Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

Weekly comment

Temporary workers and corporate responsibility

As ever more food companies find themselves in the position of having employed migrants who were mistreated by illegal labour providers, it may be time for firms to start taking more responsibility for the temporary workers many of them rely on.

US regulators to consult public over E. coli concerns

The US department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will next month look into solutions to significantly reduce the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in raw meat stocks following recent scares.

Murrays launches eco-packaging for poultry

Murray's Chickens, one of the largest organic firms in the US, claims to be the first poultry company in the country to switch to environmentally-friendly packaging without polystyrene or foam trays.

JBS expansion would damage US meat industry, claims group

The acquisitions planned by a major US beef packager - JBS Swift - will have far-reaching effects on the nation's meat packaging industry, according to industry members that have voiced opposition to the deals.

British food loses export crutch

Food From Britain (FFB) is to wind down its operations as of March 2009, following the withdrawal of funding from the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

US seminar to focus on packaging legalities

A one day seminar to be held in Chicago will address legal issues for managers in the food and beverage packaging industry, including food safety, sustainability, food contact material developments and nanotechnology.

FDA report revealed consumers are not behind clones

An internal report by the US FDA suggested that there was little or no support among Americans for food from cloned animals, a protest group has claimed.

BASF initiative helps ensure food safety, measures sustainability

BASF has developed a tool for its customers in the food industry which affords detailed information on the composition of products and manufacturing methods, including levels of sustainability achieved in production.

Weekly comment

Allergen-free: time for clarity

Claiming 'free from' is not a light statement to make. Lives depend on it. As scientific progress questions the validity of such claims, it is time to establish exact guidelines and communicate these to people for whom ingredients are a matter of life and death.

FDA to step up checks on Chinese food

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to begin carrying out checks on Chinese food products following approval from the State Department.

New proposal for global, legal junk food ad ban

A new code that would restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children has been proposed by two international lobby groups who claim the food industry is failing to self-regulate, especially in developing countries.

FSIS acts on US meat scares

The recall of over 143,000,000 pounds of raw and frozen meat products by a California meat processor in February is forcing the US regulatory authorities to act and reassure the public about the safety of the US food supply.

Labeling on the agenda for Codex

The Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) will discuss international labeling guidelines amid increasing consumer awareness of the food they eat, a trend that mounts pressure on the industry.

Eureka status for rapid food pathogen test

An ultra-rapid multiplex food pathogen test being developed for meat producers by RnA Assays and UK-based Alaska Food Diagnostics has been awarded EUREKA status.

Green group calls for halt on nanotechnology

Environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has called for a moratorium on the use of nanotechnology in the food chain, claiming insufficient research has been carried out into its effect on human health and the environment.

Introduction of cloned animals concerns interest groups

The US Center for Food Safety (CFS) has issued a statement supporting legislation being introduced at federal and state level to protect consumers against an unregulated introduction of cloned animals, their off-spring and products into the food chain.

Weekly comment

Warning signs: reconsidering shock tactics

Here's a possible new marketing angle for food and beverage manufacturers: "Food can kill".

Cryovac promises training for microwave food processors

Packaging firm Cryovac has established a training programme for manufacturers of microwave and convenience foods.

Canada under pressure to ban junk food ads

Health officials in Canada are urging the government to take action to ban the advertising of junk food to children, saying that self regulation by industry does not work.

FDF urges Chancellor to support food and drink industry

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is urging the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, to support the food and drink industry in his first budget.

Air Products expands into Thailand

UK firm Air Products today announced the opening of a new technology centre in Thailand, as the company looks to market its food freezing expertise to Asian manufacturers.

UK shoppers turn to higher welfare chicken, report

UK consumers appear to be increasingly buying chicken meat from producers employing higher animal welfare standards, according to a new survey.

Kosher firm fails on food safety

A new report accuses Agriprocessors, the largest kosher meat firm in the US, of violating food safety laws and failing to protect consumers from the risk of E.coli and mad cow disease.

US lawmakers demand further food safety measures

US lawmakers are demanding further food safety measures following concerns over the recent recall of over 143,000,000 pounds of raw and frozen meat products by a California meat packer.