Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

Chicken major source of campylobacteriosis in EU

Chicken meat could account for almost a third of all human cases of campylobacteriosis in the EU said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Acrylamide formation higher in dry fat-rich foods: Study

Dry food containing low amounts of carbohydrates are at risk of increased acrylamide levels, says a new study sponsored by the European Science Foundation.

X-ray machines boost detection and throughput for can lines

Enhanced detection, faster throughput and lower total cost of ownership are the benefits of upgrades to two X-ray inspection machines for use on can production lines, said Mettler Toledo Safeline.

FDA urged to explain plan for dual regs on bisphenol A

The US chemical industry said it needs more information on a call by the FDA for plastic manufacturers to submit products containing bisphenol A (BPA) to a different regulatory system.

Mocon unveils 'one stop' food and packaging testing system

A new one-stop testing service will speed up trial times of the analysis of food and beverages along with their related packaging - from raw material to transport to shelf life, said Mocon.

Canadian food safety system slammed

The Canadian food safety system is a fragmented patchwork of regional structures that has failed to keep pace with advances in knowledge, according to research published this week.

EFSA consults on antimicrobial treatments in meat

EFSA has asked for feedback on its revised guidelines for the submitting of dossiers on substances to be used in tackling microbial contamination on the surfaces of meat.

EU steps up border controls to boost food safety

The European Union said measures to step up border controls on a range of imported foods of non-animal origin in a bid to boost food safety came into effect yesterday.

IFF scientists probe improved citral stability for beverages

A common flavour solvent may boost the stability of citral, one of the most important flavour compounds in citrus oil, and enhance formulations of beverage concentrates, says a new study.

Weekly comment

Cheesed off – jingoism takes the spoils in the Cadbury battle

Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated, quipped Mark Twain. Predictions of the demise of Cadbury following the approval of Kraft’s offer are premature and are flawed by knee-jerk anti-Americanism.

Dual system to boost marine biotoxin detection in shellfish

The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) said it now has all the tools in place for detecting regulated lipophilic toxins in shellfish using a chemical test instead of the unreliable mouse bioassay.

Mocon buys into Irish bioscience firm

Mocon Inc has prioritised the development of a pathogen screening process for a range of foods after announcing it has acquired a 16.9 per cent stake in Irish company Luxcel Biosciences Ltd.

Elanco to launch food safety business

Elanco has announced plans to launch a food safety division focused on the meat and poultry sectors in response to heightened concerns over foodborne pathogens.

Mettler-Toledo launches new hygienic checkweigher for dairy

Mettler-Toledo Hi-Speed has launched a new USDA-approved checkweigher specifically for dairy and meat application.

No safety concerns over Ferric sodium EDTA, finds EFSA

Ferric sodium EDTA can be safely used in food supplements, a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel has found after reviewing the nutrient.

Nestle USA heat-treated flour switch planned for months

Nestle USA said the switch to heat-treated flour in the production of its Toll House dough has been planned since late summer and confirmed it had yet to find the source of the E.coli detected in its samples.

Weekly comment

Why Haiti must stay on the CSR agenda

50,000 and counting. We'll probably never know exactly how many perished in the 7.0 earthquake that brought Haiti, quite literally, crashing down last Tuesday, 12th January 2010, just before 5pm. But for those who survived and who make it through the hard days, weeks and months ahead, getting enough to eat will be a long term challenge.

EFSA to evaluate FDA decision on bisphenol A

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said it would be contacting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week to discuss its verdict that bisphenol A (BPA) is now of “some concern”.

FDA verdict on bisphenol A provokes divided US response

Trade bodies and environmental groups in the US have delivered widely differing verdicts on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) update to its position on bisphenol A (BPA).

News in brief

Baby food recalled after packaging defects triggers safety alert

Nurture Inc baby food company has issued a partial recall after fears a packaging defect could cause the product to become contaminated with bacteria.

Tyson agrees to pay $5m in ‘antibiotic-free’ chicken settlement

Meat giant Tyson has agreed to pay $5m to settle a class action law suit brought by US consumers over claims its processed chicken was antibiotic free.

New hood positioning devices boost fume and dust extraction

Better fume and dust extraction coupled with ease of operation are two benefits claimed by manufacturer Flextraction for its new range of hood positioning devices (HPD) suitable for use in food processing plants.

Nestle to use heat-treated flour after E.coli found in dough

Nestle USA has said it is to begin using heat-treated flour in the manufacture of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough two days after finding E.coli in samples of the product.

New study confirms bisphenol A link to heart disease

More evidence linking bisphenol A (BPA) to heart disease has been found by a group of researchers in the UK.

News in brief

Obama fills key food safety post

The Obama Administration has filled a key role within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its bid to bolster US food safety.

Food packaging sector responds to nanotech criticism

Experts have questioned the conclusions of a UK parliamentary report that the food packaging industry is too secretive about advances in nanotechnology.

New cleaner tackles zero trans fat oil stains on machinery

A breakthrough cleaning gel has been developed to help food processors deal with the growing problem of cleaning zero trans fat oils from machinery and surfaces, said manufacturer Ecolab.

Industry views sought on baby milk ingredients

Feedback from manufacturers is being sought on new standards being proposed for inclusion in the Food Chemcials Codex (FCC) which aim to ensure the quality and enhance the safety of key ingredients widely used in infant formulas.

US trade group 'cautiously optimistic’ over Russia poultry ban

As the Russian ban on US poultry imports enters its second week, a leading trade body has expressed guarded optimism that up-coming governmental talks between the countries would resolve the issue.

Analyst unpicks impact of melamine scandal on Chinese dairy industry

A leading food analyst has warned that the latest Chinese melamine scandal will set back the local dairy industry at least two years.

Consumer group urges bisphenol A and phthalate phase out

An Australian consumer group has urged the food industry to phase out the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates in packaging on health fears.

High time for easier access to high pressure processing

Processors could soon have access to a cheaper way to test high pressure processing (HPP) technology – so-called ‘cold pasteurisation’ – as interest in the technique returns to the industry, reports sister title Food Manufacture.

Seafood processor targeted over HACCP breaches

A US seafood processing company could be shut down if it continues to flout Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned.

Weekly comment

Cold snap could last longer for food sector

“More snow on the way.” So say the weathermen, and Europe is stocking up and hunkering down for a long, cold winter. But while the fluffy flakes will halt, at least come Spring, for the food sector the chill could be felt throughout 2010.

Melamine scandal 'potentially very damaging' to Chinese ingredients industry

A leading food analyst has warned that the latest Chinese melamine scandal could have a major impact on global trade in food ingredients.

FDA raids rat-infested US food processor facility

US federal marshals have seized more than $1m worth of goods in a raid on a food processor’s rodent infested facility in Nashville, said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Foodborne disease threat to global health security - WHO

Foodborne diseases are a risk to global health security and any solutions to bolster food safety must be international ones, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report has said.

Packaging using oxygen absorber benefits chocolate, study

Chocolate packaged with an oxygen absorber in a barrier packaging material will maintain its aroma, taste and nutritional quality substantially longer than other packaging methods, according to a new study.

Phthalate action plan draws industry fire

The publication of US Government action plans on how to manage risks posed by a range of controversial substances, including phthalates, has drawn stinging criticism from the chemical industry.

Companies buying into sustainability to boost value

The number of top publicly-traded US companies reporting on sustainability climbed by more than a third in the past 12 months, according to a report by the Social Investment Forum (SIF).

Alert widens over iodine-tainted soya milk

Ireland has become the latest country to issue a food safety alert over iodine-contaminated soya milk from Japan believed to have sickened 10 people in Australia.

FDA moves to shut down listeria-tainted cheese facility

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it intends to close down a New Jersey cheese maker in the wake of listeria contamination and an alleged failure to correct unsanitary conditions at the plant.

Beef recall sparks tenderization debate

A multi-state beef recall in the US has led to renewed focus on mechanical tenderization as a possible cause of increased E. coli risk in beef and pork products.

Beef recall sparks tenderization debate

A multi-state beef recall in the US has led to renewed focus on mechanical tenderization as a possible cause of increased E. coli risk in beef and pork products.

China uncovers more melamine tainted milk powder

Chinese authorities have closed a Shanghai dairy involved in the 2008 melamine scandal and arrested three of its executives after finding more milk powder tainted with the toxic chemical.