Produce companies struggling to understand the kind of records they need to maintain under the bioterrorism law got an opportunity to ask top legal experts during a Jan. 26 teleconference sponsored by the International Fresh-cut Produce Association. The bioterrorism law requires food companies to keep records on their products and, for the first time, hands the Food & Drug Administration new powers to access what was largely shielded manufacturing and processing information from a wide variety of companies that handle food. FDA can demand to see any records if it has a reasonable belief that a

A recently released competitive analysis done by the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee stated that retailers "can enjoy case lifts [increased volume] on promoted potatoes up to 345 percent above non-advertised weeks, a rate almost three times greater than that of another leading vegetable, lettuce." Moreover, the analysis noted, the lifts are experienced during summer months. As part of its 2004 season category development effort for retailers, the commitee said that while potato sales had declined in more recent months, "the category is still the leader in the department ... [and]

The California Avocado Commission announced the expansion of its retail merchandising force through agreements with David M. Anderson, Sheila Carden and Cece Krumrine, according to Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing. ?The avocado category is truly ripe with opportunity for increased sales and promotions in both developed and new-demand markets," said Ms. DeLyser, citing the household penetration numbers throughout the nation. "Where we?ve implemented our integrated programs featuring consumer advertising, retail merchandising, foodservice, public relations and nutrition, the penetration

CASTROVILLE, CA " Ocean Mist Farms, based here, has hired Joe Feldman as vice president of commodity sales. He most recently was vice president of sales and marketing for nearby Pride of San Juan, a role he held for the past two-and-a-half years. Prior to working at PSJ, Mr. Feldman, 44, was a salesman for Apio Inc. for four years. Before Apio he had spent 16 years with River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC, finishing as sales manager. Mr. Feldman will report to Maggie Bezart, Ocean Mist?s vice president of marketing and sales. With the addition of Mr. Feldman, Ms. Bezart can concentrate more on long

Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, announced Feb. 1 a number of personnel changes. Amanda Douglas, who has been with the company for three years, has been promoted to director of sales management. Her duties will include inventory management and providing appropriate departments with accurate information. She will also assist in specific commodity interoffice coordinations. Gustavo Kardjian has been promoted to vice president of administration. He works primarily with the company?s Belize papaya operations. He will prepare and monitor budgets, work with government agencies in Belize, and

Paramount Farms, a leading vertically integrated supplier of pistachios and almonds based in Los Angeles, is extending its reach in the snacking category with the introduction of "Sunkist Almond Munchies," a new line of six delicious heart-healthy almond snacks. ?The market is primed for a new line of tasty, heart-healthy snacks," said Michael Galef, vice president of marketing for Paramount Farms. "According to Mintel research, the healthy-snacking category increased almost 50 percent from 1998 to 2003. And according to Information Resources Inc., total almond sales in 2003 increased 55