23 MAY - 31 MAY 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up

A selection of the biggest recalls from around the world in the last week..... 

News in brief

China blocks more than 200 batches of substandard imported food....in one month

More than 200 batches of substandard imported food were uncovered in April 2012, authorities in China have announced.

FSIS confirms start of beef sampling for six non-O157 E.coli strains

Sampling of raw beef manufacturing trimmings for six non-O157 strains of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) is set to begin from 4 June 2012, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service...

JBT FoodTech expands sterilisation technology

JBT FoodTech has purchased technology from H.G. Molenaar and Co to offer a “broader worldwide portfolio” to its customers.

Orange oil potential to deter E.coli growth in chilled beef - study

Orange oil has demonstrated a real ability to inhibit growth of E.coli 0157: H7 on beef at refrigeration temperature and could be considered as an additional method to help combat the...

Imports not to blame for food incident report increase - FSA

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has denied any correlation between growing imports and an increase in food incident reports in 2011, despite Salmonella-contaminated paan leaves from India and Bangladesh...

FSANZ approves new antimicrobial processing aid for meat and poultry

Food safety authorities in Australasia have approved dibromo-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH) as a processing aid to treat all foods.

Grow Green Industries develops all-natural food sanitizer and preservative

Food safety and shelf-life enhancing products with no special processing requirements will be unveiled at trade-show IFT next month, according to the US-based developer.

US raw milk cheese manufacturing safety regulations ‘appear adequate’ - study

Current US regulations governing the manufacture of cheese made using unpasteurised milk “appear adequate” for producing microbiologically safe products, a study has claimed.

Jensen Farms files for bankruptcy citing ‘wrongful death’ lawsuits

Jensen Farms - the cantaloupe grower pinpointed as the source of last year’s deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak – has filed for bankruptcy in the US.

New method to detect vet drugs in infant food bolsters EU zero tolerance approach - research

Spanish researchers said the development of a novel method for detecting minute levels of veterinary drugs in certain baby foods will help reinforce the European Union’s zero-tolerance approach to their...

17 MAY - 23 MAY 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up

A selection of the biggest recalls from around the world in the last week.....

News in brief

UK reaches marine biotoxin test milestone

The UK has formally phased out the use of animal testing for the detection of marine biotoxins in shellfish.

Partnership offers improved leak testing for food industry

A joint venture between two US companies claims it will enable food packagers to eliminate the risk of releasing defective leak-rate products into the market.

Nanotechnology in food safety will be slowed until regulations become clearer - expert

A lack of clear regulations relating to the use of nanotechnology in the food sector could hinder the commercialisation of current food safety research, a manufacturing expert has claimed.

Debate on low dose toxicology risk from bisphenol A to feature at EFSA summit

The European Food safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting international experts to assemble at its Italian headquarters next month to debate the issue of low dose response toxicology from substances such...

Nature’s One step-up efforts to cut arsenic levels in baby formula

Organic infant formula manufacturer Nature’s One will step-up its efforts to minimise and eliminate the presence of environmental contaminants such as arsenic in its products.

Packaging blend delivers energy savings and quality boost for fresh produce, says Amcor

Amcor Flexibles is claiming a UK first after incorporating a self-ventilating system into lidding material for microwave cooking of fresh produce that it says saves energy and improves food quality.

Flash pasteurisation and antimicrobial combo hailed as effective Listeria hurdle

Using flash pasteurization in tandem with antimicrobial lauric-arginate-ester (LAE) can curb the growth of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on frankfurter sausages for up to 12 weeks, according to new US Government research.

General Mills fined $850 following worker’s death

Food giant General Mills has been fined $850 for a safety violation at a plant in the US where a worker was killed last year.

FSIS and beef industry praised for pre-emptive E.coli action

The US beef industry and the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have been showered with praise after showing “strong initiative” in their efforts to...

China officials back ‘throw out the window’ food safety site

Food safety officials in the Chinese city of Shanghai have given their backing to a private food safety website that collates and spreads knowledge about food safety issues in the...

Kerry Ingredients fined $50,000 for repeat safety failures

The US department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Kerry Ingredients & Flavours $50,000 for three repeat safety violations at a plant in the US.

European alliance targets 75% food waste cut with sustainable A&I packaging project

An industry-driven collaboration is aiming to develop groundbreaking sustainable food packaging materials with built in active and intelligent technology to extend shelf life.

EFSA to consider non-dietary exposure in bisphenol A data call

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting a host of stakeholders – including packaging companies and food businesses - to submit data on migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from...

Food-based natural nanoparticle discovery opens debate on safety

Indian researchers have discovered carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) in foods such as bread, corn flakes and caramel – increasing the likelihood that consumption of nanoparticles in food is safe.

EFSA risk assessment of composite foods hazard to pave the way for harmonized EU regs

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has outlined a raft of key factors needed to assess the hazard posed by pathogens in composite foods after Brussels said it needed to...

‘Probable link’ between packaging coating and cancer, say scientists

A chemical used to make oil and grease-repellent coatings for food packaging by DuPont has a ‘probable link’ to kidney and testicular cancer, according to an independent science panel.

Progress made on nanoparticle detection

UK researchers have developed a way to detect and characterise inorganic nanomaterials, bringing scientists a step closer to determining their effects in food and drink.

MEPs delay EFSA budget approval over conflict of interest and spending concerns

MEPs have voted to delay approving the way in which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) spent EU funds in 2010 over concerns about possible conflicts of interest within the...

It’s all hands on deck to implement FSMA in 2012 – PriceWaterhouseCoopers

PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has warned the US food industry that 2012 will be “all hands on deck” to implement the provisions of the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA).

FDA nanotechnology draft guidance represents ‘marginal progress’ – petition group

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft guidance on the use of nanotechnology in food and food contact substances represents only “marginal progress” towards regulation of the technology, a petition...

Beef Products Inc. and Tyson Foods hit by latest ‘pink slime’ fallout

‘Pink slime’ manufacturer, Beef Products Inc. (BPI), has confirmed the almost immediate closure of three of its four plants, in the latest wave of repercussions surrounding the product.

Study conclusion over bisphenol A breast cancer hazard challenged by scientists

New research from the US has linked foetal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in monkeys with an increased risk of cancer in primates. But scientists have questioned the validity of...

'Sorry for China chlorine contamination' – Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has apologised to the Chinese authorities, media and public after a manufacturing blunder led to chlorine-contaminated beverage products entering the market.

'Pre-emptive’ measures will accelerate tainted product identification - USDA

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has outlined a series of measures to conduct future meat product trace backs in a “pre-emptive” manner to catch E.coli O157:H7 contamination at an...

News in brief

Shanghai courts vow ‘severe punishments’ for food safety violations

Food safety law violators in Shanghai will continue to be met with severe punishments including lengthy prison terms, the city’s high court has vowed.

PepsiCo recalls Tropicana OJ after ‘microbiological contamination’ dispatch error

PepsiCo UK has initiated a recall of Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drinks over fears the cartons contain potentially hazardous water rather than the typical orange juice blend.

NIR food quality device coming to a smartphone near you - Fraunhofer

Smartphones equipped with innovative near infrared technology no bigger than a sugar lump could open the door for rapid food quality testing of a host of products, said the Fraunhofer...

First vampires, now Campylobacter…. Researchers identify pathogen combating garlic compound

A garlic-derived compound could offer the food industry a quick and more effective antimicrobial tool in the fight against Campylobacter on poultry products, a US study has claimed.

China halts production at chlorine contamination Coca-Cola bottling plant

Chinese authorities have ordered a temporary end to production at a Coca-Cola bottling plant over production line “problems” - just weeks after confirming the safety of beverage products from the plant....

Streamlining measures will reduce food safety regulations ‘red tape’ – Health Canada

The Canadian government has taken steps to streamline its food safety laws – reducing the ‘red tape’ that currently delays safe products entering the market.