Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

Animal welfare labelling schemes up for discussion in Europe

The European Commission is mulling labelling to help consumers’ identify animal welfare-friendly products and incentivise producers to improve welfare. But campaigners say voluntary measures are not enough.

Package meat recovery fuels Maple Leaf Q3 profits

The continuing recovery of its packaged meat division following the listeria outbreak in 2008 was a major factor in Maple Leaf posting a C$22.5m profit for the third quarter ending 30 September.

Listeria biofilm under attack from new disinfectant

Sterilix Corporation and an ARS researcher claim to have developed a 100 per cent effective disinfectant for removing biofilms containing Listeria monocytognes from meat processing facilities.

Meat linked to increased diabetes risk: Meta-analysis

High intake of processed meat may increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 40 per cent, according to a new meta-analysis from Norway and the US.

News in brief

Beef recall on E.coli fears after 20 sickened

US company Crocetti's Oakdale Packing Co has recalled more than 1,000 lbs of beef patties after reports that more than 20 children were suffering from E.coli.

Weekly comment

Tackling E.coli – legislation or self-regulation?

Everybody wants food to be safe - but the recent slugging match over how best to protect US consumers from E.coli-tainted meat highlights whether legislation or self-regulation is the answer to mending the country's flawed safety system.

US government and trade body clash on E-beam debate

A four-year campaign by the American Meat Institute (AMI) to have electron beam technology approved as a processing aid appears no nearer resolution after the government and the group disagreed over progress on the issue.

Meat test rule change would prevent most E.coli, Listeria recalls

More than 80 per cent of this year’s meat recalls for E.coli and listeria could have been avoided if US authorities made companies keep hold of tested products until safety officials had given them the all clear.

US meat industry failing on E.coli testing - Senator

The lack of corporate responsibility shown by the US meat industry in failing to follow its own guidelines over E.coli testing of ground beef has forced Congress to act, according to one senator.

China packaging firm reaps rewards from food safety law

A specialist packaging company in China has said the newly implemented food safety law has boosted business as it announced it had secured a lucrative contract with the leading domestic meat processor.

No concern over fluorinated chemical levels in food - FSA

There are no human health concerns over current dietary exposure to a range of fluorinated chemicals, such as PFOS and PFOA, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said

Meat processors performing worst in sustainability stakes

Meat processors are lagging behind other industry sectors when it comes to sustainability, according to a report by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

Weekly comment

Branded Corn Flakes are great for branding

Will we all be waking up bleary-eyed to bowls of tattooed Corn Flakes any time soon? Probably not, but by suggesting that we could, Kellogg’s has hit on a winning marketing ploy.

News in brief

Beef tongues recalled on BSE risk

A US company has recalled around 33,000 pounds of beef tongues that may still contain specified risk material (SRM) that could cause mad cow disease.

New eco-friendly product kills Salmonella, E.coli and, Campylobacter

A new eco-friendly technique to clean and disinfect food, particularly poultry, and food contact surfaces is effective against Salmonella, E.coli and, Campylobacter and a range other pathogens, according to EAU Technologies.

Mandatory E.coli tests no magic bullet, says US meat body

Education not legislation is the answer to tackling thousands of illnesses caused annually by E.coli-tainted beef, said the US meat industry as it resisted plans for mandatory testing for the bug.

US meat industry says beef safer than ever

US companies have made significant progress over the past decade in making meat safer but should not be obliged to publish inspection test results, said the head of a leading trade body this week.

FDA launches a $17.5m boost to food and feed safety

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a $17.5m investment in food and feed safety standards encompassing federal, state, and local partners.

Poultry safety boosted by new hyperspectral imaging system

New technology developed by the US Government that automatically scans poultry carcasses for contamination has been successfully tested in a commercial plant.

Weekly comment

Soda tax: A lot of froth over freedom

Is taxing soda really an evil plan to curb your individual freedom? Conspiracy theories aside, perhaps it’s simply a sensible scheme to tackle obesity when personal choice has failed.

Vegetable oil mix may substitute for pork fat in meats

Polyunsaturated-rich oils may replace pork fat in sausages, suggests a new Spanish-Colombian study with implications for healthier meat products.

News in brief

Meat partnership forged after E. coli testing agreement

Costco Wholesale Corporation has forged a partnership with food giant Tyson to buy its beef trimmings, after testing to confirm that they are free E. coli infection.

Red meat again linked to cancer risk: Study

Increased intakes of red meat may increase the risk of prostate cancer, with the meat’s heme iron content one of the possible culprits, says a new study from the US.

Canada asks WTO to settle US food origin labeling dispute

Canada has asked for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to settle its ongoing dispute with the US over country of origin labeling (COOL) rules.

Seaweed harvest could yield new flavours and colours

One of Ireland’s natural resources - seaweed – could yield a range of new food ingredients, including colour, flavours and healthy compounds.

New E.coli test gets AOAC-RI validation amid renewed safety warnings

Idaho Technology’s E.coli O157:H7 test used with the RAPID LT Food Security System (FSS), which delivers results within one hour, has been validated by the independent AOAC Research Institute.

Fibre may replace trans-fats for snack formulations

Inulin can replace trans-fatty acids in snack food formulations, turning it into a healthy snack with good consumer acceptance, says a new study from Brazil.

Weekly comment

Bad day at the EU health claims office

October 1 was not a good day for many in the functional foods and food supplements business in the European Union as the meaning of life under a highly restrictive health claims regime came more into focus.

Defence plans needed to combat food terrorism, processors told

US food processors and manufacturers are being urged to implement defence plans to protect products from deliberate contamination by terrorists or disgruntled employees.