COMPOUND OF THE DAY

Citric acid is C_6​H₈​O_7​. It's a weak organic acid that naturally occurs in citrus fruits. In its pure form, citric acid is a white, crystalline substance that can be extracted for use as a flavoring or preservative in food and beverages, among other applications.

ENTERTAINMENT

Ted Nivison: My Quest for the Worst Menu Item

An adventurous exploration of secret menu items at various fast-food chains. They use a website claiming to list these secret menu items, which they liken to the "Wikileaks of food."

1. Taco Bell Adventure: They start at Taco Bell, trying to order "The Incredible Hulk" and the "Enchirito." While they face initial confusion from the staff, they eventually get a modified version of "The Incredible Hulk" and the Enchirito, though not quite as expected.

2. Chick-fil-A's Secret: At Chick-fil-A, they discover the secret item is more of a DIY project. They create a buffalo chicken mac and cheese by combining different menu items. They find it impressive and rate it highly.

3. Burger King Challenge: Their attempt at Burger King to get a "ham and cheese" sandwich fails, with the staff adamantly denying its existence. This encounter leaves them disappointed.

4. Wendy's Meat Cube: At Wendy's, they aim for the "Meat Cube," a quadruple patty burger. After some persistence, they manage to get this massive burger, finding it surprisingly tastier than expected.

5. Del Taco's Bun Taco: Next, they try Del Taco for a "Bun Taco," which is essentially taco ingredients in a hamburger bun. The result is underwhelming and not particularly enjoyable.

6. Arby's Meat Mountain: Finally, they go to Arby's for the "Meat Mountain," a colossal sandwich with various meats. Despite initial dread, they find it surprisingly good, though overwhelming.

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FOODIE SOPTLIGHT

Kieth Lee Reviews over All Star Break

Viral food critic Keith Lee recently reviewed Chicken Scratch, an Indianapolis chicken wing shop specializing in large, cooked-to-order wings with house-made sauces.

This was his first review of an Indianapolis restaurant, conducted during the NBA All-Star Weekend. With a significant following of nearly 16 million on TikTok, Lee's review quickly garnered over 1 million views, highlighting the impact of his social media influence on local eateries.

Lee's approach to reviews is informal and faith-based, aiming to support restaurants in need of marketing boosts without seeking special treatment. His visits often include praying with owners, leaving generous tips, or paying forward for other customers, emphasizing a community-centric approach.

At Chicken Scratch, Lee spent $75.97 and highlighted various dishes:

• ATL Style (hot lemon pepper) wings: Described as super spicy with a vinegary sauce, though the breading was noted as soggy. Rating: 7/10

• Garlic pepper wings: Found to be very sweet and slightly garlicky, with a divisive reception. Rating: 3/10 (companion rated 6/10)

• Honey Hot Chicken Mac Fries: Praised for the creamy, cheesy mac and cheese and the signature Honey Hot sauce, deemed a substantial meal. Rating: Between 7.9 and 8/10

• Parmesan Truffle Fries: Critiqued for lacking sufficient truffle oil and parmesan, without a specific rating given.

• Mango habanero wings: Liked for their mild pepper taste and sweetness, though not matching the expected mango habanero profile. Rating: 7.5/10

Lee also addressed minor issues with order accuracy but overall provided constructive feedback. His review not only brings significant attention to Chicken Scratch but also anticipates further reviews within Indianapolis, showcasing his enthusiasm for discovering what the city has to offer in terms of culinary experiences.

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FILL YOUR CUP FIRST WITH VITAVATE

FIND YOUR FOCUSED FLOW 

Elevate your productivity and sharpen your focus with VITAVATE Focus. Specially formulated to enhance cognitive performance, this natural blend of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B6 and Choline, is your key to heightened mental clarity and efficiency.

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RECIPES

Lobster Bisque turned into pasta

New viral pasta recipe that has gained popularity for its simplicity, affordability, and ingenious use of a Trader Joe's staple, making it an ideal choice for a date night at home.

• The Recipe's Concept: It centers around a five-ingredient Trader Joe's "lobster pasta" that uses lobster bisque soup as the pasta sauce, which is praised for its freshness compared to jarred sauces. This idea is celebrated for its creativity and ease.

• Ingredients and Cost: The recipe features Trader Joe's frozen langostino tails as a budget-friendly alternative to expensive lobster, costing under $15 for a 12-ounce bag. Other ingredients include a chosen pasta shape (gigli recommended for its ability to hold creamy sauce), cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil instead of Parmesan cheese to elevate the dish without mixing cheese and seafood. The total cost for the ingredients was $29.35, deemed a bargain for a special-occasion meal at home.

• Cooking Process: The recipe is straightforward and quick, taking about 20 minutes to prepare. It involves boiling pasta, sautéing cherry tomatoes, and adding defrosted langostino tails, followed by the lobster bisque soup to coat the pasta. The dish is garnished with basil for a fresh finish.

• Final Thoughts: The author found the dish to be delicious, decadent, and of restaurant quality, highlighting its simplicity and potential for customization. Suggestions for enhancing the recipe include adding lemon juice for acidity, toasted breadcrumbs for texture, and sautéed garlic and shallot for depth of flavor.

Overall, the recipe is celebrated for making a luxurious-style dinner accessible and affordable, offering a perfect solution for a special but cost-effective date night at home.

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FOOD DOLLAR

Key Performance Indicator

Food and Beverage industry projects for February 2024:

• Total new projects in February 2024: 66

  • New processing facilities: 45

  • Distribution and warehouses: 23

• Project scope/activity:

  • New Construction: 26 projects

  • Expansion: 24 projects

  • Renovations/Equipment Upgrades: 23 projects

  • Plant Closing: 5 projects

• Project location (Top 10 States):

  • California: 12, Tennessee: 5, Illinois: 3, Indiana: 3, Kentucky: 3, New York: 3, Texas: 3, Alabama: 2, Florida: 2, Georgia: 2

• Significant investments:

  • Nestle Purina Petcare: $200 million for expansion in Fort Dodge, IA.

  • Publix Supermarket: $145 million for renovation and equipment upgrades in St. Johns, FL.

  • General Mills: Planning construction of a 729,000-sq.-ft distribution center in Olathe, KS (investment amount not specified).

  • Bosch Berries: $50 million for renovation and equipment upgrades in Somerset, KY.

  • Scooter’s Coffee: Planning construction of a 183,000-sq.-ft distribution center in Whitestown, IN (investment amount not specified).

  • Hillandale Farms: $15 million for construction of a warehouse in Akron, OH.

  • Burnbrae Farms: Planning construction of a 100,000-sq.-ft processing facility in Strathroy, Ontario (completion expected in 2026, investment amount not specified).

  • Hard Eight Nutrition (BulkSupplements.com): $7 million for expansion in Henderson, NV.

  • Aldi: Planning expansion of their distribution center in Oak Creek, WI by 50,000 sq. ft. (investment amount not specified).

  • Richardson Int’l: Planning for the construction of a 22,000-sq.-ft processing facility in Memphis, TN (investment amount not specified).

  • Nexus (formerly Viafield): $4.5 million for expansion in Elgin, IA.

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EDUCATION

Coaching & Training

Excellent food safety practices start with people who uphold standards, policies, and procedures. At AQR, we want to help our clients develop a food safety culture by coaching and training staff on foundational food safety principles. Partner with AQR to elevate your people and culture.

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FOOD SAFETY

Recalls and Outbreaks

Active Outbreaks:

• E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Cheddar Cheese

  • Illnesses 11, Hospitalizations 5, Deaths 0, States CA, UT, CO, TX, NJ

• Listeria Outbreak Linked to Cheese, Yogurt, and Sour Cream made by Rizo-López Foods (1/6/24)

  • Illnesses 26, Hospitalizations 23, Deaths 2, States 11

• Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Charcuterie Meats (start 1/5/24)

  • Illnesses 87 (40 new), Hospitalizations 18 (8 new), Deaths 0, States 30 (8 new)

• Lead and Chromium Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (start 10/17/23)

  1. Total Cases 468, States 44

Recently Closed Outbreak:

• Listeria Outbreak Linked to Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums (11/20/23-1/30/24)

  • Illnesses 11, Hospitalizations 10, Deaths 1, States 7

• Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes  (11/17/23-1/19/24)

  • Illnesses 407, Hospitalizations 158, Deaths 6, 44 states

Recall Link:

• 2024 Recall Count 33

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AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE, AND TECH

Future Challenges of FST&E

In the context of food science, technology, and engineering (FST&E), this transformation is not just timely but crucial.

Emerging Challenges

1. Adapting to Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological change, including AI, IoT, and digital twins, requires continuous updating of curricula to include these advancements. Educators must integrate new technologies into their teaching to prepare students for a future where these tools are integral to food production and safety.

2. Addressing Global Challenges: Climate change, population growth, and food security are pressing issues that FST&E education must tackle. Programs need to incorporate sustainability principles, waste reduction strategies, and innovative approaches to food production to ensure future food security.

3. Funding and Resources: Diminishing funding and resources for research and development in food science and engineering pose a significant challenge. This scarcity impacts the ability to conduct cutting-edge research and attract top talent.

4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The complexity of modern food systems necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, combining knowledge from engineering, nutrition, environmental science, and more. Creating curricula that foster interdisciplinary collaboration is essential.

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