New cleanliness guidelines for herbal products

Promoting the responsible trade in herbal products and improving the service to consumers are the twin goals behind new guidance policies on microorganisms and mycotoxins and heavy metals from the...

FDA could delay decision on bisphenol A

The US government ruling on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA), due to be delivered later today, could be delayed as officials plead for more time to review the wealth...

France defines GMO-free labelling threshold

The French government’s advisory council on biotechnology has outlined rules for a voluntary GMO-free labelling system in a new report.

Consumers want better GM labelling: Report

Consumers think that current labelling regulation for genetically modified (GM) foods is inadequate, according to a new report from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).

New baked goods flavour system is heat stable, says Culinar

New technology can meet the trends for bake stable natural flavours in products such as pasta, snacks, bread, biscuits and pastries, claims the Swedish developer.

ConAgra explosion kills fourth person

A fourth person has died from injuries sustained from the explosion at a ConAgra food processing plant last summer.

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China, Japan, South Korea sign food safety pact

China, Japan and South Korea have signed a food safety pact in the wake of concern over Chinese-made food exports.

Superfos to test oxo-biodegradable additive in packaging

Superfos Industries said it is considering using oxo-biodegradable (OB) additives in its plastic packaging but that a decision to employ it in future products would be made once it had...

Comment

Food prices face a welcome perfect storm

There’s a perfect storm building for food prices. You don’t have to scan the horizon to see the signs; the clouds are developing all around us - at a faster...

Irish company fined for serious safety breaches

An Irish seafood company has be ordered to almost €55,000 after admitting flouting 10 safety standards that led to 219 reported food poisoning cases in France and contaminated product being shipped worldwide.

Microwave meter boosts peanut testing

Quicker and easier analysis of the moisture content and density of in-shell peanuts are benefits claimed for a new microwave meter developed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

US food safety bill enters final lap

A US Senate committee unanimously approved the food safety bill yesterday in a move that will send the landmark legislation to the full floor for a final vote.

Scientist defends study linking phthalates to feminising boys

The leading scientist of research that suggests boys exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have more feminine play habits has defended the report after a chemical industry body disputed its reliability.

Ethical economic model spells opportunity for food firms

Sound business sense, and not consumer demand, is driving food firms to build sustainability into their economic models.

Bill to ban bisphenol A introduced in US

New legislation that would impose a nationwide ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in all food packaging products used by children has been proposed by US Senator Charles Schumer.

US dairy industry plea to boost raw milk regulation

Raw milk products pose a “significant food safety hazard” and facilities that make them should be covered by the new food safety bill, said the two largest US dairy...

Exposure to nano titanium dioxide could up cancer risk, says study

There may be a potential risk of cancer and genetic disorders for individuals working with high concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, according to US scientists.

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Alleviation of hunger should top CSR agenda

Climate change dominates the CSR agenda but new USDA figures on food insecurity are a sharp reminder that alleviating poverty and hunger should always be the top priority.

Bisphenol A link to male sexual dysfunction challenged

A new study linking high-level workplace exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) to male sexual dysfunction has limited relevance to consumers, said the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

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Indiana dry milk processor gets grade A certification

 PacMoore, an Indiana-based manufacturer of dry milk products, has received grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) certification.

IFT reviews food traceability

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has released a report examining food traceability, with the aim of reducing foodborne illness by making it easier to trace food along the entire...

FDA postpones raw oyster ban

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has back-tracked on its plans to ban the sale of raw oysters from the Gulf of Mexico during warm months amid mounting industry...

Risk of infant, foetal mortality from Listeria higher than believed

Listeria monocytogenes could present a high risk to unborn babies and infants at significantly lower levels than previously believed, new research has suggested.

Male impotence risk from bisphenol A exposure - Study

High-level exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the workplace could increase the risk of male sexual dysfunction, including erectile and ejaculation problems, new research has said.

Improved monitoring of two zoonotic diseases, EFSA

Two new reports aimed at harmonising the scrutiny and reporting of a pair of bacteria responsible for zoonotic diseases have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

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Milk Link opens new cheese packing unit

Milk Link has opened a £1.4 million speciality cheese packing unit at its creamery in Malpas, Cheshire, to meet the exacting standards of retailers.

Omega-3 emulsion could boost stability of functional drinks

Dairy and beverage manufacturers can incorporate long-chain omega-3 fatty acids into their products without compromising taste and stability with a new high concentration omega-3 emulsion, claims supplier Lipid Nutrition.

Study reconfirms bisphenol A safety, says industry

Trade bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have welcomed a recent study sponsored by a US Government agency that bisphenol A (BPA) has no adverse effect on the reproductive...

Maple Leaf dismisses hygiene breaches at Listeria plant

The discovery of mould, meat debris and slime in the Maple Leaf plant at the centre of the 2008 Listeria outbreak just weeks after it re-opened did not pose food...

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Earthrise obtains HACCP for spirulina

Earthrise Nutritionals has gained third party HACCP certificate of registration to underline the safety credentials of its spirulina.

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Australia warns of tomatoes and hepatitis A link

Health authorities in Victoria, Australia have renewed their advice warning against eating uncooked semi-dried tomatoes following 23 new reported cases of hepatitis A.

Fructose sweeteners may promote Syndrome X

‘Moderate’ consumption of fructose-containing sweeteners may produce ‘modest but significant changes’ that may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome, says a new rat study.

FDA calls meeting to improve food traceability systems

Federal agencies in the United States need to increase the speed and accuracy of traceability systems to combat outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, said the FDA as it called a public...

Pesticide-tainted pears spark EU emergency measures

The European Commission has imposed emergency measures on pear imports from Turkey after some shipments were found to contain pesticide residues over 1,400 times above acceptable levels.

Canadians warned off Chaotic Beverages over possible health risks

Health Canada has told consumers not to drink four “unauthorised” drinks made by Chaotic Beverages on fears they contain ingredients that could pose a health hazard to children.

Lawsuits filed over E.coli-contaminated beef

Two lawsuits have been filed in the US after a multi-state outbreak of E.coli 0157:H7 that has so far been linked to two deaths and 28 illnesses.

Full fat milk could be linked to low BMI, study

Children who consumed full fat milk regularly had a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to those who seldom or never drank milk, claims a Swedish study.

Global food safety group meets with Chinese envoys

Chinese food safety delegates met with international food safety experts in Minnesota this week to conclude a two-week program discussing individual nations’ role in the development of global standards.

US targets Bangladesh over aquaculture safety fears

US food officials have sent a team to Bangladesh in a bid to boost the safety and quality of its aquaculture - much of which is exported to the west.

Significant bisphenol A levels in canned food - Study

Significant levels of bisphenol A (BPA) have been found in a wide variety of canned food that, for some, could approach levels shown to cause harm in animal studies, according...

New method to inhibit E. coli in sprouts

A treatment method using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) can help ensure the safety of fresh produce such as alfalfa seeds in terms of Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli contamination, claims...

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Big gaps in US food-borne illness response

Delays in the public health response to food-borne illness in the US occur because some state health departments cannot efficiently track produce-related illnesses, according to a survey commissioned by the...

Misplaced letter could cost $1.26bn in bottled water case

PepsiCo has lost a $1.26bn case after a misplaced letter meant the drinks giant failed to turn up in court.