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”
United States Planting on early summer crops should be starting in a month or two. We hear from industry experts that seed is short, land cost is high and grower prices will be rising once again this season. We expect more price increases for 2023 crop, however not as high as last season. California growers …
This month, just for fun I decided to enlist the help of AI (artificial intelligence) to write about what’s happening in the plant-based meat category, (often called “fake meat”), so I logged onto chat.openai.com. Was AI as up-to-date on the market info as those of us humans who work at Noon International? A little background…according …
You may already be familiar with the 8 foods that must be declared as major food allergens: 1) milk, 2) eggs, 3) fish (such as bass, flounder, cod), 4) crustacean shellfish such as crab, lobster, shrimp, 5) tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, 6) peanuts, 7) wheat, and 8) soybean. Now, effective January 1, …
Continue reading “Sesame – A New Food Allergen That Must Be Declared by Federal Law”
United States Due to a rainy and cool spring, planting for 2022 season corn started late. As a result, some processors experienced bunching which caused some off grades. Less acres were planted due to the risk of freeze, which in the end did not happen. Weather was warm through the entire season, and this resulted …
FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Four Core Elements Just as companies such as Yum! Brands, Inc and others are using technology to improve and advance their businesses, the FDA’s new approach to food safety, known as the New Era of Smarter Food Safety leverages technology and other tools to create a safer, more …
Continue reading “New Era of Smarter Food Safety Uses Tech-Enabled Traceability”
Almost everyone enjoys the food that comes from a Yum! Brand franchise or subsidiary. Who doesn’t like Kentucky Fried Chicken or a piping hot pizza from Pizza Hut? Today, Yum! Brands, Inc. (headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky), operates a system of over 53,000 restaurants in 155 countries and territories throughout the world under the brands KFC …
United States Due to a rainy and cool spring, planting for 2022 season corn started late. As a result, some processors experience bunching at the tall end of pack which caused some off grades. Less acres were planted due to the risk of freeze, which in the end did not happen. Weather was warm through …
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule on food traceability designed to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and/or deaths. Foods subject to the final rule requirements appear on the Food Traceability List (FTL). The FTL includes fresh cut fruits …
Continue reading “FDA Announces the Final Rule for Food Traceability Under FSMA”
We’re all experiencing higher food prices at the grocery level these days. Staples like a dozen eggs for example, that cost on average $1.83 a year ago, now cost $2.90. Like potato chips? It will run you $6.05 a bag today against $5.05 a year ago. And have you eaten out lately? Restaurants here in …
Continue reading “Frozen Fruits & Vegetables Rise in Popularity”
In January this year, the number of ships in line waiting to unload at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach was 109 stretching 60 miles into the Pacific. This week, it dropped to just four according to the Wall Street Journal. In pre-Covid times the queue was usually zero to one container ships …
Continue reading “Westcoast Container Back-Up is Over But Still, Lots of Problems”
The current definition of “healthy” that you will find on many packaged foods is up for revision and it’s about time. The definition of “healthy” as a claim for nutrient content was established in 1994 and hasn’t been updated since. Avocados and Salmon Don’t Qualify as “Healthy”? Here’s something you may not know. The current …
Continue reading “FDA Proposes Changes and New Guidelines to Label Foods as “Healthy””
United States Due to a rainy and cool spring, planting for 2022 season corn started late. As a result, some processors experience bunching at the tall end of pack which caused some off grades. Less acres were planted due to the risk of freeze, which in the end did not happen. Weather was warm through …
Hiking and exploring the great outdoors are popular among the young people in China today and new-style ready-made meals fit the bill when it comes to satisfying their hunger. Unlike conventional ready-made meals you may be familiar with, these are just a little bit different. Fanhu, a creative Guangzhou based start-up, entered this market in …
It’s a fact. We all want to know where the food we are buying comes from and that it is safe. Now “86% of U.S. consumers believe brand transparency is more important than ever before and 73% of consumers are willing to pay more for products that guarantee total transparency.” Enter StoryBird technology. It’s a …
United States A late start to corn planting resulted in some processors cutting back on later acres due to concern about frost. Corn season in the Pacific Northwest will be finishing up this month. Strong yields and quality are being reported, however this will not offset the tight corn market as acres were lost due …
Just when I thought I knew most of the varieties of strawberries, I see yet another is about to make its appearance! It’s called the “Honeycrisp of Strawberries” – a Ruby June variety that is a deep dark red color and, according to Seal the Seasons, has a “sweet, luscious flavor.” My mouth is already …
Continue reading “Taste a Luscious “Ruby June” Strawberry! Sourcing Locally Makes Good Sense”
by Keith Loria A new bill, introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), looks to create a single food safety agency under the department of Health and Human Services that would be responsible for keeping all food safe for market. The legislation, known as the Food Safety Administration Act, would ensure that a …
Continue reading “House Bill Calls for Single Food Safety Entity Under FDA”
United States A cold and wet spring in the Pacific Northwest delayed pea plantings and the crop ran about 2 to 3 weeks late. July’s heat wave with sizzling temperatures well into the 100 degree and over mark, brought on the crop very quickly. Acres have been lost as some processors could not keep up …
United States A cold and wet spring in the Pacific Northwest delayed pea plantings and the crop ran about 2 to 3 weeks late. July’s heat wave with sizzling temperatures well into the 100 degree and over mark, brought on the crop very quickly. Acres have been lost as some processors could not keep up …