Profitability in traceability and other headlines

Find the link here for a news release from Tracegains on profitability tied to traceability. There is a great push by traceability solutions companies to have their stories told, and perhaps an even more ardent wish that the industry would hear the opportunity for gain with the solutions. From the news release:

William R. Pape, co-founder of TraceGains, says, "A food company with an advanced traceability system means real-time alerts can be generated when something is wrong in the supply chain and that near real-time views of the operation make better operational decisions possible." He adds that in-house traceability systems cannot complete these tasks because a food company must automatically collect the relevant information from each process step, maintain identity across product transformations, and reroute these data into an event-oriented data mart, possibly adding some electronically collected new data. This event-oriented data mart then contains the pedigree of each carton leaving the plant as well as a repository of product attributes and key events during the life cycle of each production unit.

Contrary to popular belief, traceability is profitable, according to manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler in the current issue of Food Quality magazine. The food safety industry has long viewed traceability as a strategy that enhances business and pays for itself in the process. While these are worthwhile objectives, rarely has traceability been linked to profitabilityty.

Acai comes with pronounced doubts Washington Post

There's some dispute as to whether acai juice has more antioxidants than the juice of other fruits; the Washington-based food industry watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest notes that acai is only a middling source of antioxidants, providing more than, say, apple juice, but less than pomegranate or Concord grape juice. Sambazon's Jeremy Black disputes that, saying tests finding more antioxidants in pomegranate juice pitted pure pomegranate juice against acai juice blends containing juice from fruits less rich in antioxidants.

Farmers want fair treatment in state agriculture budget Pennlive.com
When it comes to the state budget, Pennsylvania farmers aren't asking to be treated better than anyone else, representatives of one of the state's largest farm groups said Tuesday at the Capitol. But they don't want to treated worse either. Several members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said it's not fair that Gov. Ed Rendell proposed cutting the state Agriculture Department budget 17 percent while cutting other departments 8.8 percent.Carl T. Shaffer, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau president, said farmers want approximately $7.7 million more in the 2009-10 state Agriculture Department budget.

Arizona pistachio growers brace for impact of salmonella Phoenix New Times

Arizona pistachio farmers are hoping the government soon lifts a blanket warning against eating the nuts, which was issued after a California batch tested positive for salmonella.So far, there's no indication the illness-causing bacteria infects any Arizona products, but the FDA wants people to avoid anything containing pistachios until further notice. In the meantime, the state's pistachio growers are waiting for the Food and Drug Administration to get more specific about the problem.

Bad policy to disallow soda purchase with food stamps Kennebec Journal

There is growing agreement in this country that our consumption of junk food and soda presents a national public health problem. It is increasingly clear that we must take steps to address this issue if we are to defeat obesity, diabetes and other chronic health problems. Why then do I oppose a pair of bills in the Maine Legislature (LD 752 and LD 753) that would ban using food stamps to purchase soda?

Colorado freeze kills up to third of Palisade peach crop Forrbes.com

Bruce Talbott, manager of Talbott Farms, says the total damage to orchards in the Palisade area could total $7 million.A freeze last week killed nearly all the apricots in the Palisade area.Talbott says this year's freeze damage is the worst he's seen since 1999. He says cherry orchards also suffered heavy losses, but apples and pears are still safe.

McDonald's responds to concerns about sustainable potato farming QSR

McDonald's says:

McDonald's has a long history of working with our suppliers to make our potato supply chain more sustainable, and we regularly engage in dialogue with them about their sustainability efforts, including those related to pesticides. We know that our U.S. potato suppliers are already working with their growers to advance sustainable pesticide practices, such as reductions and alternative methods. We agreed to conduct a survey in 2009 to more formally summarize those practices, and we will share the key findings from that survey with our global potato suppliers, as well as make them available on our Corporate Social Responsibility website. This process will further support the work McDonald's continues to do to advance our vision for a sustainable supply chain

Tesco's market share falls in UK WSJ

Aldi feels chill in UK but still winning Reuters

School lunch program needs a stimulus package bnd.com

Tens of billions of dollars in public money to Bank of America and Citigroup.About $170 billion in aid to AIG. And for public school students in Albuquerque, N.M., whose parents fall behind on paying their school lunch tab? A cold cheese sandwich. You hear a lot of talk these days about making sure children have access to healthy foods. But as a dietitian who works with school food service directors across the country, I can only hope the federal government will back such rhetoric with real resources.

House Ag Panel reviews obesity issues Wisconsin Ag connection

Congress budget battle looms MSNBC

Has Wal-Mart found better neighborhood markets SN

Wal-Mart's next conquest: Latin America Portada