Improved cell phone data reception is the result of employees who work on new cell towers. But their lives are in danger. Learn what solutions were discussed by industry stakeholders during a recent workshop.

Are some models too thin to work safely in the fashion industry? California seems to think so. Find out what the state’s legislators have proposed.

OSHA is working on guidelines to help employers. Find out more about them in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Congress questions whether OSHA is ignoring lawmakers in its enforcement stance on hazardous chemicals, and floats the idea of letting some violators of certain safety and health rules off the hook. Find out the details of these stories and more in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Only two weeks after OSHA published its final rule on silica, industry groups are appealing to a court for a review of the new standard. Find out why in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Should OSHA have a rule that addresses workplace violence in the health care industry? Some congressmen think so. Learn about this story and more in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is inviting all employers in the state to take part in its 16th annual “Safety Break for Oregon” to help raise awareness and promote “the value of keeping people safe and healthy” on the job.

Annapolis, MD — Maryland Del. Cheryl D. Glenn (D-Baltimore) has reintroduced legislation that would require contractors seeking to work on certain state projects to submit safety plans and would direct the state to ensure the plans are being followed.

Watertown, SD — A new video from the National Association of Tower Erectors highlights the importance of properly inspecting and using safety climb systems installed on communication towers.

Houston — The American Bureau of Shipping – a maritime and offshore facility classification organization – along with researchers from Lamar University and insurance group the American Club is calling on the maritime industry to adopt more comprehensive standards for injury and near-miss reporting after a recent analysis of industrywide data.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, is seeking comment on proposed significant new use rules for six chemical substances that are subject to agency premanufacture notices.

New research from scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that there are fewer calories in roasted, unroasted, whole or chopped almonds than previously thought.

Innova Market Insights finds various product claims targeting the weight-conscious consumer. They include “no added sugar,” “low fat,” “low calorie” and others.

Consumers are looking for nutritious and delicious products with enhanced protein that also taste good. They also seek non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian and sustainably sourced ingredients in the products they purchase.

The Hershey Company announced new commitments that will increase the visibility of nutrition information and portion options as part of their ongoing efforts to offer a broad range of delicious snacks and clear information.

Consumers are studying nutrition and ingredient labels more than ever before. While more than half look for calories, many are specifically zeroing in on added sugars, total sugars, and total carbohydrates.

Arlington, VA — A recent string of fatalities involving miners operating bulldozers has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert.

Arlington, VA — Miners working alone should always tell a responsible person their location and travel path through a mine, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says.

Washington — Democratic lawmakers have renewed their push to ease access to health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease.

Arlington, VA — Mine operators will soon be required to have a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment “developed and updated with input from miners and their representatives.”

Frankfort, KY — A bill that would reduce – to one from two – the number of mine emergency technicians required during each shift at small underground coal mines is advancing in the Kentucky Legislature.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a long-anticipated final rule that lowers miners’ permissible exposure limit to respirable crystalline silica.

Arlington, VA — Six fatal incidents involving customer truck drivers in the past three years have prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a safety alert.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s second annual Stand Down to Save Lives is set for May 22.

Arlington, VA — Spurred by recent deaths and injuries caused by the sudden release of energy from belt conveyor systems, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Washington — A new Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement final rule codifies existing agency practice related to the review and approval of projects that will feature “new or unusual technology” – including equipment used in high-pressure or high-temperature environments.

When it comes to formulating sweet and salty snacks, a huge challenge is that of matching the vibrancy, versatility, and stability of synthetic food colorants. “The sensitivity of natural compounds to various stressors within the system causes them to be difficult to depend on and use effectively,” explains Ryan Erwin, food chemist and Innovation Manager for Fresca Foods, Inc.

When food color innovation turned decisively toward nature for its sources of desirable pigments, food color technologists worked overtime to develop cost-effective, clean-label colors. Some shades proved an extra challenge, with stability and fixing being major trouble spots. Red colors figured largely in that task.

GNT has secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use of spirulina extract in beverages. This will help beverage formulators achieve vibrant blue shades and maintain clean labels.

Unique color applications in confections are also popular today, such as the use of saturated pastels, and combining multiple colors and textures in a single format. Developers face several hurdles when formulating with natural colors in confections, and color manufacturers and suppliers are constantly innovating to develop more effective and stable natural colors.

With global consumers becoming more engaged in purchasing food products that fit into their specific lifestyle choices and address sought-after health claims, the latest findings revealed by Innova’s Global New Products Report demonstrate that almonds are a key ingredient in new introductions that are tailored to fit consumers’ specific lifestyles and health goals.

Chapter 11—Food Allergen Program—explains how to establish and implement a food allergen program that ensures protection of food from major food allergen cross-contact and that the finished food is properly labeled with respect to the major food allergens.

Newly Weds Foods said it purchased Continental Mills’ industrial food-coating business. The deal includes a Pendleton, Ore., factory and assets that manufacture starch- and flour-based coatings and batters for potato and poultry applications, as well as other protein and vegetable-type substrates.

The new AKFP site is a gateway for food manufacturers to source bulk-quantity ingredients.

To help brands keep food and drink fresh in a natural and sustainable way, Blue California announced jointly with biotech innovator Conagen, the commercialization of Rosavel®, a next generation natural preservation solution with 98% high-purity rosmarinic acid made by bioconversion without the color or flavor associated with rosemary.

Looking ahead to 2030, the food and beverage color palette will almost exclusively contain vibrant, naturally-derived hues that offer clean-label charm, as consumers continue to seek better-for-you products.

Global concerns over obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease will usher in the new year’s health and wellness initiatives. Consumers will engage in the annual effort to seek out food and beverage choices with more moderate amounts of nutritive sweeteners (i.e., sucrose and fructose), lower amounts of “undesirable” fats, and fewer calories. 

Ingredion Incorporated used SupplySide West 2023 to showcase its Kerr by Ingredion portfolio of fruit- and vegetable-based juices, purees, concentrates, essences, distillates and custom formulations (from both conventional and organic sources). 

Q: What do you foresee as the biggest flavor trends coming to the forefront in 2024?
Soumya Nair: Flavor trends are deeply rooted in the changing consumer priorities and in the coming year consumers’ priority in wanting conscious, empowered and comforting foods will gain significance.

These personal protective equipment storage canisters feature an oversized 14-inch diameter that provides ultimate protection for arc flash suits with hoods or face shields.

FOUNDATION is a platform system designed to raise workers to ergonomic work heights while providing a safe and stable floor.

Developed to help prevent incidents and discourage traffic around orbital wrappers in bustling facilities, Safety Scanners allow forklift drivers to safely operate the machine while automatically shutting it down when another worker gets too close.

These custom configured elevating work platforms provide workers with a safe, stable platform that can be positioned at heights of just a few inches to several feet. They are also well suited for picking items from the multiple levels of a horizontal carousel.

The 3DNeuroNET Engine’s AI-based platform allows employers to assess the physical movements of their workers, and provides insights “through easy-to-assess outcomes and form factors.”

Curb is Modere’s clean supplement that supports natural GLP-1 production to help control appetite and hunger for both immediate and long-term weight management support.

Lamb Weston Inc., Eagle, Idaho, introduced Mini Waffled Hash Browns, billed as a “mini mashup of magnificent proportions.” Officials say product developers created a “hash brown that eats like a waffle” for on-the-go snacking as well as all dayparts. 

The Almond Board of California (ABC) announced the kickoff of its national Tastemaker Trials student competition, which invites U.S. college and university students to create delicious almond-based snack products that excite the tastebuds of younger generations and set a new standard for "intentional indulgence" in snacks.

Crunchy Nut Toppers are available now online and in-stores nationwide in four flavors including bacon-free Smoky Bacon Walnuts, dairy-free Garden Ranch Walnuts, Glazed Walnuts, and Glazed Pecans.

Almonds are a key ingredient that can help broaden dietary options in snack products through their wide variety of forms that help introduce new flavor experiences and offer many health benefits.

Developing comfort foods that are easy-to-prepare, taste great and convenient is not always simple. These are items people expect to have certain qualities, and standards may be higher compared to when consumers try a food that is new or less commonly consumed.