Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

New BSE test could calm fears over beef safety

A new test designed to quickly detect mad cow disease in live animals may help calm the public's fears about the safety of their beef.

How to turn a dark thigh into a white breast

Is it a breast or is it a dark thigh? A poultry professor has found a way to turn dark chicken meat into a more valuable white meat.

Kyowa Hakko to market Cargill's vegetarian glucosamine

Japanese firm Kyowa Hakko Kogyo will begin marketing a refined version of Cargill's vegetarian glucosamine on its home market next month, to meet steadily rising demand for quality forms of the joint health ingredient.

Organic processors urged to ensure compliance

An EU's law change and an exposé on fraud in the UK has led an organic industry body to call on those storing ingredients for processing to ensure their premises are inspected.

Protein-rich diet boosts benefit of exercise

People following advice to cut calories and increase physical activity to lose weight will see greater benefits if their diet is rich in protein, reveals a new study.

New science unlocks secrets of salmonella success

Omnipresent food pathogen Salmonella can evolve at a surprisingly rapid rate "by jettisoning superfluous DNA", report UK scientists.

Poultry takes cover as fears rise over avian flu

With the media and scientists touting the possibility that avian flu could migrate to the EU from Russia, the chicken is facing another round of bad publicity.

Automated calf 'box' offers cheaper, better hygiene

A new calf breeding 'box' from Sweden that includes a moving floor and strategic straw dispenser offers a more hygienic and less labour-intensive way of raising dairy cattle, its creator claims.

Industry to clamp down on organic labelling fraud

The food industry must rapidly stamp out any fraudulent claims for organic food, if integrity and consumer trust is to be maintained.

Listeria hijacks transport machinery to invade cells

New fundamental science reveals how the major foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes commandeers cellular transport machinery to invade cells and hide from the body's immune system.

Fat type affects kids' memory

The type of fat children eat is important for their performance at school, shows a new study that supports the growing number of products being fortified with omega-3 fatty acids for European children.

Rumours that Purac to build lactate production in Thailand

Leading Dutch lactic acid supplier is believed to be in discussions to expand its presence in the East with plans to build an acid plant in Thailand that uses sugar as a raw material.

Poultry antimicrobial eliminates need for chlorine

A new antimicrobial solution helps reduce Salmonella and other bacteria in poultry during processing and also eliminates the need for chlorine in the chilling tank, according to its manufacturer.

Sweet innovation aids 'stagnant' Russian confectionery

Russian firm United Confectioners has used new technology to launch a new range of jelly sweets, tapping in to one of the most promising sectors in Russia's confectionery market.

BBC survey another blow against UK chicken

Chicken consumption in the UK could suffer a temporary setback after a BBC report indicates chicken are highly contaminated with antibiotic resistant E. coli bacteria.

Soy-based alternatives to dairy and meat soar in €1.6 billion market

Strong growth for soy-based alternatives to dairy and meat products on the back of rising consumer health concerns sees the assured European market hitting €1.6 billion in 2004.

Natrol hit by low carb fall out

Natrol has been stunned by a dramatic fall in sales and operating margin during the second quarter, mainly due to a rapid decline in consumer demand for its low carb diet product and a sports nutrition product.

Nestlé's diversification keeps sales humming

Nestle, the world's largest food company, depended on its pet business, beverages and ice creams to keep overall sales growth humming at 5.2 per cent during the first half of the year, although Europe remained sluggish at 1.5 per cent.

Heater uses steam injection to achieve cost savings

A steam method for heating water is cheaper and more efficient than current exchangers used by food processors, the manufacturer claims.

UK government advised to relax BSE rules

The UK has moved a step closer to relaxing its rules on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), potentially opening up a larger supply of beef for food processors in the UK and throughout Europe.

Weekly comment

In food makers we trust?

In among the hollers about obesity and the concerns over nutrition, food companies now need to work hard to ensure they clinch public trust, as a matter of insurance. This means more than compliance on traceability and labeling. This means being seen as a force for good.

Delhaize takes profits hit in Belgium and Greece

With sales growth up and operating profit down in the second quarter, Belgian supermarket and food group Delhaize serves up another sign to processors that their western European market is in direstraits.

New water treatment process hailed as more efficient

A new water treatment system could help food and beverage processors clean their water effluent more efficiently, says the machine's manufacturer.

Lifestyle, diet may halt prostate cancer progression

Men with early stage prostate cancer who make drastic changes to their diet and lifestyle may stop or perhaps even reverse the progression of their illness, claim US researchers.

Hike in packing prices due S&P says

Food processors can expect the higher raw material costs hitting packagers to be passed on soon depending on their contracts.

Tip-up conveyor targets faster wash down time

A tip-up belt is one of the latest developments in the conveyor market, as manufacturers attempt to meet processors' demands for food equipment that can be cleaned easily.

As enthusiasm for RFID wanes innovation should buck trend

Technical problems, consumer suspicions and high prices have served to put many cosmetics companies off investing in Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. However, falling prices and new technology allowing tags to be turned off and read faster means that enthusiasm is likely to resurge.

FDA highlights dangers of uncooked ingredients

Food manufacturers have been told that incorporating an uncooked ingredient into a ready-to-eat food that will not be cooked could pose a serious food safety risk.

FSA to discuss transition of BSE rules

The UK's food standards agency will meet next week to discuss a new BSE testing system trialled earlier this year as part of a managed transition towards replacing the Over Thirty Months Rule.

Food regulator approves four food contact chemicals

As part of its work to ensure food safety within the EU, a regulatory panel has given approval to four chemicals that may be used by processors in packaging or in equipment that comes in contact with their products.

Technique detects wide array of pathogens

Taking advantage of a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), scientists have developed a molecular-based method for checking food safety.

Ozone eliminates chemical food cleaners

With the coming of age for ozone-based sanitizing systems, CIProcess is introducing a new line of food cleaning equipment to the UK and Ireland, billing it as a cheaper method to get the job done.

China tackles pork disease

About 36 people have died in China after eating or handling pigs infectected with a mysterious diease, and there are now 198 more confirmed cases, reports Hridyesh Pandey.

Time to re-jig health food strategies

Consumer attitudes to health and the role of food in achieving it are changing, according to a new report, and food marketers should reconsider how they go about wooing the American consumer.

Meat and dairy: demand up, supplies tight

The demand outlook for the EU's meat and dairy processors is increasingly positive, but with tight supplies processors will have to increasingly rely on more expensive sources, reports Ahmed ElAmin.

Food suppliers not using voluntary code

The UK's consumer watchdog has found that the country's major supermarkets are observing an industry code of practice but that suppliers are not making use of it.

Organic market has not yet reached peak

Organics are bigger now than ever before but the trend is set to get bigger still, according to experts, as institutions such as universities, schools, corporate campuses and even hospitals hop on board.

Wrap machine features modular units

The Shanklin Omni shrink wrapping machine is built to be taken apart for cleaning and for adding other accessories, a key demand in the current food processing market.

Air quality: getting the right flow

Controlling air quality is key to food safety in processing plants according to updated guidelines published by Campden & Chorleywood.

Biodegradable pack certified in three continents

Grenidea Technologies has received US certification for its food packaging, allowing multinational companies to use its biodegradable product in North America and Europe.