Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

EU conference aims to challenge food crime ‘phenomenon’

Food control authorities, police forces and regulatory bodies have gathered in Brussels in the hope of boosting their efforts against food crime in the European Union (EU).

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Three-quarters of carbendazim-tested OJ shipments enter the US - FDA

Almost three-quarters of all orange juice and concentrate shipments attempting to enter the US have tested negative for carbendazim, US food safety officials have confirmed.

New migration tests prompt EFSA to approve plastic additive

The availability of data from new migration tests meant that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has for the first time given approval to an additive in plastics for use in food contact materials.

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UK retailer recalls chocolate over metal contamination fears

UK retailer Morrisons has initiated a recall of its own-brand Whole Nut Milk Chocolate over fears that it may be contaminated with small pieces of metal.

Funding boost for technologies to rapidly detect food pathogens

Two US-based companies aiming to use technology to improve the speed of food pathogen detection have received a funding boost from a food protection organisation.

Schmallenberg virus meat processing sector impact: ‘Only time will tell’

The true impact of the livestock-related Schmallenberg virus on the meat processing industry will not be known for a few more months, according to the British Meat Processing Association (BMPA).

Tech breakthrough brings printed RFID tags much closer - researcher

The development of commercially viable thin-film radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be integrated into flexible packaging has taken a major leap forward after scientists made a significant technological breakthrough.

Expanded record access will cut exposure to tainted food - FDA

US food safety authorities will be given expanded access to food firm records under a new interim ruling – a move it hopes will prevent potentially harmful food entering the food supply and reaching consumers.

EU-funded prediction software will optimise RTE food safety and shelf-life - developer

Work has begun on an EU-funded project to develop computer software that predicts the safety, quality and shelf-life of food – potentially preventing contamination.

Call for drug-style tests on bisphenol A after research finds heart disease link

Scientists in the UK have called on the government to carry out drug-style safety trials of bisphenol A (BPA) in humans after research suggested exposure to the chemical was linked to increased levels of heart disease.

Fonterra butter recall vital to protect brand synonymous with New Zealand dairy, expert

Fonterra’s recall decision concerning 410,000 packs of butter was the right thing to do, and action to this front to protect its brand image was crucial, according to a top UK-based food safety expert.

Infrared, hot-air almond pasteurisation combo kills Salmonella - USDA

US food safety researchers are exploring the combined use of infrared and hot air as a tool in the pasteurisation of almonds – a method to prevent potential Salmonella contamination.

FDA increases rice-related inorganic arsenic scrutiny after calls for regulatory limits

A US food safety authority has “expanded” its surveillance of inorganic arsenic levels in organic brown rice syrup (OBRS) in response to calls for regulatory limits.

Canadian E.coli O157:H7 beef contamination origin unknown - CFIA

Canadian food safety authorities are yet to establish the source of a frozen meat-related E.coli O157:H7 contamination that has sickened one person in the country to-date.

Hershey packer fails to record worker injuries for four years

The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a packer of Hershey chocolates for multiple health and safety violations.

FDA launches probe on 'inhalable' caffeine shot

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to investigate the safety of an inhalable caffeine shot called AeroShot, which only hit US shelves last month.

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134 arrested in China in continued ‘gutter oil’ crackdown

A total of 134 people in the Chinese province of Shandong were arrested in 2011 for producing and selling ‘gutter oil’, according to China state media agency Xinhua.

China food safety collaboration will ensure health through best practices - USDA

Officials from the US and China have signed an agreement that will see the nations collaborate on issues including food safety over the next five years.

Acrylamide limit ‘red tape’ premature, says FDF

The added bureaucracy of legal limits for acrylamide in foods is preventable as industry efforts to reduce levels have been sufficient, says the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

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China FDA appoints new director

China’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has announced the appointment of a new director, according to reports from Chinese news agency Xinhua.

Research hails chlorine dioxide gas potential to combat Listeria threat on RTE meat processing kit

Chlorine dioxide (CIO2) gas has the capacity to completely inactivate Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on ready-to-eat (RTE) meat processing equipment, according to new research.

Food safety perception: The disconnect between consumers and manufacturers

A new global survey of food manufacturers found that most (98%) are confident about their food safety performance - but 70% of consumers aren't convinced. FoodNavigator-USA spoke to Hank Lambert, general manager of food and water at UL, which commissioned the survey.

FDA carbendazim measures reassessment refusal meets industry backlash

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has refused to move on allowable levels of carbendazim in orange juice product imports – meeting disapproval from the US industry.

Thermo Fisher puts ‘global’ carbendazim orange juice issue to the test

Thermo Fisher Scientific says it has internally validated a faster and more accurate new method for detecting residue levels of carbendazim in oranges and orange juice than one technique now being used by the US FDA to test Brazilian imports.

Arsenic fears sparks call for ORBS limits in organic foods

There is an urgent need to set regulatory limits for organic brown rice syrup (ORBS) found in organic food products over links to inorganic arsenic exposure, according to a study.

Self-affirmed GRAS under fire as AHA steps up sodium reduction campaign

There are serious weaknesses in the system that allows firms to self-affirm the safety of foods without the approval or knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

FSIS reiterates foodborne outbreak reduction promise despite funding cuts

Federal food safety and inspection funding is set to be cut by nearly $10m, in a second wave of money saving measures by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Cantaloupe listeria scare still affecting US recalls - ExpertRECALL

The 2011 cantaloupe-related Listeria outbreak has continued to effect food recalls across the US, with a 50% increase in the number of recalls in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with Q3.

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FSA chief executive Smith extends stay as head of agency

UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) chief executive Tim Smith has agreed to extend his stay as head of the organisation until the end of October 2012.

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UK meat processor found guilty of cold chain violation

A UK meat processing company has been found guilty of failing to keep meat chilled throughout the food chain at the Old Bailey, after being taken to court by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).

New technology brings new opportunities for NZ avocados

A new post-harvest technology could soon result in New Zealand grown avocados being exported to markets around the world, which are currently off-limits due to problems around rapid maturation and ripening of the fruit during shipping.

UV and hydrogen peroxide combo most effective listeria reducing treatment, claims study

A combination of ultraviolet-light (UV) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) is the best treatment to reduce listeria during brining, according to a study.

Proposed budget increase will 'strengthen' China food safety - FDA

The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has requested a budget increase of more than $250m for 2013 – including $10m to strengthen the safety of Chinese produced food.

‘No reports of injury’ says Fonterra after massive butter recall

Fonterra has recalled 410,000 packs of butter after consumer complaints about the presence of ‘fine metal objects’, and has moved quickly to limit fallout from the incident.

US OJ carbendazim measures may violate international trade pacts – import law firm

US imposed carbendazim-related orange juice import measures could be in violation of international trade agreements, according to a US imports legal consultancy.

French BPA ban will ‘jeopardise’ US exports – USDA

A French ban on food packaging chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) will “jeopardise” US exports to the European country, according to a US government report.

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Harsh sentences handed down for Chinese food safety violations in 2011

Almost 300 people who violated Chinese food safety laws were handed sentences including life imprisonment and the death penalty in 2011, according to a Chinese news agency.

Mettler Toledo targets emerging market expansion as demand holds up in 2011

Mettler Toledo posted buoyant full year and fourth quarter results as demand held up throughout the 12 months but forecast that growth would slow in 2012 as the worldwide recession bit deeper.

Carbendazim in OJ shipments of no “particular concern” to EU

The presence of carbendazim in imported orange juice and concentrate is of no “particular concern” to health officials in Europe, despite continued measures in the US.

China Olympians banned from eating pork over clenbuterol fears

Chinese athletes preparing for the 2012 London Olympics have been banned from eating pork over fears they may consume clenbuterol – the prohibited performance enhancing substance that led to Tour de France winner Alberto Contador's recent sports ban.

E-beam tech effective leafy green safety tool but industry unwilling to adopt – study

Use of electron beam irradiation on spinach and lettuce can significantly cut virus-related foodborne illnesses, said scientists as they questioned why take up of the technology was not greater by fresh produce industry players.

Hard-boiled eggs recalled across 34 US states over Listeria fears

More than one million hard-boiled eggs are being recalled across the US over fears the products could be contaminated with potentially-deadly Listeria monocytogenes.

Food irradiation standard addresses processing and packaging issues

A series of packaging and processing requirements, designed to manage food irradiation processes, have been outlined in a new international standard - with the aim of ensuring food quality and safety.

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Food safety operations restructure will boost efficiency - RQA

Food safety consultancy and product recall specialists RQA have announced a major business restructure which will see global operations managed from Europe.

Brazil trade body questions carbendazim double standards after US OJ breaches import limit

A Brazilian orange juice trade body has called for a stop to ‘double standard’ carbendazim measures after US officials declined to take action against US-manufactured orange juice containing the banned fungicide.

Canadian tech firm partners Irish poultry giant in campylobacter fight

Canadian firm AbCelex Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with major Irish poultry processor the Carton Group to develop products effective against Campylobacter jejeuni.

Japanese dairy firms address consumer radiation concerns

Top Japanese dairy companies have announced that they are set to begin screening products for radiation at around 180 factories, in response to growing consumer concerns about radioactivity levels in food.

FSA publishes priorities on science and evidence

Microbiological food safety, allergen risk, and novel technologies are among the top areas of priority for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the forthcoming year.

'Chicken and egg' dilemma stunts food irradiation takes up

Use of irradiation among European food processors remains relatively scarce with less than 10,000 tonnes (t) of produce treated across the region in 2010, a new report from Brussels has revealed.

China food safety inspection results are ‘alarming’ - AsiaInspection

Over half of food processing and packaging firms on the Chinese mainland failed safety inspections in 2011 – a figure food quality control company AsiaInspection has called “alarming.”

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Watermelons linked to death in UK Salmonella Newport outbreak

Watermelons have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport that has sickened more than 30 people and killed one.

Salmonella cases halved under 10 years of EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recognised a decade of research by highlighting a reduction of human Salmonella cases by almost a half since 2004.

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US food processor fined over ammonia leak

An ammonia leak at a US plant that sickened over a dozen people has cost a salami processor nearly $7m in penalties and investment promises.

FDA takes action against unsanitary cheese factory

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking action to halt production at a New York cheese manufacturing facility after numerous food safety failures.

DNA-nanotech development will move pathogen testing from lab to field - developer

A breakthrough handheld nanotechnology-based bio-sensor can detect a range of threats including Listeria, Salmonella and E.coli in as little as an hour, its developer has claimed.