Kellogg’s is voluntarily recalling certain lot codes for their Honey Smacks Cereal due to possible salmonella contamination. In our industry when manufacturing or repacking for big league companies, e.g. Kellogg’s, you need to make sure that your food safety plan is bulletproof so no potential hazard makes its way to the end consumer. The food …
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Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupts – killing at least 62 people
Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday, June 3rd, killing at least 62 people and spewing a river of lava and plumes of smoke almost 6 miles into the air. Broccoli season is underway; fortunately, there was no damage done to the plantations. The winds were blowing east/northeast of the volcano, while the main growing area …
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Food Safety
FDA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide Helps Food Facilities With Required Registration
On May 25, the FDA released a new guide for smaller food facilities that are subject to the FDA’s registration requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The new Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG) details the steps food facilities must take to register with the FDA under the FD&C Act, which …
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European Consumers Want Healthy, Nutritious Frozen Foods
If you’re looking for the latest food trend, it just might be hiding in the freezer aisle. Led by millennials and European consumers, frozen foods are currently enjoying a renaissance in popularity–with lucrative results for innovative food producers. RBC Capital markets show that for the first time since 2013, frozen food volume growth is positive. …
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Crop News
Northwest Green Pea Harvest In Full Swing
United States Northwest green pea harvest for most processors is now underway. To date weather has been favorable and the crop is expected to progress well. Sweet corn plantings are approximately 50% to 75% completed. Most processors have planted about the same corn acreage as last season however, with some changes in the percentage of …
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Frozen Meals Are Making a Comeback
The typical American grocery shopper is busy, hungry, and looking for an affordable and healthy meal option–no cooking required. Although frozen meals have previously earned a reputation as either junk food and unhealthly based on the high levels of salt and additives, they are currently making a comeback as consumers embrace newer healthier options. A …
Crop News
Green Pea Season Starting Soon!
United States Northwest green pea plantings are now completed. Harvest is expected to commence last week of May or first week of June depending on the next few weeks of weather. Sweet corn plantings are approximately 25% completed with harvest expected to commence end of July. Most processors have planted about the same corn acreage …
Food Safety
New Pathogen Detection Process Promises Faster Response Time
Last month, 206 million eggs were recalled as a precaution after salmonella contamination was discovered. As people nationwide worked to minimize the impact of the outbreak, many likely wondered if there was a better way to test food for contamination. At University of Georgia, a scientist named Xiangyu Deng believes he may have discovered the …
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The Power Of The Pea
Humans have been cultivating green peas for 5,000 years, beginning with farmers in ancient Egypt and China. As researchers have learned more about the health benefits of green peas, it’s not surprising that their popularity has endured. Peas are a starchy vegetable that actually belong to the legume family. A ½ cup serving of green …
Crop News
Sugar Snap Pea Season Commences In China
China Temperatures are rising and spring has commenced with heavy rain which has hurt some of the crops. Shandong Province Asparagus harvest will begin this month and to date outlook is good with nice quality and good yields. Spinach production is also underway. Zhejiang Province Broccoli harvest is winding down. Higher price for raw material, along with …
Food Safety
FSMA Guidelines In A Nutshell
The Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF) regulation, often referred to as FSMA – Food Safety Modernization Act, is the first major overhaul of our nation’s food safety practices since 1938. This law has been enacted to ensure the safe preparation of food products for human consumption in the United States. It includes new regulations …
Crop News
Mexican Broccoli Supplies Beginning To Rebound
Mexico Coming off one of the worst years in history for processors of frozen broccoli and cauliflower, the situation is starting to look up. Conditions in the Bajio Valley where the majority of both broccoli and cauliflower are now being harvested is good as weather has warmed favoring both quality and volume. The weather forecast is for continued …
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Broccoli Yogurt Promises a New Cure for Cancer Patients
In Singapore, scientists recently discovered the naturally occurring bacteria and compounds found in yogurt and broccoli become a powerful antidote to colorectal cancer. The researchers created a non-toxic variation of E. coli called E. coli Nissle, a type of bacteria that occurs naturally in the digestive system. To administer the cure, the researchers gave mice …
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Food Safety
Understanding How HACCP and HARPC Work Together
Many food processors and food companies will already be familiar with the acronyms HACCP and HARPC, but may be unsure of how the two food safety standards work in tandem. A common question is “Can you combine them”? Yes, you can, it is a perfectly fine to combine the requirements for both under one document. …
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Pineapple’s Power!
As winter settles over the northern hemisphere, a taste of the tropics seems more appealing than ever. Fortunately, pineapple offers numerous health benefits that can help keep winter colds at bay while supporting overall health. Pineapple contains a blend of enzymes called bromelain, which delivers antioxidants and helps the body digest protein. The anti-inflammatory properties …
Food Safety
Record-Breaking Listeria Outbreak Rattles South Africa
In January, officials in South Africa announced that the total number of people affected by a listeria outbreak had risen to an alarming 767, the biggest listeria outbreak to date. The outbreak has affected nine provinces but is concentrated in the northeastern regions of the country, with two-thirds of cases centered in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and …
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Mushrooms Predicted to Gain New Popularity in 2018
As consumers become increasingly invested in healthy eating, mushrooms are predicted to be one of the hottest foods of 2018. Lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, and chaga may all soon be household names. Instead of stir frying or roasting, we’ll see powdered mushrooms in beverages, soups, and desserts, as well as certain cosmetic products. Popular mushrooms …
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Food Safety
Refusal of Inspection May Affect Imported Food
Before foreign foods arrive in the United States, in most cases the FDA inspects the facilities where the food is produced to ensure that they are compliant with US food safety guidelines. The agency has released a draft of new guidelines for this process that will be available for public comment for 75 days. Under …
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Crop News
California Fires Damage Avocado Crop
United States California’s recent wild fires have hurt all agriculture, especially the avocado and lemon crops. The Thomas fire which spread from Ventura County into Santa Barbara county hit the largest avocado and lemon producing region in the U.S.A. Avocado trees were particularly damaged as they line hillsides which were in the direct path of …