COVID-19 Elevating Concerns About Food Safety and Security

 

The latest fallout from the coronavirus pandemic? Food safety and security now rank among consumers’ top global concerns. According to a new study from the Mars Global Food Safety Center, 73 percent of the adults surveyed last month in the United States, China, and the United Kingdom said they believe COVID-19 will wind up adversely impacting the viability — and, yes, safety — of the global food supply chain many of us have come to expect. And almost as many (71 percent) think people’s access to food will consequently be negatively affected around the world. Doubt it? "New food safety threats, like those posed by COVID-19, are constantly emerging through a combination of factors including global warming, increased globalization of trade, and changes in agriculture practices and food production," said David Crean, chief science officer at Mars, which strives to generate new scientific and technological insights to raise the bar on food safety. View the full-sized image here.

    

Plant-Based Twists to Classic Summer Dishes

With people more focused on wellness and nutrition these days, interest in a plant-based diet is hotter than ever. One easy way to get in on the trend: Pair summer produces with simple ingredients like pecans for a dish the whole family will enjoy. Pecans are a versatile ingredient and are naturally sweet with a rich and crunchy texture. As each one-ounce serving of the nuts offers three grams of fiber and protein, essential vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy benefits, pecans also happen to be one of the tastiest ways to elevate the nutrition of any recipe. In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts – including pecans – as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. A one-ounce serving of pecans has 18g unsaturated fat and only 2g saturated fat. Add a sweet and nutritious crunch to this Mediterranean Pecan Pasta Salad, or swap meet for Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with nutty and nutritious pecan pesto. Discover more delicious recipes at AmericanPecan.com.