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Articles by Jim Mann
A Comprehensive Overview
In a resurgence of legal battles over brand identity, Superdry has initiated legal action against Manchester City over the use of the term Super “DRY” on the football club’s training kits. This move comes amidst the sponsorship deal with Asahi’s Super “Dry” beer for the 2023-24 season, highlighting the complexities of trademark infringement in sports sponsorships.
Still Game win trademark battle against Jack Daniels
Defamation settlement reached for Kesha and Dr Luke A defamation lawsuit which has been ongoing for a number of years has finally reached settlement. The dispute was between popstar Kesha and Dr Luke The Importance of Contract Solicitors in Safeguarding Your Business Interests Contracts form the foundation of business relationships, outlining rights, obligations, and expectations.
Andy Warhol images violate copyright laws in US Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court has issued the ruling in the copyright dispute between the Andy Warhol Foundation and photographer Lynn Goldsmith. A long legal dispute over the “Orange Prince” artwork, published in 2016, has resulted in what Goldsmith has described as a “great day for photographers and other artists who make a living by licensing their art” as the court ruled Goldsmith the winner by 7-2 votes. This article will discuss the events that have led to this result.
Letter to the Editor: Hand Hygiene Committee should be re-established
— OPINION — The pubic is the primary loser of last month’s decision by the Conference of Food Protection (CFP) to cancel the proposed re-establishment of the Hand Hygiene Committee, an issue advocated by The Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention (CFI). The biennial meeting, in Houston, TX, took this action, ignoring the impact of a Model Food Code without a standard for a Clean Hand for at least 2 more years: Operators are forced to make hand hygiene decisions without the science.
Top Tips on Preparing Your Business for Exit
Business development Jim Mann · 14 February 2022 The past year has been a tough one for small businesses, with inventory restrictions, supply chain delays, and price compression among other issues. But for those who have built successful businesses, it could well be a good time to sell, with the market stabilising and multiples at historical highs. Some business owners understandably have no interest in looking to sell ‘their baby’, but for other entrepreneurs the moment may feel right to exit.
Why Supply Chain Resilience Is The Ultimate New Year’s Resolution
There’s no time like the New Year for taking stock, reviewing operations and setting out new business goals. And as 2022 looks set to see global supply shortages continue, here, Jim Mann, Director of Acquisitions at Thrasio, explains why building supply chain resilience is one resolution every business must follow to stay primed for growth in the year ahead.
When should your B2C startup enter a new market? – TechCrunch
Jim Mann 7 hours Jim Mann is director of acquisitions at Thrasio , a consumer goods company reimagining omnichannel commerce and consumer products. The toughest questions most entrepreneurs face will involve international expansion. Whether to, when to, where to and how to expand all involve a wealth of complex considerations. The stakes are high: Success could mean the creation of a global multimillion-dollar business, whereas failure can often be fatal to a startup’s long-term viability.
Taking Stock of Technology Could Help SMEs Build Resilience Amid Supply Chain Volatility
As businesses around the UK continue to contend with unprecedented global supply shortages, Thrasio has been quick to assert the importance of a technological-driven approach to supply chain management in order to build resilience. In one of the biggest threats to the UK economy’s post-pandemic recovery, recent reports1 have revealed that stock levels in shops and warehouses have slumped to their lowest since records began some forty years ago.
Jennifer Lyle and Jim Mann: People with dementia deserve to live in a dementia-friendly B.C.
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Opinion: Here in B.C., there are at least 70,000 people living with dementia.
Multi-use paths make sense for all who travel our roads | Opinion
Tallahassseeans like to bike, walk (often with pets and kids!), ride horses, identify spectacular wildlife, and get to gorgeous outdoor destinations without motorized vehicles. Florida Department of Transportation's non-motorized traffic counts indicate that trail use in Leon County jumped 45% from 2019 to 2020. So many of us have developed a real appreciation for the St. Marks Trail, a paved multi-use path that runs along Crawfordville Highway and other arterials.
New Zealand needs urgent action to tackle the frightening rise and cost of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in New Zealand and will get much worse unless action is taken now, according to a new report on the economic and social cost of the disease. Already 228,000 New Zealanders (4.7% of the population) have type 2 diabetes. The estimated annual cost is NZ$2.1 billion — a staggering 0.67% of GDP.
New Zealand needs urgent action to tackle the frightening rise and cost of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in New Zealand and will get much worse unless action is taken now, according to a new report on the economic and social cost of the disease. Already 228,000 New Zealanders (4.7% of the population) have type 2 diabetes. The estimated annual cost is NZ$2.1 billion — a staggering 0.67% of GDP.
USDA survey finds fast-growing organic food sales at nearly $10 billion
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the results of the 2019 Organic Survey. It reports total sales of $9.93 billion in organic products, an increase of $2.37 billion, or 31 percent, from 2016. There were 16,585 certified organic farms, a 17 percent increase from 2016, which accounted for 5.5 million certified acres, an increase of 9 percent over 2016.
EPA gives dicamba five more years with additional restrictions
Dicamba, the broad-spectrum herbicide first registered for farm use in 1967,will be back for the 2021 growing season under new label restrictions from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This past spring, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit did an immediate withdrawal of the registrations of three dicamba herbicide brands. Soybean and cotton farmers who hadn’t already bought enough herbicide to control weeds through this past summer were left hanging.
Coronavirus dominates public concern in Germany
Coronavirus is the main issue concerning Germans, according to a survey by the country’s risk assessment agency. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)’s Consumer Monitor found more than a quarter of the public perceive the virus as the greatest health risk. Only 5 percent mentioned unhealthy or contaminated food. A third of respondents had heard of coronaviruses on food when data was collected in August but only 12 percent are concerned about this.
EU toughens rules for sesame seeds from India
The European Commission has strengthened checks on sesame seeds from India as recalls due to pesticide residue contamination continue. The move was prompted by food safety incidents notified through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal and information from official controls by member states on the seeds from India.
Food Safety News
Paul Kruse, former President of Blue Bell Creameries, remains free on a $50,000 appearance bond that restricts his travel to Texas. His “arraignment by a video” is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 12 on seven federal felony charges related to the 2015 listeria outbreak. At the arraignment, Kruse will enter his “not guilty” plea. But, his defense team is not waiting until then to demand immediate dismissal of all charges against their client.
FSA warns of Salmonella risk in eggs
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning about eggs that could be contaminated with Salmonella. The British Lion eggs were sold in some Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Asda stores in England and Wales in packs of six, 10, 12, and 15. Affected mixed size, medium, large, and very large free-range eggs can be identified by the batch code 1UK15270 stamped on the eggshell and best before date from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, 2020.
IAFP features round table on the challenges and strategies for implementing water treatment in the field
Day Three of the International Association for Food Protection 2020, A Virtual Annual Meeting featured a round table discussion, “This Is How We Do It: Challenges and Strategies for Implementing Water Treatment in the Field,” with speakers with expert knowledge in agricultural water treatment. This is a vital topic in the world of food safety because water is one of the most likely routes of pathogen contamination during fruit and vegetable production.
Mystery surrounds two new E. coli outbreaks with genetic links to past Romaine events
With Halloween only hours away, two new E. coli outbreaks have shown up to haunt the nation’s Romaine growers because genetic links to the past have been discovered. The two outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157: H7 (STEC) illnesses are under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control, and Prevention (CDC), along with various state and local health departments.
WHO food safety expert speaks at IAFP
The Coronavirus pandemic, why producing food is not like selling T-shirts, and technology’s role in outbreak investigation were highlights of a talk today by a food safety expert at the World Health Organization. Peter Ben Embarek gave the John H. Silliker Lecture on this final day of the International Association for Food Protection’s (IAFP) annual conference and meeting.
Food Safety News
The world needs to rally under a new initiative to bring the deadly pig disease known as African Swine fever (ASF) under control. That’s the word from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) the two world bodies calling on all nations to join the Global Control of ASF Initiative. ASF or swine fever is “the other virus” that experts are worried about. It’s on fire from domestic pigs in North Korea to wild boars in Germany.
Hospital food review includes food safety focus
A review into hospital food in England following a fatal Listeria outbreak this past year includes plans to improve food safety. The work, ordered by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock in June 2019, was welcomed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In 2019, nine people developed listeriosis and six died after eating sandwiches supplied to hospitals by the Good Food Chain. The meat was produced by North Country Cooked Meats and distributed by North Country Quality Foods.
Kruse defense team is ready to tell what really happened during 2015 listeria outbreak
When he makes his first court appearance tomorrow in Austin, TX, former Blue Bell Creameries President Paul Kruse will not be alone. Chris Flood of Houston and John D. Cline of San Francisco, the defense team that got him off on the same charges in July, is again defending Kruse, the 66-year old resident of Brenham, TX. This time, Kruse faces charges from a federal Grand Jury indictment for conspiracy and six counts of wire fraud over an alleged cover-up involving the 2015 listeria outbreak.
Experts give insight into food safety in Africa
African experts have highlighted the main food safety concerns, challenges, and potential solutions for the continent at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) virtual annual meeting. The roundtable discussion included specialists from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Gambia. The majority highlighted mycotoxins as one of the top issues. Lucia Anelich, director of Anelich Consulting, presented the situation in South Africa.
U.S. regulatory food safety update from Yiannas and Brashears
Day two of The International Association for Food Protection 2020, A Virtual Annual Meeting featured a “U.S. Regulatory Update on Food Safety,” from Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, and Mindy Brashears, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety of the USDA. Yiannas and Brashears provided insight into the latest information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS).
Researchers call for change in approach to Listeria in low risk foods
Researchers have provided alternatives to the zero-tolerance approach used in the United States to manage Listeria in low-risk foods. The U.S. has this method for all ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, regardless of risk profile, so all positive tests prompt a recall. “A blanket zero-tolerance policy for all RTE foods provides a very strong disincentive for zone 1 (product contact surface) testing, as well as a significant disincentive for finished product testing.
Faster line speeds may not be the food safety issue some thought
During the modernization era for meat and poultry, how fast carcasses are moved across the slaughter floor is an issue that’s created controversies involving both food safety and worker safety. Line speed, as it is called, is a current issue before multiple federal Courts and Congress. Dr. Mindy Brashears, Under Secretary of USDA for Food Safety, inherited the task of resolving modernization issues from the previous and current administrations.
IAFP attendees urged to ‘think big’ to tackle challenges
Caroline Smith DeWaal today told IAFP delegates to think big when tackling challenges of the 21st century as she opened the virtual event. The deputy director of EatSafe (Evidence and Action Towards Safe, Nutritious Food) at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), gave the Ivan Parkin Lecture called “Audacious Innovation: Critical Tools for the 21st Century” at the International Association for Food Protection’s (IAFP) annual conference and meeting.
Austria hit by two large outbreaks in 2019
Fewer than 50 foodborne outbreaks were reported across Austria this past year but two of them involved more than 300 people. In connection with the 48 outbreaks, 793 people became ill. This is a sharp increase compared to 222 patients in 52 outbreaks in 2018. Two large outbreaks were recorded in 2019, one caused by norovirus, which sickened 350 people, and a salmonellosis outbreak with 321 patients.
PathogenDx and Prevenio team up to identify and eradicate harmful pathogens
PathogenDx, a Scottsdale, AZ tech company that has developed a DNA-based pathogen testing platform, is partnering with Prevenio, a provider of automated food processing and pathogen protection systems, to provide the first-ever closed-loop system to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses. The two companies are coming together to find solutions that will enable food producers to identify and eradicate harmful pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.
Companies put of notice for salmonella on pig ear dog treats and foriegn import violations.
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems. The Lennox, International, Inc.
Part three: Preparing for your remote audit | Food Safety News
In part three of this four-part series with SafetyChain Software, Food Safety News outlines critical steps companies should take to prepare for a remote audit. As new technologies and work methods make their way into the food industry, companies have the option to step away from traditional in-person auditing processes and switch to a remote audit.
Food Safety News
For the first time in 75 years, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) isn’t filling the hotel and conference rooms of a lucky city with close to 5,000 of its members attending its annual meetings. Because the coronavirus pandemic continues, IAFP’s 2020 Annual Meeting is underway virtually, beginning today and running through Wednesday. Only twice since it began in 1911 has IAFP skipped its annual meetings, both times during the dark days of World War II.
IAFP 2020 recognizes award winners with short video presentations
The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) is recognizing its award winners a bit differently this time. With this year’s meeting being online, the IAFP is recognizing its winners with personalized award videos. Below is a list of the 2020 International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Award recipients. You can learn more about this year’s recipients and the history behind each award by watching their videos.
Deli meats suspected for causing 3-state Listeria outbreak: 1 Death
Public health officials in the United States have confirmed that ten people, all requiring hospitalization, are infected with an outbreak strain of Listeria according to reports from three states–Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. One death in Florida is associated with the outbreak.
Domestic ETEC infections likely underestimated in U.S.
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is an underestimated source of domestically acquired illness in the United States, according to researchers. A study, published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection, looked at ETEC infections reported to the Minnesota Department of Health during 2016 and 2017.
Nine dead in China from contaminated corn noodles
Nine people from the same family have died in China after consuming homemade corn noodles. The family had eaten a local dish known as suantangzi earlier this month in the northeastern Heilongjiang province. All nine people fell ill several hours after having the food which is made from fermented corn flour. Three younger members of the family did not eat the meal. It is thought the homemade food had been frozen in the family’s refrigerator for up to one year.
Salmonella dominates events involving INFOSAN
Salmonella dominated hazards dealt with by a global food safety network in the third quarter of 2020. The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) was involved in 37 events from July to September compared to 29 incidents in 2Q 2020. Ten of 18 biological hazard incidents involved Salmonella while the next highest was E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes with two each. Norovirus, Pseudomonas spp., Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter spp.
Hundreds of IAFP posters detail the latest in food safety technology
This year’s IAFP 2020 event, “A Virtual Annual Meeting”, Oct. 26-28 will feature hundreds of poster presentations detailing current information on a variety of topics relating to food safety. The posters provide quantity and quality of information on the latest methods and technologies available. The posters are available for advanced viewing for registered attendees here. This year’s posters sessions are divided into three groupings: Session 1, Monday, Oct.
UK hit hardest by outbreak linked to Brazil nuts; no cases in U.S. yet
More than 120 people are part of a multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to Brazil nuts. Since August 2019, the outbreak, caused by Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Anatum, has affected three European Union countries, the United Kingdom and Canada. The United States was one of more than 30 countries that received Brazil nuts from Bolivia contaminated with Salmonella.
FSA chief sounds alarm on local authority funding
The head of the Food Standards Agency has said she is increasingly worried about the impact of local authority funding shortages on food safety. Emily Miles said the coronavirus pandemic has served as a reminder of the financial problems local authorities have had to contend with in recent years. The FSA chief executive spoke on day two of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) food safety conference, which runs through today. For highlights of day one click here.
Activists successfully defend California law imposed on sale of out-of-state farm products
Sometimes lawyers talk about being able to use a knothole in the law that allows them to pull through much more of their own arguments than one might ordinarily expect. California has managed to rely on just such a “knothole,” with requirements for housing chickens and now pigs that must be adhered to for access to the California market for animals not raised in the state.
Leaders speak about how their agencies have responded in the wake of the pandemic
ROSEMONT, IL — Yesterday’s Food Safety Summit’s annual Town Hall Q&A featured top regulators and agency leaders from FDA, USDA, AFDO and CDC. They talked about their agency’s work during the past year, with a special focus on how their work has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Frank Yiannas Deputy Commissioner Food Policy and Response FDA Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the Food and Drug Administration.
Organic Herbal Tea Recalled Due to Salmonella
A retailer has recalled 2,659 pounds of Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea produced by a Washington state company because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. Atlanta-based Teavana Corporation announced the voluntary, nationwide recall Monday of tea produced by Aromatics Inc. in Basin City, a small town in Eastern Washington. Teavana, in a news release, said Aromatics exclusively produces and distributes Teavana’s Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea.
CIEH event covers food safety challenges during COVID-19
Delegates on the opening day of an online conference have heard about the current challenges to food safety during the coronavirus pandemic. The first day of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) event, which runs through Friday, featured speakers from UKHospitality, DEFRA, Just Eat, and the Cold Chain Federation. Lisa Ackerley, a food safety adviser to UKHospitality, said in the early days of the pandemic some of the immediate challenges concerned what to do with stock.
Conventional and cultured industries express goals for federal labels
The industry of animal cell-based/cultured technology has not yet brought any products to market, but the entry is fast approaching and applicable federal labels are soon going to be required.
Grand jury charges former Blue Bell President Paul Kruse with wire fraud and conspiracy
A Texas grand jury has charged the former president of ice cream manufacturer Blue Bell Creameries L.P. with wire fraud and conspiracy in connection with an alleged scheme to cover up the company’s sales of Listeria-tainted ice cream in 2015, the Justice Department announced today.
Salmonella in horse meat linked to two deaths in France
Two people have died after eating raw or undercooked horse meat, according to French public health officials. Santé publique France has provided more details on two outbreaks linked to consumption of horse meat in summer and autumn. French authorities revealed the illnesses earlier this month. The first epidemic with 20 patients sick because of Salmonella Newport was detected by the National Reference Center for Salmonella at the Institut Pasteur in August this year.
State disease detectives share details of investigation practices
ROSEMONT, IL — Three panelists from two different states discussed the investigations of romaine lettuce outbreaks and generated wide-ranging questions during a session at Food Safety Summit 2020. For the first time, a summit is a virtual event, out of precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, which began Monday, runs through tomorrow and features, among other things, a forum for vendors similar to the traditional trade show plus dozens of live educational sessions.
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