Practical Guide to Metal Detection-Food Industry
Fortress Technology
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27-Feb-2004
UK salt summit achieves results
The UK food industry has promised to continue reducing levels of salt in manufactured food products. In a joint report from manufacturers, farmers and the hospitality sector, salt in sliced...
GM labelling courts controversy
Canada is set to publish its first voluntary standards for labelling food free of genetically modified ingredients. But a number of food processors say that the rules are so badly...
Shelf life guidance for manufacturers
A new guide from UK-based research group CCFRA has been published that will help chilled food manufacturers and retailers determine the shelf-life of their products. The guide aims to improve...
Monsanto sees seeds and traits growth
Despite the recent EU ruling against its GM Maize crops, Monsanto has said that it is expecting the continued development of its seeds and traits business will drive its mid-term...
26-Feb-2004
A breakthrough in radio identification?
Trolley Scan has developed and put into production what it claims is the most sensitive passive single chip UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) system ever developed. The system allows manufacturers...
Bar codes to battle foodborne diseases
Traceability has become a key concern in the meat processing industry since the BSE outbreak in the UK in the 1990s, and more recently the discovery of the disease in...
Tighter label rules on both sides of Atlantic
The National Food Processors Association (NFPA) in the US has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a greater degree of flexibility in making qualified health claims or...
End of the line improvements
End-of-line equipment specialist Wrapid Packaging Systems is launching the Compacta Trend, an updated budget automatic packaging machine that the company claims offers substantial cost savings over traditional chamber and semi-automatic...
Croatia set for food agency
Croatia is about to get its own food agency, which will work alongside the EFSA to bring the former Yugoslavian state in line with EU food safety regulations ahead of...
25-Feb-2004
Improving packaging efficiency
Technology group 3M has combined its packaging expertise with Microsoft products to develop and deliver what it believes is the first available integrated packaging management solution. The Integrated Packaging Tool...
EU slaps month ban on US poultry
US poultry exports to European Union countries were banned for one month yesterday because of concerns over the emergence of bird influenza in Texas. The ban, which covers all bird...
High freight costs hit food market
A squeezed supply of refrigerated shipping containers in the US has caused shipping rates to rise 10 per cent to 25 per cent since last spring, helping to push up...
Quality assurance for packaging and labelling
Israeli firm Advanced Vision Technology (AVT) has introduced a number of innovative features for its PrintVision range of inspection solutions. The firm believes that this will further consolidate its position...
24-Feb-2004
EC gains animal observer status
The European Commission obtained official observer status within the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) this week at the first-ever global conference on animal welfare. The event brought together the...
Can we really limit gene flow?
If one day in the near future Europe does decide to clear the way for the planting of GM crops in the soil of the EU25, there is one point...
New fears over GM contamination
A new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) suggests that genetically engineered DNA is contaminating traditional seeds of three major crops in North America. The organisation warns that...
Bird 'flu in the USA
A virulent form of bird flu has been discovered on a chicken farm in Texas, USA. The outbreak, originally classified by the USDA as low-risk, was identified through genetic testing...
20-Feb-2004
Lock chock detector
Lock Inspections Systems is to highlight its metal detection equipment specifically designed for the confectionery industry at Confectionery Manufacturing Expo. Metal detection is of growing concern in the food industry,...
Is lettuce the culprit?
Scientists in the US have for the first time identified a fresh product as the source of an outbreak of human Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections, a recent medical report says.
18-Feb-2004
Poland gets more time
As processors in Poland and other accession countries race to comply with EU food safety regulations, the EU Commission has said that it will be prepared to further extend deadlines...
17-Feb-2004
Food quality needs funds to further FP6
The European Parliament adopted an own initiative report on 11 February, calling on the Commission to focus more on the sustainability of agriculture in the Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes,...
Virus-free farmed seafood
Scientists in Japan believe they have developed a means of controlling viruses in farmed fish and shellfish - a problem that has continued to plague the sector and which often...
Fisher acquires Oxoid
Oxoid, one of the leading manufacturers of culture media anddiagnostic products for the food and drink industry, will be acquired by Fisher Scientific International.
16-Feb-2004
EU extends PCB list?
In a bid to reassure the European Parliament after a recent study alerted the world to levels of cancer-causing toxins present in farmed salmon, Europe's head of consumer safety stressed...
Food policy based on risk, not culture
Food risk will be a defining issue of a 21st century marked by globalisation and foodborne illness. Safety experts gathered at the weekend in the US to examine new methods...
Antibacterial rubber matting
Muscle fatigue is one of the most common symptoms for food processing machinery operators. Rubber matting has been one solution but with that comes bacteria problems. A US company believes...
13-Feb-2004
Assurance a 'positive' step for meat producers
A report into the benefits of assurance for the UK meat and livestock sector suggests that there is a need to increase the momentum of assurance as a means of...
UV light may be harmful for PET
The challenge of preventing the harmful impact from UV light should not be ignored by makers of beverages and food products packaged in PET according to research studies by the...
12-Feb-2004
Food industry hauled up over 'fresh' labels
The food industry had its knuckles wrapped again this week, this time by the UK's food watchdog that accused it of misleading the consumer when using the terms 'fresh?and 'natural?on...
New innovations in meat processing
This year's Foodex Meatex exhibition - which the organisers believe could be the most successful yet - promises to showcase the latest innovations in meat processing. A quick look at...
Australian consumer turns back on GM ingredients
The tide is turning down under with a new poll showing Australians are increasingly worried about genetically modified foods and the risk they could pose to human health and the...
Scotland and Wales veto GM go-ahead
The UK government has been forced to postpone plans to give the green light for a GM crop after the devolved assembly of Wales and the Scottish Parliament refused to...
Europe establishes animal disease centre
The European Parliament has voted to create a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), following growing concern over animal disease epidemics. "Outbreaks like SARS in 2003 and bird...
11-Feb-2004
Dutch tighten animal feed laws
Dutch agriculture authorities have substantially reduced the number of authorised animal feed ingredients available to feed producers. Feed companies must now operate in accordance with the code of good manufacturing...
RFID in the snack supply chain
Supply chain management is becoming increasingly important in efficient food production. A pilot project developed by Microsoft Business Solutions and KiMs, a Danish snack manufacturer, is a good example of...
EC vows to protect poultry industry
David Byrne, the European Commissioner for health and consumer protection, has outlined the measures that have been taken to protect Europe's poultry industry. Speaking at the European Parliament yesterday, he...
Mandatory animal ID system proposed
Lawmakers in the US have proposed a mandatory livestock identification system to combat outbreaks of food borne disease such as mad cow or foot and mouth disease. The system would...
WHO supports herbal sustainability
The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday released guidelines for good agricultural and collection practices for medicinal plants, aimed at making governments aware of the increasing risk to plant species and...
10-Feb-2004
Oats in the safety zone
Consumers in the UK can eat their porridge safe in the knowledge that their oat products are free from harmful toxins - mycotoxins - after an extensive survey in the...
Danish pork industry on the rise
Beneficial knock-on effects of the Avian Influenza and BSE crises could soon be felt within Denmark's pork industry, according to some industry experts. Denmark's Bacon and Meat Council believes that...
EFSA defines its objectives
The newly-established European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is not about to 'abandon Brussels,' according to executive director Geoffrey Podger, and transparency and independence will be the defining characteristics of the...
Transatlantic pathogen database launched
The world's largest online database of information on how pathogenic bacteria respond to different environmental conditions in food has been established by scientists with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service and...
EU pushes for action on biodiversity measures
The European Commission is seeking agreement on concrete measures to halt the decline in global biodiversity at an international conference which opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week.
09-Feb-2004
RFID comes of age
It is a sign of the times that a new Radio Frequency Identification pavilion, or RFID pavilion, will feature at this year's Pack Expo event in Chicago. This reflects the...
High GI raises cancer risk?
A diet with a high glycaemic load could increase the risk of colorectal cancer, find US scientists following recent research on nearly 40,000 middle-aged women. Findings are set to further...
New food test approved
Five new Coliform applications for MicroFoss have been approved by the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) International Research Institute. The applications are for coliform in chocolate, liquid egg, whole chicken,...
Bottling goes hi-tech
Food manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic will soon be obliged by law to keep detailed records of the supply chain. As a result, more and more bottling and...
Additive labelling, how far should the industry go?
The debate on the labelling of additives on food products shifts up a gear in the UK with the Consumers' Association criticising the government and the country's food watchdog for...
06-Feb-2004
Concern over value of food labels
Confusing information on the nutrition content of food, along with misleading health claims, have once again been brought under scrutiny. Growing pressure in Europe for clearer labelling and greater honesty...
FSAI issues closure orders
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has expressed disappointment that three closure orders have already been served by environmental health officers (EHOs) due to breaches of food safety legislation...
WHO calls for poultry vaccination
A targeted vaccination campaign for poultry at risk of being infected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus may be required in heavily affected countries to control the further spread...
Food additive petition withdrawn
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the withdrawal - 'without prejudice to a future filing?- of a food additive petition on polyester-polyurethane resin-acid dianhydride adhesive.
05-Feb-2004
Food safety on the EU menu
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin has announced a €43 million investment plan designed to improve the efficiency of the food supply chain. Speaking at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, he...
Belgium rejects GM oilseed rape
The possible cultivation of GM crops within the European Union suffered a setback this week after the Belgian government decided to reject an application to grow GM oilseed rape. Officials...
Salmonella risk in pork production
It is common for pigs to wait in holding pens for at least 2 hours after transport before slaughter to improve meat quality. Loading, unloading, and travel stress can lead...
Semicarbazide in Brazilian chicken uncovered
A study of Brazilian poultry and poultry products has found that the presence of nitrofurans and semicarbazide has increased. Further investigation showed that most of the chicken products containing semicarbazide...
04-Feb-2004
Fighting terrorism on the food front
Safeguarding America's food supply against possible terrorist threats will eat into a considerable chunk of the USDA's budget next year. The country is also planning to stockpile animal vaccines, following...
No consensus on GMOs
Demonstrating the clear divisions that exist between member states and the European Commission over genetically modified foodstuffs, in the same week that Belgian ministers threw out an application for an...
Thai poultry ban prolonged
The European Union confirmed yesterday a six-month ban on Thai poultry imports because of the bird flu outbreak rampaging across Asia. Fresh and frozen Thai poultry products will remain barred...
Supply chain in demand
Legislation requiring food manufacturers to keep detailed records of the supply chain is coming into force in the US next month. Next year, it is the turn of the EU....
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