Food Industry Update

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is launching a new software tool that can help food production facilities prevent intentional food contamination.

Food businesses such as restaurants and grocery stores in Austin, Texas, will have to start composting their food waste by 2017 at the latest, under new rules developed by city lawmakers.

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Shuanghui International Holdings Limited have entered into a definitive merger agreement that values Smithfield at approximately $7.1 billion.

Bernardo Hees, chief executive officer of Burger King Worldwide Inc., has agreed to take over as CEO of H.J. Heinz Co., 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway announced.

The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) report said that in comparison to a base period between 2006 and 2008, there was a 14 percent increase in the incidence of infections caused by campylobacter -- bacteria linked to many food products, including raw milk, poultry and produce.

The Government Accountability Project (GAP) has issued evidence that it collected from federal poultry inspector whistleblowers regarding the use of chemicals in the U.S. poultry industry and the potential impact this has on human health.

Biotechnology company Monsanto Co. has has developed a type of genetically engineered soybean oil that produces a type of fatty acid that could be processed to take the same form as omega-3 from fish.

The European Commission-sponsored research, known as the Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen and Allergy Risk Management (iFAAM), will produce a standardized management process for companies involved in food manufacturing.

Only 17% of consumers feel food companies and manufacturers are trustworthy sources of information about food production practices, according to a new white paper.

Koch Foods is investing $49 million to expand its poultry processing plant in Hamilton, Ga., Gov. Nathan Deal announced Thursday.