New glass x-ray tool hits market

Mettler Toledo Safeline is helping food and drink manufacturers clamp down on glass contamination with the introduction of an x-ray machine specifically designed to root it out in glass jars.

Food industry failing to manage animal welfare, warns report

The first ever structured benchmark of the world’s leading food companies suggests that farm animal welfare is not being properly managed and reported by the food industry.

‘Honeygate’ prompts US to step up fraud investigations

Honey fraud has spurred US authorities to intensify efforts to crack down on such activities.

South Africa supply chain concern after meat findings - study

Donkey, goat and water buffalo have been found unlabelled in meat products in South Africa raising “significant concern” on the functioning of the supply chain, according to a study.

Total plant assurance model is reaping rewards, says Ecolab

A total plant assurance approach has enabled Ecolab to win new business and offset slow conditions in the beverage and protein markets.

Experts challenge study linking BPA to brain damage

Scientists from across the globe have questioned the conclusions of an ‘in vitro’ US study on rats, mice and humans that claims bisphenol A (BPA) may cause brain damage.

FDA urges cantaloupe vigilance

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has outlined their concerns of cantaloupes being susceptible to listeria monocytogenes in a letter sent to industry.

Flour recall hits major US brands

Knock-on effect: US flour recall sifts through industry

A US flour and grain blend recall has hit major brands including Frito-Lay and Mondelez and forced widespread precautionary recalls on snacks, cereal and biscuit products.

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Arla recalls gorgonzola in Canada over Listeria contamination fears

Arla Foods has initiated a recall in Canada for an imported brand of gorgonzola cheese over concerns the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

FDA shutters sprout producer

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction with a sprout producer due to unsanitary conditions.

Horse meat committee hears audits are flawed

A retired meat inspector has called the audit system a “disgrace” and said it is in need of a “total review” in evidence given to a UK government committee dealing...

Netherlands blocks E.coli-tainted beef from Brazil

The Netherlands has turned away a shipment of E.coli-contaminated beef from Brazil just days after an unconnected major beef-related E.coli scare began in Canada.

Natural antifungals from sourdough have food potential: Researchers

Powerful antifungal compounds produced from linoleic acid found in bread flour are the key reason for sourdough bread’s mould resistant properties, and have potential to be used in a host...

PCA officials indicted in salmonella outbreak

Four former officials of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) have been indicted on charges relating to the contamination of peanuts with salmonella in 2009, according to the US Justice Department....

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Thermo Fisher Scientific unveils efficient pathogen test system

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a pathogen detection system that it claims delivers test efficiencies for food safety laboratories testing for common bacterial pathogens.

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3M food safety tool receives additional validation

3M Food Safety’s Molecular Detection Assay Salmonella has received backing for different foods from AFNOR certification.

CFIA investigates “possible link” in E.coli outbreak

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is trying to establish if there is a link between a current E.coli outbreak from burgers produced at the same facility it investigated in...

Food Safety Recall Round-up 15-21 February

A look at the latest food recalls from around the world this week...

Stonington Sea Products hit by FDA warning letter

Stonington Sea Products has been issued with a warning letter after an US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection at their seafood facility in Maine.

Action needed to minimise EDC risk, says UK charity

The head of a UK charity has said “enough is enough” on the back of a UN report published yesterday calling for more research on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

DuPont real-time salmonella test certified

Food processors seeking rapid solutions in the war against pathogens have access to a fresh weapon in the form of the DuPont BAX System for detecting Salmonella.

Kellogg talks on Special K contamination, Bimbo Bakeries issues recall due to machine fault

Kellogg has described its Special K Red Berries recall as “very small” as Bimbo Bakeries USA issues a broad voluntary recall on its core bread brands due to possible flexible wire contamination....

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Norway and Iceland to discuss horse meat furore

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is holding a meeting Thursday to discuss the horse meat controversy.

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Rodent infestation forces KB Natural Foods recall

KB Natural Foods is recalling three batches of its own-label pre-packaged cashew nuts and almonds because of a rodent infestation.

Nestlé dragged into horse meat controversy

Nestlé has become the latest company to be dragged in to the horse meat scandal with the firm recalling two products due to traces of horse DNA.

Stable Micro Systems boosts rice quality testing

Texture analysis specialist Stable Micro Systems has launched a rice extrusion rig conforming to the newly-released International Standard (ISO 11747) for rice testing.

Kellogg recalls Special K Red Berries cereal in US due to possible glass fragments

The Kellogg Company has issued a voluntary recall in the US on three sizes of its Special K Red Berries cereal packs due to the possible presence of glass fragments.

News in brief

West Control Solutions aims for temperature control

West Control Solutions has launched a range of temperature controllers for the plastic, packaging, drying and laboratory equipment markets.

Germany queries anthraquinone amid cancer fears

Fears about food contact material anthraquinone’s carcinogenic properties have prompted Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) to drop it from its recommended list for food packaging substances.

AquaBounty remains confident of FDA approval for GM salmon, despite 60-day comment extension

AquaBounty Technologies - which has already spent years waiting for the FDA to decide whether to approve its genetically engineered (GE) salmon - will have to wait a little longer...

Chicken suspected source of multistate salmonella outbreak

Chicken is the suspected source of an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened 124 people in 12 states.

Landes Foods cited for four repeat violations by OSHA

Landes Foods has been hit with a $129,500 penalty after inspectors found a number of violations at their facility in Dallas.

News in brief

Coca-Cola recalls Schweppes due to glass defect

Coca-Cola Amatil is recalling five Schweppes mixers because of possible glass contamination.

4pm CET Horse Meat update

Food safety meetings seek horse meat clarity

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed it has nearly a thousand more tests to conduct but so far has not found any new cases of horse meat in...

UL launches food safety validation service

UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc) has unveiled a food safety process validation service, which enables food manufacturers to ensure they comply with US Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards.

Horse meat scandal sees testing demand rocket

Demand for testing services due to the horse meat controversy has increased “several hundred percent” from all across Europe according to Eurofins.

£8.75m boost for food safety, quality projects

A UK collaboration has secured £8.75m of funding to help businesses develop technologies for efficient agri-food systems.

Sealed Air Diversey works on lactic acid applications

Sealed Air Diversey is working on a project enabling beef processors to apply lactic acid as an anti-microbial to carcasses, following its approval for such use within the EU.

Fonterra recalls CalciYum kids’ yogurt over ‘choking’ fears

Fonterra Brands Australia is pulling batches of CalciYum yogurt from supermarket shelves across Australia over concerns that the product's “weakened” plastic cap could present a choking hazard.

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AMI boss to Obama: Meat industry will shut down if you furlough federal meat inspectors

Furloughing 6,000+ federal meat inspectors due to automatic budget cuts imposed under sequestration would effectively shut down the meat and poultry industry and violate the government’s legal obligation to keep...

Basque researchers hone rapid pathogen detection

Rapid diagnosis tools to identify germs on the production line are being developed by scientists at the Basque CIC microGUNE cooperative research centre.

AB SCIEX unveils DCD testing method following residue concerns

AB SCIEX has responded to concerns about the presence of dicyandiamide (DCD) in New Zealand dairy products by unveiling a new laboratory method to test for the agricultural chemical.

Employee loses thumb at crisp factory

A crisp manufacturer has been fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs after a man lost his thumb in an unguarded machine at its factory in Crumlin, Newport, Wales.

Horse meat controversy on agenda in Brussels

EU ministers will hold a meeting in Brussels tomorrow (13 February) to take “whatever steps may be necessary” to address the implications of horse meat in beef products.

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CFIA shutters beef slaughter plant due to hygiene deficiencies

A Canadian beef slaughter plant has had its operating licence suspended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

FDA and Health Canada assess risk of listeria in soft cheese

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking comments on a draft risk assessment looking at reducing the risk of listeria from soft-ripened cheese.

News in brief

Nestlé recalls ravioli due to glass contamination

Nestlé Prepared Foods has recalled two production codes of a variety of ravioli distributed nationwide as they may contain fragments of glass.

Plasma power fights germs in food

Food processors can zap harmful organisms in packaged products using plasma power, thanks to a method just discovered by scientists at Glasgow University in Scotland.

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Guelph Food Technology Centre Merges with NSF International

The Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC) said the merger with NSF International will enable it to export Canadian food safety knowledge worldwide.   

More regulation on the horizon following horse meat scandal?

The ongoing horse meat scandal in the UK and Ireland is very likely to prompt more and stricter legislation to ensure traceability, according to partner at UK law firm Roythornes...

Urgent testing ordered as ‘beef’ lasagne found with 100% horse meat

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has ordered all British companies to test their beef products after it found beef lasagne from Findus contained up to 100% horse meat.

FDA warns seafood processor over HACCP failures

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent a warning letter to a seafood processing facility after an inspection found serious violations of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point...

Food for thought

Call it anything but food safety

Apparently, India’s food safety rules and regulations are just as stringent as those in other, more developed countries. And that’s according to a proper source, one who should know his...

Industry defends itself against recalls

The food and drink industry is tackling risks associated with volatile supply chains, such as recalls, through innovation, according to a joint research paper from Campden BRI and JLT Specialty....

Dangerous drug-laced ‘Brazilian slimming coffee’ brand still sold in US

Despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning that a sibutramine-laced ‘Brazilian Slimming Coffee’ may pose a 'significant risk' to some US consumers, the product is still widely available online.

Multivac launches inspection innovations

A curtainless x-ray for lightweight products and a seal seam scanner are among the systems Multivac Marking & Inspection plans to launch at the IFFA meat industry show in Frankfurt.

News in brief

Graphic Products launches food safety guide

Graphic Products has launched a food safety guide to help industry communicate safety and hygiene messages clearly.

FSSAI in freefall

Food registration deadline extended once again

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has once again extended the licencing and registration deadline for the country’s food business operators. In an embarrassing move by the...

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Canada aims to help dairy producers protect herds

Canada has developed a national biosecurity standard to help dairy producers protect the health of their herds.

OSHA cites soda producer for repeat violations

A-Treat Bottling Co. has been cited with 14 repeat violations and fined almost $130,000 after an inspection by the US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

US meat ban in Russia extends to turkey

Russia has extended its ban on US pork and beef imports to include turkey, in connection with the continued dispute over product contamination by the growth chemical ractopamine.

Human factors main reasons for foodborne illness in China, says review

Human factors were the underlying causes of contamination and foodborne illness according to a review of incidents over a decade in China.

Product Inspection for Bakers: Insight from Mettler-Toledo Part Two

Bakers need more flexible product inspection as bread varieties boom, says specialist

Increased variety within the bakery sector is putting pressure on quality and safety management and means flexible product inspection programs are needed, says a specialist.

FSA calls urgent meeting after pork DNA found in halal meat

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is holding an urgent meeting of retailers and suppliers today (Monday) following the discovery or pork DNA in halal meat supplied to prisons in England...

News in brief

EU adopts lactic acid for decontamination of bovine carcasses

The EU has authorised the use of lactic acid for decontamination of bovine carcasses from this month, based on a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion in 2011.

Product Inspection for Bakers: Insight from Mettler-Toledo Part one

Communication on product safety and quality can differentiate bakers in a competitive environment, says specialist

Bakery manufacturers who want to differentiate themselves in a competitive market should consider communicating safety and quality efforts to consumers, a specialist says.

Permanent injunction filed after food safety violations

Green Hope LLC, doing business as Rosewood Products, has agreed to a permanent injunction after US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors found food safety violations at its facility.

New guidance aims to harmonise EU allergen management

European industry trade body FoodDrinkEurope has released guidance intended to harmonise management of food allergens in pre-packaged foods across the European food industry.

Sealed Air president outlines food safety priorities

The food industry should urgently address food access, food safety and food waste as its core priorities, according to Sealed Air Corporation president and chief executive officer Jerome Peribere.

Food Standards Agency releases 2013 research priorities

Studies tackling pathogens and contaminants, both organic and inorganic, are highlighted in the UK’s Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) list of 2013 research priorities.

Burger King drops supplier over horse meat saga

Burger King has dropped supplier Silvercrest Foods as a beef patty supplier to its UK restaurants after it emerged that meat samples testing positive for horse DNA had come from...

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Smart Fog rolls out food safety solutions for produce

Smart Fog has unveiled a range of non-wetting food safety solutions aimed at fruits, nuts and vegetables.

Thermo Fisher Scientific updates X-ray system to meet customer demand

Thermo Fisher Scientific has added upgraded its X-ray source, drum motors and line configuration time on one of its detection systems.