Blog

Want to know what’s in the food you’re buying? Reading food labels is the easiest way to know the content of the food you’re eating. The two most important parts of food labels are the nutrition facts label and the ingredient list. Both are intended to give you the knowledge to make the right food […]

Recent attention around processed food, particularly “ultra-processed” foods, has made headlines across the country. You may find yourself asking “What exactly are ultra-processed foods, and are they unhealthy?” Foods are processed for several reasons including to prevent spoilage, ensure food safety, maintain or enhance taste and flavor, improve nutritional value, and lengthen shelf life. The […]

Processed foods, by definition, are those that have been changed from their natural state. There are many ways that foods are processed. Some of the ways we process foods in our ‎own home include chopping, grinding, cooking, drying, fermenting, salting, freezing and ‎mixing ingredients of a receipt together. Then there are food manufacturers who use […]

Let’s face it, no one likes to throw away food but we all do it. In fact, Americans waste about 40% of the ‎U.S. food supply which, according to the US Department of Agriculture, amounts to a loss of about ‎‎$1,500 of uneaten food per year for an average family of four. Unfortunately, not all […]

Did you know that a food labeled “clean” has no U.S. regulatory or legal definition to support that claim?   Or that organic foods can contain food additives?   It’s easy to see how consumers may be confused about exactly what is in their foods. This is why transparency in food labeling is so important.   The U.S. […]

It’s no secret that plant-based diets have become more popular, and with an increased focus on sustainability and the environment, the attention on this type of diet will only continue to grow. Consumers are increasingly shifting toward “flexitarian” lifestyles, which include a diet that is mostly plant-based with occasional consumption of animal products. According to […]

Each year, around one-third of the global food supply is wasted due to confusing labeling, spoilage and expired product. To put it in perspective, that is almost 1.3 billion tons of food worldwide. Despite upward trends in sustainability practices over the last decade, food waste remains a major problem for countries at all levels of economic development.  

Nothing says it’s the holiday season like the arrival of all the delicious foods, treats, and beverages that go along with it. Whether it’s savory ham or turkey, sweet holiday favorites like candy canes or chocolates, or the universally loved eggnog, these foods and beverages help make the holidays merry and bright! However, more goes into each of these items than […]

An estimated 30% of the global food supply is thrown away annually. Not only is this wasteful, it’s neither sustainable nor good for the environment. As a result, many food and beverage stakeholders are taking steps to support a more sustainable and less wasteful food supply.   This means you may have begun to see phrases like “upcycled […]

In late 2020, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services published the latest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). The DGAs are published every five years and contain science-based recommendations that help drive food and nutrition policy. This time around, they included recommendations for pregnant women, infants, and young children […]

The phrase “processed food” is often mischaracterized as something people should avoid. This mischaracterization has unfortunately become too common and accepted by too many. When used to describe food, the word “processed” means a product that has been changed by being prepared, canned, frozen, packaged, or combined with other ingredients. Processed foods can undergo physical […]

The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we shop for almost everything, but perhaps nothing more than the normal weekly or even daily trips to the grocery store. At the height of the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggested that all Americans purchase enough food to last for two weeks at a time […]

In the modern food supply, most products – including those that are vegan, organic, and pantry staples, have lists of ingredients on their labels. The purpose of these lists, which are required by law, is to provide consumers with information regarding the ingredients contained in the product. Although all food ingredients must be proven safe, […]

Food additives play a number of important roles in the production, distribution, storage, and availability of food and beverage products. Most food additives serve multiple functions, many of which help create a more efficient and streamlined food supply. For example, food gums are used to help stabilize and thicken food products, which in turn prevents […]

Even in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, research has found that consumers are still highly interested in sustainability. In fact, a substantial 83% of U.S. consumers take environmental impact into account when purchasing food products – indicative of the rising trend of sustainability over the past decade. With the global population steadily climbing […]

Currently the world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and many are social distancing in an effort to stay healthy and help to stop the spread of the virus. As a result, many are purchasing food supplies intended to last for two to four weeks in order to avoid having to go to […]

There has been quite a lot of discussion in the United States (U.S.) surrounding the new Nutrition Facts Label (NFL), especially given the January 1, 2020 deadline for large companies to update their products’ packaging. However, perhaps just as important as being able to read the nutrients provided by a food or beverage is understanding […]

As the debate rages on about which diets are best and how we should shop for food, there is one thing most Americans agree on – we all want to make healthier choices. However, a recent survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) reveals the universal […]

As temperatures drop and we don our winter scarves and sweaters, it’s hard to imagine this time of year without rich, cozy hot chocolate to warm our bodies and spirits! Ambitious home cooks may consider whipping up their own, but, just like your favorite store-bought cookie dough, there is something undeniably nostalgic about that single-serve […]

A wise elf once said, “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.” While you may or may not take Buddy the Elf’s dietary advise seriously, it’s hard to imagine a holiday season without sweet confections. Whether you are looking to stuff a stocking, fill […]

American home cooks, both domestic and abroad, are preparing to tackle Thanksgiving dinner this week. While most are familiar with the classic menu of turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, cornbread and pie, many are less familiar with the food ingredients that make some of those Thanksgiving favorites so delicious. Below are just a […]

It’s no surprise to see milk on the ingredient list of your favorite ice cream, or olive oil in salad dressing. But if you look further down you may be wondering why different kinds of “gums” are also in these products, and not just the chewing gums at check-out. Food gums such as gum arabic, […]

Have you recently found yourself at a grocery store, staring at a shelf of ten different jars of strawberry jelly or bottles of Italian dressing, only to find several minutes have passed and you’re still no closer to making a decision? According to the Food Marketing Institute, the average number of items carried in a […]

While the gluten-free diet was first introduced in 1941, the prevalence, availability and demand for gluten-free foods has increased tremendously over the past 20 years, with the gluten-free food and beverage industry growing to over $10 billion in 2013. There are now many gluten-free options on restaurant menus and grocery shelves, but it can be […]

We have all had the experience of standing in the checkout line and glancing at the tabloids advertising fad diets and miracle foods telling readers that if they eat this or that, they will be able to lose 10 pounds in a week. While most of the time it is easy to identify headlines likely […]

Every summer, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) hosts its annual conference to bring together passionate people working to innovate within the food industry space. The focal point of the multi-day event is food ingredients, and the exciting opportunities to use them ingredients in new products. This year’s conference was held in Chicago from July […]

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) hosted its bi-annual Fancy Food Show in New York City from June 30 to July 2, 2018. The international event included over 2,400 exhibitors at a huge three-story trade show known as a main attraction for retail food distributors and food media editors to come and scout out new food […]

If you have ever checked the list of ingredients on your favorite ice cream, yogurt, chocolate milk or frozen pizza, you’ve probably seen carrageenan listed. Whether you have noticed it before or not, carrageenan has been used in packaged foods for over 50 years, and its history in the world’s food supply dates back even […]

In the spring of 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new changes to the Nutrition Facts Label for packaged foods. The changes were made to allow consumers to make more informed and healthful decisions in their diets. While you may have already seen this new format on food products, the FDA has […]

Frozen foods have long been a staple in the Western diet, but they have evolved considerably in terms of safety, quality and packaging compared to the first commercially-sold frozen food. Early Days & Fish Fillets The founder of frozen food as we know it today (a la a bag of frozen peas in our freezer) […]

It’s hard to imagine a world without a jar of strawberry jam in the cabinet, beans from the tin, a can of tuna salad for a quick lunch or a trusty can opener. And while preservation methods such as drying, curing, freezing, pickling and fermenting have deep-roots in ancient food cultures, the process of canning […]

The term “chemophobia” is defined as an aversion to or prejudice against chemicals or chemistry. It also refers to an exaggerated or irrational distrust of certain foods, including food ingredients or food additives. Over the past several years, food companies and the media have perpetuated chemophobia amongst consumers by declaring the removal of certain ingredients […]

Have you ever wondered how your food is grown or made? Or, if your food is from another country, how do you know it’s safe? Who sets standards for the food that come from other countries? If you’ve ever asked these questions or pondered similar thoughts, you should learn more about the CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. Codex […]

New research from scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found no safety concerns with several ingredients commonly found in food. The research, which focused on ingredients known as emulsifiers and in particular, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate80 (P80), was conducted in response to research claiming these two ingredients have negative effects on […]

How the FDA’s final rule helps ensure safety Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its final rule regarding substances in food that are “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS. This rule formalizes the steps food manufacturers must take to ensure GRAS substances are safe for human consumption and reaffirms a process that has […]