A Deep Dive Into The Canned Tuna Price Fixing Scandal
In the 1950s and 60s, canned tuna emerged as an iconic American convenience food. It was a primary source of healthful protein in everything from tuna sandwiches to casseroles. By the 1970s, the tuna business had consolidated into three big brands, StarKist, Chicken of the Sea, and Bumble Bee. Tuna consumption peaked in the 1980s, and over the next two decades, concerns over harmful fishing practices and mercury levels in tuna caused sales to plummet by 40%. To increase profits, the big three shifted operations off shore and changed ownership. By 2015, StarKist was owned by a South Korean conglomerate, Chicken of the Sea was owned by a Thai company, and Bumble Bee belonged to a British private equity firm. These days, the big “American” tuna companies are not even American.
When the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an inquiry into the industry several years ago, investigators discovered that the three brands had actually been colluding for years, fixing prices to ensure that cans of tuna would always cost a few pennies more than they should have. From 2011 to 2013, the size of tuna cans among all the brands also dropped from 6 ounces to 5 ounces, so there was less tuna per can, another profit-boosting move. Chicken of the Sea ended up cooperating with investigators to avoid federal prosecution, but StarKist and Bumble Bee were found guilty. The DOJ slapped the companies with $125 million worth of fines, and Chris Lischewski, the longtime CEO of Bumble Bee, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison this past June. Now, the three tuna companies also face civil suits from restaurants and grocers.
Mexico’s Junk Food Warning Labels Meet Opposition From The U.S. And E.U.
According to the World Trade Organization, the United States, European Union, Canada, and Switzerland have urged Mexico to delay the upcoming health warnings that it plans to place on heavily processed food and drinks. The Mexican standard will require front-of-package nutrition labels that state possible health risks of products that may be high in sugars, calories, salt, saturated and/or trans fat. The new labeling standard is set to be implemented this October and is meant to combat soaring rates of obesity in Mexico, which have surpassed those in United States, making residents of Mexico the most obese in the world. Several studies show that obesity in Mexico escalated to epidemic proportions after Mexico joined the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and the U.S. in the early 1990s. Last week, to help protect the next generation of Mexicans, the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca became the first to prohibit the sale, distribution, and advertising of junk food and sugary drinks to children. The U.S. delegation of the World Trade Organization stated that it supports Mexico’s public health goal of cutting back on diet-related non-communicable diseases. However, the delegation stated that the labels might be “more trade restrictive than necessary to meet Mexico’s legitimate health objectives.” As of now, the United States, Switzerland, Canada and the E.U. are resisting the October 1 implementation date.
FDA Calls For Phase Out Of Potentially Harmful Fast Food Packaging
Takeout containers that may contain fluorinated compounds can stay in the soil and within our bodies long after the food has been ingested. These compounds are just one of nearly 5,000 perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a class of compounds that have been connected to health hazards such as liver damage, impaired immunity, birth defects, and cancer. First created in the 1940s, PFAS repel grease, oil, and water, making them very useful for packaging greasy French fries and burgers. According to the Centers for Disease Control, PFAS have been found in nearly every American tested for them. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration announced an agreement with three major manufacturers of chemical products to phase out the PFAS known as 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (a.k.a. 6:2 FTOH). It is incumbent upon food retailers to implement PFAS-free packaging. Companies like Taco Bell and Whole Foods have promised to quickly implement chemical-free wrappers and containers. FDA spokesperson Peter Cassell said that not all PFAS have been found to be dangerous, and current food packaging does not warrant any immediate health risks. The phase-out has been given up to five years for completion. Starting in January 2021, packaging manufacturers must curtail production within three years, and existing products may be used for another 18 months after that. The FDA will track their progress in reducing 6:2 FTOH and will continue to study PFAS in general.
New Laws Regulate Food Delivery Services In Philadelphia
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a City Council bill restricting the practices and procedures of food delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates. Delivery has become a lifeline for independent restaurants struggling during the pandemic but high delivery fees have made many third-party services unaffordable. “Ultimately, I hope restaurants get to keep more money from deliveries, and in turn, that money goes to the restaurants’ employees,” said Council member Cherelle L. Parker, who introduced the bill. For the duration of the pandemic, delivery services are now limited to a 15% overall cut on all orders, including a max of 10% of food costs and 5% for other services such as drivers. Delivery services are also restricted from reducing a delivery driver’s compensation to offset any losses from the 15% maximum. Additionally, the law mandates that delivery services reveal to customers the fees charged to the restaurant for the service.
USDA Commits To Promoting Direct To Consumer Meat Sales
In this crazy year, when grocery store shelves were empty, many shoppers turned to local meat purveyors who had product available. But most USDA food safety regulations are geared toward the huge meatpacking companies, making it difficult for smaller regional retailers to sell to direct to consumers. Certain codes have also made it challenging for mobile meat processors to travel among smaller regional farms and ranches, restricting production.
That situation is about to shift, according to a recent USDA report detailing the steps the USDA will take to improve direct access to ranchers and farmers who sell meat. The report says: “We understand the addition of direct-to-consumer options for beef producers, small processors, retailers, and others must be done in a way that does not compromise federal food safety standards…USDA is committed to working with stakeholders to balance food safety with these growing consumer preferences and growing e-commerce platforms.”
Spanish Authorities Bust An International Illegal Wine Ring Worth More Than $100 Million
Six people were arrested in Madrid and Castilla La-Mancha in conjunction with what Spanish authorities describe as an international crime ring. The suspects are accused of producing wine with substitutes such as grain alcohol and corn syrup, ingredients so unusual they tipped off Castilla La-Mancha’s tax office, according to Wine Business International. The crime ring has been linked to acts of fraud, smuggling, money laundering, and criminal organization. It’s estimated worth is $116 million (100 Euros), and the illegal network encompassed many countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Holland, Moldova, Russia, and Spain. This high-value case is the latest in a recent spate of European wine fraud busts.
More Than 200 Colorado Restaurants And Bars Sue Over 10pm Last Call Order
The Tavern League of Colorado represents more than 200 restaurants and bars in this state. The League just sued governor Jared Polis and the state health department regarding the newly instituted last call mandate at 10 p.m., instituted to combat a recent surge in COVID-19 among 20 to 29 year olds.
The suit contests both the last call order and capacity limits in bars and restaurants. “Defendants have singled out bars and restaurants for unfair and different treatment, despite the lack of any evidence that bars and restaurants are unique vectors for the spread of COVID-19,” the suit states. Governor Polis responded with a statement, saying “The State is looking at data showing that more Coloradans in their twenties are participating in social activities that increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.” The mandate is valid for 30 days.
Foie Gras Is Legal Again In California
In 2004, California lawmakers banned the state’s farmers from producing and selling foie gras, the rich delicacy of fattened goose or duck liver. Chicago banned foie gras in 2006, however the rule was repealed two years later. New York City also instituted a ban in 2019, ruling that restaurants and grocery stores are not permitted to sell foie gras beginning in 2022. Since the 2004 California ruling, producers, animal rights activists, restaurateurs, and lawmakers have battled over the decision. Animal rights activists applauded the ban, citing the cruelty of the fattening method, which involves force-feeding the birds a corn-based mixture through a tube in their throats. Foie gras producers, on the other hand, claim that the animals are treated humanely and don’t suffer during the fattening process. Restaurateurs say their customers are clamoring for the delicacy. In the latest court case, out-of-state producers challenged the California ban, claiming that foie gras produced outside of the state does not violate the existing law. Last week, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson agreed, ruling that foie gras can be legally bought by Californians as long as the product and transaction are made out of state and the product is brought into California by a third-party delivery service.
1 In 8 Americans Now Relies On Food Stamps
In the first three months of the pandemic, six million Americans were added to the food stamp program, formally known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Prior to the pandemic, this program was under federal scrutiny for possible elimination, but data collected by the New York Times for 42 states shows that caseloads increased in all but one state, bringing the total ratio of Americans currently on food stamps to one in eight. Some of the hardest-hit communities include urban centers such as Detroit and Miami as well as affluent suburbs in cities like Atlanta, Houston, and Florida, which added almost a million people to the program. Economists are concerned that unless Congress extends the $600 weekly unemployment benefit, which currently reaches about 20 million people, millions more Americans will apply for food stamps once the $600 benefit expires at the end of July.
In a recent study by the Urban Institute, 17.7% of adults reported food insecurity, which is much higher than pre-crisis levels. “There’s no question that both food insecurity and hunger have risen,” said Elaine Waxman, a co-author of the study. According to Diane Schanzenbach, an economist at Northwestern University, “SNAP is the universal safety net.” Unlike unemployment compensation benefits, food stamps allow for quick enrollment and relatively fast payments via debit card.
Vermont Becomes First State To Ban Food Scraps In Trash
Effective this month, Vermont has banned single-use products, including plastic shopping bags, straws, and stirrers, as well as styrofoam takeout containers. Also, the state no longer permits residents to throw food scraps into the trash. Food such as egg shells and vegetable and fruit trimmings must now be composted, separately binned for collection, or taken to a recycling center. “If we were to compost Vermont’s food waste that’s in the trash right now, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking about 9,000 cars off the road,” said Josh Kelly, the Materials Management Section Chief of Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation. The new law makes Vermont the first state to prohibit throwing food scraps in the trash, according to Fast Company. While law enforcement personnel will not be digging through trash for contraband food, the state has invested about $970,000 in grants to build out its composting infrastructure. And lawmakers trust that most residents will gladly comply on their own. According to a University of Vermont study, 72% of Vermonters were already composting at home or feeding food scraps to livestock, according to a University of Vermont study. Surprisingly, only 55% of the study respondents said they were in favor of banning food waste from landfills. .