Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

California bill to curb chemicals in grease-proof packaging

05-Mar-2008 - A bill that would ban the use of food packaging containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is working its way through the California legislature.

GRAS granted for Aminogen protein digestion ingredient

28-Feb-2008 - An enzyme desgined to improve protein digestion has been granted GRAS status, opening up the market for its use in functional foods and beverages, said its manufacturer Triarco.

Vanadium deemed unsafe in Europe

28-Feb-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected vanadium as an ingredient that can safely be used in foods and food supplements because of overexposure fears to the general population.

EC not phased by 20,000-plus health claims

26-Feb-2008 - The European Commission insists it is on track with the process of tabulating the thousands of health claim petitions submitted to it by member states and European trade organisations, but industry sources are not so optimistic.

EFSA cloning report highlights labelling concerns

21-Feb-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a report on a technical meeting with its Stakeholder Consultative Platform held earlier this month to discuss its Draft Opinion on animal cloning.

Erythritol demand to grow with EU acceptance

14-Feb-2008 - EU member states must recognise erythritol as an approved sweetener by tomorrow, which is expected to increase its use in low-calorie products across Europe.

Commission develops code of conduct on nanotechnology

12-Feb-2008 - The European Commission has released a voluntary code of conduct for nanotechnology that places the burden of responsibility for consumer safety on industry.

Whole grain stamp adapted for Canadian market

06-Feb-2008 - The popular Whole Grain Stamp is to be launched in a bilingual version for use on food products in Canada, expanding its reach to more consumer groups as awareness of the healthy grains increases.

Saturated fat harder to cut than salt, says FSA

05-Feb-2008 - The UK's Food Standards Agency today published its saturated fat and energy intake reduction programme, in which it accepts that cutting back will pose technical challenges for food manufacturers, but it plans to work in partnership with industry and increase consumer awareness.

Weekly comment

Branding Vs label info: who's the enemy?

04-Feb-2008 - Product branding and information provided to consumers on food labels are again at loggerheads, and industry doesn't seem likely to accept new EU labelling proposals without a fight.

Dutch food agency says probiotics are safe

28-Jan-2008 - The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) has said there is no danger in taking probiotic dairy drink - but is planning to release details on possible consequence of the bacteria on vulnerable groups.

EFSA issues new advice on listeria

23-Jan-2008 - Europe's food safety watchdog has issued updated advice on reducing the risk of the food-borne bacteria listeria, urging food manufacturers to watch out for contamination during packaging, preparation and storage of food.

Euro GM reluctance could hit beer innovation

22-Jan-2008 - As the EU debates retaining national bans on genetically modified (GM) crops, one industry expert believes that failure to adapt could grant foreign rivals using the technology an upper hand, not least in terms of brewing a good beer.

Scotland kicks off food policy debate

21-Jan-2008 - The Scottish government has published a new discussion paper setting out its vision for the country's food supply and industry, which will help set the agenda for its first ever national food policy.

EFSA seeks experts for two new panels

18-Jan-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority has started seeking experts to sit on its two new panels on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and food contact materials, following the decision to split the existing Additives and Food Contact Materials panel in two.

Cloning animals for food not ethical, says EU body

18-Jan-2008 - Using cloned animals for production of food such as meat and milk is not justified, say experts on ethics reporting to the European Commission.

EFSA gears up for health claims avalanche

17-Jan-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is preparing to "significantly" boost resources to deal with what may be thousands of health claims passed to it for evaluation.

Mixed verdict in managers' butter adultery case

16-Jan-2008 - Two French dairy managers face suspended prison sentences and €23m in fines for their alleged role in a Europe-wide scheme to produce and distribute adulterated butter, the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) has said.

Industry postpones infant nutrition rules

15-Jan-2008 - A high court judge has suspended the implementation of new rules on infant nutrition in the UK after a legal challenge was made by the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association (IDFA).

France one step closer to extending GM ban

09-Jan-2008 - The French government declared yesterday that it is willing to apply an EU measure to implement a long term ban on genetically modified (GM) crops if a scientific panel decides their safety is questionable.

UK body opens new year whisky consultation

02-Jan-2008 - It is not resolution, but regulation driving New Year optimism in Scotch whisky production, as the UK government this week opens consultation on new rules to protect the liquor's reputation internationally.

FSA considers regulatory action on trans fats

12-Dec-2007 - The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) will discuss tomorrow whether to maintain a voluntary approach for food manufacturers in limiting harmful trans fatty acids or whether to introduce mandatory restrictions.

Nutrient profiling on schedule for next month

10-Dec-2007 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said it is considering using an "across the board" approach when it comes to drawing up the model for nutrient profiling, a step which has been met with more criticism in an already controversial area.

UK to boost fees for meat inspections

19-Nov-2007 - Slaughterhouses in the UK could soon face an 8 per cent increase in hygiene inspection charges, under proposals made by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).