Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

EU food safety body forges ahead on developing resources

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) continues to expand its scientific work this year, with an eye on the upcoming implementation of new EU legislation covering a variety of industry segments.

Infrared sterilisation provides controlled heat, company claims

New carbon infrared emitters released for the European market provide another means of sterilise products through controlled heating.

Salmonella rates fall slightly in first quarter

The presence of salmonella in samples of most raw meat and poultry products tested by federal inspectors decreased slightly in the first quarter of 2006.

MAP packaging machine runs cheaper, manufacturer claims

A new packaging system provides an extended shelf life for fresh food products without using the more expensive thermoforming process, its Swiss-based manufacturer claims.

Singapore recalls Cadbury products

Singapore's food safety authority issued a recall of a number of Cadbury's chocolate products made in the UK, following a major recall by the company itself in the UK.

Cadbury under pressure from authorities

Cadbury Schweppes has come under fire from UK food watchdogs after it failed to report finding traces of a rare strain of salmonella in its products.

Bromide, florinated chemicals not a health risk yet, panel says

The steady accumulation of brominated and fluorinated chemicals in foods do not pose a health risk at this time a UK scientific panel says.

Pressure tester gauges quality of packaging material

A new pressure tester compensates for temperature and also predicts shelf life, helping food and beverage packagers to ensure the quality of their products.

Aluminium found effective for treating natural waters

The use of aluminium oxide is an effective and safe method for the removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters, an EU scientific body has concluded.

Coors UK launches below freezing beer

A new lager served at below freezing temperature, developed by beer firm Coors, looks to target an emerging trend for colder beer on the troublesome UK beer market.

Production stoppage leaves bitter taste for Unilever

A breakdown in the processing method of Unilever's Flora Original Spread brand in the UK has led the company to recall some of the product throughout the country.

Potato slice blancher improves efficiency, company claims

An injection blancher improves processing efficiency in the production of fried potatoes, its manufacturer claims.

Scientists issue caution against mass poultry vaccination

With confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus, scientists are now warning that mass vaccination of domestic poultry may hinder detection of the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease.

UK pesticide testing finds 2pc of samples above legal limit

Pesticide testing in the UK has found that two per cent of foods sampled contained residues above the maximum permitted levels, with organic products from Spain and France topping the mark.

Food sector lobbies for more labelling self-regulation

The EU's food sector has called on the European Commission to draw back from proposals for additional labelling requirements and allow the industry to regulate the information it provides to consumers.

Project would investigate processing, allergens relationship

A UK food research consultancy is looking for a partner to investigate the effects of processing techniques on reducing allergens.

Food alerts report on aflatoxins in nuts, cheese from the UK

A total of about 47 food safety problems were reported across the EU last week, including a cluster of alerts about aflatoxins in nuts and unauthorised cheese from the UK.

New hops promise tastier beer

A new generation of hops for beer is being developed by researchers in New Zealand, as the brewing industry looks to science to help it catch up with changing consumer tastes.

Sensor companies create temperature monitoring system

Two sensor industry companies have joined forces to develop new method for monitoring temperature using wireless sensors.

FMC to launch fat reduction technology for ice-cream

FMC Biopolymer has developed new technology that allows ice cream manufacturers to slash the fat content in their products by more than half, without altering the ice cream's taste and texture.

Modular spray controller designed to be portable

A modular spray controller is designed as a portable, self-contained unit for regulating food coating processes.

Weekly comment

Litigation: a necessary cost of doing business?

In the US, the role of court action in defining limits not set by regulators is generating a flood of costly court cases for the food industry: much unnecessary, and all damaging.

Study finds Salmonella in one-third of the EU's egg producers

Luxembourg and Sweden are among the safest places to eat an egg in the EU, with Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic the riskiest, according to tests for Salmonella at commercial producers across the bloc.

UK regulator considers action against BSE-type disease in sheep

Due to scientific uncertainty over a BSE-type disease affecting sheep and goats, the UK's food regulator is expected to issue today further precautionary advice about eating mutton and to propose EU-wide labelling rules for products containing the meats.

EFSA sets intake limit for ochratoxin A toxin

The EU's food safety agency has set a weekly intake limit for ochratoxin A, calling on processors to make further efforts to reduce the fungal toxin in foods.

Scots urged to tackle 'food poisoning epidemic'

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) has urged Scots to improve food hygiene standards to tackle what it calls the 'annual food poisoning epidemic'.

Preparing for Canada's functional food regulations

Canadian associations are collaborating to open lines of communication between industry, academics and the government over the forthcoming regulations for functional foods, and to help the industry prepare for the future.

Two diet drinks withdrawn in Ireland due to benzene

Manufacturers in Ireland have recalled two diet drinks from the market, after testing by the country's food regulator found high levels of the cancer-causing chemical in their products.

Canada finds benzene in 20pc of drinks surveyed

Canada's health regulator has found benzene in about 20 per cent of the soft drinks and other beverages it analyzed in a survey this year, with four found to have exceeded the country's standard for the cancer-causing chemical.

Synthetic greases meet food contact standards

A line of synthetic lubricating greases can be used on equipment where possible contact with food products may occur, its manufacturer claims.

New approach to food risk unveiled

A new approach to risk and crisis management for food and drink companies has been unveiled at the UK's Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA).

Bird flu incidence in wild birds falling in EU

Cases of avian influenza found in wild birds under a survelliance programme are falling, according to data released by the European Commission.

BASF further expands GM cereal capabilities

BASF Plant Science has announced the expansion of a joint research and development programme designed to achieve genetically optimised wheat.

Plant diseases threaten global chocolate production

A fifth of the cacao beans used to make chocolate are lost to plant diseases every year - and things could get worse, according to scientists.

Custard goes functional with bioactive ingredients

Custard could soon be going functional with soy isoflavones or antioxidants from olive oil, as research from the Netherlands shows that the popular dessert can easily be enhanced and release these bioactive ingredients.

Norway's food safety inspectors strike affects meat supply

Processors in Norway are using up stocks of domestic and imported meat supplies after food safety inspectors began a strike on Tuesday over wages, leading government to step in to order an end to the dispute.

South Korea delays resumption of US beef imports

South Korea said yesterday that it will delay resumption of US beef imports, after finding problems at US meat processing facilities, reported Yonhap news.

Portable unit decontaminates area using UVC rays

A portable decontamination machine can rid plant areas of mold, viruses and bacteria using deadly UVC waves, while ensuring worker safety, according to its manufacturer.

Omega-3 trend could lead vegetarians to eat fish by mistake

The trend towards adding omega-3 to dairy and other staple food products may be causing vegetarians to inadvertently eat fish products, a predicament that could be avoided through open, honest labelling.

Martek ruling paves way for more DHA in Canadian food

Martek DHA, approved for use in infant formula in Canada since 2002, has obtained federal consent for use at higher doses in a variety of foods, paving the way for food companies to offer products with greater omega-3 content.

Chilled, cut fruit keep nutrients as well as fresh

Minimal processing of fruit - cutting, packaging and chilling - does not affect the nutritional content even after nine days, says an international study that could promote healthy eating on a limited time-scale.

Choose optimal thickening agent to boost flavour, lower salt

Sensory perception of flavours could be boosted, and salt levels lowered, by choosing the optimal starch thickener, say scientists, a result that could have big implications for the food industry.

'Battle begins' over EU vitamin and mineral levels

Europe is gearing up to do battle over maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in foods and supplements, according to an industry lobbyist following the European Commission's publication of a discussion document detailing key issues.

Exter launches sunflower-based bouillon flavour

Exter Aroma has launched a clean label bouillon flavour (HVP) based on sunflower that offers food makers an allergen free, non-GM, 100 per cent vegan flavouring option.

FDA affirms position on mercury in fish

The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that it stands behind its consumer advisory on mercury levels in fish.

Kit speeds up yeasts, moulds testing

A new method for determining the amount of yeasts and moulds in food samples gets the job done within two days, speeding up the time products can be released on the market.

Online database tracks container shipments worldwide

A supply chain tracking company has created an online database food firms can use to track their freight containers in real time using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Radioactive waste threatens Champagne vineyards

The re-opening of a radioactive waste dump in France's Champagne region, recently shut for safety reasons, threatens to contaminate the area's famous vineyards, says campaigns group Greenpeace.

Brewer uses nanotech coating on heat interchanger

Nanotechnology, the science of the very small, has been employed as a microscopic coating on a heat interchanger used by a Corona brewing plant in Mexico.

Daily cleaning not required, as long as safety is maintained

Meat and poultry processors can chose not to have daily cleanups of equipment and plant as long as sanitary standards are maintained, according to a notice from the federal Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).