Scallop-shell powder boosts frankfurter safety and shelf life

Treating frankfurter sausages with scallop-shell powder (SSP) significantly reduces the growth of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) and E.coli 0157:H7, and boosts product shelf life, according to a new study.

Noni firm wins third EU novel foods approval

The status of the noni plant as a novel food ingredient has been boosted with the manufacturer, Tahitian Noni, last week receiving its third European Union Novel Food approval for...

News in brief

Sensient invests in natural color capacity

Sensient Technologies Corporation has announced a $16m investment to extend its natural color production facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.

Monsanto asks Supreme Court to lift alfalfa planting ban

Monsanto has asked the US Supreme Court to end a ban on planting of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa that was instigated due to environmental impact concerns back in 2007.

News in brief

Evira prepares for food risk focus

Finland’s Evira is preparing for its Finnish Food Conference on 4 May, which will address issues of food risk assessment, risk management and risk communication.

Quality concerns drop with rising consumer engagement: Survey

US consumers have become less concerned about the quality of the food they eat despite a growing awareness of food recalls, according to Deloitte’s 2010 Consumer Food Safety Survey.

SMEs risk microbiological safety with salt reduction

Small food manufacturers are not spending sufficient time analysing how reformulation programmes to reduce salt, fat and sugar are impacting the safety of their products, microbiologists at Campden BRI have...

EFSA delivers all-clear verdict on volcano food safety risks

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has judged the potential risk to food safety in the EU emerging from the volcanic eruption in Iceland as negligible.

EFSA evaluates Indian grapes pesticide risk

An initial assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said current levels of the pesticide chlormequat on table grapes from India pose no threat to consumer health.

Free supply chain guide now available online

A new guide aimed at helping food processors assess weaknesses in the food supply chain is now available to download free of charge, said one research organisation behind the project.

Goodbye milk fraud, hello origin tracking

A kit to test the authenticity of milk origin for use within the food and beverage industry can be used within the processing facility and has been developed by global...

Raw chicken primary source for Listeria monocytogenes - USDA

New research indicates that incoming raw poultry is the primary source of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in commercial chicken cooking plants.

Coca-Cola dismisses BPA criticisms as shareholder coalition vows to fight on

Some 22 per cent of Coca-Cola shareholders yesterday voted in favour of a resolution urging the company to disclose how it is responding to public fears over bisphenol A...

Breakthrough X-ray system kills foodborne bugs

A new food safety system that uses X-rays to kill harmful bacteria could aid public acceptance of irradiation and revolutionise the post-harvest processing (PHP) of oysters, said the scientist behind...

EFSA lowers ADI for food colour in re-evaluation

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in adoption of opinions on three further food colours used in bakery and confectionery products, has confirmed intake levels for one colour, halved the...

Tannic acid may boost beef quality in high oxygen MAP storage

Tannic acid treated ground beef stored under high oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) could maintain colour stability as well as inhibit lipid oxidation and microbial growth during refrigerated storage for...

Small businesses support exemption from food safety bill

A group of food and farming organizations has written to senators urging amendments to the Food Safety Modernization Act that would exempt smaller businesses from tracing and record-keeping requirements.

Comment

Groundhog Day for European health claims?

“Many in industry are pinning their hopes on EFSA showing them the light at the meeting, including the likes of Danone, which withdrew three probiotic immunity/digestive health article 13.5 claims...

Special edition: joint health

Supply: Joining the glucosamine supply gaps

In the second part of this NutraIngredients focus on joint health, we analyse the elbow work going on in the supply channel.

EFSA issues guidance on antimicrobial substances for meat

New EU guidelines on the submission of dossiers for substances designed to eliminate microbial surface contamination of foods of animal origin have been published.

News in brief

FDA publishes guidance on egg safety rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published guidance for small egg producers to help them comply with a rule that was published last year in an effort to reduce...

CDC reports little change in foodborne illness

Little or no progress has been made in reducing the incidence of foodborne illness in the United States in recent years, according to a new report from the Centers for...

Follow EFSA's lead on bisphenol A – Danish plastics body

The Danish Plastics Federation (DPF) has voiced its opposition to its Government’s temporary ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials for young children and urged Ministers to abide...

EFSA cuts melamine TDI by 60 per cent

The tolerable daily intake (TDI) for melamine has been cut by 60 per cent after new research suggests the chemical may pose health risks at lower levels than previously...

Stevia suppliers welcome EFSA opinion

Stevia suppliers have welcomed EFSA’s positive scientific opinion on the safety of stevia-derived sweeteners, saying it paves the way for generating more consumer interest in the natural sweetener.

News in brief

Salmonella detection kit validated by AOAC

Life Technologies Corp’s salmonella detection kit has been validated by the AOAC Research Institute.

Skepticism over NY proposal to ban HFCS

A bill introduced by New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Clark proposing an outright ban on the use or sale of high fructose corn syrup in the state has raised eyebrows...

EC revises restrictions on guar gum imports

Restrictions on guar gum imported from India into the EU have been revised on fears that the risk of dioxin contamination of the product remains too high.

Advocacy group’s plea for hotdog cancer warnings dismissed

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed last July against several hotdog makers by vegan advocacy group Cancer Project that claimed hotdogs should carry a cancer warning label.

Danisco steps up life cycle assessment work

Danisco has appointed an expert in life cycle assessment to better inform its environmental work internally and with suppliers and customers.

Comment

Time for Europe to send bisphenol A into the sunset

Bisphenol A (BPA) is living on borrowed time. And not just in the United States but now in Europe too where mounting consumer hostility and scientific concern over its...

Kellogg’s sued over salmonella-tainted snacks

A Florida man has filed a federal lawsuit against the Kellogg Company, claiming it failed to warn consumers that some of its products could have been tainted with salmonella.

Two new volumes examine dairy quality and safety

Woodhead Publishing has published two new books addressing the latest processing technologies and advances in formulation science relevant to improving the safety and quality of dairy products.

Australia ponders herbal product restrictions

The ongoing rethinking of the rules governing herbal products in Australia has highlighted more than 30 herbs for safety review, according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

International coalition of scientists calls for bisphenol A ban

An international group of eminent scientist has today called for the banning of bisphenol A (BPA) in food and packaging for children on precautionary grounds.

FDA food safety inspections and enforcement declining, auditors say

Federal inspections of food manufacturing facilities have declined over time, as have regulatory actions triggered by inspections, a government auditor reported on Wednesday.

Natural antimicrobial-treated MAPs extend poultry shelf-life

A combined chitosan and thyme treatment with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can extend the shelf-life of ready-to-cook poultry products, according to new research.

'Ground-breaking’ meat quality project launched

A break-through research project to develop a system as part of a meat processing line that will determine its eating quality has begun this week.

Comment

Slimmer cans could lead to bigger waistlines

Soft drink makers could end up swallowing a £10m bill for no good reason by embracing the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendations for new slim-line 250ml drinks.

No safety concerns noted over OSA modified gum acacia

Gum acacia modified with n-octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) is safe for use as an emulsifier in flavourings and in foods, finds the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following a risk...

Packaging and processing advances to help cut campylobacter

The adoption of more modified atmosphere and leak-proof packaging by retailers, as well lobbying for the use of antimicrobial washes could help cut campylobacter in UK chicken, an international summit...

Illegal dioxin levels found in 8 per cent of foods

Excessive levels of dioxins were detected in eight per cent of thousands of foods sampled over a nine-year period, said EFSA. But the food safety watchdog has challenged the significance...

Colour changing nanoparticles to flag up melamine-tainted milk

A new method that uses nanotechnology to detect melamine in milk is quick, simple and economical, said scientists in the United States.