Food Safety

Norovirus has been causing more illnesses than previously estimated

Food responsible for 2.4m illnesses per year

By Michelle Perrett

Food has been found to be responsible for more cases of illness in the UK than previously estimated, new data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed.

Deforestation ban is being urged

WWF calls for ban on ‘deforestation’ foods

By Michelle Perrett

WWF, the conservation organisation, is calling for imported food products that destroy natural habitats to be made illegal as part of its campaign called ‘Let’s get deforestation #OffOurPlates’.

Shelf-life guidance prompts meat industry fears

Shelf-life guidance prompts meat industry fears

By Rick Pendrous

The proposed extension to the shelf-life of fresh meat is still overly cautious, would hinder the industry's international competitiveness and threaten retailers and processors with prosecution, according to food scientists.

Collins: 'Bowtie takes a wider view on the risks and looks at the levels of control'

Bowtie part of Campden workshop

By Noli Dinkovski

Campden BRI is to host a one-day workshop on how blockchain and other emerging approaches can support food safety and risk management.

The Food Industry Intelligence Network is calling on businesses to join its membership base

FIIN aims to expand membership

By Noli Dinkovski

An industry-wide group set up to tackle food fraud through shared intelligence is urging businesses in under-represented sectors to join its membership base.

Jackfruit is commonly used in south and south-east Asian cuisines

2020 FOOD TRENDS

Jackfruit, tempeh and seitan to lead plant-based boom

By Noli Dinkovski

The likes of jackfruit, tempeh and seitan are likely to appear much more frequently on supermarket shelves in 2020 as the plant-based boom continues, an ingredients supplier has claimed.

Shiga-toxin infected beef has been a cause of concern

EU germ threats ranked, with STEC now third

By Rod Addy

Shiga-toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) are now the third most common cause of foodborne disease, with campylobacter strains first and strains of salmonella second, according to the EU One Health 2018 Zoonoses Report.

Social media is making it more difficult for consumers to monitor calorie intake

Social media advertising damaging obesity work

By Dan Colombini

Changes in consumer advertising behaviour and the rise of social media are making it more challenging for food manufacturers to tackle the UK’s obesity crisis.

The court found Boddy guilty of two charges

Horsemeat scandal abattoir boss hit with new fines

By Dan Colombini

Peter Boddy, owner of the Burnley-based Cross Stone Abattoir, has been hit with fines of more than £7,000 after being prosecuted by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for failing to comply with a horse-related detention notice.​

It is estimated that around one in five people in the UK have low levels of vitamin D

BNF urges greater vitamin D awareness

By Dan Colombini

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has called for greater awareness of vitamin D deficiency across young people within the UK.

'There should be a focus on an industry-wide harmonisation of standards so that these advances are shared openly'

Opinion

Information-sharing needs to be transparent

By Dionisis Theodosis

Dionisis Theodosis, group chemistry technical manager at Eurofins Food Testing UK & Ireland, discusses the need for harmonisation and information-sharing across industry.

Reading Scientific Services called for greater guidance on allergens

RSSL urges allergen guidance

By Dan Colombini

Reading Scientific Services (RSSL) has called for greater guidance on allergens to assist with firms’ plans to administer safe free-from products.

Ramona's Kitchen has confirmed new orders are in the offing following the troubles at Zorba Delicacies

Ramona’s eyes new deals after Zorba houmous recalls

By Dan Colombini

Independent houmous business Ramona’s Kitchen has confirmed it is ready to step into a "hole” in the UK market following hundreds of recalls of Zorba Delicacies’ lines, amid an ongoing salmonella scare.

The FAC has been acquired for an undisclosed fee but it involved Romer Labs assuming 100% of the shares in the firm as it seeks to ramp up its presence in the growing food allergen testing market.

Romer Labs secures UK allergen acquisition

By Dan Colombini

Food safety testing firm Romer Labs has announced the acquisition of the Food Allergen Centre (FAC), an analytical services laboratory located in Wells, Somerset.

An unnamed third party is still thought to be responsible for the potential contamination at this stage

FSA recalls additional Zorba Delicacies houmous lines

By Dan Colombini

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed the recall of an additional 82 lines of houmous manufactured by Zorba Delicacies from major retailers, following the announcement last week that 56 lines have already been withdrawn amid salmonella fears.

Listeria outbreaks have claimed lives across the UK, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands this year

Court Order backs phage use against listeria

By Rod Addy

Food firms can keep using phages to fight listeria on ready-to-eat foods in the absence of a developed EU legal framework, according to a European Court of Justice Court Order.

The software will help prevent outbreaks of pathogens in food manufacturing plants by using AI to identify high-risk areas where dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and listeria could be present.

AI software developed to boost food safety

By Dan Colombini

Newcastle-based software firm Luminous Group has secured £400,000 in funding to develop new artificial intelligence (AI) to vastly reduce pathogens in food processing plants, with one major manufacturer already claiming increased efficiencies as a result.

The Government has assured food manufacturers that there will be no shortage of supplies or drops in standards

Brexit preparedness report ‘utterly worthless’

By Dan Colombini

Sections of the food manufacturing industry have warned the Government that a no-deal Brexit will “destroy” many businesses, with experts slamming the recent Preparedness Campaign.

Reported food crime rates are at their highest for six years

FSA downplays rise in reported food crime

By Noli Dinkovski

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has played down the significance of a rise in reported food crimes after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed levels were at their highest since 2013 – the year of the horsemeat scandal.

Attendees can quiz all the speakers in a live Q&A session at the end of the webinar, which is also available to view via a playback facility after the live event

One day to go to Food Safety Briefing

By Rod Addy

Food Manufacture’s Food Safety Briefing is a day away from going live, with input from experts across the food industry, focusing on a range of core topics.

Many firms have begun to stockpile goods in the wake of Brexit

Brexit stockpiling raises safety concerns

By Dan Colombini

Food firms must be prepared for rising costs and stockpiling complications following the post-Brexit HMRC impact assessment for the movement of goods, experts have warned.

Defra claims that under no circumstances will the UK lower its food standards

Defra defends post-Brexit UK food standards

By Dan Colombini

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has vowed to maintain food hygiene, following concerns that the UK would lower standards to match the US amid Brexit negotiations.

Microplastics pose a risk to human health, claim experts. Image by Oregon State University shared under a Creative Commons 2.0 licence

Microplastics harm human health, warn experts

By Gwen Ridler

Human health could be at risk from microplastics – small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in length – according to researchers at the University Medical Centre Utrecht.

New legislation has created challenges in the fight against dangerous pathogens

Food safety, hygiene and cleaning

Legislation limiting the fight against dangerous pathogens

By Rick Pendrous

Food and drink manufacturers are not only faced with the challenge of removing the threat of dangerous pathogens, they also have to fight new rules restricting the armoury of weapons at their disposal

Numerous items of food were covered in mould at the bakery. Image from Stroud District Council's Twitter page

Mouldy food leads to £6k bakery fine

By Gwen Ridler

Mouldy food found in a bakery in Stroud, Gloucestershire has landed the producer with fines and costs of more than £6,000.

Nestlé has defended its use of palm oil however, confirming that it was working with GAR to ensure sustainable and ethical methods were adopted.

Nestlé refutes palm oil accusations

By Dan Colombini

Food manufacturing multi-national Nestlé has refuted allegations from an environmental group that illegally-sourced palm oil had made its way into the supply chains of major consumer brands.

Bio-based food contact materials are generally biodegradable or compostable

FSA: study green food contact materials

By Rod Addy

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has called for more research into bio-based food contact materials (BBFCMs) in order to rule out concerns they could pose allergen risks.

Manufacturers will receive their first audit under new BRC standards in February 2020

Opinion

How risk plays a greater role in new BRC standard

By Richard Leathers

As the first audit against the new BRC Global Standards for Packaging and Packaging Materials Issue 6 approaches, food safety management systems lead at Campden BRI Richard Leathers runs though what manufacturers can expect to be audited on.

The webinar, which is free to attend, will exclusively reveal the results of Food Manufacture’s annual food safety survey

Food Safety Briefing to explore allergen issues

By Rod Addy

Food Manufacture’s Food Safety Briefing will cover emerging allergen issues in the wake of Natasha’s Law coming into force earlier this month, alongside a range of other essential topics.

The FSA has issued two unrelated product alerts on listeria and hygiene issues

Food Standards Agency issues listeria and hygiene warnings

By Rod Addy

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued two alerts warning of potential listeria contamination and a processor supplying products “that have not been produced in accordance with food hygiene and legislative requirements".

Chlorine washing is used to disinfect chicken in the US

Academics raise post-Brexit chlorinated chicken fears

By Noli Dinkovski

The Government has been accused of trying to “soften up” the public for lower food standards post-Brexit after one of its chief scientific advisers claimed imports of chlorinated chicken and beef reared with artificial hormones should be decided by “consumer...

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