FoodQualityNews RSS

EFSA to consider non-dietary exposure in bisphenol A data call

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:52:23 +0200

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting a host of stakeholders – including packaging companies and food businesses - to submit data on migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from packaging and levels of the chemicals in food and beverages.

FDA reports concerns at Salmonella-linked Indian tuna scrape plant

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:31:31 +0200

US food safety authorities have voiced concerns over unsanitary conditions at the India-based tuna scrape manufacturing plant at the centre of the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak in the US.

Australia approves raw milk cheese sale proposal

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:31:00 +0200

Australia looks set to okay the sale of non-pasteurised hard cheeses after food safety authorities approved a proposal to sell raw milk products in the country.

Food-based natural nanoparticle discovery opens debate on safety

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:37:04 +0200

Indian researchers have discovered carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) in foods such as bread, corn flakes and caramel – increasing the likelihood that consumption of nanoparticles in food is safe.

Plastic pieces in Sainsbury’s teacakes sparks product recall

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:01:03 +0200

UK supermarket Sainsbury’s has initiated a recall of its own-brand Basic Tea Cakes over fears the products may contain pieces of plastic.

EFSA risk assessment of composite foods hazard to pave the way for harmonized EU regs

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:45:40 +0200

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has outlined a raft of key factors needed to assess the hazard posed by pathogens in composite foods after Brussels said it needed to develop harmonised risk-based rules for their import into the region.

‘Probable link’ between packaging coating and cancer, say scientists

joe.whitworth@wrbm.com (Joseph James Whitworth) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:58:27 +0200

A chemical used to make oil and grease-repellent coatings for food packaging by DuPont has a ‘probable link’ to kidney and testicular cancer, according to an independent science panel.

Progress made on nanoparticle detection

Rod.Addy@wrbm.com (Rod ADDY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:02:25 +0200

UK researchers have developed a way to detect and characterise inorganic nanomaterials, bringing scientists a step closer to determining their effects in food and drink.

MEPs delay EFSA budget approval over conflict of interest and spending concerns

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:58:10 +0200

MEPs have voted to delay approving the way in which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) spent EU funds in 2010 over concerns about possible conflicts of interest within the body and the high costs of its management board meetings.

It’s all hands on deck to implement FSMA in 2012 – PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:46:08 +0200

PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has warned the US food industry that 2012 will be “all hands on deck” to implement the provisions of the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA).

Antimicrobial packaging will reduce food waste - LINPAC

joe.whitworth@wrbm.com (Joseph James Whitworth) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:02:28 +0200

Linpac Packaging has unveiled a range of trays and films that can use additives to make the product inside last longer.

FDA nanotechnology draft guidance represents ‘marginal progress’ – petition group

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:30:05 +0200

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft guidance on the use of nanotechnology in food and food contact substances represents only “marginal progress” towards regulation of the technology, a petition group has claimed.

Beef Products Inc. and Tyson Foods hit by latest ‘pink slime’ fallout

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:37:28 +0200

‘Pink slime’ manufacturer, Beef Products Inc. (BPI), has confirmed the almost immediate closure of three of its four plants, in the latest wave of repercussions surrounding the product.

Study conclusion over bisphenol A breast cancer hazard challenged by scientists

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:32:37 +0200

New research from the US has linked foetal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in monkeys with an increased risk of cancer in primates. But scientists have questioned the validity of the study’s methodology and the relevance of its findings to humans.

'Sorry for China chlorine contamination' – Coca-Cola

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:25:49 +0200

Coca-Cola has apologised to the Chinese authorities, media and public after a manufacturing blunder led to chlorine-contaminated beverage products entering the market.

'Pre-emptive’ measures will accelerate tainted product identification - USDA

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:13:36 +0200

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has outlined a series of measures to conduct future meat product trace backs in a “pre-emptive” manner to catch E.coli O157:H7 contamination at an earlier stage.

Shanghai courts vow ‘severe punishments’ for food safety violations

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:12:57 +0200

Food safety law violators in Shanghai will continue to be met with severe punishments including lengthy prison terms, the city’s high court has vowed.

PepsiCo recalls Tropicana OJ after ‘microbiological contamination’ dispatch error

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:20:18 +0200

PepsiCo UK has initiated a recall of Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drinks over fears the cartons contain potentially hazardous water rather than the typical orange juice blend.

NIR food quality device coming to a smartphone near you - Fraunhofer

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:53:29 +0200

Smartphones equipped with innovative near infrared technology no bigger than a sugar lump could open the door for rapid food quality testing of a host of products, said the Fraunhofer Institute.

First vampires, now Campylobacter…. Researchers identify pathogen combating garlic compound

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:41:13 +0200

A garlic-derived compound could offer the food industry a quick and more effective antimicrobial tool in the fight against Campylobacter on poultry products, a US study has claimed.