Sustainability: Page 160

Food Firms Need A Sugar Tax Action Plan For Their Supply Chain, Says Consultant

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Asia Watches As GMO Legal Challenge Threatens Philippines Food Supply

Government agencies are scrambling to set new regulations on GMOs by Feb. 23 after the Southeast Asian nation's top court late last year demanded an overhaul of existing rules, halting GM planting and issuance of new GM import permits.

With some current import permits starting to expire from March and corn farmers set to begin sowing in May, five government agencies are pushing to sign new rules by next Tuesday to avoid disrupting food supply in a year when voters will choose the country's next leader.

Nebraska Says Meatpackers Can Own Hogs; Change Draws Debate For Small Farms

The law, signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts after being passed 34-14 by state legislators February 5, reverses a measure that went into effect in 1999 that restricted corporate ownership of land and farms to protect small, family farms.

Nebraska, the sixth-largest hog producer in the United States, has had a sharp decline in recent years in the number of farms that sell hogs.

Court Rules Federal Law Pre-empts California Meat Labeling Law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Feb. 12 upheld the Aug. 19, 2013 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill that “permanently enjoined and restrained” California officials from enforcing the slack fill requirements.

“Slack fill” is the empty space between meat and poultry products and their packaging. After state enforcement actions, Del Real challenged the California Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (CFPLA) on grounds it is preempted for meat and poultry products regulated by the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA).

Fuel Efficiency

Lower Fuel Costs Fail To Boost Shipping Activity

Cass Information Systems, Inc.

Cass’ monthly freight index report showed shipping expenditures falling to 1.4 percent from a year earlier, while volume in the same period was down 0.2 percent, extending declines to a fourth month.

Agriculture Transportation Coalition Challenges SOLAS Container Weight Documentation Rule

AgTC seeks a Congressional inquiry into the International Maritime Organization process, the means by which the U.S. can be bound, and how this rule was adopted without U.S. exporter or importer notice or input, or consideration of impact on U.S. economy.

AgTC believes that unless thoughtfully considered, by individuals with intimate familiarity with the export supply chain process, this rule will create major turmoil at the marine terminals and a very significant impediment to U.S. exports.

US Foods Files For Public Offering

The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not been determined.

US Foods Holding Corp., the parent company of US Foods, Inc., the Rosemont, Ill.-based nationwide foodservice distributor, has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock.

Whole Foods Market Inc. CEO: We Are Rebounding Following The Package Mislabeling Incident

Whole Foods Market Inc. co-CEO Walter Robb sees supermarkets getting smaller and having a bigger emphasis on fresh food, but he also foresees an “explosion” in foodservice and prepared foods and beverages.

Whole Foods Market Inc. co-CEO Walter Robb.

Risk/Compliance

Rhode Island And New Hampshire Consider Mandatory GMO Labeling

On a 12-7 vote, the committee majority filed a report that suggests New Hampshire should support national labeling as outlined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the “SmartLabel” being developed by the food industry.

A bipartisan majority of the New Hampshire Environment and Agriculture Committee led by Rep. John O’Connor, has recommended against passage of House Bill (HB) 1674, saying requiring labeling of genetically engineered foods was previously rejected by General Court, and remains unnecessary.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Pledges $10 Million To Support Local Growers

The initiative will provide the support and education necessary to meet the company’s high standards and help offset the costs of enhanced testing and food safety practices for some smaller farmers.

The formation of the Chipotle Local Grower Support Initiative is a new program to help smaller, local suppliers meet its heightened food safety standards.

Chiquita Brands’ Fresh Express Inc. Recalls Bagged, Chopped Romaine

Chiquita Brands International | Fresh Express

The condiments’ ingredients are not included on the chopped romaine labels and therefore pose an allergen threat for people with food allergies or sensitivities to milk, eggs, wheat and fish.

The romaine from the Salinas, Calif., company primarily went to retail stores in Eastern and Southern states, according to the notice. Individual states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia.

Mars Inc. To Remove Artificial Colors From Global Food Portfolio

Products across the range of the company's chocolate, gum, confection, food and drink businesses will be affected by the change, which will take place incrementally over the next five years.

Mars M M Recall 54203b2e951f2 5425825804886

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