Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

DHA boosts childrens' brain power, says Martek

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake can improve mental acuity among pre-school children, according to a Martek BioSciences-funded study.

Weekly comment

The food industry after Lisbon

In the face of another rejection of a European Union treaty, the bloc's food industry has one glaring path ahead: business as normal.

Cassava flour alternative relieves costs for bakers

Beating the high costs linked to the price of wheat flour on today's market, bakers in the African country of Ghana can now access a cheaper alternative produced with cassava and maize.

Cottage cheese cultures go full circle

The cottage cheese industry is turning back to direct vat cultures rather than the cheaper bulk starter method which replaced it as costs are reduced, according to Chr Hansen.

3D vision-based robotics enhance quality and process control, claims firm

3D vision-guided robotic automation enables quality monitoring, yield improvement as well as decorative applications for baked goods manufacturers, according to RTS Flexible Systems.

HFCS ad campaign accused of deception

A row has broken out over high fructose corn syrup after the Corn Refiners Association's attempts to boost the image of the sweetener attracted criticism.

Solutions abound for polyphenol-fortified milk: study

Adding fruit flavours and cyclodextrin to milk may boost consumer acceptance of polyphenol-enriched dairy, without the need for added sugar, report New Zealand scientists.

Belt washer offers chemical free bacteria elimination, says Vulganus.

Finnish manufacturer Vulganus said that its Steriline Utrasonic belt washer provides processors with a new method of cleaning conveyor belts.

Lightweight foam tray offers high sealability and strength, says firm

A new C-PET foam tray targeted at the chilled and frozen ready meals sector weighs 30 per cent less than standard rigid trays but still provides heat resistance, hermeticity and shelf life, claims its manufacturers.

Food safety guidelines can overwhelm processors, says group

Maintaining up-to-date knowledge on industry guidelines and developing a strong quality processing system add to the pressures faced by food processors in the current climate of high input costs, claim US food safety consultants.

Weekly comment

GM: Breaking the stalemate

Food industry voices are joining those of politicians in the GM debate, hailing the controversial technology as the answer to the food supply crisis. But the hearts and minds of consumers must still be won.

News briefs: Milk contamination case, Parmalat

This week, two dairy farmers reportedly plead guilty at a US court for their role in an alleged E. coli milk contamination, and Parmalat settles its ongoing dispute with UBS.

Forecast model can predict bacterial progeny, claim researchers

A mathematical forecast model will enable all parties throughout the supply chain to estimate the numerical level of microbial contamination of poultry, according to the developers.

HFCS 'natural' drink not deceptive, rules court

A US federal judge has rejected a claim that the use of the term 'all natural' on Snapple drinks was deceptive because the products contained high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Equipment washing service capacity doubled, says UK firm

Increased equipment capacity enables faster crate washing and drying service for returnable transit packaging (RTP) users, claims PHS Teacrate.

Study shines light on photosensitive drink shelf life

The significance of lighting on shelf-life in photo-sensitive drinks and food products should not be underestimated by processors when considering how to store their products, says a new study.

Conquering egg allergenicity without compromising functionality: review

The continuing prevalence of egg allergies, and its implications for food manufacturing and labelling practices, has led to a scientific review on methods to reduce product allergenicity.

Pilot study gives sign of fish oil for insulin sensitivity

A pilot study investigating the effects of fish oil supplements has hinted that there may be some benefits for insulin resistance which, if substantiated in bigger trials, could open up a new area of benefits for the healthy ingredient in the future.

Carbohydrate testing suggests beer body boost

An ingredient manufacturer says that one of its functional carbohydrate products can offer brewers improved texture and stability retention in lower or no-alcohol beer, according to independent testing.

Consumer group calls for global safety rethink

The consolidation of food safety systems into a form of "one-size-fits-all" regulation may undermine hygienic manufacturing, warns consumer rights group Food and Water Watch.

New guide to help food processors clean up

Food factory cleaning and disinfection is the subject of new guidelines produced by the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA).

Scientists aim to cut risk posed by Ug99 to wheat supplies

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed wheat lines resistance to a stem rust fungus, which is threatening crop and adding to existing problems of rising costs and a 30-year low for stockpiles.

100s of UK herbals face ban as registration deadline looms

Hundreds of botanical products face removal from the UK market if their manufacturers do not submit applications to have them registered under the European Union Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) directive.

Weekly comment

The value of hyperactive curiosity

For a little yellow flower, it's ignited a huge debate. Believe the headlines and St John's wort won't help hyperactive kids, but last week's study asks more questions than it answers. It's time to put funding disclosures in the dock.

New checkweigher software improves factory efficiency, claims Ishida

A new software programme designed for Ishida checkweighers can improve plant efficiency by offering food processors a range of reporting opportunities, says the company.

US alcopop tax not to UK tastes, says expert

New Californian legislation that classes flavoured malt beverage 'alcopops' as higher tax band spirit products is unlikely to be adopted in the UK or other EU markets, according to a leading alcohol charity.

Sidel initiative to help processor sustainability, says firm

French equipment and packaging supplier, Sidel, said it has created the new post of sustainable development officer within the company to help its customers reach their individual sustainability targets.

Study hints at milk thistle's heart health benefits

A crude extract from milk thistle reduced the oxidation of LDL cholesterol by up to 86 per cent, indicating significant potential to boost heart health, says a new study.

Bacteria strain shows promise as natural meat preservative

The lactic acid bacteria strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 can provide a natural preservative for craft dry-fermented sausages, according to a new study.

Weekly comment

Food crisis: Time to stop the squabbling

Bickering gets you nowhere. It's a lesson to be learned early in life, but which seems easily forgotten when it comes to tough political issues like measures to curb the food crisis.

Food safety fears transform consumer choices

Over half of consumers have stopped eating certain foods, either temporarily or permanently, as a direct result of food safety fears, according to Deloitte.

New method could end lettuce contamination, say researchers

A method being developed to stop microbes attaching to tissues could prevent bacterial contamination of fruit and vegetables, claims a UK food research agency.

Microbubbles could extend shelf-life on food foams

Microscale bubbles could whip up a range of long-lived, stable foam products whilst giving formulations interesting sensory properties, according to research published in Science.

No risk from nitrates in vegetables, says EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Contaminants Panel (CONTAM) has found that the beneficial effects of eating vegetables and fruit outweigh potential risk to human health from exposure to nitrate through vegetables.

New tool offers rapid method of acrylamide detection, say developers

A new tool aimed at monitoring acrylamide formation during food processing can offer rapid detection of the chemical, claims a research group in France.

UK public voices concern over cloned food

Consumers in the UK believe risk analysis on animal cloning and products from cloned animals and their offspring entering the food chain should be as thorough as drug research, according to a survey published today by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Forced sheep tagging not viable, says meat industry

UK meat processors have backed the country's farmers over concerns at the cost of implementing European directives requiring compulsory electronic tagging on sheep in the next few years.

Energy drinks safety questioned by German agency

Energy drinks have the potential to cause liver damage, heart failure and even death and should carry warnings for certain population groups, according to a German body.

Globalisation raises food safety fears, says microbiologist

The trend towards importing more food from developing countries is opening up Western countries to greater food safety risks, says a US microbiologist, and food processors have a duty to conduct the necessary checks.

Current control measures effective against microbes in the plant air: study

The current control measures to limit the levels of microbes in the air of pork processing plants are sufficient and effective, according to Irish scientists.

Study shows low levels of BPA migration into baby bottles, say researchers

A new study has found low levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) migration into polycarbonate baby bottles when heated in a microwave, claim the researchers.

FSA issues guidance for clearer labelling

New labelling guidelines were issued this week by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) to help manufacturers in present vital product information in a clearer way.

Weekly comment

Yesterday's food complacency proves hard to swallow

For too long, the developed world has taken food for granted. For years, ample food stocks, a well-supplied export trade and rapidly rising agricultural productivity have confined food fears, in the west at least, to history and the memories of older generations.

Acrylamide risk opinion remains unchanged, says EFSA

Efforts to reduce acrylamide remain a priority as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concludes risk assessments regarding the carcinogen will stay the same.

Clinicians should employ energy drink awareness - study

Clinicians should consider screening energy drink use in their patients to ensure a greater understanding of the possible impacts of long-term exposure to the high-dose caffeinated products, new findings have suggested.

New food equipment sanitizing range cuts down-time, says Radical

A new advanced oxidation sanitization process provides an alternative to using chlorine, while reducing down-time for food processors, claims its manufacturer.