Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

New aspartame review claims no grounds for concern

12-Sep-2007 - A new review of research on the safety of aspartame has concluded that suggestions of adverse effects have 'no credible scientific basis' - findings that add weight to the argument of those who stand by the sweetener's good name.

EFSA proposes science panel split

12-Sep-2007 - The board of the European Food Standards Authority yesterday said it plans to carve up the workload of its Additives and Food Contact (AFC) panel between two new panels - one for food additives and the other for food contact materials.

E. coli report calls for review of UK food safety law

12-Sep-2007 - Current UK regulation of the meat industry should be reviewed to determine whether changes are needed to prevent outbreaks of disease such as E. coli, according to a review report released yesterday.

Import safety approach needs overhaul, says report

11-Sep-2007 - The US will fail to deal with food safety in an increasingly global market, unless improved preventative checking measures are put in place for imports, a new report warns.

Asia-Pacific heads into food safety battle

11-Sep-2007 - In light of global publicity over food scares originating in Asia-Pacific, the region is now fighting back, both internally and globally, by making food safety its top priority.

Weekly comment

Hooked on Es

10-Sep-2007 - This comment was amended to correct a statement about bans of additives in other countries. Some of the chemicals were previously banned by Norway, Austria and Australia but those bans have since been removed. Allura red AC, tartrazine and sunset yellow are allowed in the US, while quinoline yellow, carmoisine and ponceau 4R are not. None of the colour additives are currently banned by Australia, which lifted a ban on quinoline yellow in 2003. The country does not permit tartrazine to be used in medicines.

Food executive sentenced to jail over E. coli outbreak

10-Sep-2007 - Breaching food safety rules can lead to jail, as the executive of a UK food manufacturer has discovered.

Climate change: FAO urges changes to ensure food security

10-Sep-2007 - Climate change is emerging as a major threat to food security, and governments need to find "creative solutions" and "alternative approaches" in order to deal with the challenge, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Popcorn brands ban diacytel

06-Sep-2007 - Two of the largest US popcorn makers have removed diacetyl from their brands, as doctors report that the chemical may now cause a fatal lung disease in consumers as well as factory workers.

Eliminating colours, additives could help hyperactive kids, says FSA

06-Sep-2007 - The FSA has issued new advice on certain artificial additives following research into a link with children's behaviour: that eliminating them from the diet could have some benefits for hyperactive kids or those with ADHD.

WHO sets out European food safety action plan

06-Sep-2007 - EU country representatives will discuss future goals for co-ordinated food safety and nutritional policies in the bloc, at a 19 September meeting to be held by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

UK law revisions toughen up import rules

05-Sep-2007 - UK regulations relating to food and feed imports are being toughened up under new revisions submitted for public comment yesterday.

EU minister in China to discuss improved food safety

03-Sep-2007 - The EU's top health representative is meeting with China's officials this week in a bid to ensure processors and others get safe supplies from a country beset by problems with its quality controls.

Clean safety profile for HPMC as a food ingredient

31-Aug-2007 - A safety assessment of the widely used hydrocolloid hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) has shown that everyday intake is well below any level that may cause safety concerns.

Foot and Mouth restrictions eased

24-Aug-2007 - The European Commission yesterday announced that UK exports of live animals and meat and dairy products will resume, with the exception of a 10km zone in Surrey.

Packaging mark to authenticate Chinese food

23-Aug-2007 - A new mark required on the packaging of Chinese food exports from next month will allow importers to tell certified products from fakes, according to food safety officials.

Codex date set for milk agenda talks

22-Aug-2007 - The latest round of talks designed to set out more international standards for the manufacturing of milk products will take place from 4 to 8 February in New Zealand, it emerged this week.

Almonds must be pasteurized as of September, says USDA

21-Aug-2007 - A request for a delay in the implementation of new pasteurization requirements for almonds has been rejected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has said that the new requirements will come into effect on September 1, 2007.

Whole milk passes UK junk food test

21-Aug-2007 - Whole milk will not be blacklisted as a product unsuitable to be advertised on children's television in the UK, the Food Standards Agency has revealed.

New guide to advise on harmful pathogens

16-Aug-2007 - A new guide to microbiological food safety aims to help food processors eliminate the pathogens in fruit and vegetables that cause food-borne diseases such as E-coli, salmonella and cholera.

All Chinese exports to be checked from September

16-Aug-2007 - Samples from every Chinese food shipment to the US and other countries will be tested for safety under new requirements by Chinese officials from 1 September, according to senior Chinese trade official based in Washington.

Court favours Danone in 'cancer water' case

14-Aug-2007 - A court in Argentina has dismissed allegations against Danone that it had engaged in unfair trade practices in the country against rival Coca-Cola.

EU concerns over EFSA costs

10-Aug-2007 - EU member countries are concerned about the feasibility of companies paying fees to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for vetting ingredients, packaging and food contact materials for use in the bloc.

Australian proposals target acrylamide and GM

07-Aug-2007 - Food Standards Australia New Zealand (Fsanz) is considering five new ingredients and additives for use by the food industry, the regulator announced today.