Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

Dispatches from Reformulation Symposium

Supermarket reports challenges of saturated fat reduction

Balancing saturated fat as a proportion of total calories, and the natural variation of fat levels in meat, are amongst the challenges faced by Waitrose suppliers in developing food products with lower saturated fat products.

Weekly comment

Obama’s veg plots point the way to healthy eating and more

“If you don’t plan to plant a garden in Lake Wobegon in the spring, it means you plan to be planted yourself.”

Debate heats up on climate change and meat

The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) has dismissed reports connecting meat consumption with global warming as ‘misinformation’.

Low risk of MRSA contamination from food, says EFSA

There is no evidence that humans can become infected with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from eating contaminated food, or that this strain has caused food poisoning, claims the European assessor.

APT to expand PP and multi-layer tray offering

Associated Packaging Technologies (APT) said that increased demand for both extended shelf life and microwave only packages has influenced its decision to significantly expand its existing polypropylene (PP) and multi-layer thermoforming capabilities.

Red meat linked to increased mortality: Study

Choosing between red and processed meat, and white meat, may affect how long you live, according to new findings from a study with half a million people.

Cost and health driving veggie-curiousness

Vegetarian food manufacturers say they are increasingly catering for mainstream consumer tastes by meeting various consumer needs for affordable, healthy and even higher quality products, according to an independent association.

Foss outlines how to avoid fat fines

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with Foss Product Manger Jens Borg to ask him how the company's analytical tool, MeatMaster, could optimise meat production.

Weekly comment

Omega-3: Fishing for alternatives

Short of an earth-bound deity walking amongst us and miraculously multiplying our fish stocks, industry must invest more in alternative sources of omega-3 to meet nutritional needs.

Salt replacements could be deadly, say renal specialists

Renal specialists have called for clear labeling on products that use potassium chloride as a salt replacer because it could pose a hidden risk for dialysis patients.

US food fears in line with ‘war on terror’ concerns

A new survey suggests that a majority of US consumers are equally concerned over food safety within the country as they are with the ongoing ‘war on terror’.

Software aims to improve food sector’s OEE

New software can enhance overall equipment efficiency (OEE) in a processing plant while ensuring greater transparency in processes, claims Sartorius Mechatronics.

Obama picks Hamburg to head FDA

President Obama has named his pick for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner: Food safety and bioterrorism expert Dr Margaret Hamburg.

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Could sugar shake off its bad boy image?

Sugar could be shedding its bad boy image to take a surprise spot on the public’s list of trusted ingredients, as manufacturers look to appeal to more savvy consumers.

Vaccine targeted at E.coli gets first US licence

New technology aimed at reducing the risk of E. coli 0157 in ground beef has won a conditional licence from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Spotlight again on cloned animals

A review of cloning is underway at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following a request from the European Commission for further advice on the implications of the technology for food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment.

Data loggers enhanced for fast downloading, says US firm

Upgraded data loggers and probes can be used to monitor temperatures in wet and hot conditions, and also have USB enabled high speed data downloading, claims the US manufacturer.

Recession hit shoppers more choosy in meat department

More than half of US shoppers have changed their meat purchasing habits in the past year as they seek to get the best value deals in every trip to the grocery store, according to a new study.

Focus on food contact surfaces, advises Canadian listeria expert

Food contact surfaces, rather than non food contact ones, should be the focus of Canadian legislation aimed at eliminating listeria, according to a federal government advisor on food safety.

Weekly comment

Cargill vs Chavez: Clash of the rice titans

Clutched to the president’s chest like a medal of nationalisation, Cargill Venezuela cannot be sitting very comfortably this week as it awaits the fate of its rice plant.

New processing kit boosts formulation and cuts costs

Improved formation of meat and seafood products, greater product consistency, easier maintenance and lower costs are the benefits claimed for a new processing system from cryogenics provider Air Products and mixer and mixer-grinder specialist Weiler.

New Canadian listeria rules said to lack bite for big companies

New rules on listeria testing in ready-to-eat meats launched last week by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) don’t go far enough to guard against the risk of infection in large companies, warns one of the federal government’s expert advisors on food safety.

Media report misleading, claims Canadian processor

Maple Leaf Foods said a media report stating it had ‘discussed food safety in relation to listeria’ with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) before last summer's outbreak and product recall is misleading and irresponsible in the context of on the record statements from both parties involved.

Salt imitation to reduce salt without flavor impact

Bell Flavors and Fragrances has introduced a new sodium-reducing flavor technology for use in meats, snacks, condiments and soups, which it claims mimics the flavor of salt without its negative health impacts.

Too much red meat may increase age-related blindness: Study

Eating about two portions of red meat a day may increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration by about 50 per cent, says a new study from Australia.

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Twitter could leave bitter taste in Pepsi’s mouth

“The new cartons stink.” Customer responses to new product developments seldom come clearer or more direct than that.

News in brief

Chicken processor in bid to exit bankruptcy

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation has announced that it is to idle three of its 32 US chicken processing plants in a bid to exit bankruptcy by the end of the year.