Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

Nanotech research launched by US and EU

01-Oct-2009 - The US Government and the European Union have announced separate plans to launch studies into the possible health effects and business implications for nanotechnology.

Inside-out approach to frozen food quality

30-Sep-2009 - Advanced Food Systems is to help food manufacturers overcome some of the quality problems of frozen foods, with custom-made systems to prevent freezer burn, protein damage and loss of color and flavor.

Bisphenol A review prioritised as US announces chemical scrutiny overhaul

30-Sep-2009 - Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are two of six controversial chemicals to be reviewed as part of a move to overhaul the way potentially dangerous substances are scrutinised in the United States.

Growth hormone rbST safe and green, claims study

30-Sep-2009 - Milk from cows given the growth hormone recombinant bovine somatropin (rbST) poses no human health threat and is identical to other milk, a review sponsored by hormone producer Elanco has said.

Microwaving frankfurters cuts Listeria risk – Study

29-Sep-2009 - Microwaving frankfurter sausages or hotdogs for 75 seconds at high power can boost protection from pathogens like Listeria that cause food-borne illnesses, a new study has found.

News in brief

Floods disrupt Kellogg efforts to restart plant after Listeria probe

29-Sep-2009 - The Kellogg waffle plant in the United States at the centre of the Listeria probe remains closed after efforts to bring it back on line were halted by severe flooding in the region.

Dairy firm faces hefty fine over alleged processing breaches

29-Sep-2009 - US dairy food processor Hiland Dairy Foods Co is facing a fine of almost $125,000 over a string of alleged processing violations that could lead to the “catastrophic release” of dangerous chemicals.

Weekly comment

The benefits of a probiotic witch hunt

28-Sep-2009 - Get your pitchforks ready! There are evil-doers out there! We’ve been conned: Probiotics don’t work. Dannon’s settling out of court, EFSA’s rejecting health claims, and the media is starting a witch hunt.

Better, cheaper, quicker food allergen tests on the way

28-Sep-2009 - Food processors could soon be able to detect minute traces of food allergens in their products on site and within minutes, thanks to a new test system under development in Germany.

French plant boosts customised capacity for microbiological control

25-Sep-2009 - French company BioMerieux has boosted the capacity of its customized manufacturing of culture media, used in microbiological control, with the opening of a new facility at its Crapone plant.

EFSA rejects report on BSE risks from sausage casings

25-Sep-2009 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected the conclusions of a Swiss report saying that sausage casings sourced from cattle intestines pose negligible BSE related risks.

Explosion at Imperial Sugar refinery “entirely preventable”

25-Sep-2009 - Last year’s deadly explosion at the Imperial Sugar Port Wentworth refinery fuelled by a build up of sugar dust in the packing plant was “entirely preventable” said the US Chemical Safety Board.

Neogen sees strong growth, acquisitions and speaks out on China

25-Sep-2009 - Neogen Corporation said its food safety investments in China have yet to yield a strong return but that a new test for food contaminants was soon to go into operation that may change the situation.

News in brief

Fraudsters hit UK food businesses

25-Sep-2009 - UK food businesses are being targeted by fraudsters, claiming to represent the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who impose illegal penalty fees for bogus hygiene infringements, warns the agency.

Edible apple film wraps could boost meat safety

25-Sep-2009 - Apple-based edible films containing plant antimicrobials could protect red meat and poultry against harmful bacteria including E. coli and Listeria, according to a study published in the Journal of Food Science.

PepsiCo imports fail Chinese quality control

23-Sep-2009 - Global drinks giant PepsiCo is one of a number of western companies whose imported food and beverage products have failed Chinese quality inspection tests, reports Shanghai Daily, one of the country’s two leading English language newspapers.

News in brief

Canada listeria death stumps officials

23-Sep-2009 - One person has died and five more been sickened by a Listeria outbreak - that Canadian authorities admit has them baffled.

Nationwide food recall system unveiled in US

23-Sep-2009 - Industry bodies in the US have welcomed the launch of a “unique” on-line food recall portal that will provide a “critical” information link between food processors and retailers.

NZ’s ‘outdated’ Food Act to be replaced to lift safety standards

23-Sep-2009 - The New Zealand government has pledged to update what it describes as its “outdated” 28-year-old Food Act to make it more relevant to businesses and consumers while improving safety standards.

US meat body demands E-beam irradiation decision

22-Sep-2009 - US authorities should stop dragging their feet and speed up the rule-making process to allow electron beam irradiation to be used in beef processing, said the American Meat Institute (AMI).

Weekly comment

Are health claims curbing freedom of speech?

21-Sep-2009 - The US FDA is being sued over its health claims regime – actions that are unlikely to succeed according to most pundits – but they raise serious questions about healthy food messaging and free speech that are being felt globally.

Milk finger-printing detects contaminants to lift safety standards

18-Sep-2009 - Improved safety standards plus easy and cost-effective up-take are the benefits claimed for the new “finger printing” software that allows MilkoScan analysers to detect the presence of contaminants in raw milk.

Chemical industry rejects ‘lies’ allegation over BPA bill defeat

17-Sep-2009 - Chemical industry representatives have vigorously denied allegations that it used dirty tricks to convince Californian lawmakers not to pass a bill to ban bisphenol A (BPA).

“Revolutionary” new bottle sterilization kit launched at Drinktec

17-Sep-2009 - US company Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) has launched sterilization equipment at trade Fair Drinktec, Munich, Germany which it claims will revolutionise aseptic bottle filling.