Monthly Archives: April 2014

Both consumers and food industry interests benefit from being fully informed about the true nature of foodborne illnesses. The complex realities of foodborne illnesses demand that formal medical insight and study is needed to determine the type of outbreak being dealt with at any given time and place. Still, it can be of benefit for any stakeholder in the food industry to learn more about these differing illnesses and their effects on consumers.

For example, just within the realm of bacterial outbreaks, incubation times can range from a few hours to a few months and symptoms can range from fevers and headaches to severe abdominal pain and paralysis, depending on the type of bacteria. The following graph from the CDC* describes incubation periods, symptoms, and other information about foodborne illnesses for a general audience.

Table B-1. Guidelines for Confirmation of Foodborne-Disease Outbreaks (Bacterial)

Today is Earth Day 2014. Earth Day was founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 as a grassroots demonstration supporting environmental issues. Millions of people participate each year, and it has developed into a day that inspires awareness of and appreciation for the earth’s environment.

Like many of you, Nelson-Jameson has incorporated both sustainable and green practices into our everyday functioning. We feel that it’s the responsible thing to do---not just as a corporate entity, but as a distribution partner in a global supply chain. Our core business model of goods procurement - providing a wide line of products in multiple categories from hundreds of manufacturers - naturally facilitates a reduced logistical footprint through consolidated shipping, receiving and packaging.

Additionally, our manufacturers and customers benefit from the resulting cost-savings advantage that is gained from these distribution standards

We have all heard of “helicopter parents,” those that coddle and hover over their kids. Remarkably annoying to educators, scout leaders, etc., one has to at least respect that they (in their own bothersome and overt way) essentially want to ensure their kid’s safety and well-being. Well, what about being a "helicopter" producer?

Don’t you want to ensure the safety and quality of your product when raw ingredients come into your facility or when the finished product heads out on the truck to be sold? Do you worry that your product might be compromised by influences beyond your control? Are you keeping an eye out for things occurring in-house that might compromise your product?

Trends shape our business strategy. They dictate what we sell and to whom we sell it. Now that we’re a few months into 2014, here’s a look at the promising food industry trends that may drive our next year:

The Dream of the ‘90’s is Alive in…Wisconsin?

Fans of the satire “Portlandia” know that the “Dream of the 1990’s” is alive in present-day Portland. But it seems that a particular philosophy of the 1890’s could gain favor in Wisconsin given a recent trend in the dairy sector.

An 1895 Wisconsin law that banned the sale or use of margarine in the Dairy State was repealed in 1967, but dairy purists might want to lobby for its reinstatement citing consumers’ recent rejection of food products that are heavy in trans fats, such as margarines.

According to the American Butter Institute, butter consumption is at a 40-year high in the United States because shoppers are looking for healthier, more natural food choices.  Thus, they are moving away from highly processed foods with artificial ingredients. Butter as a health food---who’da thunk it?

Quinoa is Sooooo 2013

Americans’ hunger for exotic grains shows no signs of being satiated. Now that most consumers are familiar with the tricky-to-pronounce “quinoa”, they want more whole grains and seeds to fuel their allergen-free or lower-carb cravings. Amaranth, chia, millet and sorghum are some of the gluten-free ancient grains gaining popularity with those wanting wheat-free alternatives.

For consumers counting their carbs, Middle Eastern freekeh and Italian farro are two fiber-filled, protein-packed wheat strains that are predicted to gain popularity in 2014.

Now is the time to do annual maintenance on your insect electrocutor units. Late winter is the perfect time to check your insect units to make sure they are working properly, and to do an annual bulb change.

Here are two common questions to remember before spring insect hatchings happen:

My lamps are lit, why do I need to change them?
A lamp that is still lit may not be doing the job you need it to. Black light (UV) lamps are most effective when new. They lose their ability to attract insects long before they actually burn out. UV light is invisible and while the lamps remain lit the UV producing phosphor only has an effective life of 7000 hours or about 9 months.

When should I change my bulbs?
It is essential to replace lamps at least annually. Most users choose to change their lamps in the spring, which is the beginning of the insect season. Each lamp comes standard with a year/date label for audit compliance, but also to