In today’s fast-moving world where convenience is so important, prepackaged foods have become a staple in many households. Yet, as we consume more products wrapped in plastic, aluminum, and other materials, there is growing evidence that the very packaging meant to preserve our food could pose serious health risks. According to recent findings in the Journal …
Continue reading “What Dangers are Lurking in Food Packaging Today?”
Frozen vegetables continue to be a popular choice for consumers seeking convenience, nutrition, and sustainability. With busy lifestyles and a growing focus on reducing food waste, the frozen vegetable industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Here are the top trends shaping the frozen vegetable market today: 1. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Packaging: Consumers are more …
Ever tried dipping a hot, salty French fry into an ice-cold creamy milkshake? Well, this latest trend may have started as a quirky experiment but has now become a widely embraced phenomenon. This pairing combines sweet and savory flavors and creates a great taste experience that people everywhere are now enjoying, especially in the hot …
Continue reading “French Fry Dip Revolution: From Ketchup to Milkshakes”
Frozen fruits are trending and are even more popular during the summer months due to their versatility and nutritional benefits. The most popular fruits are still frozen berries – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries as they are often used in smoothies, desserts, yogurts and breakfast bowls. Blueberries are particularly high in fiber content and antioxidants …
Continue reading “Shaved Frozen Fruit Desserts Go Viral on TikTok”
In the ever evolving and competitive beverage industry, brewers are continuously seeking innovative ways to capture the interest of consumers and reap the monetary rewards. One of the latest and most interesting trends is the incorporation of THC derived from hemp into beer. This fusion of cannabis culture with traditional brewing practices is reshaping the …
If you’re a Wendy’s customer (and even if you’re not), Wendy’s has made Fridays special for everyone and anyone. The company announced recently that it is giving away a free order of any size fries with any purchase, every Friday through the end of 2024 beginning April 19, 2024. So, for example, if you purchase …
The cost of chocolate is skyrocketing, and much to the chagrin of chocolate lovers it is reaching new and dizzying heights. At the heart of this dilemma is the cocoa bean, the essential ingredient that makes chocolate a favorite indulgence among old and young alike. The demand for chocolate (in many forms) now far exceeds …
Continue reading “The Great Chocolate Crisis – Prices Continue to Soar”
It seems to be a trend of late. Investment firms are buying up farmland in the United States at an increasing rate. Since 2008 to mid-2023 the amount of farmland bought by investment firms has increased 231%. Taking a closer look, at the end of 2023 investors owned $16.6 billion worth of farmland, up 9.2 …
The farmers in France call it “Operation Paris Seige” and they’re not backing down. Major roads and highways surrounding cities in France and Belgium have been blockaded with the participation of French and Flemish-speaking farmers. In the smaller cities as well as in Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse, blockades are disrupting supply chains and creating havoc …
Continue reading “A Battle Cry from Farmers Paralyzes France And Spreads Across Europe”
Costco stands out as a remarkable company with a rich history of achievements, as I highlighted in the previous week’s article. Here are some impressive facts about this retail giant: They are responsible for distributing half of the world’s cashews. Annually, they sell more than 100 million rotisserie chickens. Their decision to stock a book …
Continue reading “What Does It Take to Become a Costco Vendor?”
If you want to sell to Costco, are already selling to Costco, or just love shopping there, then the latest book The Joy of Costco – A Treasure Hunt from A to Z is a “must read.” The authors, David and Susan Schwartz, delve deep into the secrets behind Costco’s success and, when writing this …
Ice cream with vanilla flavoring sourced from recycled plastic doesn’t sound very appetizing to me, but I must give credit to Eleonora Ortolani, a Central Saint Martins Design School student in the UK for her forward thinking and desire to make better use of recycled material. “If I tell you there’s an ingredient in that …
Continue reading “Vanilla Ice Cream from Recycled Plastic? Still Waiting for Approval”
“They say at Freshippo good things come in large quantities“ Freshippo, also named Hema Fresh is a Chinese retail company owned by Alibaba. It is best known for its innovative new retail model that is driven by big data and advanced technology. The first Freshippo was opened in Shanghai, China in January 2016. Fast forward …
Continue reading “Expansion Frenzy as FRESHIPPO Opens a Store Each Day”
Parmigiano-Reggiano producers have had enough. For years Italian producers of parmesan cheese have been fighting against imitation or counterfeit products that have been eating into market share and profits. As the demand for authentic, high-end cheese grows, so does the knock-off market with estimated global sales for counterfeit cheese now reaching $2 billion annually. The …
Continue reading “Cheese Producers Use Edible Microchips To Protect Against Knockoffs”
The Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia spp) or Nopal is a traditional ingredient in Mexican cooking, dating back to pre-Colombian times. The word “nopal” comes from the Nahuatl word “nopalli” referring to the pads of the plant. As its name suggests, the prickly pear is characterized by its unique physical appearance with flat fleshy oval to …
Continue reading “The Prickly Pear Cactus Gains Popularity With Health Benefits Galore”
On June 22, 2023, the USDA approved lab-grown chicken for human consumption for the first time. UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat (a subsidiary of food tech company Eat Just, Inc.) were given the go-ahead to sell products that have been cultivated from real animal cells. Good Meat launched in Singapore in 2020, when Singapore became …
Continue reading “Lab Grown Chicken Gets Final USDA Go-Ahead”
The frozen food industry continues to grow as consumers want greater variety along with increased demand for convenience foods and improvements in frozen food quality. A significant factor in the success of this industry is packaging and thus knowing the preferences of consumers is important. Today, we’ll look at what shoppers like and dislike about …
Continue reading “What Irritates Consumers Most About Frozen Food Packaging”
I may be dating myself…but I’m sure some of you remember this famous jingle… “Two all-beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions and a sesame seed bun.” It’s the BIG MAC jingle, of course. You remember it, right? I’m not ashamed to admit I still know it by heart. That’s because way back in …
Millennials, also known as Generation “Y” are born between the early 1980’s and the mid 1990’s although the exact dates can vary depending on the source of information. As of 2021, they made up the largest generational group in the United States, representing approximately 27% of the total population according to the U.S. Census Bureau …
Since December last year we’ve heard a lot about AI – artificial intelligence and in particular OpenAi’s ChatGPT. In fact, just last week, Microsoft released some beta-testing of its new AI powered Bing search engine which is powered by OpenAi’s ChatGPT and the results were stunning. Over one million people signed up for the beta-testing …
Continue reading “Food Processing and AI – We’ve Only Scratched the Surface”