2024

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Yet another E. coli Outbreak in Children linked to Animal Exhibit – this time in Tennessee – Again

Bill Marler

Summary On October 3, 2023, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Northeast Regional Office was notified of two cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Over the next two weeks a total of ninepatients with STEC infections were reported, seven (78%) were hospitalized, and four (44%) developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

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New 2D Barcodes Offer Easy Access to Dynamic Information for Food Traceability and More

Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurants started using 2D barcodes (such as QR codes) at dining tables to offer digital menus and even allow patrons to order with their smartphones during the pandemic, when contactless transactions were necessary. Since then, the practice has become ubiquitous. While a QR code can connect users to a host of static information, a more powerful 2D barcode is on the horizon to offer a wider suite of capabilities with virtually unlimited data storage capacity for instantaneous retrieval with th

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Over 10,000 cases of shredded cheese products recalled over Listeria contamination

Food Safety News

Sargento Foods, Inc. of Plymouth, WI, is recalling certain shredded cheese products over potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. According to the details posted online by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), the recall was initiated on Feb. 5, 2024, and is ongoing. The recalled products were distributed in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

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Marriott International Inks Agreement to Debut the Westin Brand in the Celebrated Island of Penang

Hospitality Net

The signing ceremony was graced by His Royal Highness, Tuanku Raja Muda of Perlis and Chairman of Westfield Global Sdn Bhd (centre) joined by Dato’ Yeoh Yih Sean, Director of Westfield Global Sdn Bhd (on his left), Mr. Kevin Chen, Senior Vice President Hotel Development, Asia Pacific Marriott International (on his right) and witnessed by esteemed Directors from Westfield Global Sdn Bhd and representatives from Marriott International.

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Alternative proteins are a solution made for this moment

GFI

April 22, 2024 Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on LinkedIn How alternative proteins change the trajectory of our food system Alternative proteins help decrease emissions, feed more people with fewer resources, and restore biodiversity. They also address the urgent problems of antibiotic resistance and pandemic risk caused by our food system.

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FDA Publishes FSMA Preharvest Agricultural Water Final Rule

Food Safety Magazine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the long-anticipated Preharvest Agricultural Water Final Rule, fulfilling Subpart E of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

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AI In Action: Sourdough Starter Anew

Foodservice Equipment Reports

The acts of making and breaking bread span many cultures and generations. Croatia-based Boogie Lab put a modern twist on the acts, however, adding artificial intelligence technology to its sourdough fermentation process and, in turn, making artisanal bread more accessible.

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Irrigation Water as a Tool To Reduce Pathogen Contamination

Food Safety Tech

A new study is taking a different look at irrigation water. Rather than investigating the water as a potential source of contamination, Channah Rock, Ph.D., with the University of Arizona, is examining irrigation water’s role in reducing potential pathogens. The data collected will be used to create a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to gauge potential pathogens risks from treated water applied preharvest.

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EPA Sets Limits on PFAS in Drinking Water

Food Quality & Safety

On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented first-ever restrictions on the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in drinking water, a pivotal move in shielding public well-being from waterborne hazards. EPA’s cap target six PFAS compounds, including two of the oldest and most widespread PFAS—PFOA and PFOS—at 4 parts per trillion.

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Going Beyond the Regenerative Agriculture Hype

Forward Fooding

In the countryside, a powerful revolution is underway. It embraces nature’s wisdom and forges a path away from conventional farming practices. In recent years, regenerative agriculture has garnered attention as a nature-friendly approach to farming and Agtech is amplifying its positive impacts while helping it overcome key issues. At its core, regenerative agriculture strives to undo the damages of intensive farming, and rejuvenate and enhance farm ecosystems, while recognizing the interco

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The Rise of Protein-Rich Meals in Dining Halls

Fresh Ideas

Today’s college students are members of Generation Z, which is often described as the “ foodie generation ”. Gen Zers spend a sizable chunk of their money on food and beverages, take pleasure in experiential dining, and go out of their way to discover top quality products and cuisines. Their dietary decisions are also driven by convenience, sustainability, and the desire to improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

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Consumers Welcome Some Restaurant Automation, Reject Others

Modern Restaurant Management

Operators must weigh guest acceptance while making strategic decisions about integrating automation at many restaurant touch points, according to Software Advice’s 2024 Automated Customer Experience Survey. More than half (55 percent) of global consumers say automated food preparation is unacceptable for both quick service and table service restaurants, while nearly half (49 percent) say they’re likely to order food through an artificial intelligence tool, such as a chatbot or drive-

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FDA confirms contamination of children’s applesauce; theorizes it was intentional

Food Safety News

The FDA has confirmed that lead chromate is the source of lead and chromium in cinnamon applesauce marketed for children and imported from Ecuador. Leaders at the FDA continue to believe the contamination was intentional. The Food and Drug Administration had already confirmed that applesauce samples had as much as 2,000 times the amount of lead considered safe.

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Cycas Hospitality Expands Into Ireland

Hospitality Net

Cycas Hospitality’s growth continues into 2024 following their landmark appointment to manage The Ormond Hotel in Dublin on behalf of the Ormond Group, a leading hospitality group from Southeast Asia. This will be Cycas Hospitality’s first property in Ireland and marks another significant step in their pan-European expansion.

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Women and the vital role they play in revolutionizing alternative proteins

GFI

February 9, 2024 Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on LinkedIn We need everyone at the table Advances in alternative proteins are happening fast as more researchers and funding flow into the field. To build a truly equitable food system, these opportunities can not be limited to just those from a certain gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

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Study Finds Little Difference Between Plastic in Seafood, Meat, and Plant-Based Proteins—It’s All Contaminated

Food Safety Magazine

A new study has found microplastic particles in 88 percent of protein food samples across 16 types, with no statistical difference in microplastics concentrations between land- and ocean-sourced proteins.

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MSU Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar reflects on 30 years of bringing India to East Lansing

FoodService Director

From day-to-day dining to Diwali, Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar, CEC, AAC, HGT, has forged a culinary path that’s allowed a generation at Michigan State University to experience the truly fascinating flavors of Indian cuisine and given Indian students and faculty at taste of home.

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From the Editor: Gearing Up for the National Restaurant Association Show

Foodservice Equipment Reports

One of my favorite parts of the year comes when the Kitchen Innovations Award recipients take the stage at the National Restaurant Association Show in May. The showroom marks a convenient place to find the latest equipment for foodservice facilities. For highlights of this year’s program, I visited with Lenny Condenzio, CEO of Ricca Design Studios.

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Increase Food Production Efficiency Through Predictive Maintenance

Food Safety Tech

In the food production industry, being efficient is not just a goal, it is essential for success. Operations that produce top-quality products at the lowest costs come out on top. One key to staying efficient is cross training production workers and making sure they’re skilled in operating various machines. This way, anyone can step in to keep things running smoothly, avoiding costly delays.

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FastCasual producing restaurant catering workshop with Erle Dardick’s OPGA

Fast Casual

The Restaurant Catering Workshop will provide a blueprint for restaurant operators focused on catapulting catering sales.

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Fighting Fast Food Fraud

Modern Restaurant Management

Fast food fraud has seen a 45-percent increase in the last year or so, largely driven by a digital transformation sea change that has made these restaurants more vulnerable, according to data from fraud prevention company Forter. Fast food restaurants are all about convenience with the latest step in providing convenience for guests being the welcoming of digital payments and corresponding loyalty apps.

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Why Limited Time Offerings are More Than a Passing Phase

Modern Restaurant Management

Limited Time Offerings (LTOs) have been a staple of the restaurant industry, although their very nature is short-lived. For consumers, LTOs often bring to mind seasonal offerings that have become synonymous with specific times of the year. For restaurants, LTOs create new avenues to connect with customers and generate opportunities for chefs to expand offerings.

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Moves Modern Restaurants Are Making in 2024

Modern Restaurant Management

According to the National Restaurant Association, competition in the restaurant sector is strong. In fact, 45 percent of restaurant operators expect competition to be more intense than last year. Why? A chief reason is due to caution or uncertainty exhibited by conscious consumers, with 48 percent saying they are taking the ‘wait and see’ approach and holding back on spending in 2024.

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Understanding the Restaurant Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

Modern Restaurant Management

Cyber risks have been around for a long time, but that doesn’t mean they’re static. Attacks are growing more sophisticated and more expensive. The average cost of a data breach in 2023 was almost $4.5 million, a figure that’s more than 15% higher than just three years prior. Statista’s market insights forecast the global cost of cybercrime will increase from $9.22T in 2024 to $13.82T in 2028.

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Optimizing Your Restaurant Merch Game

Modern Restaurant Management

Merch might a somewhat newer term in a restaurant owner's lexicon, but having a focused merchandising effort can connect a person to a brand as well as be a great way to build awareness and put buts in seats. While someone might want to express their admiration by wearing or displaying brand merch, it's important for those brands to create products that will not simply collect dust in a corner.

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2024 Outlook: Restaurant Trends and Challenges, Part Three

Modern Restaurant Management

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2024. Read the first part, here. For the second part, click here. QSRs Shift Focus from Slow-Paced Dining to Swift, Transactional Experiences Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are reimagining their dining spaces to prioritize speed, convenience, and personalization over traditional, slow-paced dining experiences.

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Diners Have Negative Reaction to Surge and Dynamic Pricing

Modern Restaurant Management

Eighty-one percent of diners said they would either stop going to a restaurant altogether or alter their dining hours to avoid prices surging during peak hours and 64 percent said they have a negative reaction to restaurants using surge and dynamic pricing, according to a HungerRush’s National Restaurant Price Surging Survey. “This is an alarming statistic for restaurant owners and operators, potentially leading to an increase in lost revenue or creating new peak hours,” Bill M

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Improving Survey Response Rates for Restaurant Managers

Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurant managers balance several responsibilities while taking care of staff and guest needs. One of the most important parts of being a successful restaurant manager is having the ability to hear their customers’ concerns. While managers use a variety of ways to listen to their guests, surveys are one of the most successful tools for receiving feedback.

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On the Road to Relief: Restaurant Trends and Opportunities to Watch

Modern Restaurant Management

Restaurant operators have faced stiff headwinds since 2020, with a near-constant swirl of inflation, supply chain and labor challenges. But if last year was any indicator, restaurant operators are on the road to relief in 2024. According to September 2023 numbers from the National Restaurant Association , 49 percent of restaurants reported year-over-year increases in same-store sales.

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How to Pass Health Inspections: Ice Machines and Refrigeration

Modern Restaurant Management

Steering through the maze of health inspections might seem tricky. There's a lot to consider — especially when it comes to your commercial refrigeration and ice machines. But fear not! This friendly guide is here to shed light on the best practices to keep your coolers and ice makers sparkling clean. It's not just about acing health inspections, but also about winning the trust of your customers by letting them know their health and enjoyment are your number one priority.

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Roadmap to Sustainability

Modern Restaurant Management

There is not one simple thing a company can do to be more sustainable–there are dozens that need to done every day, but they are doable. That's one of takeaways in You Can't Market Manure at Lunchtime: And Other Lessons from the Food Industry for Creating a More Sustainable Company by Maisie Ganzler, chief strategy and brand officer of Bon Appétit Management Company.

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