Pushing Trade Promotion Authority & Chobani Expanding

Pushing Trade Promotion Authority & Chobani Expanding plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

You'd think that something like the Obama Administrations Trade Promotion Authority would be a slam dunk for the Democrats. Interestingly enough it is the Republicans that are in the Obama camp on this one and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said regardless it is important to get one done.

VILSACK: I think it's also important for people as they look at issues involving Trade Promotion Authority and these agreements to understand what the risk is if we don't get an agreement. Take TPP for example, it represents a fairly significant percentage of the gross domestic product of the world, roughly 40%. It's 42% of our total exports today. If we're not part of the negotiations and agreements then regional trade agreements will be reached; bi-lateral trade agreements with our competitors will be reached and we will lose market share.

Idaho's Chobani plant is looking to expand. Officials in Twin Falls have approved a $3.5 million expansion of a Greek yogurt plant. The addition to the $450 million plant will add to its packaging and filling rooms on the east side. Chobani officials said they reached a production milestone in December, producing more than 1 million cases of yogurt a week. The company says there's room for additional expansion.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

So what is the story behind the Food and Drug Administration's proposed changes to food labels? FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg says the proposed changes will "help consumers make better more informed choices about the foods they eat and help support a healthy diet". For example, calories will be shown in big bold numbers on nutrition labels and a listed portion sizes will reflect realistic amounts eaten by the vast majority of people - a whole cup of ice cream as opposed to the currently listed 1/2 cup. Perhaps we should be eating only a 1/2 a cup of ice cream, but seriously who eats just a 1/2 cup of ice cream? The FDA also proposes to require information on the amount of added sugars in food products. And while the proposed food labels will continue to require the types of fats and total fat amounts, the "calories from fat" listing would be removed. There has been a divided response to the proposed food label changes from legislators as well as the average consumer. Some feel it is an unnecessary and financially burdensome change, while others say the proposed changes to food labels is long overdue. What do you think? The FDA is accepting public comment on the proposed changes for 90 days.

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.