Potato News from the United States

The first line of J.R. Simplot Co.'s genetically modified potatoes has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration as safe for human consumption. The voluntary FDA safety review found that the potatoes are as safe and nutritious as conventional potatoes.

Cheez-It® is making its first ever appearance in the chip aisle by introducing Cheez-It Crunch'd™, its first ever cheesy puff, made with real cheese.

North Dakota, potato grower Carl Hoverson was elected Chairman of the United States Potato Board (USPB) at the organization's 2015 Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Thomas P. Mathues is named to the position of Chief Development Officer of the JE Grote Company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, USA, effective immediately.

The University of Maine and the Maine Potato Board have released a new potato variety, Caribou Russet.

Bunge North America, the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited, announced that it has purchased the assets of Heartland Harvest, Inc., a North American leader in the production of die cut pellets used to make extruded foods.

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Penford Corporation, a U.S.-based leader in specialty ingredients for food and non-food applications.

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) announced the winners of its 2015 Sustainable Development Awards yesterday, an internal awards program that drives and rewards imaginative approaches to sustainability and produces bottom line business results.

Lay's, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, today announced a last call for submissions in its search for the next great potato chip flavor as part of the (United States) Lay's 'Do Us A Flavor' contest.

Potato farming brothers Aaron Johnson of Northwood and Derek Johnson of Vancouver, B.C., will spend time in federal prison in the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth, Minn., and are jointly responsible for restitution of nearly $1 million because of crop insurance fraud.

Key Technology announces the expansion of its global customer service and support.

Supermarketguru Phil Lempert on Target's focus on Organic.

Of the more than 100 diseases of potato, bacterial ring rot is one of the few zero-tolerance pests. If just one seed potato on a farm is found to have this disease, no seed on that farm can be certified.

Popchips inc., the innovative popped snack company, today announced two new flavor innovations at the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California.

Fresh Solutions Network today debuted a brand-new, industry-leading website for their Side Delights® brand of potato products, located at www.sidedelights.com.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) is pleased to announce industry veteran Ryan J. Krabill has joined its staff in the newly-created position of Director of Research & Analysis.

This could have been the last year for the Malin Potato Co-op. Instead, the 52-year-old company is building a state-of-the-art, $7 million facility to move it into the future of agriculture.

Ohio Potato Chip manufacturer Ballreich Bros. is set to expand its reach nationwide with a new sweet potato chip line that is being marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips.