Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — General Mills on Friday said it would begin putting labels on its products that contain genetically engineered ingredients, a move that comes days after U.S. senators failed to advance legislation aimed at blocking Vermont from requiring such labels on July 1. U.S. consumer are calling for greater transparency around food production and sourcing, […] Read more
General Mills to label GMOs in U.S. products
U.S. Senate blocks bill that would override state GMO labeling laws
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked a bill that would nullify state and local efforts to require food makers to label products made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as the industry races to stop Vermont’s law from taking effect on July 1. The proposed legislation from Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas comes […] Read more
Taco Bell to switch to cage-free eggs after 2016, ahead of rivals
Reading Time: 2 minutes Los Angeles | Reuters — Taco Bell said on Monday its more than 6,000 U.S. fast-food restaurants would stop using eggs laid by caged hens by Jan. 1, 2017, years ahead of the deadlines set by its bigger rivals. The announcement came amid mounting pressure on Taco Bell to remove artificial ingredients, to source products […] Read more
McDonald’s stock hits record high as turnaround takes hold
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — McDonald’s Corp. shares hit an all-time high on Thursday after CEO Steve Easterbrook said a rebound in quarterly restaurant sales showed his turnaround plan is starting to work. Global sales at established restaurants were up a much better-than-expected four per cent in the third quarter, ending six straight quarters of flat or falling […] Read more
California adopts tough rules for antibiotic use in livestock
Reading Time: 2 minutes Los Angeles | Reuters — California Governor Jerry Brown on Saturday signed a bill that sets the strictest government standards in the U.S. for the use of antibiotics in livestock production. The move from California, known for its leadership on public health and environmental issues, comes amid growing concern that the overuse of such drugs […] Read more
McDonald’s to offer first-ever organic burger, in Germany
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — McDonald’s will offer its first-ever 100 per cent organic beef hamburger for a limited time in Germany, as a growing number of global diners demand food that is more natural and less processed. From Oct. 1 to Nov. 18 McDonald’s will offer “McB” burgers, made with organic beef sourced from organic farms in […] Read more
McDonald’s investor wants it to cut antibiotics in all meats
Reading Time: 2 minutes Los Angeles | Reuters –– A McDonald’s Corp. shareholder group is renewing its call for the fast-food chain to stop buying any meat from animals raised with antibiotics vital to fighting human infections. The move from the Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, Texas, comes amid growing concern from public health experts that the overuse […] Read more
Study alleges U.S. fast food still mostly raised on antibiotics
Reading Time: 2 minutes Los Angeles | Reuters –– Most large U.S. fast-food chains still serve meat from farm animals that have been routinely fed antibiotics, consumer groups said in a new report, which concluded that many companies have not yet laid out plans to curb the practice. Subway, Starbucks, KFC and Domino’s Pizza were among the industry leaders […] Read more
McDonald’s reset to change structure, cut costs, boost franchises
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — McDonald’s Corp.’s new CEO said on Monday he would reorganize business units, sell restaurants to franchisees and cut costs in a bid to turn the fast-food chain into a “modern, progressive burger company.” The anticipated video announcement by CEO Steve Easterbrook left investors hungry for specific details on how the world’s biggest restaurant […] Read more
Chipotle goes GMO-free in first for U.S. fast-food sector
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — Chipotle Mexican Grill on Monday said the 46 ingredients used in its roughly 1,800 restaurants were now free of genetically modified organisms, becoming the first major U.S. restaurant chain to make that switch. U.S. diners, particularly those in the sought-after young millennial generation, are seeking fresh foods that are less processed and more […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
