Food Safety

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.

Dr Derek Watson from the University of Sunderland will look at embedding a food safety culture in a food factory

Food Safety Briefing 2019

Less than a week to Food Safety Briefing

By Rod Addy

There is now less than a week to go to Food Manufacture’s Food Safety Briefing, which will run from 2.30pm – 4pm UK time on 15 October.

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.

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

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.

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...

The factory makes Hula Hoops and own-label Hula Hoop-style products

Hygiene allegations spark KP Snacks Ashby probe

By Rod Addy

KP Snacks has launched an investigation into its Ashby-de-la-Zouch factory, which makes Hula Hoops and Hula-Hoops-style own-label products for major retailers, following anonymous hygiene allegations raised against it.

What are the emerging threats? How can the industry manage them effectively? The Food Safety Briefing will address these questions

Food Safety Briefing takes place on 15 October

By Rod Addy

Food Manufacture's Food Safety Briefing, chaired by chief executive of Campden BRI Steven Walker and sponsored by RSSL, will take place online on 15 October at 3pm.

Speechlys: ‘Full ingredient labelling regulations should not be seen as a singular solution’

Allergy rules: devil in detail

By Rod Addy

Updated allergy labelling rules have highlighted areas for further consideration, according to Jamie Cartwright, partner at legal firm Charles Russell Speechlys.

Birds Eye’s Hull factory is able to produce up to 61t of peas an hour

Birds Eye factory urination incident ‘a hoax’

By Noli Dinkovski

Birds Eye has allayed fears that thousands of tonnes of peas might have to be destroyed at its Hull site, claiming the video of a man appearing to urinate on a production line was a hoax.

Vigilance is food manufacturers’ best weapon against listeria

Opinion

Vigilance is the best weapon against listeria

By Phil Voysey

Diligence, vigilance and understanding risk are key components in the fight against listeria contamination in food and drink products, according to Campden BRI microbiology department section manager Dr Phil Voysey.

Food safety body increases dust inspections

Dust control inspections to ramp up

By Helen Gilbert

Food manufacturers are to be targeted in a new series of inspections focusing on dust control, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced.

African swine fever poses no threat to human health but is fatal for pigs

Pig body warns of African swine fever ‘catastrophe’

By Noli Dinkovski

More resources should be allocated to surveillance at ports and airports to help keep illegally imported meat and African swine fever (ASF) out of the UK and prevent a “potentially massive catastrophe” for the pig industry, the National Pig Association...

Participate now for the chance to win £100 in Amazon vouchers

FOOD SAFETY CONFERENCE 2018

Take our food safety survey and win £100

By Noli Dinkovski

Food and drink firms are being invited to enter an annual food safety survey that is offering participants the chance of winning £100 in Amazon vouchers.

Lyons: Since the recall, food safety is now ‘the priority in decision making’

Swancote makes food safety priority

By Noli Dinkovski

The potato processing firm at the centre of a major product recall in 2015 has “radically changed its thinking” and now makes food safety “the priority in all of its decision-making”, according to the man appointed to oversee its transformation.

The GFSI aims to drive continuous improvement in food safety management

Food safety culture leads sector challenges: GFSI

By Michelle Perrett

Safety culture, new technology and consumer trends are three key challenges facing the food sector today, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) manager Anne Gerardi has told Food Manufacture.

Shah: manufacturers should face the new reality of greater transparency in the supply chain

Business Leaders’ Forum

Transparent supply chains are the future

By Noli Dinkovski

Food and drink manufacturers shouldn’t “bury their heads in the sand” but face up to the “new reality” of greater transparency in the supply chain, the boss of a UK ingredients importer has claimed.

The audit is intended to help consumers understand how the EU food safety model works

EU auditors to examine food safety policy

By Michelle Perrett

An EU-wide audit of food safety policy, with particular focus on chemical hazards, has been announced by the European Court of Auditors (ECA).

Food manufacturers identified the challenges they faced in providing effective food safety training

Manufacturers reveal food safety training challenges

By Gwen Ridler

Up to three-quarters (74%) of food and drink firms are planning to improve food safety in their businesses, as they reveal the challenges of providing effective training for their staff, according to a survey by Campden BRI.

Acrylamide legislation: The Food Standards Agency is working with other organisations to develop guidance

Acrylamide legislation set for April, EU confirms

By Noli Dinkovski

Food manufacturers will from April 2018 be expected to put in place practical steps to manage acrylamide within their food safety management systems, after legislation was passed by the EU.

Salmonella cases have risen by 3% across the EU since 2014

Salmonella cases across the EU are increasing

By Michelle Perrett

Salmonella cases have increased by 3% across the EU since 2014, according to a new report compiled by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).