Poland kicks EURO 2012 foodborne botulism concerns out of play

Polish food safety authorities have played down foodborne botulism concerns raised in a warning to football fans planning to travel to Poland and Ukraine for the upcoming Euro 2012 football competition.

Pathogen-combatting ultrasound wash system could provide organic alternative - developer

‘Organic’ processors could be set for a “significant improvement” in the protection of produce against pathogens through the development of new wash system practices using ultrasound.

‘Pink slime’ producer remains defiant as it announces halt in production

US-based ‘pink slime’ producer Beef Products Inc. (BPI) will continue to stand by its lean finely textured beef (LFTB) products despite being forced to suspend production at three of its...

Congressman must back up BPA petition with facts – American Chemical Council

The American Chemical Council (ACC) has called on Congressman Edward J. Markey to provide “facts” to back up his claims that many food and beverage packaging manufacturers have already ended...

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“Pink slime”: Safe, nutritious – and icky

An overwhelming chorus of “eww, that sounds gross!” alongside some scary junk science about ammonium hydroxide, has led to a safe, nutritious product being pulled from stores – but there...

Dispatches from Anuga FoodTec

Anuga FoodTec 2012 kicks off today

Anuga FoodTec  2012 kicks off today in the German city of Cologne and our team of reporters will be bringing you the all the news, innovation and buzz from the...

Meat industry impact unknown as retailers drop ‘pink slime’ – American Meat Institute

A number of US retail chains have announced an end to their purchase of ground beef containing ‘pink slime’ – leaving the meat processing sector in dismay and unable to...

US lawmaker seeks to use chemical industry proposal to leverage wider bisphenol A ban

A leading US lawmaker has petitioned federal authorities to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in all canned products and reusable food and beverage packaging on the grounds that...

Global Food Safety Forum pact will look to boost Asia food import safety – FDAImports.com

US import law specialists FDAImports.com and the Global Food Safety Forum (GFSF) have entered into an agreement that will see them offering Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-related expertise to Asian...

Dutch firm sets sights on worldwide approval after EFSA backs Listeria-combatting solution

Listex P100 manufacturer Micreos's aim for worldwide approval seems a step closer after it received the green light from European authorities for use of the Listeria-combatting agent with raw fish....

US beverage industry should ban BVO in soft drinks – German professor

A voluntary ban would be the 'best solution' to eliminate concerns regarding brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in US soft drinks, a leading academic has told BeverageDaily.com, and said he planned...

Agilent to boost Salmonella and food fraud detection through double edged FDA pact

Food safety specialist Agilent Technologies Inc. has entered into an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a move that will see them working alongside the agency on two...

Metal detector rapid-delivery scheme reduces downtime and safety concerns – provider

A global metal detector rapid-delivery scheme could minimise food production line downtime-associated costs and safety concerns often found with long-lead delivery times.

News in brief

UK food safety authority lifts Chernobyl-related sheep controls

UK food safety officials have agreed to finally lift the last of its monitoring controls on sheep introduced as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

‘Blanket’ ground beef recall issued as CFIA continue E.coli contamination source investigation

Canadian food safety authorities have issued a “blanket” extended warning on ground beef products potentially contaminated with E.coli O157:H7 – almost a month after FoodQualityNews.com reported the original recall....

Risks of slashing sodium levels in cheese could outweigh benefits, US researcher

A prominent US researcher says that government pressure to cut sodium in cheese could have serious food safety, taste and labeling consequences, and questions the necessity of such a move...

New dairy analog antibiotic could improve food safety, US researchers find

Researchers at the University of Illinois say they have discovered a new antibiotic that, as an analog of milk peptide nisin, has potential for use both as a food preservative...

Antimicrobial cylinder coating to boost packaging safety standards - company

Air Products has said its new gas cylinder with an added antimicrobial barrier will help boost food packaging hygiene and safety standards.

FDA-approved x-ray and metal detection test samples meet food safety demands - developer

A new line of food safety-approved x-ray and metal detection system test samples will offer the food processing sector a helping hand in ensuring that production lines meet increasingly strict...

Firefly enzyme technology offers quick pathogen detection option - developer

Technology that converts DNA sequences into light, using enzymes found in fireflies, can offer food processors a quick and simply result when testing for contaminated food, its developer has claimed.

US import-related foodborne disease outbreaks on the rise - CDC

US-based foodborne disease outbreaks caused by tainted imported food appeared to rise in 2009 and 2010, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CODEX-sanctioned gluten testing method may ‘underestimate’ values in hydrolysed foods such as beer, researcher claims

Spanish researchers claim to have developed a cheaper, faster and more accurate method for detecting gluten levels in hydrolysed foods, and found that numerous products tested, including beers, using their...

Lack of funding stalls CDC food safety centers

Lack of federal funding has stalled the CDC’s establishment of five dedicated Food Safety Centers of Excellence, as required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), according to the University...

FSANZ backs use of Dutch bacteriophage in dairy, meat and fruit

Food safety chiefs in Australia and New Zealand are calling for the approval of a processing aid developed by a Dutch company that combats Listeria on a host of food...

Nature’s One CEO savages ‘flawed’ baby formula arsenic study, but author defends work

US organic baby formula manufacturer Nature’s One has attacked recent research suggesting that arsenic levels in its toddler formulas were a cause for concern, but the study’s lead author defended...

News in brief

Schools can decide on ‘pink slime’ meat - USDA

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has re-affirmed the safety of ‘pink slime’, despite announcing that it will give schools the option of serving meat made with or without the...

Anti-fungal compounds offer natural shelf-life boost alternative - researchers

Researchers are working to develop a method for extending the shelf-life of products such as cheese, cakes and pastries using natural anti-fungal compounds to meet consumer demands.

Maltodextrin infant formula fears – Chinese officials respond

China’s National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment yesterday moved to reassure consumers that maltodextrins added to infant formula and other foods are safe when used within set limits.

MEPs move to end to transatlantic beef trade war; lifting of ban on EU beef also in sight

MEPs yesterday backed proposals aimed at resolving the 24-year beef ‘trade war’ between the EU, the US and Canada, while prospects look brighter for an end to ban on EU beef based...

‘Majority’ confident about ‘pink slime’ despite petition support – American Meat Institute

The majority of American consumers are confident in the safety  and quality of meat products containing lean finely textured beef - otherwise known as ‘pink slime’ - a US meat...

Processing and packaging sectors urged to tap £15m innovation fund

Projects aimed at boosting operational efficiency and sustainability in the food processing and packaging sectors are being urged to apply for a share of a £15m (€18m) fund by the...

FSA appeal for views on beef treated by lactic acid and shellfish biotoxin study

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking opinions on the use of lactic acid in beef carcases and research into emerging shellfish biotoxins.

FSA propose replacement of ‘out-of-date’ food safety qualification regs

UK food safety authorities have proposed a complete rework of the 1991 Northern Ireland Food Safety Regulation, after admitting that the current measures are “out of date.”

News in brief

Now not the time to scrap death penalty for food crimes in China - lawmaker

Now it not the time to scrap the death penalty for food safety crimes in China, a lawmaker in the country has proclaimed.

Pink slime food safety concerns a ‘gross misunderstanding’ - producer

Food safety concerns surrounding the use of ‘pink slime’ in beef products have come as a result of a “gross-misunderstanding” stemming from sensationalised media coverage, a leading producer has claimed....

FDA guidance urges food firm Salmonella test caution

US food safety authorities have urged food manufacturers, processors, packager and distributors to “be aware” of the potential for false results when testing for Salmonella species (Salmonella spp.).

Electrochemical treatment of wash water combats E.coli, allows reuse - research

Electrochemical treatment of wash water in fresh produce processing shows real potential to combat E.coli contamination and cut in-plant water consumption, according to recent research.

EU warned over Polish ‘industrial salt’ food safety prosecutions

Polish food safety authorities have put the European Union (EU) on alert after it initiated legal action against three companies that sold industrial salt as salt intended for human consumption.

Carrefour opens investigation after mouse head found in tinned-beans

A France-based retailer has opened an investigation after a consumer found a mouse’s head in a can of supermarket-brand green beans.

Food safety budget boost needed to remove ‘Made in China’ stigma

A food safety budget increase is essential in China if the country is to side-step it's negative “Made in China” food product branding, according to quality control company AsiaInspection.

Campylobacter increase boosts need for EC meat processing measures

Cases of Campylobacter infection in humans across the EU have increased year-on-year since 2005 – increasing the call for the implementation of new processing control measures.

Irradiation should be approved to eliminate food pathogens – Canadian researcher

A Canadian university professor believes low level irradiation should be permitted in the country to eliminate foodborne pathogens on ground meat.

Europol targets organised crime in second phase of food fraud crackdown

Europol, Europe’s central law enforcement agency, plans to continue its fight against the growing presence of organised crime in areas of food through a repeat of last November’s Europe-wide crackdown...

Campbell Soup to complete bisphenol A phase out before 2015 - source

Campbell Soup Company will complete the phase out of bisphenol A (BPA) from all its food cans before 2015, an industry insider has told FoodProductionDaily.com.

News in brief

Hong Kong partially lifts Fukushima-related food import ban

Food safety authorities in Hong Kong are set to partially lift restrictions on food imports from Japan – nearly a year after a complete ban was issued following the Fukushima nuclear plant...

‘Inhalable’ caffeine shot maker agrees to amend marketing after FDA warning

The firm behind ‘breathable’ caffeine shot AeroShot Energy has promised to amend its marketing to make it clear that it should be ingested – and not inhaled – following a...

BPA concerns fuel glass packaging growth - analyst

Bisphenol-A (BPA) safety fears will see the global glass food and beverage packaging segment challenge the ever-expanding plastic packaging industry, an industry report has claimed.

‘Infodemiology’ on the rise to tackle foodborne illness outbreaks

Analyzing the distribution, or epidemiology, of foodborne illnesses is a standard tool in controlling outbreaks, but infodemiology – the analysis of information distributed on the internet – could help minimize...

Campbell Soup bows to consumer pressure as it reveals bisphenol A phase out underway

Campbell Soup Company has confirmed it is in the process phasing out the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in all its can linings over consumer fears about the controversial substance....

US state food safety ‘tweets’ will help prevent potentially lethal outbreaks - FSIS

State-specific food safety ‘tweets’ will help US consumers identify affected products and prevent potentially lethal foodborne outbreaks, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has claimed....

Recession-proof Eurofins doubles profits, forecasts further growth

Life science and testing specialists Eurofins said it has defied the economic downturn as it announced 2011 profits had more than doubled, with growth accelerating during the second half of...

Canadian food safety budget cut will see imports inspections drop – union

Canadian food safety budget cuts will see imports inspections reduced, meaning “greater food safety risks for Canadians”, the union that represents federal food safety inspectors has warned.

Confusion and food safety risks: The unintended consequences of clean label demands

The concept of naturalness may be a major purchase driver, but there is disagreement about what ‘natural’ or ‘clean label’ really means – and about how to create foods that...

Sun-dried tomato processing practices possible cause of Hep A outbreak - FSA

Contamination during sun-dried tomato processing is a possible “root cause” of an outbreak of hepatitis A in the UK, according to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Jensen Farms Listeria monocytogenes contamination: Lesson learned?

US authorities are yet to establish regulations relating to third-party food plant auditors – six months after the start of an outbreak later attributed to lacklustre third-party inspection practices.

Brazil OJ exporters accept US carbendazim defeat

The Brazilian orange juice and concentrate industry has admitted carbendazim-related defeat, after efforts to increase allowable levels of the fungicide in orange juice product shipments were shot down by US...

News in brief

Gulf region rapid alert system for food to be introduced

A rapid alert system to warn authorities about foodborne outbreaks, contamination and recalls related to food is being developed to provide regional communication for the Gulf States.