November’s top stories: Costco chicken salad illness, Nestle fourth Maggi facility

E coli poisoning linked to Costco chicken salad sickens 19 in seven US states

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US stated that 19 people from seven states were infected with an outbreak strain of E coli O157:H7 as a result of consuming Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad.

Of these, five people have been hospitalised, while two have developed a serious kidney problem, called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). However, so far, no deaths have been reported, according to CDC.

The CDC, the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, and public health officials in several states are probing into this outbreak, the federal agency stated.

Illnesses have been reported from California (1), Colorado (4), Missouri (1), Montana (6), Utah (5), Virginia (1), and Washington (1).

Nestle India commences production of Maggi noodles at fourth facility

Nestle India commenced production of Maggi noodles from its fourth facility, located at Pantnagar in the northern state of Uttarakhand.

The Indian unit of the Switzerland-based firm relaunched Maggi noodles into the market on 9 November, just in time for Deepavali, the festival of lights.

Currently, Nestle is producing noodles at three facilities, namely Nanjangud in Karnataka state, Moga in Punjab state and Bicholim in Goa.

Nestle India was quoted by NDTV.com as stating: "The commencement of production at Pantnagar will have a positive and rejuvenating economic impact across the supply chain.

"In past few weeks, Nestle has been in active engagement with the authorities and has provided all the documents and clarifications, before commencement of production.

Cargill develops new starch enabling 50% reduction fat in yoghurt

Cargill developed a new starch, which can reduce fat in yoghurt by 50%, while retaining taste and texture.

Called C CreamTex 06329, the new modified starch has been created using Cargill’s proprietary technology to bolster the texture and rheological feature of the final product.

Cargill Texturizing Solutions EMEA starch product manager Denis Palacioglu was quoted by Foodingredientsfirst.com as saying: "Yoghurt has become an irreplaceable component of the European diet.

In particular, fat-reduced yoghurt has grown to become a top seller in the overall dairy health and wellness segment."

"If we look closely at this segment, we can see that fat reduction is by far the most popular option in health and wellness yoghurt. But we also know that, while increasingly looking for healthier options with fewer calories and less sugar, consumers do not want to forsake the sensorial aspects connected with eating dairy, preferring those products that are both good for you and offer a creamy, silky-smooth texture. Certainly not an easy combination to achieve for dairy manufacturers."

Barry Callebaut licenses EFSA approved health claim on cocoa extracts to Naturex

Chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut inked a licensing agreement with Naturex Group, a specialty plant-based natural ingredients company.

Valid for a period of five years until April 2020, Barry Callebaut licensed its approved 13.5 EFSA health claim on cocoa flavanols for cocoa extract products to Naturex, which will use this proprietary health claim to its food supplement solutions.

The agreement also allows Naturex’s B2B clients to duplicate it on their marketed end products.

In April, the European Commission granted approval to the extension of Barry Callebaut’s existing health claim on cocoa flavanols from cocoa powders to cocoa flavanols from cocoa extracts.

First Milk agrees to divest Glenfield Dairy business to Graham’s The Family Dairy

First Milk agreed to divest its Glenfield Dairy business, which is based in Fife, Scotland, to Graham’s the Family Dairy.

The financial details have not been disclosed.

Following the divestment of Glenfield Dairy, First Milk intends to focus more on its hard cheese and liquid milk businesses.

Glenfield Dairy produces cottage cheese, quark and sour cream.

Graham’s will add the dairy’s products to its range when it acquires the location in Fife on 2 December, reported Foodmanufacture.co.uk.

Pinnacle Foods agrees to buy Boulder Brands for $975m

Pinnacle Foods signed a definitive agreement to acquire Boulder Brands for approximately $975m, which includes approximately $265m of net debt, in a move to benefit from younger consumers’ increasing appetite for gluten-free and organic foods.

Besides, the transaction provides Pinnacle with a new growth platform in refrigerated foods.

As per the terms of the agreement, Pinnacle Foods will launch a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Boulder Brands for $11 for each share.

The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is likely to be completed in the first quarter of 2016.

Marel agrees to acquire MPS meat processing system for €382m

Marel agreed to purchase the Netherlands-based MPS meat processing systems for €382m.

Marel stated that the two firms have a strategic and cultural fit, with complementary product portfolios and geographic presence, which would enable further growth.

The purchase, which is on a debt and cash-free basis, will bolster Marel’s position as provider of advanced equipment and solutions to poultry, meat and fish industries.

It is estimated that MPS’ revenue for 2015 will touch around €150m, and EBITDA will be close to €40m.

ConAgra Foods plans to split into two independent public companies

ConAgra Foods plans to split itself into two separate public entities; one consisting of its consumer portfolio, and the other comprising a foodservice portfolio of frozen potato products.

The consumer business will be branded as Conagra Brands, Inc, and the frozen potato business will operate under Lamb Weston.

The split is expected to be completed in the fall of 2016.

Expected to be structured as a spin-off to the Lamb Weston business, it will be tax-seperate both to the company and its shareholders, who will own shares of both the entities.