⭐️ Michelin Star 🌮 stand in Mexico City 🇲🇽

FOODIE SOPTLIGHT

Michelin star for an amazing taco stand in Mexico City

Taquería El Califa de León, a small taco stand in Mexico City, has received a Michelin star, making it the first Mexican taco stand to earn this prestigious honor. Located in the San Rafael neighborhood, the stand offers only four menu items and is known for its Gaonera taco, named after bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona. Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez attributes the stand's success to the simplicity and quality of its tacos, which consist of a tortilla, red or green sauce, and high-quality meat.

The Michelin Guide praised the Gaonera taco for its expertly cooked, thinly sliced beef filet and excellent corn tortillas. Despite its no-frills setup, Taquería El Califa de León has been in operation for over 50 years and is only about 10 feet wide, allowing just a few diners to stand at the counter.

PROTECT YOUR BRAND FROM FARM TO FORK WITH AQR

Protect Your Brand & Customers

Welcome to Apex Quality Resources, Inc., the leading provider of food safety solutions for businesses in the food industry. Our mission is to help you protect your brand and customers by providing the best food safety services.

At Apex Quality Resources, Inc., we understand that mitigating food risk is critical to the success of your business. That's why we offer a range of food safety services designed to help you identify and eliminate potential hazards before they become a problem. Our team of experts has over 100 years of combined experience in the food industry, and we are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and support.

RECIPES

This seasoning doesn’t go on everything, but here’s the recipe

Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe

Everything Bagel Seasoning is a versatile mix that can be used on a variety of dishes to add a burst of flavor. Here's a simple recipe to make your own at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

• 2 tablespoons dried minced garlic

• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion

• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt or flaked sea salt

Instructions:

1. Mix the Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and sea salt.

2. Store: Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or a spice jar. Store in a cool, dry place.

3. Shake Before Use: Give the jar a good shake before each use to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.

FOOD DOLLAR

Nestle has a new weight loss food line

Nestlé has introduced Vital Pursuit, a new food line designed to support users of GLP-1 weight loss medications and those focused on weight management. The products, high in protein and essential nutrients, are portion-aligned to match the reduced appetite of GLP-1 users and cater to a balanced diet. This initiative aims to serve the growing number of Americans prescribed weight loss medications, which is expected to reach 30 million by 2030. Vital Pursuit includes a variety of frozen meals such as bowls, sandwich melts, and pizzas, priced at $4.99 or less. These items offer convenience and nutritional value, including gluten-free and air-fryer ready options. The line will launch in Q4 with 12 SKUs available nationwide.

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.

FOOD SAFETY

The Grillmasters Safety guide for the Summer

Ensure a Safe and Delicious Summer BBQ

As Summer approaches, many of us are eager to fire up the grill and enjoy a festive barbecue with family and friends. However, amid the excitement, it’s crucial to prioritize food safety to ensure everyone stays healthy. Follow these essential tips to keep your Summer BBQ both enjoyable and safe.

Inspect Your Ingredients

Start with quality ingredients. Check expiration dates and inspect the packaging of meats for any signs of damage or inflation, which could indicate bacterial growth. Trust your nose—if something smells off, it’s better to discard it than risk food poisoning.

Prevent Cross Contamination

Cross contamination is a common cause of foodborne illnesses. Use separate utensils, cutting boards, and trays for raw and cooked foods. Never place cooked food back on the same surface that held raw meat unless it has been thoroughly washed. When seasoning or handling raw meat, use disposable gloves and wash your hands frequently.

Keep Foods at Safe Temperatures

The “danger zone” for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Use a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to safe internal temperatures:

• Poultry: 165°F

• Ground meats: 160°F

• Beef, pork, lamb, and veal (steaks, chops, roasts): 145°F with a three-minute rest time

When serving food, avoid leaving it out in the sun for extended periods. Keep perishables in a cooler with plenty of ice or ice packs until they are ready to be cooked or served.

Safe Food Handling Practices

• Thawing: Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the counter. If you need to thaw food quickly, use the microwave or submerge it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.

• Marinating: Marinate foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If you plan to use some of the marinade as a sauce later, set a portion aside before adding raw meat.

• Reheating: Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F. Large cuts of meat should be sliced into smaller portions to ensure even reheating.

Be Prepared

Keep hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes handy when cooking outdoors. Clean surfaces and utensils regularly. Ensure you have plenty of ice to keep drinks and perishables cold throughout the event.

Handling Leftovers

Once the meal is over, promptly store leftovers in shallow containers in the refrigerator. This helps them cool quickly and prevents bacteria from growing. Leftovers should be eaten within three to four days or frozen for longer storage.

Know the Signs of Food Poisoning

Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If anyone exhibits these symptoms after the barbecue, consider what they ate and how it was handled. Prompt medical attention may be necessary for severe cases.

AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE, AND TECH

IoT for Food Safety

Wiliot has partnered with iFoodDS and Trustwell to help food logistics companies comply with the upcoming FSMA 204 track and trace regulations. These new rules, effective January 2026, will require comprehensive monitoring of Key Data Elements (KDEs) for Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) in supply chains to enhance food safety. Wiliot's ambient IoT technology, which connects products to the internet without batteries, will be integrated into iFoodDS and Trustwell's traceability platforms. This collaboration aims to provide real-time, automated item-level traceability, improving response to foodborne illnesses and reducing costs compared to traditional methods like RFID and barcodes.

EDUCATION

Internal Auditing

This internal auditing training is a 2-hour self-paced, online course that introduces internal auditing best practices and processes for food plant inspections. Whether you’re completely new to internal auditing and want to create a strong foundation or looking for a refresher, you will learn everything needed to be a key contributor to your audit team.

In this course, certified GFSI auditors will lead you in internal auditing training focusing on the fundamentals of internal auditing to give you a solid understanding and prepare you for external audits. You can expect to learn about auditing best practices through interactive quizzes and real-world examples.