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Two Democratic lawmakers are demanding that some of the biggest food and beverage companies stop engaging in “shrinkflation” — the practice of reducing product sizes while charging prices that are the same or higher. Spokespeople for General Mills, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. President Joe Biden has mentioned shrinkflation numerous times, declaring it a “rip-off” in a video he posted to X. Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of federal affairs at Consumer Brands Association, a trade group that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and General Mills all belong to, defended industry practices to NBC News. Dean said the letters were sent to “ease the wrongful burden” the companies are imposing on consumers.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren of, Madeleine Dean of, Mills, General Mills, Jeff Harmening, James Quincey, “, Ramon Laguarta, Spokespeople, Warren, Dean, ” Warren, ” Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Ting Shen, Joe Biden, Nailya Ordabayeva, ”, ” Ordabayeva, shrinkflation, Doritos, Sarah Gallo, ’ ” Dean Organizations: Democratic, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cola, PepsiCo, NBC, North, Retail, CNBC, Gatorade, Republican, Taxation, Economic, “, NBC News, Bloomberg, Boston University Questrom School of Business, Consumer Brands Association, General, Federal Reserve Bank of San Locations: shrinkflation, Washington, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

☆ Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Madeleine Dean demand food and beverage CEOs put a stop to 'shrinkflation'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Elizabeth Chuck | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In pointed letters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania accused General Mills, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo of engaging in a "pattern of profiteering" through shrinkflation and by "dodging taxes." The same with PepsiCo, which "replaced its 32 oz Gatorade bottle with a 28 oz bottle for the same price." Spokespeople for General Mills, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. President Joe Biden has mentioned shrinkflation numerous times, declaring it a "rip-off" in a video he posted to X. Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of federal affairs at Consumer Brands Association, a trade group that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and General Mills all belong to, defended industry practices to NBC News.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren of, Madeleine Dean of, Mills, General Mills, Jeff Harmening, James Quincey, Ramon Laguarta, Spokespeople, Warren, Dean, Joe Biden, Nailya Ordabayeva, Ordabayeva, shrinkflation, Doritos, Sarah Gallo Organizations: Democratic, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cola, PepsiCo, NBC, North, Retail, CNBC, Gatorade, Republican, Taxation, Economic, NBC News, Boston University Questrom School of Business, Consumer Brands Association, General, Federal Reserve Bank of San Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

☆ Additives to food often bypass FDA oversight, critics say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Soon, Daily Harvest had narrowed its internal investigation to a new ingredient used for its high-protein content: tara flour. Tara flour is one of two products made from the seed pods of a thorny shrub native to Peru. The pods of the tara plant are used to make tara gum and tara flour. As some consumers had discovered, tara flour was not safe, the FDA decreed in May 2024 — nearly two years after the ingredient sickened hundreds. During that time, however, other manufacturers could have used the now-“unapproved food additive.”“This incident shows how broken our food regulatory system is.

Persons: Gwyneth Paltrow, Serena Williams, “ I’ve, ” Cory Silverstein, Silverstein, Luke Wesley Pearson, tara, we’ve, Rachel Drori, GRAS, —, It’s, ”, Pieter Cohen, Cohen, “, Tara, Tragically, Alexi Giannoulias, Sarah Gallo, “ GRAS, ” Gallo, Sarah Silbiger, Melanie Benesh, BVO, Giannoulias, Benesh, ” Benesh, Jim Jones, ” Jones, Thomas Galligan Organizations: CNN, Leek Crumbles, Harvest, CNN Business, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Daily Harvest, Daily, Cambridge Health Alliance, The New England, of Medicine, Consumer Brands Association, Office, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental, Industry, Union, Illinois Food Safety, Illinois Senate, Getty, European Union, Human Foods, Center for Science, “ Locations: Peru, United States, Somerville , Massachusetts, The, California, Illinois, Jena

Angela Weiss | AFP | Getty ImagesAs she unveiled her most detailed economic plan yet this week, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris pledged to fight price gouging in order to rein in voters' grocery costs. Although Harris released more detail Wednesday as part of her 82-page economic plan, it's still unclear what price hikes her administration would see as illegal "price gouging." Generally, Republicans support fewer economic regulations, although Trump has suggested limiting food imports as a way to lower grocery prices. What is price gouging? Thirty-seven U.S. states already have laws that forbid price gouging in emergencies.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Angela Weiss, Donald Trump, Harris, it's, Walz, Trump, YouGov, Rakeen Mabud, Mabud, Mario Tama, markups, —, Jerome Powell —, Sarah Gallo, Brian Cornell, Jharonne Martis, Brandon Bell, Kroger, Arun Sundaram, Sundaram, JBS, Joe Raedle Organizations: Democratic, AFP, Getty, Trump, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Voters, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas, Consumer Brands Association, Federal Trade, Department of, Kroger, Procter, Gamble, Albertsons, Federal Trade Commission, CFRA Research, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation Locations: Coraopolis , Pennsylvania, Los Angeles , California, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Houston , Texas, Miami , Florida

☆ Chemicals linked to breast cancer leach into our foods, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Nearly 200 chemicals connected to breast cancer are used in the making of food packaging and plastic tableware, and dozens of those carcinogens can migrate into the human body, a new study found. Of the recently detected chemicals in food packaging, 40 are already classified as hazardous by regulatory agencies around the world, according to the study. Rates of early-onset breast cancer in women under 50 are increasing, and experts said the trend cannot be explained by genetics alone. A January 2024 update to that list found 921 possibly carcinogenic chemicals, including 642 that may stimulate estrogen or progesterone production, another known risk factor for breast cancer. FCChumon, created by the Food Packaging Forum, is a list of food contact chemicals that have been detected in human breast milk, blood, urine and tissues.

Persons: ”, Jane Muncke, ” Muncke, Jenny Kay, Len Lichtenfeld, ” Lichtenfeld, Sarah Gallo, ” Gallo, Kay, ” Kay, “ That’s, PFAS Organizations: CNN, Food Packaging, Silent Spring Institute, American Cancer Society, Consumer Brands Association, Food, FDA, Environmental, Toxicology, Contact Chemicals, “, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine Locations: Zurich, Switzerland

☆ Ultraprocessed foods may increase your risk for type 2 diabetes, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Packaged foods, soda, chips, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and ice cream all fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, which can include dozens of synthetic additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial dyes. For every 10% increase in the amount of a person’s diet made up of ultraprocessed foods, the team found that there was a 17% increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, the data showed. The scientists also found that reducing the amount of ultraprocessed food you are consuming can lower the risk, according to the study. “Ultra-processed foods are everywhere,” Dicken said via email. “We also know that increased body fat (from excess calories) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Persons: Nerys Astbury, Astbury, Samuel Dicken, ” Dicken, “, ”, Sarah Gallo, Dicken, It’s, Hilda Mulrooney, Mulrooney, ” Mulrooney Organizations: CNN, Nuffield Department, Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, University College London, Consumer Brands Association, London Metropolitan University Locations: Europe, US

☆ California bans red No. 40 and others from school food
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-30 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill that bans the use of red dye No. Known as the California School Food Safety Act and introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel in February, Assembly Bill 2316 prohibits a school district, county superintendent of schools or charter school with grades kindergarten through 12th from offering foods or beverages containing red dye No. “California is once again leading the nation when it comes to protecting our kids from dangerous chemicals,” Gabriel said in a news release. “No industry is more committed to food safety than the consumer packaged goods industry. After the state banned brominated vegetable oil, used mostly in some sodas, as part of its California Food Safety Act in October 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration revoked the regulation for its use nine months later.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Jesse Gabriel, Tony Thurmond, cosponsor, ” Gabriel, who’s, “, Bill, Paul Greenwood, John Hewitt, ” Hewitt, Thurmond, Gabriel, ”, Lesley, Ann Brandt, ” Brandt, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Golden State, Environmental, Consumer, California School Food Safety, Democratic, California, Environmental Health, Food, FDA, California Legislature, Joint Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, World, Consumer Brands Association, European Union, California Food, US Food and Drug Administration, USDA Locations: California, United States, South Africa, New Zealand

And at some Chipotle locations, customers filmed workers to try to make sure they didn't skimp on their burrito bowls. The three joined a growing list of consumer brands contending with customers' deep frustration over high prices — and wariness that prices will only rise more. Walmart, on the other hand, said the new price tags will cut a tedious task from store workers' to-do lists. They eliminate the need for store workers to swap out traditional paper tags. Shoppers at a Walmart store in Secaucus, New Jersey, US, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Persons: Wendy's, Jean, Pierre Dubé, David Chavern, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, hasn't, Dianna Campbell, she's, Campbell isn't, Biden, skimping, Sen, Bob Casey, Andrea Foote, Tricia Moriarty, it's, Jim Cramer, CNBC's, Brian Niccol, Chipotle, We've, Wells, Zachary Fadem, Brandon Bell, It's, Kirk Tanner, Yuki Iwamura, Cristina Rodrigues, Gabby Jones Organizations: Walmart, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Consumers, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Brands Association, Procter, Gamble, Pew Research, Pew, Reuters Shrinkflation, Federal Reserve, Customers, Gatorade, PepsiCo, CNBC, Chipotle, New York, Mexican Grill, Getty, American Farm Bureau Federation, Bloomberg, University of Chicago Locations: U.S, Goffstown , New Hampshire, Manhattan, New York City, Mexican, Austin , Texas, Queens, New York, Europe, Secaucus , New Jersey, US

Consumer goods makers say the price hikes are necessary, and that they have taken a hit to margins over the past two years. Some companies such as Clorox (CLX.N) have even begun to ease off the hikes to protect sales volumes as input costs fall. "In the U.S. in particular, these pressures are more acute than in Europe," Janus Henderson portfolio manager Luke Newman told Reuters. U.S. consumer strength has begun weakening, "and that's bad news for the consumer companies," Barclays analyst Iain Simpson said. Still, cost inflation has chipped away at margins, which have broadly fallen 2-4 percentage points over the past two years for the consumer goods industry.

Persons: Janus Henderson, Luke Newman, Newman, Richard Marwood, Robert Klaber, Parnassus, Iain Simpson, Alvarez, Marsal, David Chavern, Stephanie Niven, Niven, Irene Jensen, Jensen, Thomas Joekel, Richa Naidu, Jessica DiNapoli, Matt Scuffham, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Consumer, Reuters, Royal London Asset Management, Investments, Biden, Barclays, Procter, Gamble, Consumer Brands Association, Sustainable Equity Fund, Norges Bank Investment Management, Unilever, Reckitt, Investment, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Europe, San Francisco, United States

☆ FDA says sugary cereal and white bread no longer 'healthy'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Those changes mean that food companies could no longer market white bread as well as sugary cereals and yogurt as "healthy," according to the FDA. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, for example, would get the "healthy" designation because of potential health benefits from that type of fat. The revised definition of "healthy" isn't a requirement for food companies, according to the FDA. Even so, many food companies closely follow nonbinding FDA guidelines. Another set of proposed FDA guidelines for plant-based milks, for example, drew ire from the dairy industry this week.

☆ In wake of baby formula crisis, critical report recommends major food safety changes at FDA
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It enforces food safety regulations, works with local governments on food safety information, promotes dietary guidelines, and develops food safety information and education, as well as overseeing nutrition labels on most food and being responsible for promoting good nutrition practices to the US public. Another would have the FDA develop a strategy to increase funding for the Human Foods Program, with help from Congress. “The current culture of the FDA Human Foods Program is inhibiting its ability to effectively accomplish this goal” of protecting public health,” the report says. “The work of these independent evaluators will help to inform a new vision for the FDA Human Foods Program,” Califf said in a news release. Some critics have suggested that food safety takes a back seat to the FDA’s regulations of drugs and medical devices.

New York CNN Business —From retailers and computer chip makers to the oil-and-gas industry, businesses are scrambling to find workarounds where possible for a potentially devastating freight rail strike. Retailers, which rely on rail to move cargo from ports to warehouses, are considering shifting the timing of orders and shipments. Critically, the rail strike could disrupt the supply of chlorine and other critical chemicals used to keep drinking water safe. The oil-and-gas industry, for instance, warns a rail shutdown would spark fuel supply crunches and price spikes. “Congress appears likely to intervene in the coming days to avert a rail strike,” economists at Goldman Sachs wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday.

The White House struck a tentative deal Thursday to avoid a rail strike that risked major disruptions across the United States, with freight workers securing a key demand. Pandemic pressures, including those that scrambled supply chains, worked in freight workers’ favor, logistics experts said. A rail strike would dent many industries, as about 40% of goods that are shipped long-distance rely on the nation’s rail system. Rail workers often are on-call 24/7 year-round and are allotted time off only after being called to a number of consecutive on-call shifts. A labor union source told NBC News that getting rail carriers to negotiate on attendance policies was a major breakthrough.

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