IFCO Launches Marina, Digitally Enabled Reusable Fish Crate
IFCO, a leading provider of reusable packaging containers, has launched Marina, the smart reusable IFCO Fish Crate. Designed in close collaboration with the fishing industry, Marina brings greater protection, efficiency and sustainability to the fresh fish and seafood supply chain. Featuring track-and-trace Bluetooth Low Energy tags and QR codes, the Marina Fish Crate enables real-time data collection, improving the cold chain management of fresh and chilled products along the entire fish and seafood supply chain, from ship to all points of sale.
Single-use expanded polystyrene boxes can break down into microplastic pollution and contaminate the marine food chain and human health, so governments around the world are increasingly tightening regulations and introducing EPS bans. As a result, many producers, wholesalers and retailers in the fishing industry have made eliminating EPS boxes and switching to sustainable packaging a priority. The IFCO SmartCycle pooling system ensures the switch to Marina is simple, seamless and sustainable.
Nestable when empty, securely stackable when full, the Marina Fish Crate saves space on ships and on shore, cutting carbon emissions in transport and improving handling conditions. Its uniform dimensions are compatible with existing supply chains, automated logistics systems and the IFCO Plastic Pallet Dora.
Francesca Amadei, vice President Southern Europe at IFCO, highlights the unique advantages of the Marina Fish Crate: “Marina is the result of intense collaboration across the fishing industry. We’ve taken on board the unique demands of every step of the fresh fish and seafood supply chain in our R&D efforts.”
The Marina Fish Crate offers a sustainable and efficient complete packaging solution. Like all IFCO Reusable Packaging Containers (RPCs) Marina uses fewer natural resources throughout its life cycle compared to single-use packaging. And, unlike conventional fish boxes made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) that are typically sent to landfills or end up as marine pollution, Marina is 100% recycled at the end of a long service life into new products.
Inigo Canalejo, vice president ESG and strategic marketing at IFCO, highlights the long-term benefits of Marina for the fishing industry and the planet:
“We see it as our responsibility to improve the environmental sustainability of every category of the fresh grocery supply chain. Our Marina Fish Crate is a smart, innovative packaging solution that will have a lasting positive impact on the fresh fish and seafood supply chain. We’re proud to have designed a sustainable and more efficient alternative to harmful expanded polystyrene containers.”
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Too Good to Be True? Tillamook iScreen Sells Out Fast
Tillamook Debuts the Tillamook iScreen to Protect Ice Cream
If you know June 7 is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, it’s likely because you’ve heard of the new Tillamook Chocolate Collection and the amazing news that the company launched Tillamook iScreen, which purportedly hides the ice cream from would-be ice cream thieves. The iScreens went on sale June 7, but sold out within hours, according to the company website. There is, however, a contest to win the iScreen, an ice cream scoop and coupons to guy the new chocolate ice creams.
By now, the secret is out about the new, decadent Tillamook Chocolate Collection, with ice cream lovers coast-to-coast digging into the four new flavors from America’s fastest growing scoopable ice cream brand. The collection is so rich and delicious, you may not want to share a scoop with anyone else, from partners to siblings to roommates…even those kiddos. And, you wouldn’t have to share, if only you could disappear it before they do. Enter the new Tillamook iScreen, a high-tech solution to protect your Chocolate Collection Ice Cream by making it hide in plain sight (say whaaaaat?), for sale on Tillamook.com on June 7 to celebrate National Chocolate Ice Cream Day.
With the Tillamook iScreen, you have a personal privacy shield that uses cutting-edge technology to make your Tillamook Chocolate Collection Ice Cream disappear right before your eyes (editor’s note: this is not magic, but it is magical). The Chocolate Collection Ice Cream carton becomes invisible to the naked eye as it sits just behind the Tillamook iScreen in your freezer, so it’s kept safe and ready to eat, just for you. No more precious scoops lost to those pesky freezer grazers who may be on the prowl for a sweet treat.
How, exactly, does the Tillamook iScreen hide your Tillamook ice cream in plain sight? We’re glad you asked: the Tillamook iScreen acts as an invisibility shield, using R&D that spans half a decade. The magic happens with materials made from lenticular lenses, which use tiny ridges to bend light, tricking the eye to make what’s behind the shield, simply, disappear. See the Tillamook iScreen in action and get your own at Tillamook.com for $19.99 starting June 7, just in time to celebrate National Chocolate Ice Cream Day.
Have you tasted the new Tillamook Chocolate Collection Ice Cream yet? Created for lovers of chocolate, the new collection is made with extra cream (Tillamook uses more cream to achieve a higher milkfat than is required) and 45 percent more cocoa than our classic chocolate ice cream flavors, creating richer, darker, decadent flavors that provide maximum delight by the spoonful. Get your chocolate craving fix with four flavors, including:
- German Chocolate Cake: This dreamy dark chocolate ice cream is mixed with a brown sugar coconut swirl, chopped pecans, and pieces of chocolate cake.
- Brownie Batter: Fantastically fudgy, this extra creamy ice cream is chock-full of dark chocolate flavor and brownie bites.
- Dark Chocolate Cookies & Cream: There’s nothing cookie-cutter about this new dark chocolate ice cream made with dark chocolate cookie pieces and flecks of cream filling.
- Chocolate Hazelnut: Go nuts for rich chocolate with this dark chocolate ice cream with chopped hazelnuts and a hazelnut butter ribbon.
“We know Tillamook fans everywhere are crazy for the new Chocolate Collection and will go to great lengths to keep their freezers stocked with the goods – as they should,” said Kate Boltin, Vice President of Marketing at Tillamook. “Some people are kind enough to share a spoonful here or there, while others are not, and that’s OK too. Honestly, that’s why we created the Tillamook iScreen, to keep unwanted spoons out of your Tillamook ice cream, so it stays, well, yours.”
The Tillamook iScreen was developed in partnership with HELO, There You Have It 3D, and Leo Burnett. To learn more about the Tillamook iScreen, visit tillamook.com/products/ice-cream/chocolate-collection. Tillamook ice cream, including the Chocolate Collection, is available across the country at Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Publix, Ahold Delhaize, and many other grocery stores. Find it at a store near you at FindTillamook.com and learn more at Tillamook.com.
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Best Express Foods’ Gluten-Free Certification Yanked
The Gluten Intolerance Group’s Gluten-free Certification Organization has made the decision to withdraw certification from Best Express Foods, Inc., the umbrella company to Universal Bakery (BEF/Universal Baking), and the producer of Aussie Bites and other products. This decision comes after a thorough investigation in the United States and Canada of BEF/Universal Baking’s Aussie Bites following a safety alert that was issued on May 15, revealing positive test results for gluten in excess of the FDA threshold, according to the group.
“GFCO goes through an in-depth investigation process that includes consumer interviews, 3rd party testing, and requests for historical lot and ingredient testing every time that we receive a consumer complaint about a product,” says Channon Quinn, COO of the Gluten Intolerance Group. “Remedy of these situations requires meeting standards, supplying requested information, as well as fulfillment of contractual obligations surrounding product safety to remove non-compliant products from the marketplace. In this instance, BEF/Universal Baking failed to complete GFCO’s requirements to remedy, making the continuation of a certification relationship with the aforementioned company too high of a risk for both GFCO and the gluten-free public; therefore, we have withdrawn the certification of BEF/Universal Baking.”
“At this time, our facilities are not gluten-free certified,” Best Express Foods posted on its website.
“We provide full disclosure of additives in the ingredients list on all of our packaging. You will find that some of our products do not have added gluten, however, because gluten is airborne, we cannot formally state that our products are gluten-free.
“As the global understanding of gluten intolerances increases, we are working on creating a gluten-free certified facility for the future of our company, the company posted.
The product of concern, Aussie Bites, has been certified by GFCO since October 2022 and initially met the GFCO’s standards for gluten-free certification. Aussie Bites, sold within the United States and Canada, have been identified to contain an unsafe level of gluten for gluten-free consumers.
GFCO has withdrawn certification of the following brands and products produced by Best Express Foods:
Universal Bakery: Organic Aussie Bites, Organic Breakfast Energy Bars, Organic Paleo Bars, Organic Sunrise Energy Bars
SureLife Foods: Paleo Bars
Las Fortunitas: Corn Chips
Los Amigos: Corn Chips
GFCO’s requirements for gluten-free certification are designed to ensure that each product meets the highest safety standards. This comprehensive evaluation includes rigorous testing requirements, ingredient verification, and ongoing audits to maintain compliance. GFCO exists to protect the public. Companies who do not maintain the requirements of the certification or otherwise fail to adhere to their contractual obligations to GFCO are subject to having their certification revoked.
“The protection of the gluten-free community is our top priority, therefore we are taking decisive action to ensure gluten-free consumers’ safety,” stated Cynthia Kelly, CEO of the Gluten Intolerance Group.
Consumers are encouraged to be vigilant and check product labels for the GFCO certification mark and report any questions or concerns about a product’s safety at https://gfco.org/contact/. GFCO will continue to work diligently to protect the gluten-free community and maintain the integrity of its certification process.
For more information and updates regarding this certification rescission, please visit the GFCO website at www.gfco.org.
The Gluten-free Certification Organization, a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group, is a leading certification program for gluten-free products. Established in 2005, GFCO provides independent verification and certification of over 65,000 gluten-free products, ensuring the safety and trust of consumers. With a rigorous certification process and ongoing surveillance, GFCO aims to protect the gluten-free community and promote the availability of safe gluten-free options. For more information, please visit www.gfco.org.
The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association funded by private donations, sponsorship opportunities, and food safety programs. It relies on tax-deductible contributions to support its many innovative industry, service, social, and awareness programs. GIG has been a highly respected leader in the gluten-free community since it was founded in 1974. In addition to more than 80 local support groups across the United States, GIG’s mission is make life easier for everyone living gluten-free and accomplishes that through consumer support, education, and its food safety initiatives.
The Gluten-Free Certification Organization, a program of GIG, is a leader in the verification of quality, integrity, and purity of gluten-free products. The Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) program is a proven model of established best practices for foodservice facilities offering gluten-free options. GIG is committed to ongoing food safety research to assure customers and consumers the highest level of excellence in its gluten-free programs and services. For more information, visit www.gluten.org.
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