Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Metro Creative Connection

Modern consumers have more choices than ever before. Whether theyre buying appliances, books, clothing, or any of the myriad necessities of daily life, consumers have a wealth of products to choose from.

An abundance of options also is available at the grocery store. Thats especially true in the produce aisle, where many stores have expanded their fresh fruit and vegetable offerings. That expansion reflects a growing preference among consumers for fresh products, including fresh produce. A 2018 report from the market research firm IRI and the Food Marketing Institute found that sales of fresh foods comprised just under 31 percent of food industry sales in 2017.

Customers who prefer fresh fruits and vegetables to frozen alternatives may wonder if they should be even more selective when purchasing their favorite foods in the produce aisle. That decision may come down to whether or not to purchase organic produce.

Organic produce can be significantly more expensive than non-organic fruits and vegetables, so its understandable if budget-conscious consumers cannot afford to go entirely organic. However, its important that consumers recognize the many ways that organic agriculture is having a positive impact on the health of humans and the planet they call home.

Organic produce reduces exposure to pesticides and antibiotics. UC Davis Health notes that organic produce has been proven to reduce consumers exposure to pesticides and antibiotics. Thats a significant benefit, as pesticide exposure has been shown to lead to neurodevelopmental issues and has been linked to higher cancer risk. Consumers shopping on budgets can pick and choose which organic foods they purchase, as UC Davis Health notes that certain foods have been shown to have higher pesticide residues than others. Apples, celery, grapes, spinach, strawberries, and tomatoes have high levels of pesticide residues, so choosing organic versions of these foods may be a wise choice. Avocados, broccoli, cabbage, and cantaloupe are some of the foods that typically have low levels of pesticide residue.

Organic agriculture reduces environmental degradation. The Organic Trade Association notes that synthetic pesticides and fertilizers used on some conventional farms can deplete the soil of valuable nutrients and increase environmental degradation. Organic farmers do not use such pesticides or fertilizers, instead utilizing such practices as composting, cover cropping and crop rotation, each of which can have positive, long-term effects on soil quality.

Organic agriculture benefits local wildlife. A 2015 study from researchers in Argentina that was published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment found that small mammals were more abundant around organic farms than conventional farms. Thats not just good for those mammals, but also the farmers, as small mammals can feed on insects that would otherwise adversely affect crops.

More:

Food: The benefits of organic agriculture - Stanly News & Press

Arkansas farmers are leaning toward certified naturally grown products over certified organic due to cost and lack of inspection availability in the state.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Arkansas Farmers around the state are starting to go away from certified organic produce at their farms.

"When they think about farmers' markets, they have the assumption that, like all the farmers, are using organic practices," Heather Friedrich, Director of The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, said. "Many of them are using organic practices, but not many actually go through the certification process."

Matthew Varoz, the owner of Hatch Farms in Elkins, says one of the main reasons for this is because a different practice exists. It's called certified naturally grown produce. Many farmers believe it is just as healthy and cheaper to verify.

"It also costs more to be certified organic, and there is a ton of paperwork," Varoz said. "Being farmers, we are limited on our time, so certified naturally grown just makes it a lot easier for us to accomplish that."

On top of the cost, becoming certified organic in the state is difficult for Arkansas farmers because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't have a branch in Arkansas, which requires farmers to look out of state.

"We don't have a certifier that's based in Arkansas," Friedrich said. "There's one in Oklahoma, which a lot of farmers will use, but they're limited on the number of farms that they can certify out of state."

Friedrich said the process is difficult for some farmers to understand.

"Farmers that are looking to become certified often have a hard time understanding where they start that process," she said.

However, with the certified naturally grown option, it's given farmers the confidence to continue to grow healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables.

"We go through and we check to make sure it's ripe for our customers," Varoz said.

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Why Arkansas farmers are moving away from certified organic produce - KFSM 5Newsonline

WINNIPEG Canadas organic industry struggled over the last couple of years, with the volume of sales dropping for the first time in many years.

After a 41-day strike, workers at the Cargill Dunlop beef processing plant in Guelph will return to work Monday. 960

Fresh organic fruit, for instance, saw a 43 per cent decline in sale volumes from 2021 to 2023. Other categories of organic had more success, but COVID-19 and the post-pandemic period of high food prices has been a challenge, says the 2024 Organic Market Report from the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA).

Organic sales over all categories have seen a modest increase of one per cent (in value) since 2022. However, there has been a notable decrease in volume by six per cent, indicating the pervasive influence of inflation, says the report, which COTA released in late June.

The sales numbers arent great, but the data shows that Canadians are making different choices around organic food, says Tia Loftsgard, COTA executive director.

What the numbers indicate is that shoppers were finding other ways to purchase organic, swapping out fresh produce purchases for canned, dried or frozen options that have better shelf life, she said in an email.

As examples, sales volumes of frozen organic fruit jumped 78 per cent from 2021 to 2023 in Canada.

Pickled vegetable volumes climbed 22 per cent in the same period.

Certain categories are doing well, such as salty organic snacks, and the numbers show that organics share of the food and beverage market is climbing, although at a much slower pace:

From 2017-20, the organic share of the market (in dollars) went from 2.6 to 3.3 per cent, a gain of 0.7 per cent.

From 2020-23, organics market share climbed only 0.1 per cent, reaching 3.4 per cent in 2023.

In some positive news, organic sales reached $9.01 billion in 2023, which is an 11 per cent gain from 2020.

Unfortunately, most of that growth came from higher prices rather than from increased sales.

Many products exhibited an uptick in sales value from 2022-23, with a decline in volumes. This trend indicates that these products are being sold at higher prices for smaller quantities, COTA said.

Loftsgard pointed to data from SPINS, a U.S. market research firm, indicating that the gap between organic and conventional food prices has narrowed. That change should boost organic sales.

Inflation started coming down for all products in 2023, and the conclusion of the research firm is that organic prices did not experience as much price increases as non-organic, making organic products even more attractive as the price premium has decreased, she said.

The majority of the COTA report was directed at organic demand and market conditions, but it did briefly touch on organic production.

From 2020-22, acreage of certified organic farms declined 5.8 per cent in Canada.

The drop in acreage is nothing to worry about, Loftsgard said.

Market demand will keep organic production motivated to continue to grow organic ingredients for both domestic and international markets.

That may be true, but COTA and others in Canadas organic industry have been lobbying Ottawa for a formal program to support the organic industry. The program would, ideally, help increase organic acreage and provide a strong foundation, strategy and growth potential for the organic sector, COTA said in its report.

The feds have not announced such a program, but on June 27 Agriculture Canada did invest $2 million in the organic industry.

Ag Canada will provide COTA with $1.17 million to bolster Canadian organic exports and resolve market access issues.

As well, the feds are investing nearly $1 million in the Prairie Organic Development Fund

The goal of the project is to increase profitability, improve environmental outcomes and increase public trust in the Canadian organic agri-food industry, said Jim Robbins, president of the Prairie Organic Development Fund.

The funds will (make) an important contribution to growing organic supply and helping farmers adopt agronomic practices, making them more resilient to climate change.

Continue reading here:

Demand continues to soften for organic food - The Western Producer

Pesticides and Indian spices have been all over the news lately. First came the recall by Hong Kong and Singapore of certain spice mixes by top Indian spice makers MDH and Everest over high levels of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing pesticide. Alongside that, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Indias food regulator, increased the limit for pesticide residues in spices and herbs by a whopping 10 times, which added fuel to the fire.

There are over 1,000 pesticides used around the world to ensure food is not damaged or destroyed by pests, explains Dr Sudeep Khanna, senior consultant, gastroenterologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals . This, in turn, increases the yield of vegetables, fruits, and other crops, furthering food security.

However, this comes at a cost. Although there have been conflicting opinions, studies have linked pesticide exposure to negative health effects such as reproductive issues, respiratory problems, neurological issues, and an increased risk of cancer.

Pesticide exposure has both short and long-term effects, says Dr Tushar Tayal, consultant, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. The short-term side-effects include nose, throat, and itching of skin, rashes and blisters. Nausea, dizziness, and diarrhoea may also occur. In the long term, the side effects include cancer and other tumours; brain and nervous system damage; birth defects; infertility and other reproductive problems; and damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and other body organs. They can also affect development, sleep and fertility, he explains.

According to Dr Khanna, each pesticide has different properties and toxicological effects. They are poisonous compounds used to kill or repel pests, and their residues can contaminate fruits, vegetables and other crops. The toxicity depends on its function and other factors. For example, insecticides tend to be more toxic to humans than herbicides. Similarly, the same chemical can have different effects at different doses. Not only that, toxicity can also depend on the route how the exposure occurs such as by swallowing, inhaling, or direct contact with the skin. he adds.

Direct contact can be especially harmful. Studies have shown that farmers who used certain pesticides on their crops had a higher frequency of obesity and colon cancer compared to others.

Notably, pesticides have been shown to impact children differently. For example, children born to mothers who had high pesticide exposure were found in some studies to show mental delays of up to two years, such as issues with visual memory and coordination. In a study, kids born to mothers who lived near farmlands where certain pesticides were used were found to be more likely to suffer from autism. Also, childhood exposure was also found to be linked to an elevated risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, more research is required into these.

Links with cancer

The most startling aspect of the spice controversy has been that ethylene oxide is a carcinogen. There are a few epidemiological studies that have shown some link between exposure to pesticides and cancer, says Dr Pooja Babbar, consultant, medical oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. However, the majority of these studies are animal-based. Hence, it is difficult to say that pesticides cause cancer, she adds.

In fact, not just foods, pesticides are everywhere in the environment, such as the air we breathe, the expert points out. But definitely, weve seen Punjab being the cancer belt of India . And it has been found that the use of pesticides is too much in Punjab because of the increased farming. So some epidemiological studies are showing a link that Punjab is probably the cancer capital or Bhatinda is the cancer capital because of the increased use of fertilisers and pesticides there. And even certain studies have also found pesticides in the blood samples and certain non-approved pesticides in the food particles of Punjab, she highlights, adding: Still, for anything to cause cancer, there are certain factors like how long you are exposed and the quantity.

Dr Manish Singhal, senior consultant, medical oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, points out: Not all pesticides are linked to increased cancer risk, but there are certain types. The pesticides that have been classified as probable or possible human carcinogens include organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, and some herbicides. However, it is essential to note that not all pesticides within these categories pose the same level of risk, and the specific chemical structure and exposure levels play a crucial role as well.

The dirty dozen

Notably, the pesticide residue levels are higher in certain food items compared to others. Its higher in items with thin, edible skins, such as apples, strawberries, grapes, and leafy greens, says Swati, nutritionist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. Some such foods include strawberries, spinach, apples, grapes, tomatoes, and potatoes, among others, says Jain. However, the way out isnt to avoid these food items completely, as it may deplete you of important nutrients, says Swati. Instead, wash and peel these vegetable items to minimise pesticide exposure. You can also employ cooking methods, such as boiling or baking, which can help reduce pesticide consumption. Additionally, try choosing organic produce, the nutritionist recommends.

What about FSSAI increasing pesticide residue limits? The decision by the FSSAI to increase the permissible limits for pesticide residues in spices by 10 times is of concern, says Dr Khanna. Spices are widely used in Indian cuisine and are exported around the world. This move could potentially expose millions of people to higher levels of toxic pesticide residues through their food, he says.

At the same time, Swati says that the FSSAIs recent decision raises serious public health concerns.

Raising the maximum residual limits (MRLs) for pesticides in spices could expose consumers to higher levels of these harmful substances, thus raising the risk of chronic toxicity and long-term health repercussions. Instead of lowering rules, a more prudent approach would be to implement stricter standards and promote sustainable agricultural practices that minimise pesticide use, thereby reducing the potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure through dietary sources, she adds.

Is organic the answer?

Organic produce generally has lower pesticide residues compared to conventionally grown produce as organic farming typically avoids the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, and instead relies on natural methods like crop rotation, composting, and biological pest control. However, its important to note that organic farming doesnt mean pesticide-free. Organic farmers may still use certain natural pesticides and herbicides, and there can still be traces of these substances on organic produce. Nevertheless, organic certification standards typically limit the types and amounts of pesticides that can be used, which can lead to lower overall pesticide exposure, Jain points out. While organic foods have exceptional benefits when it comes to health, there are downsides too, as they can be costlier than conventionally-grown foods.

The way out

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Scrub them in cold water and with a soft brush

As many pesticides accumulate on the surface, peeling the outer layers of fruits and vegetables can be beneficial

Use a mixture of water and baking soda or vinegar to clean the fruits and vegetables

A study found that boiling strawberries brought down the pesticide residue significantly

Blanching, which is exposing the produce first to boiling and then cold water, can be beneficial

Including a variety of foods in your diet can also bring down the pesticide exposure

Also, growing your own food using organic method can be a good way to go about it

See the article here:

Pesticides on the plate: How safe is your food? - The Financial Express

Inverclyde Councils catering team are celebrating after the council renewed its Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) Bronze award for the sixthyear in a row.

The council, which first received the FFLSH Bronze award in 2019, is now serving around 5,000 nutritious, sustainable and locally-sourced Food for Life meals in its 20 primary schools and 19 nurseries every day.

Thats an incredible 95,000 meals per year all locally-sourced and freshly prepared for Inverclydes young people.

Local authorities receive the FFLSH certification following an independent assessment and inspection to ensure the food being served in schools across the local authority is good for pupils health, good for the environment and good for the local economy.The scheme is run by Soil Association Scotland and funded by Scottish Government.

Inverclyde contains some of the most deprived areas of Scotland and is the first local authority to extend universal free school meals to all primary pupils. For some children, their school meal is the only one they'll have that day. That's why it's so important to the council that the food they're getting is healthy and nutritious.

Inverclyde Council decided to go for the Food for Life Served Here Bronze award in primary schools to improve the quality of the region's school meals. Staff looked at every element of the existing school menus to see what needed to change. They worked with suppliers to switch to produce that met the Food for Life standards, rejigging the whole menu to fit both the budget and the Food for Life standards.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Convener of Education and Communities,said: To have achieved this accolade for the sixth year in a row is a tremendous achievement and full credit goes to our education and catering staff.

They deliver healthy, nutritious meals to our young children every day, something Im sure many parents will agree is not always an easy task.

This award recognises the meals are locally-sourced and sustainable with a map showing where ingredients come from given to parents and on display in all school dining areas.

As a council we are committed to ensuring our young people have the best start in life and that includes free school meals from P1 right through to P7, the first local authority in Scotland to offer that.

Staff have since regularly taken part in the free training days offered by the Food for Life team to continue their education on the programme and how they can keep putting good food on the plate for Inverclydes young people.

Sarah Duley, Head of Food, Soil Association Scotland, said: Congratulations to Inverclyde for renewing their Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award for another year. This is a huge achievement and shows that staff are dedicated to providing pupils with a hot, nutritious meal thats healthy, freshly prepared and sustainably produced.

We are delighted to recognise Inverclyde for continuing to put more good food on school plates and for supporting Scotlands food businesses and Good Food Nation ambitions.

Page last updated: 10 July 2024

Originally posted here:

Inverclyde Council celebrates six years of serving local, organic food to pupils - Inverclyde Council

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In recognition of National Dairy Month, Organic Valley has announced ambitious plan to onboard more than 100 small organic family farms into its cooperative by the end of 2024. The cooperative, already the largest organic farmer-owned entity in the United States, has been steadily increasing its membership, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting and preserving small organic farms.

Organic Valleys growth strategy focuses on integrating new farms from diverse regions, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, and Iowa. This regional diversity helps enhance the cooperatives supply chain resilience and product availability across the nation. The cooperatives executive vice president of membership, Shawna Nelson, emphasized that these new additions align with Organic Valleys mission of nourishing organic food, sustainable family farming, and fostering thriving communities.

By bringing in these new farmer-owners, Organic Valley continues to lead the organic movement, demonstrating its ability to adapt and expand while maintaining high standards. Many of the new farms are joining due to challenges with other businesses or a desire to adopt more pasture-based organic farming methods, ensuring a stable future for the next generation of farmers.

Organic Valleys commitment to ethical farming practices and sustainable agriculture is evident in its dedication to protecting more than 400,000 acres of organic farmland across the United States. The cooperative ensures that its farmer-owners adhere to the stringent requirements of the USDA National Organic Program and Organic Valleys own high standards, which prioritize the dignity and interdependence of human, animal, plant, soil, and global life.

The cooperatives approach to farming involves meticulous care for soil health and animal welfare, aspects that resonate deeply with its newest members. Farmers like Toby Miller from Iowa appreciate Organic Valleys ability to provide a stable and solid market for their milk while also promoting the use of organic farming methods that avoid harmful chemicals. This focus on sustainability and long-term land stewardship ensures that Organic Valley remains a trusted leader in the organic sector.

Organic Valleys expansion bolsters its market position and strengthens its role as an advocate for ethical sourcing and sustainable farming. The cooperatives model supports farmers who are dedicated to managing their farms with care and respect for the environment, while ensuring that consumers receive high-quality organic products.

As Organic Valley continues to grow, it invites consumers to join its movement by learning more about its products and farmer-owners. The cooperatives website and blog provide insights into the lives and practices of its members, highlighting stories like that of the Miller family from Iowa. By sharing these narratives, Organic Valley aims to build a stronger connection between consumers and the sources of their food.

The cooperatives growth strategy also includes increasing market presence and expanding product availability in retail stores nationwide. By welcoming over 100 new farms, Organic Valley is set to enhance the diversity and volume of organic products on store shelves, meeting the growing consumer demand for sustainably sourced, organic foods.

In 2024, Organic Valleys expansion underscores its unwavering dedication to supporting small organic family farms and advocating for sustainable agriculture. The cooperatives success story serves as a testament to the power of collective effort in revolutionizing the food system, ensuring a stable future for farmers and high-quality organic products for consumers.

Read more here:

Organic Valley Expands Cooperative, Welcoming Over 100 New Small Organic Family Farms in 2024 - Environment+Energy Leader

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A study conducted by Consumer Reports discovered that two popular brands of kids' snacks contain elevated levels of lead, though federal standards have not been set on heavy metal levels in many baby foods.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only set limits on heavy metals in infant rice cereal and juice, though it is working to put standards in place for other categories of baby foods.

The owner of Lead Safe Mama, Tamara Rubin, published a story on her website about LesserEvil and Serenity Kids products containing lead.

Rubins company focuses on preventing lead poisoning while also raising awareness for parents about sources of lead exposure. For example, she sounded the alarm on Stanley tumblers, which were found to contain lead.

More recently, Rubin found that cassava-based snacks like Serenity Kids puffs contained high levels of lead, leading Consumer Reports to test four cassava products from LesserEvil and Serenity Kids as well as two products from Once Upon a Farm that contained sorghum.

CUCUMBERS RECALLED IN 14 STATES OVER POTENTIAL SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION

Consumer Reports tested multiple types of kids' puffs and found high levels of lead in some. (Scott Meadows / Consumer Reports Website)

The study found that LesserEvils Lil Puffs Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend puffs contained "more lead per serving than any of the 80 baby foods" Consumer Reports has tested since 2017.

Specifically, the test found the lead content was 112% of the maximum allowable dose levels (MADLs) established by California Proposition 65.

James E. Rogers, Ph.D., head of food safety testing at Consumer Reports, said kids should consume less than half of a serving of the Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend puffs per day.

Consumer Reports also found LesserEvils Lil Puffs Sweet Potato Apple Asteroid and Serenity Kids Tomato & Herb, Bone Broth puffs also contained high levels of lead.

HY-VEE RECALLING MULTIPLE ITEMS, CITING SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION RISK

Consumer Reports showed in its report what an actual serving looks like for kids eating snack puffs. (Consumer Reports Website)

LesserEvils Asteroid puffs contained lead levels at 60% of the MADLs, while Serenity Kids Tomato & Herbs contained lead levels at 53%.

Based on these levels, Rogers recommended children be given 1 servings of puffs, at the most, per day.

Rogers warned that the serving sizes of the puffs are smaller than people may realize. According to Consumer Reports, a single serving of Intergalactic Voyager Veggie Blend is 17 puffs, while the Serenity Kids puffs are sold in a 1 ounce container with six servings.

The Once Upon a Farm products tested had "very low" levels of lead, Consumer Reports said, accounting for some of the lowest levels of all the baby food they have ever tested.

ALDI RECALLS CREAM CHEESE OVER SALMONELLA CONCERNS

Consumer Reports tested several kids' snacks and found some contained elevated levels of lead. (Consumer Reports Website)

"Clearly, some manufacturers need to do a better job of keeping heavy metals out of their snack foods, and there may be some particular concerns about foods made with cassava," Rogers said.

Rogers acknowledged that the FDA recently proposed limits on lead and other heavy metals in some categories of baby food. But he also noted that snack foods were not one of the categories being looked at for lead regulations.

"The agency needs to take a hard look at the snacks parents feed their children and make sure they dont have dangerous levels of lead and other contaminants," he said.

Caitlin Mack, the brand marketing director at LesserEvil, told FOX Business its products adhere to current regulatory requirements.

"LesserEvil was built on a mission to create better, cleaner, more natural products than the highly processed and refined snacks that overtook grocery store shelves for years," she said. "We are proud of the best-in-class products we've put on shelves, which all meet GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) standards and federal regulations for organic products. Food safety is a top priority, and we conduct extensive testing for all LesserEvil products that complies with California Prop 65 and federal standards."

Jennie Shen, director of brand marketing for Serenity Kids, told FOX Business its puffs have always been safe for consumption.

ORANGE JUICE MAKERS CONSIDER USING ALTERNATIVE FRUIT AS PRICES SKYROCKET

Cassava root and freshly made cassava flour. (Wayne Hutchinson / Farm Images / Universal Images Group / File / Getty Images)

"All of our products test well below the maximum allowable dose levels established by California Proposition 65," Shen said. "We have always addressed lead and all heavy metals head-on because we are confident in the safety of our products and ingredients, and because we believe that our products are healthier than the alternatives that exist today."

Like Consumer Reports, Shen said the FDA does not have standards and benchmarks regulating heavy metals in all baby food segments. Instead, the agency only provides drafted guidance on the matter.

Without those standards, she said Serenity Kids sought out its own standards and holds all products to the California Prop 65 exposure thresholds for heavy metals, which are some of the lowest published levels in the U.S.

"Our puffs are completely safe to consume and are compliant with applicable regulations like Prop 65 for heavy metals in the United States based on the recommended serving size," Shen said.

She also explained that heavy metals like lead are prevalent in the food system.

The manufacturers of kids' snacks say its products are below the maximum allowable dose levels of lead established by California Proposition 65. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League / Getty Images)

The Serenity Kids puffs contain cassava, which Consumer Reports said has been shown through tests to contain high levels of lead. Similarly, other root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots and beets also contain elevated levels of lead.

Angelia Seyfferth, Ph.D., in the department of plant and soil sciences at the University of Delaware, told Consumer Reports that lead can occur naturally in soil or end up there from pollution. The lead can accumulate in a plants roots but not move very well beyond the root, she said.

Cassava can also be processed into flour and baked into snack foods, making the lead levels more concentrated.

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Shen explained that the Serenity Kids products contain whole food ingredients, so they have a state-of-the-art quality program and testing protocols. For example, they test all of their products and work with suppliers who use remediation methods to find foods with the lowest achievable levels of contaminants, then prioritize them for babies, she said.

"We also carefully vet all of our suppliers to ensure we are using the cleanest possible ingredients so that we can feel good about the safety of our foods," Shen said. "We have always addressed lead and all heavy metals head-on because we are confident in the safety of our products and ingredients, and because we believe that our products are healthier than the alternatives that exist today."

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Popular organic kids' snacks found to contain high levels of lead: Consumer Reports - Fox Business

Organic Soy Protein Isolates Market

The global organic soy protein isolates market size was valued at USD 186.53 million in 2023. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2032. The industry is expected to grow to USD 300.73 million by 2032.

: Soy protein is one type of protein that is extracted from soybeans. It is made from dehulled and defatted soybean meal. Three varieties of high-protein commercial products-isolates, concentrates, and flour-are produced from dehulled and defatted soybeans. During germination, the soybean breaks down its protein, and the released amino acids are transferred to the locations where the seedlings will develop. The outcome is a very pure proteinate form of soy protein with minimal beany flavour. Alternatively, the final residue can be dried and cleaned without neutralization, which will result in isoelectric soy isolates.

:https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-soy-protein-isolates-market/request-for-sample

:

The share is seeing increased demand as people prefer plant-based proteins, notably organic soy protein isolates. With increased health and sustainability consciousness, customers are turning to plant-based alternatives, particularly organic and clean-label products. The organic soy protein isolate market is being driven by rising health awareness and altering dietary choices. Growing interest in plant-based diets, motivated by environmental and health concerns, drives up demand.

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With so many businesses involved, the organic soy protein isolates market is projected to become more competitive as it continues to grow. Some of the major players participating in the market are:

Agrana Beteiligungs-AG AMCO Proteins Archer Daniels Midland Company Blendtek Ingredients Foodchem International Corporation Grain Millers, Inc. Kerry Group NOW Foods Organic Valley Organic Way Shandong Saigao Group Corporation Taj Agro international The Organic Protein Company The Scoular Company Xinrui Group

:https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/buy/3788/2

- : North America (U.S., Canada) Europe (France, Germany, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia) Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia. South Korea) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina) Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa)

:

: Dry Liquid

: Food and Beverages Feed Others

, : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-soy-protein-isolates-market

The organic soy protein isolates industry analysis is mainly segmented based on form, application, and region. Based on the form analysis for 2023, the dry segment had a significant revenue share. It offers a longer shelf life than liquid or moist forms, increases storage stability, and lowers spoiling hazards. In addition, according to application research, the food and beverage segment will have a considerable revenue share of the organic soy protein isolates market. The growing consumer preference for plant-based diets, motivated by health and environmental concerns, drives demand for plant-based food and beverage items.

In 2023, the dry segment held significant revenue share owing to versatility, longer shelf life, and ease of handling. In 2023, the food and beverages segment held significant revenue share owing to rising demand for plant-based products, functional properties, and inclination towards clean label trend. Asia-Pacific is expected to experience growth during the forecast period due to rising health awareness, population growth, and increasing vegan & vegetarian population.

:

https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/omega-3-market https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/eubiotics-market https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/organic-seed-market https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-frozen-food-market https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-chocolate-market

Contact Us: Polaris Market Research Phone: +1-929-297-9727 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

About Us: Polaris Market Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Polaris Market Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defence, among different ventures present globally.

This release was published on openPR.

See more here:

Organic Soy Protein Isolates Market Trajectory: USD 300.73 million by 2032 with Accelerated 5.5% CAGR - openPR

Organic Valley has welcomed more than 50 new family farms into its fold in the first four months of 2024, and expects to bring in over 60 more by the end of the year.

The cooperative has been steadily growing its membership and expanding its supply chain across multiple regions, while staying true to its mission of saving and safeguarding small organic family farms.

"It fills us with excitement to bring these new farms into the fold of our cooperative, where we will join forces to further our cause and our dream of revolutionizing the food system," saidShawna Nelson, Organic Valley's executive vice president of membership. "Aligned with our roots of nourishing organic food, sustainable family farming and thriving communities, these farms are passionate about contributing to a movement that champions the interest of both farmers and consumers."

Organic Valley's newest farmer-owners are from Pennsylvania,Wisconsin,New York,Indiana,Kentucky,Ohio,MissouriandIowa. These farmers are passionate about organic farming, soil health, animal care and nutritious food. Many of these organic dairy farming families are choosing to go to Organic Valley due to being dropped by businesses, switching to more pasture-based organic farming, or to create a solid future for the next generation.

By welcoming over 100 new farms in 2024, Organic Valley is strengthening its position as the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in the nation and demonstrating its leadership in the organic movement. The co-op also welcomed more than 80 farmers in 2023, including the Miller family ofIowa.

"Organic Valley does for me what others can't do; the most beneficial is providing a stable, solid market for my milk,"Toby Millersaid. Miller also highlights the importance of keeping chemicals off the land. Simply put, he said, "Organic is better for everything."

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Organic Valley to add more than 100 farms to the cooperative in 2024 - dairyfoods.com

This relation is not linear from food to physical activity. Unhealthy food can disrupt someone's sleep patterns and physical activity. Conversely, healthy food choices can improve the quality of sleep and physical activity.

So how does nutrition affect sleep? A new study looked at the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and sleep duration.

The research, conducted by a team from the University of Helsinki in Finland, in collaboration with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland, was published in Frontiers in Nutrition i> on May 16, 2024. Anupa Thapa from the University of Helsinki was the first author of the report.

Thapa and his team stated that sleep gives our body a chance to rest and recover from wakeful activities. The heart, blood vessels, muscles, cells, immune system, cognitive abilities, and memory all depend on regular and sufficient sleep in order to function optimally.

A 2019 study showed that sleep is important for repairing DNA damage that occurs while awake.

Deep sleep occurs in 35 night cycles, each lasting an average of 90120 minutes. During each cycle, we begin with the non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage. Next, we will go through two periods of progressively deeper non-REM sleep before exiting that stage.

A homeless person slept under a concrete drainage structure that had not yet been installed in the drainage construction project on KH Wahid Hasyim Street, Medan, North Sumatra on Wednesday (11/8/2023). Despite the ongoing government construction efforts, the number of poor residents in North Sumatra is still quite high, reaching 1.24 million people or 8.15 percent as of March 2023.

Our non-REM sleep becomes progressively lighter until we reach the REM stage, after which a new cycle begins or we wake up. Adults should aim to sleep for 7 to 9 hours per night.

However, recent research shows that insomnia and shorter sleep duration have become more common in adults. This can be caused by factors such as stress, consumption of fast food, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Lack of sleep is now becoming a public health issue, related to cardiovascular diseases, decreased cognitive ability, and increased mortality rates due to various causes.

In this new study, researchers aimed to explore how sleep duration can affect fruit and vegetable consumption, and vice versa. They also investigated the role of an individual's chronotype (activity time preference, such as morning or evening) in food choices and sleep duration.

The World Health Organization recommends that people consume at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables every day. While the latest advice from the Nordic Council of Ministers recommends higher intakes, encouraging between 500 grams and 800 grams of vegetables and fruit. In simple terms, half of our daily consumption should come from vegetables.

Also read: Half of Indonesians Don't Sleep Well

However, research shows that many adult individuals in various countries do not meet the minimum intake. According to Thapa and his team's research, only 14 percent of Finnish men and 22 percent of Finnish women consume a minimum of 500 g of berries, fruits, and vegetables as recommended daily.

The research team reviewed details from the 2017 National FinHealth Study. A total of 5,043 adults, aged 18 and over, submitted detailed responses to a 134item questionnaire about the composition and frequency of their daily food intake in the past 12 years.

From these responses, three categories of sleep duration emerged: short (less than 7 hours per day; 21 percent), normal (7-9 hours per day; 76.1 percent), and long (9+ hours per day; 2.9 percent).

Individuals who sleep for a short duration have an average sleep duration of six hours; for those who sleep normally, the average duration is 7.7 hours, and for those who sleep for a long duration, the average duration is 10.1 hours.

The majority of participants (61.7 percent) categorize themselves as intermediate chronotypes, while 22.4 percent stated that they are morning types, and 15.9 percent identified themselves as night types.

Researchers included chronotype as a co-variate in the study, and noted that many studies did not include chronotype as a potential confounding factor. However, some studies have shown that it can affect eating behavior.

Researchers state, "Studies have shown that night chronotype is often associated with unhealthy eating behavior, including a tendency towards eating habits that are linked to obesity."

Also read: Remember, the body needs enough rest

Among the important findings of this research, individuals who sleep normally show higher intake of fruits and vegetables compared to those who sleep short or long in all subgroups of fruits and vegetables. However, the intake of various types of fruits and vegetables yields different results.

The study explains, "In the subgroup of vegetables, significant differences are seen in the consumption of leafy green vegetables, tubers, and fruit vegetables (such as tomatoes, cucumbers), between those who sleep normally and those who have short sleep."

Similarly, in groups of people who have normal and long sleeping habits, significant differences can be seen in green leafy vegetables and fruit vegetables. However, fresh and canned vegetables such as cabbage, mushrooms, red onions, peas, and beans do not show significant differences.

"In the fruit subgroups, a significant difference in average consumption was observed for berries and other fresh and canned fruits between individuals with normal and short sleep. Conversely, for individuals with normal and long sleep, the only significant difference is seen in the consumption of apples," stated Thapa.

A seller shows an acai bowl consisting, among other things, of various fruits and nuts, Friday (3/5/2024). Acai bowl is one of the food menus that is popular with those who live healthy lives.

Researchers also observed that the category of sleep duration can indicate, at a small level, the expected level of fruit and vegetable intake.

This is in line with the results of research by Eleanor M Winpenny from the University of Cambridge and the team at International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity in 2023 which found a decrease in fruit and vegetable intake among teenagers during the day. day after night with short sleep duration.

According to Winpenny and his team, they show the causal role of sleep on teenagers' eating patterns. Shorter sleep duration at night causes a slight decrease in the quality of their eating patterns the next day.

Avoid high-fat cheese, chicken wings, or fried fish. These take longer to digest and keep us awake.

This finding supports experimental evidence that suggests the inclusion of sleep duration as one of the intervention components designed to improve the quality of dietary patterns and body weight status in adolescents.

A new study by Thapa and his team also found that chronotype plays a minimal role in the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and sleep duration. The Winpenny study in 2023 found no relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and chronotype.

Researchers observe that overall, a decrease in the intake of certain fruits and vegetables is associated with the length and duration of sleep. In addition to the quantity, it is important to pay attention to the choice of fruits and vegetables.

A study in The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2026 also found that consuming high fiber and low saturated fat foods results in better sleep and body recovery. However, in addition to choosing the right foods, it is also important to avoid others.

Researchers provide a number of food options to help start the journey towards better sleep. For carbohydrate choices, choose complex ones, such as brown rice or root vegetables.

Avoid simple carbohydrates, including bread, pasta and sweet foods such as cookies, cakes, pastries and other sweet foods as these tend to lower serotonin levels and do not improve sleep quality. .

For protein, choose those that are lean. Lean protein options include low-fat cheese, chicken, turkey, and fish. These foods are rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which tends to increase serotonin levels.

A variety of non-rice foods processed from the TPI Lewoleba Senja Market, Lembata Island, NTT.

Tryptophan can also be found in egg whites, soybeans, and pumpkin seeds. On the other hand, avoid high-fat cheese, chicken wings, or fried fish. These take longer to digest and can keep us awake.

Heart-healthy fats are also important. Unsaturated fats will not only improve heart health, but also increase serotonin levels. Examples include peanut butter and nuts such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios.

Avoid foods that contain saturated and trans fats, such as French fries, potato chips, or other high-fat snacks. This reduces your serotonin levels.

Mothers in Tumbang Lawang Village, Katingan District, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday (10/4/2019), cook using bamboo and forest spices. They do not use any instant factory-made flavoring and prefer to use natural spices. For them, the forest is a source of life, and local food is the key to food security.

Like tryptophan, foods that are rich in magnesium are also associated with better sleep quality. When choosing vegetables for dinner, try adding leafy green vegetables such as spinach, which are rich in magnesium. Nuts, seeds, avocados, and black beans are also magnesium-rich foods.

As for beverages, avoid certain types that can prevent sleep. A good and soothing drink to be consumed before sleep is warm milk or simply warm water.

Meanwhile, for caffeinated beverages, try to consume them before 2 pm. Caffeine can affect people differently, and even the smallest amount of stimulant can keep someone awake.

Also read: School Lunch with Local Food

Originally posted here:
The Close Relationship between Food, Exercise, Sleep and Our Health - kompas.id