All news articles for March 2005

New nanotech centre opens new food possibilities

A £3.5 million grant for a new state-of-the-art nanotech research centre in the UK underlines the potential of this brave new technology for the food industry, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Food dehydration method keeps quality but cuts cost

Norwegian researchers have developed a new dehydration method that produces granulated food of the quality of vacuum freezing-dying at a fraction of the cost, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Sudan 1:UK MPs urge for ingredient inquiry

A harbinger of potential costs for the food industry, UK members of parliament have called for a 'speedy' investigation into events that led to the contamination of the food chain by the carcinogenic dye sudan 1, writes Lindsey Partos.

Impact of salmon farms on wild salmon uncovered

A new study suggests that the transfer of parasitic sea lice from salmon farms to wild salmon populations is much larger and more extensive than previously believed.

Brussels calls for risk analysis on GM ingredients

GM ingredients highlighted again on the Brussels agenda with the Commission calling for a risk assessment of the impact genetically modified foodstuffs might have on human health.

Shell lubricant offers canners cleaner sealing

Shell has developed a lubricant that it claims poses no threat to human health and will not affect product odour and taste should it come into contact with food.

Brand security event brings product piracy into focus

An upcoming global conference on brand protection, product authentication, document security and RFID industries should provide the food industry with plenty of food for thought.

Indonesia slaughters flocks as bird flu spreads

Chicken breeders in Indonesia are being forced to slaughter their stocks as they fight to prevent the spread of bird flu throughout the country - a battle which they currently appear to be losing.

Sudan 1 contamination expands in UK food chain

One month on, UK food watchdog extends the already massive recall of food products contaminated by the illegal, red food dye sudan 1.

Consolidation in wine brings opportunities for yeast

With largeness comes a greater exposure to risk and wineries are no exception: aiming to help producers achieve greater consistency, Danish ingredients firm Chr Hansen has created blended yeasts, writes Philippa Nuttall.

TIC Gums brings new xanthan gum product to market

Hydrocolloid supplier TIC Gums has launched a product designed to help xanthan gum dissolve more easily in water, writes Philippa Nuttall.

Danisco Venture investment extends food safety reach

Looking for growth through anti-microbial solutions in light of incoming EU rules, the venture capital arm of Danish ingredients firm Danisco will invest in French food safety company TMI Europe.

Unilever seeks approval for ice structuring protein

The food code in Australia is under review as food maker Unilever Australia calls for approval of an ice structuring protein (ISP) used to make ice cream and edible ices.

Korea begins Sudan 1 search

South Korea's Food and Drug Administration has begun inspecting outlets of fast food restaurant operators after the Chinese operation of KFC admitted that it had discovered traces of the banned food dye, Sudan 1. The threat of a massive region-wide recall is becoming increasingly possible.

European Commission backs GM ingredients framework, despite discord

GM ingredients are here to stay as Brussels confirms 'full confidence' in the regulatory framework that controls the entry of biotech foodstuffs into the European food chain, reports Lindsey Partos.

Egg safety centre aims to boost industry profile

A new egg safety centre in the US could help ensure that health scares associated with eggs and low public confidence are far less common in the future.

Lock detector offers full traceability functionality

Lock claims that its new MET 30+ metal detector features software that can help food processors become fully compliant with traceability regulations.

New EU food agency initiative to tackle foodborne disease

Ongoing steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness in the European food chain sees the region's umbrella food agency calling for scientists to contribute to solutions.

Breakthrough suggests nanotech applications for food safety

Scientists in the US have successfully used single bacterial cells to make tiny bio-electronic circuits, which could in the future be used to detect bacteria, toxins and proteins.

US ups BSE funding in battle to open markets

The US government is investing a further $2 million to enhance research on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and $5 million to establish a Food Safety Research and Response Network.

Study finds optimum shipping conditions vital to food quality

Scientists in the US have found that spinach stored for a long time loses much of its nutrient content, a discovery that has implications for the shipping of fresh food.

BRC launches global online certified suppliers guide

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched a new online global standards directory that provides details of BRC-certified food, packaging and consumer product suppliers.

After sudan 1: can food firms afford to skip product recall insurance?

Against the backdrop of the massive sudan 1 product recall in the UK, certain to lead to cumbersome costs for key firms involved, Lindsey Partos asks whether the food industry players can afford to opt out of product recall insurance.

Drug-resistant bacteria on poultry differs by brand

The presence of drug-resistant, pathogenic bacteria on uncooked poultry products varies by commercial brand and is likely related to antibiotic use in production, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Bilwinco launches high-speed food weigher

Bilwinco has designed a new multihead weigher that it claims is capable of weighing food products at a speed of up to 260 portions per minute.

Prague stakes claim as vital centre of food science

Prague's Institute of Chemical Technology is home to one of Europe's leading food technology departments, which has helped put the Czech Republic at the cutting edge of food R&D, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Government pledges tougher fines for food safety lapses

The UK government has announced a regulation overhaul across many industries, including the food sector, promising less inspections and more incentives for firms with a good record on quality standards, but a crackdown on those breaking the rules, reports Chris Mercer.

RSSL extends food allergen tracking test to slash risk

In light of tougher allergen label rules food makers eager to slash the risk of potentially harmful food allergens in their product range may welcome the expansion of its testing portfolio, says UK laboratory Reading Scientific Services, Lindsey Partos reports.

Hanovia launches UV food sanitation system

Hanovia has just launched its new Quantum in-line medium pressure UV system, a low-cost device designed specifically for small-flow industrial process and water applications (up to 120 m3/hr) in the food and beverage industries.

EU food safety structure a barrier to trade?

With food safety a major priority in Europe, some third countries are concerned that issues like organic, dioxin and GM foods could become barriers to trade, according to CORDIS.

Ilapak targets cheese processors at Interpack 2005

Packaging firm Ilapak is targeting cheese processors with an innovative range of packaging solutions at this year's Interpack show in Dusseldorf.

Nordic scientists test sodium detection methods

The Nordic Committee on Food Analysis (NMKL) has identified flame atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion as a viable means of determining sodium content in foodstuffs.

ARS targets waste reduction and biodegradability in food production

Developing food and non-food products from under-utilised agricultural materials such as cheese whey is the goal of a new centre opened recently by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Sudan 1: knowledge gaps in traceability?

The massive sudan 1 food product recall in the UK demonstrates that the food industry has traceability mechanisms in place, but suggestions that the large majority of industry professionals are unaware of new EU food safety rules implies there could still be knowledge gaps, reports Lindsey Partos.

Food tech sees extrusion investment for new products

As players in the food ingredients industry strive to add value to their portfolio and fight off pressurised margins, a new initiative in the US aims to bring a raft of new solutions to food makers.

Chr Hansen pushes high volume cheese production technology

Chr Hansen plans to use this year's Cheese Industry Conference to showcase the technology that it believes can improve production for high volume manufacturers, Philippa Nuttall reports.

Benchmarking aims to make RFID choice clearer

In the US ODIN technologies has compiled a benchmarking report that analyses 14 of the leading electronic tags for RFID - an initiative that could simplify the complex choice, reports Simon Pitman.

Sudan 1 recall peaked?

The UK food watchdog has extended the already massive recall of food products contaminated by the harmful, and illegal, red food dye sudan 1: but the tailing off of figures suggests the recall may have reached its peak, reports Lindsey Partos.

Ishida launches weigher for sticky foods

Ishida Europe is about to unveil a range of multihead weighers specially designed for wet or sticky foods and claimed to be the fastest and most accurate available, Simon Pitman reports.

Post sudan 1, EU publishes traceability guide for food firms

In the wake of the sudan 1 crisis that led to nearly 600 food product recalls in the UK in recent weeks, Brussels gives a helping hand to the food industry, publishing a guidance document to assist all players in the food chain to better understand new traceability European food regulations, writes Lindsey Partos.

Food scientists improve coffee aromas

Drinks manufacturers competing for market share in coffee products will welcome new technology from Swiss scientists that should shed light on the complex roasting process associated with the appeal of coffee aromas.

New plant technology to benefit environment

A new method for treating swine-production wastewater could benefit both pork processors and the environment, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Unilever-funded egg replacer for cost and health opportunities

Food makers impacted by volatility of egg prices, looking to slash the threat of salmonella, and targeting health positioned foods can now opt for a soy-based liquid or powdered egg alternative, says Alleggra Foods, the Unilever and Tate & Lyle backed venture behind the new launch, reports Lindsey Partos.

Foss extends near infrared technology

Foss has launched four new analysing solutions for food production applications, each harnessing the company's NIR-based technology aimed at providing more accurate feed-back for various processing techniques.

China steps up food safety licensing

Producers of 28 different foodstuffs will be required by the Chinese government to apply for production licences as part of the Beijing government's ongoing measures to improve food quality and safety, writes Chris Jones.

Sudan 1 recall spreads to China

Vulnerabilities in the food chain through globalisation evident as the sudan 1 food recall, that has racked the UK food industry in recent weeks, spread to China with reports that international food maker Heinz has called back chilli sauces and chilli oils that may contain the harmful, and illegal, red dye.

Buhler to unveil advances in nanotechnology

Equipment giant Buhler is set to demonstrate how nanotechnology could lead to complete contamination-free food processing and superior printing, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Food manufacturers call for risk/benefit analysis on acrylamide

Food manufacturers need to consider a risk/benefit analysis of activities on acrylamide, a harmful chemical recently identified in carbohydrate-rich foods, conclude stakeholders after a recent meeting in Brussels,reports Lindsey Partos.

New food chilling method offers energy and cost savings

A new refrigeration technology that promises to both halve carbon emissions and cut energy bills by more than 30 per cent could help food manufacturers now striving to meet tough regulations on greenhouse gas reductions and control rising costs, reports Chris Mercer.

Opportunities and challenges within UK organic meat sector

The UK has the second largest organic meat market in the world, though processors need to step up their marketing activities if they are to fully capitalise, writes Anthony Fletcher.

WBD upgrades Ukraine dairy for premium sales

Russian dairy firm Wimm-Bill-Dann, under fire from rising costs, has opened the door to longer life products and taken a step closer to achieving greater export markets in the EU by further modernising its milk processing plant in the Ukraine, reports Chris Mercer.

FMC Foodtech achieves efficient batter mixing

Industrial food processing systems provider FMC FoodTech has launched a new batter mixer that offers greater capacity, easy maintenance and improved hygiene resulting in increased productivity and lower costs.

E coli cases see significant reduction

Cases of the harmful food pathogen E coli in beef dropped by over 40 per cent last year, according to a study published last week by the USDA.

Sudan 1: is best practice enough to retain consumer confidence?

In addition to evident best practice in food safety across the food chain, the food industry needs to establish better channels of communication to tackle food recalls and avoid a blow to consumer confidence, conclude the authors of a fresh survey in the UK conducted during the sudan 1 food scare,reports Lindsey Partos.

EFSA scientists reject flavouring, and call for more data on others

Europe's food watchdog continues to trawl through its risk assessment of 1000 flavouring substances, with 38 substances out of 51 requiring more data to complete the safety evaluation.

Biotrace makes microbial testing in food sector easier

Biotrace International claims to have improved sample collection for microbial and pathogen testing in the food manufacturing industry.

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