Produce ProPack

IFT - Institute of Food Technologists has announced its top 2026 food trends, signaling a critical year ahead for the global food sector. Key themes include:

🤖 AI moving into mainstream use
🛡️ Digital tools accelerating food safety
⚖️ Regulations reshaping innovation pipelines

With leadership from Brendan Niemira, PhD, IFT’s Science & Policy Initiatives team sees 2026 as a turning point for advancing innovation, safety, and sustainability across the food system. 🌍


https://producepropack.com/ifts-science-and-policy-initiatives-team-reveals-top-trends-for-2026/

Freshtag® 🟢🟡🔴 | Food Safety Made Simple

Freshtag® is a color-changing smart label that tracks time and temperature across the cold chain. Green means safe, yellow/red signals temperature abuse—instant, universal visibility with no tools or setup.

FDA & EU compliant, Freshtag helps reduce spoilage, refunds, and food waste while building customer trust.


https://producepropack.com/vitsabunveils-freshtag-time-temperature-monitoring-device-to-ensure-food-quality-and-safety-during-transit/

🥕 20 Years of Fresh, Trusted Quality

TopFresh marks 20 years of growing and processing premium carrots — from seed to shelf — with speed, quality, and full control. With 525 hectares, 125 colleagues, and Sormac - Vegetable processing equipment machinery at the core, reliability has powered their success every step of the way.

Here’s to fresh carrots, strong partnerships, and decades of excellence. 🤝

🥕
https://producepropack.com/carrot-processing-at-the-highest-level-topfresh-and-sormac/

UK Food Security Boost 🌱

A new CIC-START programme will train 24 PhD researchers to tackle skills shortages and strengthen UK food security.

Led by the University of Dundee with industry partners, it focuses on potatoes, barley, and cereals, driving innovation in sustainability, crop health, and climate resilience.

🌾
https://producepropack.com/new-project-to-cultivate-agricultural-knowledge/

Food Africa & Interpack Middle East & Africa 2025 Hit New Milestone 🚀

Food Africa and pacprocess MEA 2025 welcomed 37,000 visitors and 1,200 exhibitors from 51 countries in Cairo, filling 50,000 sqm over four days for the first time.
The growth highlights Egypt’s role as a key gateway to Africa and the Middle East.

🎉 Food Africa marked 10 years, honoring long-standing exhibitors
🔁 pacprocess MEA rebrands to interpack MEA from 2026, strengthening its global positioning

📍 Next edition: 7–10 December 2026


https://producepropack.com/record-numbers-in-cairo-food-africa-and-pacprocess-mea-delight-exhibitors-and-visitors/

Potato LEAF Opens 2026 Leadership Program 🌱

Apply now for “Leadership in the Field: From Battlefield to Potato Field”, July 13–16, 2026, at Gettysburg. An immersive experience using battlefield lessons to build real-world leadership skills.

🗓 Deadline: March 6, 2026
💼 Fee: $2,100 (travel not included)

🥔

https://producepropack.com/potato-leaf-opens-2026-leadership-in-the-field-applications/

🥔 GB Potatoes on Farm Profitability Review

GB Potatoes welcomes Baroness Minette Batters’ Farm Profitability Review, highlighting the need to better support farmers and strengthen UK food security.

The call for planning reforms and a Farming & Food Partnership Board is a positive step, and GB Potatoes looks forward to ensuring the potato sector’s voice is heard.

🥔🌱
https://producepropack.com/gb-potatoes-backs-new-profitability-review-and-board/

🧃✨ Natural Astaxanthin Gets EU Green Light

AstaReal Natural Astaxanthin is now EFSA-approved for use in fruit juices, smoothies, and dairy alternatives, unlocking new functional food opportunities across EU supermarkets. 🇪🇺

Derived from microalgae, astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant linked to immune support, muscle recovery, and skin & eye health. With approval in place, AstaReal gains five years of EU exclusivity, aiming for first product launches in 2026.

🌱 A major step forward for science-backed, healthy foods of the future.

🧬🥤
https://producepropack.com/efsa-approves-natural-astaxanthin-for-eu-foods/

🥉 OCI Global Wins Bronze at LAMMA 2026

OCI Global has earned Bronze in the LAMMA 2026 Innovation Awards for Nutramon Novo, its low-carbon nitrogen fertiliser helping farmers cut emissions without compromising crop performance. 🌱

Produced using biomethane from organic waste, Nutramon Novo delivers up to 60% lower carbon footprint, with a 50/50 nitrate–ammonium balance for fast uptake and long-lasting nutrition, plus added magnesium and calcium for healthier crops.

📍 Visit OCI Global at LAMMA 2026 | Stand 11.440

🌾♻️
https://producepropack.com/oci-global-awarded-bronze-for-innovation-for-environmental-benefit-of-the-year-at-lamma-2026/

🌱 WEATHER GARD™ ELITE Launched

Loveland Products introduces WEATHER GARD™ ELITE, a low-viscosity, all-in-one adjuvant combining five spray functions into one easy-to-use solution. Powered by LECI-TECH®, it improves coverage, reduces drift, and simplifies mixing—now available in totes.

🌾
https://producepropack.com/loveland-products-launches-weather-gard-elite-to-bolster-spray-applications/