Frozen Express

Editorial: OMB should release new food safety rules

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Six months ago, the Food and Drug Administration met the deadline set by Congress to complete a set of proposed rules for implementing the landmark Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. It submitted those proposals to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. They haven't been seen or heard of since.

Report: Frozen food production comes into its own

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

The frozen food production industry has come into its own during the past five years. The industry has faced challenges along the way, especially as growing health and nutrition movements placed emphasis on fresh foods, according to a report from IBISWorld.

Wal-Mart probe could expand beyond Mexico

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart has suggested in a regulatory filing its internal investigation into bribery accusations could widen beyond its subsidiary in Mexico. In a regulatory filing last week, the company reported that the audit committee of the Wal-Mart board was examining possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and "other alleged crimes or misconduct in connection with foreign subsidiaries, including Wal-Mart de Mexico."

Poll: Obama, Romney in dead heat on economy

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

After months of aggressive campaigning on jobs and the economy, President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, his likely Republican challenger, are locked in a dead heat over who could fix the problem foremost on voters' minds, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Related article:

Poll: Slim lead for Obama (The Wall Street Journal)

Democratic senators facing tough 2014 re-election low on money

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Several Senate Democrats who are up for re-election in 2014 have raised less than half a million dollars for their campaign war chests despite being vulnerable to Republican challengers.

Could Scott Walker help Mitt Romney win Wisconsin?

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

National Democrats warned against the Wisconsin gubernatorial recall, fearing it would pull money and energy away from the presidential race in a key swing state. Now polls show the race between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama narrowing in the Badger state as Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, is pulling ahead of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the June 5 recall.

Former NLRB member returns to AFL-CIO

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Craig Becker, a former member of the National Labor Relations Board, is returning to the AFL-CIO. Becker will be general counsel to the nation's largest labor federation, joining AFL-CIO General Counsel Lynn Rhinehart in leading the labor group's legal office.

Maryland governor to sign chicken feed arsenic ban

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to sign a bill this week that would make Maryland the first state to ban Roxarsone, an arsenic additive in chicken feed.

Commentary: Is your traceability solution sophisticated enough?

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

FSMA pushes the FDA to focus more on prevention rather than treatment and containment of food safety issues after the fact — and that change puts additional responsibility on food companies to be accountable for the 48 million people in the U.S. affected by foodborne illness each year. Is your company capable of adequately shouldering that responsibility?

Opinion: Big and small questions about food

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Our food system is depleting the earth's resources and making us sick, even as 1 billion people in the world go hungry. It's got to change, and it can change — so long as we don't get distracted by small questions about food and lose sight of the big ones.

Canada: Animal care program for chickens gets underway

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

After years of planning and debate, Chicken Farmers of Canada is registering producers in an auditable program that ensures birds are raised in the best way possible.

EU rejects French ban of Monsanto GM maize

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

France's attempt to ban the planting of a Monsanto strain of genetically modified maize was rejected by the EU's food safety body Monday. The European Food Safety Authority ruled "there is no specific scientific evidence, in terms of risk to human and animal health or the environment" to support a ban.

General Mills to eliminate about 850 jobs

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Food maker General Mills said Tuesday it will cut about 850 jobs as part of a plan to lower costs and boost efficiency. The Minneapolis-based food maker said it expects the plan to result in total pretax charges of about $109 million, which will cover costs related to equipment and workers whose jobs are terminated.

Frito-Lay plans its own gluten-free symbol

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

The world's largest snack firm, Frito-Lay, has announced plans to use its own gluten-free symbol on labels in North America after validating products as gluten-free through two celiac organizations.

Related article:

Gluten-free: Necessity, not fad, for 18 million Americans (The Huffington Post)

E. coli fears prompt recall of 7,000 pounds of ground beef

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

The South Carolina Meat Poultry Inspection Department has recalled 6,908 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The food was produced by Lancaster Frozen Foods in Lancaster, S.C., and distributed by Lancaster Frozen Foods as well as G&W Inc.

Study: Saturated fats hamper brain function, memory

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Consumption of saturated fats may be associated with decreases in memory and reductions in brain function and could lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to new research.

Kenco nearly doubles logistics facility in Michigan

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Kenco, a provider of value-added distribution, public warehousing, transportation services and intelligent information technology, is expanding its existing operations at Midlink Business Park in Comstock Township, Mich., to service a new agreement with a U.S. company that manufactures products for the food industry.

Wegmans completes expansion of distribution center

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has completed the development of its distribution center in Pottsville, Pa. Officials said the new facility will store fresh and frozen foods. It features five temperature zones and more than 100 loading docks.

Salt Lake health department gets food safety award

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department is getting praise from its peers for its programs to keep food safe. The department announced this week it won the 2012 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection.

Flash pasteurization, antimicrobial combination curb Listeria

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Using flash pasteurization in tandem with antimicrobial lauric-arginate-ester can curb the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurter sausages for up to 12 weeks, according to a new study from USDA's Agricultural Research Service.

Investigators: Retailers fail inspection for ready-to-go food

22 May 2012 13:14:47 CDT

Department, big box and grocery stores are getting into the restaurant business with ready-to-go meals. But how safe is that food? Investigators in Chicago cite failed inspections and unsafe practices.