Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

Differing organic standards impede international trade, report

Selling organic products in different markets is becoming a mounting challenge for organic producers, as global demand continues to soar but different national standards impede international trade, according to a new report.

Amidated pectins to boost fish gel properties

Ammonia-treated pectins could boost the mechanical and functional properties of fish gels, with no perceptible colour changes, and enhance the nutritional profile of underutilised fish species.

Vitiva makes Inolens as carotenoid stabiliser

Vitiva is introducing a new variant of its Inolens rosemary extract aimed at boosting stability of carotenoids and other natural colourings, without the need for synthetic preservatives.

EU approves Bulgaria, Romania's food safety measures

An EU scientific advisory body yesterday approved Bulgaria and Romania's contingency plans forcontrolling outbreaks of avian influenza, Newcastle disease, classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease.

Purac announces lactic acid price hike

Purac has announced sales price increases for lactic acid, lactates, gluconic acid, gluconates and lactitol.

Weekly comment

Folic acid: Sisters aren't doing it for themselves

When the idea of fortifying staple foods with vital nutrients is raised, the battlecry goes up from industry groups and advocates of consumer choice: "Why should we bear the costs?" "Educate, and let people make their own decisions". But when evidence for the benefits is overwhelming, neither the state nor the individual can afford to let their interests be shouted down.

EU cautious on US plan to milk cloned cows

Debate on whether to approve milk from cloned cattle for general consumption in the US is unlikely to be replicated in Europe in the near future, because consumers would reject the products.

Ulma developing quicker bagging system

The packaging sector is set get a boost as Ulma says it is developing a new method to speed upproduct and bag size changes on the packaging line.

UK food regulator to hold board meeting

The UK's food regulator is holding an open board meeting on 7 December, aiming to discuss areview of its strategic plan for the coming year and a report on fraud in the industry.

Russian ban on EU meats 'unjustified', claims EC

The EC has called threats by Russia to ban all imports of EU meat products into the country as "unjustified", as processors and food producers in the bloc face the possibility of losing a major market for their products.

International standards body to work on halal guidelines

Malaysia's halal industry has joined up with global testing and certification service Intertek to undertake the major task of developing a set of international guidelines for the market.

Nutrition and brain health: It's a big deal for Nestlé

Nestlé underlined its intentions yesterday to get a head start in the merging brain health market with the signing of an agreement with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) to investigate the role of nutrition in cognitive function.

More support omega-3 may protect against colorectal cancer

A diet rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 85 per cent, suggests a new study from Japan.

CJ Corp buys US frozen food maker Omni

South Korea's CJ Corp has signed a memorandum of understanding to buy 85 per cent of the Los Angeles-based frozen food processor Omni Food for US$6.8 million, it said yesterday.

Solbar bounces back with US plan

After a turbulent two years following its IPO, Israel's Solbar is back on track and is positioning to be a major force in the US as a supplier of soy protein solutions.

The fishy link to low rates of depression

Australian researchers found omega-3 fatty acids to be the most promising nutrient for alleviating the symptoms of depression, a finding that adds to the putative benefits associated with the lipid.

Sudan Red found in new regions of China

More duck eggs containing the carcinogenic dye Sudan Red have been found in China, food officials said yesterday, expanding the recall outside of Beijing to the country's east coast.

Stick-on labels and scanner can improve food safety, claims manufacturer

Two food quality testing products from Massachusetts-based Food Quality Sensor International (FQSI) have been launched. One is a stick-on label that can detect contamination inside a sealed package from the outside, while the other is a handheld meter that scans food surfaces for contamination, their manufacturer claims.

Weekly Comment

Self-entitlement and food: the globally irresponsible spiral

Until consumers lose the attitude that they deserve and have a right to goods from all over the world, our food systems and the environment are at peril.

Western firms size up Chinese gelatine market

PB Gelatins, the gelatin activity of Tessenderlo Group, is setting up a joint venture to be known as PB Gelatins (Pingyang), near Wenzhou in south-eastern China.

Meat preservatives work as antibacterial agents, scientist claims

Solutions used by meat processors to improve shelf life and taste can also help to reducepathogens, including E. coli 0157:H7, according to a recent study.

ERP software cuts implementation time says manufacturer

New enterprise resource planning (ERP) software cuts the time it takes food and beverage processors to integrate their network operations, claims its manufacturer.

Nano ink indicates safety breach in food packaging

A new ink leverages nanotechnology to detect the presence of oxygen in food packages, giving awarning that the product is no longer safe to eat.

Red meat linked to increased breast cancer risk

A new study from Harvard has reported that pre-menopausal women who eat more that one and a half servings of red per day may double their risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, compared to women who eat less than three servings per week.

Counterfeit food a 'serious threat' says EC

Latest customs statistics show that food counterfeiting and piracy continues to be a growing threat in Europe.

Mint additive could extend shelf life of meat products

Mint with lamb is a favourite combination on many British dinner tables, and could become even more closely linked after new research has reported that the herb spares the meat from the detrimental effects of irradiation.

Food safety agency recommends application of international standards

Food processors should be monitored to ensure they apply proper manufacturing and hygienicpractices throughout their plants says an EU food safety panel.

Finnish study links salt intake to obesity

Scientists from Finland have claimed that comprehensive salt reduction would be a potentially powerful means to combat obesity, linked to lower consumption of high-energy beverages.

Finnish study links salt intake to obesity

Scientists from Finland have claimed that comprehensive salt reduction would be a potentially powerful means to combat obesity, linked to lower consumption of high-energy beverages.

Galactic raises global lactic acid prices

Lactic acid producer Galactic has announced a round of price increases designed to cope with rocketing production costs.

Northern Foods reaches deal on Melton Mowbray pork pies

Northern Foods has been given five years to switch the manufacturing of its Melton Mowbray pork pie brand to the East Midlands, a region traditionally associated with the British pastie.

Yurun takes control of assets for expansion

China's Yurun Food has bought out the assets held by chairman Zhu Yicai and his wife to gain greater full control of its subsidiaries ahead of an expansion.

Dried plums offer natural antioxidant alternatives for meat

Scientists in Texas are investigating the potential of dried plums as a natural alternative for processed meats, slowing oxidative spoilage as well as imparting flavour and aroma.

Weekly Comment

Transparency is the key to the science kingdom

In the food and nutrition world, science is king. So when journals do not force scientists to fully disclose financial support and potential conflicts of interest, they are not helping anyone.

Traceability requirements relaxed by UK regulator

The UK's processors will be given more leeway on how they apply the EU's traceabilityrequirements, under proposed guidance notes issued by the country's food safety regulator.

Overfishing means the end of seafood by 2050, large study

All seafood stocks around the world may collapse by 2050 if fishing continues at its current rate, scientists have warned, piling intense pressure on industry and governments to handle stocks more sustainably.

Asda commits to sustainable fish

Supermarket Asda has committed itself to selling fish from sustainable sources, in an effort to preserve depleted fish stocks.

Chlorate compound stops Salmonella in its tracts

Mixing a chlorate-based compound into livestock feed or water could dramatically reduce Salmonella and E. coli in gastrointestinal tracts, claim researchers.

Unilever profits slump in tough third quarter

Food manufacturer Unilever has reported a 20 per cent decrease in third quarter pre-tax profit of 1.12bn, despite bucking the trend in the European market.

New packaging protects meats in humid climates

Chinese firm J&A Industrial has introduced a new high barrier, multilayer package that protects meat from high-humidity environments.

Live at PackExpo

Wal-Mart unveils 'green' packaging rating system

Wal-Mart yesterday announced the online rollout of a "green" ratingsystem for the packaging used by all of its product suppliers, onethat will eventually determine who can sell to the world's largest retailer.

Global food liberalisation central issue at WTO

The suspended WTO farm talks featured in the organisation's agriculture committee's meeting yesterday, with members' failure to supply up-to-date information a source of frustration.

Live at PackExpo

Labelling system cuts scrap, manufacturer claims

A new shrink sleeve labelling system improves cut accuracy and reduces scrap to 0.5 per cent, its manufacturer claims.