Month: May 2012

Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate, has recognized five farmer cooperatives in the Bas-Sassandra region of Côte d'Ivoire as the top producers of superior quality cocoa beans using Barry Callebaut's advanced fermentation technique. By applying the patented technique, farmers can produce cocoa beans with no defects or off-flavors in significantly less time than by conventional fermentation methods. The beans are fully traceable to the respective grower's farm. …

Flowers Foods, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lepage Bakeries, Inc., of Auburn, Maine for $370 million in cash and stock. Flowers expects to complete the transaction in its fiscal second quarter, pending necessary regulatory approvals. …

ABA and 17 other industry partners have requested that FDA formally provide enforcement discretion on the FSMA effective date for preventative controls provisions in the absence of anticipated agency policy. …