Food Roundup: China Safety Debate, Smithfield Union Delay, Kellogg Severance Pay, and More

(MoneyWatch)  China postpones food safety debate -- The Chinese legislature will not debate proposed revisions to its food safety laws until early next year, in order to allow more time for evaluation. Melamine contamination and other food safety scandals have led the country to reevaluate its current policies. [Source: AP]

Smithfield union certification delayed -- The National Labor Relations Board delayed its certification of a Smithfield Packing Company plant's vote for a union in North Carolina. The vote came after 16 years of struggle and lawsuits; the board said it was waiting to see if any objections had been mailed before the comment deadline. [Source: AP]

Kellogg cuts severance pay -- The company reduced potential severance payments for some senior officers, including the CEO and CFO. If terminated, executives will now get twice their base pay instead of three times, and two years of benefits instead of three years. [Source: Reuters]

UK Food Standards Agency scam -- The FSA is warning food companies about a scam in which companies receive fake letters demanding that the businesses pay money or face FSA prosecution for food law violations. The FDA warned of a similar scam in the U.S. in November. [Source: FoodProductionDaily]