Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

E.coli contamination confirmed in Nestle dough

Nestle USA has expressed concern and regret after US food authorities finally confirmed the bacterium E.coli H7:157 had been detected in its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough.

Animal fats linked to pancreatic cancer: Study

Researchers have linked high intake of fat from red meat and dairy products with increased risk of pancreatic cancer, in a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Global food safety drive hitting smaller companies, developing nations - UN

Food companies in developing countries may face being squeezed out of the market by the proliferation of public and private food safety standards, a report by the United Nations will spell out this week.

High phthalate levels correlated with low birth weight in newborns, says study

Exposure to certain phthalates in the womb could be linked to low birth weight, according to researchers in China.

Weekly comment

Confusion reigns in cosmeceutical name game

The term cosmeceutical has always been controversial, but the blurring boundaries between the worlds of nutrition and cosmetics are highlighting divisions that neither industry can ignore.

News in brief

Plainview recalls two years’ worth of milk products

Plainview Milk Products Cooperative of Minnesota has issued a recall of all the instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums that it has manufactured over the past two years, due to possible salmonella contamination.

EU loses patience with UK over differences in irradiated food regulations

European Union officials have issued a second warning to the UK over its failure to come into line with rules governing imports of irradiated food from third countries.

Toxic chemical in plastic pallets could be leaching into food, says group

The use of plastic pallets containing the chemical decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca) that are used to ship, cool and store fruit and vegetables should be halted on safety grounds, a US environmental organisation has said.

Guest article

EU health claims conversation must continue

Nigel Baldwin is one of Europe’s canniest consultants when it comes to the tricky business of European Union nutrition and health claims. He was at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stakeholder’s meeting in Brussels on June 15 and came away with mixed feelings.

Use of bisphenol A threatening companies' shareholder value, says investor coalition

A coalition of investors has warned the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that continued use of bisphenol A (BPA) in packaging may threaten the shareholder value of food and beverage companies.

Consumer confidence in food manufacturers plunges, says survey

New research from the United States suggests that consumer confidence in food companies has plummeted after less than one in five said they trusted firms to develop and sell healthy products.

Transparency meeting: What’s behind FDA enforcement, asks industry

Enforcement action by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a key area where more open communication with industry is necessary, the agency will hear today during a public meeting on transparency.

FSA to investigate anecdotal aspartame reactions

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking individuals who believe they have suffered a reaction to aspartame to take part in a pilot study.

New EU regulation on authorising food from cloned animals sparks heated debate

EU chiefs have been criticised for approving a draft regulation on food from cloned animals that could “keep options open” for its eventual authorisation in the region, claimed opponents.

Maple Leaf backs food safety overhaul after Canadian listeria probe

Maple Leaf Foods, the Canadian company responsible for last year’s listeria crisis that killed 22, has backed recommendations from a parliamentary committee to overhaul the country’s food safety system.

Nestle USA recalls all raw dough products on E.coli contamination fears

Nestle USA has issued a voluntary recall of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough amid fears that it may be contaminated with the bacteria E.coli 0157:H7.

EU proposal for national opt-outs on GM crops

A proposal to allow individual countries in the European Union to opt out of growing genetically modified (GM) crops is to be tabled this week at a top-level meeting at the European Commission.

MRSA infected foods safe to eat, says EFSA

The superbug meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is able to infect food but eating or handling tainted produce does not present an increased health hazard to humans, a new report has said.

Organizations oppose new food safety bill

The Food Safety Enhancement Act has been broadly welcomed by industry but a group of organizations has issued a letter to the relevant committee voicing strong opposition to several of the bill’s provisions.

Isoflavones are safe and effective, say academics

Emerging human studies in isoflavones demonstrating the “modest but valuable benefit for menopause relief” presented at a symposium of almost 20 isoflavone experts in Italy should dismiss animal studies that have questioned the safety of the antioxidants, according to the US Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

UK listeria cases soar as over 60s ignore “use by” dates

Incidents of listeria in the UK have doubled over the past decade as research reveals elderly people are more likely to expose themselves to the bacteria by eating food beyond its “use by” date.

Attorney general slams companies over apparent plot to blur BPA dangers

A host of packaging and food giants have been condemned by a leading US law official for apparently plotting to use deceptive and illegal fear tactics to blur the truth about the dangers of bisphenol A (BPA).

Dispatches from IFT

Nanotechnology: The new asbestos?

The safety risks of nanotechnology use by the food industry could make it “the new asbestos”, says toxicologist Dr George Burdock of the Burdock Group.

Food safety rules and costs threaten nano science benefits

Over restrictive federal regulation of nano science should not be allowed to strangle the benefits the technology could bring to food safety, quality and availability, warns William Norwood, president nanoAgri Systems.

EFSA safety doubts over two more smoke flavours

EFSA has published negative safety opinions on two smoke flavours, SmokEz C-10 and SmokEz Enviro 23, for which it considers the safety margins at proposed levels to be insufficient.

Aldi takes colours out of Australian products

Aldi is removing the Southampton Six food colours from products in its Australian supermarkets, following a campaign by consumer groups.

Weekly comment

IFT '09: In defence of trade shows

As the dust settles on another IFT the absence of several big players has left some questioning the relevance of trade shows in the 21st Century.

Questions and confusion as “best before” label debate intensifies

Industry experts and the UK food safety watchdog have been assessing and clarifying the implications of the government’s much-discussed announcement to overhaul the food labelling date system.

Dispatches from IFT

Sharing responsibility for food safety

A spate of high profile food-borne illness outbreaks has focused attention on food safety. At IFT in Anaheim Caroline Scott-Thomas caught up with food safety expert Dr Anuradha Prakash to discuss consumer perception of the food industry in the wake of such outbreaks.

New studies link BPA to heartbeat and fertility problems

Fresh research linking bisphenol A (BPA) to heart beat disorders and fertility problems have added to the growing weight of opinion questioning the safety of the chemical.

Copper safe in supplements, says EFSA

Copper oxide can be safely used in food supplements, a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel has found after reviewing the nutrient.

Dioxins in food chain linked to breastfeeding problems

Dioxin exposure through the food chain during pregnancy could explain why some women have trouble breastfeeding or produce too little milk, new research suggests.

News in brief

Explosion at ConAgra food plant kills 2, injures scores

Two workers have died and dozens were injured after an explosion at a ConAgra food processing plant in the United States.

UK plan to scrap ‘best before’ food labels dismissed by industry group

UK Government proposals to overhaul its food labelling system in a bid to help slash the ₤10bn worth of food wasted annually have been rubbished by a food industry body.

Canada ponders junk food fortification

Health Canada is considering granting food makers discretionary powers to fortify “junk foods” to improve their nutritional profile and the diets of Canadians.

Nanoscience to boost food safety, quality and shelf life

Nanotechnology promises big benefits for food safety, quality, and shelf life provided the challenges it brings can be overcome, delegates were told at the Institute of Food Technology's annual conference at Anaheim, California.

Weekly comment

A big day for European health claims

Next Monday, June 15, is a big day for the European healthy foods and food supplements industries. Let’s call it Big Monday. Or J15.

Dispatches from IFT

FDA: we can handle nanotech safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already has sufficient authority to assess the safety of nanotechnology - but its regulation is not all to do with size, says Dr Annette McCarthy of the FDA.

News in brief

Connecticut bans BPA from 2011

The US state of Connecticut has signed into law a bill banning the use of bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles and infant food containers.

Olive extracts may slow spoilage of meats

Polyphenol-rich extracts from olive oil pomace may reduce the formation of off-flavours in meats by as much as 80 per cent, suggests new research.

Authorities play down drink extract cocaine concerns

Decocainised coca leaf extract, which has been linked to the recent alleged discovery of traces of cocaine in some samples of Red Bull Simply Cola, will not face regulatory scrutiny regarding its wider use in formulations.

Canadian cheese recall justified after listeria outbreak but inspection process criticised

A Canadian regional government acted correctly in launching a mass recall of cheese during a listeria outbreak last year but has faced stinging criticisms over its food inspection regime.

FDA backs proposal for US industry fees to fund food inspections

A contentious proposal to compel US food manufacturers to contribute towards safety inspection costs took a step forward yesterday after the Food and Drug Administration signalled its backing for the idea.

Grape seed may boost health and safety profile of bread

Addition of a grape seed extract to bread may not only increase the antioxidant content of the staple, but also inhibit formation of a potential toxin, says new research.

Meet Our New Owners

Don’t miss this video interview with Robert Marr, chief operating officer of William Reed Business Media, which recently acquired Decision News Media, publisher of FoodQualityNews.com.

Neogen signs multi-million food safety deal with China

Neogen Corporation has announced it has signed a multi-million pound partnership agreement with the Chinese Government to research food safety issues specific to the country.

FDA announces BPA safety review

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it is reviewing its advice that bisphenol A (BPA) is safe for use in baby bottles and food containers, pledging to announce its findings within weeks.

Weekly comment

Economic depression a stimulus for fresh business

The economic recession is biting across the globe, and bleeding casualties litter all industries, but now is not the time to cower. Those willing to spend may provoke a stimulation of their business that could set them up for years, if not decades, to come.

European safety watchdogs reaffirm belief in safety of BPA

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) have no plans to re-examine their advice on bisphenol A (BPA) despite mounting concern in the United States over the substance.

Industry body’s anger over claims of BPA whitewash campaign

The North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) has condemned reports that it was involved in a top level meeting to revamp the image of bisphenol A (BPA) by using a pregnant woman to talk about the benefits of the substance.

News in brief

China's new food safety law comes into force

Chinese authorities have said its new food safety law, which comes into effect today, will help prevent the food contamination incidents that have caused so much damage to the reputation of its domestic producers.

Red Bull wings clipped in Jordan over cocaine use

Austria’s health department has confirmed that Red Bull Cola contains traces of cocaine but at levels that do not pose a public health risk but Jordan has joined a major German retailer and banned the drink.

Industry concern as EU confirms authorisation scheme for active and intelligent packaging

The European Commission has adopted a regulation on active and intelligent packaging that confirms it is to introduce an authorisation scheme for substances used in food packing.

FoodQualityNews.com acquired by William Reed Business Media

Decision News Media, publisher of FoodQualityNews.com and 16 other websites serving the international food, nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, has been acquired by the leading UK business-to-business publisher William Reed Business Media.