Trending

Sweet Potato In, Sweet Corn Out!

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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

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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 …

Crop News

Late Plantings For Green Peas and Potatos

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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 …

Trending

Frozen Food Is Making a Strong Comeback

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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 …

Food Safety

Canada Enacts New Food Safety Law

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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

Experts Call for a US-Japan Bilateral Trade Agreement

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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 …

Food Safety

Federal Shutdown Impacts Food Inspections

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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 …

Crop News

Water Chestnut Season Delayed in China

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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 …

Food Safety

FSVP – It’s Still Personal

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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 …

Trending

Rising Tinplate Costs May Spike Prices for Canned Goods

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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 …

Food Safety

Produce Industry Still Facing Food Safety Challenges

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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 …

Food Safety

FDA Releases Report on 2016 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program

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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 …

Crop News

Both Mexico And Europe Struggle With Crops This Season

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Mexico The drought conditions earlier in the year and then the excess rain during the planting season has continued to give challenges to the Mexican broccoli and cauliflower industry.   The rain continued in Mexico during September and October when the rainy season should usually end.   The total precipation in the state of Guanajuato has surpassed …