Meet the Latest in Delicious High-Tech Fruit In 2015 Hiroki Koga came to California from Japan where he had worked as a consultant in the vertical farming industry. Although this industry initially failed in Japan due to expense, Koga knew this very “tech-savvy technology” could be successful if he found the right way to use …
Food Safety
New Rules from China for Food Importation
If you export food and/or beverages to China, take note of the new rules recently announced by China. AFFI has provided a synopsis of the two decrees – Decree 248 and 249 from Hogan Lovells. Basically, all overseas food manufacturers, processors and storage facilities must be registered with the GACC – General Administration of Customs …
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Crop News
Green Pea Harvest Has Started!
United States Green Pea harvest is now underway in the Pacific Northwest. High temperatures over the last week has brought on the season quickly. Dry land pea fields are suffering due to lack of rain, and we may see a 40% to 50% reduction on yields for those that grow on dry land without irrigation. …
Food Safety
FDA Opens Industry Portal for FSVP Records Submission
Reprinted from fda.gov – CFSCAN Constituent Updates On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened the FSVP Importer Portal for FSVP Records Submission (Portal) for importers of human and animal and human food into the U.S. The FDA established the Portal to serve as a dedicated, streamlined way for importers to submit FSVP records electronically …
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Consumers Feel the Pinch of Rising Food Prices
Most Americans have become used to low inflation, but all that is changing now. Although the price increases are difficult for many, most are not surprised. Let’s look back over the last 12-14 months. In March 2020 most of the global economy slowed to a standstill. In the retail and hospitality industry many workers were …
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Food Safety
FDA Updates Guidance on UFI (Unique Facility Identifier) And Extends Registration Update Period
The FDA requires that facilities provide a UFI (Unique Facility Identifier) that is recognized as acceptable by the FDA when you submit your food facility registration or renewal in the Food Facility Registration Module (FFRM). The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has recently updated the guidance on compliance. This latest guidance supersedes the …
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Amazon or Walmart For Online Shopping?
These days we take a lot of things for granted; especially how easy it is to shop online! For many of us, those days of shopping at the mall are almost a thing of the past as we look instead to purchase online from Amazon or Walmart, two of the world’s largest e-commerce stores. After …
Crop News
Severe Drought Condition Is Hurting California Agriculture
United States Pea plantings are now completed, with green pea processing in the Northwest expected to begin end May /first week of June. Sweet corn and green bean plantings now underway with about 20% to 25% of sweet corn in the ground in the Pacific Northwest. Commodity prices on grain corn and soybean rose sharply …
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Popularity of Plant-Based Food Continues to Grow Flexitarians Now 30% of the Market
What was once considered a fad is here to stay. Enter a Burger King franchise and enjoy the Impossible Burger or try a Beyond Meat patty at McDonald’s. Consumers can now find plant-based meat alternatives in their favorite grocery store or fast-food chain. Burger King just introduced the “Impossible Whopper” in Ontario, Canada on March …
Food Safety
Working Closely Together The U.S. & Mexico Strengthen Food Safety Ties
The FDA is hard at work in collaborative efforts with the Mexican government and food producers of Mexico in order to strengthen food safety measures. And it’s no wonder since “about one-third of all agency-regulated human food imported into the U.S. is from Mexico, including 60% of our fresh-produce imports.” The agencies in Mexico responsible …
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Crop News
Corn Planting Begins in U.S. This Month
United States Potato and green pea planting is currently underway. To date at least 50% of the green peas are in the ground in the Northwest area. Sweet corn and green bean plantings should begin sometime this month, while Midwest pea plantings should start sometime in the next week or two. USDA predicts farmers will …
Crop News
U.S Planting Begins for New Season Peas and Potatoes
United States Potato and pea planting should commence this week or next. Grower negotiations are still ongoing. Grower prices for raw material sweet corn is expected to increase about 10% to 15% this year in the Northwest while we have heard Midwest region expecting increases of as high as 20%. USDA predicts farmers will plant …
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Japanese Blueberry Variety KUNISATO NO. 35 May Play Important Role in Fighting COVID-19!
Most people today are aware of the basic benefits of blueberries…they’re extremely high in nutrients, delicious to eat and low in calories. One cup of blueberries contains 24% of the RDI of Vitamin C, 36% of the RDI of Vitamin K, 25% of the RDI of Manganese as well as 4 grams of fiber. When …
Food Safety
The Cause of Covid-19 Investigation Continues As China Still Blames Frozen Food and Refuses to Reveal Critical Data to W.H.O.
If China has nothing to hide, why do Chinese scientists continue to refuse to share data that could shed light on the origin of the coronavirus? Recently, a group of independent investigators visited Wuhan, China on behalf of the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) in an effort to learn more about the early days of the …
Food Safety
Smarter Food Safety: It’s More Than Just Technology
One of the most important and necessary focuses for food manufacturers in 2021 is their commitment to a strong food safety culture. This has become even more evident due to the challenges faced during this covid-19 pandemic. Food Safety Culture has been included in the most recent standards of the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) …
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Crop News
Water Chestnut Season Underway in China
United States Potato market conditions still uncertain due to covid. While retail sales for frozen potatoes has surged by about 19%, foodservice sales are still looking dim compared to a year ago. U.S. frozen product production declined by about 8% during the 12 months ending November 30th. There could be some processing supply constraints for …
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Shipping Costs at Record Highs As Bottleneck Problems Continue
There’s no doubt about it. Shipping both internationally and domestically continues to pose significant problems. It doesn’t matter if you are importing or exporting, orders are delayed and it’s not without good reason. Recently, at the port of Los Angeles, there were forty-two ships waiting to unload their cargo. And it’s not just the west …
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Crop News
Challenges Face European Potato Growers and Processors
United States With sweet corn shortages in the Midwest region and Europe, coming into season with lower than usual inventories, plus some loss of yields here in the Pacific Northwest, expect for a tight sweet corn market with prices firm going forward. Most Northwest suppliers are officially off market, for the time being. Carrot harvest …
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Cultured Meat Just Approved for Human Consumption Are you ready to eat lab-grown meat?
The first lab-grown meat was just recently approved for human consumption in Singapore. This is a big deal, especially exciting for the San Francisco based company “Eat Just” – the first ones to get it to market. You may also know lab-grown meat by its more official title, cultured meat or by other descriptive terms …
Food Safety
China Claims Evidence of COVID-19 on Imported Frozen Foods Crackdown on Imports Draws Criticism Worldwide
“COVID19 did not start in central China’s Wuhan but may come through imported frozen food and packaging” experts said on November 24th Facebook post by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily. It is clear from this statement and a recent stepped-up media campaign by the Chinese government that they will do whatever is necessary …