Libbey, Glass Tableware Maker, Files for Bankruptcy

Libbey, a glass tableware maker, joined the parade of retail-related companies filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid the coronavirus pandemic. “While we entered 2020 with positive momentum from our strong finish in 2019, the dramatic and prolonged impact of Covid-19 on the demand for our products and on our business is truly unprecedented in Libbey’s…

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FDA Grants Flexibility for Food Labeling Requirements

The Food and Drug Administration is allowing temporary flexibility in food labeling requirements for manufacturers experiencing difficulty sourcing some ingredients during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our goal is to provide regulatory flexibility, where fitting, to help minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic on product availability,” the agency said. Changes…

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CDC Updates Guidelines for Restaurants

The new directives stress the importance of social distancing. “The more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread,” the CDC said, noting that the lowest risk is in restaurants that only offer drive-thru, delivery, takeout and curbside pickup. Operators should designate one staff person each…

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Industries Adjust to Deliver Food During Pandemic

The food industry, in addition to President Donald Trump and others, have stressed that food supplies are adequate during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But getting those supplies where they need to be has proven to be a challenge as buying patterns shift and “panic” buying creates temporary shortages of certain grocery staples. While all modes…

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FDA Addresses Food Safety During and After Pandemic

Government and industry are working to ensure the safety of the US food supply remains strong during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic even as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been forced to curtail certain inspections and other activities for the duration, Frank Yiannas, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for food policy and response, asserted in…

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Federal Targets for Reducing Foodborne Illness won’t be Met, CDC says

A review of Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) data for 2019 found that, compared with the previous three years, the incidence of infections caused by foodborne pathogens increased for Campylobacter, Cyclospora, STEC, Vibrio, Yersinia, while incidence of infections was unchanged for Listeria, Salmonella and Shigella. FoodNet identified 25,866 cases of infection, 6,164 hospitalizations, and 122 deaths in 2019. The overall…

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Chick-fil-A Will Start Selling Bottles of its Signature Sauce

Starting in April, the 16-ounce bottles will be sold in Florida at Publix, Target, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores for around $3.49. It’s the first time that Chick-fil-A will sell its products in retail stores. The move is part of Chick-fil-A’s broader strategy to reach people outside of the restaurant. “Increasingly, our customers are searching for ways…

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FDA Campaign Alerts Consumers to Changes in Nutrition Facts Label

The US Food and Drug Administration has launched an initiative designed to help consumers use the new Nutrition Facts Label appearing on packaged foods. The campaign called “What’s In It For You?” includes videos and educational materials. “This campaign highlights that the new Nutrition Facts Label has been designed to assist consumers in making better…

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Pesticide meets Environmental Protection Agency re-Approval

The Environmental Protection Agency in January ruled that a chemical manufactured for agricultural weed control is not a carcinogen and creates no risks to human health when used as directed. At the same time the agency has compelled further mitigation measures to ensure pesticide sprays target certain pests and curb glyphosate resistance in weeds. The…

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