Industry News

Cost-conscious grocery store habits U.S. consumers developed during the first six months of 2008 are destined to have a long-term impact on national shopping behavior, according to research results issued by Precima. Some 82% of U.S. consumers in a nationwide survey said they intend to keep cooking at home instead of eating out even after the economy improves and they have more money to spend. Also, 80% will continue to cook at home instead of buying take-out meals; 84% will keep looking for specials in store flyers; 80% plan to use coupons as much as possible; and 78% are determined to make fewer trips to the store in order to save on gasoline. Full Story

Consumer Food Spending and the Changing Economy Although the slumping economy is impacting the restaurant industry and restaurant growth is forecast at the lowest level since 1991, concepts that offer unique and resonating value equation can find success, noted Kevin Higar, Senior Manager of Technomic Inc. during the Consumer Spending and the Changing Economy webinar presented by Technomic Inc. and The Food Institute. Additionally, opportunities to increase menu prices do exist, as not all menu price elasticities are created equal. Meanwhile, supermarkets can benefit from trading down, noted Ron Paul, President of Technomic. If you missed the webiner, but would like to purchase a recording of the event, click here.

Wal-Mart Stores encouraged other food retailers to join them and several other global retailers in embracing the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), an effort to create and adopt uniform food safety standards, according to Frank Yiannas, vice president of food safety for Wal-Mart, reported Supermarket News. Full Story

About 25% of fish samples with identifiable DNA from several restaurants and grocery stores in New York City were mislabeled, according to research by two high school students, reported Reuters. For example, sushi sold as white tuna turned out to be Mozambique tilapia, flying fish roe was actually from smelt, and seven of nine samples called red snapper were mislabeled. The students tested the DNA of the fish to arrive at their conclusions. The results of the research are being published in Pacific Fishing magazine, a publication for commercial fishermen. Full Story

Bob's Big Boy is making a return in California, as the chain plans to expand with 40 to 50 restaurants scheduled to open in the next few years. Although popularity of the franchise declined after the 1980s in the state, new franchisers intend to open restaurants which pay homage to the burger joints' original style, reported The Los Angeles Times. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Capital Oil & Gas Inc. entered negotiations to acquire or lease 11 full-service convenience and gas store stations in Florida. The additional 11 stations could add revenues of approximately $55 to $60 million per year in gross revenues, reported Convenience Store News. Full Story

A 20,000-sq. ft. kosher supermarket, Pomegranate, opened in Brooklyn. The store offers delicacies like sushi, organic pear juice and fresh kumquats along with such traditional Jewish foods as gefilte fish, matzo meal and kishke, a kind of sausage. There is full-time rabbinical supervision and even valet parking, according to The Associated Press. Full Story

International News

The UK's apprehension to introduce nanotechnology in the food industry might leave it behind, according to an expert from Leatherhead Food International. While the technology still remains an emerging science, it is being implemented in a wide variety of products in many industries, reported Food Navigator Europe. Full Story

Health News

Americans eat less nutritional foods as they become more stressed or hungry, according to a report from USDA's Economic Research Service. While greater awareness of healthy eating and diet is observed, individuals are more influenced in their eating choices by visceral feelings and seek immediate gratification if they work longer hours or space meals further apart. Full Story

Substituting beef with mushrooms in meals may reduce reduce caloric intake by over 400 calories per day, according to a new study published in Appetite. Subjects accepted mushrooms as a palatable substitute and did not compensate for the decrease in calories by eating more later in the day, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University, reported Food Navigator Europe. Full Story

Washington News

The Connecticut Attorney General asked USDA to look into Aramark Corp. finances, saying documents obtained during his investigation into the foodservice company raised sufficient concern to make the federal government aware. "I am concerned that New Haven may have been denied the benefit of possible food rebates and discounts Aramark may have received after purchasing food from processors and manufacturers," Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in a July 25 letter to USDA. Aramark lost the New Haven Public Schools contract earlier this year amid mounting union discontent, reported New Haven Register. Full Story

A federal court jury rejected the claims of feed manufacturer Cargill, which sought $10.2 million in damages against three former employees who left the company to form their own dairy nutrition and management consulting business. The claims sought by Cargill included misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract and fraud, reported The Fresno Bee. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Market News

Diesel prices are falling, according to the California Energy Commission. However, the price is still more than a dollar a gallon higher than it was last year at this time, reported California Farm Bureau Federation.

Oregon officials are seeking a tenfold boost in the amount of "fish consumption" built into Oregon's water regulations. The proposed standard of 175 grams (6.2-oz.) a day would protect people who eat 23 8-oz. servings of fish a month. The existing standard, 17.5 grams (0.62-oz.), translates to about two servings a month. Oregon's Environmental Quality Commission will examine the proposal, reported OregonLive.com. Full Story

The spiny dogfish commercial quota available to the coastal states from Maine through Florida for the semi-annual quota period was harvested. Full Notice