Food Institute News
The Food Institute is offering a 12-part series detailing ALL crucial elements, rulings and guidances of FSMA. Four webinars have already explored newer rulings. You can purchase the 12-part series and have access-on-demand to recorded versions of the four earlier sessions, as well as access to all future FSMA webinars. Click Here for more information.
Our Mission Statement
The Food Institute:* Strives to be the best "single source" for current, timely and relevant information about the food industry from "farm to fork."
* Serves as a trusted source of information, providing balanced coverage of the issues.
* Delivers information through multiple media so that industry professionals worldwide can tap in when and how they choose.
Industry News
Most fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods cost less than foods high in fat, sugar and salt, according to a USDA study based on national average prices from Nielsen Homescan data. The study found that when comparing the cost of foods by weight or portion size, grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are cheaper than most meats or foods high in saturated fat, added sugars or salt. The USDA study also criticized a 2010 report from the University of Washington that found calorie-for-calorie junk food is more cost-effective for low-income people than eating healthy, reported The Associated Press.
International News
A World Trade Organization appellate panel claimed U.S. "dolphin safe" tuna labeling rules unfairly discriminate against Mexico, raising the possibility of sanctions on U.S. goods if the rules are not modified or dropped, reported Reuters.
Health News
Coffee drinkers are a little more likely to live longer, regardless of whether they consume regular or decaf, according to a study of 400,000 people published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found men who had two or three cups a day were 10% less likely to die at any age compared with those who drank no coffee, while for women it was 13%, reported The Associated Press.
Washington News
USDA cited Suncoast Distribution Inc. of St. Petersburg, FL, for failure to pay for produce. The company did not pay $307,080.94 to seven sellers for 53 lots of produce. This is in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). As a result, Suncoast Distribution Inc. cannot operate in the produce industry until May 9, 2014, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license.
Market News
More than half of Michigan's apple crop could be lost due to late-April freezes, and the state's southwestern fruit production is a near-total loss. The damage to that part of the state applies to apples, peaches, plums and cherries. "Essentially, there is no tree fruit in southwest Michigan," stated the general manager of Greg Orchards & Produce Inc. Grower-shippers in the Fruit Ridge region of Michigan, where the majority of the state's apples are grown, stated they should have a much better handle on the extent of damage in June, reported The Packer Online.