A farm in Colorado, U.S., is recalling cantaloupe melons it sold this summer out of concern they may be contaminated with Listeria, a deadly bacteria. At least 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes had been reported from four American states. All illnesses started on or after 15 August 2011. Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working... ...Read more »

New standards for reducing the prevalence of salmonella and campylobacter in young chickens and turkeys are being implemented in the United States. The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is acting on base-line studies that indicated American consumers are still being exposed to pathogens in poultry. After two years of enforcement, the FSIS estimates that the new standards will prevent approximately 5,000 cases of campylobacter-caused illnesses and... ...Read more »

Private-label food is here to stay in the US, according to recent research that found that almost 45% of consumers are purchasing more own-label products than before the economic slowdown.According to a survey released by AlixPartners today (13 June), nearly 45% of consumers say the shaky economy has motivated them to continue to consider and ultimately purchase more private-label and other lower-priced food items. “The American consumer is staunchly committed to value and is more open to private-label... ...Read more »

A storm that has covered almost half of the US in a blanket of snow is starting to take its toll on food makers and retailers in the country.Storms in the US have brought much of the Mid-West under around 60cm of snow, with parts of the southern US forecast to get snow and ice this week. The severe weather has meant many firms have had to stall operations temporarily. US meat giant Tyson Foods said it has nine poultry plants in Arkansas and Missouri that are “either idle or running at reduced... ...Read more »

Sara Lee, the US food group, on Friday (28 January) confirmed plans to split itself in two.The company’s senior management has drawn up proposals, backed by its board, to create two publicly-traded businesses. One company, which will retain the Sara Lee name, will be spun off and focus on the group’s North American grocery retail and foodservice arms. The company, which would have had sales of US$4.1bn in Sara Lee’s last fiscal year, will sell brands including Jimmy Dean meats and... ...Read more »

US grocery operator Safeway Inc has launched a range of 100% natural foods called Open Nature.The retailer announced on Wednesday (26 January) that the line comprises more than 100 products, launching with a range of with meat products, including fresh beef, pork, chicken, chicken sausages, bacon and beef hot dogs. It plans to extend the portfolio to bread, yoghurt, ice cream, salad dressing and frozen foods. Safeway said the range is made only from ingredients from natural sources and that meat... ...Read more »

US food group Sara Lee is reportedly considering splitting its processed meats and coffee operations into two companies.According to reports in the US, Sara Lee is weighing up whether to break up the business following the stalling of sale talks with Brazilian meat giant JBS before Christmas. In the week before Christmas, it was reported that Sara Lee had rejected a takeover bid from JBS due to a disagreement over price. The Financial Times reported yesterday that there has been no definitive end... ...Read more »

Following a review of more than 5,600 creative submissions – the most ever in a single year of competition – Doritos and Pepsi MAX today revealed the names of the 10 finalists in the Crash the Super Bowl challenge. These 10 finalists will go on to compete to be one of six consumer-created ads – three for Doritos and three for Pepsi MAX – airing during the Super Bowl XLV broadcast, Feb. 6, on FOX. As the contest enters its next phase, Doritos and Pepsi MAX fans in the United... ...Read more »

The rising cost of raw sugar ate into the bottom line at US sugar refiner Imperial Sugar during its fourth quarter, the company has reported.Imperial posted a net loss of US$2.3m for the three months to the end of September, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $188,000 a year earlier. The fall in profits came despite a 79% jump in fourth-quarter sales to $264.4m. Sales were boosted by increased production at Imperial’s Port Wentworth refinery, which was damaged by an explosion... ...Read more »

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has commended US Congress for passage of landmark food safety legislation, which represents the largest changes in the country’s food safety laws in more than 70 years. “This is a critical moment when it comes to the safety of the food we eat every day, because it puts science at the forefront of public policy,” said IFT President Bob Gravani, PhD. “This legislation will be a platform to build on that ensures the consuming public continues... ...Read more »