Representatives of the food and beverage industry will meet at this year’s ANUGA Expo in Cologne, Germany, from 10 to 14 October 2009. INC will be exhibiting in ANUGA Fine Food, Hall 11.1, Aisle D, Booth D-022.

If you plan to visit ANUGA come by our booth or contact us at +34 977 331 413 or e-mail inc@nutfruit.org. We look forward to welcome you on our stand!

INC will be exhibiting at the 13th International Exhibition for Food, Drink, Hospitality, Foodservice, Bakery and Retail Industries, FHC CHINA 2009, in Shanghai, 18-20 November 2009. Food importers, distributors, wholesalers and processors, will meet at Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

FHC China claims to be the longest running and largest Imported Food and Wine trade show in China. The record breaking 2008 show attracted 807 exhibiting companies from 85 countries and regions, 93 importers and distributors, 22 pavilions and 20,441 trade visitors.

INC’s booth will located at Hall W2, stand number 2X03.

If you plan to visit us we can send you a free entrance ticket. Please contact us at +34 977 331 413 or e-mail inc@nutfruit.org.

INC has recently submitted comments to the US Food and Drug Administration Draft Guidance for Industry: Measures to Address the Risk for Contamination by Salmonella Species in Food Containing a Pistachio-Derived Product as an Ingredient.

The guidance is intended for manufacturers who use a pistachio-derived product as an ingredient in a food product. Pistachio-derived products include roasted in-shell pistachios and shelled pistachios (also called kernels) that are roasted or raw. FDA is issuing this guidance in light of the investigation by FDA and the California Department of Public Health of Salmonella species contamination in pistachio-derived products. Since the recalled pistachio-derived products were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, this recall affected many products and resulted in additional recalls.

INC arrived at the conclusion that a reduction to 3-log, based upon a combination of time and temperature and/or other means, is more than adequate to protect the pistachio consumer in the area of “low risk”. This reduction also contemplates the economic impact for the industry and, as a consequence, for the final consumer and protects the taste, the flavor and the preservation of essential oils. INC presented the results of a LACORS/HPA study that shows the minimal impact out of 2,886 samples taken from the shelf.

In addition, INC strongly supports the independent study realized by IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group, published on 7th August 2009 and commissioned by the California Pistachio Research Board.

In conclusion INC suggested that FDA, whilst proceeding with the long-term risk assessment, accept the 3-log recommendation in order to gain full confidence in the industry.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) received several reports in recent months of some consumers complaining of a bitter after taste in pine nuts. According to FSA, this issue does not represent any food safety risk. In fact, FSA contacted the Poisons Centre in Belgium which investigated this phenomenon in 2001 but did not find the cause for the bitter taste, and no chemical differences were found between affected and unaffected samples. FSA has emphasized that no adverse health effects have been associated with these symptoms.

INC realized the necessity to take further steps and avoid claims about “bitter after-taste“ or “taste disturbances“ generated after eating some pine nuts. INC’s scientific team has studied and worked on the subject, doing also various laboratory research and several tests, and did arrive to the conclusion that mixture of inferior varieties and different producing areas, swell blending different crops year, could be the cause of the heterogeneous symptoms reported by consumers from different countries and continents.

INC is currently working with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs (CFNA) and the China Tree Nuts Association to intervene through the Chinese industry to pursue more accurate controls on pine nut exports, to ensure a good quality product, and to reiterate and reinforce the regulation already emanated on 2001-2002.

Over 130 delegates attended the recent Australian Nut Industry Council Conference (ANIC), held at the Langham Hotel in Melbourne, on Thursday 20th August, 2009, to hear presentations on nut topics ranging from the role of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation, presented by its Chair Jack Mariani, to industry production and market data presented by almond and macadamia industry leaders. INC was the Silver Sponsor of this conference aimed at highlighting key areas affecting Australia's Nut Industry, including trade, statistics and health and nutrition.

Speakers from the nut manufacturing sector endorsed the popularity of nuts from a market perspective sharing their enthusiasm about positive consumer trends for nut products. The conference proceedings concluded appropriately with presentations on the nutritional benefits of nuts, and the process involved in achieving nut product labeling that promotes this positive health news.

According to ANIC, Australian nut production is expected to more than double by 2012 and world demand for tree nuts is growing at about 4% a year, well above natural population growth. In addition, Australian consumption for tree nuts has increased by 50% in dollar terms and 39% by volume during the past five years. Not surprisingly, speakers presenting on nut marketing emphasized the importance of both exporters and importers to the future of the Australian nut industry.

The INC is participating in the forthcoming International Seedless Dried Grape Producing Countries Conference, to be held in Hamburg, Germany, 15-16 October 2009, right after ANUGA. Delegations from the main dried grapes producing countries (Argentina, Australia, Chile, Iran, Greece, South Africa, Turkey and the United States of America) will give updates on dried grapes crops and estimates.

Mr. Erdinç Kapkaç, Member of the INC Board of Directors, is giving a presentation about INC activities and a review of the dried grapes industry, highlighting Ochratoxin A incidence in dried grapes and production trends.

INC participated in the Second Meeting of the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) “MycoRed” project: Novel Integrated Strategies for Worldwide Mycotoxin Reduction in Food and Feed Chains.

Ms. Goretti Guasch, INC Executive Director, and Ms. Irene Gironès, Statistics and Database Coordinator, attended this meeting aimed at reviewing each Work Package (WP) and the situation of the work developed according to the fixed deadlines and delivery report dates.

Dr. Antonio Logrieco, Research Leader at the Italian National Research Council, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, and coordinator of the MycoRed project, gave an update on the status of this 4-year project, followed by a presentation on the performed tasks by each WP leader.

INC participated in the parallel meeting of WP number 8 “Information, education and dissemination, led by Dr. Angelo Visconti, Director of the Italian Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council.

The INC is sponsoring the Symposium “Health Benefits of Tree Nuts”, organized by the INC Nutrition Research and Education Foundation (INC-NREF), within the frame of the 19th International Congress of Nutrition, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, 4-9 October 2009.

Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, member of the INC Scientific Committee, is one of the keynote speakers in the symposium.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TREE NUTS

October 4, 2009, 1:00pm – 5:00pm at the BITEC Center, MR 214-215

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Research over the last decade has focused primarily on nuts and heart disease resulting in the 2003 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved qualified health claim: “Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.” In recent years other research areas have emerged as experts examine the effects of nuts on diabetes, satiety and maintenance of healthy body weight, and cancer prevention. This session will include a review of the nutritional composition of tree nuts as well as an update on the growing body of research on nuts and health.

PROGRAM

Moderators: Junshi Chen, MD, Professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China and Maureen Ternus, MS, RD

Topic 1: Tree Nuts and Health: An Introduction and Overview
Maureen Ternus, MS, RD, International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation, USA

Topic 2: Tree Nut Consumption Improves Nutrient Intake and Diet Quality
Carol O’Neil, PhD, MPH, LDN, RD, Louisiana State University, USA

Topic 3: Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Nuts
Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, FACN, CNS, Tufts University, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, USA

Topic 4: Nuts and Maintenance of a Healthy Body Weight: The Mechanisms Involved
Rick Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD, Purdue University, USA

Break

Topic 5: Nuts, Blood Lipids and Cardiovascular Diseases
Joan Sabaté, MD, DrPH, Loma Linda University, USA

Topic 6: The Effects of Tree Nuts on Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
Jordi Salas Salvadó, Prof., Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain

Topic 7: Nuts and Diabetes Control
Cyril Kendall, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada

The session will include a dinner with leading international nutrition experts on the evening of Monday, October 5th, at Baan Khanitha & Gallery restaurant, located in the Sukhumvit District of Bangkok.

The scientific program of the International Congress of Nutrition also includes the symposium “Nutrition, Lifestyle, Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Quenching the Fires of Aging”, to be held on Wednesday, 7th October, that will discuss how the benefits of diets containing polyphenols fatty acids may prevent or forestall age‐related behavioral and neuronal deficits. This symposium will focus upon the mechanistic effects of the polyphenolics in berries and walnuts that act to reduce cognitive and motor deficits in aging, increase neuronal communication (signaling) and decrease oxidative and inflammatory stress signaling will be presented as being critical to these beneficial effects. A “nutritional global positioning system” will be suggested as a guide in the selection of healthy fruits, vegetables and nuts in the diet.

ICN is organized quadrennialy under the auspices of IUNS, the International Union of Nutritional Sciences, and expects to attract about 3,000 nutrition professionals from Asia (50%), Europe (20%), North America (15%), South America (10%) and Africa (5%).

The INC Executive Committee is meeting on Saturday, October 17th, 2009, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, to review the 5 year financial plan and strategic plan for priority actions, and the budget for 2009.

The Committee will also review the performance of the sub-committees: Audit Committee, Membership and Ambassadors’ Committee, Editorial and Statistics Committee, Congress Committee and Scientific and Government Affairs Committee.

According to the Aegean Exporters’ Association, the first shipment date for the 2009 crop Turkish dried figs was determined as 28th September 2009 by the General Assembly of the Aegean Dried Fruits Exporters’ Association, held on 26th August 2009. The decision was approved by the Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade.

The Turkish Exporters Association also announced the results of the quality surveys carried out in dried fruit production area by a delegation formed by fig-related institutions and associations, including Izmir Bourse and the Fig Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, between 13 and 23 August 2009. The survey concluded that due to good weather conditions the Turkish dried fig crop of 2009 is forecast at 56,590 MT, ± 5%. The crop has good quality except for cracks in nearly 10% of the crop due to the heat differences of up to 20 ºC between day and night; therefore the amount to be marketed is expected to be about 10% less than the anticipated crop size. Almost no mould was observed and quality of the 2009 looks good due to favorable weather conditions.

This question was recently posted at CNN website www.cnn.com/HEALTH where diet and fitness experts answer commonly asked questions relating to health issues. In response to the doubt “Can you eat an unlimited amount of walnuts, almonds, etc. every day?” Dr. Melina Jampolis, Physician Nutrition Specialist, explains that there is no question that nuts are healthy, but given the fact that they are calorie dense, eating unlimited amounts can easily add an extra several hundred calories. Dr. Jampolis recommends one-fourth cup of nuts per day, specifically for people who is watching their weight. Vegetarian or vegan may consume slightly larger quantities, since nuts are a good source of plant-based protein.

According to Dr. Walter C. Willett, Professor of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, peanut butter is healthy. Prof. Willett has tackled the question “Is peanut butter healthy?” at Harvard’s Heart Letter, clarifying that the presence of saturated fat doesn’t put peanut butter under the “unhealthy” foods group. It’s the whole package of nutritional components, not just one, what makes a good healthy. Olive oil, wheat germ and tofu among others -named healthy foods- have some saturated fat.

Two tablespoons of peanut butter have 3.3 grams of saturated fat and 12.3 grams of unsaturated fat. Both olive oil and peanut butter have similar ratio.

Peanut butter provides some fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Unsalted peanut butter has a high potassium-to-sodium ratio, and even salted peanut butter has about twice as much potassium as sodium.

Over the years, scientific investigations have shown that people who regularly consume nuts or peanut butter are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes than those who rarely eat nuts.