Florida Group Honors Pathmark
ida Fruit & Vegetable Association, based here, has named Carteret, N.J.-based Pathmark Stores "Merchandiser of the Year."
The award, which was announced during the the FFVA's 56th Annual Convention, recognizes the retailer's achievements in the promotion and sales of Florida's fruits and vegetables.
According to FFVA officials, Pathmark frequently uses the word "Florida" in advertisements and signage when promoting the state's produce, and that was one of the reasons the retailer received the honor.
Wal-Mart, USDA Settle
WASHINGTON -- Wal-Mart Stores has settled charges with the U.S. Department of Agriculture here that the giant retailer was selling Mexican Hass avocados in certain states during times of the year when those states prohibited the sale of the produce item, due to potential pest infestation.
Under the agreement, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer agreed to pay a civil penalty of $45,000 for violation of the Plant Quarantine Act, the Plant Pest Act, and federal importation regulations. Wal-Mart officials maintained that the company never intentionally moved the avocados from approved states to unapproved states, believing that the avocados supplied by a vendor were from countries other than Mexico.
Under federal regulations, Mexican Hass avocados can only be sold in 19 approved Northeastern states and the District of Columbia between November and February. To date, the USDA has issued 50 complaints to various companies for allegedly violating these rules.
Report: Blueberries Fight Aging
WASHINGTON -- Results from a study released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, here, show that a steady consumption of blueberries may reverse some effects of aging.
The study, published in the Sept. 15,1999 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, found that a blueberry extract-rich diet fed to aging test rats reversed some loss of balance and coordination, and also improved short-term memory.
The USDA's study is the first of its kind to illustrate such a reversal in behavior, going beyond previous studies that linked consumption of high-antioxidant fruit and vegetables to the prevention of function loss.
According to a release, blueberries continue to be ranked No. 1 among fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in terms of their antioxidant potential. Continuing research is expected in an effort to find other possible benefits stemming from blueberry consumption.
