Industry News

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Diedrich Coffee, Inc. for $35 per share in cash pursuant to a cash tender offer, in a transaction with a total value of approximately $290 million. Full Story

Listeria Control and Regulation A two-part webinar presented by FI and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC New Two-Part Webinar Scheduled! Listeria Control and Regulation, presented by The Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, will be held at 12 p.m. (EST) Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Topics to be addressed include: FSIS's and FDA's plans to enhance inspection and sampling at RTE food establishments; implementation of adequate control programs to prevent Lm; root cause analysis and corrective preventive measures when Lm is discovered; and how to respond to the government when an agency requests recalls or threatens enforcement actions as a result of Lm positives. To sign up or learn more, click here.

Tesco indicated plans to launch a version of its shopper loyalty program at its Fresh & Easy chain, The Financial Times reported. This would shift the company's original strategy for the U.S., which was to operate a discount store, delivering the lowest price to shoppers, reported Convenience Store News. Full Story

There were 23.9 million foreign-born workers in the U.S. in 2007, a greater number than ever before, according to a new U.S. Census report. These workers represented about 16% of the total labor force. Foreign born workers represented 26% of the workforce in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry and 24% of workers in the accommodation and food service industry group. Full Report

Penn Traffic Co. reached an agreement with a network of property sales agents to market the company's stores and liquidate its merchandise, according to a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The agents guaranteed that Penn Traffic would receive $36.5 million for the assets, reported Supermarket News. Full Story

Nutrisystem, Inc. expects to expand its retail presence through a new alliance with Sam’s Club. Nutrisystem will offer Sam’s Club members cards for its 35-day Program that include Nutrisystem’s New Omega Chews in over 600 Sam's Clubs beginning in late December. Full Story

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Food Institute News

Last Chance to Register! Listeria Control and Regulation, presented by The Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, will be held at 12 p.m. (EST) Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Topics to be addressed include: FSIS's and FDA's plans to enhance inspection and sampling at RTE food establishments; implementation of adequate control programs to prevent Lm; root cause analysis and corrective preventive measures when Lm is discovered; and how to respond to the government when an agency requests recalls or threatens enforcement actions as a result of Lm positives. To sign up or learn more, click here.

San Joaquin Brokerage, Inc. In business for over 28 years, San Joaquin Brokerage, Inc. is an independent food broker based in Clovis, CA. San Joaquin markets a wide variety of frozen fruits such as: apples, cherries, blackberries, apricots, blueberries, boysenberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries and tropicals. In addition, San Joaquin deals in frozen concentrates (orange, lemon grapefruit, etc.), along with sugars: Bagged, sucrose, corn syrups, etc. You can reach San Joaquin Brokerage, a 25-year Food Institute member, by email jwoodsjb@sbcglobal.net or by phone (559) 299-6900. Interested in seeing your company featured here? Email us for more details.

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International News

The Chinese food market is poised for new growth, and was estimated at $750 billion in 2008, up almost 58% from its 2004 level, according to a study from Leatherhead. The report, which estimates the global food retail market to be worth more than $6 trillion, also estimates export volumes to be between 25 million and 30 million metric tons, and value at around $31 billion by the end of 2008, reported Food Navigator USA. Full Story

The Turkish market offers both rewards and challenges to U.S. exporters, and contains a large and growing population that is rapidly changing its consumption patterns, noted FAS. Significant U.S. processed food exports to Turkey include condiments, snack foods and Tex-Mex products. FAS Report

Health News

Tolerable intakes of acrylamide should be set at 2.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight to avoid the risk of cancer, claims a study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, reported Food Navigator USA. Full Story, Study Abstract

The Daily Update is a substantially abbreviated version of Today In Food. You can get a subscription to Today In Food, which usually has over 30 news items each day, as well as access to the archives for just $49.95 per year. Click here to sign up.

Washington News

The enforcement discretion period for FDA's new program for keeping contaminated food out of the food supply, the Reportable Food Registry (RFR), ends Dec. 8. It remains largely unclear whether there will be an increase in enforcement action from RFR reports, reported Food Safety News. Full Story

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Market News

USDA is seeking comments concerning Cold Storage and Agricultural Prices data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service following the submission of information collection requirements to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The agency is seeking comments related to the necessity of the information collection and any ways to improve the information's accuracy or clarity. Full Notice