Occasionally, someone says something I find noteworthy. In today’s post, the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission doesn’t mince words regarding a controversial workers’ comp law.

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.

PANOS brands, LLC, a provider of branded consumer foods, announced that it has acquired certain assets of Tessemae's LLC, including the Salad Dressings & Condiments Business. Tessemae's is a leading brand in refrigerated and shelf stable organic salad dressings.

Both sauces come in a squeezable format, making them easy to use for dipping, drizzling, or drenching. The consistency of the sauces is thicker than normal, more like a traditional BBQ sauce, which enhances their versatility and application.

Despite a decades-long association with queso a ready-to-eat VELVEETA had yet to be available. The new resealable jars offer a convenient way for consumers to enjoy a cheese dip in small groups or on their own.

Washington — The majority of coal miners don’t receive baseline chest and lung testing at federally mandated intervals, results of a recent study from NIOSH suggest.

Washington — A Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule that would require mine operators to have a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment is a step closer to publication.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is reminding mine operators to safeguard against worker exposure to hazardous silica dust where mobile equipment is used.

Washington — Miners are at elevated risk for chronic pain, hearing loss and high blood pressure compared with workers in nonmanual occupations, NIOSH researchers say.

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.”

Washington — The death of an offshore worker conducting a pressure test on a well surface casing has prompted the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to issue a safety alert.

Arlington, VA — MSHA describes four separate incidents that occurred between Sept. 26 and Oct. 16 in which workers were pinned between mobile equipment and a coal rib.

Arlington, VA — Miners operating mobile equipment near water should always examine the worksite, remain a safe distance from the water’s edge and wear a seat belt.

Arlington, VA — Spurred by the deaths of six miners who were struck by mobile equipment in underground production areas, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Arlington, VA — Tires on mobile equipment may explode during equipment fires and after flames are extinguished, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is warning miners.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kan., PATCO manufactures emulsifiers at two US-based facilities for both food and non-food applications, with an extensive distribution footprint servicing customers primarily across North America. 

OWYN is a ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shake brand that unites taste and ingredient transparency. 

Newly Weds Foods’ goal is to make products stand out with versatile batters and tasty breadings that add culinary innovation to the mix. From crunchy goodness to light and airy crispiness, Newly Weds® Foods can help manufacturers create a new taste sensation that commands consumer attention and repeat purchases.

Clasen Quality Coatings is a world-class manufacturer of confectionery coatings, chocolate and fillings. Our product line includes milk, dark, white, yogurt, peanut, colored and flavored formulations. These products are ideal for numerous applications in bakery (including bars), ice cream and frozen novelties, trail mixes and snacks, cookies and confections.

The Idan acquisition further positions Woodland as a critical, innovation-driven partner to customers across the foodservice and industrial channels, addressing the growing demand for outsourced product development.

The offer price represents an 18% premium to the 30-trading day volume-weighted average closing share price of Innophos’ common stock ended Sept. 9, 2019, the last trading day prior to published market speculation regarding a potential transaction involving the company.

In conjunction with the completion of the transaction, Richard Hooper has been appointed CEO of Innophos, effective immediately. Hooper is an industry veteran with 40 years of specialty materials experience.

The Firmament Group, a provider of tailored debt and equity capital solutions to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), announced an investment in Citrus Extracts, LLC.

Over the past decade, the cheese industry has exploded, with small-batch artisanal cheesemakers popping up in every state and the large cheesemakers increasing the sophistication of their offerings to compete. As specialty cheeses become more popular, their manufacturing processes become more streamlined, mechanized, and efficient.

This year’s Queen’s Choice nods are representative of a robust new product development boom, with cereals, bakery and snacks leading sweetened-with-honey releases this year, followed closely by sauces and seasonings

The acquisition, which consists of a combination of DDC’s cash and stock paid out over four years, is expected to accelerate new product innovation for Omsom, with R&D anticipated to take half the time from idea to aisle. 

Siete products will bring a rich, new aspect to the PepsiCo multicultural portfolio with food that plays an important role in meal occasions and culinary experiences.

This strategic acquisition will unlock innovation offerings within SAMBAZON’s bowl portfolio with new dry toppings, savory toppings, organic fruit inclusions on top of bowls as well as innovative bases that include tropical fruits, purees, as well as emerging and popular seed bowls. 

Prepared Foods talks about clean label formulating with Campbell's Foodservice executive chef Gerald Drummond and Alan Slesinski, director of R&D.

Wind Point Partners and portfolio company Stir Foods, a custom manufacturer of soups, sauces, dressings, and fresh salsas for retail, industrial, and foodservice customers, announced that Stir has acquired Lancaster Fine Foods, Inc., a private label and contract manufacturer of custom sauces, dressings, and condiments for retail, industrial and foodservice customers.

Kitchen Basics® has a portfolio of conventional and organic stocks and broths, including Chicken, Unsalted Chicken, Beef, Unsalted Beef, Vegetable, Unsalted Vegetable, Turkey, Seafood, and Creamy Bean & Vegetable.

Amylu Foods acquired Klement's Sausage Company, a division of Tall Tree Foods. The strategic move represents Amylu Foods' commitment to offering its customers premium, high-quality meat products.

From its integration into traditional dishes like Budae Jjigae (army stew) to unique gifts during Korea’s Chuseok celebrations, the SPAM® brand’s taste of comfort and symbol of resilience has made it a piece of Korean heritage.

Lemon Lavender joins the brand's portfolio as part of its aggressive growth strategy to stay ahead of the curve in the beverage space by keeping consumers engaged with fresh additions.

GoGo squeeZ® continues the spirit of its 'FUN-damentals' campaign off-screen with a partnership with B-Girl and World Champion athlete, Logan 'Logistx' Edra, to encourage more people to give breaking, the "it" sport of summer, a try. 

The new 5-hour ENERGY® Inspired Energizing BBQ Sauce, provides pros and newbies alike a shot to take grilling season to the next level. The new sauce contains a sweet and tangy Peach Mango flavor along with a caffeinated kick.

The new EDGE™ packaging format was developed using sustainable cardboard tubes that are similar in size to the iconic "slim can" energy drinks, the pieces inside individually flow-wrapped for stability, freshness & portability, adding value to every piece.

France’s Nexira, a world leading supplier of acacia gum, has designated Quadra Ingredients, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, as Nexira’s exclusive Canadian distributor, effective April 1, 2021. This will replace a former agreement with L.V. Lomas. 

Gums and hydrocolloids are a diverse collection of polysaccharides that create gel-like formations when in contact with moisture. They are extremely versatile, improving texture, mouthfeel, and physical appearance in foods and beverages. Gums can be used to increase viscosity levels or benefit flow. They are especially prized for increasing stability in an ingredient matrix.

The new plant will be located adjacent to the company's existing Atchison, Kan., plant. Once online in late 2023, the new extrusion plant is expected to produce up to 10 million pounds of ProTerra per year.

In response to a petition submitted by food and beverage leader Danone North America, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first-ever qualified health claim for yogurt, recognizing a potential link between its regular consumption and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and giving consumers another compelling reason to shop the yogurt aisle.

Inspired by the platinum hit song "Yummy," Liquid I.V. crafted a Guava Hibiscus version of its flagship product, Hydration Multiplier. With each sip of this drink mix, consumers can taste juicy pink guava and just a hint of hibiscus.

One of the nation’s top macro trends involves “the quest for rest,” or the wide range of foods, beverages and supplements designed to encourage sleep, relaxation, and stress relief.

Kemin Industries highlights food safety solutions for hot dog applications. Its BactoCEASE® line of food safety ingredients offers protection from the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and extends the product shelf life for hot dogs. Additionally, Proteus® functional proteins provide manufacturers with a clean label yield and quality enhancement solution.

Riviana Foods Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of InHarvest, Inc. which specializes in the production, marketing and sale of premium specialty rice, quinoa and grains.

Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks protein with Dr. Baljit Ghotra, co-CEO and co-founder of EQUII Foods, a San Francisco Bay-area start-up whose Equii retail and foodservice breads and bread mixes boast two times more protein, 30% fewer carbs, and 50% less sugar compared to other leading brands.

EQUII created a complete protein flour using fermentation, with the launch of its flagship Bread products last year. EQUII’s goal is to disrupt age-old fermentation methods with modern day innovation, combined with culinary art to make animal-free products that deliver great taste and complete protein.

With 10g of protein and 5g of net carbs per serving, Quest Cheese Crackers are a savory addition to the robust portfolio of Quest products, all grounded in the brand's mission of providing flavor and athlete-worthy nutrition.

The chips are not fried and are free from artificial ingredients, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and trans fat.

This all-natural liquid formulation showcases zero calories, no sugar, and no added artificial flavors or ingredients.