Avocados From Peru are “Officially” A Heart-Healthy Food

Peruvian Avocado Commission Receives the Heart-Check Mark from the American Heart Association

Washington, DC May 17, 2017— Following the 2016 USDA announcement claiming Hass Avocados are a “healthy” food, the AHA has now granted the Peruvian Avocado Commission certification rights to the Heart-Check mark for its marketing promotions and campaigns.

“The valuable Heart-Check mark has served as a trusted resource for consumers, and by adding the heart-check to our efforts it will help to complement the official seal of approval from the FDA and USDA that avocados are a healthy food- something that all consumers will be culturally aware of. The new tools that we have to promote avocados as officially healthy will also help us to educate consumers that not all fat is bad. Avocados, along with other healthy fats like nuts and olives, are crucial to our daily diets.” Said Xavier Equihua, CEO and President of PAC.

With heart disease being a leading cause of death in both women and men in the U.S., the confusion about dietary fats can result in missed opportunities for those who are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Heart-Check Food Certification Program helps consumers identify foods that can be building blocks of a heart-healthy diet.

Nutrient-dense Avocados From Peru is considered one of Peru’s most popular superfoods, and certainly the most popular superfood in the U.S. One ounce of avocado contains 50 calories and provides nearly 20 important vitamins and minerals including 150 mg of potassium, 2 g of dietary fiber and has zero cholesterol or sodium. In 2015, Avocados from Peru was also the first origin to be approved by AMS to use the words Superfood Nutrition to describe the fruit.

The primary marketing goals and efforts of the Peruvian Avocado Commission in the U.S. is to reflect the organization’s commitment to supplying top-quality fruit during the peak summer season, while educating the public about the health benefits of Peruvian Avocados.

To find heart-healthy Peruvian Avocado recipes, visit: www.avocadosfromperu.com, or click here to download a free copy of the Avocados from Peru Cookbook.

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About the Peruvian Avocado Commission
The Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was established in 2011 to increase the consumption/demand for Avocados from Peru through advertising, retail promotion and public relations. The PAC’s promotional activities are conducted under the guidelines of the federal promotion program for Hass avocados, which is under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For more information about the PAC please visit www.avocadosfromperu.com.

About the Heart-Check Mark

The American Heart Association established the Heart-Check mark in 1995 to give consumers an easy, reliable system for identifying heart-healthy foods as a first step in building a sensible eating plan. Nearly 900 products that bear the Heart-Check mark have been screened and verified by the association to meet criteria for heart-healthy foods. To learn more about the Heart-Check mark, and to see a complete list of certified products and participating companies, visit www.heartcheckmark.org

Media Contact:
Xavier Equihua, CEO and President
Peruvian Avocado Commission
(302) 547-3625
[email protected]

Avocados from Peru Closes Successful 2016 Export Season

Avocados from Peru Closes Successful 2016 Export Season

After an active and prosperous 2016, Avocados from Peru looks forward to 2017

Washington, D.C., October 17, 2016 – Avocados from Peru is pleased to announce the close of a successful 2016 export season that saw continued growth in demand for Peruvian avocados, the launch of both the world’s first international superfoods brand and a new worldwide cooperative marketing initiative, and official recognition of avocados’ health benefits from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We are extremely excited by the success that Avocados from Peru saw during the world-wide 2016 season,” said Xavier Equihua, President and CEO of the Peruvian Avocado Commission. “We hope to build off of our momentum from 2016, especially in continuing to spread news regarding the health benefits of Peruvian avocados through the new Superfoods from Peru brand, and look forward to a more robust crop and marketing season in 2017.”

In addition to its successful export growth, Avocados from Peru joined together with Blueberries from Peru to form the first international superfoods brand – Superfoods from Peru. Launched during the 5thannual Peru to the World Expo in New York City, which was attended by Guest of Honor Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the new brand will work to promote the health benefits of Peruvian superfoods – a plethora of products such as avocados, blueberries, pomegranates, and many others – and continue the growth of superfood markets around the world.

Avocados from Peru was also a proponent for the creation of the World Avocado Organization – a partnership between Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and the United States. This new non-profit marketing enterprise will work to enhance existing avocado markets in order to raise awareness regarding the benefits of avocados in emerging health conscious markets such as the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Asia.

Capping off the 2016 launch of the Superfoods from Peru brand, the FDA announced new guidelines that allow manufacturers to categorize foods containing certain good fats as “healthy” – thereby officially recognizing the benefits of monosaturated fats that have long made avocados a go-to nutritional source for health conscious consumers.

Avocados from Peru remains committed to supplying the United States with top-quality fruit and is excited to exceed the 2016 season by dramatically increasing its export to the US market in 2017.

2016 Season Highlights:

  • 2016 Season Kick-Off Event: Service men and women onboard the USS Bataan in New York City, were served a superfood breakfast during Fleet Week during Memorial Day weekend.
  • The 5th Annual Peru to the World Expo: Headlined by Guest of Honor Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, this celebration of Peruvian culture and culinary expertise also served as the launch event for the newly created international “Superfoods from Peru” brand which brings together Avocados from Peru and Blueberries from Peru under a unified banner.
  • Avocados from Peru received a Decoration of Merit: On June 21st, the Peruvian government recognized Avocados from Peru for its work to promote and advance done Peruvian agricultural trade.  USDA was also recognized for its work in fortifying U.S.-Peru agricultural trade.
  • FDA Issued Revised Guidelines for ‘Healthy’ Categorization: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated guidelines for manufacturers wishing to categorize their foods as ‘healthy’, stating that certain good fats now fall within this categorization. As such, avocados, which are high in monosaturated fats, can be officially marketed for the health benefits they have long provided.
  • The World Avocado Organization was Established: A partnership between Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and the United States that will work to enhance existing avocado markets and promote the development of new health conscious markets around the globe.

About the Peruvian Avocado Commission:

The Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was established in 2011 to increase the consumption/demand for Avocados from Peru through advertising, retail promotion and public relations. The PAC’s promotional activities are conducted under the guidelines of the Federal Promotion Program for Hass Avocados, which is under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more information about the PAC please visit www.avocadosfromperu.com or email [email protected] or call 202 607-0560.

Media Contact:

Emily Nordee, PR Director
Evans Hardy + Young
805-963-5841 x 218

Superfoods from Peru Brand Launches at 5th Annual Peru to the World Expo

Superfoods from Peru Brand Launches at 5th Annual Peru to the World Expo with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as Guest of Honor

Avocados from Peru and Blueberries from Peru come together to continue sharing Peru’s long-standing tradition as a global supplier of superfoods

Lima, Peru – On Sunday, September 18th, the Peru Agribusiness Association Inc. (PAA) hosted over 600 people at the 5th annual Peru to the World Expo in New York City – headlined by Guest of Honor Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. The event featured a variety of Peruvian cultural and culinary demonstrations and also served as the first time that Avocados from Peru and Blueberries from Peru joined forces to launch the newly created banner of Superfoods from Peru.

“This event underscores Peru’s rapid ascent as the world’s number one destination for travel, culture, and culinary adventures,” said Xavier Equihua, CEO and President of the Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC). “We are extremely grateful that President Kuczynski was able to join us in celebrating Peruvian culture and the wide variety of incredible superfoods that Peru has to offer the world.”

In addition to being honored by the presence of President Kuczynski, the Peru to the World Expo had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. JosĂ© Antonio GĂłmez BazĂĄn of Camposol Trading, the culinary talents of the award-winning Peruvian Brothers, and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Commerce and Tourism Eduardo Ferreyros, who delivered the keynote address at the event and highlighted agriculture as Peru’s second most important export behind minerals.

Peru has proudly provided the world with superfoods for over 5000 years and there are very few countries that can match its distinction as a net superfood producer. From being the second largest producer of Haas avocados and blueberries in the world, to the production of numerous other superfoods such as pomegranates, figs, mandarins, grapes, coffee, and cacao, Peru is the world’s go-to source for superfoods and healthy eating.

The Peruvian Avocado Commission is proud to have been a sponsor of this annual celebration and looks forward to continuing to share the benefits of Peruvian superfoods with the world.

About the Peruvian Avocado Commission‹The Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was established in 2011 to increase the consumption/demand for Avocados from Peru through advertising, retail promotion and public relations. The PAC’s promotional activities are conducted under the guidelines of the federal promotion program for Hass avocados, which is under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more information about the PAC please visit www.avocadosfromperu.com or email [email protected].

Media Contact:

Emily Nordee, PR Director
Evans Hardy + Young
805-963-5841 x 218