All news articles for March 2005

Vietnamese farmers still struggling with bird flu

Bird flu is still not totally under control in Vietnam, according to a report on Xinhuanet on Wednesday stating that a family had been infected in the north of the country.

Sudan 1:UK MPs urge for ingredient inquiry

A harbinger of potential costs for the food industry, UK members of parliament have called for a 'speedy' investigation into events that led to the contamination of the food chain by the carcinogenic dye sudan 1, writes Lindsey Partos.

Shell lubricant offers canners cleaner sealing

Shell has developed a lubricant that it claims poses no threat to human health and will not affect product odour and taste should it come into contact with food.

Japan ruling opens door to US beef exports

A Japanese food safety panel has said that relaxing domestic cattle testing standards for BSE won't put consumers at risk, raising the possibility of Japan reopening its borders to US beef.

Indonesia slaughters flocks as bird flu spreads

Chicken breeders in Indonesia are being forced to slaughter their stocks as they fight to prevent the spread of bird flu throughout the country - a battle which they currently appear to be losing.

Sudan 1 contamination expands in UK food chain

One month on, UK food watchdog extends the already massive recall of food products contaminated by the illegal, red food dye sudan 1.

UK agriculture sector records rising output

The value of the UK agricultural industry's gross output including subsidies directly linked to product increased by 2.5 per cent to £16.9 billion while intermediate consumption rose by 5.4 per cent due in part to the rise in the oil price, to £9.0 billion, according to Defra.

Savi launches integrated RFID product tracker

Leading RFID supply chain solutions provider Savi Technology has joined up with GPS provider Comtech Mobile Datacom to develop an integrated tracker that identifies cargo while in-transit and on-the-move.

Listeria detection system receives approval

Food manufacturers worried about listeria will now be able to use the detection system created by DuPont Qualicon after it was approved for use last week.

Ingredient range launched to secure meat flavor

Chr Hansen last week launched an ingredient aimed at meat producers whose foods suffer from a lack of flavor after functional blends and water are added to optimize their recipes, writes Philippa Nuttall.

US ups BSE funding in battle to open markets

The US government is investing a further $2 million to enhance research on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and $5 million to establish a Food Safety Research and Response Network.

Sudan 1 found in Chinese KFC

The banned food colouring Sudan 1, a carcinogen, has been discovered in batches of roast chicken wings and chicken burgers on sale at KFC fast food outlets in China. KFC is the second US-based company in China to fall foul of the food scare following revelations earlier this month that Heinz products were also found to contain the illegal colouring.

Indonesia isolates bird flu as Vietnam struggles

Officials in Indonesia say they have isolated poultry from West Java and South Sulawesi in a bid to prevent the spread of bird flu to other parts of the country. But Vietnam appears to be finding it harder to contain the disease, with more human carriers being discovered this week.

Drug-resistant bacteria on poultry differs by brand

The presence of drug-resistant, pathogenic bacteria on uncooked poultry products varies by commercial brand and is likely related to antibiotic use in production, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Government pledges tougher fines for food safety lapses

The UK government has announced a regulation overhaul across many industries, including the food sector, promising less inspections and more incentives for firms with a good record on quality standards, but a crackdown on those breaking the rules, reports Chris Mercer.

Atkins to pull out of UK market

Atkins Nutritionals, the company behind the trendy low-carb diet, is closing its operations in the UK, in a move that seems to herald the end of its presence in Europe and signal an upturn for carbohydrate-rich foods, writes Dominique Patton.

Australia, Europe claim victory in GI case

A dispute between Australia and the EU over the protection of food products carrying a specific geographic indication has ended with the Antipodeans claiming victory following a ruling by the World Trade Organisation. But with the Europeans also claiming that the WTO supports their case, has anything really been resolved, asks Chris Jones.

EU food safety structure a barrier to trade?

With food safety a major priority in Europe, some third countries are concerned that issues like organic, dioxin and GM foods could become barriers to trade, according to CORDIS.

EC gives €10.2m for food export promotion

The EC has agreed to provide €10.2 million in order to promote EU agricultural products outside the EU.

Orkla buys Romanian meat processor

Orkla Foods Romania (OFR), the local subsidairy of Norwegian food processor Orkla, has acquired one of Romania's biggest meat processing groups in a bid to garner a market-leading position there ahead of the country's expected EU accession in 2007, writes Bogdan Tudorache.

Sudan 1: knowledge gaps in traceability?

The massive sudan 1 food product recall in the UK demonstrates that the food industry has traceability mechanisms in place, but suggestions that the large majority of industry professionals are unaware of new EU food safety rules implies there could still be knowledge gaps, reports Lindsey Partos.

Chinese food market to reach number two global position by 2020

Food makers and their suppliers will be wise to continue their drive into Asian markets, with a new report revealing the region will grow to achieve a 41 per cent slice of the global food retail market in 2020, a leap from 33 per cent in 2003, writes Lindsey Partos.

Lantech self-threader makes shrink wrapping easier

Lantech claims that the patented self-threader forming head on its new shrink-wrapping machine delivers perfect lap seals without the need for adjustment.

Smoked meats: food makers to watch carcinogen PAH levels

Nearly a third of smoked meats may not meet targets set by Brussels for incoming rules on the levels of potentially carcinogenic PAH compounds.

Dupont Packaging ups security

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers and its Security & Solutions business has launched an effort to position itself as a worldwide leader in providing security-related products and services for packaging products in the global fight against counterfeiting and tampering.

US-Canada beef trade row divides opinion

The US Senate's decision last week to throw out a proposal to renew beef trade with Canada has angered the USDA but been welcomed by some US beef organisations, writes Anthony Fletcher.

New plant technology to benefit environment

A new method for treating swine-production wastewater could benefit both pork processors and the environment, writes Anthony Fletcher.

China steps up food safety licensing

Producers of 28 different foodstuffs will be required by the Chinese government to apply for production licences as part of the Beijing government's ongoing measures to improve food quality and safety, writes Chris Jones.

Beef production at Cargill suffers from closed border

The continued closure of the US border to Canadian cattle has led Cargill to further cut beef production, said its meat solutions division on Friday.

Confused Europeans snub nutritional label information

The majority of European consumers appreciate the benefits of eating healthily but remain confused over the terminology used in nutritional labelling, according to a recent report by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), Tom Armitage writes.

Advertising authority clamps down on organic 'health' claims

Food makers looking to sell organic products on a 'healthy' agenda may face opposition from the authorities as the UK's Advertising Standards Authority upholds two complaints against the country's organic industry body, Lindsey Partos reports.

Eastern Europe to unleash organic farming potential

Europe's blossoming organic food production, already benefiting from the world's biggest organic food research budget, is predicted to grow fastest in the EU's new member states over the next few years, presenting new opportunities for food processors and retailers to cash in on rapidly growing western European markets, reports Chris Mercer.

French poultry firm invests in Cryovac packaging

Gastronome, the second largest poultry processor in France, is working with packaging specialist Sealed Air Cryovac in order to achieve increased shelf life and enhanced consumer appeal.

New food chilling method offers energy and cost savings

A new refrigeration technology that promises to both halve carbon emissions and cut energy bills by more than 30 per cent could help food manufacturers now striving to meet tough regulations on greenhouse gas reductions and control rising costs, reports Chris Mercer.

Opportunities and challenges within UK organic meat sector

The UK has the second largest organic meat market in the world, though processors need to step up their marketing activities if they are to fully capitalise, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Flawed research exaggerated US obesity crisis

The US Centre for Disease Control has helped to create a climate of fear by exaggerating America's obesity crisis, claims a consumer and industry group, as one major cereal producer warns the whole obesity issue is becoming too emotional, reports Chris Mercer.

Mandelson seeks better deal for EU investors in China

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson travelled to Beijing last week for a four day visit to "forge ties" with the fast-growing economic powerhouse. But he also stressed the need for China to assume the responsibilities that its rising wealth and power entail, writes Chris Jones.

Biotrace makes microbial testing in food sector easier

Biotrace International claims to have improved sample collection for microbial and pathogen testing in the food manufacturing industry.

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