News on Food Trends from Europe

El Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, NEIKER-Tecnalia, entidad pública dependiente de la Viceconsejeria de Agricultura, Pesca y Política Alimentaria del Gobierno Vasco, está investigando actualmente los genes de patata que mejor se adaptan a las condiciones previstas de cambio climático, caracterizadas por una disminución de la lluvia y temperaturas más extremas de calor y frío.

The Basque Research institute Neiker-Tecnalia is currently looking for potato genes that best adapt to the anticipated climate change conditions, characterised by a reduction in rainfall and increased extremes of hot and cold temperatures.

Potato Council has been working hard to raise the profile of potatoes amongst Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), promoting their health and sustainability credentials and creating awareness of the significant contribution they make to the Scottish economy.

McCain Foods GB is looking for a new agency for its UK advertising account, as part of a £20 million review.

Cheshire potato growers gathered at Aston Grange Farm near Runcorn, at the end of June 2014, to discuss the opportunities for the local crop at Potato Council’s Cheshire Potato event.

An international team of experts led by Newcastle University has shown that organic crops are up to 60% higher in a number of key antioxidants than conventionally-grown ones.

Fabcon HCFS 220 Batch Fryer produces up to 220 kgs of finished product per hour using the same or less energy than competitive equipment producing 120 kgs, according to the company.

La organización agraria española Asaja, desde Córdoba informa que animará a los consumidores españoles a consumir “patata nueva”, es decir, “fresca o no conservada”. ¿Cómo van a hacerlo?

Amica Chips and ICA Foods, two major savoury snack companies on the Italian market with a growing international presence, have joined the responsible advertising pledge of the European Snacks Association (ESA).

Potato Council’s One Voice campaign is fast gaining momentum, with people from all sectors of industry getting involved and doing whatever they can to help spread positive messages about potatoes.

The West Midlands Potato Day attracted a good crowd of industry visitors on 19 June when potato grower Jonathan Bubb of J.M. Bubb & Sons hosted Potato Council’s technical field day at Lynn South Farm, Newport, Shropshire, where they grow around 400 acres of potatoes.

In the United Kingdom the value of fresh potato category is growing with a 3.8% rise over the last year, while the volume of fresh potatoes sold has dropped by 8.0%. The Potato Council is figuring out what can be done about it.

McCain Foods GB will be and official supplier of Tour de France 2014, which starts with an opening stage in Yorkshire.

Researchers at the Universities of Dundee and Aberdeen have made a breakthrough in understanding how the microbial spores which cause potato blight are so effective at infecting plants.

in May 2014 The FAO Food Price Index averaged 207.8 points, down 2.5 points (or 1.2 percent) from April and nearly 7 points, or 3.2 percent, below May 2013.

Intersnack Group GmbH & Co KG and Herkules Private Equity Fund II today announced that they have entered into an agreement where Herkules sells the salted snacks manufacturer Estrella Maarud ('Estrella Maarud' or 'the Company') to Intersnack for an undisclosed sum.

Earlier this month Heinz was fined for serious safety failings after an engineer had his hand severed when it became trapped in live, unguarded machinery (peeler slurry pump) at its Norfolk plant.

Leatherhead Food Research is delighted to announce the appointment of Alice Cadman as Head of Business Development & Marketing, starting 27 May 2014