Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

WTO to rule on origin labeling row

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to rule on the ongoing dispute over whether US country of origin labeling (COOL) violates international trade agreements, as Canada and Mexico have alleged.

WTO to rule on origin labeling row

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed to rule on the ongoing dispute over whether US country of origin labeling (COOL) violates international trade agreements, as Canada and Mexico have alleged.

Sidel claims world’s lightest hot-fill PET bottle

Sidel has announced the development of what it says are the world’s lightest hot-fill PET bottles.

India reveals new food processing blueprint

The Indian Government has unveiled proposals to double the size of its food processing industry within the next five years by increasing funding and improving technology and infrastructure in the sector.

WTO to investigate EU ban on US poultry

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is to investigate the European Union’s decade-long ban on poultry from the United States that is treated with chlorides during processing.

US food safety bill enters final lap

A US Senate committee unanimously approved the food safety bill yesterday in a move that will send the landmark legislation to the full floor for a final vote.

Scientist defends study linking phthalates to feminising boys

The leading scientist of research that suggests boys exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have more feminine play habits has defended the report after a chemical industry body disputed its reliability.

News in brief

India to establish food standards authority

The Indian Government has confirmed it has no plans to replace its existing foods safety law but is going to set up a new body to scrutinise food standards.

Bill to ban bisphenol A introduced in US

New legislation that would impose a nationwide ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in all food packaging products used by children has been proposed by US Senator Charles Schumer.

Coca-Cola packaging redesign spearheads global strategy

Coca-Cola is to create a single global packaging design for its key juice brands as part of a bid to cement its market leadership in the sector, the company has announced.

Exposure to nano titanium dioxide could up cancer risk, says study

There may be a potential risk of cancer and genetic disorders for individuals working with high concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, according to US scientists.

News in brief

FSA announces GM steering group members

The FSA has named the group members of a steering group that will shape and manage forthcoming consumer dialogue work on genetic modification (GM) in food.

US dairy industry plea to boost raw milk regulation

Raw milk products pose a “significant food safety hazard” and facilities that make them should be covered by the new food safety bill, said the two largest US dairy trade bodies.

KHS unveils expansion plans for PET barrier system

KHS will soon be introducing a larger version of its PET barrier system Plasmax to bring the technology to large bottling lines.

No health threat from radiation in UK food chain

The amount of radiation absorbed by the UK population through the food chain remains low and poses no health concerns, said the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

News in brief

Berry Plastics buys Danish packaging company

Berry Plastics Corp announced its takeover of Danish company Superfos Packaging for around $82m (€55m).

Bisphenol A link to male sexual dysfunction challenged

A new study linking high-level workplace exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) to male sexual dysfunction has limited relevance to consumers, said the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

Coca-Cola begins global launch of plant-based PET bottle

Coca-Cola Co yesterday announced the selective global roll-out of its new PET bottle made from up to 30 per cent plant materials such as sugar and molasses.

Weekly comment

Alleviation of hunger should top CSR agenda

Climate change dominates the CSR agenda but new USDA figures on food insecurity are a sharp reminder that alleviating poverty and hunger should always be the top priority.

Risk of infant, foetal mortality from Listeria higher than believed

Listeria monocytogenes could present a high risk to unborn babies and infants at significantly lower levels than previously believed, new research has suggested.

FDA postpones raw oyster ban

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has back-tracked on its plans to ban the sale of raw oysters from the Gulf of Mexico during warm months amid mounting industry and political pressure.

News in brief

TCP Partners acquires confectionery packager Tray-Pak

Pennsylvania-based TPC Partners has acquired a majority shareholding in packaging manufacturer, Tray-Pak Corporation.

High energy prices prompt fourfold rise in bioplastics demand

Global demand for bioplastics will rise more than fourfold to 900,000t by 2013 with a value of $2.6bn fuelled by high crude oil and natural gas prices, according to the latest report from market research group Freedonia.

IFT reviews food traceability

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has released a report examining food traceability, with the aim of reducing foodborne illness by making it easier to trace food along the entire supply chain.

News in brief

Indiana dry milk processor gets grade A certification

PacMoore, an Indiana-based manufacturer of dry milk products, has received grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) certification.

Can volumes stagnant, closures decline but profit on target, says Rexam

Rexam said demand for beverage cans continues to fall in Europe and North America but was confident of meeting market expectations for the full-year as cost reductions and currency gains had offset weak sales.

Packaging innovation aimed at low scale confectionery makers

A new digital press can provide cost effective customised decoration of metal containers for eco-conscious confectionery makers involved in small volume applications, claims a US speciality packaging firm.

Silver-coated poultry crates help cut bacteria contamination

Crates coated with a new silver antimicrobial protection system can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination of Campylobacter among poultry during transportation, said manufacturers BioCote Ltd.

Silver-coated poultry crates help cut bacteria contamination

Crates coated with a new silver antimicrobial protection system can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination of Campylobacter among poultry during transportation, said manufacturers BioCote Ltd.

Male impotence risk from bisphenol A exposure - Study

High-level exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the workplace could increase the risk of male sexual dysfunction, including erectile and ejaculation problems, new research has said.

Improved monitoring of two zoonotic diseases, EFSA

Two new reports aimed at harmonising the scrutiny and reporting of a pair of bacteria responsible for zoonotic diseases have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Study reconfirms bisphenol A safety, says industry

Trade bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have welcomed a recent study sponsored by a US Government agency that bisphenol A (BPA) has no adverse effect on the reproductive function or behaviour of rats.

Plastic additive firms face €173m price fixing fine

Dozens of companies that produce plastic additives for food, beverage and cosmetic packaging have been fined more than €173m for their part in price fixing and market sharing cartels over a 13-year period.

Rexam sells its Petainer business

UK private equity companies Next Wave Ventures and WHEB Ventures have acquired global packaging company Rexam’s Petainer PET container business for £16m.

Oven may cut costs for diverse product bakers

A new continuous oven can cut costs for large scale baked good manufacturers aiming to develop products to satisfy the growing demand for diversity and convenience, claims a leading bakery machinery developer.

Kraft’s bid is ‘contemptuous’, says analyst

Even if Kraft intends to increase its bid for Cadbury, its latest offer has probably managed to upset both the board and shareholders, says Andrew Wood, senior research analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.

Meat processors anxious on FSA bid to cut inspection funding

Proposals by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) to cut its funding of meat control inspections could be a “significant blow” to the processing sector, said a leading industry body.

Functional water sales grow strongly across Europe

Sales of functional waters are growing strongly in Europe aided by health concerns, clearer marketing, and advances in formulation, according to a new report from Zenith.

Maple Leaf dismisses hygiene breaches at Listeria plant

The discovery of mould, meat debris and slime in the Maple Leaf plant at the centre of the 2008 Listeria outbreak just weeks after it re-opened did not pose food safety concerns, the company said.

Food processor cited after worker killed in ice machine

US fish processing company Northern Wind Inc has been cited for flouting nearly two dozen safety regulations after one of its workers was killed in an ice machine at its Massachusetts plant.

News in brief

Australia warns of tomatoes and hepatitis A link

Health authorities in Victoria, Australia have renewed their advice warning against eating uncooked semi-dried tomatoes following 23 new reported cases of hepatitis A.

Challenges and opportunities for bio-based plastics

Bio-based plastics have the potential to substitute almost all oil-based plastics but will not do so in the near future because of higher production costs and restricted output capacity, said a new study.

Netherlands seeks Indian food processing partners

Joint ventures in food processing and food retailing are planned by the Netherlands in India’s eastern and north-eastern states - providing it can find partners able to comply with international safety standards, according to the publication Business Standard.

Weekly comment

Life in a European health claims wasteland

Ka-CHING! Hear that? No it’s not the sound of overflowing cash registers as consumers throw endless wads of euros at scientifically-backed, healthy foods in greater numbers than ever before.

‘Unauthorised' drinks to be reformulated on health fears

The range of “unauthorised” Chaotic Beverages pulled from Canadian shelves recently on health fears will be reformulated to meet the country’s ingredient regulations, said importers of the product.

News in brief

Eagle granted SQF accreditation

Eagle Food Registrations has added SQF (Safe Quality Food) accreditation to the portfolio of food safety certification it is able to offer.

Danisco says UHT fouling fixed with new enzyme

A new ingredient has been developed to resolve UHT milk processing fouling naturally and thereby lead to increased production capacity for processors, claims the manufacturer.

Danisco says UHT fouling fixed with new enzyme

A new ingredient has been developed to resolve UHT milk processing fouling naturally and thereby lead to increased production capacity for processors, claims the manufacturer.

Canadians warned off Chaotic Beverages over possible health risks

Health Canada has told consumers not to drink four “unauthorised” drinks made by Chaotic Beverages on fears they contain ingredients that could pose a health hazard to children.

Pesticide-tainted pears spark EU emergency measures

The European Commission has imposed emergency measures on pear imports from Turkey after some shipments were found to contain pesticide residues over 1,400 times above acceptable levels.

FDA calls meeting to improve food traceability systems

Federal agencies in the United States need to increase the speed and accuracy of traceability systems to combat outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, said the FDA as it called a public meeting on the matter.

Canada tightens front-of-pack nutrition labeling rules

Canada is updating its front-of-pack nutrition labeling scheme, disqualifying whole food categories, changing the rules for fiber, salt and fat, and introducing criteria for trans fat and sugar.

News in brief

Mocon to open 'strategic' Indian lab

Mocon has said it will be opening a new testing laboratory in India at the beginning of next year as part of a strategy to expand into global packaging hotspots.

Lawsuits filed over E.coli-contaminated beef

Two lawsuits have been filed in the US after a multi-state outbreak of E.coli 0157:H7 that has so far been linked to two deaths and 28 illnesses.

Marel sees slow recovery across processing sectors

The market for food processing machinery is improving but more slowly than expected with most growth seen in the poultry and fish sectors, said Marel Food Systems.

Call for ‘pink revolution’ in India’s meat and poultry sectors

Modernisation of India’s food industry to enhance the quality of the country’s meat and poultry products is urgently needed, according to the Minister of Food Processing Industries, Subodh Kant Sahai.

Cadbury cites eco concerns for tin swap

Confectionery giant Cadbury is playing up its sustainability initiatives in its seasonal packaging to appeal to consumer demand for a 'green' Christmas.

Milk and meat drive N Ireland food processing growth

Increasing sales of milk, meats and baked goods fuelled a six per cent growth in Northern Ireland’s food and drinks processing industry last year as sales reached almost £3bn, said a government report.

Industry backs bisphenol A safety in can linings

The use of bisphenol A (BPA) in can linings is both safe and vital for food protection, a host of industry bodies and companies have said in rejecting the conclusions of a report calling for a ban on the chemical.

Supply chain waste map for meat and fish

A resource map outlining where and how much meat and fish – as well as it associated packaging – is wasted in the supply chain is to be developed in a bid to cut all three and save cash for industry players.

Global food safety group meets with Chinese envoys

Chinese food safety delegates met with international food safety experts in Minnesota this week to conclude a two-week program discussing individual nations’ role in the development of global standards.

Three speedy GM maize approvals ease soy imports

The European Commission last week approved three varieties of genetically modified maize for import and processing for food and feed uses, as soy imports into the EU were held up by the bloc’s zero tolerance policy.

Significant bisphenol A levels in canned food - Study

Significant levels of bisphenol A (BPA) have been found in a wide variety of canned food that, for some, could approach levels shown to cause harm in animal studies, according to the Consumers Union (CU).

New valve delivers quicker filling and dispensing

Improved performance during filling and dispensing is the main benefit claimed for the new DN50 Integral valve from the UK-based, bag-in-box specialist, Rapak.

US targets Bangladesh over aquaculture safety fears

US food officials have sent a team to Bangladesh in a bid to boost the safety and quality of its aquaculture - much of which is exported to the west.

Boston Globe slams DSHEA and 'powerless' FDA

TheBoston Globe has called for a repeal of DSHEA, stating that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is “virtually powerless” in regulating the industry.

Weekly comment

Clinical trials are EFSA’s fool’s gold

There’s gold to be found in them health claims mountains, but prospectors from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must be happy with the little chunks that add up to a lot, and stop searching for nuggets the size of your fist.

Speed record smashed by “world’s fastest robot”

Claimed to be globe’s fastest robot, the Adept Quattro recently broke the industry’s standard speed benchmark of 300 cycles per minute.

US spells out wish list for investing in Indian food processing

Greater US investment in the Indian food processing and agricultural sectors depends upon the government harmonizing food safety laws and introducing farm reforms and stronger intellectual property protection, according to Bob Milligan, chairman, US Chamber of Commerce.

New method to inhibit E. coli in sprouts

A treatment method using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) can help ensure the safety of fresh produce such as alfalfa seeds in terms of Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli contamination, claims new research.

News in brief

Big gaps in US food-borne illness response

Delays in the public health response to food-borne illness in the US occur because some state health departments cannot efficiently track produce-related illnesses, according to a survey commissioned by the Produce Safety Project (PSP).

Call for more education on Canadian nutrition labeling

Most Canadians use on-pack nutrition labeling as their primary source of nutritional information but many need to interpret it better, according to a study from the Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition.