Baking&Snack - July 2014 - 16

More sign on for wheat innovation

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Farmers Union
joined 14 other organizations in the US, Canada and Australia to support innovation
in wheat, including the future commercialization of biotechnology. The National
Association of Wheat Growers, the North American Millers' Association and US
Wheat Associates were among the nine original members who voiced support back in
2009 for the future commercialization of biotechnology.
In the news statement issued June 5, the signatories highlighted seven ways in which
they are united to responsibly advance wheat innovation.
For its part, AFBF said it is proud to be among the organizations united in ensuring
wheat supplies remain abundant while meeting the highest quality and nutrition standards. "Representing about 20% of human calorie intake, wheat is an essential part of
the global diet and critical to food security," AFBF said.
"Unfortunately, wheat production is on a downward trend around the world because
net returns per acre often favor other crops," the group noted. "Wheat demand could
very well outstrip the supply in the not-so-distant future. As such, further innovation in
research and biotechnology is key to realizing the promise of improved products, more
sustainable production and environmental benefits."

Aryzta, Van Nuys, CA, closed its
Otis Spunkmeyer baking facility in
Export, PA, eliminating about 130
jobs. Production of cookies, muffins
and other baked goods will shift to
four other US bakeries.
The board of directors of Hillshire
Brands, Chicago, withdrew its plan to
acquire frozen foods maker Pinnacle
Foods, Parsippany, NJ, which owns
the Aunt Jemima, Celeste, Duncan
Hines, Lender's, Snyder of Berlin and
Tim's Cascade brands. In other news,
Pinnacle opened a R&D pilot plant at
Rutgers University, designed to serve
its Duncan Hines Grocery Division.
Leaf Brands LLC, Newport Beach,
CA, acquired the trademark for
Hydrox sandwich cookies, paving the
way for the company to introduce the
cookies later this year.
Dr. Oetker Canada, Mississauga,
ON, opened a new frozen pizza production facility in London, ON. The
plant serves as a production hub for
the company's North American pizza
operations.

PMMI opens arms to processing machinery
Companies that manufacture processing machinery in North America are now eligible
to join PMMI as general members. PMMI members recently voted to make the change,
the first to this member category since the association's incorporation in 1933.
In 2013, PMMI introduced a new tagline and descriptor, PMMI: The Association for
Packaging and Processing Technologies. Its intent was to embrace the entire packaging and processing supply chain. By expanding the general member category, PMMI
backed up its decision with action, said Charles D. Yuska, the group's president and
CEO.
"As The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, expanding the general
member category to include North American processing machinery manufacturers is a
logical step," Mr. Yuska said. "To support our members and their customers, we must
take the same total systems approach they do. It's the same philosophy that informs
Pack Expo's customer-centric approach."
PMMI organizes Pack Expo International, taking place Nov. 2-5 at Chicago. It recently announced a new event Pack Expo East set for Philadelphia on Feb. 16-18, 2015.
16 Baking & Snack July 2014 / www.bakingandsnack.com

Panera Bread Co., St. Louis, opened
a test bakery in New Haven, CT, to
develop new products and reimagine
its classic items.
Ruiz Food Products, Dinuba, CA,
acquired a manufacturing plant in
Florence, NC. The company expects
the renovated facility to startup in
2015 to manufacture frozen food
products, including its El Monterey
Mexican food brand and Tornados,
a snack product sold in convenience
stores.
Cereal Ingredients, Inc., Leavenworth,
KS, recently achieved an "A" rating
certification from the British Retail
Consortium Global Standard for
Food Safety.

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