Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

Boost for corn fibre gum's emulsifying potential

USDA scientists are continuing to expand the potential of a gum produced from corn fibre to replace gum arabic as emulsifiers in beverages, with a new study pinpointing the emulsifying properties of the gum.

Equipment synergy ensures rapid sauce processing times, claim firms

Pursuit Dynamics and Air Products claim that a new cooperation amalgamating their respective cooking and chilling technologies into a single line production unit can reduce cold fill sauce production time.

Weight and mood drive Euro functional food development

Foods that assist weight management, cognition and mood and that are high in antioxidants, fibre and whole grains are leading functional foods development, according to a UK-based market analyst.

Wolff pledges to fight illegal honey claims

Ingredients company Alfred L Wolff is vigorously denying accusations against two of its US executives who were arrested for allegedly importing honey from China mislabelled as coming from Russia and the Ukraine.

New yeast extract helps cut salt in non-cheesy sauces

Synergy is introducing a new variant of its Saporesse lactic yeast extract, which is said to extend salt reduction possibilities to a broader range of food categories.

EU project to provide bacteria-testing systems for fruit

Researchers are close to completing their EU-funded work on developing an appropriate sensor system to screen for lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) in fruit juices.

Sodium benzoate removed from Diet Coke

Coca-Cola is phasing out the use of the controversial additive sodium benzoate in Diet Coke on the back of consumer demand for more natural products.

EU moves to restrict Ukrainian sunflower oil imports

The European Commission has set tough import standards for Ukrainian sunflower oil following the recent discovery that some products were contaminated.

Researching the perfect brown bread sandwich

The perfect wholemeal sandwich is moving closer to the plate thanks to research into bubbles in bread at the School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science at Manchester University in the UK.

Weekly comment

The GSK weight loss wake-up call

GlaxoSmithKline's petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban dietary supplements from making weight loss claims, has opened a cupboard and only the deluded would deny the presence of one or two skeletons rattling around in there.

Process development targets dairy cholesterol cutting

A proprietary processing development for natural dairy-based ingredients can offer a lower cholesterol alternative to regular milk, while maintaining the same taste profile, according to its manufacturer.

Sausage sensor designed for metal detection

A new metal detection technology for sausage manufacturing can ensure improved safety and quality within a product even in harsh meat processing environments, according to its manufacturer.

Researchers to identify obesity botanical extracts

Two research groups have joined forces to identify natural compounds that could hold potential in the prevention of metabolic disease and obesity.

Too little salt may pose CVD risk, suggests study

Low sodium levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, say researchers in an observational study, contradicting recent evidence from intervention trials indicating the dangers of too much salt.

Erythritol use blossoms but regulatory, technical challenges remain

Manufacturers are getting more adventurous over erythritol use since it gained EU-wide approval this year, says Cargill, but the real boom will come when they can make a low-calorie claim in Europe.

Oil palm genome sequencing may aid sustainability

A US-Malaysian partnership has completed the first phase of annotating the oil palm genome in a process it hopes will enable increased oil yields and sustainability.

Zinc bound in yeast promotes superior bioavailability, claims study

The bioavailability of zinc organically bound in yeast is superior when compared to zinc gluconate salts, claim two recent studies backed by Lallemand Health Ingredients.

Robotics a solution to global challenge, says CenFRA

Robotics and automation will help food processors offset higher raw material and energy costs, claims the Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA), as it prepares to open its new site in Doncaster, Northern England this week.

News briefs: FSA bakery action

This week, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) announces a review of initiatives for salt reduction that could have a significant impact on baking, while one muffin manufacturer initiates a recall on some of its products over ingredient concerns.

Grape fibre beats other fibres for heart benefits: study

Antioxidant-rich fibres from red grape may reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease more than other fibre sources, suggests new research from Spain.

Weekly comment

Time for an organic-GM peace treaty

The war between the GM and organic movements has been bitterly fought. However in the midst of a global food crisis the time has come for these old enemies to bury their differences and concentrate on the benefits an alliance may bring.

FDA throws Lifeway lifeline after line closures

Lifeway Foods, a major processor of cream cheese and seafood products, has been ordered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to close down two of it production lines over alleged hygiene and labelling concerns.

Nitrate additives may protect stomachs from ulcers

Nitrites and nitrates, much maligned additives in processed and cured meats, may help protect the stomach from damage, suggests research from Sweden.

Legislative round-up

The UK's food agency highlights how industry could make cost savings in the event of food scares, and provides details about labeling of food allergens

Expert calls for crackdown on EU bootleg booze

While China continues to pose a significant copyright threat to Europe's spirit makers, the industry must also address the problem on its own doorstep, according to the director general of the European Spirits organization (CEPS).

Software developed for beer keg protection

Brewers can now reduce the risk of having to replace lost, stolen and misplaced beer kegs that can significantly push up their costs, according to the manufacturer of a new traceability solution for the industry.

Nestle and GE team-up to tackle nutrition-body composition issues

Understanding the associations between body composition, metabolic status, diet and lifestyle habits could be key to the struggle against obesity, and gaining an advantage in formulation.

New label applicator offers optional RFID encoding

Weber has modified its label printer applicator for the food and drinks industry to ensure maximum flexibility and versatility for end users as well as offering optional radio frequency identification (RFID) technology encoding.

EFSA assesses turkey meat salmonella threat

About one third of EU turkey flocks designated for human consumption were found to contain some presence of salmonella between 2006 and 2007, according to new findings by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Rumours suggest no need for nano regulations

Forthcoming advice will be against establishing regulations specific to nanotechnology, suggest rumours circulating in the political press.

Lignans' prostate cancer protection gets study boost

The lignan metabolite enterolactone may prevent the spread of prostate cancer by acting at the genetic level, suggests new research that deepens our understanding of the topic.

Multipurpose milk tester designed for high-speed analysis

The development of a new testing device for milk products allows for rapid analysis of a variety of different factors without compromising accuracy, according to its manufacturer.

Weekly comment

Innovation: the fast before the feast

Last week's Vitafoods trade show highlighted a drop in ingredient innovation with many companies placing the blame at the door of Europe's evolving health claims legislation.

Irish foods low in trans fats, high in saturated: survey

The results of a survey by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) on the fat content and fatty acid composition of pre-packaged food products reveal that generally, levels of trans-fatty acids in the surveyed products are low.

Green trend will boost RFID uptake

The trend towards greener packaging that is more easily recycled could boost sales of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, a global trade association has suggested.

Major HFCS users unlikely to ditch it for sugar, expert

Some food and beverage manufacturers may switch from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to sugar as a result of high corn prices, but this is only likely to be the case for relatively small scale users, according to a consultant.

FDA looks to improve safety with 1,300 new staff

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is beginning a multi-year hiring scheme that could ease strain on its ability to react in times of crisis, though the initiative does not likely go far enough for detractors both within and outside the agency who say it is dangerously under funded.

DSM launches integrated approach to egg industry

Dutch food ingredients company DSM is stepping up its focus on the egg industry, promising reduced costs for companies that use its full range of products packaged in an integrated 'Total Concept'.

Opportunities for heart health on FDA soluble fibre amendment

Fresh opportunities for food makers to tap into soaring heart health market are opening up as FDA extends use of soluble fibre health claim to include certain whole oat products previously ineligible due to fat content.

Label maker co-operation seeks traceability boost

A supplier of sensory labels designed for use on food and other consumer goods says it will team up with a traceability provider in a bid to offer processors heightened safety during distribution.

Packaging chemicals found in breast milk, says study

Chemicals found in food packaging and other products appear to be transferred by nursing mothers to their babies via breast milk, researchers have found.

EU, Ukraine take action against contaminated sunflower oil

All necessary measures have been taken to remove the contaminated Ukrainian sunflower oil imported into Europe in recent weeks from the market, says the European Commission.

Weekly comment

Adjusting to Mars' centre stage ambitions

While in the Hollywood stratosphere, it seems that you are not anyone these days unless you're a duo, in the glamorous world of food manufacture, the team-up route to success may not be quite as simple.

Peanut allergy gone within five years?

Genetically modified plants or immunotherapy may eliminate allergies to peanut within five years, suggests a prominent scientist from Duke University.

EFSA to review BPA advice on the back of US, Canadian concerns

EFSA has undertaken to review its previous advice on safe levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging and provide updates on its deliberations, following new assessments from Canada and the US.

Frost tolerant wheat on the horizon

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have identified the genes responsible for providing frost tolerance for wheat, giving plant breeders hope that damage resulting from wheat frost could soon become a thing of the past.