| Industry
News Energy drinks/shots manufacturers are
having difficulties attracting new customers, despite
a 136% increase in sales from 2005 to 2009, according to Mintel's Global Market
Navigator. About 74% do not consume energy drinks/shots and 69% of those non-users
are not interested in trying them. Energy drinks/shots non-users cite high prices
(48%), too much caffeine (43%) and a general feeling that energy drinks/shots
are not healthy (43%) as reasons why they have not consumed any in the past three
months. Full
Story 
About
86% of consumers purchased a beverage away from home in the last month, with
24% of those doing so on a daily basis, according to the Beverage Consumer
Trend Report from Technomic. The report also found that 23% would consider
trying a beverage they had not tried before if their waiter recommended
it, and consumers also drink an average of seven types of beverages per month
while purchasing three varieties away from home. Full
Story New!
Food prices are on the rise, according to Food Institute data featured in
the Aug. 12 edition of the Lempert Report, hosted by Phil Lempert. This
week's edition also takes a look at the latest connection between rock and roll
and supermarkets. Click
here to view. 
Some
37% of U.S. adults ate breakfast at a fast food restaurant in the past month,
according to analysis from Scarborough Research. Among fast food (or quick service)
breakfast diners, 46% of adults ate at McDonald's, followed by Dunkin' Donuts
(19%), Starbucks (19%) and Burger King (12%). Full
Story Sara Lee's North American retail and
international beverages units posted gains in revenue, though the company
sold nearly 8% less product in North America because it exited some meat businesses.
Sara Lee's North American unit that sells to businesses such as hotels is seeing
weak demand from hotels, restaurants and other businesses, while the company also
sold less product in both North America and international bakery, hurt by store
brand competition and weakness in Spain, reported The Associated Press.
Full
Story, Full
Release Electric
Beverage Co.'s Title sports drink will be stocked in about 500 Publix Super Markets
by September. The product is currently sold in about
200 convenience stores and in more than 2,000 stores throughout Florida and southern
Georgia. The product is branded as an all-natural alternative without artificial
dyes, reported Miami Herald. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) International
News Tim Hortons Inc. will sell its 50% interest in the
Maidstone  Bakeries
business to joint venture partner Aryzta AG for gross
proceeds of C$475 million. The transaction is expected to close before year-end.
Full
Story Kraft Foods Inc. will open a $50 plant
in Brazil that will produce Tang powdered beverage and chocolate. The plant
may also eventually make Trident gum, reported Bloomberg.com. Full
Story Washington
News The
Department of Commerce is implementing a determination of
the Antidumping Duty Order regarding polyethylene retail carrier bags from Thailand.
The Department issued its determination on June 29 regarding the offsetting of
dumped comparisons with non-dumped comparisons when making average-to-average
comparisons of export price and normal value in the investigation challenged by
Thailand before the World Trade Organization (WTO). Full
Notice 
FDA
made available the draft guidance, "Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis
in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation." When finalized,
the draft guidance will provide guidance to egg producers on how to comply with
certain provisions contained in FDA's final rule, including how to implement Salmonella
Enteritidis prevention measures, how to sample for the pathogen and how to maintain
records documenting compliance with the final rule. Full
Notice Market News USDA
is projecting bumper feed corn and soybean crops for the 2010/11 crop years.
Meanwhile, U.S. wheat export prospects were lifted due to a reduction in global
production forecasts. Full
Report
| A
recording of the Food Institute webinar
Implementing An E.coli Control Policy is now available! A panel
of experts discussed how to prevent and control E. coli outbreaks; how to keep
your records in order to avoid shouldering the blame for mishandling foodstuff;
and how to deal with a positive finding should it occur. To purchase a recording,
click
here. | | The
U.S. apple forecast for the 2010 crop year is 9.48 billion-lbs., down 4% from
last year. Washington production, which makes up 60% of the U.S. total, is forecast
at 5.65 billion-lbs., up 5% from last year. U.S. dry edible bean production is
forecast at 30.7 million cwt for 2010, up 21% from last year. Production of sugarbeets
for the 2010 crop year is forecast at 32.4 million tons, up 10% from last year
and 21% above 2008. California olive production is forecast at 140,000 tons. If
realized, the crop will be three times as large as the 2009 crop and twice as
large as the 2008 crop. U.S. pear production for 2010 is forecast at 854,800 tons,
down 11% from last year. Crop
Production | 
