Potato News from the United States

A landmark Senate agreement on national disclosure standards for genetically engineered foods would allow companies to disclose GMO ingredients through digital codes rather than on-package langcode or symbols.

On November 18, 2015 Conagra Foods announced plans to spin off Lamb Weston and mentioned during the presentation of their latest financial results that the separation is on track. Now rumors surface that Conagra Foods has met with Post Holdings to discuss a potential merger of Post and Lamb Weston.

Repeated serious safety violations have resulted in a serious workplace injury and in a large fine for the Washington Potato Company, a potato processing company in Warden, Washington.

In the United States, the 13 major potato producing states held 52.2 million cwt of potatoes in storage June 1, 2016, down 7 percent from June 1, 2015.

A former executive with a Pennsylvania potato chip and snack food company and a vendor have been charged and agreed to plead guilty to defrauding the company out of roughly $1.4 million.

Late blight is a potentially destructive disease of potato and tomato crops worldwide that can result in significant losses if detected too late, diagnosed incorrectly, or if not treated properly.

Potatoes USA announced earlier this month that nominations are now open for new Board Members for the 2017-2020 term.

McDonald’s Corp. today announced the move of its corporate headquarters to downtown Chicago by the spring of 2018.

The Golden Flake plant in Ocala is in high gear for the summer, which is a very busy time in the snack food industry:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. and Platinum Equity, a private equity firm, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Platinum Equity to acquire ConAgra Foods’ JM Swank business, a national food ingredient sourcing and distribution company

ConAgra Foods, Inc. announced yesterday that its Lamb Weston business will expand operations at its facility in Richland, Washington, with the addition of a new french fry processing line.

Snack manufacturer Utz Quality Foods recently completed a pedestrian bridge at their High Street manufacturing and corporate office designed to benefit company associates and the community.

The University of Idaho is leading a $3.2 million project to combat microscopic worms (nematodes) that threaten potato production.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found an Idaho frozen food manufacturer failed to safeguard employees and was unprepared to respond to a potentially lethal release of 1,300 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia on Dec. 1, 2015.

Snyder's-Lance, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: LNCE) announced today that Rick Puckett, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will retire as CFO on December 31, 2016.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Spicetec Flavors & Seasonings business to Givaudan for approximately $340 million.

Purple potatoes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when trying to increase vitamin, mineral and antioxidant intake. However, a group of researchers from CSU have recently developed potato varieties that satisfy these nutritional needs and could act as a preventive measure to several diseases.

ConAgra Foods brand Alexia announced that all of the brand's offerings will be non-GMO by the end of 2016.