Contrary to the findings of earlier research, exposure to toxic bisphenol-A  (BPA) is much greater than previously thought, and comes from other sources besides oral ingestion, according to a U.S. study. The researchers provide evidence that women, female monkeys and female mice metabolize BPA in similar fashion, so animal studies are valid predictors. They call for more stringent federal rules on the use of the estrogen-like chemical found in many everyday products, including baby bottles and food-storage containers. The study argues that the available animal study data is sufficient: there is no need of more evidence of human harm before regulatory action is taken. “Our data raise grave concern that regulatory agencies have grossly underestimated current human exposure levels” because they relied on an earlier study whose conclusions were false.

Recent news coverage of tainted beef, salmonella-infected eggs and contaminated Gulf shrimp are having an impact on consumer and food professional spending patterns, new U.S./Norwegian research finds. Web-based surveys of 400 consumers and 75 food companies, including manufacturers, distributors and retailers, found that safe and healthy food is the number one priority, though recycling, social justice, green practices, economic viability and animal welfare are also important, especially as indicators of sustainability. Domestic meat products are a serious concern among consumers along with products coming from international sources. The research also found that many food suppliers are putting certification audits in place to manage food safety risk through traceability tools. “Industry professionals place more emphasis on traceability, while consumers want to see the certification on product labels,” said one researcher.

Thanks to a quirk in FDA regulations on genetically modified food labeling, anxious consumers may not be able to tell whether the salmon they’re buying is conventional or GM, unless the producer voluntarily labels it as such. If the FDA rules that the fast-growing GM Atlantic salmon called AquAdvantage is not “materially” different from conventional salmon, it cannot require the producer to apply a GM label. The situation worries consumer advocates, because other GM food products, including beef and pork, are in the queue seeking FDA approval. The salmon case would be the first time a GM food is okayed for marketing in the U.S. and would therefore set a major precedent. The biotechnology industry opposes mandatory labeling, saying it would only confuse consumers.

After a review of recent scientific studies on animal clones and their offspring, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stated that there’s no reason to reconsider earlier conclusions on cloning. Animal cloning involves genetically copying an animal by replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg cell with the nucleus of a body cell to form an embryo, which is implanted in a surrogate mother to develop until birth. The EFSA had concluded earlier that mortality rates and developmental abnormalities are higher in animal clones, but there is no indication that the meat and milk of clones and offspring are different from conventionally bred animals. The agency also said that because of a lack of information on other species, cloning can only be done on cattle and pigs.

The case of melanine tainted milk powder in Qinghai and Hebei offically wrapped up today with the investigation and persecution of 41 people who were involved. The case orginated from a secret stash of leftover problematic milk powder that the CEO of Hebei’s Luyuan diary company kept after a previous attempt by the food safety commission to get rid of it. He then sold it to various other manufacturers in different parts of China. Authorities are still trying to recover the rest of the product. About 104 tons of milk powder was recalled and seized by the food safety commission. Various departments are still conducting inspections on diary manufacturers, attempting to prevent substandard milk from entering the market, at the same time cracking down on offenders. 

The Ministry of Health in China recently published a draft ruling that would ban the use of food flavoring and fragrance in more than 20 of infant formula and food products leading to widespread concern in the industry, which is heavily dependent on the practice. Excess intake of certain fragrances has been found to be harmful, especially in the development of infant organs; parents also argue that the use of flavors affects children’s sense of taste and causes them to become dependent upon them. In contrast, consumers view natural milk products as the products most reliably beneficial for their baby’s growth. Currently, only five companies in China do not add any fragrance to their milk products. This includes Yili, the leading diary product company that has firmly established its image as natural and pure. With the anticipated passing of the draft ruling, the market for non-fragrant baby milk product is looking promising again. 

A new agreement between Dubai Municipality and Unilever involves closer cooperation on product safety and testing. The head of the Municipality delegation that visited Unilever’s Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC) in England said the visitors were focusing on the impact of products on consumers and the environment, and the discussions extended to product labeling, storage, and misuse of products. The visit should also help the Municipality head off the spread incorrect information about the products. Unilever holds around 30% of the personal care market in the UAE and 45% of its skin care and cleansing sales.