Cargill buys FPL’s beef processing site
International agri-foods business Cargill has announced its acquisition of FPL Food’s minced beef processing site in South Carolina, although the cost of the deal has not been disclosed.
Archives for March 7, 2016
US pork industry ready for antibiotic change
A survey on the attitudes held by US pork producers on impending regulatory changes to antibiotic use in intensive farming reveals the sector is ready for change.
Herbalife seeks companies willing to pitch innovative ingredients, products
Herbalife has announced an upcoming event in which companies can pitch their new product ideas. The North American Innovation Meeting is set for May 18 and 19 at the company’s Los Angeles office.
EU silent on Brazil horsemeat ban
The EU has remained silent on whether it will ban Brazilian exports of horsemeat destined for Europe, following evidence of animal abuse in the supply chain.
Could a novel UV technology help battle vitamin D deficiency?
With the spotlight on vitamin D in many European countries, one company says its recently approved novel UV milk treatment could be a way to tackle deficiency.
EU court awards EFSA right to publish suppressed pesticide opinion
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has republished findings on the pesticide diflubenzuron after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) reversed a decision that found in favour of Chemtura.
Introduce allergic-inducing foods to infants to build up tolerance, study believes
Introducing a broader range of foods at an early age may help infants that were breast-fed to build up tolerance to common food allergens such as peanut or egg, a British study has concluded.
China
Blommer buys Shanghai cocoa facility
America’s biggest chocolate supplier has acquired a manufacturing plant in Shanghai as part of an estimated US$40m investment in a fully integrated bean processing and chocolate manufacturing facility.
Corbion to open €65m PLA plant in Thailand in 2018
Corbion will open a €65m PLA (polylactic acid or polylactide) plant in Thailand in 2018.
Potato named as China’s newest staple
Five centuries after it was first introduced in China, the potato has finally been approved as a staple food and production is set to increase, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Study out of Purdue estimates environmental toll of eliminating GMOs
Calculations by researchers at Purdue estimate 102,000 hectares of US forest and pasture would have to be converted to cropland if GMOs were eliminated, but anti-GMO organizations argued that the study isn’t valid.
Exo secures $4m in financing round led by AccelFoods, plans move beyond cricket bars
It remains to be seen whether edible insects can move from the niche to the mainstream of US food culture, but a $4m cash injection into cricket protein bar brand Exo - one of the pioneers in this nascent category – suggests bugs may have broader appeal...
Sprout producer shut due to food safety violations
A Virginia sprout producer has been shut down after a history of food safety violations.
Fortified olive oil may protect against DNA damage: Study
Virgin olive oil enriched with polyphenols compounds from thyme may protect our DNA from oxidative damage, says a new study from Spain.
Arla to close Essex dairy, threatening 200 jobs
Arla Foods, the farmer-owned dairy company, plans to close the fresh milk processing production facility at its Hatfield Peverel dairy in Essex, with the loss, or relocation, of up to 200 jobs.
Food crime raids jump 10% amid budget cut fears
A crackdown on food and drink crime by local councils has seen raids rise by 10% over the past three years, but fears remain that budget cuts compromise safety and authenticity, warns commercial law firm EMW.
Ferrero is top food firm for deforestation-free palm oil: Greenpeace
Ferrero comes out top for its commitment to deforestation-free palm oil with Nestlé close behind - but other companies are simply failing, warns a Greenpeace report which ranks firms for their sustainable palm oil supply chains.
dispatches from GFSC 2016 in Berlin
Quality data must be brought back down to factory floor – Tetra Pak
Collecting data on quality processes is beneficial but the next step is transferring that to the factory floor to make a difference, according to the food safety manager at Tetra Pak.
Kalle brings casings innovations to IFFA
German-based meat casings company Kalle is to present a number of new value-added sausage casings at IFFA 2016, taking place in Frankfurt from 7-12 May.
Awareness of state organic logo is 100%, says Danish government
Danish demand for organic food is booming and awareness of the state-controlled logo has never been higher, according to a recent survey.
MPI issues raw milk safety reminder
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has said raw milk is a high risk food and it's important that consumers understand why.
China direct
Food safety chief: FDA struggling to cope with scale of adulteration
China’s food authorities are unable to keep up with cases of chemical and drug adulteration, according to the head of its Food and Drug Administration.
The future of biofortification: Democratic, patent free and multidisciplinary
The biofortification movement has succeeded in bringing the nutrition and agriculture communities under one roof – but there is more to be done to democratise the results of these efforts, says the director of international NGO HarvestPlus.