Producers of certified organic products in the U.S. will no longer have to go through a separate certification process to have their products labeled organic in Canada. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency signed an organic equivalency agreement yesterday, meaning the two countries will recognize each other’s officially certified organic products....
Food Industry Archive
June 2009
ConAgra has promised to look after its employees after a plant explosion in Garner, North Carolina killed three and sent nearly 40 to the hospital. CEO Gary Rodkin visited the plant just after the explosion and promised that the company would pay for funerals, support the victims’ families, and continue paying employees “until further notice,” even though the plant is no...
Venezuela’s health minister ordered a halt to Coke Zero production last week, in order to “preserve the health of Venezuelans.” At the time, no specific reason was cited, which made it look like just another crazy move by Hugo Chavez‘ government to thwart capitalism in an arbitrary manner. But now that the Venezuelan Health Ministry has gotten more specific, it...
El Pollo Loco targets KFC over beef — KFC’s new grilled chicken uses a marinade that contains more than 20 ingredients, including beef flavoring, El Pollo Loco wants the world to know. KFC says this is perfectly normal, but El Pollo Loco is using the revelation as yet another opportunity to ridicule its new competitor in the grilled chicken market. [Sources: Los Angeles Times, Daily...
Starbucks announced earlier this month that it’s revamping its menu. It’s adding new salads and baked goods, all with a new health focus, under the campaign “Real Food. Simply delicious.” It’s actually kind of surprising to me that Starbucks has managed to be as successful as it is with such limited food offerings. As one blogger put it, “Unlike the greasy...
When a company as big as Starbucks backs away from high-fructose corn syrup, you know the sweetener’s in trouble. It’s not a new trend; use of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been dropping steadily for the past six years, and companies like PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple have begun touting new sugar-based products as “natural” alternatives. The drop has the...
Is it really possible? Can the restaurant industry and health activists actually agree on something? Lawmakers put together a new version of a bill to create uniform national requirements for menu labeling — and the bill has the support of everyone from the National Council of Chain Restaurants and the National Restaurant Association on one side, and the Center for Science in the Public...
Three killed in ConAgra plant explosion — The roof collapsed from an explosion at a Slim Jim snack factory in Garner, North Carolina on Tuesday, killing three ConAgra employees and injuring dozens of others. The cause of the explosion is not known, but so far authorities say it does not look like foul play. The building has not yet been declared safe enough for investigators to enter....
It’s National Doughnut Day. Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts are celebrating with free doughnut giveaways, but smaller companies are also getting in on the action, and at least one blogger is encouraging people to bake their own vegan doughnuts. I initially assumed the holiday was a gimmick invented by the doughnut industry, but it turns out this one’s legit. It was created in...
Restaurants have generally taken a hit lately as more consumers pinch pennies and cook at home. But a weak economy doesn’t have to be all bad news, and a few chains have been finding clever ways to turn the situation to their advantage. Landlords, for example, are eager to hold onto their tenants, and Starbucks has been using that fact to push for better deals. “We are reaching out...
- QuikTrip Campaign Gets Honest and Scoffs at Obesity Concerns
- No Action from New Cadbury Contestants, But Plenty of Talk
- Anticlimactic End to High Profile Agriprocessors Immigration Raid
- Industry Should Find Alternatives to BPA
- KFC Winning Chicken War Over El Pollo Loco
- Hershey and Ferrero's Cadbury Interest Unlikely to Push Up Kraft Bid
- FDA Accused of Caving to Industry in Oyster Row
- Agriprocessors Verdict, Pending Immigration Charges, and a Bizarre Response
- Burger King Goes Too Far in Price War
- More on Starbucks Barista Discontent over Pushing Via
- Food Companies Cut Down on Ingredients, If Not Sugar or Fat
- Assault on Salt Inspires New Products and Strategies
- Dairy Industry Attacks Sodas to Defend Chocolate Milk
- Dean Foods Accused of Silk Soy Milk 'Bait and Switch'
- Kraft Battle for Cadbury Takeover Just Beginning
- Glenn Beck More Popular Than Ever Despite Boycott
- Meat Industry: Meatless Monday Threatens Our Way of Life
- Food, Soda and Candy Bar Companies Unite to Fight Obesity
- Despite Industry Efforts, 'H1N1' Will Never Replace 'Swine Flu'
- New York City Attacks Sugary Soft Drinks with Ad Campaign
- Industry Should Find Alternatives to BPA
- New 90 Calorie Coke Can is Good Business Strategy, If Nothing Else
- No Industry Enthusiasm for PETA's Vegan Proposal
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- Is Starbucks Good or Bad for Independent Coffee Shops?
- 'Smart Choices' Label Dumbs Down Nutrition
- Big Brands Warn of Sugar Crisis
- Wal-Mart Regrets Exec's Comments on Health Care for Immigrants
- Nutrition Study Misses the Point of Organic
- Meat Industry: Meatless Monday Threatens Our Way of Life
- New Strategy Against Bottled Water: Satire
- Is John Mackey Clueless About Whole Foods' Customer Base?
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