Sub-Lethal Doses Of Biocides In Food Industry May Be Doing More Harm Than Good January 6, 2014: 12:00 AM EST The use of sub-lethal doses of biocides in the food industry may be increasing the resistance of dangerous bacteria like E. coli to both biocides and antibiotics, while boosting their ability to form harmful biofilms, according to a Spanish study. Exposure to the biocide sodium nitrite increased resistance in E. coli to 14 of 29 antibiotics. Exposure also increased tolerance to the biocides sodium nitrate and sodium hypochlorite, which also improved the ability to form biofilms. Exposure to the biocide trisodium phosphate, however, reduced E. coli’s ability to form biofilms and boosted resistance to only one antibiotic. R. Capita et al., "Exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of food-grade biocides influences the ability to form biofilm, the resistance to antimicrobials and the ultrastructure of Escherichia coli ATCC 12806", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 06, 2014, © American Society for Microbiology

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Fox DNA On Donkey Meat Prompts Wal-Mart To Adopt DNA Tests For Meat Sold In China January 4, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced plans to perform DNA tests on meat it sells in China after identifying fox DNA in samples of donkey meat products from a local supplier. Wal-Mart recalled products from supplier Dezhou Fujude Food Company Ltd., while local authorities detained Dezhou Fujude officials after test results had shown the presence of fox DNA in samples. Offering compensation to affected customers, Wal-Mart also said it is considering legal action. In 2013, Wal-Mart said it plans to invest 100 million yuan in the next three years to improve food safety in China by launching a mobile food-inspection program and expanding supplier training. Lauren Coleman-Lochner , "Wal-Mart Adds DNA Tests in China After Donkey-Meat Recall", Bloomberg , January 04, 2014, © Bloomberg L.P.

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China’s Commitment To GM Crops Is Challenged On Food Safety And Patriotic Grounds December 14, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Growing public sentiment in China opposing genetically modified crops – often seen not only as a scary food safety issue but as a strategy by the U.S. to weaken China and control the world’s food supply – has created a predicament for China’s government. The Chinese food ministry -- and its agri-science community -- has long been committed to the use of genetically modified crops, and to the development of its own GM varieties. To that end, it has spent a lot of research money on GM technology, hoping to ensure self-sufficiency in food by increasing crop yields on limited farmland. More than 70 percent of China’s cotton is genetically modified. The imported (often from the U.S.) soybeans it overwhelmingly uses are GM. Five years ago the government approved safety certificates for GM varieties of rice and maize, but further approvals for commercial growing are delayed and certificates could expire – thanks to anti-GM pressure. "Genetically modified crops: Food fight", The Economist, December 14, 2013, © The Economist Newspaper Limited

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China Bans Northwest U.S. Shellfish Imports Because of Contamination December 12, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Geoduck clams, oysters and other two-shelled bivalves harvested off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Northern California have been banned from import into China, because of a contamination problem. Chinese government inspectors discovered that some of the clams were tainted with arsenic and a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning. U.S. officials are waiting for more information from China to determine the source of the contamination. The open-ended ban is seen as a major blow to the $270 million Northwest U.S. shellfish industry. Ashley Ahearn and Katie Campbell and Anthony Schick, "China Imposes First-Ever West Coast Shellfish Ban", KUOW.org, December 12, 2013, © ERTHFX

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House Bill Would Tighten Rules Regarding Trans Fat Labeling Of Food Products December 2, 2013: 12:00 AM EST A N.Y. congressman has introduced a bill to clarify trans fats labeling on food packages. Currently, food products with less than half a gram of trans fats are allowed by the FDA to claim  “0 grams trans fat” on the label. Rep. Steve Israel’s (D-N.Y.) legislation would amend the requirement to put an asterisk in the “amount per serving” column and note at the bottom that the food “contains less than0.5 grams trans fat”. Foods that acttually contain no trans fats could continue to state that on the label. Lydia Zuraw , "NY Congressman Reintroduces Bill to Close Trans Fat Labeling Loophole", Food Safety News, December 02, 2013, © Food Safety News

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Tainted Enzymes From India Make Their Way Around The World; Product Recalls Likely November 4, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Advanced Enzymes, an Indian manufacturer of enzymes used to make beverages, baked goods, animal feeds and dietary supplements, has been found to be the source of globally-distributed products contaminated with a powerful antibiotic. The discovery is likely to result in widespread recalls. Distributor and custom formulator Specialty Enzymes (Chico, Calif.), which bought product from the Indian company, then sold enzymes contaminated with chloramphenicol to a company in Japan, which then sold within the European Union. Specialty Enzymes also sold products in the U.S. The FDA discovered and traced the tainted enzymes; no one knows how or why the contamination occurred. Hank Schultz, "Antibiotic-tainted enzymes find way into products in US, Canada, EU and Japan", Nutra-ingredients USA, November 04, 2013, © William Reed Business Media SAS

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Training Coupled With Coaching Improves Food Safety Compliance At Processing Plants October 29, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Alchemy Systems, a company that focuses on building safety cultures in food businesses, reports that training reinforced by corrective coaching by front-line supervisors can change employee behaviors and improve safety and productivity by as much as 26 percent. It’s a critical issue in the food industry, where recalls and highly-publicized contamination incidents have aroused consumer concerns about the safety of the food supply. The research was conducted at food manufacturing and processing plants in the United States over 15 months. The study found that the pre-training compliance rate was only 68 percent. After training, compliance improved to 82 percent. After three observations, compliance increased to 94 percent. "The Positive Impact of Behavioral Change on Food Safety and Productivity", Report, Alchemy Systems, October 29, 2013, © Alchemy Systems

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Americans Are Not Opposed To Nanofoods, But Want Better Labeling, Even If It Costs More October 28, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Do people care whether their food ingredients or food packaging are made using nanotechnology? Apparently so. They’re not opposed to nanofood or nanomaterials, they just want to be fully informed, and that means better labeling showing reliable, research-based information, according to a new U.S. study. Researchers told focus groups about the use of nanotechnology in food products and packages, then asked if they thought such products should be labeled. The answer was a definite yes, though participants were careful to note they did not oppose nanofoods, and they’d be willing to pay more for nanofoods if dependable information were made available. Jonathan Brown & Jennifer Kuzma, "Hungry for Information: Public Attitudes Toward Food Nanotechnology and Labeling", Review of Policy Research, October 28, 2013, © The Policy Studies Organization

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Cultivation Practices Can Either Reduce Or Boost Risk Of Bacterial Contamination Of Produce October 21, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Data collected in the field by U.S. researchers has linked certain cultivation practices on farms to either an increased or decreased likelihood of Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes contamination of produce. The two bacteria sicken an estimated 9.4 million people – and kill 1,300 – each year. They found, for example, that applying manure to fields in the year before cultivation boosted the odds of Salmonella contamination. However, establishing a buffer zone between fields and potential pathogen reservoirs such as livestock operations or waterways protected produce. When fields were irrigated within three days before collection of soil samples, the risk of listeria contamination ballooned six-fold. In addition, soil cultivation within the week before sampling also increased the chances of contamination. Strawn et al. , "Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes Contamination of Produce Fields", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 21, 2013, © American Society for Microbiology

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Inconsistent, Confusing Food Labeling System Leads To Billions Of Dollars Of Waste September 18, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Individuals and businesses in the U.S. are needlessly throwing away billions of pounds of food annually because of confusing food expiration labeling practices, a new report says. Expiration dates on food products – phrases like “sell by”, “use by”, and “best before” -- are badly regulated, misinterpreted and “leading to a false confidence in food safety”, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council and Harvard Law School. More than 90 percent of Americans prematurely throw out food – as much as 40 percent of the food supply, or about $40 billion worth. The authors recommend creating a standardized, common sense date labeling system that provides useful information to consumers, “rather than the unreliable, inconsistent and piecemeal system we have today”. "The Dating Game: How Confusing Food Date Labels Lead to Food Waste in America", Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Natural Resources Defense Council, September 18, 2013, © Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Natural Resources Defense Council

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Cattle Vaccination Can Cut Risk Of Human E. Coli Infection By 85 Percent September 16, 2013: 12:00 AM EST British researchers who analyzed veterinary, human and molecular data to determine the risk of transmitting E. coli from cattle to humans found that vaccinating cattle could have a major impact. E. coli, spread by consuming tainted food and water or by contact with livestock feces, causes severe gastrointestinal illness and even death. The researchers said their data show that vaccinating cattle could cut human sickness cases by nearly 85 percent. Studies that have looked only at the efficacy of currently available vaccines in cattle predict a 50 percent reduction in risk. L. Matthews et al., "Predicting the public health benefit of vaccinating cattle against Escherichia coli O157", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 16, 2013, © National Academy of Sciences

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Copper And Its Alloys Destroy Infectious, Costly Norovirus Pathogen September 9, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The highly infectious norovirus bug is responsible for 267 million cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide each year, costing millions of dollars in health care expenses. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus, which is contracted from contaminated food or water, and from human and surface contact. But scientists in the U.K. have found that norovirus is rapidly destroyed on copper and its alloys, especially on alloys containing more than 60 percent copper. The researchers said using antimicrobial surfaces containing copper in clinical and community environments, such as cruise ships and care facilities, could help reduce the spread of the costly pathogen. Sarah L. Warnes & C. William Keevil, "Inactivation of Norovirus on Dry Copper Alloy Surfaces", PLoS ONE, September 09, 2013, © Warnes, Keevil

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AHPA Expands Its NDI Database With 43 Notifications September 5, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has added 43 notifications from dietary ingredient marketers to the FDA to its new dietary ingredients (NDI) database. NDI notifications are obtained directly from the FDA. The database lists 670 notifications and FDA responses, including the most recently released records through February 2013.  The FDA tagged about 40 percent of the latest notifications as “unable to establish the identity” of the NDI. The FDA has been asked to issue revised NDI notification guidance on what information is needed to identify the NDI. "AHPA Updates its NDI Database", Nutraceuticals World, September 05, 2013, © Rodman Media

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New Technology Tests Foods For Harmful Silver Nanoparticles August 30, 2013: 12:00 AM EST U.S. scientists have discovered a reliable way to test fresh produce and other food products for toxic silver nanoparticles used in water treatment, food packaging, pesticides, cosmetics and other industries. When ingested, nanoparticles are abosrbed into the blood and lymph system, then circulate to sensitive sites such as the spleen, brain, liver and heart. For the study, the scientists immersed pears in a silver nanoparticle solution similar to a pesticide application, then washed and rinsed them  repeatedly. Four days later, using their technology, the scientists found silver nanoparticles still attached to the skin. Smaller particles had penetrated the skin and reached the pear pulp. Zhong Zhang et al., "Detection of Engineered Silver Nanoparticle Contamination in Pears", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, August 30, 2013, © American Chemical Society

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Environmental Contaminants May Be Contributing To Prevalence Of Metabolic Diseases August 29, 2013: 12:00 AM EST A study in mice by French scientists sheds new light on the impact of environmental food contaminants on the development of metabolic diseases. Two groups of obese mice were fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet, while one group received a mixture of pollutants in its food at a very low dosage. Researchers detected a deterioration of glucose tolerance in females, suggesting a defect in insulin signaling. Glucose tolerance was not affected in males exposed to the pollutants, but they did show changes in the liver related to cholesterol synthesis and transport. The researchers said their findings support the idea that pollutants may contribute to the prevalence of chronic diseases, including metabolic diseases and diabetes. D. Naville et al., "Low-dose food contaminants trigger sex-specific, hepatic metabolic changes in the progeny of obese mice", The FASEB Journal, August 29, 2013, © Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

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Indian Government Urges Spice Farmers To Use Harvesting Methods That Prevent Bacterial Contamination August 27, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The Indian government is responding to a USDA study of spice imports from that country that found that seven percent of spice lots were contaminated by deadly salmonella bacteria, more than twice the average of all other imported foods to the U.S.. About 15 percent of coriander and 12 percent of oregano and basil shipments were contaminated, as well as high levels of sesame seeds, curry powder and cumin. Indian officials are urging spice farmers to make changes in the way they pick, dry and thresh their crops to reduce the risk of contamination. Gardiner Harris, "Salmonella in Spices Prompts Changes in Farming", The New York Times , August 27, 2013, © The New York Times Company

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Procter & Gamble Recalls Pet Foods Due To Potential Salmonella Contamination August 14, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Procter & Gamble Co. announced a voluntary recall of specific batches of dry pet food products over fears of potential contamination with Salmonella. Distributed in the United States, product lots covered by the recall make up about one-tenth of 1 percent of the company’s annual production. Also, the company made it clear that no Salmonella-related illnesses linked to the products have been reported to date, and is recalling these products as a precautionary measure. Consumers who bought any of these products are advised to contact the company through its toll-free numbers or via its website. "P&G Voluntarily Recalls Limited Quantity of Dry Pet Food Due to Possible Health Risk", Procter & Gamble, August 14, 2013, © Procter & Gamble

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Probiotic Strain Of E. Coli Inhibits Salmonella Replication In The Gut July 17, 2013: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers have determined that a probiotic strain of E. coli used to treat irritable bowel syndrome actually inhibits salmonella colonization in the gut, reducing the risk of bacterial infections. The probiotic bacterium competes with salmonella for iron, an essential nutrient found in  the gut that salmonella needs to replicate at high levels. Salmonella counts in the gut drop significantly when the E. coli strain Nissle 1917is administered to patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers hope that by understanding how pathogens get nutrients, it will be easier to find ways to eradicate them. Elisa Deriu et al., "Probiotic Bacteria Reduce Salmonella Typhimurium Intestinal Colonization by Competing for Iron", Cell Host & Microbe, July 17, 2013, © Elsevier Inc.

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Sixteen Percent Of Imported Hot Sauces Exceed Safe Levels Of Lead Content July 15, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Researchers at the University of Las Vegas who analyzed 25 bottles of hot sauce imported from Mexico and South America found that four brands – 16 percent – exceed 0.1 parts-per-million (ppm) lead content, which is the current standard set by the FDA for unsafe levels of lead in candy. The brands were all from Mexico, but from different manufacturers. Hot sauce as a regular part of a child’s diet, especially in Hispanic cultures, could contribute to unsafe levels of lead exposure. The researchers called for more rigorous screening of hot sauces imported from Mexico, as well as an appropriate FDA standard for dangerous lead levels in hot sauce. Jennifer A. Berger et al., "An evaluation of lead concentrations in imported hot sauces", Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, July 15, 2013, © Berger et al.

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Locally-Raised Whole Chickens Are More Likely To Carry Dangerous Foodborne Pathogens July 11, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Ninety percent of the whole chickens purchased at farmers markets in Pennsylvania during a recent study tested positive for dangerous Campylobacter bacteria and 28 percent carried Salmonella bacteria. During the same period, however, only 20 percent of raw, whole, organic chickens bought at grocery stores contained Campylobacter, and 28 percent tested positive for Salmonella. Only eight percent of nonorganic, conventionally processed chickens from grocery stores tested positive for Campylobacter, and half of those also had Salmonella. The researchers said their findings shed doubt on the widely held belief that locally bought poultry is safer. Joshua Scheinberg et al., "A Microbiological Comparison of Poultry Products Obtained from Farmers' Markets and Supermarkets in Pennsylvania", Journal of Food Safety, July 11, 2013, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Pepsi Still To Remove Cancer-Causing Chemical From Products, CEH Study Shows July 3, 2013: 12:00 AM EST More than a year after promising to remove the chemical 4-methylimidazole (4-Mel) from the caramel coloring it uses for its products, Pepsi still uses coloring with high levels of the cancer-causing chemical, according to tests conducted by the Center for Environmental Health. CEH through an independent laboratory it has commissioned conducted 4-Mel testing on Coke and Pepsi products from California and other states. Results showed that Pepsi products bought from outside California contain levels of the chemical that are 4 to more than 8 times higher than California’s safety levels. CEH says industrial production of caramel coloring creates 4-Mel as a by-product; however, changes in the manufacturing process can cut or remove the chemical without changing the coloring. "One Year Later, Pepsi Still Contains Cancer-Causing Food Coloring", Center for Environmental Health, July 03, 2013, © Center for Environmental Health

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Watchdog Group Calls On FDA To Ban Sale Of Ginkgo Supplements June 3, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The nonprofit organization Center for Science in the Public Interest is calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of herbal ingredient Ginkgo biloba in foods and dietary supplements. Earlier in March 2013, the National Toxicology Program found "clear evidence" that Ginkgo caused liver cancer in mice and "some evidence" it caused thyroid cancer in rats. After giving the concerned industry a reasonable time to remove Ginkgo from their products, the FDA should confiscate whatever products are still being sold, the watchdog group said. Ginkgo is found in supplement pills sold by food supplement companies, including Natrol, GNC, and Solaray, with beverage maker Stewart Brothers, Inc., already informed by the FDA that Ginkgo is not recognized as safe in food. "FDA Urged to Prohibit Sale of Ginkgo in Wake of Cancer Study", Center for Science in the Public Interest, June 03, 2013, © Center for Science in the Public Interest

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Some Governments Suspend Wheat Imports From U.S. After GE Crops Discovered In Oregon May 31, 2013: 12:00 AM EST After the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that some genetically engineered wheat had been found growing in a field in Oregon, Japan and South Korea suspended some imports. The GE wheat had not been approved for sale, USDA said, nor was any of it found in grain shipments. South Korea said the suspension would stay in place until further tests were done on wheat imports from the U.S. The European Union, which has a “zero tolerance” policy on GE crops, urged that its 27 member states test wheat shipments from the U.S. Victoria Shannon, "Japan and South Korea Bar Imports of U.S. Wheat", The New York Times, May 31, 2013, © The New York Times Company

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Reducing Bacterial Contamination Of Poultry Products Should Begin On The Farm May 31, 2013: 12:00 AM EST A U.S. study that linked foodborne pathogens on poultry farms and at processing plants suggests that reducing harmful bacteria on the farm may be the most important step to keeping them out of the food supply. Current efforts to prevent food contamination are focused on the processing plant phase. Scientists traced salmonella and campylobacter bacteria – which together cause 1.9 million foodborne illnesses in the U.S. annually – from the processing plants back to the source farma 96 and 71 percent of the time, respectively. Measures to reduce salmonella on the farm include vaccination of breeder hens, “competitive exclusion” products and using acidified water during feed withdrawal. R. D. Berghaus et al., "Enumeration of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Environmental Farm Samples and Processing Plant Carcass Rinses from Commercial Broiler Chicken Flocks", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 31, 2013, © American Society for Microbiology

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Scientists Are Learning More And More About The Vast Microbial World Living Inside Us May 15, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Journalism professor Michael Pollan recently asked a university laboratory to analyze his personal microbiome – the genetic makeup of the microbial world that lives on and inside his body. The lab found several hundred species of bacteria – whose population totaled around 100 trillion – on his tongue, on his skin, and in his gut. Pollan explores current scientific thinking about these microbes, the vast majority of which are beneficial, and how they interact with us. The basic lesson is that our internal bacteria live in a delicate balance with our bodies, and have a significant impact on our health. Our job is simply to nurture this micro-world, to “tend the unruly garden within”. Michael Pollan, "Some of My Best Friends Are Germs", The New York Times, May 15, 2013, © The New York Times Company

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Bird Flu And Unsafe Chicken Cause Yum! Brands' 29 Percent Sales Dive In April 2013 May 13, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Yum! Brands Inc., owner of the KFC fastfood chain, reported that same-store sales in China dropped 29 percent in April 2013. Concerns about the safety of KFC's chicken and the spread of bird flu in China prompted customers to stay away from KFC restaurants. KFC's efforts to offer localized dishes is working against KFC's brand, which is driven by the taste of its friend chicken and which is what made Chinese consumers fell in love with the restaurant chain in the first place. Also, KFC is feeling the pressure from U.S.-based competitors McDonald's Corp. and Burger King Worldwide Inc., which are expanding their China operations. Reports about high levels of antibiotics contained by locally sourced chicken also harmed KFC's sales and profit, which Yum forecast to decline by mid-single digit rate in 2013. In contrast, net income increased 21 percent to $1.6 billion in 2012. Liza Lin, Leslie Patton , "Yum’s 29% Sales Collapse in China Goes Beyond Avian Flu", Bloomberg News, May 13, 2013, © Bloomberg L. P.

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Wal-Mart Spends $16.3 Million On Food Safety Measures In China May 9, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it is investing 100 million yuan, or $16.3 million, to improve food-safety management at its retail stores in China. Government officials in that country launched crackdowns on violators of food safety rules following public furor over several well-publicized food safety scandals. Wal-Mart plans to expand mobile food-safety laboratories to manage third-party providers of food-quality tests at 70 stores owned by the company across China's southern Guangdong province. In 2011, Chongqing government officials accused the retailer of mislabeling regular pork products as organic pork, making them more expensive. The incident prompted heightened food safety awareness for Wal-Mart, which also plans to improve employees' food safety training and hire more retail compliance experts. LAURIE BURKITT, "Wal-Mart Invests $16.3 Million in China Food Safety", Wall Street Journal, May 09, 2013, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc

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Chinese Parents Trust Only Foreign Infant Formula Brands Sourced From Outside The Country May 7, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Parents in China want only foreign infant formula brands, but trust them only if purchased from sources outside the country. Driven by food quality and safety scandals, the trend is having impact on sales in markets as far away as Europe where Chinese visitors sometimes empty store shelves. Food safety cases involving infant formula in China include the 2008 incident which killed six babies and downed 300,000 others who were given infant formula mixed with an industrial chemical designed to circumvent laboratory tests for protein content. Most recently, the local distributor of Hero baby formula, a high-end brand from Switzerland, was caught mixing expired milk powder into cans being readied for sale. China's leading formula brand, with 15 percent of the market, Danone's Dumex has been commended for its openness about its operations and efforts to convince consumers about its safety standards. Anita Chang Beattie, "Chinese Don't Trust Food Made In China Either, Seek Baby Formula From Abroad", Advertising Age, May 07, 2013, © Crain Communications

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California Sues Food Retailers For Selling Lead-Tainted Foods Without Warning Labels May 1, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The State of California has filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court alleging that Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and other food retailers are selling ginger and plum candies contaminated with lead and carrying no warning labels. The state attorney general’s office said lab tests verified the presence of lead in the products in violation of Proposition 65. Even minute amounts of lead and other potentially harmful ingredients in food products must be disclosed to the public. A Whole Foods spokesman said the company was investigating the problem, but there was no comment from Trader Joe’s. Jason Dearen, "Whole Foods, Trader Joe's Sued By California For Lead In Candies", Huffington Post, May 01, 2013, © HuffPost Business - AOL Money & Finance

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Boxer, DeFasio, Many Other Legislators Sponsor Legislation Requiring FDA To Label Genetically Engineered Foods April 30, 2013: 12:00 AM EST United States Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Peter DeFasio introduced the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, a bipartisan legislation seeking to require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to label genetically engineered foods so that consumers can make informed decisions about what they eat. Other legislators, including senators Lisa Murkowski, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Richard Blumenthal, have co-sponsored the legislation. Results of surveys showed more than 90 percent of Americans support labeling of GE foods. FDA's current regulations require labeling of more than 3,000 ingredients, additives, and processes, but the agency has so far refused to label GE foods. Barbara Boxer, "Boxer, DeFazio Introduce Bill to Require Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods ", Barbara Boxer, April 30, 2013, © Barbara Boxer

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Nanotechnology May Provide Effective Answer To Spread Of Food-Borne Pathogens April 2, 2013: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers have developed a nanotechnology that can be used to destroy harmful food-borne bacteria, including deadly Listeria. The technology, drawn from nature’s example, uses lytic enzymes, which are compounds that eat through infected bacteria cell walls to allow release of harmful viruses to attack other healthy bacteria. The researchers attached cell lytic enzymes to food-safe silica nanoparticles, creating a coating that selectively kills Listeria on contact. Listeria is  a dangerous food-borne pathogen that causes 500 deaths a year in the U.S. The lytic enzymes can also be attached to starch nanoparticles commonly used in food packaging. Kusum Solanki et al., "Enzyme-Based Listericidal Nanocomposites", Scientific Reports, April 02, 2013, © Nature Publishing Group

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P&G Pet Food Unit Recalls Products Because Of Presence Of Salmonella March 29, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Procter & Gamble company Natura Pet Products has expanded its voluntary recall of dry pet food because of potential contamination with Salmonella. Both the Michigan and Georgia departments  of agriculture confirmed through product sampling that Salmonella was present in additional dry cat food and a cat pet treats. Natura is also recalling dry pet food products made in the surrounding timeframe. P&G said no canned wet food is affected by the recall, and no Salmonella -related illnesses have been confirmed to date. The affected products are sold through veterinary clinics and select pet specialty retailers in the U.S., Canada, and in other countries, as well as online. "Natura Pet Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk", News release, Procter & Gamble, March 29, 2013, © Procter & Gamble

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Natural Product Destroys Salmonella During Processing Of Ground Meat, Poultry March 20, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Despite recent recalls of fresh ground turkey and chicken due to salmonella contamination, demand for poultry products as a cheaper alterative to beef continues to grow. To provide an effective answer to the threat, Intralytix has developed SalmoFresh, a product whose active ingredients seek out and kill Salmonella, including the Heidelberg, Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Newport, Hadar, Kentucky and Thompson strains. Intralytix, which specializes in natural products that kill foodborne pathogens, says SalmoFresh works well on ground red meat and poultry. The meats are sprayed before grinding, resulting in significantly reduced Salmonella contamination. The FDA has granted SalmoFresh the status of GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). Cookson Beecher , "New Spray Product Takes Aim at Salmonella on Poultry", Food Safety News, March 20, 2013, © Food Safety News

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FDA Needs To Keep Public Better Informed Of Health Problems Associated With Dietary Supplements March 18, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The FDA could do a better job of telling the public when dietary supplements cause health problems, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the FDA’s handling of adverse event reports (AERs). About 71 percent of the 6,307 dietary supplement AERs between 2008 and 2011 were submitted by industry and focused on supplements containing mixed ingredients, like vitamins and minerals. But GAO said the FDA is probably not receiving all of the adverse information it needs, largely because consumers report health problems not to the FDA but to poison centers. The GAO said FDA could improve its monitoring of the industry by finding ways to get useful poison center data and to get the word out to the public about dietary supplement AERs. "FDA May Have Opportunities to Expand Its Use of Reported Health Problems to Oversee Products", Report, U.S. Government Accountability Office, March 18, 2013, © U.S. Government Accountability Office

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Report Finds Significant Problems With U.S. Food Safety System March 1, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The statistics are staggering: foodborne diseases sicken more than 40 million people in the U.S. each year, causing 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to a new report from the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC. The cost? Medical expenses combined with lost productivity total $77 billion annually. To tackle this enormous problem, the U.S. needs effective surveillance of the food supply and rapid response to foodborne illness outbreak. It especially needs to quickly know the source of food contamination. Among a list of findings and recommendations, the Center urges Congress and the White House to fully fund both technology development and agencies whose job is to monitor the food supply. Perhaps most important: the Food Safety Modernization Act should be fully funded and implemented. Jennifer B. Nuzzo et al., "When Good Food Goes Bad: Strengthening the US Response to Foodborne Disease Outbreaks ", Center for Biosecurity of UPMC, March 01, 2013, © Center for Biosecurity of UPMC

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Limiting Exposure To Harmful Synthetic Chemicals May Be More Difficult Than We Thought February 27, 2013: 12:00 AM EST A U.S. study testing the levels of chemical contaminants in the urine of two groups of families, found that exposure to the chemicals may go far beyond what scientists have assumed. Even when participants consumed only organic foods prepared and stored in non-plastic containers, exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates was significant. Previous studies have shown that phthalates and bisphenol A disrupt the endocrine systems of animals and humans and cause other health problems such as hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression in girls. "Current information we give families” – on plastic bottle labels and personal care products – “may not be enough to reduce exposures," said the lead author on the study. Sheela Sathyanarayana et al., "Unexpected results in a randomized dietary trial to reduce phthalate and bisphenol A exposures", Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, February 27, 2013, © Nature Publishing Group

Domains Food Safety Other Geographies Worldwide North America United States of America

Food Authorities In The U.K. Begin Testing For Meat Products Contaminated With Horsemeat February 19, 2013: 12:00 AM EST As the horsemeat scandal continues to rock Europe, Nestlé announced that tests on nine processed beef products available in the U.K. – including products from the Jenny Craig weight-loss brand – had found no equine contamination. The company had earlier withdrawn beef and pasta products in Italy, Spain and France because it found traces of horsemeat. Meanwhile, the U.K.’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it will launch DNA testing next week of beef-based foods sold pre-packed or loose, including sandwiches, beef dripping, stock cubes, steak, stewing steak and ready meals that contain beef that is not minced. Officials in Parliament said various meat-based dishes had been withdrawn from eateries used by members, peers and staff. James Meikle, Kate Connolly and Peter Newlands, "Nestlé UK products test negative for horsemeat", The Guardian, February 19, 2013, © Guardian News and Media Limited

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Nestlé Pulls Beef Products With Horse DNA From Italy, Spain, And France February 19, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Nestlé SA withdrew some of its beef pasta meals from the market in Italy, Spain, and France after traces of horse DNA were found in these products. More than 1 percent horse DNA was found in two products following tests, the company said. Nestlé also said it was putting on hold deliveries of finished products using beef supplied by JBS Toledo N.V.'s subcontractor H.J. Schypke. Also, the company said these products posed no food safety risks and that the withdrawals would not impact the company's financial performance. JOHN REVILL And INTI LANDAURO, "Nestlé Pulls Products After Horse Traces Found", Wall Street Journal, February 19, 2013, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc

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FSA Tests Show More Than 1 Percent Of Beef Products In UK Positive For Horse Meat February 15, 2013: 12:00 AM EST More than 1 percent of beef products tested were found positive for the presence of undeclared horse meat, according to the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency. Results of the tests conducted as of February 15, 2013, also revealed the positive results were related to seven products already reported and dealt with, the FSA also said. All products that have been found positive for horse DNA tested negative for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone. Local authorities were also instructed by the FSA to conduct testing of meat products, as well as inspections of relevant meat processing plants and other food businesses across the country. "FSA publishes industry test results on beef products", Food Standards Agency, February 15, 2013, © Food Standards Agency

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New Germicidal Plasma Technology Extends Shelf Life Of Food, Could Reduce Waste February 11, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Scientists in Scotland have developed a plasma technology that temporarily converts oxygen in sealed food packages to ozone, killing any mold, fungi or bacteria before the ozone reverts to its oxygen state. The method uses a retractable device that generates plasma. The device is held against the surface of plastic or glass packaging where it splits the oxygen molecules (O2), when then reform into ozone (O3) molecules. The researchers say the technology’s effectiveness as a germicide extends shelf life by about a day, which would go "a significant way to cutting down on the seven million tons of food discarded in the U.K. each year". "University of Glasgow project taps plasma power to protect products and people", University of Glasgow, February 11, 2013, © University of Glasgow

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Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Increases With Exposure To Pesticides February 5, 2013: 12:00 AM EST Researchers in Spain have found that there is a direct relationship between exposure to pesticides (i.e., Persistent Organic Pollutants) in food, air and water, and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in adults, no matter their age, gender or body mass index. The study analyzed concentrations of a specific group of pollutants in the adipose tissue of 386 adults. They found that the substances tend to concentrate in body fat, and might be one of the reasons obese people are more likely to develop diabetes, the researchers suggested, because the more fat the higher the concentrations of pesticides in the body. Juan P. Arrebola et al., "Adipose tissue concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults from Southern Spain", Environmental Research, February 05, 2013, © Elsevier B.V.

Domains Food Safety External Guidance & Action Geographies Worldwide EMEA Europe Spain

Food Companies Are Mum On Use Of Nanoparticles In Their Products February 5, 2013: 12:00 AM EST As You Sow, a nonprofit corporate accountability group, reports that companies using nanoparticles in their food products have been less than forthcoming in making the public aware of it. The molecule-sized particles are entering the food chain in popular products and their packaging materials, the group says. Fourteen of 26 companies who responded to a survey – 2,600 companies received the survey – said they do not use nanomaterials. Various world regulatory bodies are grappling with the issue. Only the European Union has required labeling products if nanomaterials are present. Nanoparticles are said to be able to make products creamier without additional fat, and can intensify and improve flavors and brighten colors. Stephanie Strom, "Study Looks at Particles Used in Food", New York Times, February 05, 2013, © The New York Times Company

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FDA Toughens Its Control Over Potentially Harmful Food Products February 4, 2013: 12:00 AM EST The U.S. FDA has issued food safety regulations that delete a requirement for hard evidence that a food product presents a health threat before it can be kept from the marketplace. The stronger final rules allow the FDA to detain food if it “believes” it is adulterated or misbranded. The agency can prevent the products from reaching the marketplace for up to 30 days while officials determine if further enforcement action, such as seizure, is required. The rules implement sections of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The act was signed into law by President Obama in January 2011. "FDA Issues Final Rule to Give Agency More Authority to Detain Adulterated Food", Food Safety News, February 04, 2013, © Food Safety News

Domains Food Safety External Guidance & Action Policy & Regulation Geographies Worldwide North America United States of America

Lower Levels Of Vitamin B-12 Linked To More Rapid Cognitive Decline In Older Adults December 5, 2012: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers have discovered a link between lower levels of vitamin B-12 and cognitive decline in the older adults. The study of 549 men and women grouped participants according to blood levels of vitamin B-12, and screened for dementia using a commonly applied test. They found that those with lowest levels of B-12 were more likely to suffer rapid cognitive decline over time. The researchers emphasized that the study did not show causation, but the associations raised concern that some cognitive decline may be the result of inadequate vitamin B-12 in older adults. They also noted that maintaining normal blood levels can be a challenge for older people, who may need B-12 fortified foods and supplements. Martha Savaria Morris et al., "Vitamin B-12 and Folate Status in Relation to Decline in Scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Framingham Heart Study", Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, December 05, 2012, © Morris et al, .American Geriatrics Society

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Scientists Develop Technology That Can Predict Location Of Foodborne Pathogens December 5, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Researchers at Cornell University have developed a way to predict “hot spots” where disease-causing pathogens – Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and L. monocytogenes – may be present and spread on farms before harvest time. The technology uses geospatial algorithms, foodborne pathogen ecology and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Classification tree tools apply remotely sensed data such as topography, soil type, weather trends, etc., to predict where pathogens are likely to show up. Scientists share the information with farmers who can then implement preventive practices such as draining standing water, adjusting where livestock graze, or planting crops that should be consumed cooked rather than raw, for example. L. K. Strawn et al., "Landscape and Meteorological Factors Affecting Prevalence of Three Foodborne Pathogens in Fruit and Vegetable Farms", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, December 05, 2012, © American Society for Microbiology

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Canadian Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Approve Food Safety Bill November 26, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A recent food contamination crisis involving E. coli bacteria at an Alberta, Canada, meat processing plant apparently energized legislators to overwhelmingly approve a new federal food safety bill. The bill becomes law by “Royal Assent”. Approved earlier by the Senate, the bill was passed unanimously by the House of Commons. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Safe Food for Canadians Act targets unsafe practices, implements tougher penalties for violators, provides for better controls over imported foods, strengthens food traceability and implements a more consistent food inspection process. "Canada Adopts New Federal Food Safety Law", Food Safety News, November 26, 2012, © Marler Clark

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Planned Launch Of Caffeinated Cracker Jacks Has Consumer Advocates Up In Arms November 20, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Consumer watchdog Center for Science in the Public Interest is vigorously objecting to the planned launch of new varieties of the venerable snack product Cracker Jacks that are laced with caffeine. Frito-Lay insists the new products, dubbed Cracker Jack’d, will not be marketed to children. CSPI is concerned that though the products will be marketed to adults – and packages will display warnings – caffeine content will make them appealing to kids. A CSPI spokesman told the FDA the new caffeinated products "may be just the beginning of a craze … adding caffeine to all kinds of foods and beverages." The FDA has standards for beverages that contain caffeine, but not for snack foods. Leigh Goessl, "New caffeinated Cracker Jacks variety sparks controversy", Digital Journal, November 20, 2012, © digitaljournal.com

Domains Food Safety Ingredients Policy & Regulation Geographies Worldwide North America United States of America

Preschool Children At High Risk For Exposure To Food-Borne Toxins November 13, 2012: 12:00 AM EST U.S. researchers who measured exposure to food-borne toxins among children and families that preschool children in families were at high risk for exposure to arsenic, dieldrin, DDE (a DDT metabolite), dioxins and acrylamide – compounds that have been linked to cancer, developmental disabilities and birth defects. All 364 children in the study – 207 preschool children aged two yo seven and 157 children aged five to seven – exceeded cancer benchmarks for arsenic, dieldrin, DDE and dioxins. Ninety-five percent of preschool children exceeded non-cancer risk levels for acrylamide, a cooking byproduct often found in processed foods like potato and tortilla chips. Rainbow Vogt et al., "Cancer and non-cancer health effects from food contaminant exposures for children and adults in California: a risk assessment", Environmental Health, November 13, 2012, © BioMed Central Ltd

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To Reduce Exposure To Arsenic In Rice Products, Parents Should Feed Babies Wheat, Oatmeal Cereals November 1, 2012: 12:00 AM EST Consumers Union, reporting in its magazine Consumer Reports, says it found varying levels of the poison arsenic in more than 60 rices and rice products, including baby foods. Some infant rice cereals contained five times the levels of inorganic arsenic found in alternatives such as oatmeal. One of CU’s key recommendations to parents about reducing the risk of arsenic poisoning: babies should eat no more than one serving of infant rice cereal a day on average, and their diets should include cereals made from wheat, oatmeal or corn grits, “which contain significantly lower levels of arsenic.” "Arsenic in your food", Consumer Reports, November 01, 2012, © Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

Domains Food Safety Ingredients Geographies Worldwide North America United States of America

New Database Lists Adverse Effects Of 700 Medications, Supplements, On Liver October 26, 2012: 12:00 AM EST A new National Institutes of Health online database of 700 medications, and herbal and dietary supplements, shows that many can be toxic to the liver. The searchable Livertox database shows, for example, that kava, comfrey, valerian, vitamin A, niacin and green tea, when taken in high doses, have been linked to liver injury and disease. Loyola University’s Steven Scaglione, M.D., who specializes in liver transplantation and research, praises the new NIH database, noting that consumers have become aware in recent years of the dangers of taking too much acetaminophen, but are relatively ignorant of the risk of liver injury presented by certain popular herbal and dietary supplements. Steven Scaglione, M.D., "Dietary Supplements Can Cause Liver Injury, Says Hepatologist", Press release, Loyola University Health System, October 26, 2012, © Loyola University Health System

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