Spring 2011 Feature Articles
IN APRIL 2008, the BioPotato Network, led by research scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, brought together 11 organizations and 30 research scientists throughout Canada to develop bioproducts for health and the environment. For the past three years, the network has worked on the development of new biopotato products. Although its funding ends this March, researchers say there is still much work to be done. And the network of researchers are confident the work will continue through a combination of ongoing breeding selections being carried out by AAFC, future publicly- funded programs and private companies seeking to commercialize newly identified bioproducts…
FOR THOUSANDS OF years, people living in South America’s Andean region, where the potato originated, have eaten pigmented, or coloured-flesh, potatoes of the Solanum species. These blue, purple, red and yellow varieties, which come in many different shapes and sizes, are considered the norm for potatoes by South Americans. Europeans and North Americans are used to growing and eating primarily round and oval varieties with white- and cream-coloured flesh. But it might not be too long before Canadian consumers start seeking out pigmented varieties upon learning about the additional health benefits they provide…
Potatoes are a staple food for Canadian families—whether baked, boiled or fried, potatoes are a nutritious part of our diet. But, as consumers’ tastes expand, producers must look for ways to match their products with current food trends…
The Future of GM Potatoes in North America
IT’S ONLY A matter of time before genetically modified potatoes hit the North American market, say industry experts…
