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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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. …
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 …
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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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 …
Continue reading “Late Plantings For Green Peas and Potatos”
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 …
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 …
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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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Chile Green Pea season in Chile is now over and corn season is underway. To date all reports coming from Chile looks to be a good season for both peas and corn. Raspberry season is also underway in Chile. United States There is high demand for processed potatos due to shortages in Europe. Added capacity is …
China Fuijan Province Edamame: Crop is healthy; however the new tariffs will play a large role in the coming season’s export of Edamame. Peak harvest is now underway. Water Chestnut harvest has been delayed due to weather. We expect the season to commence this month. Zhejiang Province Broccoli and Cauliflower is underway and to date …
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 …
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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”
Canada Pototo crop losses in Prince Edward Island and Manitoba are hurting production capacity in fry plants there. Approximately a 9% decrease in yields in these areas are prompting factories to ship in potatos from other areas of Canada and the U.S.A. at increased costs. Weather conditions were wet and cold during the end of …
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”