Regulatory
Food survey results
The results of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) biannual Public Attitudes Tracker for November 2014 have been published. The top three food safety issues of total (ie spontaneous plus prompted) concern for respondents were food hygiene when eating out (39%), food poisoning (32%), the use of additives in food products (29%) and date labels (29%). The […]
Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
Fake alcohol crack down
Figures released this week reveal that nearly 2,500 litres of fake wine and spirits were seized in the UK as part of a pre-Christmas enforcement campaign. UK Trading Standards, working with international enforcement agencies, also closed down an illegal distillery that would have posed a real threat to public safety. The crackdown on fake alcohol […]
Meat the demand for natural convenience
The top three considerations when choosing preservatives for processed meat products, according to Lex Borghans, category manager MU meat and culinary at Corbion Purac.
Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
EFSA plans year ahead
EFSA has mapped out its priorities for 2015 and beyond. Key milestones this year will be the adoption of around 400 scientific outputs, the renewal of membership of eight of the authority’s Scientific Panels and its Scientific Committee, and the hosting of the second EFSA scientific conference in Milan. EFSA will also be advancing a […]
Technology reduces campylobacter by 90%
Rapid surface chilling (RSC), a new cryogenic technology developed by Bernard Matthews and BOC, could enable the poultry industry and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK to meet their 2015 joint campylobacter reduction target. Campylobacter bacterium is found on the surface of almost all raw chicken and is the most common cause of […]
Soft drinks industry launches new primary authority partnership
The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA), which represents soft drinks manufacturers including A G Barr, Coca-Cola and Refresco Gerber, has launched a UK-wide trading standards scheme with Surrey County Council. They have joined together to give BSDA members opting into the scheme assurance that policies and procedures in place in their premises cannot be changed […]
Scotch beef set to return to US
Preparations for a formal audit visit by US inspectors as part of a bid to get Scottish red meat back into the US market are well underway. Food Secretary Richard Lochhead is keen to see Scotch beef make its way back across the pond during Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink. He says, “Scotch beef […]
EFSA publishes fish consumption advice
Limiting consumption of fish species with a high methylmercury content is the most effective way to achieve the health benefits of fish whilst minimising the risks posed by excessive exposure to methylmercury, according to a statement published by EFSA on the risks and benefits of seafood. EFSA recommends that individual member states consider their national […]
Food traceability gaining popularity
Organic Monitor believes that growing consumer interest in food provenance and production methods is leading to a spike in traceability schemes, with a growing number of certification schemes and analytical tools helping food companies provide transparency. Traceability schemes were initially introduced to track agricultural commodities from developing countries, such as coffee, cocoa and tea. Consumer […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Revised food safety standard published
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published the seventh issue of its internationally recognised BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, and audits against Issue 7 will begin in July 2015. The BRC Global Standards set the benchmark for good manufacturing practices in food, packaging, storage and distribution, agents and brokers and consumer products. Certification enables […]
Industry’s innovation needs
A new statement of what industry needs from science and technology has been published by Campden BRI. The document was compiled following an extensive consultation of Campden BRI’s industrial members – some 2,400 companies across 75 countries. The ‘needs’ document will be used to actively encourage providers of research and other scientific, technical and knowledge […]
Natural sports drink
Top has developed a natural sports drink based on fresh whey as part of the Dutch IPC project Food, Sports and Health. A study by Top on the functioning of proteins shows that minimally processed and unheated proteins potentially have a better contribution to muscle recovery after exercise, which leads to better sports performance. Therefore, […]
Eat, drink and be safe
Food & Drink Technology HQ is preparing to down tools for the festive period, but before we go, I wanted to leave you with a timely (Christmas) and topical (food safety) blog. This year, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched National Defrost Your Turkey Day in the UK, urging people to defrost their turkeys […]
SOFHT celebrates 35 years
In 1979, the Society of Food Hygiene (SOFHT) was launched. Now, 35 years on, SOFHT has supported its members – gathered from all areas of the food supply chain, from retailers to manufacturers and suppliers – in a whole range of food related milestones. From the introduction of the Food Safety Act in 1990, BSE […]