Tumwater, WA — Washington state has begun the development process for a rule to address work-related musculoskeletal disorders among airline ground crews.

Washington — Although oral fluid drug testing is a federally approved alternative for truck drivers and other transportation workers in safety-sensitive positions, a key hurdle stands in the way.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is inviting all employers in the state to take part in its 16th annual “Safety Break for Oregon” to help raise awareness and promote “the value of keeping people safe and healthy” on the job.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent final rule banning methylene chloride for consumer use has advocacy groups and lawmakers concerned that continued commercial use of the hazardous chemical leaves workers at risk.

Iowa City, IA — A NIOSH-funded study of farm machinery found that the machine operators experienced whole-body vibration at levels that reached the European Union’s “action level” for exposure limit within two hours of operation on nearly 30 percent of the equipment tested.

Washington — Chemical Safety Board interim Executive Authority Kristen Kulinowski said she will “do everything in my power to maintain as many of the functions of the CSB as are permissible by law” as the agency comes closer to operating with just one of its five board seats filled – hers.

Watertown, SD — A new video from the National Association of Tower Erectors highlights the importance of properly inspecting and using safety climb systems installed on communication towers.

Portland, ME — The University of Southern Maine, in conjunction with the Maine Small Business Development Center, has launched a series of free online training modules intended to help employers and workers in the retail and food service industries prevent workplace violence.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, is seeking comment on proposed significant new use rules for six chemical substances that are subject to agency premanufacture notices.

By manufacturing local to the source, Ingredion is able to manage the entire supply chain, from farm to customer, enabling the company to provide its customers with a consistent, reliable supply with unparalleled traceability.

The California-based subsidiary of one of the world’s top flavor and fragrance companies has unveiled a patented new technology that produces rich-tasting, creamy low-fat foods and beverages – all while reducing reliance on increasingly expensive edible oil additives. 

Kraft brand added five aiolis and sauces to its diverse product portfolio with the new Creamy Sauces line. Creamy Sauces marks the first innovation line to launch under the new Kraft Sauces rebrand, which consolidates all sauces, spreads, and salad dressings under one family for the first time.

Four sauce flavors, which can be used for dipping, cooking and more, are debuting at grocery stores and retailers across the country: Sweet Onion Teriyaki, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Baja Chipotle and Creamy Italian MVP.

The Jackson Safety* Airmax Elite Powered Air Purifying Respirator protects workers from the respiratory dangers of welding fumes and heat stress – without sacrificing visibility.

Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks food and beverage innovation strategy, topics and trends with Mario DiFalco and Kim Lopez-Walters, co-founders of Illuminate Growth Partners in the San Francisco Bay area.

Earlier this year, the Oregon cheesemakers at Tillamook released a comprehensive trend report on new ways consumers are finding to enjoy cheese. Two intriguing pairings revealed by the report included matching artisanal honeys with artisanal cheeses, and what the trend-spotters called “the cheddar plunge”.

Listen to a new Prepared Foods interview with Editor Bob Garrison and Carolina Sasson, Chief Operating Officer at Mission Field, recapping trends, tastes and technologies seen at Natural Products Expo West.

Prepared Foods explores sustainability and ingredient “upcycling” with Amanda Oenbring, new CEO of the Upcycled Food Association.

New research from scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that there are fewer calories in roasted, unroasted, whole or chopped almonds than previously thought.

Innova Market Insights finds various product claims targeting the weight-conscious consumer. They include “no added sugar,” “low fat,” “low calorie” and others.

Consumers are looking for nutritious and delicious products with enhanced protein that also taste good. They also seek non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian and sustainably sourced ingredients in the products they purchase.

Ajinomoto’s zero-calorie sweetener, advantame, has been approved in Canada.  Due to its clean, sugar-like taste, functionality and cost effectiveness, advantame can be used to replace caloric sweeteners and other high-potency sweeteners in foods and beverages while maintaining or enhancing the flavor profile.

Made from GLG’s proprietary high Reb M Dream SweetenerTM Stevia Leaf, this next generation stevia product line facilitates sugar replacement with better-tasting, low-calorie natural sweetening systems and solutions that provide a sugar-like sensory experience.

Second-generation stevia extracts were all about high-purity Reb A. In contrast, today’s third-generation stevia extracts are based on better tasting steviol glycosides with the highest commercial value, Reb A, B, C, D and M. 

Cargill pioneered and debuted its fermentation technology in October 2015 with the commercial launch of EverSweet™ Reb D and Reb M sweetener, which enables food and beverage makers to create great-tasting products with deep calorie reductions. 

Sigma Syrup provides superior taste and overcomes solubility challenges encountered when using other stevia sweeteners in products, which are high in sweetness intensity, such as syrups and liquid tabletop sweeteners.

Ready for use in creative food and beverage innovations, SweeGen’s Bestevia Rebaudioside B has received the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) Letter of No Objection from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Gatsby’s breakthrough product delivers melt-in-your mouth indulgence and achieves unheard-of calorie reduction—thanks to Epogee’s EPG GMO-free, plant-based fat alternative technology. The result is a deliciously satisfying chocolate experience with significantly less calories.

Washington — Vehicle-related incidents contributed to more than a quarter of worker deaths in the oil and gas extraction industry over a recent six-year period, a recently published report shows.

Washington — A Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule that would require mine operators to have a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment is a step closer to publication.

Hobbs, NM — Recently introduced legislation would establish a trust fund to reimburse energy sector workers for health care costs associated with poor air quality and intense heat.

Washington — A Mine Safety and Health Administration proposed rule intended to reduce worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica “does not demand enough from operators,” Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Alma Adams (D-NC) claim.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has awarded nine organizations a total of $1 million through the agency’s Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants Program.

Arlington, VA — Five miners in the past two years have died in incidents involving water, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says.

Washington — A special issue of the journal Seminars in Hearing “shines a light” on NIOSH’s efforts to prevent on-the-job hearing loss.

Arlington, VA — Miners working alone should always tell a responsible person their location and travel path through a mine, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says.

Washington — Democratic lawmakers have renewed their push to ease access to health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease.

Arlington, VA — Keeping miners safe during cold weather is the focus of a new alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Washington — Four organizations recently earned recognition from NIOSH for their use of technology and creativity to advance miner safety and health.

Arlington, VA — Mine operators will soon be required to have a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment “developed and updated with input from miners and their representatives.”

Washington — The death of an offshore worker conducting a pressure test on a well surface casing has prompted the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to issue a safety alert.

Washington — A long-anticipated Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule intended to reduce miners’ exposure to silica has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review.

Arlington, VA — Miners operating mobile equipment near water should always examine the worksite, remain a safe distance from the water’s edge and wear a seat belt.

Unveiled March 6, the tool allows users to locate multiple types of health care facilities and specialists.

Frankfort, KY — A bill that would reduce – to one from two – the number of mine emergency technicians required during each shift at small underground coal mines is advancing in the Kentucky Legislature.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has recorded 70% fewer miner deaths through the first 10 weeks of 2024 than during the same period in 2022 and 2023.

Washington — OSHA’s budget will remain unchanged in fiscal year 2024, under new legislation signed into law March 23.

Washington — The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Moshe Marvit to serve on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a long-anticipated final rule that lowers miners’ permissible exposure limit to respirable crystalline silica.

Arlington, VA — Eleven miners in the past six months have been injured as a result of an arc flash, according to a new safety alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.