Food safety and labeling

Legislators & industry tackle food waste by easing donation guidelines & tightening expiry labeling

16-Feb-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Legislation aimed at redirecting food that would be wasted to hungry Americans would make it easier for stakeholders to donate food and reduce the risk that consumers prematurely throw away food that they erroneously believe has spoiled.

Canadian norovirus outbreak linked to oysters

08-Feb-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

More than 200 people have been sickened by norovirus in three Canadian provinces linked to raw/undercooked oysters.

LGC boosts proficiency testing portfolio

03-Feb-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

LGC has acquired API Food Quality to boost its portfolio of proficiency testing (PT) schemes for the food industry.

Research round-up: Comparing Listeria and starving Salmonella

31-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

The long awaited return of the research round-up series sees Listeria, Salmonella and a review article from the Caribbean.

D.L. Newslow and HACCP International name Ronald D. Mathis as EVP

27-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

D.L. Newslow & Associates and HACCP International have named Ronald D. Mathis as executive vice president, Americas.

Regulatory freeze could change or delay implementation aspects of FSMA, Nutrition Facts rule

26-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

The Trump Administration’s regulatory freeze announced last week could significantly impact how the Nutrition Facts Label final rule and regulations related to the Food Safety Modernization Act are interpreted and enforced even though they passed well...

Canada contributes to Codex and OIE budgets

26-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

Canada is to contribute an additional $1m to international bodies that develop standards for food safety and plant protection.

‘Hot spots’ of veterinary residues found in corned beef case

25-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

The Government Chemist has revealed the work leading to supporting the Public Analyst in a dispute over findings of residues of a veterinary medicine in corned beef.

Canada closing in on updated food safety regulation

23-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

Canada has launched a 90-day public consultation on new rules to strengthen food safety.

A new approach to innovation

Bolthouse Farms’ MAIO is the newest product from C-Fresh’s new innovation model

19-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

MAIO, an indulgent tasting yet better-for-you alternative to conventional mayonnaise, is the latest test product to come out of C-Fresh's innovation team and its unique approach to incubating products on a small scale before expanding.

SGS Canada partners with Niagara College

18-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

SGS Canada has partnered with an institute at Niagara College to offer a tool kit based approach around food safety management.

Canada investigating source of E. coli outbreak

16-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

Canadian officials are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O121 which has sickened 12 people.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: How to select and best use food influencers to market products

13-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

While Americans are becoming more adventurous in what they eat, they often still need a lot of convincing to try something new – especially if they haven’t heard of it before and don’t know what it will taste like, how it will impact their health, how...

Healthcare concerns redirect more QSR consumers to grocery stores, research suggests

10-Jan-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Healthcare concerns likely are behind the steep drop in Americans’ spending at restaurants in 2016 and the uptick in consumers who say they will cook at home more in the New Year, according to recent research.

Soylent unveils new products, says TerraVia squabble will have 'no impact' on business

06-Jan-2017 By Elaine Watson

Soylent – which had a rocky few months at the end of 2016 marred by recalls of its powdered beverage and food bar and a public squabble with a supplier – is hoping to start 2017 in a more positive light with the launch of two new ready-to-drink products.

ALSO: Indicia Production acquires Metis Biotechnologies

BioControl acquisition opens F&B growth opportunities - Merck

05-Jan-2017 By Joseph James Whitworth

Merck has acquired BioControl Systems as it looks to grow in the food and beverage space and particularly the US.

Outbreaks down but illnesses up, finds EFSA and ECDC

19-Dec-2016 By Joseph James Whitworth

More than 4,300 foodborne outbreaks were reported in 2015, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Beverage spotting at SOHO Expo: From brewed figs to on-the-go aloe

15-Dec-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

From mix-and-go powders to shots to meals in bottles, the beverages showcased at SOHO Expo illustrate the wide variety of choices consumers have today and the many different ways they use beverages beyond mere hydration.

From Trump to climate change threats and scientific advancements, 2017 promises ‘excitement’

15-Dec-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

With each new year comes new trends in ingredients, cooking styles and eating patterns, but in 2017 the incoming presidential Administration could fundamentally change the way Americans eat by changing how food gets from farm to fork and the safety measures...

Certified transitional organic is ‘awesome’ option for farmers & consumers, McKaskle Family Farm owner says

13-Dec-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Offering products made from crops transitioning to organic at a premium above conventional but not as high as certified organic “helps the farmer, helps the consumer and helps the planet,” says the owner of the McKaskle Family Farm.

Imported seafood standards strengthened

12-Dec-2016 By Joseph James Whitworth

A program to make the US seafood supply chain more traceable has been finalised by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

DIY food kits are ‘the future of our society,’ CEO of Cultures for Health says

07-Dec-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Increased awareness of and ongoing battles with diet related chronic health problems are pushing more consumers into the kitchen for the first time -- creating a massive opportunities for do-it-yourself kits that teach consumers how to make their own...

Pure Growth Organic seeks to make organic accessible & acceptable to children

22-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Rightly or wrongly, organic snacks often are stereotyped as “esoteric” products that sacrifice flavor and fun for nutrition and are “hard on the wallet” compared to their conventional counterparts, according to the CEO of Pure Growth Organic.

Consumers feel more connected to retailers that reflect their communities, C Space survey finds

21-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Offering a small selection of locally produced food and beverages is no longer enough to set retailers apart -- now the entire store needs to reflect the community it serves to succeed in an increasingly competitive market, suggests new survey data from...

Baby and toddler snacks often fall short on nutrition while marketing misleads parents, review reveals

09-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food manufacturers should voluntarily expand the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative for improving food advertising to children to include marketing of baby and toddler food and drinks, the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity recommends...

Peapod partners with food blogger to better compete against subscription meal kit delivery services

08-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Grocery stores continue to step up their game against the competitive threat of subscription home delivery meal kits by improving their similar offerings as in the case of Ahold USA’s partnership with cookbook author and blogger Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste.

Tension around presidential election likely will take a toll on holiday food spending, IRI predicts

07-Nov-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

No matter who wins tomorrow’s presidential election, two-thirds of US consumers believe their financial health will deteriorate in 2017 -- a prospect that has many reigning in their holiday dining budgets and looking for deals, according to new research...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Is low-FODMAP the new gluten-free?

28-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

For the 45 million Americans who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, identifying food that they can safely eat without triggering a flare up is a source of deep frustration that also could be a sizable market opportunity for innovative food and beverage...

Packaging & product innovations from Nasoya make tofu more convenient

27-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tofu is gaining acceptance as a center-of-the-plate protein beyond vegetarians and vegans thanks in part to the growing focus on plant-based diets as well as new packaging and product innovations that make it easier to prepare.

Living Intentions’ new packaging communicates values, moves away from “raw” & expands into popcorn

25-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Breakfast and snack food maker Living Intentions is overhauling its packaging and streamlining its portfolio to help products better “pop” from the shelf and more effectively communicate its “roots” in brining uniquely flavored, optimally healthy products...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: How ugly produce can help companies cut costs & generate sales

21-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Most Americans are trained from a very young age to believe that beautiful is better – even when it comes to food – but as most people also know, this isn’t always true.

Good Housekeeping creates new seal, incubator to identify & help develop healthier products

18-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Media outlet and consumer product evaluation laboratory Good Housekeeping is launching a new nutrition seal and first-of-its kind food brand incubator to help companies create food and beverages that “inspire healthier eating habits” and make it easier...

5 strategies that fueled PUR’s more than 5,000% growth in five years

06-Oct-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

In a world where most business growth comes from the tech, oil, gas and software industries, gum and mint maker The PÜR Company was “sweetly surprised” recently to secure a spot in PROFIT 500’s top 10 list of fastest growing Canadian companies and the...

Oceana finds support for seafood traceability requirements

30-Sep-2016 By Joseph James Whitworth

Oceana has found 83% of Americans support new requirements to eliminate seafood fraud.

IBIE 2016 PREVIEW

Trends shaping NPD and consumer behavior in the US bakery market

30-Sep-2016 By Vince Bamford

Analysts identify the trends shaping product development and consumer behavior in the baked goods market ahead of the International Baking Industry Exposition in Las Vegas this week.

Three overlooked “superfoods” rising in popularity thanks to innovative formats

29-Sep-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Superfoods are no longer restricted to exotic and hard to find plants in under-developed countries. Rather, the latest batch comes from a little closer to home and likely already are in most US consumers’ pantries, according to a food trendologist.

Why did Whole Foods drop edible insect products?

Edible insects: Beyond the novelty factor

28-Sep-2016 By Elaine Watson

If the edible insects market is heating up, and big name retailers from Publix to Sprouts are now stocking cricket bars, snacks and protein powders, why is Whole Foods – which has reportedly temporarily dropped all bug-based products - apparently cooling...

FoodBytes! Boulder finalists focus on reducing food waste, increasing sustainability

27-Sep-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Reducing food waste and increasing sustainability so that food and beverage manufacturers can make more with less are common goals and key attributes of the 10 finalist food, agriculture and tech companies selected to present at the FoodBytes! Boulder...

GUEST ARTICLE: When it comes to food safety, doing just what is required will never be enough

21-Sep-2016 By Paul Grimwood, chairman and CEO, Nestlé USA

The esteemed American food writer Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher once wrote, “First we eat, then we do everything else.”

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: The evolution of local food to do-it-yourself options

16-Sep-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumer demand for local food and beverages is no longer a niche market – rather it is fully mainstream. But an outgrowth of this trend that is just starting to peek over the horizon is a “do-it-yourself” food and beverage movement, according to market...

Trichinosis outbreak linked to raw sausage

05-Sep-2016 By Joseph James Whitworth

The Ministry of Health in Buenos Aires has warned against eating raw sausages and those of homemade origin after an outbreak of trichinosis.

Developer says milling process creates multifunctional chia ingredient

01-Sep-2016 By Hank Schultz

Chia is a hot superfood. But entrepreneur Angelo Morini saw in its varying quality an opportunity, and his Anutra brand of chia was born.

Back-to-school launches & campaigns highlight innovation, giving-back

31-Aug-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

It is back-to-school time, which means parents nationwide will be stocking up on snacks and looking for fast solutions to fill their children’s lunchboxes. Startups and big brands alike are stepping up to help with new product launches, giving campaigns...

Label Insight: Your SmartLabel landing pages could become more important than your website or facebook pages

23-Aug-2016 By Elaine Watson

While the SmartLabel initiative has been dismissed by some as an elaborate conspiracy by big food companies to avoid mandatory on-pack GMO labeling statements, it will ultimately have far broader significance – and potentially a huge impact on how consumers...

Link to imported fresh produce in Canadian Cyclospora cases

12-Aug-2016 By Joseph James Whitworth

Canada has reported more than 50 cases of Cyclospora infection in four provinces.

Alfalfa Sprouts likely source of Salmonella outbreak – FDA

08-Aug-2016 By staff reporter

Alfalfa Sprouts have been linked to 30 cases of Salmonella, according to US authorities.

New NGS DNA testing methods will replace PCR, predicts Clear Labs

Are ‘GMO-free’ (as opposed to ‘non-GMO’) claims legally defensible?

03-Aug-2016 By Elaine Watson

As the Non-GMO Project states on its website, ‘GMO-free’ claims are “not legally or scientifically defensible due to limitations of testing methodology" coupled with cross-contamination risks. In future, however, that could change as testing methods...

IFT 2016 in review

PhytoShield offers clean label solution for longer shelf-life and quality without preservatives

28-Jul-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Manufacturers reformulating to meet consumers’ growing demand for products without preservatives now have another tool at their disposal following PLT Health Solutions’ and Flavor Solutions, Inc.’s July launch of PhytoShield Flavor Enhancer.

IFT Preview

HorizonScan helps spot food safety risks before they affect consumers, Global ID exec says

13-Jul-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food safety incidents, including contamination of food-borne illnesses, mold and adulteration, increased double-digits in several major food categories in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the prior year, according to data pulled from the global web-based...