Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

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Australian government, industry to set salt targets

Salt reduction targets for food products sold in Australia are expected to be set in October 2009, subject to development and agreement between the government and the food industry.

FSA to publish list of additive-free brands

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has called on food manufacturers to come forward if they wish their company or brands to be included in a list of those that are free from the so-called ‘Southampton six’ colours.

Melamine takes its toll on ingredient sales in China

The impact of this year’s melamine dairy crisis has rumbled through the food chain and although quality assurance measures can benefit responsible firms, downturn in Chinese dairy has still led to lost of ingredients sales.

Beef analysis results show high dioxin levels

Four beef samples from Irish farms using contaminated feed have higher levels of dioxins than those found in the pork which led to the recent Irish pork product recall, said Ireland’s food safety agency.

Calls to reverse FDA action over stevia sweetener

More stevia sweetened products are lining up for launch but campaigners are calling for the FDA decision that signaled that the sweetener could be used in food and beverages to be reversed.

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Sharing broccoli’s goodness with other plants

Everyone knows that broccoli is good for you, and advances in transgenic plant engineering by Danish researchers may soon see that goodness replicated in other plants.

Stevia sweetener gets US FDA go-ahead

The FDA has given the long-awaited green light for Reb A, the sweetener made from the stevia leaf, to be used in food and beverages - opening the flood gates for new product launches.

Food safety driving 2009 research, says LFI

Projects evaluating the spoilage patterns of foods, the use of natural antimicrobials, and the effect of processing treatments on allergen detection methods constitute a significant part of new research at LFI, says the group

Dairy industry committed to research in trans fat odyssey

With ongoing debate over the health impacts of naturally occurring trans fatty acid (TFA) consumption, European dairy representatives say they remained committed to pushing ahead with research in the field.

Shift to shelf-stable food amid volatile prices

Consumers are expected to switch from fresh food to more shelf-stable goods in 2009, but the food and beverage sector has a rocky road ahead, according to an industry analyst.

News in brief

China compiles list of chemicals banned from food

China has issued a list of 17 substances not to be used in foodstuffs as part of its post-melamine scandal effort to clean up the food supply chain.

New publication outlines techniques to optimise meat quality

A newly released publication, targeted at the meat production sector, evaluates the latest production and processing strategies to help ensure better meat quality.

New coating can prevent bread spoilage, says Repsol

An antimicrobial wax paraffin coating for paper or cardboard packaging has been given a commercial release, says Spanish developer Repsol YPF.

Dark chocolate more filling, say researchers

Dark chocolate may be more filling than milk chocolate, according to researchers at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Human Nutrition.

Cut cocoa-butter for beta-glucan hydrocolloid, suggests study

Beta-glucan-rich hydrocolloids may be able to replace cocoa-butter in chocolate products, according to new research from the US.

Colours pose no health risk to Australians, says FSANZ

A survey into the levels of colourings in food products in Australia showed usage far below the maximum permitted levels (MPL); FSANZ says this shows there is no public health risk associated with their use.

Nut allergy fears becoming hysterical: BMJ

Fears over the dangers of peanut allergy, a potentially deadly allergy for certain people, are becoming sensationalist and hysterical, according to a Harvard professor.

WHO sets new tolerable daily intake for melamine

International experts have established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for melamine, the chemical found recently in contaminated milk products.

News in brief

Irish pork safe to eat, says EFSA

The levels of dioxins found in some Irish pork would not necessarily lead to adverse health effects following consumption, claims the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

News in brief

Walkers crisps contaminated with rubber - again

Walkers Snack Foods has recalled batches of its crisps for the second time this year due to possible contamination with rubber pieces.

Purple tomatoes may make UK hungry for GM, says USDA

A successful trial of biotech tomatoes with high anthocyanin that saw them increase the life-span of cancer-prone rats could help strengthen the positive side of the GM debate in the UK, says the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Avebe launches fat-replacing potato starch for cakes

Avebe has announced two new applications in its Etenia range of potato starches, including as a means to reduce fat content in cakes by up to 30 per cent.

Meat processors should review insurance terms, says law firm

Meat processors and suppliers should check the terms of supply arrangements and review their insurance policies in light of the Irish pig meat recall, claims a product liability expert from international law firm Eversheds.

Greater vigilance needed for GE crops

Measures to help prevent the unauthorized release of genetically engineered crops into food do not go far enough, according to a report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).

News in brief

Mice suspected in million-dollar cheese destruction

Mice are the unlikely villains of a new setback for the Italian cheese industry after allegedly spoiling more than $1m (€777,000) of products in the Northern city of Parma, say news reports.

Transformer oils linked to tainted pork meat, says FSAI

The profile of dioxins found in the tainted Irish pork meat is similar to those found in electronic transformer oils, claims the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Survey finds sodium levels largely unchanged

The food industry has again come under fire for the amount of salt used in products as a survey found that levels had stayed ‘essentially the same’ over the last three years.

News in brief

Ferrero fined $65,000 for safety slip

Chocolate maker Ferrero Canada has been slapped with a $65,000 fine after a worker was injured at the firm’s plant in Brantford.

Cranberry can inhibit E. coli growth in ground beef, says US study

The addition of cranberry concentrate to ground beef may serve as an supplementary hurdle to control potential E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks associated with ground beef, claims a new US study.

Arla aims for cost and taste ice cream protein potential

The ingredients arm of Scandinavia-based cooperative Arla Foods predicts there is further potential ahead for ice-cream innovation as it launches a new range of proteins it claims can reduce processor reliance on skim milk.

News in brief

Cuba GM corn plan to cut imports

Cuba is expected to give the green light to plant genetically modified (GM) corn for the first time, to help reduce dependence on food imports, it was reported.

Fresh potential for frozen products

Freshness, portion control and convenience are driving opportunities for frozen entrée manufacturers as freezer food sheds its over-processed and drab image, a new report said.

First chocolates released with tooth-friendly sugar

The first chocolate products endorsed by Toothfriendly International as harmless to teeth have hit the market in Belgium, despite containing a sugar.

Roquette splits open pea cells for new insoluble fibre

Roquette is extending its pea-derived ingredient offering with a new insoluble fibre from the interior of the legume, which can be used both as a fibre-content booster and for its emulsifying and gelling properties.

New salt substitute claims to help flavor profile

Redpoint Bio Corporation says it has filed for patents for a new low-sodium salt substitute it has developed and is now looking for a company to license the technology and the know-how.

Rapid technique to detect C. botulinum in trial phase, says LFI

A technique to detect Clostridium botulinum in food products can deliver results in three hours as opposed to the four day delay associated with traditional methods, claims Leatherhead Food International (LFI).

AHD expands ‘superseed’ chia ingredient line

AHD International has expanded its line of chia ingredients to include different forms that will make it easier for manufacturers to incorporate the heart-healthy product into different food and supplement applications.

News in brief

Cweet’s potential explored as it awaits approval for use

The CEO of US firm Natur Research Ingredients, Loren Miles, is to promote the benefits of its Cweet Natural Intense Sweetener to the European market as it awaits regulatory approval.

Salt reduction could impact on food safety, says UK group

A draft report from a UK food safety committee has recommended that manufacturers consider the impact on microbiological safety when making formulation changes to the key controlling factors such as salt in specific products.

Fast food diet linked to Alzheimer’s

A diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol could lead to similar changes in substances in the brain which are also seen in the development of Alzheimer’s, according to a new study.

US infant formula safe from melamine, says FDA

The domestic supply of infant formula in the United States is safe for consumption, the FDA has said following an investigation into contamination with the industrial chemical melamine.