EFSA has identified information gaps relating to some flavouring substances as part of its ongoing evaluation of additives, and is asking industry to provide more information on their safety.
Pan-European health and nutrition claims moved a step closer to reality after 2870 claims were delivered to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for assessment by January, 2010.
The Irish dairy industry is set to take a leaf out of the book of its US counterpart with a new research scheme that uses stakeholders from across the industry to help improve milk quality and hygiene.
EFSA scientists say there is no concern over the safety of three mineral forms commonly used in food supplements, even at doses twice that commonly found in the regular diet.
FSA guidance on terms like 'fresh', 'natural' and 'pure' helps protect responsible businesses against unscrupulous competition. But labelling that does not meet guidance in full would still be legal if it does not mislead...
New disinfection and disinfestant food technology using radio frequency (RF) heating can eliminate microbes and insects without the use of chemicals, claims US investment firm Allied Minds.
New guidelines concerning the recycling of plastics intended for use in the packaging of foods have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
For a little yellow flower, it's ignited a huge debate. Believe the
headlines and St John's wort won't help hyperactive kids, but last
week's study asks more questions than it answers. It's time to put
funding...
French authorities have approved revisions for the production of
camembert cheese, which only allows products derived from raw milk
to carry the sought after AOC Appellation Contrôlée (AOC) Camembert
de Normandie.
The European Parliament's Heart Group has declared its preferred
best approach to front of pack labelling for food so consumers can
see at a glance whether a product is good for their heart: four key
nutrient quantities, plus...
Modifying the population of bacteria in the gut may improve the regulation of glycemic control and reverse the insulin resistance that occurs with obesity, suggests a new study from the Nestlé Research Center.
The results of a survey by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland
(FSAI) on the fat content and fatty acid composition of
pre-packaged food products reveal that generally, levels of
trans-fatty acids in the surveyed products are low.
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is
tightening food safety measures by creating fourteen new committees
to provide expert advice on food, feed and consumer product safety.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) expects to process
applications for 1000-2000 health claims, 900 food additives and
2800 flavours in the next 12 months, according to EFSA executive
director, Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle.
'Growing up in an obesogenic environment', 'Have we sacrificed our
children on the altar of a free market?', 'Endocrine disrupters and
obesity - old chemicals, new questions' and other presentations
will...
UK-based Dairy Crest has extended a product recall to another batch
of its 2kg tubs of Vitalite brand due to incorrect packaging
labeling claiming the product is 'soya free' and 'suitable for
vegans'.
After a week of uncertainty for the future of Italian Mozzarella
producers, the European Commission today said it will not be
banning sales of the cheese.
Recent amendments to Germany's biotech laws will allow the
country's food processors to make use of a "without biotech" label
on their products, despite some concerns that such claims are
misleading, says a new...
Environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has called for a
moratorium on the use of nanotechnology in the food chain, claiming
insufficient research has been carried out into its effect on human
health and the environment.
Adding probiotic bacteria to cheddar may lead to the formation of
blood pressure lowering proteins, giving the cheese an added health
punch, report Australian researchers.
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has this morning played down
claims that dairy processors could face having to include
cigarette-style health warnings on products like cheese and butter.
Incorporating heart healthy phytosterols in yoghurt formulations
does not negatively impact on the starter cultures, potentially
boosting their use in these foods, says new research.
An increased intake of calcium and vitamin D from non-fat dairy
could reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, suggests
new research from Harvard.
DSM Food Specialties has acquired CMT Srl, the company behind the
Copan Milk Test for the detection of antibiotic residues in milk,
strengthening its position in the market at a time when European
controls are tightening.
The food industry has a window to research ways to reduce saturated
fat in products before the UK's FSA starts its consumer awareness
campaign at the end of this year, says an expert from ADM who is
anticipating a swell of interest...
A UK-based nutrition group has this week kicked off a new scheme
designed to promote the consumption of dairy products like cheeses
and milk as a key element of good dental health.
A new bill on milk labelling standards up for consideration in the
Indiana House of Representatives has come under criticism this week
by some organisations and producers, which claim it would prevent
informed consumer choice if passed.
The European Food Safety Authority is expecting to complete its
evaluation of the safety of 2,800 flavouring substances by April to
allow for a positive list to be established, but is seeking for
more information from industry.
The US arm of Danone could be forced to make a multi-million dollar
refund to its customers over allegations that it has used
fraudulent health claims to sell some of its Activia and DanActive
branded yoghurts.
Europe's food safety watchdog has issued updated advice on reducing
the risk of the food-borne bacteria listeria, urging food
manufacturers to watch out for contamination during packaging,
preparation and storage of food.
Strains of probiotic bacteria can affect metabolism, says a new
study from Nestle and Imperial College London that could help the
development of new probiotic products tailored for individuals.
The increasing use of probiotics and antioxidants will continue to
develop in 2008 but products positioned at heart health will not
perform so well, a report has said.
The majority of consumers do not think that nanotechnology should
be used in food applications, according to a survey from German
risk assessor BfR, and they are more likely to trust information
from consumer groups than politicians...
Lactose intolerant Brits may be missing the high calcium health benefits of dairy goods due to the misapprehension that they cannot eat cheese, according to a new survey conducted by the British Cheese Board (BCB).
'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal
packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant
tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.
Naturis has asked the Food Standards Agency to approve the use of
phytosterols - which have been linked to having a positive effect
on lowering cholesterol - from soya bean seeds.
Bisphenol A (BPA), known as the 'gender bender' chemical, leaches
into liquid baby formula from the linings of cans at levels
dangerous to infant health, according to new research published
yesterday by a US environmental...
Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM
foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief
scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than
convention food.
New UK-wide directives designed to set out new standards for dried
and condensed milk, in line with wider European and international
standards, have been unveiled by the country's Food Standards
Agency (FSA).
UK regulators yesterday outlined stricter controls on the
marketing, labelling and formulation of infant formulas, including
the use of brand names, to correspond with changes to EU law.
Public perception of food risk is the important factor in
determining need for state intervention even if the scientific
point of view says the risk is low, according to the BfR, a view
that has a strong bearing on current issues...
Experts at a Nestle-sponsored symposium on probiotics and
children's health have urged paediatricians to pay attention to
emerging research on so-called good bacteria, although more
research is needed on the mechanisms behind...
The amount of fake foods, drinks and agricultural products being
traded worldwide is on the increase according to a new report on
counterfeiting released today by the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Nine more food contact materials have received a positive
scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),
which also set migration limits for the chemicals.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has called for
further testing on two different proteins used in milk production,
just one month after claiming there was no danger in consuming
either of the products.
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA)
has issued proposals to adopt EU-wide
measures designed to prevent antibiotic residues entering the
food chain via raw milk and other dairy products.
Morinaga Milk Industry announced this week that it has obtained
self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) certification for
one of its probiotic ingredients to tap growing demand in the US
for functional benefits in products.
Phytosterols incorporated into low-fat fermented milk was effective
in lowering LDL cholesterol levels in people with slightly elevated
cholesterol, French researchers have reported.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has ruled that milk
containing either the A1 and A2 protein does not pose a danger to
the public and should remain part of a nutritious diet.