Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

Online guide presents Danisco cost-cutting solutions

Danisco has launched an online guide for food manufacturers in search of ingredients solutions to limit the impact of soaring raw material prices.

GRAS granted for Aminogen protein digestion ingredient

An enzyme desgined to improve protein digestion has been granted GRAS status, opening up the market for its use in functional foods and beverages, said its manufacturer Triarco.

Vanadium deemed unsafe in Europe

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected vanadium as an ingredient that can safely be used in foods and food supplements because of overexposure fears to the general population.

Folic acid fortification pressure rises in UK

A UK pressure group has challenged the Food Standards Agency (FSA) over its concerns that food manufacturers may need to reduce folic acid levels in certain foods if mandatory fortification of bread and/or flour goes ahead.

New process reduces allergens in eggs

The US Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry will be publishing a study next month that describes a new process to greatly reduce allergens in eggs.

Brewers cautious over EU traceability plan

New proposals designed to improve the traceability of consumer goods like beer have been cautiously welcomed by an association of European brewers, despite concerns over the exact cost of the system.

New technology launched for delicate product packaging

Packaging firm Bosch has designed a new range of packaging and processing solutions designed specifically for handling delicate products such as tray baked goods, biscuits and chocolate confectionery.

EC not phased by 20,000-plus health claims

The European Commission insists it is on track with the process of tabulating the thousands of health claim petitions submitted to it by member states and European trade organisations, but industry sources are not so optimistic.

Weekly Comment

Supplements - do we ask too much?

Taking a range of supplements from vitamin A to zinc is becoming part of everyday life. But as the latest study is published questioning their efficacy, people could be left wondering do they work?

MEP animal welfare group against animal cloning

A group of MEPs has called on the European Commission to prohibit cloning of animals for food.

Less concern over salt, fat and food safety, says UK survey

The latest consumer survey conducted by the UK's Food Standards Agency points to a drop in concern about salt and fat levels in foods, which the agency says reinforces the need for awareness-raising initiatives.

Barentz acquisition boosts antioxidants presence

Ambitious Netherlands-based ingredients distributor Barentz Europe has acquired fellow Dutch antioxidants start-up Vitablend Holding, a move the company hopes will help establish it as the leading specialty ingredients supplier in Europe.

EFSA cloning report highlights labelling concerns

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a report on a technical meeting with its Stakeholder Consultative Platform held earlier this month to discuss its Draft Opinion on animal cloning.

New child obesity stats inform UK strategy

The UK government has reported progress in its bid to identify children who are or who are at risk of becoming overweight, providing new trend data to help inform anti-obesity strategies.

FSA examines food fraud initiatives

A recent seminar organised by the UK Food Standards Agency allowed manufacturers throughout the food industry to discover the latest methods being employed to track and prevent food fraud.

Dairy body claims natural trans fats not harmful

The European dairy industry says it is confident that there is significant research to back it claims that naturally occurring trans fatty acids (TFA) in milk pose no health concerns to consumers and do not need to be labelled on products.

Industry concerns follow massive US beef recall

The largest meat recall in US history has reignited fears that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of the nation's meat supply.

Calcium pills effective for boosting bone health in teenage girls

Supplements of calcium effectively increased the build up and bone mineral content in teenage girls, but the benefits are undone if the supplementation stops, suggests a new study.

Canola proteins could boost meat succulence

Proteins from canola could boost the moisture and succulence of processed meats, suggests a new study from Canada.

New trade group focuses on salt reduction

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is focusing on achieving salt and sodium reduction and cutting saturated fats in the bakery and snacks sector with the formation of a new group.

Weekly comment

Making a meal out of saturated fat

The food industry across Europe needs to make a big effort to reduce saturated fat in food regardless of whether national agencies set targets - and it should not wait around for governments to do all the awareness-raising with its consumers.

DSM strengthens position in antibiotic residue testing

DSM Food Specialties has acquired CMT Srl, the company behind the Copan Milk Test for the detection of antibiotic residues in milk, strengthening its position in the market at a time when European controls are tightening.

Erythritol demand to grow with EU acceptance

EU member states must recognise erythritol as an approved sweetener by tomorrow, which is expected to increase its use in low-calorie products across Europe.

Saturated fat targets to stimulate ingredient development

Reducing saturated fat in foods brings challenges in the areas of taste and texture, says Cargill, but the FSA's programme in the UK could stimulate development of solutions for specific products and production processes.

Red wine heart benefits no different to other alcohols: study

The potential health benefits of a single glass of polyphenol rich red wine are no different to any other alcoholic beverage, according to new research.

Biotech reports spark debate over potential benefits

Two contradictory reports assessing global cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops and its impact on productivity, pesticide use and world hunger caused debate today.

FSA board discusses food safety

Today's meeting of the UK Food Standards Agency's Board will include a progress report on food safety, highlighting achievements but also flagging areas of concern like rising rates of foodbourne illness.

Genetic and agricultural data made more accessible

Researchers will be able to gain access more easily to genetic and agricultural data on a wide range of plants with the development on a new online information management system.

Superheated starch offers fat replacer for formulators

Replacing fat can be achieved by spreadable gel particles prepared by superheating potato starch and then cooling, Dutch researchers have reported.

Commission develops code of conduct on nanotechnology

The European Commission has released a voluntary code of conduct for nanotechnology that places the burden of responsibility for consumer safety on industry.

Transparency and science crucial for nutrient profiling, says expert

Nutrient profiling models should be underscored by sound science, be transparent, and be validated with respect to healthy diets, says a new paper that sets out the steps to developing and validating such models.

US Safeway prioritises animal welfare

Suppliers of eggs and meat products to Safeway, one of the US's biggest food retailers, will be under pressure to prove their animal welfare credentials.

Weekly Comment

The ethical cocoa confusion

While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.

Gas Analyser launched for accurate data readings

A new multifunctional gas analyser can provide food packaging companies with accurate data storage and assure traceability for their products, according to its manufacturer Witt Gas Techniques Limited.

Danone, Yakult grants to advance probiotic science

The field of probiotics research is set to receive a boost by two new grants announced yesterday by the Global Probiotics Council (GPC).

Scientists probe food structure's effects on aroma release

The release of aroma from a starch-containing food is dictated by interactions of the volatile compound with the carbohydrate, suggests new research from France.

Whole grain stamp adapted for Canadian market

The popular Whole Grain Stamp is to be launched in a bilingual version for use on food products in Canada, expanding its reach to more consumer groups as awareness of the healthy grains increases.

Potato is best tolerated food, says tester

The potato is well-tolerated by more than 99 per cent of people, according to a study by YorkTest which has dubbed the humble spud, the 'safest food in Britain'.

Saturated fat harder to cut than salt, says FSA

The UK's Food Standards Agency today published its saturated fat and energy intake reduction programme, in which it accepts that cutting back will pose technical challenges for food manufacturers, but it plans to work in partnership with industry and increase consumer awareness.

Cadbury adopts new pathogen testing system

Global confectionery giant Cadbury has stepped up its microbiological surveillance by adopting the Pathatrix pathogen testing system, according to its creator.

New system targets precision weighing in wet areas

A new weighing system allows manufacturers to ensure that finished food packs can be weighed in wet areas with net filling quantities starting from 5g.

Weekly comment

Branding Vs label info: who's the enemy?

Product branding and information provided to consumers on food labels are again at loggerheads, and industry doesn't seem likely to accept new EU labelling proposals without a fight.

Cancer survivors turn to supplements too soon, suggests review

Many cancer survivors report taking vitamin and mineral supplements, despite inconclusive evidence of the benefits, according to a review of scientific literature.

Folic-acid linked to fewer pregnancy complications

The risk of pre-eclampsia, which affects two to three per cent of all pregnancies, may be reduced by multivitamin supplements that contain folic acid, suggests new study.