UK tightens hygiene to head off EU dairy row

The UK food safety watchdog has revised its guidance on dairy hygiene in an attempt to defuse pending legal action from the EU, after allegations UK officials failed to protect...

EU takes UK to court over dairy hygiene dispute

EU officials have filed legal proceedings against food safety authorities in the UK, alleging they failed to properly protect the public from contaminated milk at an English dairy.

EU to probe UK dairy sector in antibiotics row

Food safety inspectors from the EU will investigate how UK dairy firms test for antibiotics residues in milk, after the European Commission banned cheese from one company on Friday.

UK dairy ban sparks EU food safety row

Rows and confusion have soured relations between food safety bodies from the UK and European Commission, after EU member states agreed to ban products from a UK dairy.

UK merges milk watchdog with animal health body

Efforts to save money and make farm inspections more efficient in the UK have seen the Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate merge with the country's veterinary service this week.

Draft law focuses on packaging contaminants

Proposed EU legislation would define the manufacturing practices the bloc's processors would have to take in ensuring that packaging materials do not migrate into foods.

Tasting robot could be next generation quality and safety tool

A "tasting" robot that can identify foods, drinks and their ingredients through the packaging provides a glimpse into the future direction of safety and quality control in manufacturing plants. ...

China returns US milk powder with excess nitrite

China has sent back more than 100 metric tons of American milk powder after it was found to contain potentially dangerous levels of nitrite.

Inspectors to be granted right to enter plants for testing

Under a proposed new law, UK inspectors would have the right to enter any manufacturing premises to check for the presence of animal borne diseases.

China to clamp down on antibiotics in milk

China is preparing to launch a new national standard on raw milk to prevent dairy products containing antibiotic residues from reaching the marketplace.

Vitamin K-fortified milk must carry warning

New Zealand dairy Fonterra must add a warning label to its new vitamin K-enriched milk and yoghurt to reduce the risk for people taking the blood thinning drug Warfarin, said...

Laser system offers cheaper, faster pathogen detection

A pathogen detecting system that uses scattered laser light can cut costs and speed up safety checks for food processors, researchers developing the technology claim.

EFSA consults over animal feed additives risk

Europe's food safety watchdog has launched a public consultation on the risks to the environment posed by various additives in animal feed, as part of a plan to draw up...

FSA issues voluntary allergy labelling guidance

The FSA has published guidance designed to help UK food firms improve their labelling advice for people with allergies.

Weekly Comment

Cadbury's mistake

Chocolate has a nice feeling to it - tasty, fun, luxurious and slightly sinful. This is comfort food, accessible to all and epitomised in the recent film, Charlie and the...

Production stoppage leaves bitter taste for Unilever

A breakdown in the processing method of Unilever's Flora Original Spread brand in the UK has led the company to recall some of the product throughout the country.

New approach to food risk unveiled

A new approach to risk and crisis management for food and drink companies has been unveiled at the UK's Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA).

EU food agency opens debate on common risks-benefit analysis

Europe's food safety agency will begin a debate with processors on formulating a common standard for assessing the health risks and benefits posed by their products.

Software automates food contaminant detection

An automated software system allows processors to detect food contaminants in their products, according to its developers.

Formula milk safe from cancer compounds, says FSA

Levels of the cancer-causing PAH compounds in infant formula milk on sale in Britain are below the limits set by the European Union and pose no health risk, says the...

Campina tightens feed quality controls

Dutch dairy group Campina has upgraded its new quality assurance system for animal feed used by member farmers, re-iterating that current checks in the sector were not good enough.

Foss offers pay-per-test scheme to food labs

A pay-per-sample scheme introduced for a milk-testing laboratory in Germany could be offered to other customers across Europe, said Foss Analytical.

Listeria test speeds up detection process, company claims

A new Listeria assay allows processors to simultaneous detect and differentiate between two species in a single test for food products.

Dairy Crest fined after mice get its cheese

UK processor Dairy Crest has been fined £17,000 after food hygiene authorities found mouse droppings on bottles of milk and packs of cheese at one of its distribution depots.

Microbiologists meet to discuss role in fighting disease

Microbiology experts from across Europe are meeting in Cardiff, Wales today to discuss how to improve the fight against food borne bacteria such as E. coli O157, and diseases such...