New video clarifies poultry packaging labels

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has announced the release of a new video that examines the various poultry packaging labels found in today’s grocery stores and supermarkets. The video provides some clarity about the labeling of fresh and frozen chicken and turkey products and also reassures that American poultry products are among the safest and healthiest foods anywhere in the world.
Labels such as Raised without Antibiotics, No Hormones Added, All-Natural, Organic, etc.…the meat case at any local grocery store or supermarket displays a wide assortment of descriptive labels on the packages of refrigerated and frozen food products that are purchased for cooking. For some shoppers, the terms on the labels are confusing. While some may hardly notice or take the time to read them, for others, the labeling can raise questions.
The video is viewable on USPOULTRY’s website,www.uspoultry.org. It can also be viewed on YouTube by clicking here.

Companies team to provide printed electronic temperature labels

Thin Film Electronics ASA  (Thinfilm), a leader in the development of printed electronics, today announced it has entered into a commercial distribution agreement with PakSense, Inc., a market leader in the development of intelligent sensing products specifically designed to monitor perishable goods. Terms of the agreement authorize PakSense to distribute Thinfilm Smart Labels to food suppliers and retailers of produce, meat and seafood in North America, South America and Central America. In addition, PakSense has submitted pre-orders for the labels, which are targeted for delivery to lead customers in early 2015.
PakSense currently provides numerous major food retailers and suppliers with solutions to help monitor the condition of perishable items through the global supply chain. With a footprint of more than 1,500 customers in more than 70 countries, PakSense has a proven track record in helping ensure that only the freshest and safest products reach consumers.
"PakSense is a market leader in the development of intelligent sensing products specifically designed to monitor perishable goods," said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. "In addition to being a noted expert in cold chain transport and distribution, they maintain an extensive network of resellers and distributors, which makes them an ideal Thinfilm partner. We're excited to join forces with them in delivering our printed electronic technology to their many clients throughout the Americas."
PakSense's current products are one-time use electronic time and temperature loggers optimized to monitor and record conditions at the "container" level for up to 90 days. They monitor all segments of the food supply chain including supplier to the retail distribution center, retail distribution center to the store and perishable exports. Many food suppliers and processors also use PakSense Labels as a component of their internal quality assurance programs.
The Thinfilm printed electronic labels will indicate if certain temperature ranges have been exceeded and complement PakSense time and temperature monitors. The ultra-low cost associated with the printed electronics process will now make it possible for PakSense customers to use multiple Thinfilm labels in a shipment at the "item" and "pallet" level. This will lead to added visibility into temperature variations that may exist within a shipment. The enhanced data can then be used to make better informed stocking decisions, and should ultimately aid in the delivery of products that are safer, fresher, and higher in quality.
"By introducing Thinfilm's printed electronics technology to the perishable foods space, PakSense will provide another tool to help ensure overall product integrity and reduce unnecessary waste, while arming producers, retailers and consumers with the information they need to make smarter decisions," said David Oster, CEO of PakSense. "We're delighted to pass this value along to our customers and look forward to working with Thinfilm on additional technology developments in the future."
In addition to Thinfilm's own technology and logic, key components of the smart labels will be provided by several Thinfilm ecosystem partners, including thermistors from PST and electrochromic displays from Acreo.

Organic Chemical Solutions invests in Miami liquid and dry packaging operation

Chemical Solutions CEO Dr. Martin Moreira, President Alejandro Valdes and Production Manager Roberto Perez are shown at the OCS Miami facility. Newly installed additional packaging equipment will expand packaging capacity by approximately 80 tons per shift at the Miami plant.
Dr. Martin Moreira, CEO of Organic Chemical Solutions LLC (OCS), has decided to increase the company's range of packaging options by making additional capital investments in an already state-of-the-art liquid and dry packaging operation located in Miami. New dry packaging equipment was installed and startup was concluded on December 3.
Dr. Moreira also announced that a decision was made and arrangements have been concluded to launch OCS into the human supplement supply market. A line of at least 50 top-selling human supplements will be offered initially into the world markets by OCS, including the markets in the U.S., Middle East, Far East, Europe and Latin America. Novel approaches to natural treatment aids for diabetics will be offered.
Organic Chemical Solutions LLC is a leading domestic and international company with dynamic approaches to product research and biotechnology development. OCS supplies profitable solutions through specialty ingredients and proven feed additives for pet, poultry, pig, cattle, equines and aquatic species.

International Paper launches sustainability campaign

International Paper has launched its Brown Box, Green Globe campaign, promoting sustainable packaging. The sustainability campaign answers tough questions often asked about the environment. It also addresses several widespread myths on what is truly best from a sustainability standpoint.
“Brown Box, Green Globe materials help customers make the best choices for their packaging needs from a performance and sustainability perspective,” said Jay Royalty, International Paper vice president. “Choosing boxes helps keep our forestlands vibrant and growing, supports the use of carbon-neutral renewable energy and helps mitigate the effects of climate change.”
The sustainability campaign goes on to state that boxes are a natural choice for protecting products and the planet. Based on its commitment to sustainability and in support of the poultry industry, International Paper is showcasing the latest in its ClimaSeries wax alternatives at the International Poultry Expo being held January 29-31 in Atlanta, Ga, Booth 6025.
The ClimaSeries family of products enables boxes to be recycled, using specially formulated papers, coatings and technologies for moisture barriers, rather than using petroleum-based wax. These innovative advancements help customers achieve success in sustainability and profitability by reducing landfill waste, reusing products to make new products and getting paid for recyclable material.
International Paper has been a pioneer of recyclable packaging since the late 1990s and continues to innovate and grow, adding new offerings to its wax alternative product line. Since 2001, IP has produced and sold more than 1 billion wax alternative boxes to be packed, shipped and recycled across the globe. The company provides 75 percent of the wax alternative boxes used by the poultry industry each year.

UK poultry producer 2 Sisters invests in new facility

The UK’s 2 Sisters Food Group, a supplier of raw and prepared chicken products, is spending GBP30 million (US$48.4 million) on a state-of-the-art food facility in Thetford.
Managing director Eddie Power commented: “We are very excited about the opening of our new Thetford factory. This will allow us to offer customers an exciting new range of healthy and nutritious coated food products, alongside our existing bestselling lines.
“We believe we are the first food business to open a new coated protein factory of this scale in the UK for almost 10 years. Our aim is to deliver significant environmental benefits as well as revolutionize the production of coated foods available in the UK.”
The new site is expected to generate over 100 jobs when it opens, with the potential of another 200 jobs in the future. 

Proposed EU legislation requires country-of-origin labeling for poultry, pork

European Union farm ministers have agreed overwhelmingly to support new legislation that would require clear country-of-origin labeling for pork and chicken.
The proposed law will be put before the European Parliament in June 2011. This follows votes in favor this year by the Parliament’s environment and consumer protection committee in March and by members of the European Parliament in June.
British farmers' union NFU has been among those lobbying for country-of-origin labels on meat, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables and other single-ingredient products. “People buying meat and poultry products want to know where the animal was reared so they know exactly what they are eating," said NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond. "However, the lack of transparency [in current food in labeling] makes this difficult. Labeling needs to provide accurate, clear and relevant information so consumers can make an informed choice.” 

Mountaire Farms converts to recyclable boxes

Mountaire Farms is converting to recyclable boxes for its product. This is a milestone for Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery, which has a goal of achieving 100% recyclable wholesale packaging through Hunt’s Point Distribution Center.
Mountaire Farms has started the switch over to FBA-certified recyclable boxes in its New York City and Lumberbridge, N.C. sites. Interstate Container is the supplier for the boxes. This conversion will result in the transition of 6,000 tons of poultry boxes per year servicing the New York City market alone. It is the environmental equivalent of taking 3,800 passenger cars off the road.
Further, the company is switching packaging methods from ice pack to modified atmosphere packaging, which will result in significant water and energy savings.

Tray-less packaging reduces carbon footprint

Petaluma Poultry has introduced tray-less packaging that reduces volume by 73% and waste by 62% over conventional chicken packaging. According to the company, the new packaging allows 25% more items to fit into a shipping container.
John Bogert, the CMO of Coleman Natural Foods, the parent company of Petaluma Poultry, said reduction in the amount of cardboard used, and the corresponding savings in fuel for transport, result in a smaller carbon footprint. "It makes sense for our customers, retailers and the environment," he said.