Archive for 2015

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S. — More than half of U.S. consumers say they are concerned about bioengineered ingredients or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but many are unable to define them, according to The NPD Group. The research firm asked shoppers to describe GMOs in their own words, and the answers varied from “genetically altered” to “not natural,” with many respondents indicating “don’t know.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines genetic modification as “the production of heritable improvements in plants or animals for ...

BURLINGTON, VERMONT, U.S. — A U.S. district court in Vermont on April 27 denied a preliminary injunction to stop Vermont’s GMO labeling law from going into effect. The court, however, denied the state of Vermont’s motions to dismiss certain issues brought up by industry groups seeking the injunction.

Vermont’s Act 120 still is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2016. It will require food intended for humans and offered for retail sale in Vermont to be labeled as genetically ...

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S. — Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) said on April 27 that it is increasing its processing flexibility with investments in North Dakota, U.S., and Ontario, Canada.

The company is expanding its Enderlin, North Dakota, U.S., processing plant in order to give it the ability to crush soybeans in addition to canola and sunflower seeds. At the same time, the company will convert a canola processing line in Windsor, Ontario,Canada, to a flex line that also may process soybeans.

“By ...

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Speaking at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Global Food Security Symposium on April 16, Cargill Executive Chairman Greg Page urged attendees to be mindful of four principles that can help ensure all people have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food.

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on April 14 announced an investment of C$1.4 million under Growing Forward 2 for two projects being led by the Canada Grains Council (CGC) to help the grain industry demonstrate its compliance with global sustainability requirements and expand its access to international markets.

“Canada’s grain industry is an important driver of the economy here in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” Ritz said. “With production on the rise, our government is proud to be able ...

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S. — Cargill reported on April 9 net earnings of $425 million in the fiscal 2015 third quarter ended Feb. 28, 2015, a 33% increase from $319 million in the year-ago period.

Through nine months, the company earned $1.63 billion, up 13% from last year. Revenues in the third quarter decreased 11% to $28.4 billion. Nine-month revenues totaled $91.97 billion.

“Cargill’s results were led by strong performance in our global group of meat and animal nutrition businesses,” said David MacLennan, ...