Breaking News on Food Safety & Quality Control

New salmonella hazard uncovered for egg processors

Wooden shelving on carts typically used for transporting eggs into processing plants can harbour salmonella-causing bacteria, a new study from the US Department of Agriculture has warned.

News in brief

Infant nut risk prompts call for packaging warnings

The danger of suffocation for infants from swallowing nuts is far higher than that from toys, said the German risk body as it called for warnings to be printed on food packaging.

Electronic nose sniffs out food aroma quality

Reliable electronic noses capable of consistently detecting different food aromas moved a step closer recently with the invention of a new statistical methodology by Spanish researchers.

Seasonal Video Greetings From Decision News Media

Welcome to this seasonal holiday video from Decision News Media. As we prepare to celebrate our tenth anniversary next year and first year as part of William Reed Business Media, we present 10 fun number facts about our company. And, later this week, the holidays begin.

Food processing trends and factors for success in North America

A study of North American food and beverage processors found Canadian players have closed the margin gap compared to their US rivals and there has been significant consolidation within the sectors.

Weekly comment

Time to speed sustainable palm oil supply

Global food giants have vowed to source all their palm oil sustainably by 2015 – but consumer pressure could grease the wheels for more rapid change.

Hazelnuts recalled on salmonella fears

Oregon hazelnut processor Willamette Shelling has recalled more than 114,000 pounds of shelled hazelnuts – also known as filberts – after finding salmonella in a production lot, the company has said.

Nanotech’s potential to boost barrier performance of plastics

Nanotechnology offers significant potential progress in enhancing the barrier properties of polymers used in food and beverage packaging, according to a new scientific review.

EU updates recycled plastic process register for packaging

The European Union has updated its register of applications of processes to produce recycled plastic for use in food contact materials.

Breakthrough test for food poisoning bug

A new test to detect a bacteria that is a leading cause of food-poisoning is cheaper, faster and significantly more sensitive than existing assays, said the US body behind the breakthrough.

New fears surface over bisphenol A

Opponents of bisphenol A (BPA) have received added ammunition as new research on the chemical raised fresh health concerns, while a leading US federal official told consumers to avoid the substance.

EFSA approval for two food contact substances

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has delivered positive opinions on two substances for use in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food contact materials.

News in brief

German organisation BfR explains food risk assessment process

The German risk assessor Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR) has released a brochure assessing cadmium intake through foods as an example of how food risks are scientifically reviewed.

UK pork industry to draw up labelling code of practice

A new code of practice on country of origin labelling (COOL) of British pork is to be drawn up thanks to an agreement hammered out between the UK government and key industry players.

Heinz recalls baby cereal on mycotoxin contamination fears

Heinz has issued a recall of some of its baby food in Canada on fears it may be contaminated with elevated levels of a mycotoxin.

EFSA reaffirms safety of Monsanto rapeseed oil

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reaffirmed the safety of Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) GT73 oilseed rape, stating that it is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on human or animal health or the environment when used for food and feed uses.

Leatherhead members back food quality study

Leatherhead Food Research has revealed six research projects chosen by its members for 2010-2011, with strongest support for a study into freshness and food quality indicators.

Weekly comment

Bisphenol A becomes test of leadership for FDA

Each day the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dithers in delivering its verdict on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA), its authority is diminished and its credibility wanes.

China uncovers more melamine-tainted milk powder

Employees from a Chinese dairy company have been taken into police custody on suspicion of selling tonnes of melamine-tainted milk powder.

BPA decision soon, says FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it would issue its overdue decision of the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) soon but refused to set a date or say why it failed to meet its own deadline for publication.

UK flags new rules to strengthen meat traceability

New supply chain regulations designed to beef up the ‘farm to fork’ traceability of cattle, sheep and goats sent to slaughter will come into force in the UK from the beginning of next year.

Quick-set hygienic flooring to help beat the recession

UK floor specialist Flowcrete claims that its Flowfast flooring, which is ready to use within two hours and will be show-cased at the Foodex event next spring, can help food processing and packaging companies upgrade their facilities and install new ones despite the economic downturn.

UN agencies to hold bisphenol A safety summit

Two United Nations bodies are to convene an international meeting on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging over growing anxiety of the chemical’s possible threat to human health.

FSA drops specific targets in latest 5-year plan

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has avoided specific targets in its latest strategic plan for 2010-2015, opting instead for five simple safety and health goals.

Weekly comment

Counting the human cost of recession

Return to profitability. It’s a phrase that businesses have been yearning for, but as more of them are starting to use it, it’s time to ask: At what cost?

Acrylamide poised for inclusion on EU hazardous chem list

Acrylamide has been added to the candidate list for inclusion on the European Union’s Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) following a unanimous decision by an expert panel.

Unilever recalls 10m tainted slimming drinks

Unilever has recalled an estimated 10 million cans of its Slim-Fast ready-to-drink (RTD) products in North America on fears they could be infected with a bug that causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

UK salmonella probe names Spanish egg plant

A Spanish egg production facility has been named and linked a steep jump in the number of salmonella cases in the UK in 2009, said food safety officials.

RQA develops DIY food recall plan

Food safety and product recall experts at RQA Europe have developed an online toolkit to help manufacturers plan for food product recalls.

Tyson clashes with FDA over 'serious violations'

Tyson Foods has challenged an FDA-assessment that one of its Texas food processing plants had committed “serious violations” of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.

Plastics industry rejects call for UK bisphenol A ban

A campaign to ban bisphenol A in the UK has been branded “misleading” by the UK plastics industry as it declared the chemical was safe for use in food packaging.

Partnership promises high quality non-GM potatoes

Cibus Global and Naturally Enhanced United Seed (NEU Seed) have come together with new technology to develop better quality non-GM potatoes, the seed trait development firms said on Wednesday.

EFSA evaluates previous cargoes of food transport ships

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued its opinion on the acceptability of a number of substances as previous cargoes for the transport by sea of edible fats and oils.

UK poultry industry struggles to comprehend EU judgement

UK poultry processors have been plunged into confusion after EU rules were passed banning the sale of defrosted ‘poultrymeat’ and ‘poultrymeat preparations’ sold as chilled product, reports sister title Food Manufacture.

Investment group seeks urgent FDA ruling on BPA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is failing in its job to protect consumers from exposure to chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) by missing the publication deadline on its re-evaluation of the safety of the packaging component, warns a ‘green’ investment fund.

News in brief

China lifts Canadian pork ban

China has reopened its borders to imports of Canadian pork, although its ban on live swine is still in place, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Tuesday.

Chicken survey finds two-thirds harbour salmonella, campylobacter

A consumer survey has found salmonella and/or campylobacter in about two-thirds of chickens tested in the US.

Eggs linked to UK salmonella hike

UK safety authorities have highlighted a trebling in the number of salmonella cases reported this year– with eggs imported from Spain investigated as one possible source for almost a third of incidences.

UK experts call for bisphenol A ban

A raft of experts and charities have today urged the UK Government to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles because of “compelling scientific evidence” linking it to cancer and other chronic conditions.

News in brief

No bisphenol A decision yet - FDA

The US Government failed yesterday to meet its own deadline for delivering a ruling on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA).