Chocolate could have more lead than previous estimates, according to a new scientific study at George Washington University. The researchers found that almost 50% of dark chocolate and cocoa products could contain more lead than is safe. While “safe” is a relative word when describing various scientific measures, it can mean much when it applies...
Of late, the Egypt potato market has been recording high demand amid low supplies, making the staple expensive. A part of the demand owes to customer switch to potatoes as a cheaper alternative to inflated fruits, fish and meat. Hatem El-Nagib, vice president of Vegetables and Fruits Division at the Egyptian Chambers of Commerce attributes the crisis...
The annual Maine Lobster Festival ended August 4, 2024, after a five-day run that targeted serving 20,000 pounds of crustaceans. In the event, organizers served the shellfish in various ways from boiled to grilled and lobster rolls. They also prepared the crustacean with cheese and burgers that suited the tastes of diverse crowds. According to Shannon Kinney, the...
Cocoa bean prices showed mixed performance on August 2, 2024 in London and New York futures markets due to diverse market factors. The International Coffee Exchange (ICE)’s prices in New York for September 2024 deliveries lost 0.56% day-on-day. This is even as similar ICE deliveries in London gained by 0.33%. The New York fall was the steepest...
Renewed governmental purchases could control declining wheat prices in China after rains prompted some growers to rush wheat to oversupplied markets. According to Bloomberg News, the government is stockpiling wheat from farmers to reverse the market glut and rebound prices. Various farmers took their wheat from storage and into local markets over fears that moisture could ruin...
South Africa is committing to a net zero carbon emission target by 2050. This at a critical time when fruit and vegetable distribution is producing about a third of all food transportation emissions worldwide. Coming to the rescue, however, through its marketing infrastructure is Tru-Cape, a leading pear and apple marketer. The company now seeks to impact...
The commercially important Choose Iowa program has expanded its food bank investment, underscoring that food security is real even in rich nations. For a start, the Iowa state Department of Agriculture on July 31, 2024 allocated $225,000 to food banks for healthy diet purchases. Announcing this investment, state’s Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig added that “food insecurity...
Currently high maize prices in South Africa will lead to an increment in the country’s total corn area in the 2024-25 season. This is according to a July 23, 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s forecast. South Africa began experiencing upshot maize prices after an 18% corn area decline in the 2023-24 period following an El Niño drought. These...
January to May 2024 has been a record annual period for Jordan’s irrigation-based horticulture. In this period, agricultural exports increased by 25.3%, according to a June 28, 2024 governmental statement. According to the national news agency, Petra, via Jordan Times, agricultural turnover from foreign commerce reached 0.5 billion Jordanian dinars (704.25 million). Meanwhile, yearly horticultural export growth reached 22.3%,...
An audit has revealed that a blue lobster dinner in honor of King Charles III during a September 2023 visit cost France €450,000 ($486,900 at 2024 rate). The dinner, at the Palace of Versailles west of Paris, included lobster, crab, premium cheese and drink galore. President Emanuel Macron’s Elysée hosting venue overlooked the economic pinch and shared...