Breaking News on Food and Beverage Processing and Packaging

News in brief

UK reaches marine biotoxin test milestone

24-May-2012 - The UK has formally phased out the use of animal testing for the detection of marine biotoxins in shellfish.

17 May - 23 May 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up

24-May-2012 - A selection of the biggest recalls from across the world in the last week.....

SIG Combibloc develops service to boost sustainability

24-May-2012 - SIG Combibloc has launched a 3-step service aimed at improving the sustainable practices of food manufacturers.

Partnership offers improved leak testing for food industry

24-May-2012 - A joint venture between two US companies claims it will enable food packagers to eliminate the risk of releasing defective leak-rate products into the market.

Nanotechnology in food safety will be slowed until regulations become clearer - expert

24-May-2012 - A lack of clear regulations relating to the use of nanotechnology in the food sector could hinder the commercialisation of current food safety research, a manufacturing expert has claimed.

Debate on low dose toxicology risk from bisphenol A to feature at EFSA summit

23-May-2012 - The European Food safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting international experts to assemble at its Italian headquarters next month to debate the issue of low dose response toxicology from substances such as bisphenol A (BPA), dioxins and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs).

News in brief

Cantaloupe growers vote to update food safety program

22-May-2012 - California cantaloupe handlers have voted “overwhelmingly” in support of a new food safety program, in an effort to improve consumer confidence in the safety of cantaloupes.

Nature’s One step-up efforts to cut arsenic levels in baby formula

22-May-2012 - Organic infant formula manufacturer Nature’s One will step-up its efforts to minimise and eliminate the presence of environmental contaminants such as arsenic in its products.

Flash pasteurisation and antimicrobial combo hailed as effective Listeria hurdle

22-May-2012 - Using flash pasteurization in tandem with antimicrobial lauric-arginate-ester (LAE) can curb the growth of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on frankfurter sausages for up to 12 weeks, according to new US Government research.

General Mills fined $850 following worker’s death

22-May-2012 - Food giant General Mills has been fined $850 for a safety violation at a plant in the US where a worker was killed last year.

FSIS and beef industry praised for pre-emptive E.coli action

21-May-2012 - The US beef industry and the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have been showered with praise after showing “strong initiative” in their efforts to prevent E.coli contamination during processing.

China officials back ‘throw out the window’ food safety site

18-May-2012 - Food safety officials in the Chinese city of Shanghai have given their backing to a private food safety website that collates and spreads knowledge about food safety issues in the country.

Kerry Ingredients fined $50,000 for repeat safety failures

18-May-2012 - The US department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Kerry Ingredients & Flavours $50,000 for three repeat safety violations at a plant in the US.

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

16-May-2012 - 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.

Australia approves raw milk cheese sale proposal

15-May-2012 - 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

15-May-2012 - 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.

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

15-May-2012 - 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

11-May-2012 - 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.

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

11-May-2012 - 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

11-May-2012 - 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).

Smartphone testing means headaches for food technologists

10-May-2012 - Food technologists face more work once new smartphone technology takes hold enabling consumers to test the quality of food on supermarket shelves, according to experts.

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

09-May-2012 - 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.

Study conclusion over bisphenol A breast cancer hazard challenged by scientists

09-May-2012 - 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

07-May-2012 - Coca-Cola has apologised to the Chinese authorities, media and public after a manufacturing blunder led to chlorine-contaminated beverage products entering the market.