All news articles for February 2006

Novel oxygen test for foods in plastic packaging

A new test that realistically determines how much oxygen will pass through food and beverage packaging during a product's lifetime will enable producers to speed up and improve new product trials.

Soft drinks industry pledges to tackle benzene in drinks

America's soft drinks association said it would have to look again at benzene in drinks, after new tests revealed to BeverageDaily.com suggest it and food safety authorities failed to stamp out a problem.

GM potato no threat to health, says EFSA

A genetically modified potato product with altered starch composition poses no threat to human health, according to an EFSA panel ruling.

Public underestimates risks posed by common pathogens

The public's understanding of food risk issues is skewed towards under estimating the danger from common pathogen contamination, according to a research survey.

RFID label tracks product temperature

A newly developed label from KSW Microtec will enable food firms to more closely monitor the temperature of their products on the journey from production line to consumer, its inventor says.

Sudan red colouring fine a warning to food industry

The successful prosecution of a UK food company over the presence of illegal Sudan food dye should serve as a warning to the whole industry.

EU's poultry industry disagrees with bloc's vaccination plan

The EU's poultry association has joined in the criticism of the European Commission for approving the vaccination of poultry flocks in the Netherlands and France.

Avian influenza spreads to turkey flock in France

In an ominous sign for processors and the public, France has slaughtered turkeys at a farm suspected of being infected with the deadly form of avian influenza, possibly marking the first time the disease has spread to domestic stock in the EU's largest poultry producer.

Plant bacteria tough out lab-based irradiation dosages

Setting dosage levels for irradiating bacteria based on lab tests may be incorrect when used on the tougher pathogens found in plant conditions, leading to a food safety issue, according to a scientist researching the problem.

Protozoa helps Salmonella survive chemical cleaning

Aided by a common protozoa, Salmonella cells are three times likely to survive the treatments used by food processors to clean equipment, according to a scientific study.

Researchers hunt for method to prevent Campylobacter contamination

New methods need to be develop to prevent Campylobacter in transport coopsand during carcass defeathering, critical points at which contamination ofbroilers and broiler carcasses occurs, according to new research.

Rapid shake method for canned foods poised for take-off

With the licensing of three equipment manufacturers in the US and Europe, a company's quick sterilization technology for canned foods has gone from prototype to market launch.

Bird flu advances to Europe's largest poultry producer

The deadly form of avian influenza has hit Europe's largest poultry producer, with France's government confirming over the weekend that the H5N1 form of the virus was found in a dead duck and possibly some swans.

Organics could protect children from pesticide exposure, symposium

Little has been done over the past decade to reduce the risk of children's exposure to pesticides through the foods they consume, according to an Organic Center symposium held yesterday.

EFSA opens up to discuss future of GM in Europe

Europe's food safety authority is holding a high level meeting with scientists this Wednesday to discuss the future development of Genetically Modified (GM) food within the bloc.

UK, Germany checking soft drinks for benzene

Food safety authorities in Britain and Germany are checking soft drinks for benzene after tests suggest a private deal with soft drinks firms in the US, 15 years ago, failed to fix the problem.

Regulator outlines foot-and-mouth prevention plan for bloc

The EU's food safety regulator has published an action plan to prevent foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease from entering the bloc again, calling for more controls on the import of animals, meat and meat products.

Company develops ozone disinfectant process for produce

Produce Safety & Security International (PSSI) plans to produce prototype units for its ozone gas disinfectant process.`

Company develops ozone disinfectant process for produce

Produce Safety & Security International (PSSI) plans to produce prototype units for its ozone gas disinfectant process.`

Fastest aseptic filling machine goes global

Tetra Pak yesterday announced the global availability of what it claims is the fastest aseptic filling machine for family packages available worldwide.

More food processors embracing automation and control systems

Regulations on traceability and food safety are driving Europe's food companies towards automation and control networked systems, a new study says.

Barrier coating for plastic bottles extends shelf life say inventors

A new barrier coating for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) offers a better method of extending the shelf life of beverages than is currently available according to the inventors of the technology.

Traffic light labelling too crude says food lawyer

Food law experts at Eversheds have warned that the adoption of an industry standard for nutritional information looks increasingly unlikely.

Scientists develop lactic acid as mycotoxin fighters

Common grade lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from grain, malting, brewing and cereal processing could be a cheap and natural means of reducing deadly mycotoxins in grains, according to scientists in Ireland.

WTO GM ruling will change nothing, say campaigners

The WTO ruling backing the US, Canada and Argentina in their efforts to open Europe up to genetically modified (GM) food has been dismissed as 'irrelevant'.

Wrigley installs texture analyser

Wrigley UK has installed a texture analyser for quality control and new product development.

Avian influenza establishes foothold in EU

Get ready for the impact of avian influenza, as the disease has been conclusively found in wild birds in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Azerbaijan over the weekend.

Consumers confused about sweetener safety, says study

Despite growing awareness of the health threat of obesity, Americans are still confused about the safety of the most commonly available sugar substitutes, claims an NGO.

Batch sifter designed to meet food safety standards

A dust-tight batch sifter, constructed with stainless steel housing, is designed to meet the most stringent food, dairy and pharmaceutical standards, according to its manufacturer.

System automates pallet de-stacking process

A "pioneering" pallet de-stacking system automates the process, making it quicker, simpler and safer according to Sealed Air.

New oat variety boasts high cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan levels

A new oat variety containing high levels of cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan has been developed, meaning that food manufacturers could soon offer whole oat products that pack the same health benefits as ordinary oats into smaller portions.

Excessive aflatoxin levels found in UK spice

A spice powder in the UK has been discovered to contain excessive levels of aflatoxins.

Powdered cappuccino quality test launched

A foam test for cappuccino milk powder will give food companies the goods on whether they have a quality product for a competitive market.

EU sets dioxin and PCB levels for food and feed

The European Commission has set maximum levels for dioxins and PCBs in food as fears grow in three EU countries, where pig and poultry feed was found to be contaminated with the family of cancer-causing chemicals.

Irradiation study shows improvement, says HFMA

The results from an FSA study into the occurrence of irradiated ingredients in food supplements shows that the industry is tackling the problem, argues the HFMA.

FDA could require labeling of insect-derived red food dye

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may soon require food companies to label the presence of insect-derived red color additives cochineal extract or carmine, on the basis that these may lead to severe allergic reactions.

Handheld sensor detects pathogens within 10 minutes

A handheld sensor could help food companies quickly detect within 10 minutes whether their products are laden with Escherichia coli or listeria -- before they are shipped out of the plant.

Cargill expands trans-fat lowering soyoil production

US agribusiness firm Cargill is to expand its processing of Vistive, a low-linolenic soybean, which claims to reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids in soybean oil.

Dioxin crisis widens in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany

Europe's dioxin crisis has widened, with food regulators in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany placing quarantines on hundreds more pig and poultry producers that received contaminated feed.

Purac ingredient range tackles Listeria threat

Purac claims to have developed a line of ingredients that can help food makers meet new European Commission regulations on microbiological criteria.

Industrial steamer zaps bacteria dead

An industrial steamer uses superheated water instead of chemicals to zap bacteria dead.

Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

Headlines

All news

Product news

Product innovations

Related sites

All news

Headlines

All news articles > February 2006

28-Feb-2006

27-Feb-2006

24-Feb-2006

23-Feb-2006

21-Feb-2006

20-Feb-2006

17-Feb-2006

14-Feb-2006

13-Feb-2006

10-Feb-2006

07-Feb-2006

06-Feb-2006

03-Feb-2006

02-Feb-2006

01-Feb-2006

Sign up for your free newsletter

Stay updated on the latest breaking news from your industry

On-Demand Webinars

Upcoming Live Webinars

Videos & Audio

Technical Papers

Product Brochures

Weekly / Daily Free Newsletter

Other Newsletters

Related site

All Decision News Media Sites