Sadler's Smokehouse Ltd., a processor of premium, pit-smoked meats, introduces Sadler's Slow Roasted Meals, a grocery line of restaurant-quality, family entrees that are seasoned, slow-cooked and go from refrigerator to microwave to table in under five minutes.

Built upon the successful launch of Sadler's Dinner for Two line last fall, the Sadler's Slow Roasted Meals line expands Sadler's grocery store offerings that include authentic, pit smoked meats and other convenient meal combinations that are fully cooked and ready to microwave and serve.

Sadler's Slow Roasted Meals come in affordable 17-ounce packages. Flavorful meals include: Beef Roast with potatoes, carrots and home-style gravy, Turkey Breast with an herbed rice medley, Pork Roast with potatoes, carrots and home-style gravy, and Beef Tips with long grain rice and hearty gravy.

"Our customers want high quality food that feels good and is priced right," said Sadler's CEO Terry O'Brien. "The Sadler's brand is rapidly expanding nationwide as consumers count on us for delicious, convenient and affordable home cooked meals at an excellent value."

Sadler's Slow Roasted Meals are fully cooked and packaged in Simple Steps microwaveable trays for ultimate consumer convenience, food safety and freshness. Sadler's Slow Roasted Meals will soon be available in the fully cooked, refrigerated meat section of major grocers nationwide.

Source: Sadler’s Smokehouse Ltd.

NAMP E. coli conference adds USDA's Engeljohn as speaker

Dr. Dan Engeljohn, FSIS Office of Policy and Program Development, has been added to the program for NAMP’s E. coli O157:H7 Mini-Conference on March 18 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL. Engeljohn was a late addition to cover details about FSIS’ recent initiatives on E. coli O157:H7, including important information about plans to traceback to the supplier when an inspector finds positive product at a downstream grinder. He will also participate with the other speakers in a panel discussion and question and answer session.

Additional featured speakers at the E. coli Mini-Conference include:
• Dr. Dennis Burson, Professor, Meat Extension and Food Safety Specialist, University of Nebraska;
• Tim Biela, Vice-President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, American Foodservice.
• Bobby Palesano, Vice President of Technical Services, International HACCP Alliance.

Source: NAMP

Department of Justice, Bemis reaches agreement in packaging acquisition

Bemis Co. has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice to sell off certain assets in order to buy the Alcan Packaging unit from its parent company for about $1.2 billion. The Justice Department announced that the agreement helps preserve competition in the packaging industry, AP reports.

The settlement requires Bemis to sell all of Alcan's contracts and intellectual property, factories in Catoosa, Okla., and Menasha, Wis., as well as other assets related to the packaging business.

"Without the divestitures, the department said the acquisition would lead to higher prices, lower quality, less favorable supply-chain options, reduced technical support and less innovation," the Justice Department said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the department filed an antitrust lawsuit to block the proposed acquisition but simultaneously filed the proposed settlement to let the deal move forward. The court must approve the settlement.

Source: Associated Press