Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

IADSA fights for higher recommended levels of additives

12-Nov-2007 - Proposals on the suggested amounts of artificial colourings in food supplements are being drawn up for Codex because the current limits are too low, according to the International Alliance for Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA).

US revamps food safety strategies

08-Nov-2007 - The US government this week announced wide sweeping plans to improve the safety of the nation's food supply, with measures including more stringent inspections, stronger penalties and mandatory recalls.

USDA announces new E coli measures

26-Oct-2007 - A higher incidence of E coli-contaminated meat has prompted the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to tighten its safety efforts with a number of initiatives including expanded testing and more rapid recalls.

Health claims amendment could boost innovation

24-Oct-2007 - The European Commission is to look again at article 18 health claims, which currently mean any claim supported by new scientific research will have to wait at least two years before they can be used.

New flavouring regulation presents challenges to industry

22-Oct-2007 - With new legislation covering flavourings is a hot topic for debate by the European Parliament and Council, a leading consultant set out some of the main flashpoints of debate and potential challenges for the industry.

USDA updates list of allowed organic ingredients

18-Oct-2007 - Manufacturers of organic goods may no longer use certain nonorganic color ingredients or the food additive potassium tartrate, following the publication of a new rule by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Weekly Comment

Time to get serious on health claims criteria

15-Oct-2007 - The European Food Safety Authority's task to assess thousands of health claims is a headache in anyone's book - and one made worse through vague instructions to industry.

UK regulator issues milk testing proposals

09-Oct-2007 - The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued proposals to adopt EU-wide measures designed to prevent antibiotic residues entering the food chain via raw milk and other dairy products.

UK proposes to tighten protection for whisky

09-Oct-2007 - The UK government yesterday announced new production, export and labelling measures to protect whisky from the threat of counterfeit goods.

Meat ban lifted in UK

04-Oct-2007 - The European Union will allow meat products from selected parts of the UK to be exported to other member states, and lift the ban imposed last month after Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was found on a farm.

UK seeks minced meat amendments

03-Oct-2007 - A UK consultation on amendments to the country's hygiene laws affecting meat processors foreshadows changes to be implemented across the EU by the end of this year.

Indian guar gum imports 'accepted' in EU

02-Oct-2007 - Fears over dioxin levels in guar gum supplies from India are not stopping the shipping of consignments, according to reports from India.

Tea Council under fire for health claims posters

26-Sep-2007 - The UK Tea Council has been criticised for exaggerating the benefits of tea and banned from making further claims about the drinks antioxidant potential after running a series of adverts.

Peanut pregnancy advice caused consternation for UK Lords

26-Sep-2007 - A high level report from the UK's House of Lords has said advice on peanut consumption by pregnant women and children to reduce allergy risk could be counterproductive, and calls for urgent withdrawal pending review.

Tougher food import laws proposed

25-Sep-2007 - A bill proposing stricter import regulations has been presented to Congress, as fears over imported food products show no sign of diminishing.

UK moves to risk-based inspection system

24-Sep-2007 - The level of inspections of UK manufacturing plants would depend on the level of risk a particular processor poses to public health, under proposed rules published for consultation.

Is Asia the future for phytochemical research?

21-Sep-2007 - The future of research into the ability of phytochemicals to treat modern disease lies in Asia because of restrictive laws and "cynicism", a UK based research company has said.

New food safety website for small companies

20-Sep-2007 - Size need not be a problem, as a new website has been launched to help small and medium-sized manufacturers fight an array of food safety issues.

Mars hits out at US chocolate redefinition proposal

19-Sep-2007 - US moves to redefine chocolate have come under further criticism by some of the leading players in the industry.

EU regulations stymie food innovation, says economist

19-Sep-2007 - Novel foods regulation is presenting a serious barrier to innovation by food ingredients companies in Europe, according to a new economic review, threatening the industry's competitiveness on the global stage.

Foot and mouth spreads in UK

18-Sep-2007 - Foot-and-mouth disease has spread to two more farms in the UK, underlying fears that a EU-wide ban on the country's exports will be prolonged.

No danger in New Zealand's milk, says safety authority

17-Sep-2007 - The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has ruled that milk containing either the A1 and A2 protein does not pose a danger to the public and should remain part of a nutritious diet.

Intensive meat production a danger to food supply, warns FAO

17-Sep-2007 - A report, issued today by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about the increased risk of pathogen contamination in industrial meat production, serves as an advance warning to processors of a growing problem.

More risk control of supply chain needed says Sudan 1 panel

17-Sep-2007 - Food safety recommendations made by a panel investigating one of the largest industry-wide recalls ever made in the UK could lead to tougher regulatory scrutiny of the way processors manage their supply chain.