December 19, 2014
As we head into the festivities of the holiday season, we talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of soul food. We’re joined by Frederick Douglass Opie, author of Hog and Hominy: Soul Food from Africa to America. Later in the show, as the #BlackLivesMatter protests continue, we pause to consider what’s next for the movement and what happens after the die-ins, the shut-downs, and the walk-outs. Panelists: - Callie Crossley, host, Under the Radar with Callie Crossley, WGBH News - Peniel Joseph, Professor of History, Tufts University - Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College - Frederick Douglass Opie, Professor of History and Foodways, Babson College

Food production is responsible for more than a third of greenhouse gas emissions. To get everyone the food they need in a warming world, governments worldwide must invest in securing our food systems

The contamination of Foster Farms chickens has provided insight into food regulation.

Steve Julian: Business analyst Mark Lacter, had we been paying attention before this happened?

Mark Lacter: You know, Steve, we often have an out of sight, out of mind attitude when it comes to food safety, and - as we're seeing with this episode - the government has a way of enabling that attitude.  What stands out, first of all, is that people started getting sick from salmonella-contaminated chicken back in March, and yet, it wasn't until the past few weeks that news stories began appearing about the seriousness of the problems.

Julian: At last check, more than 400 people have been infected, with most of them in California...

Lacter: Right, and Foster Farms, which is based in Merced County, controls two-thirds of the poultry market along the West Coast.  No fatalities so far, but many of the people who became sick had to be hospitalized - and that leads to still more concerns that the salmonella strains were resistant to antibiotics.  Now, why it took this long for consumers to be made aware that there was a problem tells you something about the way the federal government regulates poultry plants.  It was only last Friday, after the company had seen a 25 percent drop in sales, when the president of Foster Farms decided to go public.  He said he was embarrassed by the outbreak, and promised to change the company's processing facilities so that salmonella can be better identified.

Julian: Where was the US government in this?

Lacter: Apparently, the Department of Agriculture only requires testing for levels of salmonella at the time of slaughter - not later on, after the poultry is cut into parts.  Foster Farms now says it will do retesting at that later stage.  What's also interesting is that Foster Farms was not asked to recall any of its products because the chicken is considered safe as long as it's handled properly and then cooked to the right temperature, which is at least 165 degrees.  That's why some supermarkets have kept carrying the brand.

Julian: Can the government even order a recall?

Lacter: Not in a case like this - and that's because of a court case in the 1990s involving a Texas meat producer that federal inspectors were ready to shut down due to a salmonella outbreak involving ground beef.  The company sued the government, arguing that salmonella is naturally occurring, and therefore, not an adulterant subject to government regulation.  And the courts agreed.  Foster Farms has been using much the same argument.

Julian: Why isn't there more public outrage over this?

Lacter: Well, again, we go back to out of sight, out of mind.  Slaughterhouses are not exactly fun places, and they're usually not well covered by the news media until something bad happens, like the Foster Farms situation.

Julian: Chino comes to mind - a story we covered.

Lacter: That's when an animal rights group used a hidden camera to record inhumane treatment of cattle at a meat processing plant.  That company was forced into bankruptcy.  Another reason coverage is spotty is because it's not always easy to trace someone's illness to a contaminated piece of meat or chicken.  And, that leads to lots of misinformation.  The broader issue is figuring out a way to monitor these facilities without the process becoming cost prohibitive.  The Agriculture Department has been pushing a pilot program that would allow plants to speed up processing lines, and replace government inspectors with employees from the poultry companies themselves.

Julian: The idea being?

Lacter: The idea being to establish safeguards that can prevent problems before they get out of hand.  But, this is pretty controversial stuff, and advocacy groups representing poultry workers say that processing lines need to be slowed down, not speeded up.  So, you have this ongoing back and forth involving industry, government, consumer groups, and labor organizations.  And unfortunately, most of us tend to move on after one of these outbreaks gets cleared up.

Mark Lacter writes for Los Angeles Magazine and pens the business blog at LA Observed.com.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Egan Food Technologies, a confectionery and baking process equipment manufacturer and service provider, will unveil at Pack Expo a new slab-bar forming line that is manufactured and serviced from the company’s headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Dynamic Conveyor will display the DynaClean™ line to the food processing industry at Process Expo in Chicago for the first time

SK Food International introduces AncientGrisps to its extensive line of Premium Quality Ingredients.

The new division will focus on developing innovative snacks and capitalizing on emerging consumer trends.

POP Gourmet Foods, Tukwila, WA—a manufacturer of high-end popcorn products, as well as chips and croutons—maintains an international customer base in mass merchandise, warehouse/club, specialty and traditional grocery, foodservice, airlines and hotels, among others.

The long-awaited final rule by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on gluten-free labeling was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 5. This voluntary rule became effective on Sept. 4, with the compliance date set for Aug. 5, 2014. 

Treat yourself and your loved ones to the new BBQ Baby Back Ribs and decadent line of one-of-a-kind Cinna-Rolls

As the end of 2014 draws near, Canadean forecasts the top trends which will influence consumer behaviour in 2015, and provides an insight into how manufacturers and marketers can target these evolving consumer needs to drive sales over the next year.

In May 2014, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), McLean, Va., launched a national effort to encourage consumers to take a fresh look at frozen foods.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that nearly one-third of the edible components of food produced for human consumption gets lost or wasted, amounting to about 1.3 billion tons per year globally.

FSX 2025 is designed as a platform for knowledge-sharing, professional growth, and collaboration among key stakeholders in the food industry.

We must use genetic technologies now to avert the coming food crisis  New Scientist

Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI is officially moving forward with previously announced plans to begin testing ads within its search results. Initial agency and brand partners include Indeed, PMG, Universal McCann, and Whole Foods Market. The company said in a blog post announcing the move, "To fully deliver on our mission to spark the world's...

Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, and More by EverOut Staff It's nearly time once again to partake in the national pastime of gorging ourselves on poultry and cranberry sauce and curling up on the couch for a tryptophan-induced nap. If you're looking to outsource some of your Thanksgiving Day preparations, we've rounded up this list of restaurants offering holiday specials for dine-in and takeout, from full turkey dinners to pie. For more ideas, check out our food and drink guide.

Note: Order deadlines are approaching fast for many of these restaurants, and supplies are limited. Be sure to place your orders ASAP to avert any ruined holiday plans.

Cafe Flora
The plant-filled vegetarian haven Cafe Flora is celebrating its 32nd annual Thanksgiving with a four-course dine-in menu that includes choices like apple parsnip soup, harvest nut roast with spiced heirloom carrot sauce, and heirloom apple cheesecake, as well as a $35 optional menu and a kid's menu. Indoor and outdoor heated patio seating are available. 
Madison Valley

India's wholesale price index rose to 2.36 percent in October. Food prices increased, pushing retail inflation to a 14-month high. The Reserve Bank of India held its benchmark interest rate steady. The central bank maintained its inflation forecast for the fiscal year at 4.5 percent. Food price volatility remains a concern for inflation and economic stability.

The size of the deal is estimated at over Rs 1,300 crore. With the transaction, both Bharti and DMPL will receive shares of ATFL as consideration and will become public shareholders of ATFL post the transaction. Additionally, ATFL (through DMFPL) will acquire an exclusive, perpetual license for the Del Monte brand in India.

The United States foreign food aid program can be a big help when extreme weather fueled by climate change hammers communities

The food delivery app Wonder Wednesday announced it has bought Grubhub in a $650 million dollar combination debt and cash deal.

The food delivery app Wonder Wednesday announced it has bought Grubhub in a $650 million dollar combination debt and cash deal.

This article explores how eating junk food raises the risk of fatty liver diseases, examines symptoms, and highlights specific foods that can negatively impact liver health.

World Diabetes Day 2024: In this article, we discuss how certain foods can increase your risk of diabetes.

[SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation soon on the interventions government is undertaking to deal with foodborne illnesses and fatalities that have transpired in the country.

Nairobi — As African farmers struggle with unpredictability caused by climate change, some are looking into contract farming, which involves growing a certain crop for a price set in advance. About 400 people attended the International Conference on Contract Farming in Nairobi this week to learn more about the practice.  Peris Wanjiku, the conference director, said such agreements can help solve the challenges that many smallholder farmers face in Africa.  "It's always important to farm with a plan. I believe it's not enough to simply plant a crop, whatever it is, without knowing where it will end up," Wanjiku said. "Farmers should know beforehand what to grow and where to sell. This is why contract farming is so important, as it provides the framework for certainty and sustainability. "But it's not only about the traditional farmer. I believe we can extend the benefit of contract farming to those who may not be farmers themselves right now, but they own a piece of land."    Experts say the growing interest in contract farming is associated with increasingly complicated systems in food production, marketing and distribution, which has made it difficult for farmers to meet consumers' demands.  Contract farming, experts say, is an instrument that manages and reduces production risks for both parties.  Wilson Milito Ole-Rampei, a vegetable farmer in Kenya, is attending the conference and is optimistic that the practice would help him.   "I will benefit because if, for example, I am growing vegetables, we will arrange with them to get a market. They will give me their technical advice, then our arid land will be used. Because of [a] shortage of rain, we will do irrigation. I would have knowledge of what I am growing," Ole-Rampei said.    An economist for the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Lan Li, said contract farming is often a good deal for small-scale farmers.   "It sets the agreements on what products to produce, quantity, and price," Li said. "As such, it helps secure more stable income and better production planning for producers. It can improve access to inputs for small-scale holder farmers, technical assistance training, and financing solutions."  African farmers have seen reduced harvests due to global warming and drought. For many, a lack of knowledge and skills also contributes to low food production.  In areas where farmers can produce enough food, they sometimes face obstacles such as bad roads or insecurity that prevent them from getting to market.   Carole Kariuki, head of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, said the private and public sectors need to collaborate to improve the agriculture sector.  "The private sector is doing its best. It's filling that gap where it can, but we cannot do it all, and we need the government to be able to go back and say we can get agriculture extension officers helping out small farmers and all the farmers in the country. Contract farming holds immense potential to transform African agriculture,” she said.  Contract farming can have drawbacks, such as making farmers less able to sell to alternative buyers when produce prices increase. In addition, there are environmental risks from growing only one crop for a long time.   Buyers, meanwhile, can face high transaction costs from contracting with many farmers.  But Kariuki believes the benefits outweigh the risks. She called contract farming a model to lift up small-scale farmers, boost food production, and drive sustainable growth.

[VOA] Nairobi -- As African farmers struggle with unpredictability caused by climate change, some are looking into contract farming, which involves growing a certain crop for a price set in advance.

A draft food safety law proposing several changes to current requirements has been presented to government officials in Singapore. The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment introduced the Food Safety and Security Bill for its first reading in Parliament earlier this week. The draft law will be debated at the second... Continue Reading

Birds are one type of animal that have adapted to not feel the effects of spicy foods that humans often do.

LONDON — UK's King Charles will celebrate his 76th birthday on Thursday (Nov 14) by opening two food distribution hubs which are part of his project designed to cut waste and support charities that help those who are hungry. Last year, the king, an outspoken campaigner on environmental issues and supporter of a sustainable economy, launched the 'Coronation Food Project', his mission to 'bridge the gap between food waste and food need'. On Thursday, the monarch will open the initiative's first two food hubs — distribution centres which are designed to save and circulate tonnes of surplus food. He will visit one of the hubs in south London which will host a 'surplus food festival' making meals created from food which would have gone to waste, as well as virtually opening the other site in northern England. Their aim is to make it easier for food charities such as FareShare and the Felix Project to provide support for those in need, Buckingham palace said. It said since the launch of the scheme, the project had helped save an additional 940 tonnes of surplus food which was to the equivalent of more than 2.2 million meal portions.

An international team of scientists has now found that a genetic mutation may enable people to cut down their sugar intake.

The government on Tuesday asked the e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to adopt practices to ensure minimum shelf life of 30 per cent or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer, to strengthen food safety standards within the e-commerce sector.

This actor, who once used to starve for days, gatecrash film sets for food, later became a superstar.

Tomatoes, onions, and potatoes disappearing from common man’s plate, says Jairam Ramesh

Slowing urban spending over the past three to four months has not only hurt the earnings of largest consumer goods firms

Import-reliant edible oil sector, heightened vegetable prices continue to exert pressure on the CPI basket, raising concerns over household inflation expectations

Food and beverage inflation for October compares with 8.4% in September, led by an increase in seven of the 12 food groups. Vegetables inflation reached a 57-month high of 42.2% from 36.0% in September, exerting upward pressure on the overall CPI.”