Archives for January 10, 2012

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USDA to shut 259 offices in cost-saving initiative

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Monday it intends to close 259 offices, facilities and laboratories across the United States, as part of an effort to save about $150m a year in the agency’s $145bn budget.

Most milk sold in India adulterated

By Ankush Chibber

A national survey in India has revealed almost 70% of the milk sold and consumed in India is adulterated by contaminants such as detergent and skim milk powder. But water was the biggest contaminant.

Timely entrance into Vietnam for Baskin-Robbins

By Kacey Culliney

US ice cream brand Baskin-Robbins has timed entrance into Vietnam carefully via a franchise with a local food company amid a snowballing economy and emerging middle class with a taste for luxuries, the company said.

China standardises nutrition labelling guidelines

By Jennifer Phang

In a bid to create unified standards and transparency across packaged products in China, the Ministry of Health has issued nutritional labelling standards, set to commence in January, 2013.

World agricultural power in the balance

By Melodie Michel

Power in the world’s meat market is expected to stay concentrated in Europe and North America despite growing pressure from emerging economies, a new report shows.