Lockout/tagout standard is most cited OSHA violation
Violation of lockout/tagout (LO/TO) rules was the most frequently cited infraction of an OSHA standard during 2012‒2013 in the food industry with penalties totaling more than $894,000.
Archives for July 14, 2014
Brussels will force creation of WTO panel over pigmeat dispute with Russia
The European Commission will renew its request for a World Trade Organisation (WTO) disputes panel to investigate Russia’s ban on European pigmeat imports later this month, after Moscow blocked an inquiry on Thursday (10 July).
Volumes in US gum market have slumped 20% in past five years
Americans have fallen out of love with gum, leaving mints to pick up the slack, says Rabobank
It’s well known that the American love affair with soda has hit a pretty significant rough patch, but a new report from Rabobank suggests the nation has also been steadily falling out of love with gum, with US volumes dropping a staggering 20% in the...
New Pediococcus acidilactici probiotic's origin in nature confers its high stability, supplier says
A probiotic isolated from switchgrass is one of the newest competitors in the robustness claims sweepstakes. Developed by biotech firm Imagilin Technology and marketed by New Jersey-based A&B Ingredients, the new ingredient is based on a proprietary...
New Zealand
Kiwi scientist finds way to counter mealybug threat
The New Zealand wine industry is now better equipped to battle a devastating plant pathogen thanks to new research carried out in the country.
Australia
Japan trade agreement could spur beleaguered Australian wine exports
The recent signing of a trade agreement between Japan and Australia will give wine exports to the Far East a “step-up”, according to the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA).
Pathogen growth slowed by polylysine and MAP
Polylysine with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can inhibit the growth of E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella pathogens in fresh beef.
German sausage cartel: 21 firms fined for price fixing
The German Federal Cartel Office has imposed fines totalling nearly €340 million to firms and individuals found guilty of illegal price fixing of sausages.
Consumers are tired of bars, says quinoa 'snack in a bottle' founder
NUWI ‘drinkable snacks’ pioneer on building a new category: Be patient, be persistent, and be flexible
While a scary percentage of new food & beverage brands end up quietly disappearing when their backers run out of cash, luck, or endurance, a small number succeed. But what distinguishes the winners from the losers?
Action on Sugar removes bread from high-sugar hit list: 'We acknowledge it was not accurate'
Anti-sugar lobby group Action on Sugar has removed bread from its initial list of products containing ‘large amounts of sugar’.
Closures have not been ruled out in Vion restructure
Vion Food has said the possibility of closing a number of its German sites has not been excluded from plans to make the business more efficient.
Mediterranean fish stocks show steady decline
While careful management has helped stabilise and even improve the fish stocks in some parts of Europe, the situation in the Mediterranean has deteriorated over the past 20 years, say experts.
Cargill plant in Ukraine ‘occupied’ by armed individuals
Cargill has said its sunflower-seed processing plant in eastern Ukraine has been seized by ‘armed individuals’ amid escalating violence in the region.
FSA and FERA to hold GMI meeting
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) are organising the Global Microbial Identifier (GMI) meeting on 11-12 September.
Aspen withdraws S-26 follow-on formula over lizard contamination claim
A batch of S-26 Original Progress follow-on formula has been pulled from shelves in Australia after a consumer reported finding a dead lizard in a tin.
Now is a great time to sell your F&B business: Anchin
Despite tight margins and even tighter competition, it’s a great time to be in the food and beverage industry—and an even better time to be a seller, according to New York accountant and advisory firm, Anchin, Block & Anchin.
China
China to champion food safety liability insurance
China’ s Food and Drug Administration has revealed that it is working on a food-safety liability insurance programme in high-risk industries, such as those involving dairy and meat products.