News on Food Trends from Northern America

December 17, 2019

Pringles set to launch 'Rick and Morty' potato chip flavour

American potato chip brand Pringles announced an upcoming Rick & Morty-themed flavour in partnership with Adult Swim and the Super Bowl.

December 16, 2019

Produce Marketing Association Names New Chief Science Officer

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) announced Dr. Max Teplitski has accepted the role of Chief Science Officer for the association. Dr. Teplitski will lead PMA’s science, technology, supply chain and sustainability efforts when he joins the organization.

December 12, 2019

See the new TOMRA 3A Sorter for unwashed potatoes at Potato Expo 2020

TOMRA Food has just introduced the TOMRA 3A, a vision sorter for the separation of a range of Foreign Material from unwashed potatoes. The TOMRA 3A will be showcased for the first time in North America at Potato Expo 2020 in Las Vegas

December 10, 2019

Great Lakes Potato Chip Co offers Purple Blackberry potato chips for its 10 year anniversary

If you are living in Michigan or nearby, Purple potato chips could be on shelves at a grocery store near you this holiday season, thanks to a collaboration between Michigan State University researchers and Traverse City-based Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.

December 05, 2019

Online tool to detect blackleg disease in potato using DNA testing has widespread application

Scientists have developed a user-friendly online tool called Uniqprimer, which quickly and automatically designs species-specific DNA tags (also known as primers) for detecting pathogens such as Dickeya dianthicola using DNA testing.

December 04, 2019

Japan's Upper House Approves Historic U.S.- Japan Agreement on Agricultural Trade

The National Potato Council cheered the passage of the U.S.- Japan Agreement on Agricultural Trade by Japan’s Upper House.

December 03, 2019

Simplot strengthens agricultural retail presence with acquisition of Pinnacle Agriculture

The combined complementary footprint of Simplot Grower Solutions and Pinnacle stores will grow to more than 200 locations across North America.

December 03, 2019

Clinical trial to focus on benefits of potato based resistant starch for healthy kidneys

A study initiated at the University of Manitoba will look into the potential benefits of the consumption of (potato-based) resistant starch on renal (kidneys) health

December 02, 2019

Pepsico expands Better-For-You snacks portfolio by acquisition of BFY Brands

BFY Brands, Inc., the snack company which makes PopCorners® and other better-for-you snacks, and Permira, the global private equity firm, today announced that BFY has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP)

November 26, 2019

Purple Power: 7 Benefits of Purple Potatoes

Purple potatoes are the eye-catching gems of the potato aisle. Like other members of the potato family (Solanum tuberosum), they come from a tuber plant native to the Andes mountain region in South America.

November 26, 2019

US Private-Brand Sales Growing twice the rate of national brands

Private-brand dollar sales grew 3.8% in 2019, twice the growth of national brands, according to an IRI Consumer Connect Survey.

November 25, 2019

Frito-Lay Releases U.S. Snack Index and No Need to Check Twice: It's Family, Friends and Food that Make the Holidays Nice

This holiday season, Frito-Lay is all about salty vs. sweet with the release of its latest U.S. Snack Index, revealing the taste preferences driving snack consumption among consumers.

New potato product in foodservice: Lamb Weston Waffled Hash Browns

November 23, 2019

Lamb Weston offers new potato product in foodservice: Waffled Hash Browns

Lamb Weston is introducing Waffled Hash Browns to foodservice operators. This new potato product is made with real Idaho shredded potatoes and can be baked or fried

November 17, 2019

After backing out of an original offer entirely, the Oregon Potato Company now offers to purchase a single NORPAC facility

US Farmer cooperative NORPAC Foods filed a motion in bankruptcy court Friday afternoon to sell its Quincy, Washington, plant for USD 93.5 million to Oregon Potato Company.

November 11, 2019

Potandon to focus on rebranding as the healthy potato company

The focus for Potandon Produce LLC at the New York Produce Show this year will be on the health benefits of potatoes, and particularly of some of Potandon’s proprietary products.

Potato infected with late blight (Courtesy: ARS / Scott Bauer)

November 08, 2019

Phytophthora infestans, causing late blight in potatoes, has a virus accomplice

A research team has identified a virus infecting Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen causing late blight in potatoes and tomatoes, that appears to increase the pathogen's ability to cause the disease.

November 04, 2019

Steve Easterbrook out as CEO at McDonalds after violation company policy

Steve Easterbrook, former CEO and President at McDonald's has left the company, following the Board's determination that he violated company policy and demonstrated poor judgment involving a recent consensual relationship with an employee.

November 01, 2019

Yield10 Bioscience Signs Research Agreement with J. R. Simplot to Evaluate New Traits to Produce High Yielding, Sustainable Potato Crop

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. announced that it has signed a research agreement with Boise, Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Company, to evaluate three novel yield traits in potato.