Tate & Lyle, a global provider of food ingredients and solutions, has announced the expansion of its instant starch production capacity at its European flagship manufacturing facility in Koog aan de Zaan, The Netherlands.

Russian officials are planning to stop the practice of potato imports to Russia. Originally earmarked to start April 1, it is now believed June 1 is the new date. If implemented, the ban will hit potato imports from the Netherlands which provides Russia with seed potatoes, the imports of which are expected to be banned.

Norwegian company Zeracryl AS has developed a patented process to reduce acrylamide levels in French fries between 50 - 90 per cent depending on selected solution.

The speaker programme for next year's International Potato Processing and Storage Convention is developing very quickly and positively.

The company that makes KP Nuts, Hula Hoops and McCoy's crisps has been sold to a German firm for a reported fee of £500 million. The business, which is the UK's second largest snack maker, was sold by United Biscuits, which also owns the McVitie's and Jacob's brands.

Finnish company Formit Foodprocessing, a leading provider of roller knife peeling and profiling technology for use in multiple applications in the vegetable and fruit processing industries, has been acquired by Ekko Holding ApS (EKKO), based in Vejle Denmark.

Albert Bartlett Rooster Potatoes has signed up another ex-Desperate Housewives star as the face of the brand, with Jesse Metcalfe featuring in the new advert.

On November 6, voters in California will decide the fate of a proposition that, if passed, may alter the national discussion over the healthfulness of bio-engineered foods from one based on science and reasoned argument to one where vote tallies and courtrooms take precedence.

An Australian Senate Inquiry into the importation of fresh potatoes from New Zealand has been praised by the Australian industry.

A new institute to help farmers produce more efficiently and an updated software ‘tool' that enables farming and food industries to calculate their carbon footprint are launched this week.

Barcodes may bring to mind the sales tags and scanners found in supermarkets and other stores, but U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are using "DNA barcodes" to monitor insects that damage crops as diverse as wheat, barley and potatoes, and to make pest management decisions.

Prices of potato have nearly doubled over the last one year in Bangladesh, despite having its sufficient supply in the market and adequate stock in the country.

The Russian company EcoFrio is starting the construction of its potato processing plant in Bryansk area next month.

The Food & Grocery Council is welcoming a significant drop in concentration of acrylamide in potato crisps, and says it will continue to work with industry to find ways of lowering its levels in other foods, CEO Katherine Rich said yesterday.

Imported frozen french fries are threatening the livelihood of more than 11 000 workers in the potato processing industry, says producers association Potatoes SA (PSA).

Water is an essential resource in primary production and food manufacturing. There are limited supplies of both surface and ground water, and the demand for use in agriculture, by industry and for domestic use, is leading to even greater control on the supply and availability of water.

The speaker programme for this year's convention in Riga, Latvia (June 26-28) is almost complete and boasts a mix of international academic, research and industry leaders.

Practical solutions for efficient potato storage and maximising marketable yields will be some of the topics on the agenda at World Potato Congress 2012 (May 27-30, Edinburgh).

Preliminary Research presented this week at The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference in San Diego demonstrates that regular consumption of white potatoes that have been baked, boiled or mashed, is not associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes or levels of C-reactive protein.

AVR bvba, manufacturer of agricultural machinery for potato production, recently announced that negotiations between AVR and TKS led to an agreement whereby AVR acquired the potato planter activities from Underhaug / TKS as of April 10.

Fenmarc, one of the leading fresh produce suppliers in the UK, has been shortlisted for Packer of the Year in the Re:fresh awards.

Global food prices increased by 8 percent from December 2011 to March 2012 due to higher oil prices, adverse weather conditions, and Asia's strong demand for food imports, according to the World Bank Group's latest Food Price Watch.

The success of Standen-Pearson ‘QUAD' potato planters for the establishment of salad crops is well recognised around the world. As year on year demand continues to increase, a
new 3-bed model with up to 25 acres/day planting capacity has been introduced to meet grower demand for high output precision multi-bed planting.

AOCS (American Oil Chemists' Society) and Cargill have announced that updated official methods of analysis for total fat and fatty acids are now available to the food industry.

BluePrint Automation's Vertical Packer / Frozen Food (VP/F III) is now offered with an integrated case erector (ICE) making this system the most compact case packer/erector in the industry.

As Open Farm Sunday moves closer, organisers LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are reminding UK farmers to get involved and help welcome their millionth visitor on the 17th June.

It may be possible, in the future, to get all your daily vitamin C requirements from the consumption of a single potato.

The UK-based Tyrrells Potato Crisps is embarking on an expansion drive in India with plans to partner with hotel chains and increase its presence in modern retail trade outlets.

A Senator said New Brunswick farmer Henk Tepper has been released from a Lebanese jail after being held for a year on allegations he exported rotten potatoes to Algeria.

Exelerate® ZTF, a patent-pending cleaning solution that dissolves low trans fat oil residue from processing equipment and surfaces, is now available to food manufacturers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

PepsiCo has revealed an investment in its warehouse and distribution centre in Peterlee, UK.

Saudi researchers have produced a potato-powered battery that could be commercially available within the next year.

The market value for snack foods in the UK has risen by 26% between 2007 and 2011, despite the economic crunch, according to a new report.

PepsiCo has announced that its global "Banner Sun" potato chip portfolio has grown to more than $10 billion in annual retail sales, anchored by Lay's, the world's largest food brand and the No. 1 potato chip brand globally.

Despite ongoing economic difficulties, new product activity in the global snack foods industry appears to be continuing unabated.

Calbee has said it plans to increase its overseas sales to account for at least 30% of the Japanese snack maker's total by 2020 from roughly 3%, seeking to offset a dim outlook at home.

Key Technology introduces FoodSafetyPRO(TM) for food processors looking to improve their recordkeeping in accordance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, and/or Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification.

It wasn't easy, but after considering more than 40 flavors produced during a span of three decades, Kettle Brand has chosen four of its favorites to bring back for a limited time in celebration of its 30th birthday.

Global food processing equipment manufacturer, JBT FoodTech, has developed an integrated in-line Dry-Fry System (Patent Pending) designed to process coated products with up to a 50 per cent reduction in oil pick-up.

Europatat and the Dutch Potato Association (NAO) have announced the opening for registrations for the annual Europatat Congress, taking place in The Hague (The Netherlands) from 24 to 26 May 2012.

Teagasc are applying to the EPA for a licence to undertake a series of field studies using GM potatoes resistant to potato late blight disease to determine the potential impact this technology could have on our ecosystems.

A prototype computer vision system to identify sub-standard potatoes will be presented by computer scientists from the University of Lincoln at the triennial conference 'Crop Protection in Northern Britain', taking place in Dundee this week.

General Mills has announced the acquisition of Food Should Taste Good, a rapidly-growing natural snack foods company based in Needham Heights, Mass.

The latest digital edition of Potato Processing International has gone live.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion on the Post-Market Environmental Monitoring (PMEM) report for the 2010 cultivation season of the genetically modified Amflora potato.

The potato industry generates more than $1 billion for the Canadian province of P.E.I., says an economic impact study released Friday.

Greenvale AP's revolutionary eco root vegetable washing system Cascade has been put forward for the European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) 2012.

The European Union and the United States have announced that beginning June 1, 2012, organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region.

Nearly all Americans consume much more sodium than they should, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Food scientists have found a way of measuring how we register the saltiness of crisps which could lead to new ways of producing healthier crisps - without losing any of the taste.

Agristo Netherlands and Egemin Automation have closed a multimillion contract for a major automatic warehouse.

Tong Peal Engineering has invested £350,000 in a new laser cutter as the company continues to raise standards, increase efficiency and reduce waste at its Spilsby site.

Despite new research showing sales of red potatoes have taken a hit, one British grown variety continues to go from strength to strength.

Bayer CropScience has announced that Luna, the company's newest fungicide innovation, has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is now available for sale.

P&G announced its intention to sell the Pringles business to Kellogg in a $2.7-billion all-cash transaction that is expected to be completed in the summer.

Procter & Gamble Co. has decided it will seek to terminate its sale of the Pringles snack business to Diamond Foods Inc., said three people with knowledge of the situation, following the accounting probe that ousted Diamond's chief executive officer, reported Businessweek.

PepsiCo, Inc. has announced a series of strategic investment and productivity initiatives that involve increasing marketing and advertising by about $500 million to $600 million in 2012 and cutting 3% of its global workforce over the next several years.

Greenvale AP, the UK's leading supplier of potatoes, is aiming to inject fresh interest into the produce sector with the launch of its first branded product.

After a busy export season in 2011, the British seed potato industry is set to reach new heights in 2012 by expanding existing and new markets, says Potato Council head of seed and export, Mark Prentice, who will be at Fruit Logistica supporting the industry.

Global food prices, which were about 24% higher on average in 2011 than they were in 2010, are expected to decline in 2012 on increasing supplies although they still remain volatile, according to the World Bank.

A peeling equipment manufacturer and a desinger of production plants have decided to cooperate and develop a new generation of peeler for the growing fresh produce sector as well as for the food processing industry.

Today's high demand for salt from the synthetic soda ash production, food processing, de-icing industries is defining for the salt industry growth.

Following this morning's vote by members of the European Parliament against the European Commission's proposed amendment to allow food manufacturers to use the ‘X% less' and ‘no added salt' claims on their products, the UK food and drink industry has expressed disappointment and concerns about the potential impact on industry's reformulation work.

Scottish seed producers will soon be able to view seed certification data in real time from 2012, thanks to the latest online roll out of Scotland's certification scheme.

A group of Belgian food sector federations and oil manufacturers joined forces to achieve a common objective, that by the end of 2015 all palm oil present in food products destined for the Belgian market has to be sustainable.

From March 27 to 30 the international food technology sector will once again meet at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne.

Dynamic Conveyor Corporation has announced the option for an innovative solid surface belt on its DynaCleanTM food packaging conveyor line.

Walkers is launching a multi-million pound campaign in the UK set to spark a national flavour debate with the launch of three new mystery flavours inspired by ingredients and recipes loved by the Great British public.

Members of the potato industry and the state's congressional delegation are concerned that the spud is taking a back seat to other vegetables in new guidelines issued by the USDA.

The UK food and drink industry has welcomed a new plan, launched by Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice on Friday, that could help hundreds of companies secure sales in lucrative emerging markets.

Increased revenue, same-store sales gains and strength across the globe contributed to an 11% increase in income for McDonald's during 2011.

UK Comber early potatoes have been granted protected geographical indication(PGI) status under European law.

UK potato supplier Fenmarc's commitment to invest in a PR and marketing campaign for its exclusively grown variety Rudolph has been recognised by the Grower of the
Year awards.

The team here in Surrey, UK, have just come out of a meeting discussing a new redesign for the website.

India's leading potato chips brand, Lay's from PepsiCo, has joined hands with renowned designer duoShantanu-Nikhil to launch a new range of baked chips - "Lay's Baked", through an exclusive fashion show in Delhi.

A potato disease that arrived late this summer in the US Pacific Northwest called zebra chip likely can't be spread by planting infected seed, new research suggests.

With around £2M funds available, Campden BRI members recently voted for the research projects they want to be carried out through 2012 and beyond.

UK potato supplier Greenvale AP has had four of its processing and manufacturing sites awarded the Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 certificate.

BASF has announced that it is concentrating its plant biotechnology activities on the main markets in North and South America.

Barry C. Levin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Snak King Corp., has announced that his firm has acquired C.J. Vitner Company, a leading manufacturer and distributor of snack foods in the greater Chicago market.

Yasheng Group, a high-growth diversified China-based agricultural company with US headquarters in California, has announced plans to expand farming operations in 2012.

JBT Corporation, a leading global technology solutions provider to the food processing and air transportation industries, has announced cost reduction actions in its FoodTech segment in response to market conditions with an objective to improve margins.

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal inquiry into Diamond Foods's walnut payments, an action that could throw its pending purchase of Pringles from Procter & Gamble Co into doubt, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The UK potato industry is being encouraged to get behind two educational projects from Potato Council, to ensure that potatoes continue to feature in the daily lives of the nation.

Check out our new Facebook page linking both of our potato magazines.

Campden BRI has released its triennial publication on the scientific and technical needs of the foods and drink industry.

UK crisp firm Tyrrells has acquired Glennans, a maker of vegetable crisps.

A veteran Canadian diplomat says the best chance of getting New Brunswick farmer Henk Tepper out of a Lebanon prison is to deal directly with Algeria, the country that issued the arrest warrant in the first place.

McCain has launched microwaveable jacket potatoes that are ready in just five minutes.

A Scottish potato producer plans to expand its business in eastern Europe and Russia after winning its first contracts in the region during last season's severe drought.

AUSVEG has launched a three-year initiative which aims to enhance communication within Australia's potato industry and promote clearer information exchange.

The renowned Potato Council Technical Winter Forums will take place in two locations this year, with the first being held at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR) on January 25.

Frutarom Industries has signed an agreement for the acquisition of the UK company Savoury Flavours for S$ 5.88 million (£3.77 million).

Bayer CropScience announced yesterday at the National Potato Expo (NPE) in Orlando the launch of Good Growing Link, a Web-based tracking tool powered by food safety and traceability technology leader FoodLogiQ, Inc.

CIP's main partner in Uzbekistan, the National University of Uzbekistan in Tashkent received a US$2.8 million grant from the Government to implement a seed potato multiplication project using the three CIP clones released in the past two years.

GME Inc. International, the leading maker of hydrocutters and other food equipment used in the French fry, fruit and vegetable processing industry, announced that it has been acquired in an asset transfer agreement by Vanmark Equipment LLC of Creston, Iowa.

Consumers will seek to discover new flavors, perhaps from South American oranges or fermented garlic, according to flavor trend predictions for 2012 from Sensient Flavors.

Bunge India yesterday announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the edible oils and fats business of Amrit Banaspati.

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF)and British Retail Consortium (BRC) have partnered with Leatherhead Food Research to fund and deliver a comprehensive report on salt reduction methods in food production.

In spite of lower yields per acre, the latest crop report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service projects a rise in US potato production for 2011.

GEA Refrigeration Technologies acquired the assets, operations, production facilities, and patents of the companies QPM LLC and QPM Manufacturing LLC, of Bellevue, Washington, USA: providers of special conveyor-belt solutions.

New guidelines aimed at improving healthy eating habits in Australia has angered potato growers as the document suggests to reduce the consumption of potatoes.

Potato industry officials in the US are touting the health benefits of three colorful new varieties developed by the Tri-State Potato Research and Breeding Program.

The Swedish harvest of table potatoes (all potatoes, only excludes potatoes used for starch production) is estimated at 581,000 tonnes.

Potato overproduction in Russia in 2011 led to the Russian Federation, the country that had been one of the biggest importers of potatoes in the past season, to have turned into the net exporter of this commodity, According to Fruit-Inform.

Potato exports from New Zealand topped $100 million in value in the past year, a record performance.

Key Technology announces the promotion of Bret Larreau to the new position of Manager of Business Development.

Kerry, the global ingredients & flavours and consumer foods group, today confirmed that it has completed the acquisition of Cargill's global flavours business.

More and more potato processors are turning to electrostatics to improve the way flavourings and coatings are added to potatoes and potato products.

Starch group AVEBE has completed the upgrade of a production line at its production site in Ter Apelkanaal in the Netherlands.

Herbert Engineering, the leaders in handling systems for the agricultural and fresh pack industries, announced the launch of Ultra-Wash, the potato washer that allows the crop to be effectively cleaned without submersion in dirty water, at British Potato 2011.

The EU Regulation on Food Information to Consumers has now been published and comes into effect in mid-December.

The production value of the sweet potato crop in North Carolina is more than $173 million.

Two years on from launching the search for its first ever team of Potato Ambassadors, the UK's Potato Council is looking to recruit new members to get involved in marketing activity and help spread the word that potatoes are healthy, tasty, versatile, easy-to-prepare and great value for money.

It's been nicknamed the ‘Crispmas Dinner collection' and it's surely one of the most unusual snack selections ever launched for the festive season - a complete Christmas dinner in crisps.

Dr Qu Dongyu, chair of the Potato Association of China (PAC), is to speak at the World Potato Congress (WPC2012) in Great Britain next year.

The Peruvian farmers cooperative Coopain Cabana recently made a very lucrative deal that benefits the members and the cooperative itself.

Statistics Canada has published the preliminary production estimates for the 2011 potato crop in Canada.

Packaging equipment manufacturer HayssenSandiacre, A Barry Wehmiller Company, announces the acquisition of Simionato.

Traditional food crops and other plant varieties worldwide are in urgent need of protection from climate change and other environmental stresses, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said this week, as it observed the tenth anniversary of the international treaty to protect and share plant genetic resources.

Key Technology announces the appointment of Louis Vintro as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Global Operations.

The Potato Council's provisional estimate of total production in Britain for the 2011 crop year was announced yesterday. The total crop estimate is 6.053 million tonnes, up 3.5% from 2010.

Tong Peal, the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of handling and sorting equipment for the vegetable industry, has introduced a new generation crop cleaning system, which is the latest addition to its range of farm and pack house machinery for 2012.

Global food processing equipment supplier, JBT FoodTech, has been perfecting its ability to process seasonal potato products for ready meal components and convenience foods, in response to the growing demand for different processed potato variations.

The UK's Burts Chips are reintroducing their seasonal Aberdeen Angus flavoured potato chips following consumer demand.

Functional Technologies Corp. is pleased to report the development of a third (3rd) generation of its proprietary acrylamide-preventing (AP) yeast platform, wherein various improvements made to the Company's original underlying AP technology have enabled the yeast's capacity to degrade asparagine, the rate-limiting precursor to acrylamide, to be accelerated and elevated.

Irish Potato Marketing Ltd (IPM), the UK's leading exporter of proprietary seed potato varieties is pleased to announce the acquisition of the business of A J Allan, Scotland.

Food sorting and peeling system manufacturer ODENBERG will reveal its most advanced optical sorter yet to the European market at Agritechnica - the world's largest exhibition for agricultural machinery and equipment - in Hannover, Germany, on November 15-19.

Global demand for frozen potato products (comprised mostly of frozen fries) is forecast up 5 percent from last year, according a recent report by the USDA.

British Potato Industry event BP2011 expects a record number of visitors on November 23 and 24.

Heat and Control, Inc. and Food Process Systems, Inc. have formed a global partnership to develop and market new technology for applying batters, breading, and other coatings to a variety of food products.

To further expand its regional commitment in China, Bosch Packaging Technology intends to build a second production facility in Chengdu, Pujiang county in Sichuan province. The investment volume amounts to 17 million euros (150 million Yuan).

For Greenvale AP, the UK's leading supplier of fresh potatoes, environmental issues are at the very heart of the business, and earlier this month they were formally recognised for their efforts when they were awarded the Fenland Enterprise Business Green Award for their Floods Ferry site in Cambridgeshire.

Diamond Foods yesterday announced that its previously announced acquisition of the Pringles snack business from The Procter & Gamble Company ("P&G") is now expected to close in the first half of calendar 2012.

BASF has applied for European Union approval for Fortuna, a potato genetically modified to resist a common plant disease, as the German chemicals company tries again to overcome resistance in the region to GM food.

Key Technology has announced the appointment of Richard Hebel to the position of Optical Product Marketing Manager.

Habasit Rossi has extended its high performance range of HabaSYNC timing belts for food production and packaging applications to include a new blue Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) belting solution.

Branston has scooped a top retail award naming them as the 2011 Tesco supplier with the best technology innovation to reduce carbon.

Vikan, the leading hygiene cleaning equipment manufacturers, has appointed Deb Smith as its new Global R&D Manager/Hygiene Specialist.

Potatoes have always been known as being versatile and a company in the US is proving just how versatile they can be.

PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division has celebrated the success of its most ambitious environmental sustainability project to-date by announcing that its Casa Grande, Arizona, facility has reached "near net zero."

Diamond Foods recently launched a new marketing campaign in the US to expand national awareness for Kettle Brand, a pioneer in the batch-cooked, all natural potato chip category.

The Indonesian government is considering establishing a trade system for potatoes, including what kinds of potatoes may be imported and an import quota, an official says.

In a major victory, the United States Senate last night unanimously approved a bipartisan amendment, authored by Senator Susan Collins, to the Fiscal Year 2012 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill that would protect the flexibility of schools to serve healthy vegetables in the National School lunch and breakfast programs.

Some analysts have speculated that PepsiCo would split into separate beverage and snacking units to enhance shareholder value.

A group of senators from potatoe-producing states are working to help reverse the "bad rap" that potatoes have received in recent years and to save the school lunch program from banning or severely limiting spuds in the national school lunch program.

Potato growers in the south of England have been advised to slow down and wait for rain so that their harvesters will carry more protective soil up the webs to prevent internal bruising.

The potato capital of Gujarat - Deesa is facing acute price crisis with cost of the vegetable dipping to the lowest in a decade.

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have been selected to lead a national, multi-institution effort to improve the quality and safety of processed potatoes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced on Friday.

Despite a bumper potato harvest in Switzerland this year, growers' joy is being spoiled by big retailers squeezing them on price and rejecting bigger-than-average spuds.

The UK government has proposed dramatic increases in costs for its plant health services.

Ending a long stalemate, Congress approved three new trade agreements Wednesday evening, signing off on deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama in an attempt to increase U.S. exports and create thousands of jobs.

European food producers have expressed their dismay at major reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) requiring them to leave major proportions of farmland in a natural state.

World Potato Congress Inc. General Manager, John Coady, stated recently that, "We are fast approaching the deadline for submission of nominees for the internationally respected WPC Industry Awards."

Key Technology will showcase its range of conveying solutions at the upcoming Process Expo show in Chicago, November 1-4, 2011.

Fairtrade is cementing its position as a market leader in ethical labels and a trusted brand across 24 countries, according to a comprehensive global study of 17,000 consumers carried out for Fairtrade International by international opinion research consultancy GlobeScan.

In the first nine months of 2011, the Flavour Division of Givaudan recorded sales of CHF 1,576 million, an increase of 5% in local currencies and a decline of 9.6% in Swiss francs.

A group of farmers today protested in front of the Trade Ministry in Jakarta, Indonesia, against the arrival of imported potatoes that they say were having a detrimental impact on sales of homegrown produce.

Two university faculty members - and one of their dads - have joined forces to publish "The Complete Potato Grower's Guide: What Every Grower and Gardener Needs to Know".

UK Prime Minister David Cameron is considering introducing a 'fat tax'.

Golden birch trees marked the edge of Greg Kalal's fields, but the dentist-turned-farmer was more interested in hues beneath the soil on his land south of Mount McKinley.

With dry weather exacerbating the risk of bruising potatoes at harvest, the UK Potato Council has called on growers to take a proactive stance and make quality assessments at all stages of harvesting, from lifting to store loading.

Following on a recent decision by Hungary, Denmark is to introduce its own 'fat tax'.
Described as a pioneering move to slim the country's waistlines and combat heart disease, the tax will (from this Saturday) affect prices of butter, potato crisps and ground beef as the government levies the new tax of €2.50 per kilogramme.

Top potato researchers from Britain and The Netherlands have joined the speaker panel at the World Potato Congress (WPC 2012) due to take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 27-30.

UK Potato Council and a TV production company have joined forces to take ‘Small Potatoes' on an interactive tour of the country, and introduce children and their parents to the enjoyment of potatoes this autumn.

A frequently expressed concern in the ongoing public health debate is that fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are nutrient dense, are not affordable to the average consumer.

Last week, BEST opened its fourth Sorting Solution Centre (BSSC) in a new building at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium.

Dutch potato starch supplier Avebe said it is investigating whether legal steps can be taken in response to China's decision last week to stick countervailing duties on top of existing anti-dumping duties on potato starch imports from the EU.

PepsiCo announced this week the formation of the Power of One - Americas Council, which brings together its top food and beverage leaders to leverage the combined scale of the company's complementary snack and beverage businesses across North, South and Central America.

PepsiCo announced this week that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China to promote sustainable agriculture projects and accelerate the development of the Chinese countryside.

In response to worldwide demand, Idaho Steel Products now offers potato flake manufacturers the largest drum dryer in the world.

Bayer CropScience last week revealed a new four pillar strategy for future growth at the company's annual press conference in Monheim, Germany.

The acquisition of Kettle Foods and strength in Emerald snack nuts and Pop Secret products helped contribute to a 92% increase in income during the year for Diamond Foods, Inc.

Poor harvest weather represents the best hope of a revival in European potato prices, which have been depressed a bigger and better crop this year, sending prices in the UK down 12% in one week.

Clearer date labels will help shoppers save money and stop perfectly good food being thrown away, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said today as Defra published new guidance for food and drink manufacturers.

After the feared potato disease Dickeya Solani showed up in Scotland in imported seed potatoes in 2009 and 2010, a new survey shows no signs of the disease in 2011.

US potato and product exports were a record $1,350,213,480 and 1,366,649 metric tons for the July 2010-June 2011 fiscal year.

A Danish potato growers organisation (Dansk Kartoffelproducent-forening) was fined for fixing the price of potatoes.

Yamato Scale Dataweigh has launched a brand new, high-speed addition to its multihead-weighing portfolio.

Record numbers are expected to attend this year's BP2011, according to THE uk's Potato Council head of communications, Dr Sharon Hall.

McCain Foods has launched new Signatures Staycrisp Fries, pre-seasoned chips that remain crispy from fryer to plate.

The "Many Sides of Potatoes" campaign of the United States Potato Board is outperforming the previous "Peel Back The Truth" campaign.

Most farmers in Zimbabwe are shunning potato farming owing to lack of knowledge on the crop. Potato production has been a preserve of former commercial farmers in this now poverty-struck and trouble-torn dictatorship.

The first ever ‘Potato Week' in the UK takes place from 1-7 October and is a chance for everyone involved in growing, supplying, retailing and serving potatoes to educate and inspire consumers.

When Idaho farmers started making the state famous for its potatoes, they seeded their crops in ridged rows and watered the plants by channeling surface irrigation to flow through the furrows between the rows.

The potato's stereotype as a fattening food for health-conscious folks to avoid is getting another revision today as scientists report that just a couple servings of spuds a day reduces blood pressure almost as much as oatmeal without causing weight gain.

The Russian market is keeping its potato price reduction trend thanks to growth of potato supply in the country, according to the Fruit-Inform Project.

The first ever ‘Potato Week' takes place from 1-7 October in the UK and is a chance for everyone involved in growing, supplying, retailing and serving potatoes to educate and inspire consumers.

Potato Council will be announcing the export figures from the record-breaking 2010/2011 season at Potato Europe (Tournai, Belgium, September 7-8).

Reducing acrylamide content of foods while safeguarding other quality and taste aspects, still remains a challenge for industry, according to a new review of the science supporting reduction techniques entitled "Acrylamide formation in fried potato products - Present and Future, a critical review on mitigation strategies."

Where is all this food and packaging waste coming from - and what can be done to stop it?

Symrise, the fourth largest flavours and fragrances company in the world, has recently become the first such company to start production of flavours in Russia.

To ensure efficient, robust and reliable box tipping and to guarantee the handling process moves with optimum efficiency, Tong Peal, the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of handling and sorting equipment for the vegetable handling industry, has introduced a new side eject box tipper.

Focusing on delivering performance and flexibility, tna highlights its roflo® VM 3, a vibratory motion transfer and distribution system, unique seasoning system the tna intell-flav®OMS 3, plus the tna robag® 3c 320 bagger with new tna 314 Ω multi-head scale.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist has created a new weapon in the war being waged against the potato cyst nematode-a diagnostic test that identifies the type of nematode infesting a grower's field.

After centuries of relying on rice and noodles to feed its hungry masses, China is now turning to a familiar British staple to meet the needs of its 1.3bn-strong population - the humble potato.

For farmers to link with markets, they need to learn not only to produce, but to "produce for the market" and a key starting point is for them to learn to view their farm as a business enterprise that needs to be managed for profit.

A Lebanese prosecutor now has the final piece of documentation needed to rule on whether Henk Tepper will be released from his Beirut jail cell into a lawyer's custody.

This year's Potatoes in Practice event, hosted by the UK's Potato Council, has been heralded as a great success, attracting record numbers of visitors, exhibitors and boasting a wide range of field demonstrations and trials.

Though the United States is set to remain the largest market for flavours and fragrances in years to come, most growth for the sector will come from developing markets, particularly from Asia Pacific region.

HJ Heinz has expanded its frozen potato range in the UK with the launch of four products.

Malaysia's traditional snack industry is growing rapidly with the sales figure hitting RM200 million (66 Million USD) last year.

Many Dutch businessmen are starting to show an interest in agriculture in the Philippines.

Potato company Branston Ltd has installed a £1 million water recycling plant at its Ilminster site - and is already reducing its mains water usage by thousands of litres a day.

Palm oil imports by India, the largest buyer, may climb to a record this year as rising incomes stoke demand for cookies and potato chips, potentially stemming a decline in prices from a more than nine-month low, reported Bloomberg.

An engineered modification of Key's popular Iso-Flo® vibratory conveyor, Iso-Glide achieves a motion that resembles horizontal motion, which maximizes sanitation while offering gentle handling and quiet operation.

Diamond Foods announced that The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has granted its approval to the company for its pending acquisition of the Pringles business from The Procter & Gamble Company.

Kinze Manufacturing has unveiled an innovative solution to increase productivity on the farm - the Kinze Autonomy Project.

The global food allergy and intolerance products market is projected to surpass $26 billion by the year 2017.

Researchers have discovered a way to reduce oil in potato chips by modifying the production process.

Potato Council has extended the deadline for nominations for this year's Potato Industry Award until August 31.

Food manufacturers in the UK plan to promote half-portions of the fruit and veg in products from baked beans to lasagne in an initiative to encourage consumers to eat more of their five a day.

The world's "most expensive and exclusive" potatoes are to go on sale across the UK for the first time this week at a major supermarket.

According to Fruit-Inform Project's estimates, Russian consumers annually spend about $5 bln for imported vegetables and potatoes.

Dutch farmers and scientists are developing salt-resistant potatoes; a local experiment with international interest and global potential.

Teton Glacier Vodka has won a gold medal in a Domestic Vodka Tasting held by TheFiftyBest.com in New York City.

Potato importers and growers looking to buy seed from Britain are invited to visit the Potato Council stand at Potato Europe in Tournai, Belgium, September 7-8.

Heat and Control, a leading supplier of processing and packaging machinery to the global food processing industry, has acquired Flavorite Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Europe's food safety watchdog rejected 80% of proposed food-related general health claims in its three-year assessment applications from manufacturers, it said last week.

The UK market for fresh fruit and vegetables was worth an estimated £9.52bn in 2010, representing a 4.3% increase on 2009 figures and a 29.5% increase on 2006, reveals a new report by Key Note Publications.

Pakistan may export 120,000 to 125,000 metric tons of potato to Russia as the demand for potato in Russia is increasing, said Harvest Tradings CEO Ahmad Jawad.

UK retailers have seen the sharpest fall in food volumes in almost a quarter of a century, according to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics.

Scientists are waiting for blight to test disease resistance at the half-way stage of a three-year GM potato trial on Norwich Research Park.

Indian snack manufacturer Parle has tied up with the Priya Group to manufacture, supply and package wafers and snacks for its newly-launched brand Full Toss.

The Ishida Europe stand at this year's PPMA Show will showcase the latest developments across the company's extensive product portfolio, all of which help to deliver excellent accuracy, improved efficiencies and maximum throughput for a wide variety of applications.

Tong Peal Engineering is exhibiting its latest range of potato processing equipment at Potato Europe 2011.

Vandals in Germany have destroyed two experimental sites growing genetically modified (GM) wheat and potatoes.

Kettle Brand, a pioneer in the batch-cooked, all natural potato chip category, is bringing its most popular flavors to a new reduced fat potato chip that delivers signature bold flavor and hearty crunch, with 40 percent less fat.

Food considered to be unhealthy, including crisps, soft drinks and chocolate bars, are now subject to a new tax in Hungary.

The Canadian Potato Council (CPC) is challenging the conclusions of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on potatoes and potato consumption, which wrongly depicts potatoes as a hindrance to weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight.

The NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) has calculated that the consumption potato area in the 5 NEPG countries has grown slightly (1.8%) compared to last year.

An international team of scientists - led in the UK by researchers at The James Hutton Institute in Scotland - have succeeded in mapping the genome of the potato, the first major UK crop plant to be fully sequenced.

Sweet potatoes are gaining popularity in the United States, where health-conscious consumers have created increased demand for the tasty, versatile food.

Researchers at the University of California have discovered that it's not just the carbohydrates that give you cravings for potato chips.

The first official viewing of the new TV advertisement that will inspire consumers to cook more potatoes took place at the South East Potato Day at Quex Barns, Birchington in Kent, UK on June 24.

PepsiCo UK has announced that it has reduced salt levels in its Walkers Crisps by a further 10 per cent.

UK supermarket Sainsbury's is set to sell a brand new purple potato product using the Albert Bartlett Purple Majesty, as part of its exclusive partnership with the supplier.

Leading seed potato grower, and recently appointed member of the Potato Council Board, Alistair Melrose is urging growers and other members of the industry to support this year's Potatoes in Practice.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Potato Council is to stage the eighth World Potato Congress (May 2012) in Scotland.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) believes a study released in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine perpetuates unfortunate myths and misconceptions about the potato.

Infra-red heating and blanching, meeting today's food safety regulatory demands, innovative sorting solutions, enzymes against acrylamide and working out the real cost of ownership kept delegates busy at the fina l day of the 2011 International Potato Processing and Storage Convention in Denver, Colorado.

The theme for the second day of the 2011 International Potato Processing and Storage Convention in Denver, Colorado (June 22), ranged from working with genes to control potato growth in storage through to using ‘green' technology for processing and keeping your company sustainable to keep the customers satisfied.

A new report on weight gain has produced some bad news for the potato industry.

The first day of the 2011 International Potato Processing and Storage Convention in Denver, Colorado (June 21), saw storage matters rule the roost, with a top-class field of speakers covering topics from CIPC through to mass loss, pressure bruising and how to use heating in storage for optimum air movement.

Higher food prices and volatility in commodity markets are here to stay, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

On the first day of its annual Global Summit in Barcelona, The Consumer Goods Forum unveiled new industry-wide resolutions on consumer health and wellness.

Potato yields need to make a stepped increase to cope with global demand, declared Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) chief scientist Prof Ian Crute at the UK's Potato Council's West Midlands Potato Day on June 8.

A new option is available for long term storage of root crops.

At the 2011 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo®, incoming IFT President Roger Clemens and President-Elect John Ruff announced and presented four companies with the 2011 IFT Food Expo Innovation Awards.

Cargill has launched FlakeSelect^TM, a portfolio of products that enables food manufacturers to reduce sodium in snacks, baked goods and processed foods, or reformulate with sea salt, while maintaining the great salt taste consumers expect.

Dow AgroSciences achieved an industry first with the unveiling of saturated fat free Omega-9 Sunflower Oil at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans.

American consumers are snacking more than ever with U.S. retail sales of packaged snacks reaching $64 billion in 2010, up from $56 billion in 2006, according to market researcher Packaged Facts.

First discovered in foods in 2002, acrylamide is produced whenever starchy foods are fried, roasted or baked, meaning it's found in everything from doughnuts to coffee beans.

Key Technology announces the opening of its new customer visitor center - The Innovation and Solutions Center - in Walla Walla, Washington, USA.

A new pilot project that will see the carbon footprint label introduced on products in France begins next month.

The UK's Product of the Year 2012 awards is now open for entries.

The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, is leading an international project with the goal of developing new potato varieties which are tolerant to the effects of climate change, as well as to identify already existing cultivars that are capable to resist these effects.

High and volatile agricultural commodity prices are likely to prevail for the rest of this year and into 2012 according to the latest analysis published today in FAO's biannual Food Outlook.

Caribbean food entrepreneur Levi Roots is expanding his range in the UK and launching new Reggae Reggae crisps to excite the £1.9bn crisps and snack category.

This year, Sainsbury's is launching a new British potato variety, offering consumers the exclusive opportunity to enjoy a home grown favourite throughout the summer months.

Swedish manufacturer Rosenqvists has launched two new industrial fryers for the production of extruded snacks and parfried potato specialties.

The Board of Directors of McCain Foods Limited has appointment Dirk Van de Put as President and CEO and a Director of the Company, succeeding Dale Morrison, from July 1.

Russia has suspended all imports of fresh vegetables from the EU after the E.coli outbreak.

The global snacks foods market will reach over $300 billion by 2015, according to a new report available on companiesandmarkets.com.

Don't save your water for later - use it now, Eric Anderson, senior agronomist at Scottish Agronomy urges potato growers.

Environmental activists stormed a field of genetically modified potatoes in Belgium on Sunday, breaking through a security cordon in a raid that left police and protesters injured, authorities and organisers said.

Key Technology introduces its new three-way sorting capability on Manta.

Breeders Trust has written to more than 130 Belgian arable farmers on the basis of crop data obtained by way of a court order against the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC).

Herbert Engineering has recently secured another major European order, for a new washline incorporating a 4m Barrel Washer and specially adapted destoner to be installed by the end of the year.

Solae, a world leader in soya ingredients, recently conducted a healthy ageing consumer research study across the 5 largest countries in Europe, focusing on health concerns of 45-74 year olds that protein or fiber could impact.

The co-founder of McCain Foods, Wallace McCain, died on Saturday aged 81.

McCain Foods Australia and New Zealand has announced a new "overarching global company philosophy", pledging to "spread the goodness".

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to eliminate the "white potato"- defined as any variety but the sweet potato - from federally subsidized school breakfasts and to limit them sharply at lunch.

A new range of Spanish crisps with a price tag of £4 are being marketed as a delicacy in the UK.

China said today it would levy anti-subsidy duties of up to 11.19 percent on imports of EU potato starch.

Innova Market Insights has identified 10 emerging trends from the first half of 2011 that will impact on new product activity in nutritional and functional foods.

McCain Foods is launching Potato Fingers to meet a gap in the UK market for a potato product aimed at older children who may have grown out of child marketed products such as McCain Smiles.

Potato cooperative Agrico is changing over to a form of one-head management.

In the future, plant breeders may be able to develop potato varieties that are better able to withstand long drought spells than the currently grown varieties.

Lack of rain has affected most of England and Wales and unusually dry ground may result in higher levels of common scab than in the last few years, says Potato Council technical executive Chris Steele.

Frito-Lay has admitted that high temperatures are needed for the home composting of its recently re-launched SunChips' bag.

Greenergy, which supplies a fifth of the UK's petrol and diesel, said it has started making motor fuels from food waste, after initially feeding its plant with pure cooking oil.

UK retailer Marks and Spencer has appointed former John Lewis executive Robert Weston as brand director for its foods arm.

Food security and the sustainability of the potato industry are top of the agenda at the UK Potato Council's West Midlands Potato Day this year.

PepsiCo has announced a 20 per cent decline in first-quarter net income despite strong sales gains during the period.

Kemin has introduced GT-FORT^TM - a natural flavor that can be an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and tocopherols commonly used in frying oils.

Boulder Canyon Natural Foods, a unit of Inventure Foods, introduced a single-serve compostable package in conjunction with Earth Day on April 22.

Buhler Sortex's performance in competitive international markets was recognized recently when it was awarded a "Queen's Award for Enterprise" for the sixth time.

China's Ministry of Commerce has said it will impose anti-dumping duties on potato starch imports from the European Union (EU) from today.

U.S. potato stocks were 18 per cent lower on April 1 than last year at the same time.

The potato starch manufacturer AVEBE and the plant biotechnology company BASF Plant Science have confirmed the next step in their cooperation to develop genetically enhanced amylopectin starch potatoes.

PepsiCo is using reformulation and the development of healthier brands to strengthen its health and wellness agenda, a nutritionist has indicated.

The UK Potato Council-funded network of 100 Yellow Water Traps (Aphmon) will go live in May.

Fewer U.S. consumers have negative attitudes about potatoes, according to a recent U.S. Potato Board survey.

The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Food Price Index has dropped for the first time after eight months of continuous price spikes, the FAO announced last week.

Late blight, caused by a fungus-like microbe, is a plant disease that mainly attacks potatoes and tomatoes, is difficult and economically challenging to eradicate, and was largely responsible for the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century.

Scotland has a brand new research ‘super institute' with the job of tackling some of the world's most challenging problems including the impact of climate change and threats to food and water security.

PepsiCo has revealed plans to launch a range of Tapatio hot-sauce flavoured crisp products in the US.

Diamond Foods and The Procter & Gamble Company today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge the Pringles business into Diamond Foods in a transaction valued at $2.35 billion.

Neiker-Tecnalia (the Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development) is realising a project for obtaining high quality starch in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) using new molecular and genetic tools.

New advice on environmentally friendly potato production could prove invaluable to UK growers looking to secure recently launched grants to help reduce water pollution.

Potato and other vegetable prices in the U.S. are up sharply over last year according to a new government report.

Tong Peal has added a suite of technical advancements to its 2011 range of machinery.

Campden BRI is holding a major Food and Beverage Innovation conference on 23-24 June to help companies come up with new and innovative ideas for product development.

Around 200 potato farmers went on strike on Saturday along the Larnaca-Ayia Napa road after still not having received compensation for damage to crops due to extreme weather conditions over the last two years, reported Cyprus Mail.

UK exports of fresh potatoes to Holland in January were 11 times higher than the three year average.

The PPMA Show is the most important UK event to focus exclusively on the very latest cutting-edge processing and packaging machinery.

Potao chip manufacturer Utz is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the company.

With more than eight installations in Sweden, Herbert have an excellent knowledge of the Swedish market which has been built up by their close relationship by their distributor RJ Maskiner.

Scottish seed potato exports to Egypt have soared this season, reported Fresh Plaza.

Bizerba industrial weighing machines stand for innovative technology, precision, operational reliability and robustness.

Cargill has signed an agreement with Marico Ltd. to acquire Marico's refined sunflower oil brand Sweekar in India.

Product benchmarking helps companies judge how their product will fare against the competition - a valuable insight into likely commercial performance.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized PepsiCo with an award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency measures.

The UK potato industry could be dealt a devastating blow if a species of beetle found on the Continent is allowed to thrive here, the NFU has said.

A recent contract saw the UK's Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) beat off European competition to provide testing for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), which involved testing for potato viruses and the bacterial diseases brown rot and ring rot.

Flo-Mech has announced major expansion plans for a new purpose built office to house the company's energy and sustainability, health and safety and service departments, as well as a dedicated R&D/demo lab for machinery trials and testing.

Australian potato growers have ended their blockade of the McCain Foods factory after an agreement was reached over this season's potato prices, reported ABC Online.

Up to 17 per cent of potato crisps' carbon footprint comes from potato growing, revealed PepsiCo's agricultural sustainability manager Mark Pettigrew at the UK Potato Council Storage Forum (March 3).

McCain Foods (Canada) has won two awards for its advert for its Sweet Potato Superfries® varieties.

Caravan Ingredients has added Trancendim oil for potato frying to its Trancendim line of high diglycerides.

Most food raw materials have potential hazards associated with them - be they chemical, microbiological or physical. But some hazards are a greater risk to the final product than others.

Reducing waste in the potato supply chain comes down to careful management of soil, seed and water, as James Andrews discovers, reports Farmers Weekly Interactive.

Today is the 'world waterday' and a diversity of organisations are making use of this day to check the water use in the production of a wide variety of food stuffs, reports Belgapom.

After surviving years of drought and destructive floods Australian potato growers are now battling a crop price cut by McCain foods, reported the Herald Sun.

Walkers is launching a range of crinkle-cut crisps next month, in a move PepsiCo says is the biggest category launch of the past five years.

UK certification body BM TRADA Certification Ltd has identified a dramatic surge in demand from clients seeking certification under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Supply Chain Certification Systems.

Chase Vodka - the only English potato vodka - has signed a deal with Sainsbury's, reported The Guardian.

IOI-Loders Croklaan Asia has opened its new Creative Studio in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists trying to help Florida growers find a replacement for methyl bromide are studying an alternative soil treatment that uses molasses as one of its ingredients.

Functional Technologies has announced that its subsidiary, Phyterra Yeast Inc., has been awarded $2.5 million in non-dilutive funding from the Government of Canada's Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) under the oversight of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

PinguinLutosa has announced that it has signed a "principle" agreement with GIMV regarding the full acquisition of Scana Noliko.

The US National Potato Council (NPC) has launched a new website to help defend the Potato in School Lunch.

At this year's Interpack S+S Separation and Sorting Technology GmbH will show a range of product inspection systems based on magnet, X-ray, and inductive technology.

The impact of the current crisis in Libya on food security is a cause for serious concern both in Libya and surrounding countries due to the region's dependency on cereal imports, possible disruptions to the flow of goods and services and population displacements, the United Nation's (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on March 11.

Walkers crisps has been named as the third most popular brand in Britain in an annual UK grocery survey, reported the Press Association.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) of food and grocery manufacturers said they would consider building their own e-stores in the future in a bid to engage directly with shoppers online, according to research published today on March 9 by food and grocery analysts IGD.

In what is likely to revolutionise seed potato production in India, the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, has developed a technique based on Aeroponics to produce seed potatoes without exposing them to soil, reported the Indian Express.

Recent research has led to adjustments in late foliar blight resistance ratings. Some varieties such as Cara, historically rated as seven, have been amended to five.

A Walkers crisps promotion based on predicting the weather has been slammed by the advertising watchdog for changing the rules once underway.

A recent CSIRO survey has indicated that the Nadine potato variety has shown low GI (Glycemic Index) readings. This has therefore, increased the choice beyond one low GI potato on the market.

Fats and oil specialist AAK has opened a new office in China and appointed a new country manager, in a bid to get closer to its local customers.

Palm oil supplier Sime Darby Plantation is looking at firming up plans to open a new oil processing facility in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, citing growing demand for edible oils in southern Europe.

Danisco will showcase future opportunities for food manufacturers to reduce their environmental footprint at the Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing virtual trade show on 18 March.

Some of the UK's most innovative packaging designers and manufacturers have entered this year's Packaging Design Challenge taking place at Pro2Pac from 13-16 March.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) was ranked the world's most admired company in the food production industry for the third consecutive year by Fortune magazine, ADM said.

A speical report by Euromonitor has outlined how record food prices are impacting business and consumers.

The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Food Price Index hit a new record high in February, driven mostly by higher prices of cereals, meat and dairy products, the agency said on March 2.

Despite Prince Edward Island's position as Canada's top potato producer, the P.E.I. Potato Board says there needs to be more local research to help the industry, reported Canada East Times and Transcript.

Quex Foods, at Quex Park in Birchington, UK, is about to launch Kent Crisps, which will be made from potatoes grown on the Quex estate and nearby farms, reported This is Kent.

Australian French fries could be in short supply this year after floods devastated potato-growing regions in four states.

A rubbery adhesive between the two layers that make up Frito-Lay's compostable packaging concept may act as a sound barrier and solve the noise issue that led the company to reduce its first effort to offer some of its snack products in biodegradable packaging.

Global snack foods market is forecast to reach US$334 billion and 48,519 thousand tons in volume terms, by the year 2015, driven primarily by changing consumer demographics, perceptions, priorities and affluence levels, a report by Global Industry Analysts says.

Brazil, Russia, India and China are all set to be in the top five grocery markets for the first time by 2015 according to latest figures released by international food and grocery analysts IGD.

Key Technology has introduced its new Auto Valve Check feature for new and installed G6 Tegra sorters.

Irradiation of potatoes at a sprout inhibition dose reduced acrylamide formation in potato chips and improved their colour, according to new research from India.

The 13 major potato U.S. states held 176 million cwt of potatoes in storage February 1, 2011, down 14 percent from a year ago.

Potato supplier Branston Ltd is involved in research looking at how much water is used by potatoes during their lifetime...from growing through to processing.

GreenPalm, the certificate trading company that supports and promotes sustainable palm oil production, has appointed Simon Chrismas as Business Development Executive.

China Essence Group Ltd., one of the largest, leading integrated producers of potato starch products in the People's Republic of China, yesterday announced its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2010.

The first officially certified low GI potato has been a huge success in Australia.

Potato growers will not want to miss out on the latest details on variety resistance to foliar blight to be revealed at the Winter Forum taking place at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research, Spalding, Lincolnshire on February 22.

Seabrook Crisps has employed a new sales director.

An investment by Archer Daniels Midland in sustainable palm production in Brazil will encompass about 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) of palm production and include construction of a palm processing plant, Decatur-based ADM said on Wednesday.

PepsiCo yesterday announced that it expects its profit growth to slow in 2011 due to higher commodity costs, "difficult" conditions in developed countries and investment in emerging markets.

Real opportunities for the industry to optimise the fresh potato category and build long-term demand was the key message from the latest Potato Council Retail Conference.

Scientists at East Malling Research (EMR) - recognised as world experts on water management - have found a way to significantly reduce the amount of water used to grow potatoes commercially, after transferring the knowledge from early work with strawberries.

PepsiCo is planning to use increasing amounts of digital media and new product development in its efforts to drive business growth in China.

A clutch of Punjab-based potato farmers are in the final stages of signing a deal with Russian traders for exporting close to 10,000 tonnes of the crop to Russia for the first time, reported The Times of India.

Bosch Packaging Technology, a leading supplier of holistic packaging and process technology, is changing the company names of its subsidiaries Sigpack Systems AG and Paal Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH, effective February 1.

Dirty's All-Natural Potato Chips, one of the largest natural snack manufacturers in the USA, is all set to enter the Indian market.

Food prices around the world surged to a new historic peak in January, for the seventh consecutive month, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on February 3 and prices are not likely to decline in the months ahead.

Potato growers and processors looking for good quality market intelligence need look no further than the new publication GB Potatoes: Market Intelligence 2010-11, according to its authors.

The chief executive of PepsiCo has said that local Egyptian employees are protecting its facilities in the country as local political protests enter their ninth day.

United Biscuits is celebrating another success in its bid to cut waste by eliminating landfill from four of its factories, reported the grocer.

Diamond Foods yesterday announced a $10 million expansion of its production facility in Norwich, U.K. to meet increasing demand.

Heat and Control's have launched a new MasterTherm Kettle Fryer (MTKF), which uses a thermal fluid heat exchanger to deliver up to 80 per cent thermal efficiency and over 500 finished lbs/hr of batch fried potato chips.

Richardson International Limited has announced it is going to invest C$15 million to expand and enhance its canola oil processing plant in Alberta, Canada, to meet increasing customer demand for healthier food products.

The UK market for savoury snacks, nuts and crisps is doing well despite the recession, according to a report from Nielsen.

Potato production in the U.S. and Canada is down from the year before, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Statistics Canada.

McDonald's income rose 9 per cent in 2010 thanks to new menu additions.

ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston's Delhi, Louisiana., processing facility received its official Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) Platinum certification today, awarded by the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

China produced 4.08 million metric tons (tonnes) of refined edible vegetable oil in December of last year, a jump of 18.5 per cent over a year earlier, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Palm oil prices have dropped, putting them at the lowest level since the beginning of the year, according to Bloomberg.

Potato production was down in the U.S. last year but sweet potato production was up.

Key Technology has launched Horizon^TM, a new horizontal motion conveyor that features a unique maintenance-free mechanical drive.

UK-based Seabrook Crisps Ltd has invested £1.5m in developing four new flavours of crisp, each with 90 per cent less salt.

Jim Moseley, managing mirector of General Mills, UK, Ireland and the Nordic markets has taken up the reins as president of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) - the voice of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry.

Market uptake of sustainable palm oil will need to accelerate in 2011 in order to keep up with rapidly growing production, claims the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

In the first known study to address the effects of potato consumption on antioxidant status, oxidative stress and inflammation in humans, a team of research scientists worked with a group of Washington adult males to test the hypothesis that antioxidants from coloured potatoes would decrease susceptibility to chronic diseases.

A television campaign helped boost profits at Scotland-based vegetable giant Albert Bartlett by 67.6 per cent last year to £9.9 million.

Zappe Endeavors LLC, the maker of Zapp's potato chips, has agreed to be acquired by Utz Quality Foods Inc., the largest independently held snack food company in the U.S.

Tong Peal, the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of handling and sorting equipment for the vegetable handling industry, has introduced the UK's first combined washing and polishing vegetable cleaning system.

BioSafe Systems, a manufacturer of disease control solutions, have taken on board a new technical sales representative.

Diamond Foods-owned Kettle has expanded its crisp portfolio in the US to include two "healthy" variants.

Food prices hit a record high last month, surpassing the levels seen during the 2007-08 crisis, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation said yesterday.

Palm oil futures have closed at the highest annual price in 15 years, it has been reported.

McCain Foods has joined the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (H.W.C.F.) in its pledge to reduce obesity, especially among children aged 6 to 11, by 2015.

The second phase of California's ban on artificial trans fats was set to take effect January 1, meaning restaurants must stop using oil with trans fat for cake batter, donuts and other items.

Frito-Lay North America, part of PepsiCo, Inc., is undertaking a significant reformulation of its product portfolio that will result in approximately 50 per cent of its products being made with all natural ingredients by the end of this year.

Fox Packaging, a mesh and poly/mesh bag manufacturer, says its potato bag protects product from light damage, and now has research to prove it.

The prediction follows a tie-up between Chase Distillery and US brand management firm, Pelican brands, to sell the firm's premium vodka and elderflower liquor to US distributors and retailers from September.

Founder and ceo Will Chase said: "Turnover this year will be around 1.5m, we're planning to boost this to £3-4m next year and £10m the year after on the basis of growing demand in the US and China.

"The States represents 60 per cent of the world market for vodka, while the UK only represents 3 per cent. The UK is more of a shop window for a brand, if it does well here then it's likely to do well worldwide."

Pelican are predicting Chase Vodka - who won the the accolade of the "World's Best Vodka" at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition this year - will become a $100 million brand.

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman of Pelican Brands, said: "We are building a very exciting and powerful portfolio of spirit brands and the opportunity to partner with the ‘World's Best' vodka was too good to miss.

"More important than the award is the deep integrity and care with which Chase brands are made."

Chase added that the distillery also has ambitious growth plans for China and India, with its unique selling point the romance of the English countryside. He also criticised what he described as cheap imitators trying to capture a share of the premium spirit market, following his firm's success.

Chase Distillery launched the first English potato vodka in 2008, and in 2009 vodka replaced Scottish whisky as Britain's most popular spirit. It now represents over 30 per cent of UK spirit market sales, according to the Gin & Vodka Association.

Chase said: "I can see another 10-20 new ‘premium' spirit firms mushrooming next year. You can be a one-minute wonder and get your product stocked behind bars. But will this success last, where will you be in three months time?

"We mash and grow our own potatoes, and use our own distillery to produce everything from scratch. We also make gin from our own cider, after we turn that into apple vodka. I can tell you the precise still that each bottle comes from.

"Other producers simply throw some bulk-bought vodka through a still, add a few botanicals and call it premium gin. We want to keep Chase as a premium brand."

This commitment to quality necessitates care in regard to where the firm's premium spirits are stocked, with listings at The Ivy, Harrods and The Ritz. Nonetheless, Chase does not rule out deals with selected major multiples:

"Waitrose fulfils our quality criterion and we have a national presence in their stores. We're also in Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and sell an awful lot to Majestic Wine."

And although Chase has ambitious plans to expand the business, he claims that world domination and a "corporate approach" is not on the cards: "We have to grow. We currently shift one Transit van a day but could easily expand that to 10. The beauty of a distillery is that we could increase production by 50-60 times without spending a vast amount of money," he said.

Getting the timing of the application of CIPC correct is crucial to ensuring no MRL exceedance, warns Dr Mike Storey, head of the UK's Potato Council R&D.

The potato starch manufacturer AVEBE and the plant biotechnology company BASF Plant Science announced yesterday a research and development alliance in plant biotechnology.

Musgrave Retail Partners GB has launched a range of own brand snacks for its Budgens and Londis shops in the UK.

Konya Seker, the innovative Turkish processor, decided to try something different on their potato strip production line.

The UK's Leatherhead Food Research predict that 2011 will see a number of underlying trends rise higher up the agenda and combine to provide the food and drink industry with a renewed strategic focus.

William Chase, the UK-based founder of Tyrrells Crisps, has sold his remaining shares of the premium crisp brand to private equity firm Langholm Capital.

British family run frozen food company, Aunt Bessie's Limited, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year.

Diamonds Foods Kettle Brand Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Chips received top ranking in a recent London-based Financial Times taste test.

Lance, Inc. and Snyder's of Hanover, Inc. announced on Monday the completion of their merger, first announced on July 22nd.

British snacks manufacturer United Biscuits will launch a series of new lines, change product recipes and update packaging on more brands in 2011.

British crisp company Tyrrells has launched a new range of hand-cooked potato crisps.

According to IGD's UK Grocery Retail Outlook: Opportunities Beyond 2010 report:

* The UK convenience sector, currently valued at £32.1bn, will continue to outperform the grocery market and is projected to increase sales by 5.8 per cent per year to £42.6bn in 2015

* Accounting for 8.2 per cent of the UK grocery sector, non-food sales reached £12.4bn in 2010 and are predicted to increase to £17.1bn by 2015

* Online grocery retailing is set to double in value from £4.8bn to £9.5bn by 2015. This is due to technological enhancements, improvements to websites and delivery/collect methods, and greater confidence among shoppers

The report, which also includes a supplier survey, found that food and drink manufacturers expressed a high level of optimism about the prospects of their businesses in the next three years, with 63 per cent scoring 8 out of 10or higher.

They are also aware of the need to innovate to grow. When asked how they would change their product strategy in the next three years, nearly two thirds of suppliers said that they envisage creating products and pack sizes tailored to meet different store formats or channel-specific needs.

Gavin Rothwell, UK research manager, IGD said: "Many UK retailers have announced major development plans in areas such as convenience and online - all of which are helping drive growth.

Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, has eaten nothing but 20 potatoes a day for the past two months.

The UK Potato Council's provisional estimate of total production for the 2010 crop year is 5.817 million tons, down 6.1 per cent from 2009.

Consumers who cut back on their spending during the recession are keeping to this trend by staying away from the supermarket shelves, according to a survey by Booz & Co., a global management consulting firm.

An advisory group picked from the private and public sectors of Canada's potato industry has been set up to develop a new voluntary, nationwide farm-level biosecurity standard.

The Bangladeshi Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken up an extensive plan to cultivate potato in all the seven Upazilas [subdistricts] of the district Gaibandha during the current Rabi [dry] season.

Irish potatoes are being exported for the first time in decades following a bumper harvest and poor growing conditions over most of Europe, the Teagasc National Potato seminar in Carlow heard yesterday.

Tightened household budgets are resulting in increased expenditure on food to be eaten at home as consumers turn away from more expensive eating options found in restaurants, according to analyst insight by Euromonitor.

Mintel, a leader in market and consumer intelligence, has predicted the worldwide consumer packaged goods (CPG) trends set to make an impact in 2011.

A new strain of the potato disease 'blackleg' has been confirmed in Northern Ireland, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has said.

Ten emerging food trends that will impact new product activity in 2011 have been identified by Innova Market Insights from its ongoing analysis of key trends and developments over the past year or so.

Produce Investments will raise £15 million to help fund a major expansion when it lists on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) later this month.

ConAgra Foods commemorated the grand opening of ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston's new state-of-the art, environmentally friendly sweet potato processing plant in Delhi, Louisiana on Friday.

Biopesticides for use in oilseed rape and potatoes to help control diseases and promote crop growth could be on the market in the UK within five years, according to AgraQuest's Ashish Malik, senior vice-president of global marketing.

More than 90 per cent of the food and packaging waste in the UK generated at factories operated by members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is now being recycled or recovered, according to a new survey published today by the trade association and Defra.

Newco, the society for the Transference of Potato Technology, in collaboration with the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, are carrying out a joint project that has enabled them to grow potatoes in the air, without the need for earth.

It is vital we avoid introducing new plant health problems, warns Mark Prentice, the UK Potato Council head of seed and export, who organised this year's Seed Industry Event at Crieff Hydro on October 26.

An Indian frozen food company has decided to add a French fry line with capacity to process 25,000 tons per annum at its multi product complex coming up in Gujarat.

The potato could soon fall victim to a new set of guidelines outlining what children should be eating at schools in the U.S.

A world leader in innovative yeast research and development, announced that it has made considerable progress towards the commercialization of its patent-pending acrylamide-reducing (AR) yeast technology.

A competition is being launched in the UK by the Potato Council in an attempt to get people to eat more potatoes.

Chris Voigt, the American man who has taken on the challenge of eating only potatoes for 60 days, has admitted he is starting to struggle with the lack of choice.

Key Technology has introduced RemoteMD(TM), a new real-time condition analysis tool for G6 optical sorters - Manta®, Optyx®, and Tegra® - as well as G6 ADR® Automatic Defect Removal Systems.

UK Investment Partners, a private equity group, has bought France's largest maker of own-label salty snacks for an undisclosed sum.

Varun Berry , a PepsiCo veteran of 17 years, will take over as CEO of its foods division in India, where the US foods and beverages major looks to add healthier foods to its portfolio and break open the low-priced snacks segment for itself.

Key Technology has announced the launch of its Integrated Solutions Group (ISG) and the introduction of new line integration services.

Potato values in the UK fell in the week to October 15 as better weather boosted availability and lower value supplies dominated sales.

The makers of Walkers crisps have set a goal to cut carbon emissions and water use in its crops 50 per cent by 2015.

BEST (Belgian Electronic Sorting Technology)has launched new versions of its Genius, Felix and Ixus sorters - which have just been unveiled at IPA in Paris.

Givaudan has developed a unique sensory language called Sense It^TM Salt which enables a more accurate description of the complex taste effects of salt in foods.

Buyers are turning to Estonia in search of potatoes after the floods in Poland and the drought in Russia wiped out large portions of the potato harvests in those countries.

The British are cutting back on potatoes in favour of pasta and rice, research shows.

PepsiCo UK is investigating the feasibility of converting potato peel waste into crisp packaging as part of its aim to produce more environmentally sustainable packaging.

A purple potato that growers say is healthier than the standard variety is going on sale in UK supermarkets.

Ishida Europe launched a new multihead weigher for citrus fruits and root vegetables at Emballage 2010.

The German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Rainer Brüderle, helped start the harvesting of the Amflora potatoes in Zepkow in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The world's first 100 percent biodegradable chip packet - designed by FritoLay for its SunChips brand - has come in for criticism from Facebook members, with 40,000 agreeing the new packaging is too loud.

A centre of the Shimla-based Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) will be set up in West Bengal's West Midnapur district to make quality potato seeds favourable to the state's climatic condition available to the farmers.

Potato Council is working hard to sustain demand for British potatoes both at home and abroad, revealed chairman Allan Stevenson to 650 growers and processors at Potatoes in Practice (PiP) at Invergowrie, Dundee on 12 August.

McDonald's Corporation this week announced global comparable sales growth of 7.0% in July.

McCain Foods (GB) has re-engaged specialist digital and eCRM agency, Underwired Amaze, to create a new eCRM hub and strategy, and extend its CRM activity across multiple channels using the Agillic platform.

SOUTH Africa has been hit by a countrywide potato shortage due to adverse climatic conditions which will affect the supply, quality and pricing of frozen potato products.

Lance Inc and Snyder's of Hanover have announced they have signed a definitive agreement to combine in a stock-for-stock merger of equals that will create a combined company to be called Snyder's-Lance Inc.

Corn Products International, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions for diversified industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire National Starch, a New Jersey-based global provider of specialty starches, from AkzoNobel, the largest global coatings and specialty chemicals company, headquartered in The Netherlands.

Yissum Research Development Company Ltd, the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has come up with a solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.

Two of the industry´s leading suppliers - Tummers Methodic, Holland, and Rosenqvists Food Technologies, Sweden are joining hands.

From Japan and Bangladesh to Australia and Canada, from Norway and Denmark to France and Germany and from the UK and Ireland to Egypt and the US, the 2010 International Potato Processing and Storage Convention attracted a truly worldwide audience.

Global comparable sales for McDonalds have risen by almost 5 percent.

The UK Potato Council has reported a 13 per cent drop in prices per tonne despite rising potato purchases.

So far potato production has exceeded Government targets of 7.2 tonnes to eight tonnes.

But officials believe stock is being sold at a price less than the cost of production.

The Commerce Industry has stated that in principle, it would increase cash incentives at the request of the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA).

A final decision on the incentives is expected following official approval from the Finance Ministry.

The BCSA has warned that potato export is paramount to promoting cultivation and ensuring fair prices for produce.

Diamond Foods has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kettle Foods, makers of premium potato chips, from Lion Capital LLP for $615 million in cash. This means Diamond will acquire Kettle operations in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

An engineer from central Dat Lat City in Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Trang Nha, has successfully developed a plant variety which can grow both tomatoes and potatoes.

Nha grafted the top of a tomato plant onto the foot of a potato plant and the resulting species proved capable of producing both types of produce.

Planting the tomato-potato breed is also more efficient as growers can produce more vegetables in a small area, said Nha.

In addition, tomatoes and potatoes would no longer have to be planted separately, saving time and taking better advantage of limited land.

Nha said growers could expect to earn VND6-17 million (US$315-895) per hectare from the crop, more than what can be earned from cultivating the produce separately.

The project was implemented over two years when Nha was a student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry. The plants were then tested in Da Lat.

Nha said that she will still continue her research in the hope of one day providing the new type of plant to farmers on a larger scale.

Regional paper, The Eastern Daily Press, reported several blue-chip companies were believed to be interested in buying the company.

Lion Capital, who owns the brand, is alleged to be looking to sell for more than £400 million.

Kettle Foods', which was bought by Lion Capital in 2006, managing director Jeremy Bradley, said: "Lion Capital has received a number of approaches from parties interested in buying the business and consequently we have been asked to host several visits over the coming weeks."

Potential buyers will be shown around Kettle's UK base in Norwich.

The leading food companies recognised the five Columbian Basin growers at an awards ceremony at the end of last year.

Growers Ed Schneider from Schneider Farms, Jack Gross, Marlin Hutterian Brethren, Keys Weyns from Weyns Farms, Berend Friehe from Friehe Farms and John McCloud, from Glen Lewis Farms were all recognised for their achievements.

Bret Nedrow, Simplot regional raw procurement manager at Moses Lake, said: "The selection of these five growers for this special recognition was based on raw potato grades delivered into the facilities during McDonald's production runs by using the JR Simplot Grower Matrix.

"The growers were selected based on their high quality raw product delivered and used to produce the consistently superior fries and hash browns that McDonald's is known for in their restaurants worldwide."

Simplot supply McDonald's in Japan with French fries and hash browns made from potatoes grown in the Columbian Basin.

Japan is the largest consumer of McDonald's produce, outside the US, with nearly 4,000 restaurants.

In a letter to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Administrator, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick are asking USDA to give favorable consideration to a pending request for purchase of fresh surplus potatoes for federal nutrition programs under the Section 32 programme.

The Delegation outlines the current potato market challenges.

"The growing conditions for the 2009 Idaho potato crop were almost perfect resulting in record yields and excellent quality. Therefore, the percentage of saleable potatoes is above average this year, and currently Idaho potato stocks on hand are nearly 13.5 percent more than last year's stocks, despite Idaho shipping 4.5 percent more than 2008 volumes.

"This situation has caused prices to drop, and prices have continued to be low for quite some time," the Delegation says.

"Potato growers are struggling right now with their returns, which are quite low. Without action, the combination of a high supply and low prices will drive many growers in the State of Idaho and throughout the country to go out of business.

"In today's financial market, trying to get financing for next year's crops could be quite difficult when producers present the returns for this year's crop."

The scientists who carried out the trial are to apply for a licence to continue testing crops in 2010 on dedicated testing farms around the UK.

The government's chief scientific advisor, John Beddington, recently spoke out to the farming community advising a 'green revolution' to help combat problems of exploding population size and rising temperatures. The measures he advocated included nanotechnology and GM farming.

However, organic farmers and environmentalists oppose the plan, saying GM foods are potentially damaging. Greenpeace say the long term effects of GM crops have not been properly researched and, by cross-pollinating with non-GM crops and wild plants, they replicate themselves and contaminate the environment with genetic pollution that is impossible to clean up.

However, a spokesperson for the UK Food Standards Agency says, "Each GM food is assessed for safety, including its toxicological, nutritional and allergenic potential, on a case-by-case basis before it can be approved for marketing."

A dangerous virus is threatening to force potatoes in the Moscow region to be quarantined and face a total export ban.

The new German government has given its support to the growing of Amflora GM potatoes.

The magazines Potato Processing International and Potato Storage International have announced that the next annual Convention will take place during June 22-24, 2010, at the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh's city centre.

As part of a plan to issue guidance on the reduction of acrylamide levels in food products, US regulators are calling out for scientific data and information on acrylamide in food.

The UK Potato Council's benchmark model has been launched online for the first time to assist growers.

An aggressive strain of potato blight is causing concern to farmers across Britain and Ireland.

Over two decades ago a large manufacturers of frozen potatoes tried to perfect such a vending machine without success. Another attempt by a company in the 1990s that was deemed a scam also failed.

Today two businessmen from the town of Laurel in the State of Delaware in the United States say they have come up with the recipe for success.

Researchers in Ireland have found a valuable use for unwanted potato peel which could have the potential to control agricultural pests, improve health and combat cancer.

The new Urschel TranSlicer 2510 Cutter combines the production-proven features of the 2500 with today's industry-driven demands. The TranSlicer 2500 Cutter revolutionised the leafy vegetable industry when it was introduced in 1995.

"Acrylamide reduction of up to 80 per cent, without affecting the crispiness and taste in chips and snacks is feasible," said Inge Evers, Purac senior application technologist leading the project research.

Belgian potato specialist Lippens Aardappelen is planning on building a new depot.

Responding to the launch of the Food Standards Agency's saturated fat awareness campaign, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is rising to the challenge.

A survey conducted by the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) has shown that Canadians are a contrary lot.

Steamed products, beauty foods, detox products and munching on nuts are just some of the key trends in consumer packaged goods for the coming year...

National Starch Food Innovation has extended its Novation range of functional native starches with the launch of two new products that are instant, clean-label and said to stand up to the stresses of intense formulation processes.

A Madison botanist has been honored by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for his work on the evolution of potatoes.

The 18th annual National Chip Week, organised by the Potato Council, saw more than 800 chip shops take part last year so there's sure to be something happening near you in February 2009. During the week itself we will be revealing the winners of Great Britain's Perfect Portion awards, and Keith Chegwin will be on tour to find his own perfect portion.

Frozen French fries are the United States' most important potato export product. Income growth in countries such as China and India, has led to an increase in consumption of Western-type products like French fries.

However, in the short term, the economic downturn is expected to slow demand and slow investments in the potato sector, says a Rabobank focus report on the US potato industry.

"While the short-term outlook for the US potato sector is at best neutral, the long-term outlook for the US potato sector is positive, once the economy improves," said Rabobank analyst Marieke de Rijke.

The US is the world's fourth largest exporter of frozen French fries, after the Netherlands, Canada and Belgium.

"In order to maintain current export levels, it will be key for the potato sector to stand out in quality and customer relationships," said de Rijke.

The US has a strong position in frozen French fry exports due to a high-quality infrastructure, which is strongly desirable for exporting quality potatoes and potato products around the world. Exports have increased because of rising demand from developing regions, particularly Asia.

"The rapid pace at which the number of fast food restaurants in Asia is growing will continue to accelerate demand for frozen French fries in this region," said de Rijke.

Contrary to Asia's increased potato appetite, US potato consumption peaked about a decade ago. Potatoes were thought to be calorie-loaded and some fad diets gave the potato a bad reputation. ‘Watching carbs' and healthier lifestyles meant consumers started to favour rice over potatoes as a carbohydrate source.

In an effort to appeal to consumers, potato seed companies, as well as growers and processors, are working together to develop potato varieties that are lower in calories and have a higher nutritions value than the current varieties.

A new study has claimed that the humble potato chip can actually battle cancer, reports the The Times of India.

The full benefit of lower potato prices in 2008 was not passed on to the South African consumer, Potatoes SA (PSA) said last week. During 2008, the producer price of potatoes dropped by 45 percent, Mark du Plessis, CEO of PSA said.

Unprecedented UK demand for impartial quality automation audits and consultancy has resulted in CenFRA, Europe's first centre for food robotics and automation, receiving a further million pounds investment.

"Can you justify the expense with the income side to offset it?" farmer Paul Ragsgorshek asked, rhetorically. He has used some high-tech approaches and passed up others at his 1,700-acre farm south of Nampa.

A farmer might not tap all the most up-to-date tools available, he said, but keeping track of new developments is increasingly important. Using science, technology and advanced data tracking can help the farmer maximize yield per acre in a market that fluctuates substantially.

Bill Whitacre, president of Boise-based J.R. Simplot Co. 's AgriBusiness Group, said in an interview that more crop-producing customers of the $4.5 billion-a-year food and agribusiness corporation are answering ancient farming questions with science and technology.

The world economy's rising middle class includes people who want to buy better foods, and the supply of arable acres per capita continues to shrink because of population growth and other factors, he said.

Chasing higher yields is just part of the equation, Whitacre said. Farmers also have to farm in a sustainable way, protecting the environment as well as paying attention to fundamental economics. For farmers, "The real opportunities are going to manifest themselves through technology.

"They're hungry for it," he said. "They want to be part of it. "

Companies that develop and supply the technology face the challenge of making it practical as well as more accessible and affordable, Whitacre said. It also must come to market fairly quickly.

Farming has lagged behind the consumer-products and packaged-goods markets in adopting technology and in gathering and managing data, but the gap is narrowing, Simplot Market Development Director Vince Restucci said. Much of this technology has become readily transferable from manufacturing to farming.

That is occurring as the public gains awareness about environmental sustainability and learns more about how and where food is produced, and as processors demand more details about the growers from whom they buy, he said.

Simplot sees more of its crop-producer customers asking about and using the company's "Farm of the Future" products and services, Restucci said.

Examples include nitrogen fertilizers designed to boost yield while leaving less unused nitrogen in the soil, an economic and environmental benefit; equipping farm vehicles with global positioning satellites to increase operators' efficiency; using harvest-monitoring devices; making the best use of soil samples; and gathering data on the health and production history of crop fields down to 2 acres.

Using such technologies and approaches could help farmers determine how much fertilizer or pesticide to apply to certain areas of a field or identify high-payoff crops, fields and parts of fields, Restucci said.

Whitacre said farmers will use only the innovations that make economic sense on their own farms. For example, to increase yield, a farmer can simply apply more fertilizer; but, he said, the goal should be to increase yield and reduce the amount of nitrogen left over, an efficiency that can benefit the farmer's bottom line and the environment.

Simplot formulates and markets fertilizer additions that aim to boost not just a plant's growth, but its efficiency as well, Restucci said. The idea is to make the plant take more of the fertilizer "up" - into the growth process - and leave less in the soil, where it could run into the water supply or penetrate the soil too deeply for future use.

Seed technology has advanced greatly in recent years, he said. Simplot does not formulate or produce seeds, but the company does distribute it to farmers.

Trent ­­Clark, a Monsanto Co. spokesman based in Soda Springs, said the "Produce More, Conserve More" motto of the company's development efforts reflects that farming must be profitable as well as sustainable.

The Monsanto-owned Seminis, which operates in south-central and southwest Idaho, is working to develop seeds that enable farmers to boost vegetable yields by enough to offset additional up-front cost, he said.

Company scientists also are busy developing and testing seeds bred for increased drought tolerance, Clark said. Corn is the furthest along in the process, followed by soy and cotton. Seminis is targeting canola, a major crop in north Idaho.

"What we are hearing from farmers is that the key element of this technology is that it needs to deliver value to the consumers," he said. A Seminis-developed seed that has been shown to grow into soybeans containing reduced levels of LDL cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol, exemplifies a product that consumers have accepted, he said.

"The challenge right now is just the economy, and the fact that growth and expansion is hard when capital is tight," ­­­Clark said.

Ragsgorshek said his farm does not do any grid sampling, which means breaking down portions of each field for detailed analysis. His farm does sample and monitor soil to determine how much water and fertilizer to apply, and when. The farm uses GPS systems on tractors to increase the efficiency of both employees and equipment, and Ragsgorshek closely tracks each field's costs and production.

Because the farm has multiple small fields, he does not use grid sampling. "It hasn't fit into our program, and I haven't seen the necessity of it yet," he said. "If we had very large fields, it may be something different. "

Ragsgorshek said he is considering changing his fertilizer strategy eventually. "There's some technology coming out in timed-release fertilizers that is being looked at, specifically in nitrogen. "

"But then all of a sudden in the fourth quarter of 2008, things started to change," Dale Lathim said, Executive Director of the Potato Growers of Washington.

Despite how good the french fries are, the economy forced less of you to buy them. And it put a huge strain on potato growers and processors. By last month, sales dipped.

"When processors saw those numbers, that put the brakes on everything. The potato world changed overnight," Dale Lathim said, Executive Director of the Potato Growers of Washington.

Suddenly, growers and processors scrambled to scale back. Dozens of orders had to be re-arranged. And too few acres of potatoes were now too many.

Then last week, processors quietly announced they were immediately cutting the amount of potato contracts. French fry demand was way down. They blamed increased costs, a weak economy and changes in fast-food menus.

The big three processors, Lamb Weston (the potato- processing division of Con-Agra Foods), J.R. Simplot and McCain Foods could cut back as much as 20 percent.

"It's going to effect us all," Lathim said. But he stays positive.

"This is our storm for 2009 and I'm sure we'll weather it just like the others."

Potato starch, say scientists with Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has the same thickening properties of corn starch.

A Scottish fish and chip shop with the royal seal of approval has won the 2008 national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition. The Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife received the award at a London ceremony on 22 January.

Troyer Potato Products Inc., which bills itself as the US's only grower-owned chip maker, has agreed to sell itself to York-based Bickel's Snack Foods Inc.

Key Technology has introduced Manta for potato chips/crisps. This state-of-the-art high volume sorter features a two-metre wide scan area that dramatically increases throughput within a space-saving footprint.

All About Food, the company that successfully puts restaurant brands on supermarket shelves, has expanded into the snack market with the launch of Nando's Peri-Peri Chips.

As consumers feel the pinch of recession, they are likely to shun pricier fresh produce and head for cheaper fare in supermarket freezers, predicted the chief executive officer of frozen foods firm Pinguin.

Many Russian consumers believe potato crisps and other savoury snack foods to be potentially harmful.

The Darwin and the Indiana Jones of potato discovery, Professor Carlos Ochoa, of Peru, died this month (December, 2008).

Potato farmers facing difficulties in the wake of severe rains this fall are eligible for emergency income support through a new joint Canada-PEI Potato Assistance Program, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced on 10 December.

"We worked quickly with farmers and the Government of PEI to develop a response to this situation," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "I am pleased that funds are now going to producers to help them during this difficult time."

This autumn saw excessively wet weather create a number of problems for PEI producers including harvesting challenges, potatoes standing in water and disease. "Many potato producers are facing difficulties due to the wet harvest conditions this fall," said PEI Minister of Agriculture Neil LeClair. "These payments going out now will help those producers to offset some of their losses."

Payments are now being mailed to eligible PEI potato producers affected by severe rains this autumn. The $12.4 million PEI Potato Assistance Program is jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments on a 60-40 basis. The assistance program provides an incentive for producers not to harvest diseased or spoiled potatoes in an effort to reduce the risk of further spoilage of unaffected potatoes in storage. The program also encourages environmentally sound disposal of diseased or spoiled potatoes.

Under the program PEI producers in AgriInsurance will receive a guaranteed payment of 75 per cent of the insured value of their unharvested potatoes. In addition, all PEI potato producers will receive one cent a pound to cover the extra costs of destroying spoiled potatoes. The PEI potato program is delivered provincially.

Source: posted by 21food.com, 10 Dec 2008.

Food and beverage giant Pepsico is planning to increase its sourcing of raw materials from contract farming and venture into new Indian. The company's foods business unit, Frito-Lay, procures 50 per cent of potatoes, required for making chips and strips, from contract farming in eight states across the country.

A new study from China has found that curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour, may reduce the potential detrimental effects of acrylamide.

THE delay in the European Union's decision on the marker gene nptII used in BASF's genetic potato Amflora could deprive farmers and the potato starch industry of €100-200 million in income as commercial cultivation for 2009 has been ruled out as a result.

French ingredients company and starch specialist Roquette is aiming for Russia's growing food market with its opening of a new sales subsidiary in Moscow.

From happy to sad. Indian potato growers, who were in a happy mood last year because of bumper production and who even preferred to store their produce in cold storage to sell later, are now disappointed because prices have declined and they are finding it difficult to sell their produce.

Habasit, a leading manufacturer of high-quality conveyor and power transmission belting products, has opened a new fabrication and administration facility in Cordignano, north-eastern Italy.

Shearer's Foods, home of Shearer's Award Winning Snacks, was one of 14 Northeast Ohio companies to participate in MAGNET's (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network) Second Annual Competitiveness Challenge.

The winners of the prestigious 2008 IGD Food Industry Awards were recently announced, highlighting achievements in a wide range of areas from sustainability, health and wellness, supply chain excellence, and outstanding performance of small businesses.
"All of the finalists show that, even in challenging times, innovation and best practice are at the forefront of the food and grocery industry. These awards recognise the best in class, and demonstrate some of the most exciting new thinking in food and grocery," Joanne Denney-Finch, Chief Executive of IGD, said.
Among the winners were:
The Co-Operative Group, which took out the Unilever Award For Social Innovation for its ‘From Farm to Fork' project. The award is presented to the company which can demonstrate that it is doing well by doing good. ‘From Farm to Fork' is now a national UK program involving Co-operative farms across the UK. The scheme brings primary schoolchildren to the farms where they are encouraged to understand the countryside, try new vegetables and learn about how crops turn into the foods they eat. 10,000 schoolchildren have now spent a day on a Co-operative farm.
Compass Group UK & Ireland claimed the John Sainsbury Award for Learning and Development - which recognises commitment to people development. The company developed ‘One Compass Welcome', a short e-learning programme for new colleagues for completion on or before their first working day. It gives colleagues an introduction to Compass and can be effective for 30,000 new colleagues per year.
The Nestlé Wellness Award, awarded to the company that has made a real impact in terms of making healthier eating and drinking choices for consumers, was won by McCain Foods. McCain developed Purely Potato, a range developed to be cooked without oil, which presents caterers with an unrestricted starchy carbohydrate choice, and also appeals to children. The range is already being used in over 1,000 schools across the UK, and is used by more than 25 Local Authorities.

Despite the availability of indigenous raw potatoes for snacks production, Jammu and Kashmir imports potato chips worth 100 crores (€1.5million),every year. The Valley region produces more than 20,000 tons of potatoes annually.

Dynamic companies that exploit opportunities and maximise efficiencies will survive the downturn and emerge stronger.

At least that's the message from Seamus McGuckin, a corporate banking director at Ulster Bank, who says that "waiting for the business environment to turn around is not an option," according to an article published in The Belfast Telegraph.

FROM Slovenia to the United States and Australia to Denmark, acrylamide has been a point of interest for some time. Some of our most popular processed foods contain small amounts of toxic acrylamide.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) which represents farmers and growers in England and Wales, has warned EU agriculture ministers against the dangers of introducing new distortions and complexities into the Common Agricultural Policy.

As an initiative to promote the International Year of the Potato and UN goals, the UN has launched ‘The Potato: Around the Globe in 200 Recipes,' a cookbook filled with recipes that demonstrate the versatility of the humble spud. The book was launched on 6 November by the UN Economic Commission.

It demonstrates how the potato has become firmly cemented internationally, in the centuries following its transportation to Europe by the first explorers to Latin America including English maritime hero Sir Walter Raleigh, who presented the exotic vegetable to Queen Elizabeth I.

In Italy potatoes are stuffed with mascarpone, in Germany they are turned into sausages and in Moldova they're blended into soup with cheese and chives.
From "Boranie Katschalu" in Afghanistan - fried potatoes, cheese, garlic and mint - to a chicken, veal, potato and banana stew from Venezuela, called Sancocho, the book shows the versatility of the vegetable and what can be done with a bit of imagination.
It's the world's fourth most important food after maize, wheat and rice, and it's also good for you, rich in carbohydrates, potassium and Vitamin C.
"The potato is one of the world's healthiest root vegetables, with a larger high-quality protein content than that of other roots and tubers," commented UN Economic Commission for Europe official Pier Giacomo Bianchi, who is responsible for standardising seed potatoes to facilitate international trade in the crop.
"We work towards ensuring that only healthy and high-yielding seed potatoes enter the international market," he said.
he book was launched on 6 November the UN Economic Commission.
The cookbook shows how truly international the potato has become in the centuries following its transportation to Europe by the first explorers to Latin America including English maritime hero Sir Walter Raleigh, who presented the exotic vegetable to Queen Elizabeth I.

In Italy potatoes are stuffed with mascarpone, in Germany they are turned into sausages and in Moldova they're blended into soup with cheese and chives.

From "Boranie Katschalu" in Afghanistan - fried potatoes, cheese, garlic and mint - to a chicken, veal, potato and banana stew from Venezuela, called Sancocho, the book shows the versatility of the vegetable and what can be done with a bit of imagination.

The potato is the world's fourth most important food after maize, wheat and rice, and it's also good for you, rich in carbohydrates, potassium and Vitamin C.

"The potato is one of the world's healthiest root vegetables, with a larger high-quality protein content than that of other roots and tubers," commented UN Economic Commission for Europe official Pier Giacomo Bianchi, who is responsible for standardising seed potatoes to facilitate international trade in the crop.

"We work towards ensuring that only healthy and high-yielding seed potatoes enter the international market," he said.

South Africa's Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has developed a new potato
variety resistant to the potato tuber moth, a major pest causing millions worth of harvest loss in major solanaceous crops.

A consortium of scientists worldwide have joined forces to sequence the genome of the potato, pooling their resources and expertise, working to crack the genetic code of the world's number one non-grain food commodity, at a time of surging population growth and high food prices.

This comes after their sister company in the United States, Frito Lay, owned by PepsiCo Inc, agreed to reduce the levels of carcinogens in their crisps under a settlement announced by the Los Angeles state attorney general's office last week.

Simba CEO Lauren Siebrits said while there were many studies under way to determine how acrylamide - formed by cooking certain foods at high temperatures - might affect human health, they were being ‘very cautious' and had taken prudent steps to reduce the levels in products here.

PepsiCo's commitment to addressing acrylamide and developing ways to reduce levels in its products is consistent with the company's record of leadership in the health and wellness arena.

"Similar to the removal of trans-fats from snack chips and in a global effort to lower saturated fat and sodium levels, taking steps to reduce acrylamide is one more way to ensure PepsiCo products are the safest for consumers.

"In South Africa, we have already launched a range of better-for-you products such as the Sunbites range, which includes pretzels and Air Pops as well as Baked Simba, which are baked and have no trans-fats, no added MSG, no tartrazine and no artificial colourants," said Siebrits

In 2005 the United States government also sued McDonalds, Wendy's International Inc, Burger King and KFC over acrylamide levels. Those lawsuits were settled after companies agreed to either properly label their products or lower levels of the chemical.