Industry News

Pompeian Receives First USDA Olive Oil Quality Monitoring Verification

Pompeian, with headquarters in Baltimore, Md., is the first olive oil manufacturer to attain the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Quality Monitoring Product logo for its extra virgin and extra virgin organic olive oils.

The USDA program verifies the purity and quality of olive oil through testing and review of production processes. Participating companies must meet meticulous program criteria, and upon entering the program, companies agree to allow USDA to conduct unannounced visits to review and inspect quality assurance records, test product samples, and verify labels.

“USDA’s mission is to facilitate the trade and marketing of quality and wholesome agricultural products,” said Charles Parrott, acting deputy administrator for USDA-AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program. “Consumers want assurance that the products they are buying are genuine. Products bearing the logo have passed our rigorous Quality Monitoring Program for olive oil criteria.”

“This measure is an important development for the olive oil industry,” said Pompeian CEO David Bensadoun. “We hope other domestic and international olive oil producers join this effort. Our collective focus needs to be on the end customer, assuring them that they are getting the purest and highest quality olive oil. The USDA verification process under the Quality Monitoring Program for olive oil can help manufacturers inform consumers about the quality of their products.”

Study Shows Consumers’ Changing Food Behaviors

U.S. consumers are cooking more often, experimenting with food, and using time in the kitchen to help save money and eat healthier. These findings are among the results of a March DuPont Teflon consumer survey, conducted to understand how the past year’s trends have impacted America’s cooking and eating behaviors.  Compared to this time last year, the report showed:

• 72 percent of consumers have changed how they cook and eat in their homes. 
• 37 percent cook more often.
• 26 percent experiment more with food.
• 23 percent eat more natural or organic foods.
• 19 percent eat more frozen foods. 

In purchasing, customers are paying more attention to factors such as:

• price – 73 percent.
• ingredients – 48 percent.
• nutritional information – 46 percent.

In food choices, of top importance to consumers are:

• fresh ingredients – 52 percent.
• foods with less fat – 49 percent.
• less sugar – 44 percent.
• less salt – 44 percent.
• more nutrients – 41 percent.

However, the survey also indicates that even with increased attention to health and price, consumers are making home cooking and eating more fun by:

• using recipes from the Internet, cookbooks, family, friends, cooking shows and apps – 59 percent.
• eating with friends and family – 30 percent.
• using different cooking techniques, e.g., fondue and grilling – 19 percent.
• experimenting with international cuisines – 14 percent.

The survey was conducted by research agency TNS. Data were gathered from a national sample of 1,000 adults. 

LGMA Focuses on GFSI

As part of its strategic plan for 2012 and beyond, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) has identified a top priority to be achievement of recognition by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

A focused effort is underway to accomplish this as a means of generating additional buyer acceptance of the LGMA food safety program and reducing duplication of food safety audits for leafy greens farmers. A key component in reaching this goal was achieved with the introduction of Clarisa Molina, food safety consultant. Molina was specifically retained to assist in LGMA’s efforts to achieve recognition under a system such as GFSI.

The LGMA will keep the industry posted about the progress of this initiative. In addition, interested parties can sign up for its new e-newsletter at http://www.caleafygreens.ca.gov/LGMA_enewsletter.