50 YEARS AGO

Dec. 10, 1971: Washington—The Canadian Dairy Commission indicated that Canada will need to import butter before the end of the year. Trade sources have been reporting that there would be a butter shortage in Canada this winter, and butter purchases from the US might be necessary.

Washington—Famed heart specialist Dr. Paul White said that physical inactivity, smoking and rich diets all contribute to heart disease, but “total calories are probably more important than the right kind of food. We just plain eat too much food and too well in our country.”

25 YEARS AGO

Dec. 6, 1996: Delft, the Netherlands—Royal Gist-Brocades N.V. has acquired the dairy ingredients business of Cultor Food Science, Inc., New York, NY. Turnover of this business amounts to about $6 million. No production facilities or employees are included in the transaction; rather, Gist-Brocades acquires Surecurd, Neutral Lactase and cultures for cheese production.

Washington—President Clinton will sign a directive making it his administration’s policy to promote food recovery and to assure that no wholesome food goes to waste that can be provided to those in need. The US General Accounting Office estimated that up to 20 percent of all food produced in the US for human consumption goes to waste.

10 YEARS AGO

Dec. 9, 2011: Chicago— Another “Freedom Ride” in protest of FDA’s ban on distributing raw milk across state lines took place this week, with a group of mothers and activists hauling raw milk contraband from Wisconsin to Chicago’s Independence Park. Federal law prohibits interstate distribution of raw milk for human consumption.

Northfield, IL—Anthony Vernon has been tapped as the new CEO of Kraft Foods North America grocery division. Irene Rosenfeld, current chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods, will be chairman and CEO of Kraft’s new global snacks business. John Cahill has also been named non-executive chairman of Kraft Foods.