CEO of Vancouver fruit processor says company could have done more to protect employees

The CEO of a Vancouver fruit processor linked to 85 coronavirus cases said Wednesday that his company could have done more to protect employees. Firestone Pacific Foods CEO…

Spanish scientists study the possible use of purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras against COVID-19

The Provincial Government of the Spanish province of Cuenca has reported that it will soon sign an agreement with the University of Castile-La Mancha (UCLM) to grant 30,000…

Brasilnut

Spanish study reveals ‘total absence’ of Corona-virus in supermarket food packaging

The Spanish Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has not detected Corona-viruses on food packaging and hygiene products for sale on supermarket shelves, but rather the ‘total absence’ of virus remains there               . The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has ruled out that food is a vehicle for the transmission of this type of virus. In fact, it is an…

Consortium aims to inspire Australians to eat their fruit and veg

For many Australians, eating fruit and vegetables is a tough sell. According to government data, only 7 per cent of adults and 5 per cent of children eat sufficient serves of…

Eating healthier becomes a trend during Corona-virus

New research found that people facing stay-at-home orders tried cooking new things and threw away less food. The results came from a recent research project involving 11,000…

Table grapes help build and maintain healthy immune system

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a refocus on building and maintaining a healthy immune system. Information on the way in which fresh grapes contribute to both is now…

Traders at wholesale markets of Lima hugely affected by coronavirus

After a coronavirus outbreak was reported in the Wholesale Fruit Market of La Victoria, where 79% of its traders have been infected, the authorities decided to close it from noon on Saturday to midnight on Monday, May 18, in order to carry out disinfection tasks. The market will reopen its doors to the…

“We need a clear and unambiguous approach to worker safety"

The more plant employees are being protected, the sooner consumer confidence and thus the U.S. economy will bounce back. So says Jeffrey Dunn, chief executive officer of Bakersfield, CA.-based Bolthouse Farms Inc., in a recent Instagram Live with the Six Feet Apart podcast. Dunn touched on numerous…

Who consumes the most fruits and vegetables in Europe?

According to a comparative study that was carried out with the participation of 37,672 people from 21 different countries in Europe and that was published on May 13 in the PLOS ONE  magazine, some of the significant factors that determine fruit and vegetable consumption in Europe are gender, educational level,…

Nikki Zalewski

Brits are consuming more fruit and vegetables while stuck at home

Millions of Brits are consuming more fruit and vegetables now that they are stuck at home. Research polling 2,000 adults found a fifth are enjoying more of their five-a-day now than they did previously. However, 61 per cent would still like to broaden their horizons by trying more exotic fruit and veg…

Monika3stepsahead

Europe: Women on average eat more fruit and vegetables than men

In Europe, women on average eat more fruit and vegetables than men. This is shown by research carried out by the Norwegian University of Agder. It also appears that people with a higher level of education do that more than people with a lower level of education. The research results were published on…

Research finds blueberries may improve type 2 diabetes

A new research study published in Current Developments in Nutrition found that the equivalent of one cup of fresh blueberries, given as 22g of freeze-dried blueberries, may…

The agricultural sector will need to spend more on cleaning protocols and to inform consumers

The economic and logistical consequences of the expansion of COVID-19 have hit world agriculture, hindering its implementation, and interrupting global export flows. However, according to researcher and international expert Jorge Retamales, the health crisis hasn't had significant effects on Chile's…

Potato may be a high-quality protein source, study finds

A study carried out by researchers from the Canadian McMaster University has concluded that potatoes can be a source of high-quality protein that helps maintain muscles. The…

Measuring body temperature with non-contact forehead thermometers

QA Supplies provides an infrared, non-contact thermometer for 2 in 1 measurement, body temperature and surface temperature. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that businesses screen employees’ temperatures daily using a non-contact thermometer. Quick checks for elevated skin temperature…

US (NY): COVID-19 outbreak among greenhouse workers

This week officials of the Madison County government confirmed that the greenhouse of Green Empire Farms, employing over 300 employees, dealt with an outbreak of the Covid-19…

Ontario greenhouse grower protects employees with SHIELD Program

Mastronardi Produce is addressing the next milestone as it adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic with the creation of the SUNSET® SHIELD program to help protect its employees. In…

Russia: Price of ginger has gone down again

Some time ago, the Federal Anti-monopoly service of the Russian Federation stated that a conspiracy of traders speculating with ginger was prevented. This meant that in many…

Strawberries studied for their anti-inflammatory benefits

University of Massachusetts Amherst food scientist Hang Xiao has received a new federal grant to expand his research into the health benefits of certain fruits and vegetables;…

"Surface tests help to get a better overview of infection potential"

International laboratory group Tentamus has succeeded in developing a surface test for Corona. "From now on we can carry out these tests for the corona virus in our laboratories. This means that we can perform tests on all kinds of surfaces such as packaging, shopping trolleys etc. for SARS-CoV-2", explains…

Freshcare's Quality Standard opening up global opportunities for growers after benchmarking

The recognition of Freshcare's certification program by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) reflects global best practice in food safety management and provides Australian growers and packers with better access to international markets, according to the team co-ordinating Australia's on-farm food…

Tamarillos to give New Zealanders a health kick this season

New Zealand tamarillo growers are hoping that the health benefits of the fruit, can help drive consumer consumption, especially this year with the coronavirus outbreak. Robert Morris from the New Zealand Tamarillo Growers Association Inc. says the fruit rates highly as a source of vitamins, minerals and…

Virus threatens health and jobs of migrant workers in regional Australian communities

A national produce grower is checking the temperatures of its farm workers, and health services and community groups are busy translating public health messaging around the…

Fruit and vegetables as an antidote to asthma

According to a recent review of published research, fruit and vegetables can help prevent asthma. The review concluded that eating a plant-based diet can alleviate or reduce symptoms of asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, causing wheezing and…

“Our ozone technology kills viruses including corona, and keeps fresh produce safe”

Many mitigation tools are being used to stop the spread of the coronavirus, including social distancing, and enhanced personal hygiene. In addition, health experts are promoting healthy eating as a way to boost immunity. “Here at Purfresh, we ensure that the fruits and vegetables transported around the…

Horticulture supply chain businesses may need to register as an essential service during NZ lockdown

At 11:59pm Wednesday, New Zealand will move into National Alert Level 4 in response to COVID-19, which will see many businesses and non-essential services close, and residents…

Australian and New Zealand governments strengthen COVID-19 response

Australia and New Zealand have significantly stepped up measures to try and contain the rapid spread of the global Coronavirus pandemic. Australia has enforced new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings, with the closures of non-essential services, such as restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms and libraries…

Lab tests confirm the high vitamin C content in lemons

"In such a delicate moment for the history of our planet, our sector cannot stop. The agri-food industry must maintain supplies constant while trying to comply with provisions in force. What is more, the entire food production sector cannot make mistakes nor risk stopping," explain Andrea and Giovanni…

"Don’t fear eating your fruits and veggies"

Modern supermarkets with their many open displays of fruits and vegetables are truly a marvel and a reminder that the U.S. enjoys a safe and abundant food supply. However, in the face of the current nationwide COVID-19 outbreak, many questions about the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables have arisen.…

Will border closures and flight reductions impact produce imports?

“These are very strange times and the information we are receiving is very fluid,” says Chris Sarantis with Montreal-based Canadawide who imports produce from all over the world to be distributed in Canada’s larger metropolitan areas including Toronto and Montreal. “Changes are occurring constantly, and…

North American retailers likely to benefit from ‘panic shopping’

Panic buying grocery spurts resulted in photos of empty store shelves on social and mainstream media throughout the weekend. Where is all of this leaving the produce industry in the US and Canada? Let’s start with the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), a region with a significant number of COVID-19 cases. “The…

Cal Poly study focuses on women's health ... and strawberries

Kari Pilolla, an assistant professor in Cal Poly’s Food Science and Nutrition Department, is working in partnership with faculty and students at Humboldt State University to…

Tunisians rush to buy garlic, thinking it will combat Coronavirus

The price of garlic has shot up in Tunisia amid a buying rush as consumers hope it will help protect against the new coronavirus. This is going on, despite a caution from the…

Are sweet potatoes, cassava, or yams good substitutes for potatoes?

Despite being a vegetable product, potato's high glycemic index excludes it from being one of the food staples that should be included among the recommended 5 daily pieces of…

A NASA experiment concludes that space lettuces are more nutritious

An investigation carried out by NASA, in which they studied the viability of food cultivation at the International Space Station (ISS), has concluded that vegetables grown in space, specifically red romaine lettuces, have much higher nutrient levels than expected. The study, published in the journal…

Researchers study the effectiveness of a component of oranges and mandarins against obesity

Researchers at the Western University of Ontario, Canada, have conducted a study on the effectiveness of nobiletin, a flavonoid naturally found in oranges and mandarins,…

Daily avocado consumption improves concentration in overweight people

A diet including daily avocado consumption improves the ability to focus attention in adults whose measurements of height and weight are categorized as overweight or obese, a…

Food is more effective than supplements in fighting the flu

Flu season is underway, and Limoneira’s John Carter and Megan Roosevelt are making recommendations on how to stay healthy. “Don’t feel like you have to face this battle alone,” says Carter. “Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which plays are crucial role in helping the immune system to adapt to new…

Researchers find ingredient in cruciferous vegetables prevents growth of cancer cells

In a study recently published in Scientific Reports, scientists at Okayama University in Japan describe how an ingredient of cruciferous vegetables prevents the growth of…

Study finds 100% orange juice is good as water or sports drinks

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences found drinking 100% orange juice after exercise, contributes to hydration equally as well as water and sports drinks. Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas and principal investigator, Dr. Dawn Emerson: “There were no symptoms…

Bio Turbo for produce industry is believed to be effective against coronavirus

According to the Thailand Medical News, airborne ozone has been proven to kill the SARS coronavirus including the new 2019-nCoV coronavirus as it is almost identical to that type. It is also reconfirmed in the study of the China Institute of Virology in Hubei, which has been conducting evaluations for…

Washington Apple Commission claims apples effective in fight against cancer

The Washington Apple Commission has given out some reasons, suggesting that the humble apple is very effective in keeping cancer at bay An entire apple, including the peel, is…

China: Covid-19 keeps country in lockdown

Grower Jiang Junsheng, who has field near Ruzhou -Henan province- has already pulped a ton of garlic, turning the unwanted crop into fertiliser, but he still has to work out…