Food safety

 

‘Further studies on toxoplasma needed’

A risk profile on toxoplasma in the food chain by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) has recommended that further studies are needed to establish the importance of foodborne routes of infection and identify the highest risks. The suggested studies include work to assess the prevalence of toxoplasma in UK livestock […]

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EFSA boss welcomes findings of independent report

EFSA boss Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle has welcomed the findings of an external evaluation that say the safety authority ‘continues to demonstrate its value as the cornerstone of risk assessment for food and feed in the EU, and fulfil its obligations to operate in an independent manner’. However, the review also makes a number of recommendations on […]

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Turkey firm unveils biogas plant project

UK turkey farmer and supplier Bernard Matthews is to install a biogas plant to ‘improve the company’s waste handling and energy costs’. Xergi is to supply Holton Renewable Power – a joint venture between Bernard Matthews and Glendale Power, a development company specialising in anaerobic digestion – with a biogas plant. The plant will be […]

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Firms team up for bacteria-busting packaging

Multi-material packaging firm Linpac Packaging has teamed up with Addmaster to develop a range of trays and films with built-in antimicrobial technology designed to reduce bacteria growth on the outer packaging of fresh meat. Addmaster say its Biomaster antimicrobial technology is a silver-based additive that can be added into any plastic, paper, textile, paint or […]

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EFSA publishes health claims guidance

EFSA has published two additional guidance documents for applicants who want to submit health claims for approval in the EU. The latest guidance documents give advice on the scientific requirements for the substantiation of health claims related to functions of the nervous system, including psychological functions, and those related to physical performance. They are the […]

Many happy returns for ‘thriving’ labelling firm

UK labelling firm Industrial Labelling Systems has celebrated its tenth birthday, and says ‘it’s not just surviving, but thriving’. “The last three or four years have proved really tough for the UK labelling industry, but we have managed to differentiate ourselves through the flexibility, ease of use and modularity of our systems,” says MD Denis […]

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Using technology to fight foodborne disease

Advances in molecular biology could revolutionise the way in which foodborne disease outbreaks are investigated, according to the Food Standards Agency, enabling faster and more accurate identification of the organisms responsible. Some of the UK’s top public health officials have hailed DNA sequencing techniques, such as next generation sequencing, as one the most powerful laboratory […]

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Fish freezing requirements relaxed

The Food Standards Agency has announced that certain farmed fish destined to be eaten raw in dishes like sushi no longer need to be frozen before use to protect consumers against parasites. Fish parasites are mainly a problem in certain species of wild fish and can cause illness in humans if eaten. All fishery products […]

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Call for new EFSA management board member

The European Commission has launched a call for a new member of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Management Board. The Commission is organising a selection procedure for one position of the 15-member board whose term will expire on 30 June 2014. A member of the authority’s management board has resigned and is to be […]

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New FSA chief executive revealed

The new chief executive of the Food Standards Agency has been named as Catherine Brown. Catherine, who is currently the chief executive of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), will take up the post in October. She succeeds Tim Smith, who has been chief executive since March 2008. “The Board and I are […]

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RSSL to carry out FSA allergen survey

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) has been chosen by the Food Standards Agency to carry out a survey of allergen advisory labelling in the UK. The survey aims to provide a better understanding of whether this type of labelling relates to the actual level of allergen present in foods sold on the UK market. It […]

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FSA welcomes EFSA poultry inspection opinion

The European Food Safety Authority’s recent scientific opinion on poultry meat inspection, which suggested that traditional inspection may not be enough to fully address the most relevant biological hazards to public health, has been welcomed by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). In 2010, the European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to […]

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Appetite for healthy options in ready-meal market

Global launch activity in ready meals over the past year has identified some key trends, according to Innova Market Insights. They include an ongoing interest in healthy options and more authentic-style ethnic recipes. There is also more emphasis on natural, organic and locally sourced ingredients, and more interest in restaurant-style products for in-home dining or […]

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Making a meal of health claims

A ‘mega-healthy’ airline meal that satisfies all 222 Article 13.1 newly approved health claims has been created by experts at Leatherhead Food Research. CEO Dr Paul Berryman challenged his team of scientific, regulatory and marketing experts to devise a meal that could make all 222 claims. “It wasn’t that simple, but we did it within […]

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