Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

Allergy specialists suggest warning symbol for foods, non-foods

Use of a common symbol to indicate the presence of individual allergens in food and personal care products could help allergy sufferers identify products to avoid – especially in multi-lingual communities, say specialists from Imperial College.

US food safety bill defeated - or just delayed?

The sweeping bill to overhaul the US food safety system was rejected yesterday over fears of imposing excessive burdens on farmers and that its hurried legislative passage had prevented proper scrutiny.

Self cleaning barcode system cuts costs and downtime, says company

A unique self-cleaning method that ensures low cost of ownership, minimal downtime and high quality printing of barcodes onto outer case packaging are the benefits claimed by the manufacturers of the system.

Emulsifiers delay staling in gluten-free bread: Study

Formulating gluten-free breads with common emulsifiers may delay the staling of the products, leading to longer shelf-life, according to new research from Germany.

EU safe vitamin and mineral source list finalised, finally

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed the assessment of more than 500 vitamin and mineral dossiers it began scrutinising in 2005, with few surprises, and little reformulation required of industry as a result.

US giving too much food safety control to foreign countries

The United States is giving away too much control to some foreign countries over food safety as trade concerns over-ride health issues, a leading US politician has said.

News in brief

FDA to discuss more science review at CFSAN

The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Science Board will be meeting next month to discuss plans to boost the review of research at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

New enzyme makes melamine detection easier and cheaper, say researchers

A simple and cheap method of testing for melamine contamination of milk and other foods has been developed thanks to the discovery of a new enzyme, said US researchers.

New purity criteria for food additives open for consultation

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling on food additive manufacturers and enforcement authorities to comment on an EU directive laying down new purity criteria.

Packing innovations protect aseptic cartons with screw caps

As the number of aseptic cartons employing screw caps increases, one company has developed new packing features to protect products during palletization and maintain security throughout the supply chain.

More kosher ingredients needed in France

Opportunities are plentiful for suppliers of kosher ingredients to France, where the market continues to boom thanks to growing interest from mainstream consumers.

Weekly comment

Imagining a world where we eat less meat

Cutting back meat consumption is the new darling cause of pop stars. But if necessary environmental and health goals are to be achieved, the whole supply chain needs to be strumming along in tune.

Unclear communication hurting US food agency credibility - study

The credibility of the US food inspection watchdog is being undermined by flaws in the way it communicates – by creating unrealistic expectations among consumers which it cannot fulfill, experts have said.

Omega-3 may prevent blindness in the elderly: Study

A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the over-50s, suggests a new study.

Gummy boost for refrigerated doughs

Adding xanthan gum to refrigerated dough mix may prevent the separation of liquid and solid, boosting consumer acceptance, says a new study.

Canada listeria report lays bare food safety flaws

A void in leadership, a raft of systemic flaws and a shortage of inspectors were just some of the criticisms levelled at Canada’s food safety system in a damning report on last year’s listeria outbreak released yesterday.

UK authorities in the dark over aflatoxin-contaminated peanut butter

Food safety authorities in the UK have confirmed they know neither the exact quantity nor precise location of peanut butter and paste contaminated with aflatoxins up to 190 times above the legal limit.

News in brief

NZ folic acid fortification delayed to 2012

The mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid in New Zealand is likely to be delayed for another three years, following heated debate over the risks and benefits of adding the synthetic B vitamin to bread.

FDA raps probiotic swine flu supplements for false claims

The Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to a Minnesota-based supplements manufacturer for making misleading claims that its probiotic supplements could prevent or treat human swine flu (H1N1).

Plastic pallet company rejects decabromodiphenyl ether leaching claims

A leading plastic pallet company has labelled allegations that a toxic chemical contained in its products can leach into food as “misleading, inaccurate and highly suspect”.

Chitosan with omega-3 boosts fillet life, nutrition

Coating frozen fish with a mix of chitosan and fish oils can boost shelf life and improve the nutritional load, according to new research on lingcod from the US.

Weekly comment

Mainstream press ‘exposed’ for health claim sensationalism

Not again! As if industry is not struggling enough with the severity of the European Food Safety Authority’s nutrition and health claims rulings so far, the situation has not been helped by the kind of articles that appeared in the UK press today and yesterday.

UK FSA criticised over Irish pork dioxin crisis

The UK Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) handling the Irish pork dioxin incident last year has come under fire with a majority of industry players levelling stinging criticism at the agency.

‘Metallic’ pine nut mystery stumps food analysts

The UK’s Food Standards Agency is investigating curious reports of a lingering metallic taste in the mouth of people who have eaten pine nuts, sometimes lasting as long as two weeks.

Don’t wait for fall to act on food safety, says CU

Every day that Congress delays in passing the Food Safety Enhancement Act puts more lives at risk, Consumers Union is claiming – and had the provisions been in place this year’s ‘deadly peanut debacle’ may never have happened.

Asda claims victory in aspartame ‘nasty’ case

A High Court judge has found in favour of Asda in its court battle with Ajinomoto over food and beverage ‘no nasties’ labelling, which listed aspartame as an ingredient not used. Ajinomoto plans to appeal.

US scientific panel refuses to list bisphenol A as hazardous

The ongoing battle over bisphenol A (BPA) took another twist yesterday when a scientific regulatory board in California rejected calls to put the packing chemical on a list of harmful substances.

Consumers prepared to pay for nutritional panel: Study

Spanish consumers are more willing to pay a premium for food products that carry a nutritional panel on packaging than for those that just make a ‘light’ claim, according to researchers.

Michigan firms launch food safety program for future leaders

NSF International and Paragon Leadership International have teamed up over a new series of food safety forums for promising food industry executives in Michigan to boost food safety and economic growth in the state.

BPA fears and green concerns trigger launch of carton water

Safety fears over controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and environmental concerns have prompted one US beverage company to start selling water in cartons.

US food and beverage firms convert to rPET packaging

Two US food and beverage producers have claimed to be the first in their respective sectors to switch to 100 per cent rPET packaging on environmental grounds.

Soy sauce may help with salt reduction in foods: Study

Adding soy sauce to certain foods may enhance perception of saltiness and enable food manufacturers to cut salt content without affecting taste, according to new research from Japan.

Weekly comment

Safety is no accident in food factories

Industrial accidents are not funny. Does anyone need a reminder? Apparently yes; judging by how some headline writers and bloggers made light of the plight of Vincent Smith who died last week after falling into a vat of liquid chocolate at a New Jersey processing plant.

EFSA highlights dairy cow welfare needs

The genetic selection of dairy cows to increase milk yields needs to be accompanied by appropriate measures to ensure the welfare of the animals, according to a recent opinion published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

E. coli remains a mystery as cookie dough production restarts

Nestle USA has said that it is gradually restarting production of its Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough after FDA inspections failed to find E. coli at its Danville, Virginia plant.

EFSA publishes report on pesticide residues in food

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said that a study on pesticide residues in food found 96 per cent of samples complied with legal maximum levels for the chemicals.

News in brief

Health Canada clears BPA levels found in packaging as safe

Canadian health authorities have said that levels of bisphenol A (BPA) recently discovered in food packaging pose no risk to consumers.

Codex confirms “alternative approach” for listeria monocytogenes in ready to eat food

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has moved quickly to clarify a newly ratified standard on permitted levels of listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in ready-to-eat (RTE) food after being challenged by the UK’s Chilled Food Association (CFA).

Whole Foods Market seeks non-GMO seal

Whole Foods Market has partnered with the Non-GMO Project to test for the presence of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in its private label products in order to independently verify them as GM-free.

Egg production prices to rise following new regulations

Egg prices may rise as producers are hit by new costs as a result of food safety measures.

Phthalates may be linked to premature births - study

New research has said phthalates could be contributing to an “alarming rise” in premature births in the United States.

Weekly comment

Defining nano: Size does matter

The Atlantic Ocean separates continents; it also separates schools of thought on the definition of nanotechnology. In order to educate manufacturers and consumers on nanotechnology a definition is critical.

Codex issues new standards on bacteria and chemicals for food manufacturers

New guidelines and codes of practice on acrylamides, follow-on baby formula and listeria testing in ready–to-eat foods were just some of the 30 standards adopted by Codex this week.

EFSA clears raising permitted aflatoxin levels in tree nuts by 150 per cent

Public health would not be harmed if the maximum level of aflatoxins permitted in all tree nuts was increased by 150 per cent, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said.

Government outlines stricter food safety measures

The Obama administration has said it will propose new regulations to strengthen the US food safety system and create a position for a deputy food commissioner on Tuesday, according to newswire reports.

Codex adopts new dietary supplement provisions

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted new provisions for food supplements, including recommendations on the substantiation of health claims.

Reformulated chocolate chip cookies for kids to combat disease risk?

Reformulating popular foods for school children to make them nutrient dense could be a key tool to slash risk factors for chronic disease, finds a new study.

US active and intelligent packing markets to grow on food safety fears and falling prices

Increasing concerns over food safety and quality are projected to drive US demand for active and intelligent packaging to $1.9bn by 2013, according to a new report.

Meat processors hail decision to shelve inspection charge increases

UK meat processors have applauded a Food Standards Agency (FSA) U-turn on its recent decision to hike annual inspection charges by four per cent in a bid to cut government subsidies to the industry.

Both GM and organic farming could help feed the world: Report

With the global population expected to reach nine billion by 2050, investment in both GM crops and organic farming could help to ensure a reliable food supply, says a new report from Deutsche Bank.

New Zealand backs A1 milk safety

Regular milk has won a vote of support for its general safety after the New Zealand government backed a European assessment that found no concerns about the A1 casein forms it contains and reversed an earlier commitment to conduct a review of its own.

News in brief

FDA probes ingredient supply chain in quest for E. coli source

The FDA is continuing its investigation into how E. coli found its way into Nestle’s Toll House brand cookie dough, after the outbreak strain’s presence was confirmed in a sample of the dough on Monday.