OMIC USA Inc.

Our Inspector Mr. Bryan Pogan joined the 56th Annual Hard Winter Wheat Tour which was coordinated by the Wheat Quality Council and opened on April 29 in Manhattan, Kansas.

The tour took three days, it started in Manhattan KS, on April 30th, and ended in Kansas City KS, on May 2nd. Tour participants included people from around the wheat industry such as growers, transportation, facility, shipping and exporting.

As Bryan left Manhattan KS on the first day, his group found some really good wheat fields in north central Kansas, with some fields projected to yield in the high 70s and low 80s (Bushels per acre). However, as they traveled towards Colby in northwest Kansas, the soil moisture profile got drier and drier- and projected yields dropped. Overall Bryan says the fields look poorer than previous year but the wheat plant is a tough plant, battling drought, frost, and wheat mites. Bryan’s group also noted some stem damage in some areas due to the freezing temperatures in early April. Some of the irrigated fields got hit harder by the freeze. In some areas the fields had patchy spots where wheat had died off completely. Of course everyone is anxious to see the final results on this year’s crop, but it will be a while before harvest and who knows what can happen between now and then. Bryan noted that his opinion as well as other participants on the tour, is that this year will hold lower yield numbers and will see about a 5% drop from last year. But only time will tell how much wheat makes it to harvest in Kansas this year.

Bryan also adds that the weather was horrible with heavy rain and wind as well as snow at times. What made it bareable Bryan adds “Kansas has some great BAR-B-Q!”. His group ended their field scouting with a lunch at Mays BBQ Bar, which is somewhat of a tradition for tour participants. Before leaving Bryan also visited the Kansas Board of Trade in Kansas City, and was able to watch the market close with very little action.

For more information a link is provided here to the Wheat Quality Council’s website. http://www.wheatqualitycouncil.org/

Also from Food Business News: http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/Purchasing_News/2013/05/Kansas_crop_tour_sees_lower_yi.aspx?ID=%7B126F20F1-90A2-4596-86FB-15ED96213779%7D&cck=1

From The Columbian:United Grain, union trade charges
Company acknowledges that replacement workers are being used

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/may/02/united-grain-union-trade-charges-port-vancouver/

From The Columbian: Police show up in force at Port of Vancouver

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/may/01/vancouver-police-show-force-port-vancouver/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 18, 2010 – Dominguez Family Enterprises, of Hood River, Ore., is voluntarily recalling three Mexican bread products due to undeclared Whey (Milk), Soy Flour, and Wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Whey (Milk), Soy Flour, and Wheat could run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consumed these products.

The recalled products are “Juanita’s Brand” Cuernos, Pan Huevo and Ojos Mexican breads. They are packaged 6-count in a clear plastic clamshell container with a white, red and green label. Cuernos is a croissant-like product; Pan Huevo has pink, white, yellow, & chocolate topping; and Ojos is red and rolled in coconut flakes. If you have any of these products with the “best by” dates of 5/12/2010 though 6/05/2010, please return to the retail store and ask for a refund.

Products were distributed in five retail stores in Oregon, five retail stores in Washington, and one retail store in Anchorage, Alaska.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.

The Oregon Department of Agricultures (ODA) discovered the error during an inspection on May 11, 2010. Products distributed in the future will have new labels that list the allergens. For further information you may call Dominguez Family Enterprises at 541-386-6311 from 8 am-4 pm (PDT), Monday to Friday or email to INFO@Juanitasfinefoods.com, or 888-463-6332.

Source:  U.S. Food & Drug Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 1, 2010 – Gretna, LA – Zatarain’s has announced a voluntary recall of Zatarain’s Original Dirty Rice Mix, 8 oz. package with UPC Code 7142909535 and a “BEST BY” date of JAN 19 12H. Zatarain’s Original Dirty Rice Mix packages with this date code contain undeclared wheat and barley ingredients. People who have allergies to wheat or barley run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The Zatarain’s Original Dirty Rice Mix package was distributed to limited grocery stores in Florida, Michigan and Virginia beginning February 15, 2010. The product is available in 8 oz. boxes, and the date code is found on the bottom of the package. The “BEST BY” date of JAN1912H is the only date code affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was mispackaged, and as a result, the ingredient statement on the package did not list wheat and barley as an ingredient.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other Zatarain’s products are involved in this recall.

All grocery outlets that sell Zatarain’s New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix packages have been notified to remove the affected product (UPC Code 7142909535 and a “BEST BY” date of JAN1912H) from their shelves immediately. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact Zatarain’s Consumer Affairs at 1-877-837-3796, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration

For Immediate Release

Contact:  John Lupean, Lab Manager
E-mail:  j.lupean@omicusa.com
Phone:  503-223-1497 ext: 13

A Fresh Look At Food Safety

Oregon-based food safety laboratory adds new testing that simplifies the sometimes-confusing world of food quality and consumer safety.

PORTLAND, Oregon – April 5, 2010 -  Amidst the recent media hype around foodborne illness and massive product recalls, one analytical laboratory is taking a stance to shed new light on the often confusing and little known world of food testing and safety.  OMIC USA Inc., an industry veteran that has helped deliver safe products to the world market for over a decade, is determined to heighten awareness of food safety issues among producers and consumers alike.

In response to an increasing number of food recalls and growing concerns among consumers, OMIC USA Inc. has added additional offerings to its strong lineup of tests to meet consumer demand.  These new areas of testing now include 1) allergen testing for soy, wheat, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts, as well as 2) PCR-based microbiological testing to ensure safer consumer products.

OMIC USA Inc. has a long history of fighting on the front lines of consumer safety and is the recipient of analytical certifications from highly respected international organizations.  Specializing in Pesticides and Herbicides, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Microbiology, and Nutrition testing, the company has helped countless farmers, processors, and packagers deliver safe food to tables in more than a dozen countries.

“Understanding how food safety works doesn’t have to be difficult,” explained Mathew Ladd, Sales and Marketing Representative for OMIC USA Inc.  “People just need a good source that is simple to use and interact with.  We’ve spend months listening to client needs and developed a great resource with our new website that addresses many concerns about getting commercial products tested.”

Food testing encompasses all areas of supply, from farmers to major brand retailers selling processed products. In all cases, there is a need to practice safety measures that ensure consumers are receiving the safest goods available.  Independent testing laboratories like OMIC USA Inc. are imperative for making such practices possible and for maintaining a higher standard of accountability that is important for every producer.

About OMIC UCA Inc.
Offering analytical food testing since 1992, OMIC USA Inc. is an independent analytical testing laboratory comprising leading scientific minds and state-of-the-art instrumentation for detection and reporting of potentially harmful contaminants.  To learn more about food safety and practices, certifications, or general information, please visit our website at www.omicusa.com or contact us by phone at 503-223-1497.

OMIC USA Inc.
3344 NW Industrial St., Portland, OR 97210
Phone:  503-223-1497
Fax: 503-223-9436
www.omicusa.com