FDA and Health Canada assess risk of listeria in soft cheese

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking comments on a draft risk assessment looking at reducing the risk of listeria from soft-ripened cheese.

Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

Law veteran on EU health claim laws: “There is something quite wrong here.”

One of the EU’s most venerated food law experts stated the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) has become so convoluted as to be unworkable, at a Brussels congress...

News in brief

Canada aims to help dairy producers protect herds

Canada has developed a national biosecurity standard to help dairy producers protect the health of their herds.

News in brief

China announces new, tough dairy import regulations

China’s food safety watchdog – the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) – has announced plans to introduce tougher regulations on the import and export of dairy products.

Editor’s blog

Probiotics sector forced to swallow the EU’s bitter health claims pill

On a train to Brussels to cover NutraIngredients’ Probiotech and Microbiota two-day probiotic congress, had me wondering of the sector mood now it has had its claims ripped up by...

Straight talk

DCD: Fonterra must learn once is unfortunate, twice is unforgivable

It’s quite remarkable how Fonterra has evolved to become New Zealand’s biggest company given the way the dairy giant seems to struggle to take on board its errors of the...

Live from Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

EU food marketing expert: Consumers don't understand probiotic health claims ban

Most consumers know little to nothing about the EU health claim system, the European Food Safety Authority nor why a blanket ban has been imposed on probiotic marketing across the...

USDA agrees to explore including protein-packed Greek yogurt in its School Lunch program

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed it is considering including Greek yogurt in the National School Lunch Program, and has invited potential vendors to take part in a...

EU probiotic and antioxidant health claim ban called “absurd”

EU health claim laws that have banned the use of terms like probiotics and antioxidants because they are deemed to be implied claims, are “absurd”, a pressure group has said.

NZ processor attempts to ‘allay’ customer DCD concerns

Westland Milk Products has attempted to reassure its customers about the safety of its products following the discovery of dicyandiamide (DCD) in samples.

Produce and poultry top sources of foodborne illness, finds report

Produce was linked to almost 50% of foodborne illnesses and poultry to more deaths than any other commodity over a decade, according to a US Centers for Disease Control and...

News in brief

‘Our products are safe’ – Fonterra attempts to reassure customers over DCD

Fonterra has attempted to reassure its global customers that New Zealand dairy products are safe - as concerns about dicyandiamide (DCD) residue in milk-based products from the country continue to...

Foodborne disease outbreaks topped 1,500 in two years, reports CDC

Foodborne disease outbreaks led to more than 1,500 outbreaks and 23 deaths in two years, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chemical contamination

New Zealand reassures Chinese consumers in wake of Fonterra DCD crisis

New Zealand’s government has started a PR offensive to limit the impact of last week’s revelations that low levels of chemical residue were discovered in dairy products from the country,...

NZ reiterates safety of dairy as DCD concerns spread

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has moved to reiterate the safety of New Zealand dairy products and defuse “concerns” about the use of dicyandiamide (DCD), as reports emerge that...

Parmalat Canada fined CAD$120,000 after worker suffers burns

Parmalat Canada has been handed fines totalling CAD $120,000 for violations that resulted in a worker suffering first and second degree burns while attempting to sanitise a piping system.

Yogurt-driven NY rule change will risk human health - green coalition

A coalition of environmental groups has slammed New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plans to support the state’s growing yogurt industry by easing regulations on large-scale dairy farming operations.

DCD use suspended in New Zealand after residue discovered in dairy

The sale and use of dicyandiamide (DCD) has been brought to a halt in New Zealand after low levels of the substance were discovered in samples of dairy products from...

US highlights food fraud perils

Seafood, clouding agents and lemon juice are the latest categories targeted by food fraudsters flagged up by the US Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention’s Food Fraud Database.

News in brief

Selfridges facing court over raw milk vending machines

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed its intention to prosecute department store Selfridges over its decision to install raw cow milk-dispensing vending machines at stores in 2011.

News in brief

ASA dismisses Kerrygold Irish butter marketing complaint

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has dismissed a complaint that challenged claims that Kerrygold was “pure Irish butter.”

Australian cheese listeria outbreak linked to two deaths

A listeria outbreak from cheese in Australia has been linked to the death of two people and has led to 18 cases nationally.

News in brief

Neogen’s salmonella detection method gains food-type expansion

Neogen Corporation has received a matrix extension to cover foods in the bakery, confectionery and dairy industry for one of its salmonella detection methods.

NHCR article 13 health claims fallout

Valio: How a probiotic firm exists in the “red ocean” of EU health claims

Finnish dairy and probiotics firm Valio says EU health claim laws are forcing it to add approved vitamins and minerals to products like probiotics that have failed to win EU...

UK government emphasises flexibility in health claim wording

The UK Department of Health (DoH) has issued health claims guidance that makes it clear official European Union  wordings are flexible but warns companies not to go too far.