Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

EFSA provides guidance on food enzymes safety evaluation

13-Aug-2009 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a guidance document outlining what information industry needs to provide for the safety of food enzymes to be assessed.

Artificial sweeteners not linked to cancer: Study

12-Aug-2009 - Regular intakes of artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame do not increase the risk of certain cancers, like stomach and pancreatic, suggests a new study from Italy.

Pallet rivals clash as both call for FDA safety probe

12-Aug-2009 - A simmering row between pallet industry competitors escalated yesterday when a plastic pallet producer called on US authorities to launch a food safety probe into its wood-based rivals.

FDA publishes details of warning letter overhaul

11-Aug-2009 - A notice detailing the new process for issuing warning letters to food companies that violate safety regulations has been published in the Federal Register, with the program due to begin on September 15.

Defra calls for more UK foods to apply for protected status

11-Aug-2009 - The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has called for more food manufacturers and producers to apply for protected status for their products.

News in brief

Michigan State University offers international food law courses

11-Aug-2009 - Michigan State University has said that it is accepting applications for its international food law distance education courses.

Weekly comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

10-Aug-2009 - It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

National Organic Program to undergo independent audit

10-Aug-2009 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered an independent audit of its National Organic Program (NOP) to boost transparency and integrity, and bring it in line with international standards.

US marshals raid filthy food plant in wake of FDA clampdown pledge

10-Aug-2009 - US marshals have raided a rodent-infested food processing plant in Louisiana and seized goods worth $72,000 – just 24 hours after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vowed to get tough on companies that flout safety laws.

Bisphenol A ban tabled in French parliament

10-Aug-2009 - France could become the first European country to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in food containers if a bill tabled by group of senators passes into law.

Supermarkets quizzed on plastic food racks over decabromodiphenyl ether health fears

07-Aug-2009 - An environmental group has urged dozens of major US supermarket chains to stop using plastic storage racks on concerns they may contain a toxic chemical that could leach into food.

News in brief

Fonterra Australia pulls custard on listeria fears

07-Aug-2009 - Fonterra Brands Australia has pulled tubs of its vanilla custard off supermarket shelves after a product sample tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.

Hamburg details FDA food safety crackdown measures

07-Aug-2009 - FDA chief Margaret Hamburg outlined new measures on Thursday to act “swiftly and aggressively” to crack down on firms that violate safety regulations.

Massive beef recall linked to antibiotic-resistant salmonella outbreak

06-Aug-2009 - California firm Beef Packers Inc has recalled over 800,000 pounds of ground beef linked to an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant salmonella that has sickened people across nine states.

Processors under spotlight as food ingredient suspected in listeria outbreak

06-Aug-2009 - An investigation has been launched after tainted airline food was linked to a dramatic jump in listeria cases in one Australian state.

Senate approves $125bn FDA, USDA budget

06-Aug-2009 - The US Senate has approved a $125bn budget for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which includes extra funding for food safety as well as farming subsidies.

UK specialty meats given clean bill of health

05-Aug-2009 - Almost 99 per cent of ready to eat (RTE) specialty meats sold in the UK are safe to eat, according to a new report published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

News in brief

Maple Leaf recalls hotdogs on listeria concerns

05-Aug-2009 - Maple Leaf has issued a voluntary recall of nine wiener products on fears they may be tainted with traces of listeria monocytogenes.

US state warns parents off bisphenol A

04-Aug-2009 - The US state of Massachusetts has issued a public health warning to parents of young children advising them to avoid exposure to bisphenol A (BPA).

Weekly comment

Downsize me! FSA right to push for smaller snacks

04-Aug-2009 - Chocolate bar makers should embrace the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposals on snack portions and adapt their supersizing skills to downsizing.

Economically motivated adulteration remains rife: CRN

04-Aug-2009 - Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) of dietary supplements is a “serious and growing concern” in a climate of inadequate testing methods and substandard raw materials, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

Industry body welcomes US and Asia-Pacific food safety measures

03-Aug-2009 - At the APEC meeting in Singapore, Robert Brackett of the GMA has applauded the founding of a food safety training network, just days after the organization praised the House for passing a landmark food safety bill.

New proposals represent shift in food safety strategy, FDA

03-Aug-2009 - The US Government has announced further measures to curb the spread of food-borne diseases such as E.coli just days after lawmakers approved the bill overhauling the country’s food safety system.

House passes landmark food safety bill

31-Jul-2009 - The US House of Representatives passed a food safety bill on Thursday that promises far-reaching reform of how food is processed and grown, intended to boost food safety and consumer confidence.