Exclusives Stories

TECH FLASH

European Union levies $129 million antitrust fine on food packaging firms

The European Commission fined eight manufacturers and two distributors of retail food packaging trays for their participation in cartels.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 29, 2015

Fines were handed down by the commission for fixing prices and allocating customers of polystyrene foam or polypropylene rigid trays.

TECH FLASH

People and Industry News

June 15, 2015

TECH FLASH

Blue Bell identifies possible Listeria source at Oklahoma plant

Source of Listeria is believed to be unprotected equipment stored in a room classified as non-sanitary.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 15, 2015

The equipment used in processing and packaging was kept in the basement—a hot and humid area.

TECH FLASH

Tetra Pak releases new extrusion line

The company has launched the highest-capacity extrusion line in the ice cream industry.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 15, 2015

Capable of delivering up to 43,200 pieces per hour, the new line surpasses an industry average of 36,000 for this segment.

TECH FLASH

House repeals COOL law for meat

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a bill repealing the mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef, pork and chicken.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 15, 2015

The COOL law would require a label to be placed on meat packages detailing where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered.

TECH FLASH

Classico’s Mason jar social media campaign

The latest campaign, in cooperation with reCAP, urges people to use “inspiration, passion and creativity” in reimagining ways to reuse Classico sauce jars.

Debra Schug

June 15, 2015

Classico and reCAP are engaging consumers using the hashtag #ClassicoMakeItYourOwn, posting pictures, ideas and recipes on all social media fronts.

TECH FLASH

A tale of two labels: New York, San Francisco get tough on health

Health officials in New York propose including a warning label on menu items with too much sodium, while San Francisco get closer to requiring warnings on sugar-sweetened beverage ads.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 15, 2015

The San Francisco Board of supervisors voted last week on a trio of measures.

TECH FLASH

Coalition petitions FDA to ban 8 flavorings

Health groups filed a petition last week calling on FDA to issue a ban for eight synthetic flavorings known to be carcinogenic.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 15, 2015

The group urges FDA to revoke its 1964 approval allowing seven flavorings to be used in food and overturn the industry’s 1974 self-approval of the eighth synthetic flavor.

TECH FLASH