Cassava starch coatings can increase strawberry shelf life 33% - study

Brazilian researchers have found that cassava starch-based edible coatings can boost shelf life in fresh strawberries from nine to 12 days.

FDA apple juice arsenic guidelines expected

The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) could be poised to perform a U-turn on levels of arsenic in apple juice through the development of new guidelines - a letter...

Anti-norovirus processes will not be implemented - FSA

UK food safety authorities are not considering introducing new industrial processing techniques safety for oysters, despite over 75% grown in the UK containing the norovirus.

No link between botulism-olive recalls – Canadian food authorities

Canadian food authorities have denied any link between a botulism-related olive recall and another that took place in the US earlier this month.

Australia’s food supply confirmed 'safe', says study

Dietary exposures to harmful chemicals and contaminants were “well below” the reference health standards for a wide-ranging selection of foods and beverages, as indicated by a major Australia-wide report.

Health warning issued over illicit vodka

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has declared that the ‘Drop Vodka’ brand is illegal and unsafe for consumption, following the discovery of traces of industrial solvents and...

Active packaging prototype could extend fruit and veg shelf life - SCA

SCA said it is developing breakthrough active packaging to help extend the shelf life of fruit and vegetables.

Canadian listeria precautions exceed regulations - company

A potential case of listeria contamination in Canada has led to the shutdown of an entire food production line, as the company involved attempt to address any possible infection.

Vinegar-use method creates hurdles for listeria – developer

A distilled vinegar used to control foodborne pathogens in meats will provide more ‘hurdles’ against contaminants such as listeria, said its developer.

EU will work with food processing sector to reduce waste

The European Union (EU) will work with processing and packaging industry figures to cut waste and improve food supply chain efficiency, an EU spokesperson said.

Unregulated mycotoxin found in cereals - FSA

An unregulated, potentially harmful mycotoxin was found in over 10% of cereal sampled during a Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey, a report has confirmed.

US authorities quiet over potential Jensen Farm prosecution

Authorities in the US have remained tight-lipped over the potential prosecution of Jensen Farms – the company responsible for listeria-infected cantaloupes that have killed dozens.

No reason for shelf-life to boldly go where no food processor has gone before

There is no interest in extending the shelf-life of products for up to five years from the food industry or the consumer, says a NASA scientist and an industry insider.

Food testing in emerging markets drives growth - Intertek

Food safety in emerging markets has helped to drive revenue growth of 8% for the year so far, said quality and safety service provider Intertek.

Special Edition: Stevia

Coca-Cola to expand stevia offering in EU; no plans to drop aspartame

Coca-Cola said it has no reason to drop the artificial sweetener aspartame from its low or zero calorie beverage brands in the European market as it welcomes last week’s approval...

Pathogen detecting method will cut waiting time – developers

A testing method for the detection of foodborne pathogens will cut waiting time from hours to just a few minutes, said its Israel-based developers.

Nematode-detection system to spur fish processing line efficiency

A breakthrough system that automatically detects unwanted elements in fish fillets and estimates product freshness will boost the competitiveness of Norway’s processing sector, said the researcher behind the development.

EU tightens regulations on Chinese GM rice imports

European Union controls on Chinese rice product imports will be tightened in response to an increasing number of food alerts and border rejections of genetically modified (GM) contaminated products.

No botulism contamination found in factory – Premier Foods

Health authorities investigating a botulism contamination in Loyd Grossman’s Korma sauce have found no evidence of the bacterium at the producer’s factory.

Evian and Volvic among Chinese border rejections – Chinese report

European mineral water brands and salmonella tainted pork from Denmark were amongst more than 400 imported food and cosmetic items declared ‘substandard’ by Chinese food quality authorities.

Special Edition: Stevia

Is a re-assessment of EU stevia usage on the cards?

Post-market monitoring of stevia use levels in food and drink products could see the European Commission broaden the current authorised food categories, claims a stevia trade body.

Indian processing market has potential for Chinese growth - GMV

India’s food processing market has the potential to mirror Chinese growth over the next few years, said Dutch firm GMV after it agreed a move into the Indian market.

EFSA calls for new safety measures after deadly E.coli outbreak

Sprouted seed producers should introduce extra food safety measures throughout the production chain in the wake of the deadly E.coli outbreak in Europe this year, said the European Food Safety...

Poultry firm fined after falling foul of listeria contamination

An Australia poultry wholesaler, which provided an airline with Listeria monocytogenes contaminated pre-cooked chicken, has been fined almost A$250,000 for its part in an outbreak which infected dozens.

Global food safety fund proposed after $1m joint pledge

A global fund dedicated to the improvement of food safety standards and best practices has been proposed after $1m was jointly pledged by food safety, food production and legislative figures.

Nano-enabled films prompt European interest - Danaflex-Nano

Demand for nano-enabled packaging film is on the rise in Europe, with the high-barrier packaging film sector showing potential for huge growth, said one of Russia’s largest flexible packaging company....

Oxygen-sensitive sensor can challenge MAP - inventor

An oxygen-sensitive colour change sensor used to determine the shelf-life of packaged food could challenge industry food quality and safety practices, says its UK-based inventor.

Loyd Grossman sauce recalled after double botulism poisoning

Jars of Loyd Grossman korma sauce have been cleared from UK supermarket shelves after two people who ate the product from one batch were hospitalised with botulism poisoning.

French food agency casts CLA safety data as “ambiguous” (in animals)

CLA consumption may raise cholesterol and insulin levels, the French food agency has found after assessing recent in vitro and animal studies.

Reduced pesticide residues found in European food – EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said that fewer illegal pesticide residues were found in foods in 2009 compared to 2006 in a report published yesterday.

Nano- regulation could benefit from two-tier approach, suggests expert

A new two tier system for the regulation of nano-materials in foods could help to alleviate the strain that suggested new regulations may put on industry, whilst ensuring the safety...

Listeria contamination fears push US food recalls figures - report

Six times as many foods products were affected by recalls in the US from July to September compared to Q2 - with potential listeria contaminations accounting for 25% of the...

Helpdesk bids to simplify and speed up EFSA applications

Packaging players seeking authorisation for novel food contact materials (FCMs) will be just one group set to benefit from the introduction of a new advice service, said the European Food...

Hempel on right track with BPA-free coating

A newly, developed bisphenol A-free surface lining for rail transportation cars will put the food sector “one step ahead of regulations,” says the coating’s developer.

Non-EU imports database essential for food safety - FSA

A complete, up-to-date and reliable database is “essential” to identify and control potential high risk non-EU food imports, according to a report by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

US appeals to China for food safety assistance

Food safety authorities in the US have appealed to their Chinese counterparts for help to “move forward” and create a global approach to food safety.

Fraunhofer hails breakthrough analysis for pesticide residue in fish

A new testing method that detects pesticide residues in farmed fish will help the product meet new regulations and lead to safer food, said the Fraunhofer Institute.

Olives recalled after botulism contamination fears in US

A voluntary recall of almond-stuffed olives potentially infected with botulism has been implemented in the US, following the hospitalisation of two people in Finland – one of whom died.

Pathogen inactivating plasma can lead to double shelf-life – expert

A new method for decontaminating produce by inactivating microbes in sealed packaging has the potential to double the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables.

EU - Eastern Partnership food safety and quality consolidation priority - minister

Bringing food safety and quality laws in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries closer to European legislation standards is a priority for the European Union (EU), according to the Polish agricultural minister.

Health Canada eases guidelines on p-synephrine from bitter orange

Guidelines for us of p-synephrine, the predominant alkaloid in bitter orange, has been redefined by Health Canada, with 1 to 50 mg per day of the compound now classified as...