Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

EU food safety alerts down by 5 per cent

Tougher measures against illegal dyes and a more harmonised criteria for detecting pathogens have led to a 5 per cent drop in EU food safety alerts, the European Commission said yesterday.

Bird flu hits Germany and Czech Republic

The deadly form of bird flu is spreading again in Europe, with Germany and the Czech Republic both reporting outbreaks of H5N1.

Food Valley attracts first Japanese food company

Nippon Suisan Kaisha has become the first Japanese food company to set up R&D operations in The Netherlands' Food Valley to cater to the European consumer - and others are expected to follow suit.

Stork in buyout bid

Candover, an equity buyout fund, this week put in a €1.5bn bid for food processing equipment manufacturer Stork.

Conveyer-mounted equipment improves quality and yield

Heat and Control has unveiled two new conveyer-mountable products that could help food processors improve both yield and product quality in plants.

Quinoa - meat analogue of the future?

Quinoa, dubbed the mother of all grains, is starting to put in an appearance as a meat analogue in vegetarian foods, with Israeli company Soglowek launching quinoa-based patties to the international market.

Crack-down continues as China closes 180 plants

China's government has closed down about 180 plants after inspections uncovered raw industrial materials in food products.

Managers leaving food sector in record numbers

Resignation levels of managerial staff are up in the UK's food and drink sector with employers facing record recruitment and retention problems, according to an annual survey released yesterday.

Workplace injuries drop in UK food sector

Injuries in UK food and drink manufacturing plants have fallen by 22 per cent over the past three years, according to an industry association.

Fish omega-3 linked to lower prostate cancer risk

Higher intake of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) may cut the risk of developing prostate cancer by 40 per cent, says a new study from Harvard.

Weekly comment

Clinical trials - gold standard or white elephant?

Randomised clinical trials are the ultimate. Forget what the observational studies tell us, if the RCT gives us an answer it must be the final word, right? Wrong.

Chr Hansen streamlines through paprika business sale

Chr Hansen has sold its paprika business activities and production facilities in Spain and India to allow it to focus on value-added activities, the company announced on Thursday.

Study to examine energy savings techniques

A two-year project to cut down the energy used by refrigeration units in food plants could help companies save costs and meet their greenhouse gas emission limits.

Food industry calls for more reforms to help boost returns

Investment in research and development, less red tape, access to cheaper raw materials, and export growth promotion are the issues the EU's food industry wants Portugal to address as the country takes over the reins of the bloc's presidency

USDA calls for comments on fish labeling

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to implement a final rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for fish and shellfish, and is calling for public comments on the move.

UK firm develops natural smoke flavour

A UK company claims it has developed a natural alternative to traditional flavourings for food manufacturers wanting to give their products a smoky taste.

Temperature recorders provide instant results

Deltatrak today announced a new line of temperature recorders that offer accurate readings throughout the supply chain, the company claims.

Food allergies rise 12-fold in Australian children

Food allergies in Australian children have risen 12-fold since 1995 and there is an "urgent need" for further research into the trend, according to a new study.

Database gives consumers access to nutrition facts

A new online database has been launched with the aim of helping consumers understand the nutritional content of their food products better and as such curb excessive fat or calorie intake.

Class action seeks compensation for Canada beef

The Canadian beef industry took a step closer to easing the pain of the country's BSE crisis after Quebec Superior Court Justice Richard Wagner granted authorization for a billion dollar class action suit against the Federal Government to proceed to trial.

Consumers demand functional "low and light" products

The market for "low and light" products continued to grow in 2006, but some consumers have started to opt instead for probiotic and wholegrain foods, according to research published by Leatherhead Food International.

Is organic food really more nutritious?

The overall body of science does not support the view that organic food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food, says a new review from the British Nutrition Foundation.

Trade commissioner defends EU approach on GM

Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson yesterday delivered a strong exhortation to the EU to take a lead in shaping global rules on GM trade - particularly in defending objective science as a benchmark - or suffer the economic consequences.

Commission publishes traceability guide

A new guide for EU processors on the bloc's traceability requirements is designed to help industry comply with legal requirements.

Special Edition: Climate change

Do food miles go the distance on emissions?

The impact of measuring the environmental cost of food by the distance it travels could have serious cost and supply chain implications for manufacturers.

FDA to move towards risk-based inspections

Inspections of imported food are likely to be "risk based" as the US Food and Drug Administration changes its approach.

Veal gets a makeover in the EU

European Union agriculture ministers this week agreed to clarify and harmonise rules on what meat can be called "veal".

Ministers vote favourably on new EU organic regulation

European agriculture ministers yesterday reached agreement over new organic regulation and labelling that will simplify the sector for farmers and consumers and is expected to help drive further development.

Testing method speeds up detection of melamine

A new food contaminant testing method for melamine and cyanuric acid decreases the time it takes to get accurate results for meats, its developer claims.

Gelatin combo eyed for tomato waste encapsulation

Researchers from Taiwan are eying a combination of gelatin and poly(-glutamic acid) (-PGA) for the encapsulation of lycopene from tomato pulp waste, offering alternatives for the ingredient increasingly in the consumer's eye.

Processors flock to risk management services says study

The safety of food and drinks has risen to the top of UK boardroom agendas in 2007 with more of them taking out insurance policies on recalls, according to a report released today.

Directors of Irish food company sentenced to jail

Two directors of a company involved in the Euro Freeze fraud case are going to jail for four months after being found guilty yesterday of breaching Ireland's food safety laws.

Chardonnay, raspberry show promise as fish oil preservatives

Seed flours derived from Chardonnay grapes and black raspberries could be used to develop natural preservatives to improve stability and consumer acceptance of fish oils, report researchers from the US.

EU safety agency gives nod to bird flu vaccination

Vaccination programmes of poultry with approved drugs and proceedures could be used to prevent outbreaks of avian influenza, the EU's food safety assessment agency said yesterday.

Frutarom to buy Israeli flavour firm Raychan

Frutarom has signed an agreement to acquire fellow Israeli firm Raychan Food Industries - its third buy in flavours arena this year and one that will allow it to expand its offering to existing clients on a worldwide basis.

Healthy starch advances for processed foods

The search for low glycaemic and slowly digestible starch continues, with scientists from Purdue University reporting a new starch that may lead to smaller spikes in blood sugar and perhaps ease hunger pangs.

Europe remains cautious on use of irradiation

Europe continues to lag behind in the use of irradiation, with only 10 member states approving facilities to process foods, according to the latest European Commission report released yesterday.

Pack allows use of vacuum and MAP techniques

A new pack allows processors to use both vacuum and modified atmosphere techniques for extending the shelf life of their products.

New Med diet symbol to flag up healthy goods

A new Mediterranean diet packaging symbol was today launched in the US, and is set to enjoy significant success from food manufacturers keen to flag up products that meet the nutrition criteria of the diet.

Norwegian institute plans market-oriented seafood research

Norwegian research institute Fiskeriforskning has underscored the importance of market-oriented research in its new annual report, especially in the area of marine ingredients, seafood by-products and research into health benefits.

Commission adds to guidance on animal by-products

The European Commission has added more details to its guidance for industry on the EU's animal-byproducts directive.

Protein quality more important than source, say scientists

It does not matter so much whether protein is sourced from animals or vegetables as whether it is of sufficiently good quality and has the functional characteristics that enable it to be used in food applications, scientists said at a debate hosted by Solanic.