Whether you are hosting a Super Bowl party, attending one, or watching the game solo, chances are you’ll be enjoying some version of chips and dip as part of your game-time menu. According to a survey by Offers.com, Americans’ favorite Super Bowl dip is queso (28%), followed by guacamole in close second place at 26%. Ranch, spinach, buffalo chicken and 7-layer dip also top the list.
The California Avocado Commission reports Americans consume 8 million pounds of guacamole on Superbowl Sunday. Selections of dips and sauces for the biggest football day of the year have expanded over the years to meet the needs of gluten-free, nut-free, meat-free and dairy-free fans.
Flavor and dietary restrictions aren’t the only differentiating characteristics when it comes to choosing a dip. Did you know that many dips and sauces undergo high pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate harmful bacteria, making them safer to eat? HPP is a science-based tool for food safety that uses cold, potable water and high pressure applied to the outside of a food package. This non-heat food preservation method harnesses the power of pressure to inactivate illness-causing pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli without affecting the nutritional value of the food or sacrificing its taste.
One of the main benefits of HPP is food safety, but it also allows food manufacturers to use fewer preservatives and extend shelf life, reducing food waste. As the fresh foods movement has grown, HPP has become a more popular food safety method among manufacturers looking to give consumers fresh, high-quality foods with fewer preservatives. With guacamole, for instance, since high temperature is not used, there is no change in product taste or nutrient content. And, as an added benefit, HPP stops guacamole from browning, according to a recent article in Produce Business.
But HPP is not only used for dips and sauces. It also is used for juices, deli meat, hot dogs and dairy products, among its many applications.
This Super Bowl, whether you’re rooting for the Rams or the Patriots, remember that many of the dips and sauces you’re serving have been HPP’d. Some may even have the new “High Pressure Certified” logo, verified by the Cold Pressure Council, an organization whose mission is to promote consumer awareness, industry standardization, and user education for HPP.
A list of verified products can be found here.
So, this Sunday, get ready for kick off with cleaner, healthier and safer food choices, and save all your worrying for who will win the big game!
