News on Health and Nutrition from Northern America

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.

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.

Consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works just as well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes, scientists report.

Heat-related illness is one of the most common maladies to befall outdoor workers, particularly in agricultural settings.

The Idaho Potato Commission has found that the best way to communicate that potatoes are part of an active, healthy lifestyle is to show it. Therefore, the IPC sponsors several athletic programs and events that support and encourage folks to be active.

NC State grew the North Carolina sweet potato industry into a global powerhouse. Now we're leading the effort to breed sweet potatoes that could provide economic opportunities and better nutrition for people in African countries. (Courtesy: Bill Krueger)

Manufacturer of optical sorters for the potato processing industry Key Technology Introduces New Sort-to-Grade® Capabilities for VERYX® Digital Sorters

McCain Foods USA announced the closure of its production plant in Colton, California, laying off about 100 workers. The processing facility produces roasted, caramelized and sauteed frozen fruits and vegetables.

Key Technology, introduces their enhanced FMAlert™ software for VERYX® digital sorters. FMAlert captures and saves digital images of foreign material (FM) contaminants

In cooperation with Olde York Potato Chips, ALDI has voluntarily recalled 96 cases of Clancy’s Wavy Potato Chips from limited stores as a precautionary measure due to the potential presence of milk resulting from product mislabeling.

McCain Foods USA Inc. is recalling all products from its Colton facility in California, which produces fire-roasted, caramelized or sauteed frozen fruit and vegetable products.

An equipment fire at the Simplot potato processing plant in Grand Forks, ND late last Wednesday, forced employees to evacuate and caused an estimated USD 150.000 of damage.

Potatoes USA has launched a video campaign on social media to boost the image of potatoes by focusing on their performance-boosting benefits

J.R. Simplot has acquired a license for CRISPR-Cas9 and related gene editing tools. This provides Simplot with another avenue to add desirable traits to fruits and vegetables, including potatoes.

Four of the largest food companies in the United States have launched the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, a new organization focused on driving progress in public policies that shape what people eat and how it impacts their health, communities, and the planet.

In what’s sure to be a disappointment to everyone who has been missing Art’s & Mary’s Homestyle Tater Chips, the Wichita company has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Research has shown that the reward center of the brain values foods high in both fat and carbohydrates - such as french fries - more than foods containing only fat or only carbs.

PepsiCo, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bare Foods Co. (doing business as Bare Snacks), a U.S.-based maker of baked fruit and vegetable snacks.