Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

Recent advances pave way for fish gelatine for food

08-Jul-2008 - Increasing demand for gelatine, coupled with consumer concerns over the mammalian variety, may open the door for fish gelatine to fill the gap for food formulators, says a new review.

Unicorn Ingredients: new seed supplier targets bakers

07-Jul-2008 - Bakers can access a new supply source for their seeds needs as UK ingredients firm Unicorn Ingredients hits the market.

Soy products may raise dementia risk: study

07-Jul-2008 - Consumption of soy products like tofu may raise the risk of dementia, according to a new study from Britain and Indonesia.

CIAA questions need for labelling law

03-Jul-2008 - The need for new European legislation on nutrition labelling has been called into question by the CIAA (Confederation of Food and Drink Industries in Europe), as a survey indicates that uptake of its voluntary scheme has been significant.

Lycopene as effective as statins for artery health: rabbit study

03-Jul-2008 - Supplements of the lycopene, the carotenoid that give tomatoes their red colour, may be as effective as statins to reduce the formation of plaques in the arteries that cause atherosclerosis, says a new study with rabbits.

Sparks remains as Miller sticks with caffeinated beer

01-Jul-2008 - The Miller Brewing Company will not be following in the footsteps of rivals by reformulating its caffeinated alcohol brands in the US, claiming the products are fully compliant with regulatory and labelling guidelines in the country.

EFSA in good shape after productive 2007

01-Jul-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority is bigger, better, more accountable to stakeholders and in touch with the 450 million citizenry it serves, according to its 2007 annual report.

Cassava flour alternative relieves costs for bakers

26-Jun-2008 - Beating the high costs linked to the price of wheat flour on today's market, bakers in the African country of Ghana can now access a cheaper alternative produced with cassava and maize.

HFCS ad campaign accused of deception

25-Jun-2008 - A row has broken out over high fructose corn syrup after the Corn Refiners Association's attempts to boost the image of the sweetener attracted criticism.

Belt washer offers chemical free bacteria elimination, says Vulganus.

24-Jun-2008 - Finnish manufacturer Vulganus said that its Steriline Utrasonic belt washer provides processors with a new method of cleaning conveyor belts.

Weekly comment

GM: Breaking the stalemate

23-Jun-2008 - Food industry voices are joining those of politicians in the GM debate, hailing the controversial technology as the answer to the food supply crisis. But the hearts and minds of consumers must still be won.

Conquering egg allergenicity without compromising functionality: review

19-Jun-2008 - The continuing prevalence of egg allergies, and its implications for food manufacturing and labelling practices, has led to a scientific review on methods to reduce product allergenicity.

Scientists aim to cut risk posed by Ug99 to wheat supplies

17-Jun-2008 - US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed wheat lines resistance to a stem rust fungus, which is threatening crop and adding to existing problems of rising costs and a 30-year low for stockpiles.

Weekly comment

Food crisis: Time to stop the squabbling

09-Jun-2008 - Bickering gets you nowhere. It's a lesson to be learned early in life, but which seems easily forgotten when it comes to tough political issues like measures to curb the food crisis.

Food safety fears transform consumer choices

09-Jun-2008 - Over half of consumers have stopped eating certain foods, either temporarily or permanently, as a direct result of food safety fears, according to Deloitte.

No risk from nitrates in vegetables, says EFSA

06-Jun-2008 - The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Contaminants Panel (CONTAM) has found that the beneficial effects of eating vegetables and fruit outweigh potential risk to human health from exposure to nitrate through vegetables.

UK public voices concern over cloned food

05-Jun-2008 - Consumers in the UK believe risk analysis on animal cloning and products from cloned animals and their offspring entering the food chain should be as thorough as drug research, according to a survey published today by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Energy drinks safety questioned by German agency

05-Jun-2008 - Energy drinks have the potential to cause liver damage, heart failure and even death and should carry warnings for certain population groups, according to a German body.

Globalisation raises food safety fears, says microbiologist

04-Jun-2008 - The trend towards importing more food from developing countries is opening up Western countries to greater food safety risks, says a US microbiologist, and food processors have a duty to conduct the necessary checks.

Current control measures effective against microbes in the plant air: study

04-Jun-2008 - The current control measures to limit the levels of microbes in the air of pork processing plants are sufficient and effective, according to Irish scientists.

Study shows low levels of BPA migration into baby bottles, say researchers

03-Jun-2008 - A new study has found low levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) migration into polycarbonate baby bottles when heated in a microwave, claim the researchers.

Weekly comment

Yesterday's food complacency proves hard to swallow

02-Jun-2008 - For too long, the developed world has taken food for granted. For years, ample food stocks, a well-supplied export trade and rapidly rising agricultural productivity have confined food fears, in the west at least, to history and the memories of older generations.

Acrylamide risk opinion remains unchanged, says EFSA

02-Jun-2008 - Efforts to reduce acrylamide remain a priority as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concludes risk assessments regarding the carcinogen will stay the same.

Clinicians should employ energy drink awareness - study

02-Jun-2008 - Clinicians should consider screening energy drink use in their patients to ensure a greater understanding of the possible impacts of long-term exposure to the high-dose caffeinated products, new findings have suggested.