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ECJ hands anti-competition verdict to Irish beef processors

20-Nov-2008 - The Irish beef industry’s attempts to reform have been scuppered by an ECJ ruling, which has judged a scheme for some processors to leave the market so as to raise profits for those who remain to be anti-competition.

Irish authorities deny bottle water scare

18-Nov-2008 - Irish food safety experts have rubbished reports suggesting consumers in the country may be at risk from alleged contamination of some bottled water brands.

Alert over soup production error

03-Nov-2008 - General Mills is voluntarily recalling a single day’s production of Progresso Hearty Tomato soup because it was wrongly labeled and could put consumers allergic to egg, milk or soy at risk.

Terror & melamine fears spur milk transport investment

23-Oct-2008 - A US-based prototype scheme to improve automisation and traceability in global milk distribution has received further funding amidst fears over milk safety hazards from potential contamination and terrorism.

Sanitation kit could combat norovirus in food plants

22-Oct-2008 - A kit for sanitizing food handling environments when bodily fluid spillages occur can restrict the spread of potential contaminants such as norovirus, claims its manufacturer.

Soy boost after melamine scare

20-Oct-2008 - Companies are spying opportunities to market soy based products as a replacement to dairy following the melamine milk crisis that hit China and echoed across the globe.

Maple Leaf to tackle Listeria with newly approved preservative

15-Oct-2008 - Canadian meat processor, Maple Leaf Foods, said it plans to use a recently approved preservative that stops the growth of listeria for its meat products, following a listeria-related outbreak attributed to one of its plants and linked to 20 deaths, according to a report on news site, AHN.

UK detects banned additive from China in mini jelly cup

09-Oct-2008 - Mid-melamine scare, food safety issues are compounded for European confectioners as Europe's alert system flags up a confectionery product for children containing an additive from China that could constitute a choking risk.

Food makers to stay on the alert for contaminated guar gum

09-Oct-2008 - Food makers must be on the alert for contaminated consignments of guar gum after Czech authorities detect unacceptable levels of toxic dioxins in a border batch.

FDA uncertain over infant melamine limits

06-Oct-2008 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is unable to set a safe level of melamine contamination in infant formulas after issuing a wider ruling on the chemical’s presence in food products containing milk.

Farmed meat main source of campylobacteriosis: study

26-Sep-2008 - A new study has found that nearly all of the campylobacteriosis cases in the patients evaluated were caused by bacteria in animals farmed for meat, in particular chicken and cattle.

EU confident over melamine dairy protection

22-Sep-2008 - As some of the world’s leading dairy groups attempt to play down their potential involvement in the Chinese melamine scandal, the European Commission says that its existing import rules on the country’s dairy goods remain sufficient.

Seminar aims to make processors aware of choking hazards

16-Sep-2008 - Food manufacturers, in creating quality products, must be mindful of the potential choking hazards associated with their products, says Intertek.

Authorities play down Italian cheese scandal fears

10-Sep-2008 - As another scandal involving Italian cheese production hit the headlines this week, authorities in the country claim there is no danger to the public from their products and consumer protection has not been compromised.

New method of tackling listeria in ready-to-eat foods

09-Sep-2008 - A new study has found the combination of natural antimicrobials with in-package pasteurization of ready-to-eat (RTE) turkey bologna is effective in reducing the L. monocytogenes pathogen and preventing outgrowth during refrigerated storage.

New film could inhibit bacterial growth on conveyor belts

20-Aug-2008 - A film coated with nanoparticles of silver and calcium phosphate could be used in food processing plants and packaging to inhibit pathogen growth, claim Swiss chemical engineers.

US beef industry backing research to tackle bug

19-Aug-2008 - Despite recent recalls, the US beef industry is investing in research and new technologies to ensure beef safety and prevent E. coli contamination, claim industry representatives.

Salmonella outbreak leads to product recall

18-Aug-2008 - Irish company Dawn Farm Foods has withdrawn some cooked bacon products following concerns over possible salmonella contamination.

New tracking system will ensure meat safety, says IT firm

11-Aug-2008 - A new tracking system will improve the visibility and traceability of meat and poultry products using RFID technology and thereby improve food safety in Norway, according to an IT company.

US organics company using tracing system to allay safety concerns

08-Aug-2008 - An organics company that links growers and food manufacturers has announced it is to integrate a technology that will enable it to track produce, as calls grow for a faster way of identifying the ‘smoking gun’ in outbreaks of foodborne illness.

Food watchdog detects lead risk in confectionery chain

07-Aug-2008 - Heavy metal risk to the confectionery supply chain comes under the spotlight this week in the US as health officials detect banned levels of lead in two different chocolate confectionery brands.

Regulator urges action on foodborne pathogen resistance

06-Aug-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted a redrafted opinion that maintains the growing use of antimicrobial agents in food could be damaging human resistance to bacteria.

Researchers make prickly pear powder for red food

06-Aug-2008 - A new study has devised an optimal process for spray drying the juice of betalain-rich Opuntia stricta, or prickly pear, so it can used as a natural red food colouring in yoghurts and soft drinks.

News briefs: Milk contamination case, Parmalat

20-Jun-2008 - This week, two dairy farmers reportedly plead guilty at a US court for their role in an alleged E. coli milk contamination, and Parmalat settles its ongoing dispute with UBS.

The value of hyperactive curiosity

16-Jun-2008 - For a little yellow flower, it's ignited a huge debate. Believe the headlines and St John's wort won't help hyperactive kids, but last week's study asks more questions than it answers. It's time to put funding disclosures in the dock.