United States The frequent bouts of snow, rain and extreme cold in the Midwest has left the soil saturated over almost the entire eastern half of the United States. Conditions in the Northwest (Oregon and Washington are not much better. Heavy snow and cold this winter season has left the ground frozen and still covered …
Continue reading “Plantings Delayed In The Pacific Northwest”
Beginning on January 15, 2019, Canada gained access to new food safety enforcement tools. The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) will enhance the Canadian government’s ability to proactively prevent food safety issues. Instead of 14 different sets of regulations, SFCR condenses regulations to one central resource that is currently being enforced. The regulations apply …
Fewer than one in ten Americans describe themselves as vegetarian, but plant-based foods are more popular than ever. According to new research, plant-based food sales were up 20% in 2017, soaring to $3.3 billion. Plant-based meat alternatives are especially gaining popularity, with a 24% increase in sales that resulted in $670 million – compared to …
Two years after the United States withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the United States and Japan have reopened negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement. The talks are a welcome development, especially in light of the Japan – European Union Trade Agreement which went into effect on February 1st of this year. That agreement will remove …
Continue reading “Experts Call for a US-Japan Bilateral Trade Agreement”
With the partial government shut down on December 22, 2018, FDA inspectors were among thousands of federal employees who were furloughed halting regulation policy work and eliminating key food inspections. During a typical week when the government is fully functioning, FDA inspectors visit approximately 160 domestic food manufacturing and processing plants. The FDA is responsible …
Continue reading “Federal Shutdown Impacts Food Inspections”
United States There is high demand for processed potatos due to shortages in Europe. Added capacity is coming on line in both the Colombia Basin and Idaho, which will result in extra finished product and it is expected that there will be enough product to keep those lines running at capacity. However the real challenge will …
United States Potato harvest for processing potatos is completed in the Pacific Northwest and reports are that there will be plenty of potatos to keep factories running at capacity. However high demand due to shortages in Europe is making for a tight market. Added capacity is coming on line in both the Colombia Basin and …
The predictions are in, and 2019 is shaping up to be an adventurous time to browse supermarket aisles and restaurant menus in America. Global flavors predominantly Indian and Middle Eastern, meat and dairy alternatives, and wellness trends are expected to boom in the new year. Above all, people want to consume foods that promote health …
We at Noon recently came across an article in “Food Safety Magazine, titled “Managing Food Safety Risk in a Foreign Supplier Verification Program”, by Dr. John W. Reade. Dr. Reade’s article was captivating and brought to the forefront the reasoning behind FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) as well as key elements to have a successful …
Canned corn prices are on the rise – there are numerous reaons including labor and energy costs, however one area of concern is the rising tin plate cost. Tinplate is made primarily of steel or sometimes iron and contains 1-2% tin. This blend of metals resists corrosion, making it safe to store even highly acidic …
Continue reading “Rising Tinplate Costs May Spike Prices for Canned Goods”
On November 20, 2018, the FDA warned consumers to avoid romaine lettuce after linking it to a new outbreak of foodborne illness. People began reporting illness between October 8 and October 30, with 32 reported illnesses across 11 states at the time of the first announcement. This includes 13 people who were hospitalized. This latest …
Continue reading “Produce Industry Still Facing Food Safety Challenges”
United States Corn harvest is now completed. Most suppliers came in on budget, with favorable quality, however the market is still tight due to demand. The cooler weather at the end of harvest slowed growth down and some report that yields did suffer during the last days of harvest. The pea market has continued to …
The world of truck transportation as we knew it has completely changed since the end of December 2017 when E – Log rules went into effect which strictly monitors the length of time a driver can drive in a 24 hour period. The mandate for trucks to use this electronic log book was fully impletmented …
Among many safety concerns of consumers regarding food supply is that of cancer causing chemicals to be found in their food. Here to put your mind at rest are the findings of the most recent FDA study of the Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program for 2016. The FDA began the Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program in 1987 …
Continue reading “FDA Releases Report on 2016 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program”
United States Corn harvest is now completed. Most suppliers came in on budget, with favorable quality, however the market is still tight due to demand. The cooler weather at the end of harvest slowed growth down and some report that yields did suffer during the last days of harvest. The pea market has continued to …
Continue reading “Both Mexico And Europe Struggle With Crops This Season”
Weather is changing, Autumn is upon us. United States The weather has started to turn in the Pacific Northwest. Cool, crisp mornings with late afternoon warmth for a short period before night cools back down has hit the Columbia Basin this week. The days are becoming shorter and you can see the start of the …
Have you ever heard the saying “God made dirt, so dirt don’t hurt”? Wonder if that is a true statement or just something that some school children made up when they were throwing it at each other? I believe there is some truth to this statement– Being in the food industry we understand that listeria …
This month, China announced new trade tariffs that will affect $60 billion worth of products produced in the United States. China’s announcement is in response to recently imposed duties on $200 billion of imported Chinese goods. Earlier this year, the United States also upped fees on Chinese products valued at $34 billion and imposed a …
Continue reading “China Imposes New Trade Tariffs on $60 Billion of American Products”
If you’ve ever fallen victim to food poisoning, you probably remember the meal that caused it. But you’re probably not sure which underlying bacteria caused your symptoms and discomfort. Clostridium perfringens is a common culprit. Caused by a bacteria that thrives at room temperature, C. perfringens commonly affects cafeteria settings, where food is prepared in …
Continue reading “Do You Know What Clostridium Perfringens Is?”
United States It has been an unusually warm and sunny summer in the Pacific Northwest and crops came on quickly.Green Peasarrived fast and furious causing the season to begin early and end early. Some manufacturers had a difficult time keeping up with the crop and some peayields were lost. A few suppliers report good yields …
Continue reading “Limited Potato Supply Out Of Europe This Season”