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Plant Safety

Virginia plant cited for repeat safety violations

Training lapses, lack of inspections lead to repeat violations

Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor

July 3, 2018

The state of Virginia’s Occupational Safety and Health Program has issued seven citations and $187,000 in penalties to a food and beverage company after a worker’s arm was caught in a conveyor near the metal detector.

Cannabis

Report: U.S. cannabis industry exceeds $7.3 billion

PMMI report shows growth of cannabis industry

Casey Laughman

July 2, 2018

The U.S. cannabis industry has grown more than 200 percent over the last five years and now exceeds $7.3 billion, a new report shows.

Regulatory Watch

USDA, FDA announce effort to streamline produce safety requirements

Alignment is intended to make it easier for farmers to assess their food safety practices

Casey Laughman

July 2, 2018

The USDA and FDA have announced that they will be aligning the Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices Audit Program (USDA H-GAP) with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

Regulatory Watch

FDA extends compliance date for certain uses of partially hydrogenated oils

Extension is designed to account for shelf lives of products already produced

Casey Laughman

July 2, 2018

The FDA has announced that it is extending the compliance date for certain uses of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs).

Mergers and Acquisitions

ConAgra Brands will acquire Pinnacle Foods for $10.9 billion

The acquisition creates a major player in frozen foods and an expanded presence in snack foods

Wayne Labs

June 27, 2018

Conagra Brands is buying Pinnacle Foods in a cash and stock deal worth almost $11 billion.

Plant Openings

Combilift opens new global headquarters

New facility will allow company to double production

Casey Laughman

June 25, 2018

Combilift has opened a new global headquarters that will allow the company to double its annual production.

Food Safety

Pork lard products recalled due to lack of inspection

Illinois company recalls more than 258,000 pounds of product

Casey Laughman

June 25, 2018

Skokie, Ill.-based Quay Corporation is recalling more than 258,000 pounds of pork lard products that were produced without being inspected.

Food Safety

Kellogg Company announces recall of Honey Smacks cereal

Cereal has potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Casey Laughman

June 18, 2018

Kellogg Company has recalled two sizes of its Honey Smacks cereal due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

Regulatory Watch

APHIS proposes amendments to branding of bovines imported from Mexico

APHIS is proposing amendments to the regulations regarding the branding of bovines imported into the United States from Mexico

Casey Laughman

June 15, 2018

Proposed action is a result of a request from the government of Mexico to prevent inconsistencies in branding that can result in bovines being rejected for importation.

Regulatory Watch

APHIS proposes amendments to National Poultry Improvement Plan

Proposed amendments to the National Poultry Improvement Plan affect disease control standards

Casey Laughman

June 15, 2018

Testing and the addition of birds to existing flocks are among proposed amendments to the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

Campbell’s Terminates Exec Over Alleged Disparaging Comments

PepsiCo to Close Two Florida Facilities

Alternative Protein in 2025: Key Trends and Technologies

Events

June 17, 2025

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ State of the Cold Chain

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

July 23, 2025

Decarbonizing Process Heat: What You Should Know and Next Steps

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.

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