The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA., has added more items to its list of foods found to be misleadingly labeled “non-GMO,” “no added hormones,” etc. The organization has launched a “Peel Back the Label” campaign targeting “fear-based” labeling such as non-GMO on foods or products that contain no DNA to modify – e.g., table salt – and “no added hormone” labels on poultry products that are already barred from adding hormones by federal law. New examples of deceptive labeling include canned sliced carrots with "non-GMO" labels, a "GMO-free" label on lettuce, and mandarin oranges. None of these foods have ever been genetically modified, the group says.
"Dairy Industry Group Decries 'Fear-Based' Labeling", Rapid City Journal Media Group, October 22, 2017
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The San Francisco board of supervisors has passed a law requiring larger grocery retailers in the city report the type of antibiotics used in raw meat products they sell. Grocery stores with 25 locations or more will have to report antibiotic use by their suppliers to the city Department of the Environment. The department’s website would make the information available to consumers. Meat and grocery industry representatives have panned the law as costly, unnecessary, and potentially confusing to consumers. Last month, in a victory for the meat industry, the U.S. Congress repealed a law requiring that packages of pork and beef sold in grocery stores be labeled with country of origin.
"San Francisco to Require Stores to Report Meat Antibiotics", SF Gate, October 25, 2017
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California food retailer Raley's has launched a program to offer non-GMO and antibiotics-free pork in its stores. The company has partnered with supplier American Homestead Pork, a group of 35 family farms in Iowa whose animals have never been given antibiotics or growth-promoting chemicals, and have never been caged. Family-owned Raley’s says it now offers more than 15,000 natural and organic foods.
"Raley’s Partners With American Homestead To Offer GMO-Free Pork", The Shelby Report, October 30, 2017
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An independent research organization has certified dietary supplement and ingredient maker MegaFood’s entire product line glyphosate residue free. Glyphosate is the main active ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup, and is used as a weed killer in commercial agriculture and in home gardens, public parks and schools. Natural foods company MegaFoods produces its line of 44 FoodState vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements from farm-fresh whole foods. The glyphosate-free certification was granted by the Detox Project.
"MegaFood Becomes First Supplement Brand to Have Its Entire Line of Products Certified Glyphosate Residue Free", MegaFoods, November 02, 2017
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Organic farmers are hopping mad over a recent 8-7 decision – a final ruling, in fact – by the National Organic Standards board that vegetables grown hydroponically do not violate the principles of organic farming. The farmers argue that organic farming is all about “soil health, regenerating the soil,” and not about growing vegetables in nutrient-filled fluids. Hydroponic farmers, however, say their methods are more environmentally sound. Tomatoes, for example, can be grown with three to five gallons of water per pound of production. Growing tomatoes in open fields can use up to 37 gallons of water. Open field cultivation "uses more water, more land, destroys more natural habitat. I mean, what is the true essence of organic?" The government-appointed board advises the USDA on rules for the organic industry.
"Hydroponic Veggies Are Taking Over Organic, And A Move To Ban Them Fails", National Public Radio, November 02, 2017
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Despite criticism that smacks of mockery, a San Francisco Bay-area dairy is now selling milk labeled “non-GMO,” claiming that cows producing it had never eaten grains containing genetically modified organisms. Clover Sonoma dairy has been in the vanguard of the movement to purify dairy products by removing or keeping out troubling additives like growth hormones. Its cattle feed has been organic for two decades. But organic milk is expensive. So it devised a cheaper way to ease consumer concerns by adopting the non-GMO labeling. Industry experts, however, say it’s a non-issue. "It's really trying to market a distinction without a difference," said the president of the National Milk Producers Federation, whose "peel back the label" campaign is trying to shed some light on the topic. A UC-Davis animal genomics scientist said, “It's like unicorn-free milk. There aren't any GMOs in milk anyway."
"Labeling Milk Non-GMO Baffles Experts", Arkansas Online, November 05, 2017
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The FDA reported that almost all domestic food, and 90 percent of imported food, it had tested was free of pesticides residues. Foods tested included almonds, fish, milk, soybeans, apples, cabbage, etc. Pesticide chemical residues were higher than federal tolerance levels in less than two percent – 15 out of 835 – of domestic food samples and less than 10 percent of import samples. However, the FDA tolerance levels may be too low, since they are usually set for healthy adult males, and they are years out of date anyway. They should be higher for pregnant women and children, according to the Pesticide Action Network, which advocates buying organic foods when possible.
"Pesticides in Our Food Supply: What the Latest FDA Report Found", Palm Beach Post, November 08, 2017
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After numerous delays over eight years, the USDA has issued guidance on the implementation of the Obama-era law – part of the Affordable Care Act – requiring nutritional menu labeling. The guidance is intended to provide more flexibility to restaurants, convenience retailers, and pizza chains by offering more options for labeling calories on their menus. Restaurants could place a single placard a buffet bar, for example, instead of labeling each item individually. The controversial requirement, set to take effect in May of this year, was delayed again by the Trump administration. The new implementation date is May 2018.
"FDA Is Moving Forward With Menu-Labeling", NACS, November 08, 2017
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The World Health Organization says that reductions in the use of antibiotics in food animals would reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the meat production chain by as much as 39 percent. WHO recently published guidelines that proposed ending the use of antibiotics in food animals for disease prevention and growth promotion. Specifically, the organization proposed complete restriction of use of all classes of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals for prevention of infectious diseases that have not yet been clinically diagnosed. USDA acting chief scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young said the new guidelines “are not in alignment with U.S. policy and are not supported by sound science.” The National Pork Producers Council also expressed strong disagreement with WHO’s guidelines.
"WHO Proposes Ending Antibiotics for Prevention in Food Animals", National Hog Farmer, November 10, 2017
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Conagra is betting that frozen foods will continue to grow – dollar sales were up two percent over the last 12 months – as Millennials try to save money and time, and still eat healthfully. The company has launched several new products within its frozen food brands, including Healthy Choice, Banquet, and Marie Callender's. Although the company does not say how much it spent on the revamp of those brands, the investment seems to be paying off. All three have posted sharp gains after the new lines were launched. The company also introduced new products under the Frontera and Alexia. CEO Sean Connolly said ConAgra’s next target is likely to be snack foods.
"Conagra's Bet on Frozen Food Appears to Be Paying Off", CNBC, November 15, 2017
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Former Northeast regional president Christina Minardi was promoted to executive VP of operations for Whole Foods Market. As a regional president, Minardi was responsible for 40 stores in three states. Minardi will now lead four regions and help with the integration with Amazon. Her new responsibilities will include re-imagining the customer experience and driving e-commerce initiatives.
"Whole Foods Market Names Christina Minardi Executive Vice President of Operations", News release, Whole Foods Market, November 17, 2017
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Amazon has filed for a trademark for a meal kit slogan at the U.K.’s Intellectual Property Office. The slogan – “We Prep. You Cook” – echoes a similar slogan used in the U.S. Amazon’s meal kits were launched in the U.S. and retail at $15.99 to $19.99. The U.K. trademark filing signals an imminent launch of the product, according to industry watchers.
"Amazon’s Meal Kits Set to Hit UK as Patent Filed", Retail Gazette, November 17, 2017
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Unilever is working with executive search consulting firm Egon Zehnder International to search for current CEO Paul Polman's successor. Although the company has yet to officially announce a possible date for Polman's retirement, some unnamed sources expect the veteran executive to leave in about 18 months. According to Sky News, Egon Zehnder is helping Unilever's board of directors prepare for a formal search process.
"Dove-maker Unilever paves way for exit of veteran CEO Polman", Sky UK, November 23, 2017
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