibility,” ADM Chairman, CEO, and President Patricia Woertz wrote in the report’s foreword. Noting that the document showcases ADM’s accomplishments in areas of greatest importance to stakeholders, she added, “We have made considerable progress … and there also remains a great deal of work ahead of us.” The report provides an overview of “Doing It Right,” an initiative designed to help Brazilian soy farmers increase their yields in environmentally sound and socially responsible ways. It also offers an update on the company’s holistic cocoa sustainability programs, which focus not just on improving crop quality and production volumes, but also on the health and well-being of farm laborers, their families, and growing communities in Western Africa. Since 2005, more than 12,000 cocoa farmers in the region have participated in the ADM’s Socially and Environmentally Responsible Agricultural Practices (SERAP) program. In addition, the report notes the company’s progress toward the goals of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other substances at U.S. plants and in trucking operations, conserving water at processing facilities, and standardizing energy metrics across different company operating divisions. “In 2010 and beyond, we will focus on advancing our ability to track companywide water and energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. We will also establish performance goals and timetables for reducing our resource usage and emissions per unit of production,” said Woertz. “We recognize that these are matters of considerable interest to a broad range of stakeholders, and we are committed to instituting metrics that will enable us to gauge our progress and further improve our environmental footprint over time.” Press release Report (pdf)
Retailers, manufacturers join forces to drive global change in sustainable packaging
2/01/2010-In an ongoing effort to drive global change in packaging, leaders from many of the world’s largest consumer goods companies and major retailers have approved a suggested set of common definitions and principles for packaging in the framework of sustainability. This common language will support a global discourse on packaging in the context of environmental, economic, and social impacts.An assembly of The Consumer Goods Forum’s (The Forum) Global Packaging Project (GPP) met in Toronto, Canada on Jan. 19–20, to establish a common industry language for packaging and sustainability and to outline final terms for the launch of pilot projects. “Sustainability is a shared responsibility,” said Roger Zellner, GPP Co-Chair and Director, Sustainability, Research, Development & Quality, Kraft Foods. “By creating a common language and identifying shared global industry metrics, this initiative will enable manufacturers and retailers to work together to develop packaging solutions to help achieve agreed sustainability goals.” Collectively, there was recognition that inconsistent measures between different players in the packaged goods supply chain intended to improve packaging’s contribution to sustainable development risked leading to unnecessary complexity, added cost, and suboptimal environmental, economic, and social results. The next phase of the project is to validate the output of the project, the principles for packaging and sustainability, and a set of agreed indicators and metrics, within real business situations. Pilots will take place over a six-month testing stage. The Forum is targeting approval of the final report and deliverables in November 2010. The definitions and principles adopted by the GPP reflect the guidelines on packaging and sustainability produced by ECR Europe and EUROPEN, the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment. The metrics to be tested are adapted from those developed and recently released by the U.S. Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). The Global Packaging Project of the Consumer Goods Forum is jointly chaired by Roger Zellner, Kraft Foods and Sonia Raja, Tesco. Participating companies include a wide range of retailers and consumer goods manufacturers. The GPP is supported by packaging manufacturers, industry, and trade associations from Europe and North America and a number of academic institutions. Press release (pdf)
Target eliminates farmed salmon from all Target stores
2/01/2010-Target has announced that it has eliminated all farmed salmon from its fresh, frozen, and smoked seafood offerings in U.S. Target stores. This announcement includes Target-owned brands—Archer Farms and Market Pantry—and national brands. All salmon sold under Target-owned brands will now be wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Additionally, sushi featuring farm-raised salmon will complete its transition to wild-caught salmon by the end of 2010. In consultation with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Target is taking this important step to ensure that its salmon offerings are sourced in a sustainable way that helps to preserve abundance, species health, and doesn’t harm local habitats. Wild-caught salmon from Alaska is considered a “Best Choice” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and is certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Alaskan salmon is among the most intensively managed species in the world, with excellent monitoring of both the fish populations and the fishery.
“Target strives to be a responsible steward of the environment, while also providing our guests with the highest-quality food choices,” said Greg Duppler, Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Target. “Our guests now have an array of sustainable seafood choices at great prices.” Press release
USDA genetic analysis helps spot sugarcane rusts
2/01/2010-USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have analyzed rust fungi from more than 160 sugarcane samples from 25 countries to provide a valuable resource for plant breeders and pathologists who are searching for genetic resistance to the deadly orange and brown rusts. These diseases are a major concern for the sugarcane industry, so correctly diagnosing which rust is present is key, according to Lisa Castlebury, a mycologist at the ARS Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. Accurately distinguishing rust isolates by appearance alone is difficult, since their form and structure are very similar. The rust known as “orange rust,” different from the standard “brown rust” that is common in U.S. sugarcane production, was found in Florida in 2007. With orange rust, a minimum of three fungicide applications are needed to still achieve acceptable yields, and those applications cost growers an estimated $40 million annually in Florida, the only U.S. cane-producing state that has this rust so far. The team genetically analyzed and compared DNA sequences from sugarcane rust fungi. In the study, now in its third year, samples have been also been analyzed with light microscopy to spot the subtle differences between the two rusts. The results of the scientific team’s genetic sequences have been added to GenBank, the National Institutes of Health’s genetic sequence database, for use by plant pathologists and plant breeders. Press release
Friday, January 29, 2010
Canadians’ food supply unsafe, CMAJ report says
1/29/2010-According to The Globe and Mail, an analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) warns that Canada’s food-safety system is broken, despite a massive independent investigation launched by the federal government in the wake of a deadly listeriosis outbreak.The federal government launched an independent investigation after a major outbreak of listeriosis linked to a Maple Leaf Foods plant in 2008 killed 22 Canadians and caused many illnesses. It wrapped up last summer with dozens of recommendations that the government has pledged to adopt, such as requiring manufacturers to inform authorities of potential health threats and beefing up emergency preparedness. Various government departments have also issued reports on the listeriosis outbreak, and a Parliamentary committee has studied the issue and issued two reports. However according to lead researcher Rick Holley, Professor of Food Safety and Food Microbiology in the Department of Food Science at the University of Manitoba, the problem is the investigations asked the wrong questions. Officials looked only at the systems in place and how they could be improved, instead of examining the foundation of Canada’s food safety system and asking whether it works. One of the biggest weaknesses Holley identified is Canada’s inadequate surveillance of foodborne illness. Although the government tracks reported cases of food- and waterborne illnesses, the data is basically collected in a large file folder—it’s there, but it’s difficult to make much sense of it, Holley said. It’s a key problem because the lack of surveillance means health officials are always in the position of reacting to an outbreak, rather than identifying potential problems in advance by monitoring cases that pop up across the country, Holley said. The problem is compounded by the fact that each province is in charge of food surveillance, which has created a fragmented system. “I think we’ve gone down a really dangerous route,” said Michael McBane, National Coordinator of the Canadian Health Coalition. “We’ve replaced a culture of safety with a culture of risk. We’ve replaced proactive regulation with industrial self-regulation. We’ve replaced active inspections with paper inspections.” Holley said that countries that have invested in advanced surveillance systems, such as Denmark, are able to track cases of foodborne illness and the foods they’re associated with, allowing them to approach manufacturers to make improvements before a full-blown outbreak occurs. But food surveillance is a complicated science that would require a significant amount of field work to collect samples from peoples’ homes as well as an expensive new computer system, Holley said. The government has to be willing to make the investment needed in order for any real improvements to be made, he said. “I don’t want them to spend another penny on food safety in Canada until we figure out what it is that’s making us sick so they can manage it properly,” Holley said. “Otherwise, it’s a big waste of money and we can’t afford that.” The Globe and Mail article Purchase CMAJ article
B&D Nutritional, Unique BIOTECH sign distribution pact
1/29/2010-B&D Nutritional Ingredients Inc. has announced a strategic distribution agreement with Unique BIOTECH USA. Under the agreement, B&D Nutritional Ingredients will promote and distribute Unique IS-2, a highly stable probiotic that can be used in a broad range of applications to meet the needs of functional foods and dietary supplements.“Our partnership with Unique BIOTECH strengthens our raw-material portfolio. Unique IS-2 adds true business value and has strong synergy with the other product lines that we distribute,” said Rob Carlstrom, Vice President, New Business Development at B&D Nutritional Ingredients. “Unique BIOTECH’s proven product will enable us to address the stability concerns currently in the marketplace. With Unique BIOTECH’s expertise in manufacturing, this partnership is a natural alliance that will benefit operations nationally.” “Unique IS-2 is a powerful proprietary form of the revolutionary Bacillus coagulans strain of bacteria, which provides enormous health benefits with no known toxic side effects,” said Jairo Escobar, Unique BIOTECH USA President. “Bacillus coagulans has been proven effective in relieving a variety of digestive disorders, including flatulence, diarrhea, dyspepsia, lactose intolerance, and constipation. It has also been shown to play an important role in cholesterol metabolism, due to its ability to convert cholesterol into a less absorbable form (coprostanol), thus hampering its absorption in the intestinal tract. In addition, it has positive effects on supporting the immune system.” B&D Nutritional Ingredients
Wild Blueberries named one of America’s healthiest superfoods for women
1/29/2010-Health magazine has named Wild Blueberries high on its list of “America’s Healthiest Superfoods for Women.” The article calls out Wild Blueberries’ variety of potential health benefits, including preventing memory loss, improving motor skills, lowering blood pressure, and fighting wrinkles.“If berries are nutritional treasures, Wild Blueberries are the crown jewels … truly one of nature’s ultimate antiaging foods,” according to the feature, which gave Wild Blueberries the #2 slot on its Superfoods list. A native North American berry, Wild Blueberries grow naturally in Maine and Canada. The state of Maine is by far the top producer in the world, growing over 90 million lbs in recent years. Wild Blueberries—as opposed to their cultivated counterpart—have been found to have a higher level of antioxidants than most other fruits by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture research findings and by publications such as the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. A growing number of headlines over the past few years have drawn attention to the many benefits of Wild Blueberries’ high antioxidant value. One such national example is AARP The Magazine’s “Healing Foods” feature, which reported that when Tufts University researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging reviewed disease-fighting antioxidant activity of 40 fruits and vegetables, Wild Blueberries beat the pack by a wide margin. Study results indicated that the benefits of eating just one serving of Wild Blueberries equaled those of eating two to three servings of other fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, apples, and broccoli. Press release
N.J. firm recalls instant noodle products imported from an unapproved source
1/29/2010-Well Luck Co., Inc., Jersey City, N.J., is recalling approximately 50,000 lbs of instant noodle products that were ineligible for import to the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) announced Jan. 27. Well Luck Co. is recalling the instant noodle products because they do not meet product inspection or exemption requirements for poultry, beef, and pork. The foreign inspection system of the country where the beef, poultry, and pork ingredients originated, China, has not been deemed to be equivalent as required by federal regulations. The problem was discovered after the FSIS identified the products in the marketplace. The instant noodle products were distributed to retail establishments nationwide. FSIS has received no reports of illness as a result of consuming these products. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. Press release
Pepper may be culprit in U.S. Salmonella outbreak
1/29/2010-The Rhode Island Department of Health announced Jan. 28 that ground black pepper samples from an open container at Daniele Inc. has tested positive for Salmonella. Further lab testing also shows that the ground pepper contains the same strain of Salmonella that is associated with a U.S. outbreak. This brand of ground pepper was only distributed to Daniele Inc. in Rhode Island.Because the sample was from an open container of ground pepper, it is considered to be probable as the source of the outbreak. Additional samples of ground pepper from closed containers at Daneile Inc., the distributor and the importer are being tested by Rhode Island Dept. of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No additional items have been added to the recall list because of this finding. The Rhode Island Dept. of Health continues to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and Daniele Inc. to confirm the source of the outbreak. All of the recalled salami and deli meat products will have “EST. 54” or “EST. 9992” inside of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seal. Press release CDC info on outbreak
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Senate bill would create new nanotech safety program at FDA
1/28/2010-On Jan. 21, 2010, Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced the “Nanotechnology Safety Act of 2010” (S. 2942), a bill which would create a new nanotechnology program within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish within the FDA a program on “the health and safety implications of nanotechnology in everyday products and develop[s] best practices for companies who employ nanotechnology.” Specifically, the bill calls for “a program for the scientific investigation of nanoscale materials included or intended for inclusion in FDA-regulated products, to address the potential toxicology of such materials, the effects of such materials on biological systems, and interaction of such materials with biological systems.” The program would be led by a program manager and would be required to develop a detailed strategic plan. The FDA would be required to report to Congress on the work of the program no later than March 1, 2012 and March 1, 2014. The bill would authorize the appropriation of $25 million per fiscal year, for fiscal years 2011–2015, to the FDA to fund the program. At present, the FDA receives no funding for nanotechnology-specific research, analysis, or other purposes. In introducing the bill, Senators Pryor and Cardin noted that the FDA already has two facilities that they believe are appropriate for nanotech research and testing—the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) facility in Jefferson, Ark., and NCTR’s headquarters in White Oak, Md. Senators Pryor and Cardin represent the states in which these facilities are located. S. 2942 Press Release
Frost & Sullivan awards Frutarom for weight management product line
1/28/2010-Global flavor and fine ingredients company Frutarom has been selected by Frost & Sullivan as the recipient of the “2009 Global Weight Management Ingredients Product Line Strategy Award.” The award recognizes Frutarom’s accomplishments in this market segment. With its scientifically-backed product line based on natural extracts with different modes of action, the company has shown that it is responsive to market needs and dynamics. In the autumn of 2009, Frutarom grouped several of these ingredients together in a Slimming Campaign which is designed to offer a structured choice of weight management ingredients. It explains to product developers and marketers the significance of and differences in slimming mechanisms (i.e., reduction of food intake, reduction of food absorption, and enhanced metabolism), and the skill of combining ingredients for best effects. The campaign features (among others) branded proprietary ingredients such as extracted fenugreek galactomannans (FenuLife), green mate leaf extract (Finomate), and a purslane herb extract (Portusana). It also includes other ingredients derived via specialist technology from plant extracts such as green coffee bean extract, apple extracts, and brown seaweed extract. Frutarom
Graeme joins FFS
1/28/2010-Flavor & Fragrance Specialties (FFS) has announced the addition of Stephen Graeme as Senior Account Executive. Prior to joining FFS, Graeme had extensive experience in the flavor and food ingredient industries in management at companies such as FONA International; Flavors & Fragrances, Inc; Firmenich, Inc; Wild Flavors, Inc; and more recently his own consulting business. In his role as Senior Account Executive, Graeme will be responsible for managing accounts and business development strategies. Graeme is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists.FFS
Mintel: Convenience still top order for younger diners
1/28/2010-Restaurants and foodservice establishments serving up convenience are poised to do well in this post-recession economy. A new report from Mintel suggests that although value has become the mantra of many contemporary diners, convenience still resonates with the out-to-eat crowd, especially those under age 34.Over half of younger adults rank a restaurant’s proximity to their workplace as very important/important when selecting where to dine (62% of 25–34s and 55% of 18–24s, versus 41% of all respondents). The ability to order online ahead of time is also essential to young, time-strapped consumers (31% of 25–34s and 24% of 18–24s, versus 19% overall). The younger adults also rank extended hours (i.e., late-night) and speed of service highly in their restaurant selection processes. “Though value remains important to diners in this economy, our survey reveals convenience may be equally as important. Young adults and young families, especially, are pressed for time, making restaurants an easy and often necessary solution for meals. As foodservice establishments struggle for revenue, improving convenience may help them get diners in the door,” said Chris Haack, Senior Analyst at Mintel. While 43% of respondents told Mintel they’ve cut spending on delivery and takeout this year, approximately one in six 18 to 34 year-olds say they’re spending more on these convenient services compared to 2008. In the past three months, 18–34s were twice as likely as the general population to have ordered delivery. Approximately 30% of them picked up food from a restaurant, compared to 20% of all respondents. Restaurants make mealtime easier, especially for 25 to 34 year-olds, many of whom work full-time or have young children. Nearly half (49%) say they dine at casual restaurants because they’re too tired to cook, while 40% do so because they have no time to prepare a meal. (This compares to 40% and 30% of all respondents, respectively.) But special occasions, food quality, and socialization remain top reasons that younger adults go to restaurants. “Restaurant usage is truly integrated into the lifestyles of adults under age 34. Many people value the fact that they can get quality food with minimal effort at a restaurant. As a bonus, they can spend that meal time with friends or family,” said Chris Haack. Press release
Blommer announces additions, promotions
1/28/2010-Blommer Chocolate Co. has announced that Shane Benedict has joined the company as Corporate Director Research and Development. Benedict will be located in East Greenville, Pa., and have company-wide responsibility for the Research & Development as well as Quality Assurance functions. In addition, the company has announced that Marlene Stauffer has been promoted to the position of Director, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance. In this expanded role, Stauffer will provide corporate guidance and recommendations to senior management, quality assurance, and research & development teams on regulatory issues affecting food-related industries. Stauffer is a Professional Member of the Institute of Food Technologists. Blommer Chocolate Co.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Food & drink product launches decline during 2009 recession
1/27/2010-The economic slump paid its toll on U.S. food and drink manufacturers in 2009, according to a recent review of Mintel’s Global New Product Database (GNPD). Food and drink product launches show a substantial decline of nearly 30% from 2008.“In the last decade, Mintel GNPD has only tracked occasional, small declines in new product introductions for the U.S. market, never a decline as strong as this,” said Lynn Dornblaser, Leading New Product Expert at Mintel. “We see that a number of small companies, which typically introduce a wide range of products, have been stopping or slowing their introductions due to the economy. Additionally, some categories have simply become so over-saturated that there is little room for new products.” Despite this declining trend, there are some categories and claims that found a hidden niche in which to excel. Ethical and environmental claims increased from 9% of all product launches in 2008 to 17% in 2009. Specifically in this category, the environmentally friendly packaging claim nearly tripled, growing from 3% of all products launched in 2008 to 9% in 2009. “The increase in ethical and environmental claims is less about companies introducing new products or changing their packaging and more about manufacturers communicating with their consumers and knowing what’s important to the people who purchase their products,” said Dornblaser. Meanwhile, in clear correlation with the recession, products boasting an economy claim have increased by 72% from 2008 to 2009.*
In addition, side dishes was one of the few categories of food and drink that saw an increase in 2009, with 16% more launches than in 2008.* This increase is most likely due to more people eating in and the introduction of products that offer convenient solutions, such as vegetable steam bags. Still, most categories saw decreases due to the down economy, said Dornblaser: “Natural and organic products, which saw large increases in 2008, took a few steps back in 2009 due to their higher price points.” Food and drink introductions with an all-natural claim decreased from 15% of all launches in 2008 to 13% in 2009. The organic claim, showed a similar decline of 12% to 10% in the same timeframe. *These numbers are based on a percentage difference from 2008 to 2009, not based on a percentage of total launches. Press release
More melamine-tainted milk products found in China
1/27/2010-According to the Associated Press, melamine-tainted dairy products dating from early 2009 were taken off convenience store shelves in southern China after health inspectors tested them and found melamine, said Ling Hu, a Guizhou provincial government spokeswoman. Tainted products from three companies—Shandong Zibo Lusaier Dairy, Liaoning Tieling Wuzhou Food, and Laoting Kaida Refrigeration—were discovered in more than a dozen convenience stores around the province, Ling said. The announcement calls into question the effectiveness of a crackdown launched by Chinese officials to improve product safety after a number of scandals, including the contamination of baby formula in 2008 and the recent discovery of the toxic metal cadmium in cheap jewelry. Laoting Kaida Refrigeration was among companies named in the original melamine scandal in 2008, when six children died and 300,000 were sickened after drinking baby formula with melamine, used in the manufacture of plastics and fertilizer. The official China Daily newspaper quoted Wang Dingmian, former Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Dairy Association, as saying tainted milk products recalled at the time somehow made their way back onto the market. He said the latest discoveries of contaminated dairy exposed weak government regulation. Melamine, which can cause kidney stones and kidney failure, was added to watered-down milk to fool inspectors testing for protein and stretch profits. Dozens of officials, dairy executives, and farmers were punished. Since the scandal broke, China vowed to implement stricter safety measures and step up inspections on the dairy industry. Ling said health officials have continued to target distributors who sell melamine-tainted milk to stores, but some distributors, wrongly assuming the government scaled back its crackdown, continue to sell it. Ling said distributors arrested for selling tainted milk likely led authorities to the convenience stores where the contaminated product was found. She had no other details and said the investigation was still under way. Earlier this month, government officials said the Shanghai Panda Dairy Co. had been under a secret investigation for nearly a year before announcing it produced melamine-tainted milk. AP article
Obama to nominate Hagen as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety
1/27/2010-President Obama has announced his intent to nominate Elisabeth Hagen as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety. Hagen will serve with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “There is no more fundamental function of government than protecting consumers from harm, which is why food safety is one of USDA’s top priorities,” said Vilsack. “We can and must do a better job of ensuring the safety of meat and poultry products regulated by USDA, and Hagen brings the background, skills, and vision to lead USDA’s efforts to make sure that Americans have access to a safe and healthy food supply.”
The Food Safety mission of USDA includes the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is the public health agency in the USDA responsible for ensuring that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. Elisabeth Hagen is currently the USDA’s Chief Medical Officer, serving as an advisor to USDA mission areas on a wide range of human health issues. Prior to her current post, she was a Senior Executive at FSIS, where she played a key role in developing and executing the agency’s scientific and public health agendas. She has been instrumental in building relationships and fostering coordination with food safety and public health partners at the federal, state, and local level. Press release
Microwave Science partners with Diamond Foods
1/27/2010-Microwave Science JV LLC has partnered with Diamond Foods Inc. and its Pop Secret line of popcorn. The partnership involves Microwave Science’s patented microwave oven technology, TrueCookPlus, available in a variety of Pop Secret products. TrueCookPlus is the microwave oven software that adjusts heating based on a short numeric code, which will soon be found on Pop Secret packages throughout the country. The partnership was announced today by Andrew Burke, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Diamond Foods Inc., and Robert Schaffel, CEO of Microwave Science JV LLC. As part of the deal with Diamond Foods Inc., TrueCookPlus codes will now be found on 13 different varieties of Pop Secret popcorn packaging throughout the country, including 100 Calorie Snack Bags, Butter, Butter 94% Fat Free, Homestyle, Extra Butter, Kettle Corn, and Movie Theater Butter. When consumers punch in the TrueCookPlus code into their TrueCookPlus-enhanced microwave ovens, their popcorn will cook evenly, eliminating concerns about burning and reducing the number of unpopped kernels. “We continue to look for innovation to enable a better consumer microwave popcorn experience and TrueCookPlus delivers genuine differentiation,” said Burke. “Even in its initial phase, consumers have responded to the TrueCookPlus logo and codes on our packaging, and we are pleased with the simple solution that it provides.” Diamond Foods
Ecolab develops fat-cleaning solution for food processing plants
1/27/2010-Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minn., has announced it has developed Exelerate ZTF, a breakthrough cleaning program to help food manufacturers address the growing problem with cleaning zero trans fat food oil residue from processing equipment and environmental surfaces. The patent-pending program cut the cleaning time in half during initial testing and is the first product of its kind to address the emerging issue of cleaning difficult zero trans fat oil versus traditional oils for food manufacturers. “As the use of zero trans fat oils has rapidly increased, removal of cooked-on oil from processing equipment has proven to be a time-consuming and difficult challenge for food processors,” said Timothy P. Mulhere, Ecolab’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, Food & Beverage North America. “Ecolab developed Exelerate ZTF as part of our ongoing effort to deliver the solutions food processors need to produce safer, high-quality products and measurably improve operational efficiency.” Processing food with zero trans fat oils has created the unexpected consequence of coating processing equipment and environmental surfaces with stubborn soils as the oil breaks down during the frying and baking process. Food processors are discovering that equipment and surfaces which come into contact with the zero trans fat oils—or the oil mist from the cooking process—become covered with a sticky, varnish-like coating. These soils are very difficult to clean using traditional methods and can pose both food safety and worker safety issues due to slippery, sticky surfaces and their potential as a fire hazard. Exelerate ZTF breaks down difficult polymerized oil soils on fryers, ovens, mixers, and other plant surfaces, enabling them to be cleaned more thoroughly. The gelled product application clings to equipment and surfaces to dissolve zero trans fat soils, making it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas, including fryer hood vents, walls, ceilings, and plant catwalks. Press release
BI Nutraceuticals’ facility receives ‘excellent’ rating from food safety auditor
1/27/2010-BI Nutraceuticals’ Long Beach, Calif. facility was recently awarded an “excellent” rating during a food safety audit conducted by AIB International, a food industry auditing organization. This rating is based on a third-party assessment of BI’s company policies, documentation practices and operations, as well as a thorough inspection of the physical condition of the grounds, buildings, production, and storage areas.“Our excellent AIB rating demonstrates BI’s commitment to providing ingredients of the highest quality and safety to customers in the food and beverage industries,” said Walter Postelwait, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, BI Nutraceuticals. “BI offers more than 200 GRAS ingredients that can be used in a wide variety of food and beverage applications, and AIB’s recognition of our stringent manufacturing practices and overall operations gives customers increased confidence when they fortify their products with our ingredients.” BI Nutraceuticals
Burcon receives notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
1/27/2010-Burcon NutraScience Corp. has announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering processes for reducing phytic acid in the production of protein isolates from oilseed meals. A notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is a written notification that a patent application has cleared internal review and is nearing issuance.Phytic acid is a naturally occurring anti-nutritional component found in oilseed meals such as canola meal and soybean meal. There is concern that, due to the strong cation binding capacity, high levels of phytic acid in the diet may decrease the bioavailability of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, and thus impact mineral nutrition (Anderson et al. 1976; Jones, 1979; Larsen & Samdstrom, 1992; Weaver & Kannan, 2002). Phytates may also form complexes with proteins, interfering with their utilization (Hidvegi & Lasztity, 2002). For these reasons, Burcon conducted research into methods for reducing the level of phytate in the vegetable protein isolates produced from Burcon’s protein extraction processes. The notice of allowance now received from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covers those processes. “These patented processing techniques allow for Burcon’s CLARISOY, a soy protein isolate, as well as Puratein and Supertein canola protein isolates to have a superior nutritional profile which opens up opportunities for their use in a wider spectrum of nutritional products and in additional food and beverage applications,” said Johann F. Tergesen, Burcon President and Chief Operating Officer. Press release (pdf)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Joe Blommer dies at 67
1/25/2010-Blommer Chocolate Co. has announced that Joe Blommer, President and CEO, died Jan. 20, 2010, at his home in River Hill, Wis., of brain cancer. Joseph W. Blommer was born April 10, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wis. In a career spanning more than 35 years, Blommer helped lead the family owned and run company through a period of sustained growth and change. Today, Blommer Chocolate Co. is North America’s largest cocoa bean processor and ingredient chocolate products company, with a reputation for outstanding customer service and quality. Blommer first joined the company founded by his father and uncles following graduation from Georgetown University in 1964. He left after several years to pursue an investment sales career at Smith Barney in Milwaukee, Wis., returning to Blommer Chocolate Company in 1976. Among his many accomplishments, Blommer was responsible for construction of the company’s East Greenville, Pa. plant in 1980. The first chocolate factory to be built in the U.S. in many years, the new facility was a significant and successful investment in bringing high-tech manufacturing closer to Blommer’s largest customers. Along with his brother Henry Blommer, he helped the company navigate through a takeover attempt by Cargill Inc. in 1992 and a subsequent return to sole family control in 1995. Under his leadership, the company delivered an enviable record of sustained, profitable growth, becoming one of the largest cocoa processors in the world. “My dad was such a special man,” said Rick Blommer. “He loved his job. He loved making chocolate. Everyone who knew him, both in our company and in our industry, held him in such high regard. He had an incredibly entrepreneurial mind. He could see his way through any problem we faced and always seemed to know the right thing to do. All of us at Blommer will miss him.” Bloomer Chocolate Co.
Danisco, Arla Foods contribute to research to produce oligosaccharides
1/25/2010-The Danish Council for Strategic Research has granted DKK 20 million (approximately $3.8 million) to university scientists for a project aimed at developing ways to produce an ingredient naturally present in human breast milk, namely oligosaccharides. These complex sugars are present in breast milk at relatively high concentrations and help protect the infant from infections and diarrhea. Danisco and Arla Foods are industrial partners in the project and will contribute to the research program.
“This research aims to develop an enzymatic process to produce some of the key oligosaccharides naturally present in human breast milk. It’s a major challenge technically, but it is also a significant opportunity,” said Andrew Morgan, Chief Scientific Officer at Danisco. Jørn Dalgaard Mikkelsen, Professor at Technical University of Denmark (DTU), heads up the research and coordinates efforts between DTU, Danisco, Arla Foods, the University of Southern Denmark, University of Copenhagen (KU Life), and University of Reading. Explaining the technological principles behind the findings, Jørn Dalgaard Mikkelsen said: “Some of the substances in breast milk are oligosaccharides which are believed to be prebiotic, i.e., they ‘nourish’ the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal system and prevent harmful bacteria from establishing themselves. There are thousands of oligosaccharide structures present in human breast milk and we need to determine which are the most effective. We plan to develop a way to produce these oligosaccharides using an enzymatic process that will convert certain kinds of food materials into the desired products.’ Danisco is well positioned to leverage its technology platforms in health & nutrition, enzymes, and separation in support of developing a sustainable “green” process for the production of this new kind of ingredient for infant formula. Arla Foods manufactures and sells infant formula in Central America and Asia under the Milex brand. Therefore this project is focusing directly on a key research area. Press release
Cutting back salt intake may drastically lower U.S. heart disease numbers
1/25/2010-A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that cutting salt intake by just 3 g a day—the equivalent of half a teaspoon—could dramatically cut the incidence of heart disease and death in U.S. adults. The researchers, from the University of California, San Francisco, fed previously published data on heart disease in U.S. adults aged 35 to 84 into a computer model. The model then predicted that the reduction of 3 g of salt a day would cut the number of new cases of coronary heart disease each year by 60,000–120,000; stroke by 32,000–66,000 cases; and heart attacks by 54,000–99,000. The annual number of deaths from any cause would be reduced by 44,000–92,000. Limiting salt intake would be good for the fiscal diet as well, saving an estimated $10–$24 billion in health care costs yearly, the paper found.But if Americans cut even a mere 1 g of salt from their meals and snacks every day, the effects would still be great, the authors stated: 20,000–40,000 fewer cases of coronary heart disease; 18,000–35,000 fewer heart attacks; 11,000–23,000 fewer strokes; and 15,000–32,000 fewer deaths. Given that so much sodium comes from processed food, the authors urged a public health initiative to curb consumption. Abstract
USDA report shows Chinese spending on food surges
1/25/2010-The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA-FAS) has released a report that shows that in the four years ending in 2008, urban Chinese consumers increased their spending on food by an average of 17% per year. This is significantly faster than the impressive increase in the size of China’s economy. The excellent quality and safety reputation of American food products has allowed U.S. exporters to benefit from this growth. While the Chinese economy slowed recently, it is still growing faster than any other major economy. This fact, and the Chinese customers taste for quality products, makes the Chinese market very attractive to many U.S. producers of food products. Report (pdf)
Study on economic adulteration provides recommendations to the food industry
1/25/2010-A new study released by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and A.T. Kearney titled “Consumer Product Fraud—Detection and Deterrence: Strengthening Collaboration to Advance Brand Integrity and Product Safety,” uncovers motivational drivers for economic adulteration and the structural weaknesses at both the industry and governmental levels that have inadvertently created opportunities for economic adulteration to thrive. The study concludes that a fundamental change in the way industry and governments respond to product fraud and ensure product safety is critical to minimize risk and protect consumers. The melamine incident was a trigger point that illustrated how economic adulteration could have both safety and economic implications. With a $10 billion price tag, 290,000 consumers affected around the world, and at least six fatalities in China, this incident proved that economic fraud could have global market consequences that impact consumers, companies, industries, and countries. The study provides specific direction for industry, companies, governments, suppliers, and retailers. It recommends that companies continue to “raise the bar” on their product safety and quality programs by further integrating anti-fraud strategies. In addition, the industry, including retailers and suppliers, must take collaboration to the next level in safety and quality by implementing a clearing house model and developing a shared library of ingredient reference samples. Retailers should partner with reputable suppliers and manufacturers that utilize the highest standards in deterrence and detection programs while verifying the authenticity of the products they receive. Suppliers should implement similar strategies as manufacturers while also considering ways to facilitate appropriate testing procedures, provide increased transparency, and partner with manufacturers in their effort to reduce fraud. Globally, governments can be facilitators in establishing global standards and sharing intelligence on emerging threats and can protect legitimate businesses through the enforcement of property rights. The study findings are based on approximately 100 interviews with senior managers in the food, beverage and consumer product industry, 50 responses to an industry-wide survey, a 150-incident repository, and A.T. Kearney research and expertise. Study (pdf)
Friday, January 22, 2010
N.Y. Governor Paterson’s proposed budget seeks non-diet soda tax
1/22/2010-According to Reuters, New York Governor David Paterson on Jan. 19 proposed a budget of nearly $136 billion for fiscal 2011, which includes a $465 million excise tax on the syrup that sweetens soft drinks. Justifying the soda and cigarette tax hikes, Paterson said the state spends $16 billion a year on healthcare for smokers and people with obesity-tied diseases, such as diabetes. For consumers in the state, the tax would mean that soda drinkers would have to pay a penny more per ounce on a can of soda and other sugary drinks. Dietary aids, infant formula, and milk would be exempt.The New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes, a coalition formed in opposition to taxes on food and beverage products, has announced its disappointment in Governor Paterson’s proposal to place a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages of 12 cents per 12-oz can. According to the group, this tax would be more than nine times higher on a 12-pack of non-alcoholic beverages, like soft drinks, than the state tax on a 12-pack of alcoholic beverages, like beer. Reuters article New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes press release
Sipper joins New Leaf Brands as COO
1/22/2010-New Leaf Brands Inc., a provider of beverages, has announced that Bill Sipper will join the company as Chief Operating Officer effective Feb. 1, 2010. Sipper has held senior level positions at several top beverage marketers in the world. His market reach and depth of knowledge of the beverage industry includes North America, Asia, Europe, Central, and South America. Sipper’s track record for helping develop rising brands is unparalleled and will be key to New Leaf’s rapid brand development and deployment nationwide. Prior to joining New Leaf Brands, Sipper was founder of Cascadia Consulting Group, a recognized consumer packaged goods consulting firm with deep expertise across all key areas of the food and beverage business including planning, sales, marketing, training, finance, operations, logistics, and general management. Prior to founding Cascadia Sipper was Senior Vice President of Marketing at the Ultimate Juice Co. (A Division of North Castle Partners), which owned brands such as Naked Juice. “Having worked with Bill at Fresh Juice Company and Fresh Samantha I am thrilled to have his full time guidance and counsel here at New Leaf,” said Eric Skae, President and CEO of New Leaf Brands. “Bill brings the necessary experience and talent to help guide New Leaf through the high growth expansion phase that the company now has under way. He is fluent in every aspect of creating brand leaders, including advertising, guerrilla marketing, public relations, and trade marketing. Bill will be an extremely valuable addition not only to our management team but to our shareholders.” Press release
Coke, Gates Foundation partner to aid African farmers
1/22/2010-According to Forbes, the Coca-Cola Co., nonprofit TechnoServe, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Jan. 20 launched an $11.5 million partnership aimed at helping 50,000 small fruit farmers in Uganda and Kenya boost their productivity and double their incomes by 2014 amid growing global demand for fruit juice.The partnership, which will enable mango and passion fruit farmers to participate in Coke's supply chain for the first time, is funded with a $7.5 million grant provided by the Gates Foundation to TechnoServe, $3 million from the Coca-Cola Co., and $1 million by bottling partner Coca-Cola Sabco. The project seeks to help local farmers whose fruit will be used for Coca-Cola’s locally produced and sold fruit juices. TechnoServe will train farmers in improving quality, increasing production, and getting organized into farmer groups, and it will facilitate gaining access to credit. “This partnership is the type of innovative approach needed to foster economic empowerment across the globe and we are proud to be a part of this effort in East Africa,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola. Growing global and local demand for fruit juice has prompted a "critical need" to increase production, Coke said. The partnership will serve as a model for Coca-Cola as it expands its juice business in other markets. Forbes article Coca-Cola Press release
Watson Inc. announces new hires
1/22/2010-Watson Inc. has named Don Sasek as Quality Assurance Manager. Sasek, formerly the Ingredient Technology Manager at the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, brings more than 20 years of quality assurance experience in the food and beverage industry. In his new position, he is working to meet customer expectations as well as maintain high quality standards at Watson.The company also announces the addition of two new R&D project managers in their bakery division. Charlie Ehrlinger has joined the company after over 20 years with Arnold Foods and Grupo Bimbo as Senior Technical Service Specialist. Alan Head, who has over 20 years of experience in the baking and milling industry, has also joined the company after working with IBC. Both Ehrlinger and Head are working to develop new products as well as help customers utilize existing products to their full potential. Watson Inc.
Symrise expands its Singapore site
1/22/2010-Fragrances and flavors manufacturer Symrise opened a new plant for producing liquid flavors in Singapore. The plant, which was customized for Symrise, adapts production efficiently to customer needs. State-of-the-art technology in bar coding, batch management, and automatic dosing ensures greater production precision and more flexibility. Also, the plant takes advantage of energy-saving and waste-reducing features. “At Symrise, we believe in technology and innovation. A country like Singapore, with its focus on technology and innovation, is, therefore, an ideal location for us. Singapore’s very dynamic economy and highly skilled workforce were decisive factors for investing further here. In addition, the Asia Pacific region is one of our key markets,” said Symrise CEO Heinz-Jürgen Bertram. The investment in the plant is part of Symrise’s strategic expansion in Asia. Over the past few years, Symrise has systematically expanded its operations there, and, as recently as 2008, the company opened a new plant for flavor encapsulation. Within three years, Symrise will invest approximately 40 million Singapore dollars in the location. The flavors produced in Singapore are primarily for the South Asian market, which accounts for almost 50% of Symrise’s business in the Asia Pacific region. Press release
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A new decade deserves a new commitment to safe food
1/20/2010-The second decade of the 21st century is here. Given the advancements in technology in the last decade, isn’t it reasonable to expect that consumers be able to walk into supermarkets and come out with food they know is safe? In the latest ePerspective post, Courtney Brein of the National Consumers League, ponders this question. Brein urges that the Senate bring the food-safety reform bill, S. 510, to the floor for a vote, in order to make food-safety reform a reality. What are your thoughts on the food-safety reform bill? How will it change the food landscape in the U.S.? Offer your opinions by visiting Food Technology magazine’s ePerspective forum. ePerspective
Eating processed foods may contribute to depression
1/20/2010-A study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry shows that consuming processed “junk” food may trigger or contribute to depression. British and French epidemiologists analyzed food and mood data from 3,486 men and women (average age 55) in the Whitehall II study on London-based office staff. Each participant answered a food frequency questionnaire in which they were asked how often they had eaten a designated portion size of a food during the previous year (set responses ranged from “never” to “six or more times per day”).That data was then converted to a daily intake and two dietary patterns were identified: the “whole food pattern”" (defined by a high daily intake of vegetables, fruits, and fish) and the “processed food pattern” (characterized by high consumption of sweetened desserts, chocolates, fried food, processed meat, pies, refined grains, high-fat dairy products, and condiments). Five years later, all the participants answered a short questionnaire designed to measure symptoms of depression in the general population. After adjusting for variables such as age and sex, the scientists found that high consumption of processed food was associated with increased likelihood of depression, whereas those who had the highest consumption of whole foods were least likely to be depressed, and even less likely than those in the whole food pattern who ate fewer whole foods. “Our finding shows a strong association between diet and depressive symptoms after controlling for a large range of socio-demographic factors, and for health behaviors such as smoking, physical activity, and health status,” noted lead study author Tasnime Akbaraly, an epidemiologist with the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Montpellier, France. While it's possible that a healthy diet is a marker of some other factor that protects against depression, “the effect of diet on depressive symptoms didn’t go down after we adjusted for other indicators of a healthy lifestyle, such as smoking, physical activity, and body mass, Akbaraly says.” Abstract MSNBC article
Nestlé revamps cookie dough amid E. coli concern
1/20/2010-According to Reuters, Nestle USA will begin using heat-treated flour in its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough, months after the company temporarily pulled the product off of store shelves after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found evidence of E. coli contamination. The unit of Nestlé SA said it will halt production at its Danville, Va., plant from Jan. 13 until Jan. 25 in order convert the plant to use heat-treated flour.In June, Nestlé recalled the cookie dough after the FDA said it was investigating possible E. coli related illnesses that might have been related to the eating of raw cookie dough. The company resumed production at the plant using standards that included testing ingredients before they enter the facility, rigorous environmental sampling throughout the facility, and testing of finished product before it is shipped to customers. On Jan. 11, two samples of cookie dough tested positive for E. coli, Nestlé said. The contaminated product was discovered before it was shipped and dough on store shelves is not affected, it added. Reuters article
One in eight Americans receives food stamps
1/20/2010-According to Reuters, some 37.9 million people—one in eight Americans—received food stamps to help buy food at latest count, the government said on Jan. 12 as enrollment set a record for the ninth month in a row. Food stamps are the primary federal anti-hunger program. The economic stimulus package boosted benefits by $80 a month for a family of four.Participation has surged since the financial-market turmoil more than a year ago and has set a record each month since December 2008. The Agriculture Department said enrollment reached 37.9 million in October 2009, the latest month for which figures are available, up 746,000 from the previous month. The average monthly benefit was $133.60 per person in October. Reuters article
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Kraft acquires Cadbury
1/19/2010-According to Forbes, after several weeks of negotiations, Cadbury approved the Kraft Foods takeover of the company on Jan. 19. The final offer was worth £11.9 billion (approximately $19 billion), an improved bid from the previous $17.1 billion proposal. The Cadbury board unanimously approved the bid, which offered 500 pence cash and 0.1874 new Kraft shares for each Cadbury share. In a statement, Robert Carr, Chairman of Cadbury, discussed his approval of the takeover bid: “We believe the offer represents good value for Cadbury shareholders and are pleased with the commitment that Kraft Foods has made to our heritage, values, and people throughout the world.” On Friday, William Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management LP purchased a 2% stake in Kraft. The stake was reportedly worth more than $930 million and was comprised of at least 32 million shares. The Pershing purchase was the latest in the ongoing saga of Kraft’s Cadbury takeover. Before the Jan. 19th approval, the company attempted to improve its bid by increasing the cash component of the offer. On Jan. 5, Kraft confirmed the sale of an American pizza unit to Nestlé for $3.7 billion. Forbes article Cadbury press release
Study reveals information gap regarding sodium intake
1/19/2010-A recent HealthFocus International (HFI) study reveals significant confusion and concern among consumers regarding acceptable sodium levels in the foods and beverages they regularly consume. While nearly two-thirds (65%) of all consumers express some concern about sodium intake, 79% do not know the recommended daily intake of 1500–2400 mg. An alarmingly low number of shoppers (29%) look for the sodium content consistently in each individual food they eat. But, even those consumers that monitor sodium do so intuitively, mostly by avoiding certain foods or categories, rather than by actually understanding their total daily sodium intake. One reason for this lack of diligence is likely that a large number of consumers, while concerned about sodium, are not concerned for health reasons, but rather for cosmetic and personal reasons. The perception among women that excess sodium causes water weight gain is a greater motivator for avoiding sodium than high blood pressure. In addition to lack of knowledge, most consumers have misconceptions about the best way to reduce the amount of sodium in their diet. More than half of consumers (55%) reduce salt at the table when, in reality, it is only a small contributor to actual dietary sodium intake. And, nearly two-thirds believe sea salt (78%) is a healthier alternative. Overwhelmingly, consumers correctly identify processed packaged foods and fast food restaurants as the two big contributors to sodium intake. Specific foods and beverages include: French fries, hamburgers, and chicken from a fast-food restaurant, and frozen meals, and cured/processed meats, at the retail level. And, even though most consumers are able to correctly identify foods high in sodium, only approximately a third of consumers are likely to avoid these foods. Most shoppers say that they are interested in purchasing lower sodium products. However, for those shoppers that are not interested, the clear barrier is still the perception that they won’t taste as good. Indeed, when presented with a list of 10 potential sodium claims such as “low sodium,” “sodium free,” and “reduced salt,” there was little difference between the levels of interest in each claim. However, the claim that was most likely to entice consumers to buy a product was “reduced salt, same taste.” Consumers clearly want to be assured that lower sodium does not mean less taste. Press release
Ackman buys 2% stake in Kraft
1/19/2010-According to Bloomberg, billionaire investor William Ackman bought a $950 million stake in Kraft Foods Inc. and urged its CEO Irene Rosenfeld to limit the amount of stock she uses to bid for Cadbury Plc. Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management LP bought at least 32 million shares in Kraft, or 2% of the company, and plans to purchase more, Ackman said in an interview. Pershing’s stake in Kraft is now the firm’s biggest holding. Pershing thinks “very highly of Irene Rosenfeld and her business plan,” and believes Kraft’s £11 billion ($17.9 billion) stock-and-cash bid for Cadbury makes “tremendous sense,” Ackman said. Kraft risks diminishing the deal’s merits by issuing too much stock to pay for it, he said, echoing a warning by investor Warren Buffett on Jan. 5. Kraft, Northfield, Ill., has until Jan. 19 to modify its offer for Uxbridge, England-based Cadbury. Bloomberg article
Costly sugar causes high candy prices
1/19/2010-According to the Chicago Tribune, sugar prices are hovering at 29-year highs. Low U.S. sugar stocks and soaring global sugar prices appear to be the culprit, and consumers are feeling the effect as candy makers pass along their rising ingredient costs. Data from market researcher Nielsen Co. show that the price of non-chocolate candy jumped almost 9% during the 13 weeks ended Nov. 28, compared with the same time last year. Chocolate candy has experienced a similar price jump. Makers have been hit by high sugar costs and soaring cocoa prices.Over the past several months, consumers have generally benefited from falling or stable prices of such commodities as corn, soybeans, and wheat. But the price of sugar has been anything but sweet. The world price of raw sugar during the third quarter of 2009 was 42% higher than a year earlier and almost double that of two years earlier, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The cause? Bad weather has hurt harvests in Brazil and India, two of the world’s biggest sugar producers. Plus, Brazil has been increasingly devoting sugar resources to ethanol production, putting upward pressure on sugar prices. In the U.S., sugar beet producers had a disappointing fall due to bad weather. During the past couple of years—particularly in 2008—attractive prices for other crops, namely corn, have led farmers to reduce sugar beet cultivation. Chicago Tribune article
Pretium Packaging acquired for $200 M
1/19/2010-Castle Harlan Inc., the New York private equity investment firm, has agreed to acquire Pretium Packaging L.L.C., Chesterfield, Mo., manufacturer of custom-designed specialty plastic containers for the food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household markets. In conjunction with the closing of the Pretium transaction, expected in the first quarter of 2010, Castle Harlan said Pretium will acquire PVC Container Corp., the parent of Novapak Corp., which also makes specialty plastic containers and has a product line and customer base that complement Pretium’s. The total transaction is valued at approximately $200 million. Castle Harlan said the combined company, which will carry the Pretium name, will have annual sales of approximately $240 million and 14 manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada serving more than 500 customers. Pretium is being sold by founder Keith Harbison, who will retain a significant minority stake as a partner in the company and sit on its board of directors. Pretium’s management will continue to operate the company, along with certain members of Novapak’s management team. Novapak, based in Eatontown, N.J., is being sold by Kirtland Capital, a Cleveland-based private equity investment firm. Press release
California firm recalls beef products due to possible E. coli contamination
1/19/2010-Huntington Meat Packing Inc., Montebello, Calif., is recalling approximately 864,000 lbs of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) personnel. The FSA led to the determination that a further investigation of establishment records was warranted. The investigation is ongoing. Ground beef products produced by the plant from Jan. 5 to Jan. 15 are subject to the recall. Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 17967” inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within California. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. During a subsequent review of the establishment’s records, FSIS also determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be adulterated because they may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. As a result, ground beef products produced from Feb. 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, are subject to the recall. Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 17967” inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within California. While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products. Press release
Monday, January 18, 2010
FDA updates stance on BPA
1/18/2010-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Jan. 15 that the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) found in some baby bottles, children’s drinking cups, and other food containers merited further study but did not warrant immediate restrictions on its use. The FDA said studies employing standardized toxicity tests have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA. However, on the basis of results from recent studies using novel approaches to test for subtle effects, both the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and the FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. In cooperation with the National Toxicology Program, FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research is carrying out in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA.The FDA recognizes substantial uncertainties with respect to the overall interpretation of these studies and their potential implications for human health effects of BPA exposure. These uncertainties relate to issues such as the routes of exposure employed, the lack of consistency among some of the measured endpoints or results between studies, the relevance of some animal models to human health, differences in the metabolism (and detoxification) of and responses to BPA both at different ages and in different species, and limited or absent dose response information for some studies.
The FDA is pursuing additional studies to address the uncertainties in the findings, seeking public input and input from other expert agencies, and supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA to be able to respond quickly, if necessary, to protect the public. In the interim, the FDA is:
• taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply.
• supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA.
• seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA. The FDA is also supporting recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services for infant feeding and food preparation to reduce exposure to BPA. The FDA is not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk from BPA exposure. The FDA will open a public docket for comment on BPA. The docket will contain the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s review of the low dose toxicity studies and recently published studies, the five expert reviews, and other relevant material. The agency welcomes comments on these documents, other available evidence, and the agency’s regulatory options. This docket will be open for public comment for 60 days. Press release
Mediterranean diet may protect against stomach cancer
1/18/2010-A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that eating a Mediterranean diet may help reduce the risk of stomach cancer. To investigate whether diet might be protective against gastric cancer, the researchers analyzed data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study on 485,044 men and women 35 to 70 years old from 10 European countries. All had been given a score on an 18-point scale based on how closely their diet adhered to the Mediterranean ideal of being rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, cereals, and olive oil, with a relatively low intake of red meat and dairy products.During nine years of follow-up, 449 of the study participants developed gastric cancer. People with the highest relative Mediterranean diet scores were 33% less likely to develop the disease than people whose eating patterns were furthest from the Mediterranean ideal. Gastric cancer risk fell 5% for every one-point increase in a person’s Mediterranean diet score. Given that just 23% of people diagnosed with gastric cancer will survive for five years, the researchers concluded that “identifying dietary recommendations that can help reduce incidence is important for the effective management of this cancer.” Abstract
Nestlé to introduce nutrition products for elderly
1/18/2010-Nestlé Nutrition is launching Resource SeniorActiv, a nutritional oral supplement, to target the unique nutritional needs of the elderly. It will be introduced in 2010 in Switzerland and progressively rolled out in key European countries. Fifty percent of older adults eat less protein than is recommended, more than 55% do not meet calcium requirements, 90% are Vitamin D deficient, and 30% have inadequate zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12 intake. Resource SeniorActiv addresses these and other specific nutrient needs of the elderly population. It is a new nutritionally complete oral supplement, with an ingredient blend that addresses common deficiencies in the diet of older people. The product is high in calories to help stop weight loss and promote weight gain. Resource SeniorActiv delivers Acti-3; a unique combination of protein, vitamin D, and calcium to support muscle and bone strength and recovery. Vitamin D and calcium are provided in high doses clinically proven to reduce the risk of falls (-19%) and fractures (-20%), which are a leading cause of hospitalization for older people. Other ingredients include Prebio1, a proprietary prebiotic fiber to help promote digestive health. It also provides omega-3 fatty acids and high amounts of B vitamins (folate, B12) to support cognitive health and antioxidants (e.g., zinc and selenium) to address the oxidative stress and chronic inflammation that are part of normal aging. Resource SeniorActiv is classified as a Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) and will be progressively rolled out in Switzerland and key European countries. Press release
Parkers Farm expands recall to include all of its products
1/18/2010-Parkers Farm Inc., Coon Rapids, Minn., has expanded the previously announced recall of products to include all date codes because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.The recall originally announced Jan. 8 affected product with sell by dates of specific ranges. The expanded recall now includes all products and all sell by dates. The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the following retail stores: Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerlys, Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominicks, Marsh, Price Chopper, Shop Rite, Nash Finch, Sams Club, Costco, Safeway, Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Aldi. Press release
ISP announces self-affirmed GRAS status
1/18/2010-International Specialty Products (ISP) has announced Plasdone K-29/32 and Plasdone K-90 binders as well as Polyplasdone XL and XL-10 disintegrants have earned self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), self-affirmed GRAS status is awarded to any substance that is generally recognized among qualified experts as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use. ISP excipients obtained GRAS status for use in nutritional and supplement products after a comprehensive evaluation of research and toxicology studies by a qualified, independent scientific panel.According to John Flanagan, Business Director, Pharmaceuticals at ISP, Plasdone binders and Polyplasdone disintegrants have been used for many years in the pharmaceutical, nutrition, and dietary supplement industries to formulate products. Plasdone K-29/32 and Plasdone K-90 binders are linear homopolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. Among other uses, the polymers serve as efficient wet granulation binders. Plasdone K-29/32 and Plasdone K-90 polymer conform to USP/NF, Ph. Eur, and Japanese monograph specifications for Povidone. Polyplasdone XL and XL-10 disintegrants are insoluble, crosslinked, homopolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and provide rapid disintegration to wet and dry granulations and direct compression tablet formulations. Polyplasdone disintegrants conform to USP/NF, Ph. Eur, and Japanese monograph specifications for Crospovidone. Press release
Taiwan enhances food safety with LC, MS instruments
1/18/2010-Waters Corporation has announced that the Taiwan Bureau of Food and Drug Analysis (BFDA) has purchased and installed a total of four Waters ACQUITY UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) systems and nine Xevo TQ tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers to support its efforts to protect Taiwanese consumers and the country’s food supply by monitoring domestically-produced and imported food sold within the country. The new instruments will be placed with regional laboratories throughout Taiwan and with the Divisions of Food Chemistry and Food Microbiology to add to existing capacity. These laboratories develop and validate analytical methods for testing imported foods, drugs, and cosmetics for antibiotic and residual pesticides, natural toxins, carcinogens, pathogens, and other contaminants and adulterants. In October of 2009, Waters announced the purchase of nine Waters ACQUITY UltraPerformance LC (UPLC) systems by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), College Park, Md., to support its priority to protect the U.S. food supply by monitoring domestically-produced and imported food sold in interstate commerce. Press release
Friday, January 15, 2010
2010 brings some new and some enduring trends
1/15/2010-The start of a new year always brings with it the chance to look back at the past year’s events, and an opportunity to cast a look into the future. In the latest ePerspective post, Linda Smithson, Partner at FoodWatch, has utilized menu and media database tracking to predict some diverse food trends for 2010. Some trends are carryovers from the previous year, such as local sourcing of foods, which continues to grow in popularity. Other trends Smithson identifies are newer to the scene, such as the idea of specialty sugars/sweeteners and street food. Do you agree with the trends Smithson has identified? What other trends are on the horizon for 2010 and beyond?ePerspective
Thursday, January 14, 2010
FDA issues consumer alert on certain Nurture Inc. baby foods
1/14/2010-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending that the public not consume any varieties of HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and certain varieties of HAPPYBABY Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby foods in pouches distributed by Nurture Inc. The firm is recalling these products because some pouches are leaking or swollen. Swollen or leaking pouches may indicate problems with the product, including possible contamination by bacteria that can cause illness, or that the packaging has been compromised and is at risk of bacterial contamination.The meals are packaged in plastic pouches with plastic caps and are sold at retail stores nationwide. To determine if a specific product is part of this recall, consumers should examine product packaging for expiration date codes between October 2010 and January 2011. These expiration date codes are printed as the first seven characters of a 15-character string. After receiving a consumer complaint of a swollen pouch, the FDA contacted the company, Nurture Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. The agency began an investigation and found additional pouches that were swollen or leaking. The FDA is conducting tests for possible bacterial contamination. The FDA is also conducting an inspection at the contract manufacturer of these products to review its overall manufacturing process. No illnesses have been reported to the FDA to date. Press release
FDA’s Taylor to lead food-safety mandate
1/14/2010-According to The Washington Post, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appointed Michael Taylor to a new position as Deputy Commissioner for Foods on Jan. 6. Taylor has devoted his career to food safety, working in and out of government, and he was working at George Washington University when the Obama administration approached him to implement the solutions he had been designing. A string of food poisoning outbreaks nationally had sickened thousands and killed dozens. Both parties in Congress were calling for tough new laws. The President promised the public that he would strengthen food safety. In July 2009, Taylor became an advisor to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the FDA.Now, Congress is moving ahead with legislation to grant vast new authority to the FDA to ensure food safety—the House passed a bill last year and the Senate is expected to take up its version soon—and Taylor will be responsible for implementing new laws aimed at preventing outbreaks instead of merely reacting after they occur. “We are at an historic tipping point—a moment when the forces have aligned like never before; the President, Congress, industry, and the public have stepped up their support for our mission,” Taylor told a gathering of FDA staff members in Dec. 2009. Taylor is a familiar figure at the FDA. He began his career as a staff attorney at the agency in 1976. He returned to the FDA in 1991 as Deputy Commissioner for Policy and pushed through requirements that producers of seafood and juices adopt measures to prevent bacterial contamination. In 1994, Taylor went to the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) to run its food-safety program. He required meat and poultry producers to take measures to prevent bacterial contamination, despite strong opposition from those industries. Observers expect Taylor to impose those same kinds of preventive controls on all the foods regulated by the FDA. Since July 2009, Taylor has been bringing together divisions to make the FDA more nimble. Food regulation is split among the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, where much of the scientific research takes place; the Center for Veterinary Medicine, which regulates the manufacture and sale of food additives and drugs for animals; and the Office of Regulatory Affairs, which handles inspections of domestic and imported products and works with state and local officials. Traditionally, the three sections were managed separately. Any proposed policy change had to be approved by each division and then was sent for review by the general counsel in the commissioner's office. It took years to get anything done, Taylor said. Now, Taylor has pulled together a senior leadership team that cuts across the three divisions and has created similar cross-sectional teams to work on core issues. Taylor has already taken some steps that suggest a new, more muscular approach to regulation. The agency has been cracking down on nutrition claims on processed foods, saying that some food makers have overstated the health benefits of their products. The Washington Post article
Coca-Cola fund donating $1M to Haiti relief effort
1/14/2010-According to the Associated Press, Coca-Cola Co.’s charitable arm is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to go toward earthquake relief in Haiti. The world’s largest soft drink maker also said it is donating bottled water and other drinks through its bottler in the Dominican Republic. CEO Muhtar Kent told the company’s 92,000 employees in an e-mail Jan. 13 the Atlanta, Ga.-based company is checking on the safety of the 850 people who work for its bottler there. The company said the plant of its bottling partner, Brasserie de la Couronne, appears to have limited or no structural damage. Coca-Cola opened its first bottling plant in Haiti in 1928. AP article
National salt reduction initiative announced in U.S.
1/14/2010-New York City, together with 40 other city and State governments and national health organizations, has announced the launch of the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI). The NSRI is a voluntary initiative to reduce the levels of salt and sodium in both packaged foods and restaurant foods. Its goal is to reduce sodium in packaged foods and restaurant foods by 25% over 5 years, thereby reducing sodium intake in the U.S. population by 20% over the same period. The NSRI claims that a sodium reduction of this magnitude would prevent tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. The initiative is being coordinated by New York City but includes 26 other city and State government agencies and 17 national health organizations (including the American Medical Association and American Heart Association). In addition, the NSRI claims that Federal agencies are aware of the initiative and supportive of its work. According to press reports, so far only a few companies (e.g., Subway, A&P) have committed to meeting the NSRI salt reduction targets. The NSRI is modeled on a similar program in the United Kingdom. If a company signs on to the initiative, it commits to meeting phased-in sodium reduction targets for its products: one target that must be met by 2012, and a lower target that must be met by 2014. The NSRI has stated that the proposed targets released were the result of a year of consultations with the food industry. The NSRI will accept comments on the proposed targets until Feb. 1, 2010, and will issue final targets in the spring. The NSRI has developed a database that it will use to monitor sodium levels, and determine whether companies are meeting their targets. The NSRI database will also monitor levels of other key ingredients and nutrients such as fats, sugars, and calories. The database links nutrition data and sales data to UPC codes, allowing the NSRI to calculate sales-weighted mean sodium levels for each food category. The NSRI will publicly recognize companies that participate and that meet their targets. Companies that commit to targets but fail to meet them will be asked to submit documentation explaining why they could not meet the target and a timeframe for meeting the target. While the NSRI claims that the proposed sodium targets are realistic, it should be noted that some of the proposed targets for 2014 would require substantial reductions in sodium content. For example, the proposed targets call for sodium reductions of about 20% in peanut butter, 30–40% in breakfast cereals, 25% in restaurant pizzas, and 25% in restaurant French fries. Press release
Data shows slight decline in childhood obesity rates
1/14/2010-Data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents declined slightly since the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study period. Overall, the percentage of children who are obese or overweight dropped in 2007–2008 to 31.7% from 31.9% in 2003–2006. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation defines “obese or overweight” as body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts.In addition, the data show a decline in obesity rates (BMI = 95th percentile) among children ages 2–5. Obesity prevalence among that age group declined to 10.4% in 2007–2008 from 12.4% in 2003–2006. This means that, among children ages 2–5, obesity rates have returned to those seen in 1999–2000. Despite the findings, nearly one-third of American children are still overweight or obese, placing them at heightened risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and a host of other serious diseases. And BMI continues to increase among the heaviest boys ages 6–19. The data also show a troubling lack of progress in eliminating racial and ethnic disparities. Obesity and overweight prevalence is 8.9 percentage points higher among Hispanic children ages 2–19 than among non-Hispanic Whites. Among non-Hispanic African American children, it is 6.6 percentage points higher. Article
Using less water may help peanut growers
1/14/2010-Using a combination of conservation tillage and deficit irrigation management in peanut production can promote conservation of water during the early growing season without hurting yields, a USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist reports. That’s good news for peanut farmers in the Southern High Plains, where water is often in short supply, particularly in areas where residential development has increased demands for water. Irrigation also adds to the cost of production for growers. Deficit irrigation, or forced drought, early in the growing season appears to result in quicker maturation while maintaining yields, according to ARS Agronomist Wilson Faircloth at the National Peanut Research Laboratory (NPRL) in Dawson, Ga., and Plant Physiologist Diane Rowland, formerly with NPRL and now with Texas A&M University. They conducted a five-year field trial in Texas to determine the effects of deficit irrigation. More recently, they’ve also studied how conservation tillage can help boost peanut production. Results indicate that induced early-season drought may serve to acclimate the crop to drought stress that commonly occurs during late-season growth, according to Faircloth. It is also during this latter part of the growing season that growers typically experience water deficits due to reduced pumping capacity, thus increasing the risk of yield reductions. Faircloth and Rowland also investigated the use of conservation tillage with a cover crop to mitigate drought. They applied varying amounts of water to peanut and cotton planted in either conservation or conventional tillage. They found that, under drought conditions, conservation tillage increased peanut yields when compared to conventional tillage. The yield increase was attributed to increased water-holding capacity of the soil under conservation tillage, and changes in peanut rooting patterns. Additionally, the combination of conservation tillage and deficit irrigation could greatly reduce water requirements for peanut and cotton. Agricultural Research article
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Romania plans tax on fast food
1/13/2010-According to Reuters, Romania’s Health Minister, Attila Cseke, has announced that the country plans to introduce a tax on fast-food products to boost budget revenues. If enforced, the tax could hit the revenues of global fast-food chains with a big presence in Romania, such as McDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken, as well as those of smaller chains in shopping malls across the country.“The new tax will account for a percentage of fast food products sales, and the revenues that we will collect will be used to supplement funds needed to run health programs and invest in system infrastructure,” said Cseke. “We will hold meetings with producers and those targeted by this measure.” While Cseke said details needed to be worked out, he did not elaborate on the value of the tax or on how much it would add to the budget. Reuters article
Study shows rye may have a lower acrylamide risk than previously thought
1/13/2010-A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry shows that rye grain’s reputation as a grain associated with high acrylamide risk may not be warranted. Acrylamide forms from free asparagine and sugars during cooking, and products derived from the grain of cereals, including rye, contribute a large proportion of total dietary intake. In this study, free amino acid and sugar concentrations were measured in the grain of a range of rye varieties grown at locations in Hungary, France, Poland, and the UK and harvested in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Genetic and environmental (location and harvest year) effects on the levels of acrylamide precursors were assessed. The data showed free asparagine concentration to be the main determinant of acrylamide formation in heated rye flour, as it is in wheat. However, in contrast to wheat, sugar, particularly sucrose, concentration also correlated both with asparagine concentration and with acrylamide formed. Free asparagine concentration was shown to be under genetic, environmental, and integrated control. The same was true for glucose, whereas maltose and fructose were affected mainly by environmental factors and sucrose was largely under genetic control. The ratio of variation due to varieties (genotype) to the total variation (a measure of heritability) for free asparagine concentration in the grain was 23%. Free asparagine concentration was closely associated with bran yield, whereas sugar concentration was associated with low Hagberg falling number. The researchers concluded that rye grain contains much higher concentrations of free proline than wheat grain, and less acrylamide formed per unit of asparagine in rye than in wheat flour. Abstract
Cuphea does wonders for wheat and corn in rotations
1/13/2010-Growing the oilseed plant called cuphea the year before growing wheat results in better wheat seedling survival and grain that is 8% higher in protein, according to a USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. ARS plant physiologist Russ Gesch and colleagues discovered this in a four-year experiment in which they rotated cuphea with corn, soybean, and wheat on fields in Morris, Minn. Based on these results, Gesch recommends the following rotation order: soybean, cuphea, and then wheat or corn. This planting regimen increases the profitability of both wheat and corn. Cuphea is a new oilseed crop Gesch and other ARS scientists are developing for farmers in the northern Corn Belt. It can be used for a variety of industrial products, including jet fuel and other biofuels. It is a domestic alternative to palm kernel and coconut oils that supply the fatty acids needed to make thousands of products, from soap to motor oil. Gesch wanted to know how cuphea might interact when rotated with corn, soybean, and wheat. He found only beneficial effects. Cuphea did not harm yields of the other crops, nor did those crops harm cuphea yields. Since 1999, Gesch and other ARS colleagues have worked closely with researchers at the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Ill., as well as researchers at various industries and universities. This team is developing guidelines for growing cuphea, as well as commercial varieties and new markets for the crop. The research was recently published in the Agronomy Journal. Press release Abstract (pdf)
Poll: Most Americans somewhat confident in food safety
1/13/2010-According to a CBS News poll of 1,048 American adults, only 32% say they are “very confident” about the safety of the food they buy, while 52% are “somewhat confident.” The remaining 16% say they are not too confident or not at all confident in the safety of their food. These results are reflected in the grades Americans give the country on ensuring the safety of the food supply. The most commonly offered grade was C, chosen by 34% of those surveyed, and B, chosen by 33%. Just 7% gave the country an A when it comes to keeping the food supply safe. Meanwhile, 18% offered a D, and 6% served up a failing grade. A person’s faith in the food supply may have something to do with the food they can afford. Those with high incomes are more confident in the safety of the food supply than those who earn comparatively less. Forty-two percent of Americans who make more than $100,000 are very confident the food they buy is safe, while just 24% of those who make less than $30,000 say the same. Men are more likely than women to be very confident that the food they buy is safe, and college graduates are more likely that those with less education to say so. The region where Americans have the most trust in the food supply is the Midwest. Americans in the South have the least trust in the food supply. CBS News article
Scientists sequence genome of the woodland strawberry
1/13/2010-The genome of a model plant related to peach, cherry, and cultivated strawberry has been sequenced by a consortium of international researchers that includes scientists with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The project was funded by Roche Diagnostics.Fragaria vesca, commonly known as the woodland or alpine strawberry, is a member of the Rosaceae family, which consists of more than 100 genera and 3,000 species. This large family includes many economically important and popular fruit, nut, ornamental, and woody crops, such as almond, apple, peach, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and rose. Fragaria vesca has many traits that make it an attractive model system for functional genomics studies. Its small size and rapid life cycle enable researchers to conduct genetic analyses with great efficiency and low cost. To determine the importance of a gene of interest, F. vesca can be transformed in order to modulate the activity of that gene in the plant. Most importantly, F. vesca has a relatively small genome, yet shares most gene sequences with other members of the Rosaceae family, making it an important tool for addressing questions regarding gene function. ARS molecular biologist Janet Slovin, with the Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., created the nearly inbred line used in the F. vesca genome sequencing project. Named “Hawaii 4,” this line allowed the researchers to more easily program a computer to piece the genome together from the relatively short lengths of sequence data generated by modern sequencing machines. Although the F. vesca genome is a model genome for the Rosaceae group, critical regulatory gene functions will probably differ, hypothesizes Slovin. Scientists can use the genome sequence to identify these genes, to test their function in F. vesca, and to develop molecular genetic markers for more rapid breeding of crops belonging to the Rosaceae group. Slovin will use the genome to study and improve heat tolerance during strawberry fruit production. Press release
Monday, January 11, 2010
FDA ends Maryland seafood processor’s pattern of sanitary violations
1/11/2010-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that a Maryland seafood processor delivering fresh, frozen, and ready-to-eat seafood in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., is to stop processing and distributing adulterated fish and seafood because it is not compliant with federal food safety laws. The Congressional Seafood Company Inc. of Jessup, Md., and three of its executives were cited by the FDA for failing to follow the agency’s Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) regulations in the handling of products including raw, ready-to-eat tuna for sushi and sashimi, fresh and vacuum-packed crabmeat, frozen octopus and shrimp, and molluscan shellfish. Violations included failure to document that fish were refrigerated at appropriate temperatures, failure to keep fish species separate to avoid cross-contamination, failure to meet sanitation standards or keep records of compliance, and failure to verify that imported fish met FDA standards.“On numerous occasions, FDA has warned the defendants, both orally and in writing, about their conduct and has emphasized the importance of their compliance with the (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic) Act,” said Michael Chappell, Acting Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs at the FDA. On Jan. 8, the FDA filed a consent decree of permanent injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The decree, signed by U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg, applies to the firm and company President Stanley S. Pearlman, Vice President Jonathan D. Pearlman, and HACCP Coordinator Stephen G. Bardsley. The decree with Congressional Seafood also bars former company President Thomas P. Spencer from any involvement in management or operations of the firm. Under the decree, to become compliant with food safety laws, Congressional Seafood must have its HACCP and sanitation plans submitted by an independent expert and approved by the FDA. The decree allows the FDA to shut down Congressional Seafood, recall its products, or take other corrective action in the event of future violations. The decree requires the defendants to pay the costs of inspections performed pursuant to the decree. Failure to abide by the agreement can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Press release
Pepsi to invest $200 M into India over three years
1/11/2010-According to The Telegraph, the Indian government has cleared a proposal of U.S.-based PepsiCo Holdings to inject $200 million into its Indian arm within three years. A few months back the company had announced plans to spend the sum on expanding manufacturing capacity, market infrastructure, supply chain, and R&D. The investment, approved by the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) at its meeting, would take PepsiCo’s total investment in the country to $655 million from $455 million. Of the planned $200-million investment, $170 million will be from PepsiCo, while the remaining will come from its bottling partners. Though the approval is for investing the money within three years, Pepsi has plans to spend it within a year.“This is by far the largest investment made by the company in a single year since its entry into India,” said Sanjeev Chadha, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo India. The $200 million is part of PepsiCo’s $500-million investment to be spread over three years. Global head Indra Nooyi had announced the plans during her visit to the country last year. PepsiCo, which held its high-profile global board meeting in India in November, had announced that it would triple its business in the country every five years. PepsiCo plans to set up four plants over a period of three years, of which three units will be for the beverages business and one for snacks. It costs $30 million to set up a beverages plant and around $50-60 million for a food unit. The company is identifying locations for these units. The Telegraph article
PureCircle, Cooperativa Colonias Unidas sign contract for stevia production
1/11/2010-On January 7, PureCircle South America SA (PCSA) and the Cooperativa Colonias Unidas signed a contract for the production and supply of stevia leaves. The event was held at the Cooperative headquarters in Obligado, Paraguay, and attended by managers and executives from both companies.Both PCSA and the Cooperative are forging a strong commitment to develop the production of proprietary varieties of high quality stevia, to meet the growing international demand for the all-natural, zero-calorie, stevia-based sweetener. The opening of and access to large markets such as the U.S., France, Australia, Switzerland, and Mexico has increased the need for major development in the supply of dry leaves.
With this agreement, the parties will initially expand a crop area of 25 hectares involving 30 partners of the Cooperative, and there are ambitious plans to develop more acreage in the coming years. While the first commercial crops were implemented, a significant investment in experimental areas was made to promote better farming practices and technological improvements to facilitate the broad rollout of stevia with the associate producers.
Executives of both companies believe that stevia is an opportunity for many farming families and members of the Colonias Unidas Cooperative, and the Itapúa Department as a whole. “We’re proud to partner with Colonias Unidas, who brings a long commitment to agriculture in the region, a highly professional staff, and access to thousands of hectares with their associates for future expansion,” said Fernando Chilavert, Managing Director of PureCircle South America. PureCircle
Danisco at the forefront of phage-resistant bacteria research
1/11/2010-Danisco consolidates its contribution to the study of bacteria with natural immunity to viruses (bacteriophage) in a paper published Jan. 8 by the international magazine Science. The review summarizes the latest findings made by Danisco and the growing number of research groups investigating CRISPR—Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats—an immune system which provides bacterial cells with acquired resistance to specific phages and foreign genetic elements.Danisco has made its CRISPR model freely available to international researchers to assist them in their investigations. “Our model remains the most well-established and documented for seeing the immune system work in bacteria,” said Senior Scientist Rodolphe Barrangou, Danisco. “We hope the paper will help research groups in their work and encourage others not currently involved in the field to look into CRISPR.” In July 2009, Danisco co-organized and sponsored the second CRISPR conference at University of California, Berkeley. The CRISPR review in Science includes some of the findings disclosed at the conference, including the recent discovery that RNA, not only DNA, can be a target of some CRISPR/Cas systems. Press release Abstract
Survey: Food protection training
1/11/2010-The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) and the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) would like to get your input regarding ongoing food protection training and invite you to participate in a short survey. AFDO and IFPTI would also like to request that you distribute the survey link (below) to your co-workers and staff so that the groups can get a broad range of feedback. The survey, which should take no more than 5 min, can be accessed by clicking http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W9DPPGJ. The survey needs to be completed by Friday, Jan. 15. Survey
Mintel hires Pete Giannakopoulos, President of CPG Americas
1/11/2010-Mintel International Group announces the appointment of Pete Giannakopoulos as President of Mintel Americas’ Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) business. In his new role, Giannakopoulos will oversee the continued expansion of Mintel’s consumer and market research offerings, leveraging Mintel’s substantial global resources in the delivery of published and custom research to clients.“With his strong background in publishing, sales, and marketing, we know that Pete is going to be instrumental in Mintel’s continued growth in the coming years,” said Jon Butcher, CEO of Mintel Americas. “The continued sales growth and expanding news presence of Mintel during the economic downturn has demonstrated how relevant Mintel’s insights are to marketers today.” For the past 13 years, Giannakopoulos has held senior management positions at business-to-business media companies, most notably Stagnito Communications. He has served North American and Latin American audiences in the food, beverage, packaging, health and beauty, pharmaceutical, green, and agricultural industries. His experience spans print, electronic, social, event, and custom media platforms. Press release
Friday, January 08, 2010
McCormick unveils 10th anniversary Flavor Forecast
1/08/2010-The flavor experts at McCormick have teamed up with leading chefs, food bloggers, and other culinary authorities to identify the top 10 flavor pairings and key trends that are poised to shape the way we eat in the year ahead. The McCormick Flavor Forecast 2010 marks a milestone—it’s the 10th anniversary of prolific flavor reports from the industry leader. “The year in flavor will be heavily influenced by bitter, warm, and earthy notes,” said Kevan Vetter, Executive Chef at McCormick. “We see America’s palates embracing stronger flavors—high-impact combinations that are anything but subtle. For example, bold bitter greens will be appreciated for their assertiveness, tamed with the licorice-like addition of caraway—one of the 10 pairings in this year’s report. The warm and earthy duo of roasted cumin and chickpeas is another expression of the year’s big flavors.” McCormick Flavor Forecast 2010 top 10 flavor pairings: 1. Roasted Ginger & Rhubarb: Exciting layers of spicy and sour, with warming notes and a powerful tang.
2. Thai Basil & Watermelon: A colorful study in contrasts offers a sweet, refreshing balance.
3. Caraway & Bitter Greens: An unmistakable spice tames the bitter bite of bold greens.
4. Bay Leaves & Preserved Lemon: Slowly coaxed flavor worth the wait, an aromatic mix of bitter, salty-tart, and bright.
5. Almond & Ale: The bittersweet character of both ingredients makes a congenial, cozy, and hearty match.
6. Turmeric & Vine-Ripened Tomatoes: Earthy and naturally sweet, this colorful, healthful blend is always in season.
7. Pumpkin Pie Spice & Coconut Milk: This lush, warm pairing reconnects with its tropical roots.
8. Roasted Cumin & Chickpeas: This globetrotting Mediterranean duet delivers warm, earthy flavor harmonies.
9. Creole Mustard & Shellfish: A vibrant pairing that brings Gulf Coast gusto to any part of the country.
10. Chives & Fish Sauce: Savory fusion of French and Asian cuisines. Leading trends in the McCormick Flavor Forecast 2010 include: • In Is the New Out: Big flavors and new definitions of “dinner party” bring the best of restaurant meals home.
• Always In Season: Preserving the peak of ripeness for year-round enjoyment, fresh at the ready.
• Meatless on the Menu: Mixing up the center of the plate.
• Ethnic Sizzle: Tastes of the global grill, appearing in a backyard near you.
• New Comfort Cuisine: A renewed appreciation for the integrity of ingredients and cooking techniques.
• Where the Cocktail Meets the Kitchen: Shaken or stirred, tasteful inspiration takes on new forms. Press release (pdf)
Update: Multistate outbreak of E. coli associated with beef from National Steak and Poultry
1/08/2010-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of human infections due to Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli 0157:H7). As of 5:00 PM EDT, Jan. 4, 2010, 21 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 had been reported from 16 states. Known illness onset dates range from Oct. 3, 2009 through Dec. 14, 2009. Most patients became ill between mid-October and late November. Patients range in age from 14 to 87 years, and the median age of patients is 34 years, which means half are younger than 34 years. There have been nine reported hospitalizations, one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths. Illnesses that occurred after Dec. 22, 2009 might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to three weeks. In early December 2009, CDC’s PulseNet staff identified a multistate cluster of 14 E. coli O157:H7 isolates with a particular DNA fingerprint or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern reported from 13 states. CDC’s OutbreakNet team began working with state and local partners to gather epidemiologic information about persons in the cluster to determine if any of the ill individuals had been exposed to the same food source(s). Health officials in several states who were investigating reports of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in this cluster found that most ill persons had consumed beef, many in restaurants. CDC is continuing to collaborate with state and local health departments in an attempt to gather additional epidemiologic information and share this information with FSIS. At this time, at least some of the illnesses appear to be associated with products subject to a recent FSIS recall. On December 24, 2009, FSIS issued a notice about a recall of 248,000 lbs of beef products from National Steak and Poultry that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recall was issued after FSIS determined there was an association between non-intact steaks (blade tenderized prior to further processing) and illnesses in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota, and Washington. CDC press release USDA-FSIS press release
Caravan Ingredients announces new Director
1/08/2010-Caravan Ingredients, Lenexa, Kan., has named Huifen He Director, Product Development Center. In this role He will be responsible for directing the activities of bakers, cereal chemists, and food scientists to develop new bakery-related products for customers as requested by sales. Previously, He worked at Campbell Taggart and Anheuser-Busch. “He has extensive experience in applying her knowledge of cereal chemistry to the solution of problems in baking and brewing,” said Larry Skogerson, VP Research & Development for Caravan Ingredients. “Her scientific skills and experience will enhance the ability of the Product Development program at Caravan Ingredients to provide value-added solutions to our customers.” Caravan Ingredients
Kemin acquires encapsulation technology and expands ruminant portfolio
1/08/2010-Kemin Industries Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, announced that it has acquired a majority share of an Italian manufacturer of encapsulation technology and products sold via distribution by Soda Feed Ingredients. This acquisition expands Kemin’s product portfolio of animal feed ingredients to include unique encapsulation technologies and new ingredients for the dairy industry. “Nutritionists are constantly challenged to maximize the digestibility of sometimes poorly absorbed feed ingredients,” said John Springate, President of Kemin Agrifoods. “Sound encapsulation, or the ability to time the release of active ingredients, can target absorption of ingredients at specific locations in the digestive tract. This unique delivery system provides optimum absorption of ingredients for maximum nutrition and health benefits.” Kemin will invest resources in research and development to apply these technologies in the food, pet food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Through the delivery of active ingredients with slow release technologies, Kemin will maximize the use of encapsulation with all product applications where there is a benefit to customers. New encapsulation technologies include: spray freezing, fluid bed, pan coating, and coacervation. These unique encapsulation technologies provide a targeted release in the gastrointestinal tract, application for rumen bypass, and protection for hard to handle active ingredients. Press release
FDA seizes $1 million+ worth of food from Nashville food processor, warehouse
1/08/2010-At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on Jan. 6 U.S. Marshals seized bulk restaurant food product at Won Feng Trading Co., a food processor and warehouse in Nashville, Tenn. The products are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they have been held under unsanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth. U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated foods, including a wide variety of bulk restaurant foods, such as 44-lb bags of rice, fresh produce, and frozen food products that are susceptible to contamination by rodents, insects, or other filth. The agency has not received any reports of consumer illnesses.Won Feng receives food from throughout the U.S. and distributes its products within the state of Tennessee. The FDA estimates the value of the seized goods to be more than $1 million. U.S. Marshals executed this seizure pursuant to a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. “The violations at Won Feng Trading are both serious and repetitive,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s Acting Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “The FDA will take actions against any food companies that fail to provide adequate safeguards to ensure that products they produce or hold for sale remain free of contamination.” The FDA had previously issued a Warning Letter to Won Feng in May 2009, citing numerous deviations from current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, including ineffective measures taken by the firm to exclude pests. The firm stated in a June response to the FDA that it had corrected the violations cited in the Warning Letter. In a follow-up inspection completed in November 2009, the FDA investigators found evidence of an active and widespread rodent infestation in the building, including live and dead rodents, rodent hair, rodent nesting material, evidence of rodent-gnawed food, and rodent urine. The FDA investigators also observed insect filth and live birds in the building, and found that the building had defects that could allow pests to enter food storage areas. These unsanitary conditions and practices led to the seizure action. Press release Warning Letter
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Nestlé to acquire Kraft Foods’ frozen pizza business
1/06/2010-Nestlé has agreed to acquire Kraft Foods’ frozen pizza business in the U.S. and Canada for $3.7 billion in cash. The business includes brands such as DiGiorno, Tombstone, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack’s, and Delissio. This frozen pizza business provides a new strategic pillar to Nestlé’s frozen food portfolio in the U.S. and Canada. The acquisition brings leadership in the frozen pizza category, where Nestlé only had a minor presence until now, and builds on Nestlé’s existing pizza know-how and operations in Europe. It is a natural fit with Nestlé’s focus on delivering convenient, premium, wholesome, and nutritious frozen food for consumers around the world. The transaction is subject to U.S. and Canadian regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in 2010.“This frozen pizza business greatly enhances Nestlé’s frozen food activities in North America, bringing together a selection of great U.S. and Canadian brands, industry-leading R&D, and excellent route-to-market capabilities, which complement our existing ice cream direct-store-delivery,” said Paul Bulcke, CEO of Nestlé. “With total sales of around CHF 3 billion, Nestlé will become the world leader in the attractive, fast-growing frozen pizza category.” The business will be part of Nestlé USA. “Our combined capabilities in direct-store-delivery, R&D, innovation and commitment to quality, taste, and convenience make this a good strategic fit with our frozen food portfolio,” said Brad Alford, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA. The business has an estimated 2009 EBITDA of $297 million or 14.2% of sales, and an estimated EBIT of $279 million. Synergies, estimated at 7% of sales, will be fully realized within five years. On a pre-synergy basis, the transaction is priced at 1.8 times estimated 2009 sales and 12.5 times estimated 2009 EBITDA. The acquisition will enhance Nestlé’s earnings per share in the first full year of ownership. Press release
Eating burgers, fried chicken may increase risk for type 2 diabetes
1/06/2010-A study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that African American women who eat fast food burgers or fried chicken often are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The researchers examined fast food consumption, lifestyle habits, and the development of diabetes in 44,072 African American women who filled out biennial questionnaires, beginning in 1995. Compared with women who claimed, in 1995 and again in 2001, to never eat fast foods, those who ate burgers, fried chicken or fish, or Chinese food more than once a week had higher body mass index (BMI) on average. According to the researchers, not only was the BMI of the fast food eaters in the 28 to 29 range—clearly overweight according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—this group also gained more weight during the course of the study. In the 2,873 women who developed diabetes over 10 years, the researchers noted greater likelihood for the blood sugar disorder in frequent burger and fried chicken eaters, but not eaters of other fast foods, when they allowed for age, education, family history of diabetes, and lifestyle and dietary factors linked to diabetes risk. The women who ate fast food burgers or fried chicken at least twice a week were 40–70% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes over 10 years than their counterparts who never ate these calorie-laden foods. However, allowing for body mass reduced the burgers/fried chicken and diabetes link, indicating that associated weight gain that comes with eating too much fast food explains most of the diabetes cases. The researchers suggest similar associations are likely for other women and men, and highlight the need for further investigations into any fast food/diabetes link among other populations. Abstract
Pilgrim’s Pride completes reorganization
1/06/2010-Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has announced that the company and six of its subsidiaries have emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a 13-month restructuring. In connection with its emergence, the company has entered into a $1.75 billion exit credit. The exit credit facility is secured by substantially all of the company’s assets. Under the terms of the company’s plan of reorganization, all creditors of the company and its debtor subsidiaries holding allowed claims will be paid in full as soon as practicable. In the case of bondholders, payment will be made either through reinstatement of the bonds or in accordance with the holder’s previous election of a cash-out option. Under the terms of the confirmed plan, all of the shares of the company’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the plan were canceled and converted on a one-for-one basis into the right to receive new shares of the reorganized company. The reorganized company issued 64% of its common stock to JBS USA Holdings, Inc. in exchange for $800 million in cash. The remaining 36% of the common stock of the reorganized company was issued to stockholders existing immediately prior to the effective date. Proceeds from the sale of the common stock of reorganized Pilgrim’s Pride to JBS are being used to fund cash distributions to unsecured creditors. The reorganized company’s common stock began trading Dec. 29 on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PPC.” “Pilgrim’s Pride today begins a new chapter as a market-driven company clearly focused on delivering the highest levels of service, selection, and value to our customers as efficiently as possible,” said Don Jackson, President and CEO. “Over the past 13 months, we have made significant improvements across our organization aimed at positioning Pilgrim’s Pride to respond quickly to the needs of the market. Those changes have touched every aspect of our business, from supply chain and operations to sales and marketing. Thanks to the commitment and support of our 41,000 employees and 4,500 growers, Pilgrim’s Pride today is a stronger, leaner company with a growing customer base, improved capital structure and a culture built on results and accountability.” Press release
USA Rice announces Healthy Rice Bowls contest winners
1/06/2010-The USA Rice Federation has announced its annual K-12 Healthy Rice Bowls contest grand prize winner, Sylvia Kravitz, Product Developer for San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). Her rice bowls entry included Sweet and Sour Shrimp, Teriyaki Chicken with Asian Vegetables, Beef with Broccoli, and Fajita Chicken. SDUSD conducted student focus groups to identify school lunch preferences and rice bowls were widely accepted, satisfying students’ interests in ethnic flavors while delivering a complete, nutritious meal of grains, vegetables, and proteins to over 130,000 students daily. “Students told us they wanted meals that are appealing, filling, fast, easy to hold and most importantly great tasting. Rice bowls fit the bill, helping to enhance the school’s grab-and-go lunch menu in a fun and creative way,” said Kravitz.
USA Rice also awarded two runners up—Mark Baida, Executive Chef for the Los Angeles Unified School District and Rachel Kovich, Foodservice Director for University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Serving 690,000 students, Baida’s Orange Chicken Brown Rice Bowl includes brown rice topped with crispy orange chicken and fresh steamed broccoli and carrots. Kovich’s Asian Rice Bowl Bar includes Mongolian Beef and Sweet and Sour Chicken with a choice of brown or white rice, pot stickers, and vegetables.
The USA Rice Federation sponsors the Healthy Rice Bowls contest so school foodservice directors from across the country can share their ideas and success stories for serving healthy meals for school lunch. Grand Prize Winner, Sylvia Kravitz, will receive $250 towards her school’s education fund, two Aroma rice cookers—a commercial-sized cooker for her school and a consumer-sized rice cooker for herself, and will be featured on MenuRice.com. Runners up will also receive two Aroma rice cookers. USA Rice Federation
New USDA-developed soybean line resists key nematode
1/06/2010-A new soybean line developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists is good news for growers. The line, JTN-5109, is effective against the most virulent soybean cyst nematode, called LY1. The soybean cyst nematode is a pervasive soybean pest worldwide. In the U.S., the nematode is the most damaging soybean pest, causing an estimated yield loss of nearly 94 million bushels in 2007. Genetic resistance has been the most effective means of controlling the pest.
Nearly all nematode-resistant soybean varieties currently available contain resistance genes from one of two sources—soybean lines “Peking” or Plant Introduction (PI) 88788. JTN-5109, however, has combined nematode resistance from three sources—“Peking,” PI 437654, and PI 567516C. JTN-5109 is the latest soybean line developed by geneticist Prakash Arelli and his team at the ARS Crop Genetics Research Unit’s satellite laboratory in Jackson, Tenn. The soybean was developed using a combination of traditional plant breeding and genetic marker-assisted selection. Arelli discussed the research at a meeting of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America in November. JTN-5109 provided yields of 26 bushels per acre in field studies conducted in 2008 at Jackson, Tenn., and Ames Plantation near Grand Junction, Tenn. That yield is not far below the 29 bushels per acre produced by 5601T, which is a commonly used cultivar, but one susceptible to LY1. The JTN-5109 line will be an excellent source material for breeding high-yielding soybeans with resistance to nematodes, especially for the LY1 nematode population. Press release
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Kraft to increase Cadbury bid, set to receive EU approval
1/05/2010-According to The Sunday Times, Kraft is preparing to sweeten its hostile £10 billion takeover bid for the British chocolate maker Cadbury. Irene Rosenfeld, Chairwoman and Chief Executive of Kraft Foods, will raise her offer in the next two weeks in a final attempt to persuade Cadbury shareholders to succumb to a bid. Kraft has set a deadline of Jan. 5 for its current cash-and-shares offer, but Cadbury investors are stubbornly holding out for a higher bid. Cadbury shares closed at 797 pence on Dec. 31—61 pence higher than Kraft’s offer. This leaves the American company with no option but to increase its price if it wants to win over shareholders. Kraft has to make a move by Jan. 19, after that date it can make a higher offer only if a rival takeover bid is made by another suitor.In other news, Reuters has reported that Kraft is set to win EU approval for the takeover this week. The European Commission, the European Union’s executive, is reviewing Kraft’s takeover plan after the maker of Dairylea and Oreo cookies offered concessions last month to ease regulatory concerns that its bid for Cadbury could be anticompetitive. A decision is due by Jan. 6. The European Union competition watchdog is expected to clear Kraft’s bid conditionally, the source said. Under EU merger regulations, the Commission usually carries out a first-phase, 25 working days review of a takeover or acquisition. It can launch an in-depth investigation if it feels there are competition concerns with the deal. Kraft said last month it had offered concessions in a few markets and did not expect the regulator to demand major divestments. The Sunday Times article Reuters article
DA takes action against New Jersey cheese manufacturer
1/05/2010-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced intentions to ask a federal court to shut down a New Jersey cheese manufacturer with an alleged history of operating under insanitary conditions and producing cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Quesos Mi Pueblito and two of its officers, Felix Sanchez and Jesus Galvez. The complaint alleges that recent inspections by the FDA and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services found Listeria-contaminated cheese and insanitary conditions at the Passaic company.If entered by the court, the injunction would stop the company and its officers from manufacturing and distributing food until they can bring their operations into full compliance with FDA food safety regulations and produce cheese that does not test positive for the presence of Listeria. The complaint for permanent injunction was filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. Quesos Mi Pueblito currently manufactures and distributes a variety of soft, semi-soft, and hard Mexican cheeses in grocery stores and supermarkets in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Among Quesos Mi Pueblito’s products are queso oaxaca, queso fresco, queso requeson, and queso cotija molido. Press release
ConAgra files lawsuit with Dean Foods over Swiss Miss
1/05/2010-According to the Omaha World-Herald, ConAgra Foods, the maker of Swiss Miss brand hot cocoa mix, has filed a lawsuit with Dean Foods Co. for trademark-infringement and unfair competition, for the marketing and selling of its Swiss Premium line of teas. ConAgra alleges the “product, design, packaging, and trade dress” of Dean’s Swiss Premium bottled teas are similar to the company’s popular Swiss Miss hot cocoa mix and take advantage of the ConAgra brand’s market presence and reputation. The dispute, ConAgra alleged in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Omaha, Neb., started last spring when Dean Foods changed the packaging and logo for its teas, making the product design similar to that of Swiss Miss. The packaging on both possesses comparable white fonts, a blue banner, and white and blue snowy mountains in the background. Both use ribbon graphics to outline flavors and product details, and both have a cup of the product near the bottom of the logo.ConAgra said it sent Dean Foods a cease-and-desist order in May but no changes were taken by Dean Foods. In the court filing, ConAgra said the Dean Foods’ tea labeling has sparked confusion for consumers who inquired about purchasing the “Swiss Miss tea.” “I can tell you that we've filed this lawsuit because we believe it’s very important to protect our brands’ trademarks and trade dress, and to prevent consumer confusion about our products,” said Stephanie Childs, a ConAgra spokeswoman. A spokeswoman for Dean Foods on Dec. 29 said the company had not received a copy of the lawsuit and could not comment. Omaha World-Herald article
PepsiCo joint venture acquires Egyptian dairy, juice company
1/05/2010-According to the Associated Press, PepsiCo Inc. has announced that its joint venture acquired an Egyptian company called the International Company for Agro-Industrial Projects, also known as Beyti. Pepsi formed a joint venture called International Dairy and Juice Ltd. with Saudi Arabian dairy company Almarai in 2009, with the purpose of expanding in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The joint venture acquired Beyti from Almarai, which bought Beyti in October 2009 and transferred it to the joint venture at no cost. Beyti produces dairy and juice products, including yogurt and cheese. The deal expands PepsiCo’s existing non-alcoholic beverages and savory snacks offerings in Egypt, and it expands Almarai’s offerings in dairy outside its core markets, PepsiCo said.AP article
Bunge Ltd. to expand sugar business in Brazil
1/05/2010-Bunge Ltd. has entered into an agreement to become the 100% owner of Usina Moema Participações S.A. Moema Par is a holding company that wholly owns one sugarcane mill in Brazil and has ownership interests in five others. Together, the cluster of six mills (“Moema Group”) has an annual crushing capacity of 15.4 million metric tons. With this transaction, Bunge will have a 60% effective share of the total capacity, representing Moema Par’s wholly owned mill and its interests in four of the five other mills.The transaction will be structured as a share exchange, and under the terms of the agreement, shareholders in Moema Par will be entitled to receive approximately 7.3 million common shares of Bunge Ltd., which includes a payment of approximately $36 million in respect of working capital. The value of the transaction is approximately $896 million, including approximately $480 million of net debt and excluding this working capital amount. The final number of shares to be issued will be based on the amount of net indebtedness and working capital of Moema Par at closing. “This transaction fulfills Bunge’s strategic goal of building a large-scale, fully integrated business in sugar and bioenergy,” said Alberto Weisser, Chairman and CEO of Bunge Ltd. “It adds significant scale to our current milling operations and enables us to vary production among multiple sugar and ethanol products, according to market conditions. The Moema Group cluster is also strategically located near large domestic markets in Brazil and has excellent access to export logistics systems. All of these strengths make it a perfect fit with our global trading and marketing operations.” The closing of the transaction is expected to occur within the next 45 days, subject to certain conditions, including reaching satisfactory agreements with the shareholders in the Moema Group mills not wholly owned by Moema Par. Press release (pdf)
Oklahoma firm recalls beef due to possible E. coli contamination
1/05/2010-National Steak and Poultry, Owasso, Okla., is recalling approximately 248,000 lbs of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Dec. 24. FSIS became aware of the problem during the course of an investigation of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health and agriculture departments, FSIS determined that there is an association between non-intact steaks (blade tenderized prior to further processing) and illnesses in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota, and Washington. FSIS is continuing to work with the CDC and affected state public health partners on the investigation. Each package bears a label with the establishment number “EST. 6010T” inside the USDA mark of inspection, respective case codes cited above, and packaging dates of “10/12/2009,” “10/13/2009,” “10/14/2009,” or “10/21/2009.” These products were shipped to restaurants nationwide. Press release
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Researchers find clues to why some eat when full
12/30/2009-Research studies have suggested that the so-called hunger hormone ghrelin, which the body produces when it’s hungry, might act on the brain to make food look more appealing. New research in mice by UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists suggest that ghrelin might also work in the brain to make some people keep eating “pleasurable” foods when they’re already full. “What we show is that there may be situations where we are driven to seek out and eat very rewarding foods, even if we’re full, for no other reason than our brain tells us to,” said Dr. Jeffrey Zigman, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at UT Southwestern and co-senior author of the study appearing online and in a future edition of Biological Psychiatry.Scientists previously have linked increased levels of ghrelin to intensifying the rewarding or pleasurable feelings one gets from cocaine or alcohol. Dr. Zigman said his team speculated that ghrelin might also increase specific rewarding aspects of eating. Rewards, he said, generally can be defined as things that make us feel better. “They give us sensory pleasure, and they motivate us to work to obtain them,” he said. “They also help us reorganize our memory so that we remember how to get them.” Dr. Mario Perello, postdoctoral researcher in internal medicine and lead author of the current study, said the idea was to determine “why someone who is stuffed from lunch still eats—and wants to eat—that high-calorie dessert.” For this study, the researchers conducted two standard behavioral tests. In the first, they evaluated whether mice that were fully sated preferred a room where they had previously found high-fat food over one that had only offered regular bland chow. They found that when mice in this situation were administered ghrelin, they strongly preferred the room that had been paired with the high-fat diet. Mice without ghrelin showed no preference. “We think the ghrelin prompted the mice to pursue the high-fat chow because they remembered how much they enjoyed it,” Dr. Perello said. “It didn’t matter that the room was now empty; they still associated it with something pleasurable.” The researchers also found that blocking the action of ghrelin, which is normally secreted into the bloodstream upon fasting or caloric restriction, prevented the mice from spending as much time in the room they associated with the high-fat food. For the second test, the team observed how long mice would continue to poke their noses into a hole in order to receive a pellet of high-fat food. “The animals that didn’t receive ghrelin gave up much sooner than the ones that did receive ghrelin,” Dr. Zigman said. The next step, Dr. Perello said, is to determine which neural circuits in the brain regulate ghrelin’s actions. Press release
CSPI urges FDA to end qualified health claims labeling
12/30/2009-The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) sent a 158-page document to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration urging the agency to crackdown on false and misleading food labeling. CSPI wants the agency to prohibit qualified health claims for foods. Unlike "health claims," which must meet a "significant scientific agreement" standard, qualified health claims include disclaimers explaining that the scientific evidence is uncertain. CSPI also wants the FDA and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) to prohibit misleading "structure/function" claims that a given food will "support" or "maintain" healthy immune systems, joints, vision, and so on. Consumers simply can't distinguish between stringently regulated health claims, which require FDA approval, and structure/function claims, which don’t, according to CSPI. CSPI also recommends improvements to the Nutrition Facts Panel, Ingredients label, and front-of-package nutrition labeling. "For far too long, some of the world's biggest food manufacturers have designed their labels either to exaggerate the amount of healthy ingredients, or to imply that the food has magical, drug-like qualities that could prevent or treat various health problems," said CSPI legal affairs director Bruce Silverglade. "The Bush Administration gave manufacturers more and more license to deceive. But the party’s over—or at least it should be." Press release
Wessanen sells Tree of Life to Kehe Food Distributors
12/30/2009-The Executive Board of Royal Wessanen nv (“Wessanen”) announced that it has reached agreement with Kehe Food Distributors, Inc. (“Kehe”) on the sale and purchase of Tree of Life, Inc. and all but one of its subsidiaries (“Tree of Life”) for a cash consideration of $190 million (EUR 133 million) on a cash and debt free basis and subject to certain adjustments on closing. Panos Brands LLC has been excluded from the sale.The net proceeds of the sale will be used to reduce Wessanen’s debt and strengthen its balance sheet to support growth of its European businesses. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010. The management of Tree of Life is expected to stay. In view of this, Richard Lane, President and CEO of Tree of Life, has stepped down as Executive Board member of Wessanen, effective immediately. Frans Koffrie, Wessanen CEO, commented: “For Wessanen this is a major step in its strategic transition to a group focused on European organic and specialty food markets. Earlier this year we announced reviews to exit our North American branded and distribution businesses. With the earlier divestment of Liberty Richter and now Tree of Life, good progress has been made toward this strategic focus. In combination with a strengthened balance sheet, we are well-positioned to benefit in full from the ample opportunities of the European organic and specialty food markets.” Tree of Life Inc. is a leading distributor of natural, organic, gourmet, specialty, and multicultural food products to supermarket chains, independent grocers, natural/health food stores, and specialty/ethnic stores throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. Revenues amounted to $1.16 billion (EUR 853 million) and EBIT to $12 million (EUR 8.3 million) for the last four quarters to September 2009. Kehe, based in Romeoville, Ill., distributes Natural & Organic, Specialty & Gourmet, and Ethnic food products to retail locations throughout the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Press release
Chocolate sales soar despite global recession
12/30/2009-According to market researcher Mintel, chocolate sales around the world have busted through the recession. In China and the Ukraine—two countries not necessarily recognized for their rampant chocoholic populations—chocolate confectionery sales rose 18% and 12%, respectively, this year. Each country has seen steady sales increases since 2005 and Mintel predicts continued growth through 2013.Other countries have also seen chocolate bars, bags, and boxes flying off the shelves, albeit at lower rates. Brits drove their chocolate market up 5.9% this year, while Americans purchased 2.6% more chocolate than in 2008. Argentinean sales rose 1.8% from 2008, while in Belgium, a country that claims to produce some of the world’s best chocolate, sales increased by 3.2%. “It’s clear that despite economic trouble this year, the world’s chocolate lovers didn’t deviate from their favorite treat. Chocolate is a small, affordable indulgence for shoppers who are cutting back on spending elsewhere. Even in countries not known for chocolate consumption, sales are on the rise,” comments Marcia Mogelonsky, global food and drink analyst at Mintel. Press release
Heinz sells appetizers business
12/30/2009-According to Pittsburgh Business Times, H.J. Heinz Co. has sold Appetizers And Inc. to Plover, Wis.-based Golden County Foods, a maker of food products for retail, foodservice, and private label industries. Appetizers And is a frozen hors d’oeuvres business that was part of Heinz’s U.S. Food Segment. The sale includes one factory in Chicago.Pittsburgh Business Times article
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Willamette Shelling recalls shelled hazelnuts because of possible Salmonella
12/23/2009- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says an Oregon company is recalling 114,350 lbs of shelled hazelnuts that have “the potential” to be contaminated with Salmonella. The nuts have been distributed across the U.S. and Canada, according to a news release by Willamette Shelling Inc. of Newberg, Ore., that was posted on the FDA’s Web site. No illnesses have been reported.Whole Foods, the grocery chain based in Austin, Texas, has also announced in a news release on the FDA Web site that it is a recalling an unspecified amount of raw organic hazelnuts. A spokesperson for Whole Foods said that the hazelnuts being recalled originated with Willamette Shelling and Willamette Filbert Growers. The recall covers hazelnuts sold through its stores in California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Besides Whole Foods, Willamette’s nuts are on the market under the brand names Kunze Farms, Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts, Canadian Hazelnuts, and Firestone Farms. Willamette Shelling says it is recalling all hazelnuts processed at its facility from Oct. 12 through Nov. 25, 2009. The company says some of its products were returned to Oregon processors and a Canadian processor, which distributed some of the hazelnuts. Unshelled hazelnuts are not affected by the current recall. Willamette says all products subject to recall were packed in 25-lb and 50-lb corrugated boxes with lot code numbers 296091A, 299091A, 300091A, VH3696BO, and 310091A. Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts of Eugene, Ore., which announced a recall Dec. 18 of 6,712 lbs of raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels, says the product was processed at Willamette. On Dec. 18, Harry & David announced that it is voluntarily recalling raw, shelled hazelnut kernels sold only in its Harry & David Country Village store located in Medford, Ore. Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts supplied the hazelnuts. Willamette press release Evonuk press release Whole Foods press release Harry and David press release
Most consumers sticking with organic options in down economy
12/23/2009-While trading down and out of some segments is common during tough economic times, consumers that buy natural and organic food are staying loyal to this health-conscious category. A recent survey from market research firm Mintel shows that nearly 40% of consumers claim they haven’t changed organic product purchasing habits because of the recession and only a mere 3% have stopped buying organic products altogether.“Heavy users of natural and organic food and drink are most likely to indicate they’ve traded down to less expensive organic options,” said David Browne, Senior Analyst at Mintel. “However, less-frequent consumers of organic products have shown that they haven’t shifted their behavior. This is good news for the organic food and drink market, as this group may begin to buy more once recession-related fears begin to fade.” With a slight decline in supermarket sales in 2009 (-0.3%), Mintel and natural products industry expert SPINS expect the organic food and drink market to recover gradually during 2010–12, but not at pre-recession growth rates. Consumers have made shifts in their purchase behavior that are likely to carry on through this time period. “The natural and organic food industry has an opportunity to instill trust and educate consumers as we work our way out of this recession,” said Browne. Currently, only one-third (33%) of survey respondents trust the term “natural” on labels and nearly half (45%) trust the term “organic.” However, roughly 30% of respondents say they don’t know if they can trust either term. Press release
USDA to give dairy farmers special subsidy payment
12/23/2009-According to Reuters, struggling U.S. dairy farmers, who have seen milk prices plunge 30% since 2008, will receive a one-time subsidy payment, the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) said on Dec. 17. Milk producers that qualify will receive about 32 cents per hundredweight (cwt, 100 lbs), according to the USDA, with a limit per dairy operation of 6 million lbs, or roughly 300 cows. A producer reaching the maximum output would get $19,200.Burdened by recession and an abrupt slump in exports, dairy prices collapsed early this year, and have only recently shown signs of improving on worldwide demand. Still, milk prices are forecast to average $12.75 per cwt this year, well below the $18.29 averaged during 2008. The national price for milk was $16.80 per cwt in the fourth quarter of 2008, but fell 27% to $12.23 per cwt in the first quarter of 2009. In many cases, the price dairy farmers received for milk was less than what it cost them to produce it. Eligible producers will receive the payment based on the amount of milk both produced and commercially marketed by their operation between February and July 2009. The production information will be used to estimate a full year’s output to calculate the payments. The funding for the special payment comes from the 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Bill, which authorized $290 million for loss assistance payments to eligible dairy producers. USDA said dairy producers who have production records with its Farm Service Agency because they participate in another dairy program will be enrolled automatically. More than 95% of eligible producers will receive benefits without having to fill out a new application, the USDA said. The remaining producers have until Jan. 19, 2010, to apply. “Through this program, eligible dairy producers will receive economic assistance that will help stabilize their operations during these tough economic times,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I have personally heard from hundreds of struggling dairy farmers from all across our country who have been hit hard by declining prices over the past year, and now, we’ll be able to offer them help.” Reuters article USDA press release
Egg processing plant carts can harbor bacteria
12/23/2009-Plywood-shelved carts that are used to transport eggs into processing plants can harbor Enterobacteriaceae, according to a microbial survey conducted by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Athens, Ga. Enterobacteriaceae, a bacterial family that includes the human pathogens Salmonella and Shigella, are known to contaminate the shell egg processing environment. High levels of these bacteria in the processing plant can signal inadequate sanitation.However, little is known about the number of genera and species that contribute to contamination of what are called nest run carts. Eggs that are produced by hens not housed in buildings connected to the processing plant are called nest run eggs. These eggs are transported to the plant on the carts to be processed. The results were part of a larger survey conducted in 2008. Swab samples were taken from two plants in the southeastern U.S. during three visits to determine location, bacterial profile, and levels in the egg production line. Food Technologists Michael Musgrove and Deana Jones in the ARS Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit at the Richard B. Russell Research Center in Athens found 100% prevalence for Enterobacteriaceae on nests run carts at one plant and 80% at the other. Species of Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Salmonella, among others, were present. Pseudomonas was the only non-Enterobacteriaceae identified in the survey. Each cart contained 15 unpainted plywood shelves. Musgrove and Jones took swab samples from the cart shelves and recovered a wide range of genera, but Escherichia and Enterobacter were present most often compared to other Enterobacteriaceae. Knowing which bacteria are present and their location are vital pieces of information in developing strategies to reduce and remove bacterial contamination. The findings of this survey will be used by microbiologists working with the shell egg industry and regulators to encourage development of better sanitation procedures or the use of more easily-cleaned shelving materials. This research was published in the Journal of Food Protection. Press release
Fast food consumption may increase salt preference
12/23/2009-A study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics shows that excessive exposure to high-salt foods may change the taste perception, resulting in the overconsumption of sodium. The study aimed to investigate the effects of liking or frequent eating of high-salt food on salt taste perception among schoolchildren. The detection threshold of sodium chloride (NaCl) and the preferred salinity of beansprout soup were determined and were used to represent the salt taste acuity and preference, respectively, of 70 Koreans, ages 12–13. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding food preferences or frequency of eating certain high-salt Korean dishes, Westernized fast foods, and commercially prepared foods, as well as various food groups. The significance of differences in taste perceptions was assessed in relation to the reported liking, and frequency of eating, high-salt foods. In addition, the correlation between taste perception and the liking or frequency of eating fast foods was also assessed.The researchers found that the participants who reported a liking for soup/stew had significantly higher thresholds for NaCl, and frequent users of fast-food restaurants showed a preference for significantly saltier soup. The preferred salinity was associated significantly with a high preference for pizza or hamburgers and the frequent consumption of pork cutlets or hamburgers. The researchers concluded that the frequent consumption of certain fast foods by young teenagers may be associated with an increased preference for salt taste. This study provides basic information for use in devising education programs in evidence-based nutrition to reduce salt intake. Abstract
Friday, December 18, 2009
New vaccines may help thwart E. coli O157:H7
12/18/2009-Immunizing calves with either of two forms of a vaccine newly developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists might reduce the spread of sometimes deadly Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria. Research Microbiologists Vijay K. Sharma and Thomas A. Casey developed the novel vaccines in their laboratories at the agency’s National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa and are seeking a patent for it.Preventing E. coli O157:H7 from proliferating inside cattle helps limit contamination of meat at the packinghouse, and reduces shedding of the microbe into the animals’ manure. Manure-borne E. coli can be moved by rainfall into drinking water. What’s more, it can end up in irrigation water, and can contaminate fruits, vegetables or other crops, increasing risk of an outbreak of foodborne illness. One form of the vaccine is comprised of cells of a strain of E. coli O157:H7 that is lacking a gene known as hha. A second form of the vaccine contains an E. coli strain lacking both hha and a second gene, sepB. In either vaccine, the E. coli strain produces a large quantity of what are known as immunogenic proteins. These proteins trigger the immune system response that prevents E. coli O157:H7 from successfully colonizing cattle intestines. In preliminary tests, Holstein calves were immunized at age three months with a placebo or either form of the vaccine. Six weeks later, the animals were given a dose of E. coli O157:H7, and, for the next 18 days, their manure was tested for evidence of the microbe. Calves that received either vaccine had reduced or non-detectable levels of E. coli in their manure within only a few days after being inoculated with the bacteria, Sharma and Casey found. Some of the scientists’ earliest work with the hha gene is documented in FEMS Microbiology Letters. Press release
Fat consumption may not affect weight gain over time
12/18/2009-A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the percentage of calories that a person got from fat, as opposed to protein or carbohydrates, had nothing to do with how much weight they gained in the coming years. The role of dietary fat content in obesity and weight gain is controversial. To investigate, the researchers examined data on nearly 90,000 men and women from six different countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study. Participants were followed for up to 10 years.Average fat intake ranged from 31.5–36.5% of total calories. On average, people gained about a quarter of a pound every year. But analyses that accounted for several factors found no relationship between how much weight people gained and how much fat they ate, or their intake of polyunsaturated fats versus saturated fats. The researchers noted that the findings shouldn't be seen as showing that people can eat as much fat as they want. Abstract
Food aromas may be able to increase satiation
12/18/2009-A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that foods engineered to release satiating aromas during chewing may be able to discourage overeating. This would help combat obesity by stimulating areas of the brain that signal fullness. Using a novel approach of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (APcI-MS) in combination with olfactometry, the relative importance of different aroma concepts for satiation was studied, from both consumer and food product points of view. The link between retronasal aroma—that’s the aroma that you smell when you are ingesting food, when molecules from the food come in contact with your olfactory senses from the inside rather than through your nose—and satiation is long established. However, the researchers suggest food itself could be engineered to produce more intense or longer-lasting satiating aromas that will make people feel full more quickly.When you eat, certain molecules break free from the food as you chew, working their way up to your nasal cavity and to your olfactory sensors. From there, they’ve been shown to stimulate certain areas of the brain connected with satiety, or the feeling of fullness. The problem is, like many processes in the brain, the feeling is based on perception, and that varies from person to person. However, the researchers found that in tests where subjects were free to eat as much as they wanted, subjects who experienced a higher extent of retronasal aroma release freely chose to consume less food. The findings suggest that if food could be engineered—using additives to increase aftertaste, by making certain aromas linger, or even by packaging food such that it is consumed in smaller bites—it could prolong the sensation of retronasal aroma release, making the diner feel fuller faster. Abstract Popular Science article
26,500 school cafeterias lack required inspections
12/18/2009-According to a USA Today investigation, 8,500 schools failed to have their kitchens inspected at all last year, and another 18,000 fell short of a requirement in the Child Nutrition Act that calls for cafeteria inspections at least twice a year. The mandate is part of the National School Lunch Program, which provides food for 31 million schoolchildren across the nation. Almost every school in the U.S. receives food as part of the program.The purpose of the inspection requirement is to ensure that the facilities and workers comply with safety and sanitary requirements—from checking food temperatures to wearing gloves. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the school lunch program, acknowledges that the rule is almost impossible to enforce. It is supposed to be a requirement to receive food as part of the lunch program, but the law does not say what will happen to schools that do not get inspected. Federal data show that more than half the schools in eight states—including California and New York—failed to meet the requirement for two inspections during the 2007–08 school year. In Maine, the state where the fewest schools conformed to the law, less than 1% of schools met the requirement that year. In the 2007–08 school year, about 26,500 schools—about 28%—failed to get the required two inspections. Still, that was an improvement over previous years. In 2006–07, for instance, 32% failed to meet the requirement. No foodborne illness has sickened more schoolkids in the past decade than norovirus, and none is linked as consistently to improper food handling in cafeterias. Data kept by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that norovirus caused at least one-third of the 23,000 foodborne illness cases reported in schools from 1998 through 2007. The toll: about 7,500 sick children, USA Today found. Those figures represent just a fraction of all cases. Investigators suspected but couldn't confirm norovirus in nearly 2,000 additional illnesses in schools during that period, and the CDC says many more cases go unreported. USA Today article
Ahold buying 25 stores from U.S. peer Ukrop’s
12/18/2009-According to The Wall Street Journal, Netherlands-based supermarket giant Royal Ahold NV is acquiring 25 stores from U.S. peer Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc. for around $140 million as part of the Dutch group’s new growth strategy following years of divestments. The acquisition, announced Dec. 17, marks the beginning of a shopping spree by Ahold that investors have been anticipating. Ahold, which sits on a €2.6 billion cash pile, has repeatedly said the economic downturn offers takeover opportunities and that it would be looking to snap up any stores that are sold by rivals in both the U.S. and Europe. Last month, the company reorganized its U.S. and European operations to position itself to make acquisitions in both new and existing markets. Ukrop’s, a family-owned supermarket chain, is based in Richmond, Va. Ahold will buy 25 of its stores, which will be incorporated by Giant-Carlisle, one of Ahold’s U.S. subsidiaries. The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2010, includes 25 stores, inventories, lease agreements, and one new store location, Ahold said. “This acquisition is part of Ahold’s profitable growth strategy,” said John Rishton, CEO of Ahold. “Ukrop’s is a great company with a strong heritage in an attractive market. We believe that Giant-Carlisle and Ukrop’s will be a strong combination." Could this acquisition be the first sign of grocery consolidation intensifying? According to a recent Nielsen report, it very well could be, as it falls among the marketing and media information company’s top five consumer goods spending trends for the coming year. “Local and regional players, unable to drive profits in the soft economy, will become acquisition targets and some larger national and regional grocers will divest unprofitable formats and banners to strengthen investments behind their winning formats and banners,” reported Nielsen. The Wall Street Journal article AP article Ahold press release Nielsen press release
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Can meta-analysis help biosafety research?
12/17/2009-Santa Clara University Biology Professor Michelle Marvier and her colleagues have recently published a meta-analysis of field studies that concluded that Bt crops are generally more benign for non-target invertebrates than chemical insecticides. A second meta-analysis of lab studies found no harmful effects of Bt proteins on honeybees. Although these reports will probably fail to convince skeptics, they raise an important question: Can meta-analysis be used to tease meaningful results out of a series of studies that, taken individually, are inconclusive? Given the cost and methodological complexity of ecological studies, it’s an important question. In the latest ePerspective post, Bruce Chassy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, reaffirms the importance of meta-analyses but stresses the need to discard flawed and biased studies. What do you think meta-analysis can do for the industry, or genetically modified crops specifically?ePerspective
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Cadbury launches defense against Kraft offer
12/16/2009-According to the Associated Press, Cadbury PLC kicked off a robust defense against Kraft Foods Inc.’s £9.8 billion ($16.3 billion) hostile takeover offer on Dec. 14, urging shareholders not to let the U.S. maker of cheese, cookies, and macaroni dinners “steal your company with its derisory offer.” Cadbury also confirmed that it had received rival approaches from The Hershey Co. and Italy’s Ferrero International SA, but said they were too preliminary to begin proper talks and warned that it would not accept a sub-par offer from any suitor. Kraft said Dec. 14 that its offer stands and that it was reviewing Cadbury’s response. Kraft could still raise the bid under British regulations.The prospect of 195-year-old Cadbury falling into foreign ownership has caused some consternation in Britain, where it is a much-loved brand. Felicity Loudon, a member of the Cadbury family, has lamented “the possibility of one of the last remaining British icons disappearing into an American plastic cheese company,” while Britain’s leading labor union fears more production jobs will be shipped offshore. Kraft, based in Northfield, Ill., and others are attracted to Cadbury, the maker of Dairy Milk chocolate and Dentyne gum, for both its storied history and its current strong international reach and key presence in emerging markets. Cadbury played on those strengths on Dec. 14 by raising its long term performance targets to play up its position as a strong independent company, including lifting organic revenue growth to 5–7% per year, up from a previously forecast 4–6%, and forecasting improved margins of 16–18% by 2013, up from the “mid-teens.” But some analysts have suggested those projections, at the top of the forecasts for the confectionary market, could be tough for Cadbury to achieve alone, and Cadbury Chairman Roger Carr did leave the door open for some kind of tie-up. While stressing that Cadbury was “not up for sale,” Carr acknowledged that Kraft’s decision earlier this month to take cash and shares offer straight to shareholders after the British company’s board rejected an almost identical approach meant it was now in takeover play. That left the Cadbury board open to discussion with any potential suitor—Kraft included—that made a compelling offer, Carr said. AP article Cadbury press release Kraft press release
Watermelon: Fruit on the fast track
12/16/2009-USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are studying how watermelons grow from tiny flowers to plus-size, market-ready produce in only five weeks. Their findings have resulted in the first reported large-scale study that identified and characterized key genes regulating watermelon growth and development. The researchers included Plant Geneticist Amnon Levi and Plant Pathologist Pat Wechter at the ARS U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, S.C. Tissue was taken from watermelons at three distinct stages during growth and ripening. Then the team analyzed RNA from all the tissue samples and used the RNA to develop a library of genes called expressed sequence tags (ESTs), which are unique gene segments involved in different aspects of development and metabolism. The researchers found that these genes were active in metabolism, cell growth, cell development, and transporting nutrients and other substances across cell walls. The genes also came into play in cell division, cellular communication, DNA copying, plant defense, and stress response. The scientists also found a large number of ESTs that appear to be modulated in the fruit during development and ripening. But they can’t match them up with any other known plant ESTs, so they may be unique to watermelon. This information could benefit plant breeders and watermelon producers alike. Since cultivated watermelons are not genetically diverse, they are more vulnerable to pathogens and environmental stresses. So finding sources of genetic resistance to watermelon diseases is essential to the continued success of U.S. production. Results from this study were published in Biomed Central Genomics. Agricultural Research article Biomed Central Genomics article
General Mills reducing sugar in kids’ cereal
12/16/2009-According to the Associated Press, General Mills—the maker of Lucky Charms, Trix, and Cocoa Puffs—plans to reduce the amount of sugar in its cereals marketed to children. The move, announced Dec. 9, comes as many food companies alter their products and face growing scrutiny from consumers, regulators, and health groups over the nutritional value of their foods. General Mills said it will cut the sugar in 10 of its cereals to single-digit grams of sugar per serving. It did not provide a timeline for reaching this goal, but it builds on reductions the company rolled out two years ago. The sugar in Cocoa Puffs, for example, could drop at least 25% from its original level and 18% from its current 11 g/serving.General Mills, which is based in Minneapolis, said the updated products will begin to roll out in the next year. The timing will vary by product. General Mills’ effort won’t change some products like Franken Berry and Boo Berry, which are generally considered children’s cereals and once had 15 g of sugar each. General Mills has since reduced that to 12 g, but the cereals aren’t included in the new effort because they don’t advertise on TV shows or other media aimed at children. And some of the company’s other cereals, such as Cheerios, already meet the goal with 1 g of sugar per serving. AP article Press release
Ajinomoto announces amino acid initiative
12/16/2009-Ajinomoto has announced a new initiative to develop propriety fermentation technology for producing cystine and cysteine, amino acids important in a wide array of applications, including pharmaceuticals, flavorings, and cosmetics. Ajinomoto’s expansion in this marketplace will offer additional sourcing options for manufacturers, as it will make available cystine and cysteine that are produced by microbial fermentation of starches and/or sugars. The largest portion of the cystine and cysteine demand is currently met by producers who extract these amino acids from raw materials of animal origin. “Our customers around the world are more and more sensitive to the nature and quality of raw materials used in food, pharma, and cosmetic production,” said Mike Lish, Director of Sales and Marketing at Ajinomoto. “As the global leader in the amino acid fermentation production, adding this capability is a natural extension for Ajinomoto.” After the expansion, Ajinomoto will continue to manufacture some cystine and cysteine using its current chemical synthesis process, carried out by Nippon Protein Company, a wholly owned affiliate of the company. Ajinomoto does not use sources of animal origin in its cystine and cysteine production. The new fermentation initiative will be carried out in one of Ajinomoto’s existing facilities. Product rollout is expected in late 2011. Ajinomoto
FDA debars convicted Virginia seafood dealer from importing food for 20 years
12/16/2009-A Virginia man sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to import catfish from Vietnam for fraudulent sale to avoid paying federal import tariffs has been barred from importing articles of food or offering such articles for import into the U.S. for the next 20 years. This action represents the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) first debarment of a food importer. Peter Xuong Lam, President of Virginia Star Seafood Corporation of Fairfax, Va., participated in a conspiracy to sell frozen catfish fillets falsely labeled as sole, grouper, flounder, snakehead, channa, and other species of fish to avoid paying federal import tariffs. Under current law, the FDA may debar a person from importing an article of food or offering such an article for import into the U.S. if that person has been convicted of a felony for conduct relating to the importation into the U.S. of any food. The law also provides that the FDA may debar a person if that person has engaged in a pattern of importing or offering for import adulterated food that presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Lam was convicted by U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez for the Central District of California of four felony counts relating to the importation into the U.S. of food, and is prohibited from importing articles of food or offering such articles for import into the U.S., and others are prohibited from importing food with Lam’s assistance or under his direction, for the next 20 years. In addition to his prison sentence, the court ordered Lam to forfeit more than $12 million to reimburse the government for anti-dumping duties. “The FDA will use its debarment authority to protect the safety and integrity of the American food supply,” said Michael Chappell, Acting Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. The conspiracy involved more than 10 million lbs of frozen catfish fillets from Vietnam. DNA tests revealed that the frozen fillets in the Lam case were in fact Pangasius hypophthalmus, a fish in the catfish family that may be marketed under the names Swai, Sutchi, Tra, or Striped Pangasius. An anti-dumping duty was placed on Pangasius hypophthalmus imports from Vietnam in January 2003, after a petition was filed by U.S. catfish farmers, who said the fish were being imported from Vietnam at less than fair market value. To date, 12 individuals and companies have been convicted of criminal charges related to the scheme to avoid paying import tariffs by falsely labeling fish for import and then selling it in the U.S. at below market price. The organizer of the smuggling conspiracy, Nhan Huhn Dat Nguyen, remains a fugitive and is believed to be living in Vietnam. Press release
Restaurant industry will recover in second half of 2010
12/16/2009-The foodservice industry won’t be celebrating its economic recovery anytime soon, although some restaurant operators are faring better than others. After five consecutive quarters of traffic declines through September 2009, the industry will remain weak at least through the first half of 2010, according to a forecast by The NPD Group, a market research company. NPD forecasts that the rate of visit declines will slow in the first half of the year and turn slightly positive in the second half of 2010.
“Historically, the restaurant industry neither leads the economy into or out of periods of economic downturns,” said Bonnie Riggs, NPD’s Restaurant Industry Analyst and author of the report “Restaurant Industry…What to Expect When Economic Recovery Begins.” “This recession is generally believed to be more severe than those in recent history, and this time the industry not only realized traffic losses, consumer spending declined as well. This is first time since NPD began tracking that the industry realized a fall off in dollars spent at restaurants.”
High unemployment, low consumer confidence, tightened credit, lower grocery store prices, and other factors have taken their toll on consumers and their ability to increase spending, resulting in fewer visits to restaurants and related dollar growth. According to NPD’s CREST, which tracks consumer usage of the foodservice industry, for the quarter ending September 2009, traffic declined across all restaurant segments. Total industry traffic declined by -4% during the quarter compared to same time a year ago. Visits to quick service/fast food restaurants (QSR), which represents the largest share of the industry, declined by -4%, casual dining was down -5%, and midscale visits were down -4%. Consumer spending for total restaurants declined by -2%. The non-commercial foodservice sector has also experienced declines. NPD’s CREST OnSite, which tracks usage of foodservice at business and industry, secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, lodging, senior care, military, and vending segments, reports that for the year ending September 2009 non-commercial foodservice traffic experienced declines in sectors most affected by high unemployment, such as business and industry, vending, and lodging. Business and industry posted a -16% traffic decline for the year ending September 2009 versus a year ago.
Still there are signs of improvement. While consumers may be worried about the future of their jobs and falling incomes, their attitudes about the economy are slowly changing, NPD found. According to a recent NPD foodservice survey, consumers believe the economy is beginning to improve or, at the very least, is not going to get any worse. Press release
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Dairy supplied renewable energy from manure becomes reality for N.Y.
12/15/2009-Methane digesters on dairy farms could soon be a common source of energy for residents and businesses in the state of New York. That is one result of the Dairy Power Summit, held Oct. 29–30, 2009, in Syracuse, N.Y., which brought together more than 200 New York dairy farmers and industry stakeholders from across the country to discuss the potential for dairy-supplied renewable energy. Summit attendees set a 2020 goal that 40% of all manure from New York dairy farms goes through the anaerobic digestion process, which captures methane from manure and generates clean, renewable energy. The energy produced from this effort could power 32,000 homes while strengthening the economic vitality of New York’s dairy farms. It also would reduce New York’s greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 metric tons of carbon, equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, with sponsorship from GE Energy, coordinated the Dairy Power Summit in order to identify and act on opportunities to increase anaerobic digester adoption by dairy farms of all sizes. Participants represented dairy farms; utilities; milk cooperatives; digester developers; financial institutions; academia; and local, state, and federal governments.
To achieve 40% anaerobic digester use by 2020, attendees of the summit collaborated to develop an action plan made up of more than a dozen projects. Some of the projects include: • Small-Farm Digester Initiative—Host an innovation contest that would award $1 million toward the development of a digester system for a smaller-scale farm with between two and 200 cows. • NY Cow Power—Develop a voluntary rate-payer program to enable electric consumers to support anaerobic digesters (e.g., residential or commercial customers pay 4 cents per kWh extra on utility bills to help fund digesters). • Digester Implementation Project—Collaborate with 20 farms to issue a joint request for proposal to install 20 digesters. This will reduce the cost and complexity that farmers could experience individually. Press release
Hispanics are buying more private brands
12/15/2009-Many Hispanic shoppers are buying more private brand products, a trend expected to continue in the future based on research by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Private Brands Group presented in the report “Se Habla Isn't Enough: Private Brands Among Hispanics 2009.” In fact, the research found that 37% of Hispanic shoppers are purchasing more private brand products this year and 25% plan to buy more in 2010.“Hispanic people are discovering the value and quality of private brands. This is a welcome finding since food plays a central role in their culture,” said Patrick Walsh, FMI Vice President of Industry Relations and Collaboration. More than seven in 10 Hispanics (73%) agree that “store brands are a great value for the money,” including over half (52%) who “strongly agree,” according to the report. Nearly as many (64%) agree that “store brands are just as good as national or international brands,” with more than four in 10 (42%) holding this view strongly. The report found that private brands account for 31% of household grocery expenses among Hispanics, averaging $85.94 every two weeks out of a total of $266.63. Household income does not affect the amount spent. In fact, Hispanics earning $50,000 or more per year spend the most at $92.67. Retailers that offer multiple tiers of products, from basic to premium, can effectively market private brands to Hispanics at all income levels, according to the research. Other findings bode well for the future of private brands, notably that the youngest shoppers, 18–24, spend more than any other age group at $99.41 every two weeks. In addition, 42% of Hispanics entering their prime earning years, 25–39, have increased spending on these products this year. Contributing to the positive outlook is that the current U.S. Hispanic population is 45 million, a number projected to grow to 64 million—one in five Americans—by 2020, according to the market research firm Synovate. Their buying power is expected to double over that time span to $2.2 trillion. The most popular food private brands among Hispanics, defined as items bought when shopping “every time” or “fairly often”:
• Dairy products, 54%
• Carbonated beverages or soda or bottled water, 35%
• Hot or cold cereals and other breakfast products, 34% Press release
Mintel predicts global consumer trends for 2010
12/15/2009-Following this year’s global economic recession, consumers are ready to reset and start fresh for 2010. Mintel predicts seven key consumer behavior trends for the year ahead, looking at how this year’s adversity created a new set of values. In 2010, resilience will define consumer behavior, as people’s strengthened resolve and changed behaviors shape new lifestyles.“While in 2009, fear played an important role in shaping consumer behavior, 2010 will see a return of confidence and adaptation to overcome the restraints previously imposed on consumers,” said Richard Cope, Director at Mintel. “Balance has become the new mantra. As consumers find they are able to spend again, we’ll see balanced spending and balanced consumption as key characteristics of next year.” Resilience
In 2010, Mintel expects consumers to demonstrate resilience—an ability to recover from and adjust to any misfortune or change brought on by the recession. People will face next year with better attitudes and strengthened resolve, learning new skills like cooking, meal planning, and DIY repair to cope with the “New Economy.” Already, a quarter of Americans made their own home improvements to save money, while some 13 million Brits say they’re cooking from scratch more often. Reviewing and re-evaluating
The past year gave consumers cause to re-evaluate every aspect of their lives, looking for value and savings. In 2010, expect shoppers to keep reviewing as they hunt out the best deals and realize where they can get by on less. For example, nearly four in 10 Americans always or usually buy private label food. Value initiatives are hot and they’ll remain so. However, consumers will purchase more expensive products if they are convinced of the products’ value. Brands that engage consumers effectively stand to be successful next year despite price barriers. Prove it—accountability
Because consumer confidence worldwide took a hit this year, 2010 will see increased demand for proof and results. People are tracking more areas of their lives through micro-blogging sites like Twitter, so transparency is no longer a differentiator for brands; it’s a requirement. We’ve become a society of doubters, skeptical of nutrition claims, the motives of “green” companies, and the competitiveness of bank rates. A company’s need for accountability is nothing new, but the quantity of information available today adds to the challenge. Mintel predicts that in 2010, brands will need to pull out all the stops to gain consumers’ trust. Escapism
The past year has meant a huge amount of economizing and scaling back on previously normal treats and experiences. While consumers have become accustomed to stay-at-home vacations, small indulgences, and cooking at home, Mintel predicts they’ll start breaking free from the tyranny of value in 2010. Media evolution
Micro-blogging, social networking, and interactive media have exploded into consumers’ lives, and as confidence in usage grows, people will incorporate new media forms more into their daily lives. Four in 10 Americans have at least one social networking profile and in the UK, nine in 10 adults have a computer in their home. As people use new media to change and simplify daily tasks, they’ll question the nature of authority and effective use of advertising. Companies must work harder next year to truly engage, attract, and interact with consumers, as media quickly evolves. Ethical responsibility
In 2010, it’ll be even more important to coax consumers out of their spending slumber and wean retailers off perpetual discounting. Ethics will play a large part in rebuilding brands. Environmental and ethical issues still attract attention: nearly half of UK adults view them as important and 90% of Americans buy green products at least sometimes. For businesses to rebuild brands through ethical efforts, they’ll need to connect with consumers, giving them an emotional reason to buy. As consumers demand more from the companies they do business with, they’ll want ethical responsibility to be a chief concern, creating more scrutiny on ethical claims than ever before. Stability
The past year left its mark: consumers are shying away from the spending binges of the past few decades and finding that moderation and preparation are possibilities. Mintel predicts 2010 will be a year for increasingly seeking balance and readjusting to the “New Economy.” As people accept the economy as it is now and embark on more conservative spending, they’ll also stabilize other areas of their lives: food, diet, beauty. Brands can capitalize by giving consumers multiple product options at different price points and benefit levels. Press release
Assortment size influences healthy consumer choices
12/15/2009-New research suggests your decision on what to eat at a restaurant might be dictated on how long the menu is. In a paper titled, “Variety, Vice and Virtue: How Assortment Size Influences Option Choice,” Wharton Marketing Professor Jonah Berger, Wendy Liu, Marketing Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Aner Sela, a doctoral student at Stanford University, describe five experiments exploring the nature of choice using ice cream, fruit, and electronic equipment. The researchers found that increasing the number of goods or services available to consumers can lead them to make sensible choices, because they are easier to justify than more indulgent ones.“Choosing from larger assortments tends to increase choice difficulty and, consequently, can cause consumers to rely more on accessible justifications when making their choice,” the authors note in their paper, which was published in the Journal of Consumer Research. “As a result, we argue that choosing from a larger assortment should lead consumers to select options that are easier to justify.” According to Berger, the situation boils down to a showdown between nice-to-have versus need-to-have products. “It’s easier to justify eating healthy fruit over sinful chocolate cake, or a printer for work over a digital music player. Things that are functional are easier to justify than things that are fun.” The first experiment was aimed at understanding the influence a large selection of goods has on a consumer’s choice. Research participants were shown pictures of ice cream and were asked to select a flavor. The smaller assortment had two choices: one full-fat and one reduced-fat option. In the larger assortment, there were 10 choices, and half the options were reduced fat. Of the participants presented with the smaller assortment, 20% selected reduced-fat ice cream, while 37% of those who had more choices selected reduced fat. In another study, a tray with fruit and baked goods was placed at two entrances of a building, with a sign reading: “Please help yourself to one item.” At one entrance, the researchers placed a tray containing a small selection: two types of fruit and two types of cookies. They put a tray with a larger selection at the other entrance so that passers-by were presented with six types of fruit (bananas, red and green apples, pears, tangerines, and peaches) and six types of baked goods (assorted cookies as well as croissants and banana nut muffins). While 55% of the participants chose fruit over baked goods from the smaller assortment, 76% did so when choosing from the larger assortment. The researchers concede that their study results have limitations: “An important boundary condition for these findings is the extent to which larger assortments actually increase choice difficulty. If choosing from larger assortments is not more difficult (e.g., when one option dominates or when consumers have well-defined preferences), then larger assortments should be less likely to influence the type of options consumers choose,” the paper states. Press release Abstract
Foodborne staph toxin pinpointed by new assay
12/15/2009-Most people need about two days to recover from being sickened by foods contaminated with what’s known as staphylococcal enterotoxin A, or “SEA.” Produced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, this toxin is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. and worldwide, according to USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Research Chemist Reuven Rasooly.To help public health officials trace the source of food poisoning outbreaks in which staph A is a suspect, and to give food makers another way to ensure the safety of their products, Rasooly has developed a new test for finding this toxin in foods. The ARS test can detect the toxin at levels that are one billion times lower than the current “gold standard” assay for SEA. The researchers’ experiments with chicken, beef, and milk indicate that the assay reliably distinguishes active from inactive toxin and yields reproducible results. The test takes advantage of the fact that the toxin has a double life. Besides causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastroenteritis symptoms, SEA also acts as a superantigen—a molecule that activates large numbers of immune-system cells. The assay neatly exploits this trait by measuring proliferation of splenocytes, which are immune system cells produced in the spleen. For the assay, the cells are kept alive in laboratory petri dishes. The SEA assay is practical, comparatively fast, and relatively inexpensive. Experienced technicians can quickly learn how to perform the test using equipment that’s standard in laboratories across the nation. The researchers describe their test in an article published earlier this year in FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology. Press release Abstract
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
IFT, FDA release new product tracing report
12/09/2009-A report summarizing the findings of a mock trace back/trace forward exercise commissioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has been released by the Institute of Food Technologists. The mock trace back/trace forward exercise was able to show there is potential to expedite trace backs by visualizing supply chains to find points of commonality based on data availability, capture, and readiness. The exercise also showed the value of collaboration to reach a shared goal and the need for standardization of data elements and interoperability necessary for trace back/trace forward investigations. The report and additional materials are accessible at www.ift.org/traceability (pdf). For more information, contact Sarah Ohlhorst at sohlhorst@ift.org.
FDA issues draft guidance concerning liquid dietary supplements versus beverages
12/09/2009-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft guidance entitled “Factors that Distinguish Liquid Dietary Supplements from Beverages, Considerations Regarding Novel Ingredients, and Labeling for Beverages and Other Conventional Foods.” While comments on guidance documents may be submitted at any time, to ensure agency consideration in development of its final guidance, comments should be submitted to FDA by Feb. 2, 2010. The draft guidance is in response to two trends observed by the FDA in the marketing of beverages: (1) the marketing of beverages as dietary supplements, despite the products being represented as conventional foods (e.g., labeled as a “beverage,” “drink,” “water,” or “juice”), and (2) the marketing of beverages that contain novel ingredients (e.g., added botanicals or their extracts) that may be unapproved food additives. Based on these marketing trends, FDA’s draft guidance advises the following: 1. Beverages represented as conventional foods may not be marketed as dietary supplements. A dietary supplement may be marketed in liquid form; however, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) prohibits dietary supplements from being “represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet.”
2. Beverages are conventional foods whose added ingredients must be approved food additives or generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Any substance added to a beverage that is an unapproved food additive (e.g., not GRAS for its intended use) causes the beverage to be adulterated.
3. Beverages may not bear unauthorized labeling claims and must bear mandatory labeling applicable to conventional foods. The draft guidance also reviews the FD&C Act’s general prohibition on false or misleading labeling, as well as the conditions under which beverage labeling may include health claims, nutrient content claims, and structure/function claims. In particular, the draft guidance explains that a structure/function claim that promotes a conventional food (e.g., beverage) for a use other than providing taste, aroma, or nutritive value (e.g., used for blocking the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut) may cause the product to be misbranded, because the labeling claim changes the product’s primary use from that of a food to that of a drug. Draft guidance
Kellogg names Dissinger CFO
12/09/2009-Kellogg Company has announced that Ronald Dissinger has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer, Kellogg Company, effective Jan. 3, 2010. Dissinger, who was previously Vice President and CFO for Kellogg North America, will provide strategic financial leadership across the company to help ensure that Kellogg continues to achieve its long-term, sustainable growth goals. Dissinger will serve as a member of the company’s Global Leadership Team and report to John Bryant who had previously held the dual role of CFO and COO.During his 22-year career with Kellogg, Dissinger has gained broad, global experience serving in a number of key financial leadership roles. Most recently, these include the dual position of CFO, Kellogg Europe, and CFO, Kellogg International, from 2005 to 2007, and later Vice President and CFO for Kellogg North America. “Ron’s business acumen and disciplined approach to finance have proven to be valuable assets to Kellogg,” said Bryant. “His strong leadership abilities and both his domestic and international experience make him ideally suited to serve as CFO.” Press release
Spices may halt growth of breast stem cells
12/09/2009-A study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment shows that compounds derived from the spices turmeric and pepper may help prevent breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells, the small number of cells that fuel a tumor’s growth. Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that when the dietary compounds curcumin, which is derived from the Indian spice turmeric, and piperine, derived from black peppers, were applied to breast cells in culture, they decreased the number of stem cells while having no effect on normal differentiated cells.Cancer stem cells are the small number of cells within a tumor that fuel the tumor’s growth. Current chemotherapies do not work against these cells, which is why cancer recurs and spreads. Researchers believe that eliminating the cancer stem cells is key to controlling cancer. In addition, decreasing the number of normal stem cells—unspecialized cells that can give rise to any type of cell in that organ—can decrease the risk of cancer. In this study, a solution of curcumin and piperine was applied to the cell cultures at the equivalent of about 20 times the potency of what could be consumed through diet. The compounds are available at this potency in a capsule form that could be taken by mouth. The researchers note that this work has not been tested in patients, and patients are not encouraged to add curcumin or piperine supplements to their diet at this time. The researchers applied a series of tests to the cells, looking at markers for breast stem cells and the effects of curcumin and piperine, both alone and combined, on the stem cell levels. They found that piperine enhanced the effects of curcumin, and that the compounds interrupted the self-renewal process that is the hallmark of cancer-initiating stem cells. At the same time, the compounds had no affect on cell differentiation, which is the normal process of cell development. “This shows that these compounds are not toxic to normal breast tissue,” said lead author Madhuri Kakarala. “Women at high risk of breast cancer right now can choose to take the drugs tamoxifen or raloxifene for prevention, but most women won’t take these drugs because there is too much toxicity. The concept that dietary compounds can help is attractive, and curcumin and piperine appear to have very low toxicity.” Curcumin and piperine have been explored by other researchers as a potential cancer treatment. But this study is the first to suggest these dietary compounds could prevent cancer by targeting stem cells. Researchers are planning an initial Phase I clinical trial to determine what dose of curcumin or piperine can be tolerated in people. The trial is not expected to begin accruing participants until spring 2010. Press release Abstract
Shoppers cut back on gas and food but stick to brand names
12/09/2009-According to Daily Finance, a new study shows that shoppers trim their food budgets when gas prices rise, but they don’t always give up the name-brand foods they like. In fact, while store brands have gained ground among consumers in recent years, the study shows that their popularity among thrifty shoppers may be overstated. Researchers studied data from 1,000 Midwestern households of various sizes and economic circumstances from January 2006 to October 2008. Participants used home scanners to record all the groceries they brought home, their prices, and where they bought them, which the researchers then related back to the price of gas at that time. The period covered by the study saw the average price of gas in the U.S. rise from $2.24 per gallon to $3.48, after peaking at $4.11 in July 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.Some of the findings are what you would expect. For every $1 increase in the price of a gallon of gas, households reduced their shopping trips by 7.5%, spent 4.4% less, and bought 11% fewer items. Larger households reduced their shopping trips more with each gas price hike, while households with lower incomes made more trips, which the researchers suggest was due to financial pressures that made them shop around for deals. More eye-opening was how shoppers made those cutbacks. As gas prices rose, the study showed, consumers cut back on shopping at grocery stores and bought more food at supercenters and club stores. With every doubling of gas prices, groceries lost 7% of their dollar share of the households’ food budget, while supercenters gained 41% and clubs gained 24%. The researchers theorize that shoppers turned to supercenters because they could save trips by getting all their shopping done in one place, while the clubs gained because they sold gas at low prices. Once in the store, shoppers more often reached for national brands on sale to save money, instead of switching to private labels at full price. For every doubling in the gas price, the researchers found, households’ share of food budget spent on regular-price items prices dropped by 10% for national brands and 4% for private label items, but the share spent on national brands on sale rose by 39%, while spending for private labels on sale rose 30%. As factored into the overall households’ spending, marked-down national brands gained 6.5 percentage points in market share, while private labels gained only 1 percentage point—not insignificant in a grocery segment where profit margins are single-digit rates, but not a massive move of the needle for store brands. The researchers acknowledge that some of this behavior may have changed as the recession took hold, and households had to cut deeper. Most reports of private labels gaining ground have come in the last year, as unemployment rose and household incomes dropped. Daily Finance article
E. coli vaccine being tested in cattle
12/09/2009-According to The New York Times, Cargill is conducting a large-scale study with close to 100,000 cattle to see if a new vaccine can make the cattle immune to E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. Next summer, tests will be done on the meat, in particular the smaller pieces, known as trim, that go into ground beef. Researchers will look to see if it contains less E. coli than trim from unvaccinated cattle. The test has been a long time coming. Bureaucratic delays in Washington stalled the arrival of the vaccines for years. Scientists are fairly sure that vaccines will not, on their own, wipe out the dangerous strain of E. coli O157:H7. But if they prove effective, they could significantly reduce the amount of harmful bacteria that cattle carry into slaughterhouses, which means that safeguards already in place there would have a greater chance of eliminating the remaining germs from the beef supply. While studies have shown varying degrees of effectiveness, many researchers believe E. coli vaccines can reduce the number of animals carrying the bacteria by 65–75%. That may be enough to prevent the surge of E. coli that typically occurs each summer, when the germ thrives and reports of illness increase. Two vaccines have been developed commercially. One, made by Epitopix, received preliminary approval from the U.S. Agriculture Department in March, meaning it can be sold while research continues. James D. Sandstrom, General Manager of Epitopix, said that about 300,000 head of cattle will get the vaccine in the coming months as part of a series of large trials. A second vaccine has been developed by a Canadian company, Bioniche Life Sciences. It was approved for use in Canada last year and is awaiting approval in the U.S. Both vaccines spent years tangled in Washington red tape, largely because they straddle the border between animal medicine and human health. Even if the vaccines prove successful in the ambitious tests that are just getting under way, they face an uncertain future as farmers and feedlot owners worry about who will pick up the extra cost. Farmers and feedlot owners fear that they will be stuck with the vaccine cost and that it will cut into already tight margins. Epitopix said it had not yet set a price for its vaccine. In Canada, Bioniche charges about $3 a dose. The vaccines require two or three doses to be effective, meaning the cost could approach $10 an animal. “The incentive for the vaccine is it’s going to benefit the packer who is vulnerable to recalls and lawsuits,” said Ronald F. Eustis, Executive Director of the Minnesota Beef Promotion and Research Council, a trade group that represents farmers and feedlot owners. “Unless the farmer, the producers, the rancher is somehow compensated, he’s going to be reluctant to lay out the cash.” The New York Times article
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
IFF opens new Moscow facility
12/08/2009-International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. has announced the opening of a new facility in Russia, a 460-sq-m building that provides the environment and tools to support the company’s creative, technical, and customer support teams. The facility is located in the business district ‘Moscow City’ and will serve the needs of consumers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia.The new building is designed to maximize flavor and fragrance customer access and interaction. It includes a test kitchen for IFF culinary experts, application kitchens for product application teams, and state-of-the-art laboratory for flavorists. The facility has space for sensory and consumer insight analysis, as well as offices for sales and marketing activities. IFF will be staffing the site with fragrance and flavors sales and account personnel. In addition, flavor technologists, consumer insight, and support personnel are in place to interact with customers manufacturing beverages, dairy products, savory foods, sweets and snacks, as well as fine fragrances, soap, and household products. “We are dedicated to providing tastes and fragrances that consumers will love. This ultra-modern facility will enable increased customer intimacy and provide us the long-awaited opportunity to gain greater knowledge of the needs and preferences of consumers in this region,” said Hernan Vaisman, Group President, Flavors. “This is an example of IFF’s growing commitment to this area.” Press release
Unilever conducts nationwide voluntary recall of Slim-Fast drinks
12/08/2009-Unilever U.S. Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall of all Slim-Fast ready-to-drink (RTD) products in cans, due to the possibility of contamination with Bacillus cereus, a microorganism, which may cause diarrhea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting. The probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. The products were sold in stores nationwide.The products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain four, six, or 12 steel cans that are 11 fl oz each. Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets. The recall involves all Slim-Fast RTD products in cans, regardless of flavor, best-by date, lot code, or UPC number. No other Slim-Fast products are affected by this recall. No Slim-Fast powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are affected by this recall. The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast RTD products in cans. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all RTD products in cans that are currently in distribution centers, on-shelf, or in back rooms in retail outlets or in consumers’ homes. The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected. Press release
FDA, APHIS food defense tool helps farmers, producers assess vulnerabilities
12/08/2009-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have created an online tool to help farmers and producers assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in their production processes. The risk assessment tool called Agriculture CARVER + Shock is designed to help the food industry implement food production security methods at the farm level. The software is free and available at www.fda.gov.CARVER + Shock was originally developed by the U.S. military to identify areas that might be vulnerable to attack. The FDA and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) adapted the model to the food and agriculture sector. The software currently evaluates potential vulnerabilities in the supply chains of different foods and food processes. The FDA and APHIS worked with Sandia National Laboratories to develop the special agriculture module, designed primarily for harvest and pre-harvest food production operations. “This assessment tool helps the producer understand how an attacker might think,” said Stephen F. Sundlof, Director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Producers can easily identify weak spots in their operation and receive practical advice on countermeasures they can put in place.” Farms of all sizes can benefit. Producers are asked a series of questions about each component of their production process. Based on the responses, CARVER + Shock provides scores for those components and specific risk mitigation measures are recommended. These might include upgrades or enhancements to physical security, process operations, or a change in personnel practices. Information entered by the program user is not recorded by either the FDA or APHIS. The risk assessment tool derives its name from seven designated attributes for evaluation: • Criticality: What impact would an intentional attack have on public health or to the economy?
• Accessibility: How easily can a terrorist get to this target?
• Recuperability: How well could a system recover from an attack?
• Vulnerability: How easily could an attack be accomplished?
• Effect: What would be the direct loss from an attack, as measured by loss in production?
• Recognizability: How easily could a terrorist identify a target?
• Shock: What would be the psychological impact of an attack? Press release
California firm recalls ground beef due to possible Salmonella contamination
12/08/2009-Beef Packers Inc., Fresno, Calif., is recalling approximately 22,723 lbs of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Dec. 4. The products subject to recall include 60-lb cases of “GRD Beef Fine 93/07 10/60.” Each case bears the identifying case code W69363 with Use/Freeze by dates of 10/11/09. The ground beef products were produced on Sept. 23, 2009, and bear the establishment number “EST. 31913” printed on the case code labels. The ground beef products were distributed to a retail distribution center in Arizona. Because these products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and sold under different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products subject to recall. As a result of an ongoing investigation into illnesses from Salmonella Newport associated with ground beef products, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) notified FSIS of the situation. Epidemiological and traceback investigations conducted by FSIS and ADHS determined that there is an association between the fresh ground beef products and two illnesses reported in Arizona. The Salmonella Newport strain was isolated both from the patients and from ground beef produced by Est. 31913. They were also linked by their uncommon pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern found in PulseNet, a national network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This particular strain of Salmonella Newport is resistant to many commonly prescribed drugs, which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals. Press release
Fungus-on-fungus fight could benefit chickpeas
12/08/2009-The fungus Ascochyta rabiei threatens chickpea crops the world over. But now this blight-causing pathogen could meet its match in Aureobasidium pullulans, a rival fungus that Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are investigating as a biocontrol agent. Treating chickpea seed with fungicides, planting resistant cultivars, plowing crop fields before planting time, and rotating chickpeas with non-host crops are effective methods of controlling Ascochyta blight, which forms dark lesions on the legume crop’s stems, leaves, and pods. According to ARS Plant Pathologist Frank Dugan, however, biocontrol is worth exploring for its potential to provide chickpea growers with greater flexibility in how they manage the disease. During the winter, A. rabiei survives on chickpea stubble (stems and leaves left behind after harvest) and forms sexual spores, called ascospores, which can infect plantings of the crop in the spring. Severe outbreaks—fueled by cool, wet conditions—can wipe out the entire crop. In studies begun by Dugan and colleagues in 2003, a close examination of chickpea stubble from fields near Pullman, Wash., revealed a community of fungal competitors. Of 28 fungal isolates identified, A. pullulans scored highest on a ranking system used to assess their biocontrol potential. These criteria included ease of growth in culture, abundance in nature, safety to humans and animals, and “antagonism” towards targeted pathogens. According to Dugan, A. pullulans inhibits A. rabiei’s ability to form or release ascospores in the over-wintered stubble, thereby curbing its infection of chickpea seedlings in the spring. In small-scale field trials, inoculating stubble with A. pullulan spores, called conidia, reduced Ascochyta blight by 38%, a level Dugan expects can be improved using adjuvants and other standard ingredients often used in biocontrol formulations. Dugan and colleagues reported their findings in Biocontrol Science and Technology. Press release Abstract
FDA, CDC, states investigating norovirus illnesses linked to oysters
12/08/2009-The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to avoid eating oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay on or after Nov. 16 due to reports of norovirus-associated illnesses in some people who had consumed oysters harvested from this area, which is located on the Gulf of Texas. The FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, are investigating about a dozen reports of norovirus-related illnesses from South Carolina and North Carolina consumers who ate oysters recently harvested from the San Antonio Bay.Consumers who purchased oysters on or after Nov. 16 that have a label showing they came from San Antonio Bay are advised to dispose of the oysters and not eat them. Restaurant operators and retailers should not serve or offer for sale oysters subject to this advisory. No other seafood is affected by this advisory. The Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered a recall of all oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay between Nov. 16 and Nov. 25. The implicated oyster beds in the San Antonio Bay were closed by the Texas Department of Health Services on Nov. 26, and remain closed. The FDA and CDC will continue working with health officials in the affected states to track any additional cases of norovirus illness. Press release Texas recall press release
Monday, December 07, 2009
FDA solicits comments regarding consumer studies of front-of-package nutrition labeling schemes
12/07/2009-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it has submitted a proposed information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance. The proposed information collection concerns two experimental studies of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling schemes. Comments must be received by Dec. 31, 2009. In recent years, there has been growing use of voluntary FOP and point-of-purchase (e.g., shelf-tags) nutrition labeling programs that are designed to highlight particular nutritional attributes or to summarize the overall nutritional profiles of foods. These labeling programs have been used by food manufacturers, retail stores, industry trade associations, public health organizations, and government agencies and quasi-governmental entities in the U.S. and other countries. As these nutrition labeling programs have become more common, FDA has begun to grapple with how they should be regulated. FDA held a public hearing and requested public comments in September 2007. In 2008, FDA issued a letter to industry noting that nutrition symbols may, under certain circumstances, constitute nutrient content claims or health claims. In August 2009, FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a joint letter expressing concerns about the Smart Choice Program, an FOP nutrition labeling program developed by several major food manufacturers. In October 2009, FDA issued a guidance document regarding point-of-purchase nutrition labeling schemes. FDA has also announced that it is developing a proposed rule that would establish nutritional criteria that would have to be met by “summary” point-of-purchase nutrition labeling programs (i.e., labeling that summarizes the overall nutritional profiles of foods). FDA also has begun conducting consumer research regarding how consumers interpret and use nutrition symbols, in order for the agency to make fully informed regulatory decisions. In 2008, FDA conducted a focus group study. In June 2009, FDA announced plans for research regarding how consumers use and interpret FOP nutrition symbols. FDA is now proposing to conduct two experimental studies to quantitatively assess consumer responses to various FOP nutrition labeling schemes. The studies will focus exclusively on FOP nutrition labeling, and will not include shelf-tag labeling. Federal Register notice (pdf)
Survey suggests majority of Australian processed food too high in sodium
12/07/2009-According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63% of processed foods in Australia have mean sodium concentrations above the UK Food Standards Agency (UK FSA) targets. Processed foods are major contributors to population dietary salt intake. Parts of the Australian food industry have started to decrease salt in a number of products. A definitive baseline assessment of current sodium concentrations in foods is key to targeting reformulation strategies and monitoring progress.The researchers identified categories of processed foods that contribute the majority of salt to Australian diets. Food-composition data were sought for all products in these categories, and the sodium content in mg/100 g (or mg/100 mL for liquids) was recorded for each. Mean sodium values were calculated for each grouping and compared with the UK FSA benchmarks. Sodium data were collected for 7,221 products in 10 food groups, 33 food categories, and 90 food subcategories. The food groups that were highest in sodium were sauces and spreads (1283 mg/100 g) and processed meats (846 mg/100 g). Cereal and cereal products (206 mg/100 g) and fruit and vegetables (211 mg/100 g) were the lowest in sodium. Sixty-three percent of food categories had mean sodium concentrations greater than the UK FSA targets, and most had wide ranges between the most and least salty product. The researchers concluded that many products, particularly breads, processed meats, and sauces, have salt amounts greater than reasonable benchmarks. The variation in salt concentrations between comparable products suggests that reformulation is highly feasible for many foods. Abstract
Lychee extract may reduce abdominal fat
12/07/2009-A study published in the Journal of Functional Foods shows that lychee extract may reduce abdominal fat in people with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterized by central obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism. The syndrome has been linked to increased risks of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The researchers recruited 18 adult volunteers, ages 24–59, with waist circumference more than 85 cm. Volunteers were randomly divided into two groups—one received a daily dose of 50 mg of the commercially available lychee extract Oligonol, while the other received a placebo. After 10 weeks of study, in addition to the improvements in waist circumference and abdominal fat, improvements in insulin resistance were recorded in those who took Oligonol, compared to the placebo, and these occurred with increases in blood levels of adiponectin, a hormone that regulates a number of metabolic processes. Even in the relatively short period, significant differences arose. Those who took the lychee extract lost 15% of abdominal fat as well as about 3 cm in waist circumference. The researchers concluded that, “It is evident that the enhanced presence of oligomerized proanthocyanidins in Oligonol may offer a wide-range of benefits in pharmaceutical preparations, food products, and dietary supplements as well as in the development of functional beverages.” Abstract
New peas unfazed by viral bully
12/07/2009-Four advanced dry pea breeding lines that tolerate the pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV)—a “scourge” of Pacific West pea crops—have been identified by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.Use of the breeding lines PS08-39, -41, -68, and -76 to develop new commercial cultivars could give growers added insurance against PEMV. Currently, there are no PEMV-resistant dry pea cultivars. The few fresh pea cultivars that are resistant all contain the same single dominant gene—the En gene—for resistance, raising concern the virus could quickly evolve virulent new forms to overcome it, note Richard Larsen and Lyndon Porter, Plant Pathologists with the ARS Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Laboratory in Prosser, Wash. The PS08 lines, however, somehow tolerate the virus’ presence, even at high concentrations, without sustaining significant damage, loss of growth, or seed yield. Because of this plant-pathogen “truce,” PEMV may be less apt to turn more virulent than it would with resistant varieties. Plus, the resistance-conferring En gene may cause “yield drag,” whereby the plants lose some of their yield at the expense of viral protection. In field tests at Corvallis, Ore., and in greenhouse tests at Prosser, the PS08 lines sustained their growth and yield despite infection by the virus, reports Larsen. Press release
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