INDUSTRY FORMS INTERNATIONAL FOOD IRRADIATION GROUP
World Congress on Food Irradiation, held last May in Chicago, have announced the formation of a permanent body to promote science-based idea exchanges surrounding the food-safety technology, and encourage a food system that promotes consumer safety, environmental sensitivity and sound business practices. The International Council of Food Irradiation was formed to act as a "bold clearinghouse devoted solely to food irradiation" and to help "consumers everywhere to understand the benefits of irradiated foods and to embrace the technology without reservation." ICFI, headquartered here, will be headed by Paisan Loaharanu, a veteran of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The conference last year attracted more than 200 experts in the science of food irradiation, from more than 22 countries.
PBH AWARDS SUNKIST TOP '5 A DAY' HONORS
WILMINGTON, Del. -- The Produce for Better Health Foundation awarded Sunkist Growers its Diamond Crystal Award in recognition of the citrus cooperative's contributions to the organization and its "5 to 9 A Day" campaign. The announcement was made during PBH's annual 5 A Day National Excellence Awards luncheon in Monterey, Calif. Sunkist, based in Sherman Oaks, Calif., was cited for its support of PBH's "5 A Day The Color Way" message throughout its 2003 marketing activities, including point-of-sale campaigns, packaging and in-packs, direct mail, school materials, Web site content and special events. According to PBH, Sunkist promoted a broad range of activities that delivered the 5 A Day message to consumers throughout the year, such as its national "Better Snacking. Better Health" campaign that featured advertising in major health and women's magazines promoting healthier fruit and vegetable snacking, as well as eye-catching, turnkey retail promotional materials, PBH officials said. Ten other organizations and two individuals were also recognized for their contributions to PBH.
PLENTY OF 'BITE' IN STORE FOR RETAILERS IN NEW YORK EMPIRE APPLE PROMOTION
FISHERS, N.Y. -- The New York Apple Association has sent supermarket produce executives a specially designed box holding three New York State Empire apples in an effort to demonstrate advances made in new handling and storage techniques that help maintain crispness months after harvest. The initiative, centered on the slogan, "The proof is in the bite," will inaugurate a new advertising campaign for the organization's second-most popular apple, after the McIntosh. A letter from the NYAA accompanies the box, and asks recipients to eat one Empire apple immediately after opening the package, put the second apple on their desk and put the third apple in a refrigerator. The second apple should still be crunchy after 10 days, which by then would have been out of the cold chain for about two weeks; the third apple in the refrigerator could be enjoyed after a longer period with no impact on quality, NYAA officials said. The 525 apples were sent to 175 supermarket presidents, vice presidents of produce, category managers, buyers and others at more than 120 stores throughout the United States.
