Bacteria-killing water replaces chemical cleaners

A US company has made inroads in bringing its electrolysed water technology to market as a replacement for chemical cleaners.

Shipping container material reduces contamination risk

A new type of shipping container material replaces wood and reduces the risk of contamination of any foods being transported, its creator claims.

Natural enzymes improve product texture, say EU scientists

European Union scientists have developed new natural enzymes that claim to improve the texture of high-protein food products, reducing the need for certain product-enhancing ingredients.

EU proposes animal welfare labelling for food products

The European Commission proposes to create a special "animal welfare" label for meat and fish products.

Maize imports free from illegal GMOs, says FSA

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) claims it has found no trace of unauthorised genetically modified material in samples of imported maize.

Company develops spray to light up pathogens

AgroMicron is developing a spray that lights up pathogens, providing a way for companies to quickly detect contamination in foods and drinks.

Frutarom develops natural tasting citrus flavours

Frutarom has developed unique processing technology that it claims maintains the true natural flavour of citrus fruit.

Filling sensor reduces waste, allows faster changeovers

An integrated filling sensor simplifies batch delivery by eliminating the need for separate controllers for valves and pumps.

Commission guidance documents aim to clarify hygiene laws

In a bid to help food companies understand the EU's complex new food safety hygiene rules, the European Commission yesterday published three guidance documents on the regulations.

Budget cuts undermining food safety, warns EFSA

EFSA has expressed serious concern that the EU's proposed budget cut could seriously undermine food safety in Europe.

Danisco technology taps human flavour perceptions

Danisco has developed new technology that it claims can harmonise flavours with other food ingredients and, for the first time, human perceptions of flavour.

Weekly Comment

Food miles leave a bitter taste

The organic food movement has been hijacked by supermarkets intent on being seen to be green, but their disrespect of food miles shows they are anything but.

Italy's food safety measures called into question

Recent regulatory measures by Italy againstimported wheat, chocolate and poultryhave raised questions over whether the country isusing the EU's food safety and labelling laws tobatter down foreign competition.

Probiotic dairy could help block HIV

Scientists have devised a way of using 'live' bacteria in yoghurt to deliver medicine that can prevent HIV infection, potentially opening up a new avenue for probiotic dairy development.

Coating protects floors from temperature changes

A new concrete coating is designed to protect floors at food and beverage plants from dramatic temperature fluctuations and to resist bacteria.

Sensor measures small flows of liquids

A flow sensor is designed for the automated measuring low volume liquids in food plants.

Slugs suspected of spreading E. coli strain

The humble and much-maligned slug, a common garden pest and victim of numerous salt attacks, could be a factor in the spread of E. coli in salad vegetables.

Milk and salmon contamination feature in food safety alerts

Alerts about ink chemicals in Italian milk and doctored salmon from Norway dominate the latest EU's food safety advisory.

Texture analyser measures quality of thin foods

A texture analyser for measuring the quality of thin foods can now be used to test the strength of packaging.

Sensor sniffs gases on meat to determine freshness

Russian scientists say they have developed a sensor that "smells" a meat's gases to determine if it is fresh and how long it has been kept in storage.

Food quality tester linked to Internet monitoring service

A spectrometer manufacturer has linked up its Internet monitoring service with its quality testing machines, a move that could help food laboratories improve productivity.

EFSA issues favourable opinion on rapeseed oil

EFSA has concluded that rapeseed oil high in unsaponifiable matter as a novel food ingredient is safe for human consumption under specified conditions of use.

EFSA issues guidance on lupin allergies

The growing popularity of lupin in Europe has increased concerns that some consumers could be unwittingly exposed to allergic reactions.

Device automates food safety testing

A portable spectrophotometer automates the process of testing water at food and drink plants.

Modern food production and poor nutrition 'cause depression', report

Two charities have issued a stark warning that unless there is a major overhaul of UK food and farming policies, there will not be enough healthy and nutritious food to...

Animal scares create demand for vegetarian ingredients

Food safety fears have led to the emergence a new market in vegetarian supplement ingredients, and industry insiders predicting that as many as half of all ingredients could be non-animal...

Brewers set to benefit from winter malting barley

A new variety of winter malting barley could provide brewers with a better quality and more stable barley supply, say scientists who have been developing the variety for the past...

Confusion surrounds Italy's seizure of wheat

While processors wait for Italy's food safety regulator to determine if contaminated wheat was distributed to Europe's pasta plants, Canada's grain regulator says the shipment was tested and found safe.

Monsanto accused of GM pollution in Europe

Greenpeace, together with a former manager of Monsanto and Limagrain in Romania, claim that Monsanto is contaminating European agriculture with its Roundup Ready genetically modified (GM) soy.

Pasta mill head arrested, wheat stocks alleged to be contaminated

With the head of Europe's largest wheat mill under arrest, pasta makers are checking their supplies to see whether any came from a stock found to be contaminated with a...

EU food regulator proposes charging fees for work

Europe's food safety regulator says it is underfunded and might have to start collecting fees from companies for its work.

Company develops speedy test kit for bird flu

Applied Biosystems plans to release kits that can test humans and animals for avian flu virus within two hours.

Lycopene colorant achieves regulatory approval

A natural tomato lycopene has been classified as a food colourant in the US.

Avian flu: poultry consumption faces another downturn

A deadly outbreak of avian flu in Turkey is spreading westward, with health officials confirming that a further three human cases have been found in the capital Ankara on Sunday,...

Food makers see cost savings in microencapsulation

The increasing economic viability of microencapsulation technology has led to significant interest within the food and beverage industry.

Report calls for review of food plant inspections

A report into the mass outbreak of E. coli in Wales calls on the UK's food regulator to look into whether there should be more legislation and guidance on plant...

Food association sets out 'wish list' of regulatory change

The EU's food industry association is calling for a raft of changes to proposed laws, calling some of them unworkable and misleading, including those that would regulate additives and enzymes,...

Which? slams retailers over shoddy chicken sandwiches

Consumer watchdog Which? has revealed that most readymade chicken sandwiches contain a hidden blend of additives - but Food Standards Agency (FSA) chicken labelling policy lacks muscle to enforce better...

New cowpea variety retains 'perfect' green color when dry, frozen

A greener variety of black-eyed pea may well solve the problem of color fading faced by frozen food processors, allowing them to sell a better looking product, say scientists.

Vacuum drying method preserves vitamin content

Scientists in Germany claim to have developed a microwave vacuum drying method that preserves the vitamin content of fruit and other foods.

Congress considers legislation to harmonise food safety laws

Legislation to harmonize state and national laws on food safety has been submitted to the House of Congress for consideration.

Pathogen tester speeds up process of detecting contamination

DuPont Qualicon has introduced a new pathogen testing instrument to speed up the process of ensuring food products meet regulatory requirements.

Palsgaard launches emulsifiers for very low fat spreads

Danish firm Palsgaard has launched a new emulsifier combination for very low fat spreads and butter with a fat content of between 10 and 15 per cent.

2006: A milestone for food safety in the EU

New Year's Day marked a significant milestone for food safety in the EU, with the entry of a large updated body of food and feed legislation.

New year ushers in tougher food safety laws

With the ushering in of new hygiene laws at the start of this year, food companies are now under tougher regulatory scrutiny to ensure they do not send out poisonous...

Measuring meter reader fits tight spaces

Small electromagnetic shakers are designed specifically for tight fitting processing and packaging distribution lines that require precise metering and low maintenance drives, the system's manufacturer claims.

Australian food safety tester buys into European market

SAI Global has acquired EFSIS Ltd., one of the food safety inspection and certification firms companies will be turning to when checking whether they are in compliance with the EU's...

New allergen labeling to boost growing 'free-from' market?

Consumers who suffer from food allergies are set to benefit from new "plain English" allergen labeling rules, which also provide food and beverage manufacturers with the opportunity to tap into...