Prepared Foods talks to Anthony C. Seta, CMC, director of Culinary Services at Butterball LLC, Garner, N.C.

Gorton's Seafood has reinvented its iconic product. Gorton's all new Smart & Crunchy Fish Sticks are hitting shelves across the country and are expected to be available nationally by early 2015.

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) released a comprehensive, scientific report detailing why ocean-based aquaculture (fish farming) can never be certified organic.

Barkaat Foods, a Chicago-based, Zabiha Halal protein processor, recently announced that it secured a Shariah-compliant credit facility from FirstMerit Corporation (FirstMerit) and Prairie Street Capital with the help of Sikich Investment Banking (Shariah law is the moral code and religious law of Islam). Barkaat will use this capital to expand its existing operations and develop new product lines. Barkaat expects to double its current staff of 40 people in the next year.

Best known for its tuna, Chicken of the Sea® is capitalizing on its leadership in salmon with this month’s launch of a new line of Flavored Salmon Pouches specially formulated to offer a healthy, convenient and tasty lunch alternative to traditional midday salads, sandwiches and rice bowls.

Research shows that turkey usage has increased by 6% from 2012 to 2013, and more than 60% of operators who menu turkey agree that it can be used as an alternative for other proteins.

Burke Corporation, a leading provider of fully cooked meat products to manufacturers, recently launched three new breakfast meats: Spicy Breakfast Sausage, Maple-Flavored Breakfast Sausage, and Corned Beef Crumbles.

As U.S. consumers look to increase their intake of protein about half of them feel animal protein, namely meat and fish, is still considered the best source of protein.

Johnsonville Fully Cooked Breakfast Links retail for $3.99 for 12 links (or 9.6 oz.), and are available in three flavors: Original Recipe, Vermont Maple Syrup and Turkey (featuring 70% less fat). Made with premium cuts of pork and a signature spice blend, the new Johnsonville breakfast links are easily prepared by warming up in the microwave for 30 seconds.

USDA officials have approved a five-fold increase in the level of tomato lycopene allowed as a colorant in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products.