Industry News

USDA upped its food-at-home price forecast for this year again, to 5.5% to 6.5%, as a bevy of products are seen climbing more than earlier projections. In 2009, prices are seen rising another 4% to 5% as well, led by higher prices for meat and poultry. Full Story (FI Membership Required)

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES FOR RETAILERS The future of food retailing for the next three to five years will be dramatically affected by two major trends: food inflation and the emergence of small format stores, according to the annual Future of Food Retailing webinar presented by The Food Institute and Willard Bishop, which examined the state of the food and consumables retail industry in 2007 and beyond. Food price inflation will exceed current "conventional wisdom," and be a factor for three or more years, predicted Willard Bishop during the webinar. In fact, predictions about the rate of inflation have generally been underestimated. However, this food price inflation can benefit food retailers with winning shopper value equations and solid plans to take advantage. If you missed The Future of Food Retailing webinar and would like to purchase a recording, click here.

In the latest effort to tailor ads to specific consumers, marketers are starting to personalize in-store promotions based on products the consumer recently picked off a shelf. Dunkin' Donuts is among the first marketers in the U.S. to begin testing the technologies. In a separate test, Procter & Gamble is placing radio-frequency identification tags on products at a Metro Extra retail store in Germany, so that when a customer pulls the product off the shelf, a digital screen at eye level changes its message, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Few omega-3 functional foods and beverages are able to transcend niche-market status despite high market predictions. Although new products are launched frequently, sales remain sluggish for the food and beverage industry while omega-3 supplement sales continue to stay high. Muller attributes poor sales numbers to a general consumer lack of trust in the product, reported Food Navigator Europe. Full Story

Despite a sinking economy, more than 1,000 new restaurant seats will become available by the end of the year in San Francisco, with hundreds more coming in the first quarter of 2009. Most of the people involved are seasoned in the industry, and nearly all are stressing value, reported San Francisco Business Times. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Camille's Sidewalk Café rolled out the Slim Smoothie, its new low-cal smoothie drink creation, available in two flavors: Mango-Peach and Pineapple, reported QSR Magazine. Full Story

International News

A deadly listeriosis outbreak was traced to a Toronto-based Maple Leaf Foods plant, according to Canadian health officials. Four people died from a strain of listeriosis that was linked to the meat plant, while another 21 people have confirmed cases of the bacterium, according to Canada's Public Health Agency, reported CNN. Full Story

Health News

Antioxidant compounds in strawberries are absorbed regardless of the amount eaten, according to the Agricultural Research Service. Full Story

Washington News

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) is asking for help in its campaign to convince FDA that synthetic dyes do not belong in foods, especially those consumed by children. The dyes are being removed in European countries because of new evidence connecting hyperactivity and other behavior problems to the dyes. CSPI is urging parents who believe their children are harmed by food dyes to file reports online which will then be forwarded to FDA. Full Story

Market News

This year's Washington apple crop is estimated at 99.6 million boxes, up slightly from 98.4 million boxes in 2007, according to the preseason forecast by the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, reported The Packer Online. Full Story (Subscription Required)

Lemon market prices are expected to drop shortly, even though prices are at an all-time high. The effects of a freeze two years ago and other weather conditions, including drought, reduced overall crop size this growing season, reported California Farm Bureau.

USDA amended the brucellosis regulations concerning the interstate movement of cattle by changing the classification of Texas from Class A to Class Free. Full Notice

NMFS prohibited retention of Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Full Notice

NMFS announced the Commerce Secretary's approval of Amendment 79 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. Full Notice

NMFS will reallocate the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels. Full Notice

U.S. & Foreign Sales Leads

USDA purchased frozen Freestone Peaches. View Details