MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. — The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) reported record-breaking sales highs from Cinco De Mayo, Memorial Day and Father’s Day celebrations in the second quarter.
According to HAB, the sales from the three holidays combined reached 154.6 million units, generating $191.6 million in sales. This was a $32.4 million increase in sales compared to 2023.
HAB shared three main highlights from its Avocado Holiday Retail Recap:
“Cinco De Mayo sales and units soared, reaching four-year highs in both dollars and units. Avocado units reached 59.8M, a +2% increase versus the prior year, while dollar sales soared +22% to $68.5M. Small avocados (4046) drove unit growth during the holiday, contributing an additional +3.1M units to the category.”
“During Memorial Day, avocado dollars climbed +18% to $61.5M in sales while units fell -2% to 47.5M units. The average holiday selling price reached $1.29/unit, a +20% increase compared to the prior year.”
“Father’s Day avocado dollar sales secured $61.6 in sales, a four-year high and a +22% increase from the prior year while unit sales declined -1% to 47.3M units. Large avocados promotions performed well during the holiday generating the highest promotional volume lift at +20%.”
WASHINGTON— The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) confirmed on Sept. 4 plans to invest $17.6 million into agriculture research intended to protect the health and welfare of agricultural animals.
Some projects include high-priority research on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and African swine fever (ASF).
“Protecting the health and welfare of agricultural animals is integral to ensuring a safe, sustainable, resilient and ethically-sound food system,” said NIFA Director Manjit Misra, PhD. “Healthy livestock are more productive and less likely to harbor and spread diseases that can affect humans. In addition, properly managed livestock systems help maintain biodiversity and sustainable land use.”
The agency detailed $12.7 million for 27 projects funded through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Diseases of Agricultural Animals program and $4.8 million for 10 projects funded through AFRI’s Welfare of Agricultural Animals program.
Some of the projects under the AFRI Diseases of Agricultural Animals program include:
University of Georgia researchers aim to develop mass vaccination strategies against a prevalent HPAI subtype. The potential benefits extend beyond avian influenza, paving the way for similar studies on other respiratory viruses affecting poultry and livestock.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists will design and evaluate ASF-engineered vaccine antigens. This work will ultimately lead to developing a vaccine against ASF to aid in disease control and swine health.
University of Missouriresearchers plan to develop safer and more effective swine influenza vaccines, potentially reducing both animal and human influenza infections and blocking potential zoonotic transmission from swine to humans.
The AFRI Welfare of Agricultural Animals program works to assess animal agriculture production practices and/or the development of new or enhanced management approaches that protect animal welfare.
Some of the projects include:
Purdue University researchers will investigate the most effective indicator traits and breeding strategies to enhance heat tolerance in ducks. Scientists plan to develop guidelines that outline optimal management and breeding strategies to improve heat tolerance in poultry—offering a potential long-term solution to climate change impacts on poultry production globally.
University of Vermont scientists will investigate how early-life calf management affects long-term behavioral development, emotional states and physiological stress in dairy cattle. The results will benefit the dairy cattle industry by increasing longevity and improving animal welfare and care standards.
Research focused on vaccines for HPAI and ASF continues with the goals of mitigating the spread of the diseases among animals. ASF has never been reported in the United States. HPAI continues to circulate among poultry, dairy cattle and other animals around the country.
After selling their skincare brand, ZitSticka, in 2022, Robbie Miller and Daniel Kaplan are entering the food and beverage world with Dally, a new line of pouched konjac jelly snacks.
There’s a new wave of leaders this year at some of the most notable public and private companies, as well as related nonprofit groups. Catch up on the latest appointments.
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved a lease amendment, solidifying plans for a US$52 million infrastructure improvement project aimed at significantly enhancing on-dock rail capacity and reducing emissions at the Port of Los Angeles’ Pier 300 terminal, operated by Fenix Marine Services. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
“This project enhances cargo capacity and efficiency while improving the sustainability of port operations. It’s yet another step forward toward both our productivity and clean air goals,” stated Lucille Roybal-Allard, president of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission.
This project aims to boost cargo handling capacity and operational efficiency while promoting sustainability at the port. It will add five loading and unloading tracks to the intermodal yard at Pier 300, expanding the on-dock railyard’s capacity. This will allow more cargo to be directly loaded onto trains within the terminal, leveraging rail as the most energy- and fuel-efficient mode of long-haul freight transport in the United States.
“Fewer transfers of cargo results in cleaner operations and more fluidity on our container terminals. This project will make us more competitive and add to our ability to pursue more discretionary cargo headed for the interior of the United States,” explained Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director.
Additional improvements include grading, paving, fire protection, electrical upgrades, striping, signage, and enhanced storm drain systems to meet Low Impact Development standards.
“This investment ensures that there is adequate on-dock intermodal capacity to accommodate future volume growth, enabling POLA and FMS to further compete for discretionary cargo in an environmentally and community-responsible way,” commented George Goldman, President & CEO of CMA CGM (America).
Funding for the project includes approximately US$18 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and US$19 million from California’s Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, with the Port of Los Angeles covering the remaining costs.
In January 2022, CMA CGM reacquired full ownership of Fenix Marine Services, a major container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. As one of the largest US terminals, strategically located with deep-water access and advanced infrastructure, FMS is central to the terminal’s ongoing development and investment initiatives.
Greece’s Nereus Shipping, an affiliate of CM Lemos, has added three more tankers to its orderbook.
The Piraeus-based tanker and bulker outfit has revealed three suezmax newbuilds would be joining its fleet in 2027.
Splash understands the 158,600 dwt ships will be built at Japan Marine United, which marks the company’s return to Japan’s second largest shipbuilder after nearly eight years when four suezmaxes were booked for construction, including the 2019-built Homeric (pictured).
Nereus lists 14 ships in its fleet, of which 11 tankers. In July 2022, the company ordered its first LR2 tankers, which should deliver from Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding in 2025.
Despite regional areas being vastly less populated than urban centres, fatalities on rural and regional roads account for about two-thirds of the road toll every year, with 811 lives lost in 2023.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said as the nation’s heavy vehicle safety regulator, it was distressing to still see too many deaths on Australian roads each year – including incidents involving trucks and buses.
“Losing a friend, family or loved one in a road accident is always a tragedy, and – particularly in rural and regional communities – can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on local communities,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“We know in our experience at the NHVR that travelling on rural and regional roads comes with unique challenges and risks – speed limits are greater, roads may be unsealed and there can be more environmental challenges such as animals or visual obstructions.
“It is why we want to use Rural Road Safety Month to implore all road users to ensure they are taking extra caution when getting behind the wheel, including being well-rested and ready to drive.”
Of the 92 lives lost in collisions involving heavy vehicles from January to July this year, 60 were in regional, rural or remote areas.
The rate of serious road-related injury in rural areas is also nearly twice as high compared to major cities.
Mr Petroccitto said it was crucial road users remember large heavy vehicles have added blind spots, and take longer to slow down.
“Trucks play an important role in keeping Australia moving, so we want to remind light vehicle drivers what they can do to help keep our roads safe – particularly on those rural highways where they are more likely to encounter large trucks,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“It is important to always maintain a safe following distance, only overtake when it is safe to do so, and give heavy vehicles extra space.
“Sadly, collisions involving a heavy vehicle – because of their size and weight – are much more likely to have devastating outcomes for those involved.
“It is why at the NHVR we are so passionate about playing our part to drive down the road toll and ensure all motorists – including our nation’s truckies – are getting home safe.”
Firefighters succeeded on Wednesday in reducing the extent of a massive wildfire that blazed for two days and destroyed 20% of a forest in the Brazilian capital, cloaking the city in clouds of gray-white smoke, Reuters reported, citing officials who suspect that it may have been started by arsonists.
The National Forest of Brasilia is a conservation area that extends over 5,600 hectares of woodland that protects the springs that are the source of 70% of the city’s freshwater.
The fire broke out at the peak of the dry season when vegetation is parched and temperatures high allowing flames to spread fast.
“We have put out three of the four blazes and we hope to have the fire under control by the end of the day,” said Fabio dos Santos Miranda, who manages the forest.
“We are sure this was an environmental crime, but we haven’t confirmed if it was intentional or not,” he said in an interview, adding that three suspected arsonists were seen in the area where the fire started.
Firefighters struggled to contain the forest fire and stop it spreading to adjacent orchards where farmers grow tomatoes and flowers.
“We are working to protect the orchards, but the wind is blowing the fire towards them and the sparks fly a long way.” said fireman Major Godoy.
Emilia Vasconcellos, who raises cattle and chickens on a farm at risk of being caught in the blaze, said she thought people had set off the fire to clear land for themselves, but she had no evidence.
The forest was cut in size by almost half in 2022 to give way to urban development by the government of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who reduced environmental controls and allowed deforestation to surge in the Amazon rainforest.
A record drought in the Amazon increased fires in the rainforest for the month of August to the highest level since 2010, government data showed on Sunday.
Last year’s rains came late and were weaker than usual because a weather pattern, known as El Nino, was supercharged by climate change, leaving the rainforest especially vulnerable to this year’s fires.
Allergen compliance has become a critical issue, with lives at stake when producers fail to meet standards. How far has the industry progressed since the introduction of Natasha’s Law and what are the true costs of getting it wrong?
In recent years, the tragic deaths of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, Hannah Jacobs, Celia Marsh, Owen Carey and Megan Lee have underscored the life-threatening dangers posed by food allergens.
These cases represent a profound failure in allergen compliance within the food industry. This has significant ramifications, as non-compliance not only carries devastating personal costs but also significant financial, legal and reputational risks.
The tragic cost of non-compliance
Hannah Jacobs, a 13-year-old with a severe dairy allergy, died in February 2023 after consuming a hot chocolate at Costa Coffee, which she believed had been made with soya milk. Despite her mother informing staff of her daughter’s allergy, the drink was allegedly prepared with cow’s milk, leading to anaphylaxis and her subsequent death.
This tragedy mirrors other high-profile cases, including that of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, whose fatal allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a Pret-a-Manger baguette in 2016 prompted significant changes in the UK’s allergen labeling laws, now known as Natasha’s Law.
These deaths illustrate the human toll that allergen mismanagement can take, emphasizing the need for businesses to improve compliance, training and transparency.
“A single death from undeclared or mismanaged allergens is one death too many,” said Jessica Merryfield, head of Policy for Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).
“It’s devastating to hear of another life cut short due to a lack of understanding the needs of a food hypersensitive consumer. The tragic death of Hannah Jacobs is an unwelcome reminder that all businesses must take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to allergens.”
Tragic deaths highlight need for improved allergen labeling
Celia Marsh (41) died in 2017 after suffering an allergic reaction to a vegan wrap from Pret a Manger; the same year, Owen Cary, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, died after consuming a chicken containing buttermilk from Byron Burger. On New Year’s Day 2017, 15-year-old Megan Lee died from peanuts in an Indian takeaway; and in 2016, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse (15) died after having an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a baguette from Pret.
Added Merryfield, “CTSI has a wealth of multi-language information that business can access for free to help them understand their responsibilities and put good allergen control and information measures into practice.”
Allergen-related deaths in numbers
UK: Between 1998 and 2018, ASA recorded 152 deaths due to food-induced anaphylaxis, according to FSA.
US: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that food allergies cause 150-200 deaths annually.
Australia: The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) reports increasing rates of food-induced anaphylaxis, with fatalities especially among teenagers.
Peanuts and tree nuts are the most common triggers for fatal anaphylaxis, but closely followed by milk, shellfish and sesame. Many deaths are linked to accidental cross-contamination in food preparation areas or mislabeling of food products.
Financial and legal ramifications
Pic: GettyImages/serggn
The costs of failing to comply with allergen regulations extend beyond the tragic human consequences.
Businesses that don’t properly manage allergens face severe financial penalties and lawsuits. Pret a Manger, for example, was fined £800k following the death of Celia Marsh, who suffered an allergic reaction to a dairy ingredient in a vegan wrap. Beyond fines, the financial costs of failures include potential lawsuits, loss of consumer trust and damaged reputations.
How tragedy sparked change
Pret a Manger wasn’t fined following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse because at the time, UK laws did not require full ingredient labeling on pre-packaged foods made onsite. However, the teen’s death led to significant changes in allergen labeling laws, resulting in the introduction of Natasha’s Law, which came into effect in 2021.
Anita Kinsey, senior technical & safety manager for Pret, emphasizes the importance of robust allergen management systems.
“Over the past six years, Pret has established an industry-leading approach to helping customers with allergies, including developing the Pret Allergy Plan,” she told Bakery&Snacks.
“We were the first food-to-go business to introduce full ingredient labels on all freshly made products, two years ahead of the Government’s legislation. Through the Plan, Pret has played a leading role in developing allergen policies, which it has shared across the food-to-go industry.
“This has involved looking at our processes end-to-end: reviewing our supply chain, product development, kitchen processes and our in-shop experience. Alongside the introduction of full ingredient labels, all Team Members undergo allergy awarenesses courses and our managers take supervised allergen exams.
“Our goal is to help every customer get the information they need to make the right choice for them. Allergen management should be constantly reviewed to ensure it’s as effective as possible. Sharing best practices on allergen management, communication and education is key, which is why Pret has always encouraged collaboration through our Industry Exchange Group, set up in 2019. We’re always open to new approaches to better support people with allergies, and we’re proud to support the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s work.”
The law requires all foods prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) – such as sandwiches ad cakes packed on site – to include a full list of ingredients, with allergens clearly emphasized. It came in response to the failure to properly label allergens in pre-packaged food, which contributed to Natasha’s death.
“Since the introduction of Natasha’s Law, we have seen a positive impact for consumers,” Dr James Cooper, deputy director of Food Policy at Food Standards Agency (FSA), told this site.
“FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) play an important role in ensuring that consumers with food hypersensitivities are protected. “In the lead-up to the introduction of Natasha’s Law, we worked with the food industry, allergy charities, local authorities and academics to prepare businesses and consumers for these new changes by producing practical tools and guidance.
Since its introduction, there has been progress in the food industry. Large retailers and food-to-go chains have adapted, investing in new labeling technologies and staff training.
Despite these improvements however, there are still challenges, especially for small businesses, many of which have struggled to afford the costs of new labeling technologies and the rigorous training required for compliance.
“We continue to work closely with partners to ensure that our guidance for businesses is robust, ensuring that consumers are to be able to enjoy food with confidence and have confidence in the choices they make”.
Challenges and area for improvement
Pic: GettyImages/john dory
While the introduction of Natasha’s Law has brought about positive changes, gaps remain in allergen management.
One of the most pressing issues is inconsistent communication about allergens in non-prepacked foods, especially in restaurants and smaller establishments.
Advice for food producers
“Food producers – from major manufacturers to small food-to-go independents – should ensure that allergen information is accurately and prominently displayed on all packaging, menus and online platforms, making it easy for customers to make informed decisions and identify potential allergens,” said Allergy UK’s Miles.
“This clarity should be maintained at every stage, including when sourcing ingredients from suppliers to avoid cross-contamination. Additionally, well-trained staff play a critical role in communicating allergen information effectively, as this helps them confidently address customer inquiries.”
Simone Miles, CEO of Allergy UK, explained, “The most significant challenge for people with food allergies is insufficient and inconsistent allergen information.”
She also highlighted the need for comprehensive staff training across the food industry.
“There is a need for comprehensive allergy training for employees at every level of food service. This should be mandatory to ensure that everyone in the food service chain understands the complexities of allergen management.”
She added, “The most significant challenge for people with food allergies is insufficient and inconsistent allergen information. Confusing blanket ‘may contain’ statements, inconsistent labeling formats and coded ingredient listings that make it difficult for someone with an allergy to feel confident that the product is safe to eat.
“This issue is particularly acute in the bakery aisle of major supermarkets, where many products carry broad ‘may contain’ warnings for the top 14 allergens, effectively making this section off-limits for those managing food allergies.”
Moreover, cross-contamination remains a significant risk in food preparation areas. Allergy UK continues to advocate for stricter controls and clearer labeling to mitigate these risks and protect consumers. The organization has played a crucial role in raising awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with food allergies and in pushing for stronger regulations.
The role of consumer advocacy
Consumer watchdogs have been instrumental in driving changes in allergen legislation. The introduction of Natasha’s Law was a direct result of the campaigning efforts by Natasha’s family and organizations like the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Advocacy remains a critical force in enforcing the importance of clear, transparent labeling and consistent allergen management practices across the industry.factbox
These groups provide a vital voice for individuals with food allergies, helping to ensure that their needs are met and that businesses take their responsibilities seriously.
The way forward
Pic: GettyImages/Ljupco
The food industry has made considerable progress in allergen compliance since the introduction of Natasha’s Law, but there is still much work to be done. As Dr Cooper noted, “We continue to work closely with partners to ensure that our guidance for businesses is robust.”
Ongoing education, enforcement, and technological innovation will be key to reducing the risks associated with food allergens and ensuring that consumers can enjoy food safely.
Ultimately, as the tragic deaths of youngsters like Hannah Jacobs and Natasha Ednan-Laperouse remind us, the cost of getting allergen compliance wrong is far too high. Businesses need to prioritize allergen safety, not only to avoid legal penalties and guard brand reputation, but most importantly, to protect the lives of their customers.
The fine balance of reformulation
Too many people are consuming large amounts of foods high in fat, sugars and sodium (HFSS) and this is causing 8 million premature deaths globally every year, according to the WHO. This has caused policymakers and governments to ramp up action to make the food environment healthier – placing the onus on the shoulders of the food industry – producers, foodservice and retailers – to help consumers eat smartly.
Food reformulation is the process of altering the processing or composition of a product to improve its nutritional profile. It usually takes place through gradual, unobtrusive changes to recipes to, for example, to remove allergens, adjust ingredients, or to reduce ‘harmful’ nutrients such as salt, saturates and sugar.
However, it’s a process that requires more than just eliminating or swapping out an ingredient and poses many technical challenges for manufacturers. One of the biggest challenges, too, is the relatively poor understanding of how to change behavior for the good and in the long term. It’s a concept that no producer can afford to ignore – but what is all the fuss?
Watch out for Bakery&Snacks’ webinar on Reformulation going live on October 25.
How were the genetic evaluations impacted by these changes?
The most significant changes have affected all yield traits (Milk, Fat and Protein) and Heifer Livability, along with correlated traits such as Productive Life and Cow Livability in some cases. Breed Base Representation (BBR) values have been updated, as the annual reference population update was paired with the introduction of a revised (smaller) SNP list.
The combined result of these updates is that values for the Lifetime Net Merit $ (NM$) index shifted.
Let’s break down each change and its impact on the evaluations, using bull data as a representative sample. Similar trends are anticipated for cows and heifers.
305-AA: A New Standardized Yield Measurement
The introduction of 305-AA (Average Age) has likely been the most noticeable change in the August 2024 evaluations. This new standardization for yield records adopts a completely different standard (transitioning from the 305-ME mature equivalent to a 36-month average age), and the age, parity, and season adjustment factors are updated. Season adjustments are now calculated across five U.S. climate regions, compared to the previous three geographical regions, which more accurately reflects environmental differences. Most importantly, the new factors are breed-specific, meaning each breed experienced different impacts from this change.
Holsteins see an increase in Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) for Milk, Fat and Protein, resulting in a slight upward trend of about +10 to +15 NM$, depending on the bull group (genomic or proven).
The most notable change is a significant reduction in Jersey PTAs for Milk, Fat and Protein (around -100, -6, and -6 pounds, respectively). This reduction leads to a decrease in NM$, averaging between -70 and -50 NM$.
Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Ayrshire bulls experience more stability, with smaller fluctuations around zero.
Heifer Livability
Heifer Livability values showed larger-than-usual changes due to the inclusion of two years’ worth of previously missed records. Also introduced was a new editing criteria that is more specific to herd conditions and has a small extra-effect. As more data is incorporated into this Heifer Livability, reliability for many animals increased. These changes also indirectly affect correlated traits like Productive Life (PL) and Cow Livability (LIV), with PL decreasing by an average of -0.2.
SNP List and BBR Reference Population Updates
This update impacted specific animals or groups. It did not significantly affect overall statistics – except for crossbred animals. A BBR reference population update typically alters the purebred/crossbred status of animals and adjusts the weights used to calculate final PTAs for crossbred animals. When combined with a new SNP list, these changes become more pronounced, leading to greater variability in crossbred evaluations in this August run. As mentioned previously, most of these changes will affect animals genotyped at low density or with incomplete pedigrees … and animals with BBR changes. The haplotype status of many animals has changed in the August run, due to the SNP list update, particularly the adjustments in HH6 (sixth Holstein haplotype affecting fertility) and JNS (Jersey Neuropathy with Splayed Forelimbs) to incorporate more direct information.
