Maker of alternative proteins taps Richmond for $115M fermentation plant
Liberation Labs hopes to build a network of facilities make products for “existing major food brands as well as the growing network of food-tech innovators.”
Food manufacturers
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Justice Department investigating Abbott baby formula plant
The factory’s closure in February 2022 was a key cause of a nationwide baby formula shortage that forced parents to seek formula from food banks, friends and doctor’s offices.
Scathing report urges major changes at FDA, including possibly breaking up agency
The report comes in the wake of heavy criticism of the agency’s handling of a formula shortage earlier this year. Food safety experts have long complained that the agency’s food oversight arm has been chronically understaffed and underfunded.
Nestle seeks tax break for $400M expansion in Anderson
The firm says the expansion likely will result in 68 new jobs at the beverage production facility along Interstate 69.
‘Best Before’ labels scrutinized as food waste concerns grow
Unlike “use by” labels, which are found on perishable foods like meat and dairy, “best before” labels have nothing to do with safety and often encourage consumers to throw away food that’s perfectly fine to eat.
FDA announces new definition of what’s ‘healthy’
The proposed rule would align the definition of the “healthy” claim with current nutrition science, the updated Nutrition Facts label and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Jim Beam plans $400M expansion to ramp up bourbon production
The expansion will be used to produce two mainstays — Jim Beam white and black label bourbons — and will mostly support expected sales growth overseas.
Pet food maker begins construction on $260M plant in Rushville
The new facility will be Diamond Pet Foods’ first in Indiana and represents one of the largest private investments in Rushville’s history, according to the Rush County Economic Development Corp.
New Day Craft closes after 16 years of making mead and cider
Fountain Square Brewing Co. purchased New Day Craft Mead & Cider in 2019 and oversaw production at Circle City Industrial Complex.
USDA getting tougher on salmonella in chicken products
The salmonella bacteria sickens 1.3 million Americans each year, sends more than 26,000 of them to hospitals and causes 420 deaths, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Food manufacturer plans $58M expansion, 90 new jobs in Lebanon
Ontario-based Skjodt-Barrett Contract Packaging LLC plans to expand its Boone County plant by 340,000 square feet.
How canine heart disease was tied to grain-free dog food—without a firm link
The FDA has found no firm link between diet and dilated cardiomyopathy. Nor has it rejected such a link, and research is ongoing. Publicity surrounding this issue, nevertheless, has shrunk the once-promising market for grain-free dog foods.
Indiana’s Mom Water could be 1-million-case success story
The drink, flavored water infused with vodka, debuted just 16 months ago. The company operates out of Ferdinand, 15 miles south of Jasper, and the product is manufactured in Indianapolis.
Snap, crackle, pop: Kellogg to split into three companies
Kellogg’s had net sales of $14.2 billion in 2021, with $11.4 billion generated by its snack division, which makes Cheez-Its, Pringles and Pop-Tarts, among other brands. U.S. cereal sales have been waning for years.
Mondelez agrees to acquire energy-bar maker Clif for $2.9B
Clif Bar & Co. operates a major commercial bakery in Indianapolis that employs more than 400 workers. The plant at 7575 Georgetown Road received a $10 million expansion in 2019.
Production at beleaguered baby formula factory halted by storm
Abbott said it needs to assess damage and re-sanitize the factory after severe thunderstorms and heavy rains swept through southwestern Michigan on Monday evening.
Abbott restarts baby formula plant linked to contamination
The February shutdown of the largest formula factory in the country led to the supply problems that have forced some parents to seek formula from food banks, friends and doctor’s offices.
Biden says he heard late about baby formula shortage
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he did not become aware of the baby formula shortage until about two months after industry leaders knew they faced a major crisis, raising new questions about the administration’s monitoring and handling of the problem.
FDA chief struggles to explain slow response on baby formula
The FDA and President Joe Biden face mounting political pressure to explain why they didn’t intervene sooner to head off the supply crisis.
78,000 pounds of infant formula arrives in Indianapolis
A military plane carrying enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday, the first of several flights to the United States expected from Europe aimed at relieving a ongoing shortage.