Conveyor design cuts cleaning costs, claims manufactuer

A seam free conveyor belt reduces the places where food can stick to while being processed, helping cut the costs and labour needed for cleaning and sanitation, claims its manufacturer.

Software automates food contaminant detection

An automated software system allows processors to detect food contaminants in their products, according to its developers.

Quest develops deep freeze flavour technology

Quest has developed a unique freezing technology that it claims captures the essence of true-to-fruit flavours.

Regulation, traceability drive demand for safety products

Regulation and the demand for better traceability throughout the supply chain is driving the search for better, more efficient food safety products in the US, according to a forecast report.

Packaging coating keeps bugs away

A water-based coating for cartons could help keep insects such as German cockroaches and Indian meal moths out of the food chain.

Software designed to cut losses in manual weighing operations

Software for manual weighing operations uses a wireless network to achieve the right balance for the fresh food sector.

Barrier treatment machine handles 40,000 bottles an hour

A machine for applying barrier treatment to PET containers can handle up to 40,000 bottles per hour, making it the fastest of its kind in the world, its manufacturer claims.

Unpasteurized OJ a possible vehicle for salmonella

Orange juice and other foods traditionally not associated with foodborne disease outbreaks could still be a source of disease, according to scientists.

Pilot machine produced for rapid shake sterilisation process

Satori Stocktec has became one of the first companies to produce a pilot machine companies can use to trial a new process for the fast sterilisation of canned foods.

UK food regulator finds 'gaps' in regulating nanotechnology

Gaps in regulating future uses of nanotechnology include those relating to particle size, to the use of nano versions of already approved ingredients, and to packaging, according to a UK...

Coca-Cola, Cadbury added to benzene lawsuits

Coca-Cola and Cadbury Schweppes have joined the list of beverage firms set to be sued in Florida over allegations their drinks contained benzene, 15 years after the industry first pledged...

'Carcass-to-cut' software tracks meat

A tracking software program is designed to help meat packing plants identify live animals, link them to individual cuts through to point of sale, and help companies better manage their...

Kraft sued over benzene in soft drink

Kraft Foods will face lawsuits in three US states over allegations that one of its drinks contained cancer-causing benzene above the legal limit for tap water, BeverageDaily.com has learned, as...

Single test can spot up to 600 viruses in hours

A single test for about 600 deadly viruses speeds up the process of spotting a food-related disease outbreak -- such as bird flu -- in hours rather than days.

Avian flu hits Denmark's poultry; FAO questions world strategy

Denmark and Romania are battling fresh outbreaks of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has spread to domestic poultry in the two countries.

FDA names and shames over benzene in soft drinks

Five US soft drinks were found containing the cancer-causing chemical benzene at levels above the legal limit for drinking water, America's food safety watchdog has announced, sparking calls for more...

Ultrasonic sensors take the measure of fluids, liquids

New ultrasonic sensors provide a means for food processors to gauge the amount of fluids or solids in containers.

Formula milk safe from cancer compounds, says FSA

Levels of the cancer-causing PAH compounds in infant formula milk on sale in Britain are below the limits set by the European Union and pose no health risk, says the...

Biosensor uses nanotechnology to spot the right smell

An electronic biosensor using nanotechnology techniques could help companies to develop the right smells for their foods, or to sniff out rotting ingredients in the receiving area.

Online tool calculates gas mix for food packaging

An online tool is designed to help food processors select the best gas for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).

Bird flu prevention hampered by poor international coordination

Measures to prevent avian influenza in poultry flocks could be compromised by lax management, poor international coordination, and a lack of funds, according to researchers.

Prototype analyser detects meat pathogens within minutes

A hand-held analyser for detecting pathogens along the complete meat supply chain within minutes is being prepared for commercial application.

Biacore targets China with food analysis kits

The Swedish supplier of food testing equipment, Biacore International, is taking over from its sales agent in China and launching a full business operation in the market.

Weighers target demand for increased speed and hygiene

New weighers released for the European market indicate machine manufacturers are attempting to meet processors' demands for increased speed and hygiene on the line.

FSANZ promises to speed up food approvals

Food and beverage companies working in Australia and New Zealand will see a faster response to applications for new food ingredients and products from next year, the authorities say.

Consumers seek 'trust marks' as sign of quality, says firm

Consumers are increasingly looking for quality seals and trust marks on food products, which provide a fast and easy indication of the item's benefits, according to research conducted by ConAgra...

FDA releases soy-derived lecithin guidelines

The FDA has published a guidance document to help food makers understand the labeling requirements for certain uses of lecithin derived from soy.

Packaging format designed for ambient wet soup market

A new packaging format for ambient wet soups allows processors to offer consumers convenience in a cup.

Scientists urge transparency in nanotech safety testing

The UK's Royal Society has called for companies developing products containing nanoparticles to disclose how they are tested for safety.

Test speeds up pathogen detection for dairy sector

An alternative to the traditional microbiological tests for ultra heat treated (UHT) and extended shelf life (ESL) dairy products speeds up assessments by over two days, according to its manufacturer.

Nestlé rolls out smart label for Maggi brand

Nestlé will roll out a wider range of products using a smart label that indicates the remaining shelf life.

Test kit could help consumers avoid caffeine

A testing kit that uses antibodies from llama blood could help consumers and companies identify the presence of caffeine in beverages.

Coca-Cola widens soft drinks recall in Japan

Coca-Cola has expanded its recall of soft drinks in Japan to nearly 2.4m bottles, after more drinks were thought to be contaminated with iron powder.

Campina tightens feed quality controls

Dutch dairy group Campina has upgraded its new quality assurance system for animal feed used by member farmers, re-iterating that current checks in the sector were not good enough.

Weekly comment

Chasing down obesity

It is time to admit that society is fighting a part-time battle against the bulge, willingly lambasting soft drinks, burgers and chocolate, while shuffling silently away from a fairly dismal...

Scientists achieve allergen-free soy breakthrough

Researchers have isolated two Chinese soybean lines that can grow without the primary protein linked to soy allergies in children and adults.

Aspartame safe for consumption, food agency concludes

The EU's food safety agency today said aspartame is safe for consumption, contradicting a scientific study by the Ramazzini Foundation that claimed the artificial sweetener caused cancer.

PepsiCo hit by benzene lawsuit

Lawyers have filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo in California, alleging one of its drinks may contain the cancer-causing chemical benzene, BeverageDaily.com has learned.

European countries united on functional food innovation

The European Commission is funding to strengthen innovation in functional and health foods in the food industry, with opportunities to join still open.

Bacteriophage production begins in Netherlands

A Netherlands-based company will begin producing bacteria that can be used to kill pathogens in meat and cheese products.

Liquid dairy packaging uses gas additive

A packaging method that uses a gas additive could help prolong the shelf life of liquid dairy products, its developer claims.

Public sceptical of food safety measures, survey finds

Do media such as FoodProductionDaily.com and others overly hype food safety issues to the public?

Polish GM bill 'violates EU regulations'

The Polish parliament's proposed ban on the sale and registration, but apparently not planting, of biotech seeds, will likely violate EU regulations, according to a USDA foreign agricultural service GAIN...

Salt study 'flawed' claims professor

A Finnish professor of pharmacology has questioned the findings behind a study that suggests that lowering the salt content of food could be bad for people's health.

Weekly comment

Working at self-regulation

Self-regulation has become the mantra of food groups who argue that laws are not always necessary - but can industry be trusted when it has failed so spectacularly in the...

'Mild' form of bird flu spreads in UK, worker infected

Two more farms in the Norfolk area of the UK are now under quarantine as the country battles a milder form of the avian influenza virus.

More benzene lawsuits hit soft drinks firms

More lawsuits have been filed against soft drinks firms alleging their drinks were contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical benzene above America's legal limit for drinking water.

Infusion pump uses rotary device for accurate measurement

A new pump for the medical industry could also be used by the food sector to ensure the hygiene and the accurate measurement of liquids, its inventors claim.