Nothing is impossible. Well, almost nothing…but have you tasted an Impossible Burger yet? If not, you’re in for a treat. They recently changed and improved their product formulation and it’s even better than before! As of April 2019, all restaurant partners should now be selling the new,updated recipe. Their aim with the new formulation is …
Crop News
Europe Struck Again With Severe Heat!
United States Northwest green pea harvest is completed. Some are reporting lower yields while others say they are on budget. However with a shortage in the Midwest and in Europe we can expect green pea prices to be rising as demand for green peas is falling on Northwest processors. Sweet corn harvest began in most …
Food Safety
GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT FSMA?
With the implementation of new Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, come many questions. Here are just a few of the most frequently asked questions today that may be of interest to you and the FDA response to those questions. For additional information, please be sure to visit www.fda.gov/fsma What are the major requirements under …
Crop News
Raspberry Season Begins in PNW
United States Northewest green pea harvest is underway. To date harvest seems to be going well with no major issues to report. The season began later than usual and some were worried about bunching. Quality is reported as good, although some are expecting a decline in yields by about 10%. Future weather conditions along with …
Food Safety
FSMA Compliance Even More Important As Frozen Berries Come Under Scrutiny For Norovirus & Hepatitis A
Norovirus is a contagious virus causing vomiting and diarrhea nausea and stomach pains and outbreaks are quite common. It spreads easily and quickly through contaminated food products as well as from other people and contaminated surfaces. Since one in six Americans gets sick from eating contaminated food each year, it is in everyone’s best interest …
Trending
Superfood Smoothies A Popular & Healthy Trend That Continues To Grow
Everyone loves a smoothie! And why not? These creamy, smooth and frosty concoctions are not only healthy and energizing, they are highly nutritious, delicious and convenient as well. Smoothies continue to gain popularity today globally across many market segments with sales projected to reach US$17 billion by 2024. Here’s why. Smoothies satisfy many needs; they …
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Food Safety
Unblanched IQF Vegetables – Can Microbiology be Controlled? Part 2
This is part 2 of a 2-part series on alternatives to blanching. There are typically 5 common blanching alternatives. We outlined 2 of them in our May Food Safety section and as promised, this month, we outline the remaining 3 which can be considered microbiological reduction steps: Peracetic acid treatment Peracetic acid, also known as …
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Trending
Tariff & Non-Tariff Trade Barriers They’re Not Good For Anyone
On May 18, 2019, an agreement was reached between Canada, the U.S.A. and Mexico that ended all US Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. In return, Canada and Mexico eliminated the retaliatory tariffs they had put in place such as the 20% duty on U.S. frozen potatoes sold into Mexico (Mexico is the third …
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Crop News
Uncertainty in the U.S. Pea Market
United States Here in the Northwest, Green Pea plantings are completed. Harvest should begin in another 10 to 12 days, about 2 weeks later than usual. Weather conditions have been very good for pea growing and to date the crop is doing well. Some processors decided to cut back acres, due to the late planting …
Food Safety
Unblanched IQF Vegetables – Can Microbiology be Controlled?
It has been recognized since the 1930’s that water and/or steam blanching vegetables is necessary to inactivate enzymes prior to freezing. Without inactivating enzymes such as lipoxygenase, products can oxidize, develop off-flavors, and experience color-degradation during frozen storage. In more recent years, blanching for food safety purposes has become relevant, especially as it relates to …
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Crop News
Northwest Potatoes Starting to Emerge
United States Green Pea plantings should be coming to completion sometime this month. Even though plantings got off to a late start weather has been favorable and the crop is coming along well. Most processors should start production of peas by middle June which is later than usual due to the late start of plantings. …
Trending
Sweet Potato In, Sweet Corn Out!
Figures released last month by the U.S.D.A. Census of Agriculture show that trends behind America’s farms and diets are changing. Leafy Greens, including kale, along with sweet potatoes, once thought to be fads are now changing America’s terrain. Sweet potato acreage increased almost 38% from 2012 to 2017. White potatoes along with white flour and …
Food Safety
FDA Introduces New Strategies for Evaluating the Safety of Imported Foods
In February 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published “Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food,” a new resource designed to ensure food safety. The resource is just one part of the larger plan for food safety in 2020 as the FDA requests $6.1 billion to improve its ability to detect and respond …
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Crop News
Late Plantings For Green Peas and Potatos
United States Green Pea plantings are finally underway! Plantings began, depending on the area, between March 18 and March 25th. It is the latest start to pea planting in recent memory for the Pacific Northwest region. The frequent bouts of snow, rain and extreme cold prevented on schedule pea plantings. Many growers would not contract …
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Trending
Frozen Food Is Making a Strong Comeback
As consumers search for healthier alternatives to their favorite foods, frozen food producers and grocery retailers are taking note. Although virtually all households purchase frozen food–spending nearly a collective $57 billion annually–consumers may not be aware of the full range of healthy products now available to them. Grocery retailers sell more frozen entrees than any …
Crop News
Plantings Delayed In The Pacific Northwest
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 …
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Food Safety
Canada Enacts New Food Safety Law
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 …
Trending
Tomato Sushi Anyone?
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 …
Trending
Experts Call for a US-Japan Bilateral Trade Agreement
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 …
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Food Safety
Federal Shutdown Impacts Food Inspections
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 …
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