Dioxin Contamination Found In German Animal Feed

Dioxin contamination found in thousands of eggs in Germany has halted production at over 1,000 meat and poultry farms. The original contamination happened when oils for biofuels was used for animal feed. A European Commission spokesperson said that food exports from Germany were unaffected and there was no need for a ban. Prosecutors have named Harles und Jentzsch, a company in northern Germany that produces animal feed, in preliminary proceedings. Research has shown dioxins affect pregnant women and lead to higher cancer rates.

"Commission alerted on Germany food contamination", EurActiv EU/Reuters, January 06, 2011

Egypt Tightens Regulatory Control Of Organic Industry

Reacting to complaints that goods being sold in the country as organic were not organic at all, Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry announced tighter regulatory control over organic and biodynamic goods. Organic products in Egypt often cost twice as much as conventional goods, because they purportedly contain no chemical additives and have not been genetically modified. However, until now there has been no certification process, consumers could not file a complaint with the government and companies were not required to be accountable. Under the new decree, manufacturers will need to be accredited by auditors registered with the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOSQ), organic companies will have to register and be certified, and EOSQ may inspect facilities and shut them down if they do not meet organic standards.

"Egypt govt tightens regulations on organic goods", Ahram Weekly, December 24, 2010

Ho Chi Minh City To Launch Organic Food Stores Under New Regulatory Scheme

Viet Nam’s Ho Chi Minh City is awaiting government approval for creation of a chain of organic food stores under a new food management test project that places all stages of organic food production under the control of one agency. Included in the project will be organic meat, fish and vegetables produced according to the Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices standards created by the newly-enacted Food Hygiene and Safety Law. All phases of production, including breeding, feed, slaughter, use of water, pesticides, veterinary medicines, and delivery will be controlled by the Department of Health’s Food Hygiene and Safety Division. Currently, production and marketing of organic foods are monitored by several agencies. Since 2006, organic agriculture in Viet Nam has grown 20 percent a year, a pace that is expected to continue.

"City tests popularity of organic food stores", Viet Nam News, January 10, 2011

Study Spotlights Five Processed Food Categories In U.K. That Account For Most Salt Intake

High levels of dietary sodium are associated with hypertension, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2008, Britons consumed an average of about 8.6 g of sodium a day, much more than the 1–2 g a day required for good health. Now a British study that analyzed food-purchasing data for more than 21,000 British households and more than 44,000 food products has found that much of the sodium consumed in the U.K. – apart from table salt, which accounts for 23 percent – comes from five processed-food categories: bacon, bread, milk, cheese, and savory sauces (totaling 37 percent). “Accordingly,” the researchers concluded, “the targeting of sodium content reductions in these categories … could lead to large potential gains in public health.”

"Sodium content of processed foods in the United Kingdom: analysis of 44,000 foods purchased by 21,000 households", BMJ, December 29, 2010

UK University Is Developing Smart Packaging To Provide Information On Product Freshness

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing a new form of plastic packaging that will tell consumers about a product’s freshness, through color changes in the plastic, and help reduce the 8.3 million tons of food the U.K. throws away each year. The aim is to develop intelligent plastic packaging, removing the need for the expensive freshness labels currently in use. The Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme provided £325,000 in funding as part of its support for new ideas to launch small companies.

"Packaging that knows when food is going off", University of Strathclyde, January 06, 2011

Experts Offer Advice On Preventing Food Safety Calamities

Food safety practices within an organization can be a significant risk factor in causing, or preventing, foodborne illness, according to a new U.S. study. Kansas State University professor Doug Powell says the way businesses and organizations operate above and beyond minimal food safety regulations and inspections – their “food safety culture” – is often overlooked. For the study, Powell and colleagues analyzed three food safety breakdowns: an E. coli outbreak in Wales in 2005, a listeria outbreak in Canada in 2008, and a salmonella outbreak in the U.S. in 2009 linked to peanut paste that killed nine and sickened 691. Key lessons derived? Food producers, restaurants and others should know the risks associated with their products, how to manage them, and most important, how to communicate with and compel staff to employ good practices.

"Enhancing Food Safety Culture to Reduce Rates of Foodborne Illness", Food Control, January 05, 2011