New and updated quality standards for ingredients used in functional foods and a host of other food products manufactured, sold and consumed every day are included in the newly released seventh edition of the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). Published by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), the FCC is an internationally recognized compendium of standards that helps ensure the identity, quality, purity and consistency of food ingredients.

"The food industry is very innovative and competitive, with new ingredients being introduced on a regular basis," said James Griffiths, Ph.D., vice president of food, dietary supplement and excipient standards for USP. "As new ingredients emerge, as pressures to keep food prices low continue, and as the globalization of the industry persists, ensuring quality can become very difficult. The Food Chemicals Codex is designed to serve as a resource for the food industry, offering independently developed, science-based standards defining the authenticity and quality of food ingredients that both suppliers and food manufacturers find useful. These standards provide suppliers with a means of demonstrating quality, and allow manufacturers to have confidence that the ingredients they purchase are what they claim to be, as opposed to a contaminated, adulterated, diluted or otherwise inferior product. The ultimate beneficiary, of course, is the consumer, who deserves a quality food product."

The latest FCC edition includes standards covering quality and purity for 1,100 food ingredients. These standards include the ingredient's chemical formula, structure and weight; function and definition; impurity limits; and packaging, storage and labeling information. In addition, FCC Seventh Edition includes validated methods in 11 appendixes with step-by-step guidance to analyze food ingredients and demonstrate their authenticity, quality and purity. These appendixes cover Enzyme Assays, Essential Oils and Flavors, Fats and Related Substances, Carbohydrates, and Flavor Chemicals, among others.

New to the seventh edition is a comprehensive section featuring additional information and industry guidances such as general current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) guidelines for food chemicals; a comparison of cGMP elements for foods and drugs; and AOAC International/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) guidelines on method validation.

The seventh edition of the FCC is published in print and online formats and each is available as two-year subscriptions. The compendium is used by finished food and beverage manufacturers, food chemical and ingredient suppliers, food quality control professionals and regulatory bodies around the world for managing supply chains, maintaining regulatory compliance and conducting day-to-day business transactions as part of contracts between food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.

The FCC is the only food compendium in the world with quality standards that cover the full range of possible food ingredients including colorings, flavorings, nutrients, preservatives and processing aids.

For more information, visit www.usp.org/fcc.

SOURCE U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention

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Club Store shoppers are increasingly demanding products and packaging especially tailored for their particular usage requirements. Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) recently addressed the needs of this important shopping segment when it redesigned the packaging of its largest Pace salsa container, moving from a single 64-ounce polypropylene jug to a new 38-ounce polyethylene terephthalate jar that will be sold as a "dog bone" double pack.

Campbell developed the new multi-layer, hot-fill PET jar with the support of Graham Packaging Company, L.P., York, PA. The smaller jars are designed to provide consumers greater convenience and usage flexibility, while the barrier design should help maintain product quality.

"The new package size really is more convenient for our customers and a way for us to provide them with even better value," said Donald McMillan, a packaging specialist for Campbell. "The barrier protects the quality of our product in an economical fashion and helps us with inventory flexibility. It was also important to maintain the visual traits that make a Pace jar recognizable to our customers."

Paul J. Bailie, vice president and business manager of food packaging for Graham Packaging, said, "The new container replicates the iconic hourglass shape and clarity of the classic Pace glass jar, but gives consumers the advantages of PET plastic—a jar that's shatterproof and easy to grip, handle and store. And the switch from the polypropylene jug to PET makes for greater ease of recycling."

Bailie said the jar is manufactured with Graham Packaging's proprietary vacuum absorption system, which produces vacuum panels that are virtually invisible to the consumer. "This new technology also gives us the ability to create the design that Campbell requires," he said.

Sunil Shah, a product development engineer for Graham Packaging, said use of the proprietary barrier technology should give the jar an oxygen barrier that is able to maintain the product at peak freshness for up to 18 months, compared to six to nine months without the barrier.

The development process, from conception to market, took only nine months, while the actual design work took only a matter of hours during a creative session involving team members from both companies at Graham Packaging's Design Center in York.

Said Bailie, "The bottom line is it's a new and exciting entry in the marketplace for salsa and picante sauce containers both for Campbell's Pace brand and for us."

About Graham Packaging

Graham Packaging, based in York, Pennsylvania, is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of technology-based, customized blow-molded plastic containers for the branded food and beverage, household, personal care/specialty, and automotive lubricants product categories. It has an extensive blue-chip customer base that includes many of the world's largest branded consumer products companies. It produces more than 20 billion container units annually at 82 plants in North America, Europe, and South America, and had sales of $2.58 billion in 2008.

The company is a leading U.S. supplier of plastic containers for hot-fill juice and juice drinks, sports drinks, drinkable yogurt and smoothies, nutritional supplements, wide-mouth food, dressings, condiments, and beers; the leading global supplier of plastic containers for yogurt drinks; a leading supplier of plastic containers for liquid fabric care products, dish care products, and hard-surface cleaners; the leading supplier in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil of one-quart/one-liter plastic motor oil containers; and a leading supplier of bottles for personal care products.

The Blackstone Group of New York is the majority owner of Graham Packaging.

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup, baked snacks, and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including "Campbell's," "Pepperidge Farm," "Arnott's," and "V8." For more information on the company, visit Campbell's website at www.campbellsoup.com.

SOURCE Graham Packaging

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ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water announces that it has made it easier than ever to replenish and hydrate with the release of its new, unique packaging, designed to provide essential nutrients and convenience for active lifestyles.  ZICO is the only 100% pure coconut water on the market available in this innovative on-the-go packaging.  The new ZICO bottle gives a wider range of health conscious consumers accessibility to the ultimate hydration drink.

"Our new bottle blends the convenience of a sports drink with ZICO's premium, all natural product, which already provides more nutrients and better hydration," said Mark Rampolla, CEO/Founder of ZICO.  "The bottle, which can be thrown into a gym bag or kept in a car holder, will make it even easier for consumers to incorporate ZICO into their daily lives."

Previously packaged in only paper Tetra Pak containers, ZICO is now available in a 14 oz. bottle featuring a re-sealable cap, easy grip shape and increased durability.  The new ZICO bottle still features 100% natural coconut water, but also contains 20% fewer calories per oz. and additional sodium to help prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.  Similar to the Tetra Pak, the new ZICO also still contains five essential electrolytes, more potassium than a banana and zero fat, zero added sugar and zero cholesterol.

The new formula is derived from a unique blend of coconut waters sourced from Latin America and Asia, providing consumers with a smooth, consistent taste, a nutritional profile to help optimize hydration and a lower calorie count.  The new ZICO bottle will be available in Natural, Lima Citron and Pomberry flavors, with additional flavors launching later in 2010.

In addition to its convenience, the new ZICO bottles are environmentally friendly. The bottles are made of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), marked as #2 recyclability and are produced and filled domestically, cutting down on the environmental impact of mass shipping.  A portion of the ZICO bottle is also made from recycled content.  Expected retail price of the new 14 oz. bottle is $2.79.

The new ZICO bottles will be available at current ZICO retailers, such as Whole Foods, as well as online via Amazon.com.  For more information visit www.zico.com.

SOURCE ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water

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http://www.zico.com

Following a recall by the T. Marzetti Company, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC announced it had removed from sale Marzetti Southwest Dip and Marzetti Spinach Dip due to the potential of salmonella contamination.

The following code dates and UPC's are affected:

• Marzetti Southwest Dip 15.5oz, UPC 00 70200-52004, Best by: APR2010F, APR2810F, MAY1610F, MAY3110F, JUN0610F, JUN1410F and JUN1910F

• Marzetti Spinach Dip 15.0oz, UPC 00 70200-52059, Best by: APR1910F, MAY0910F and JUN0710F

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial food borne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

To date, the T. Marzetti Company has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product.  Customers who have purchased the affected products should discard any unused portions and bring their purchase receipt to Stop & Shop for a full refund.  Consumers may call the T. Marzetti Company Consumer response Department at 1-800-427-0147. Consumers may also call Stop & Shop Customer Service at (800) 767-7772 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and visit the Stop & Shop website at www.stopandshop.com for more information.

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company employs more than 59,000 associates and operates stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores.     Stop & Shop has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores and is also a member of the EPA's Smart Way program.  

SOURCE The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company

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http://www.stopandshop.com

TrueChild, a national organization that helps children break through stereotypes so they can be true to themselves and reach their full potential, will host the annual TrueFlavors Celebrity Cook-Off at The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City on Monday, May 3, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. EDT.

Tony Award winning actors David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish from the Broadway musical, Billy Elliot, will join Season Five's Top Chef finalists, Carla Hall and Fabio Viviani. Ryan Scott from Top Chef's Season Four will emcee. Teams will have 35 minutes to prepare a three course meal with secret ingredients revealed only moments before the contest. In addition to the celebrity cooking competition, the event will include raffles, a live auction, and VIP reception.

"We are proud to support this event and TrueChild's work as a sign of ING's commitment to promoting cutting edge programs that empower children to succeed in school and in life," says ING President, Rhonda Mims.

To order tickets, visit www.truechild.org/flavors.

About TrueChild

TrueChild is the leading national organization helping all children—boys and girls—break through stereotypes so they can be true to themselves and reach their full potential. To learn more, call us at 202-462-6610 or visit our website at www.TrueChild.org.

About Billy Elliot

Winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Billy Elliot is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true.

SOURCE TrueChild

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.TrueChild.org