Food technology — origin of instant mashed potatoes: Who is credited with developing the modern process that led to instant mashed potato flakes? Context: Government food scientist who patented a dehydration/flaking method in the early 1960s, widely cited in quiz literature. Choose the correct name.

Given data

• We are asked who came up with the idea for instant mashed potato.
• Clue points to the inventor of the modern potato flake process that made instant mash practical at scale.

Concept / ApproachIn general-knowledge and food-tech histories, Edward A. Asselbergs (a Canadian Department of Agriculture scientist) is credited with the patented process for dehydrated mashed potato flakes, which enabled today’s instant mashed potatoes.

ReasoningAmong the options, only Asselbergs is associated with potato flakes. Birdseye pioneered commercial freezing (not instant mash), Pemberton created Coca-Cola, Crum is linked with potato chips (folklore), and Pasteur is a microbiology pioneer.

Common pitfalls

• Confusing frozen foods (Birdseye) or potato chips (Crum) with the flaked mashed potato invention.

Final AnswerEdward A. Asselbergs is credited with developing the process that led to instant mashed potatoes.