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FAO, IDF and IFCN develop world map of animal feeding systems in dairy sector

The International Dairy Federation (IDF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) have developed, in partnership and with support from the animal feed industry, a world map of animal feeding systems in the dairy sector. The first results will be presented at the Sustainable Feed Security Conference at the IDF World Dairy Summit, on 18 October 2011.

22 Oct 2011

FDA may be lax when it comes to laws on sea food safety: Study

Due to the last year’s BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a new study contends that current federal standards underestimate the risk to pregnant women and children of cancer-causing contaminants that can accumulate in seafood from such spills.

16 Oct 2011

Tart cherries can help fight America's Fruit Fatigue

Just four fruits - oranges, bananas, apples and watermelons - account for nearly half of America's fruit intake. Eating a variety of rich-colored fruits is essential to an overall healthful diet, but most Americans are falling far short of the daily recommended consumption of fruit. Only one in five Americans is currently getting the recommended 1 to 2 cups of fruit each day. In fact, Americans only average 42 percent of the recommended fruit, so the gap is significant.

14 Oct 2011

Survey: 59% of Americans say they are not concerned about sodium intake

Few Americans can tell you how much sodium they should consume each day and most aren't concerned with their personal sodium intake. According to the 2011 International Food Information Council Sodium Survey, 59 percent of Americans say they're not concerned about their sodium intake, consistent with findings in 2009.

28 Sep 2011

Organic tomato juice contains more phenolic components than conventional crop juice

Organic tomato juice contains more phenolic components than juice from conventionally grown crops, according to a new study published in the journal Food Chemistry directed by Rosa M. Lamuela, a lecturer from the Department of Nutrition and Bromatology of the University of Barcelona (UB) and researcher for the Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA) and the Spanish Biomedical Research Centre-Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition.

28 Sep 2011

Nigeria expected to sign agreement with UNESCO for international biotech center targeting food security, disease

The Nigerian government is expected to sign an agreement with UNESCO at the 36th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, which begins next month, for an international biotechnology center that will focus on strengthening food safety, tropical disease research and the conservation of bio-resources across Africa, SciDev.Net reports, adding that "UNESCO's executive board approved the establishment of the center earlier this year."

23 Sep 2011

Neogen develops quick and easy new test for aflatoxin

Neogen Corporation has developed a quick and easy new test for aflatoxin, a toxin considered by many to be the most potent, naturally-occurring carcinogen. The toxin is a by-product of mold growth in a wide range of commodities, including corn.

22 Sep 2011

ASU scientists receive USDA grants to combat food-related illness

Roughly 1 in six Americans are sickened every year by food-borne ailments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The effects of these illnesses range from acutely unpleasant to lethal, and the problem may be getting worse, as our food supply becomes more global, with an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

21 Sep 2011

World's first permanent food safety lab opens

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, University of Maryland, their Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and Waters Corporation today opened the International Food Safety Training Laboratory, a groundbreaking public-private partnership that applies government, university and private industry expertise and resources to the global food safety challenge.

15 Sep 2011

FDA creates Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a streamlined, integrated approach to effectively and rapidly respond to human and animal foodborne illness outbreaks: the FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network.

15 Sep 2011

Viewpoints: Shredding Bachmann's vaccine argument; 'super' or 'stupor' committee; Bennet on outmoded drug safety rules

Vaccines were the biggest losers in Monday's GOP presidential candidate's debate, specifically those that are intended to prevent cervical cancer. The main route of HPV infection is sex. That's why you need to vaccinate girls before they become sexually active. The vaccines are exceedingly safe, studies show. There have been very few reports of serious problems from them, none proven. It is simply a lie to say they can cause retardation.

15 Sep 2011

Consumer concern about food safety declines

Consumer concern about food safety has declined over the past year even as the number of people experiencing serious food-borne illnesses nearly doubled, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll.

14 Sep 2011

IFT: Deciphering lot codes and food expiration dates on food products

Health-conscious consumers are paying closer attention to the numbers and dates stamped on the bottom of their favorite cereals, canned goods, packaged snacks and even fresh produce. But what do all these numbers really mean?

8 Sep 2011

Innovative UMD-based food safety program to launch on Sept. 15

Amid ongoing concerns about E. coli, Salmonella and other food-borne illnesses, a new facility will take a unique approach to make imports bound for the United States safer: Give foreign technicians who test those foods intensive, hands-on lab training in U.S. government methods, standards and technology, as well as acceptable alternatives.

8 Sep 2011

Tips for packing school lunches for kids

You do everything you can think of to ensure your kids eat a healthful lunch. But do you also consider the safety of the food you pack in their lunch bags each day? "Packing your child's school lunch not only helps you know they're eating healthful fare, it can also save money - an important consideration in the current economy," says food safety expert Dr. Don Schaffner of the Institute of Food Technologists and Rutgers University. "Parents also need to keep in mind, however, the importance of safe handling practices when preparing food for their children's lunch boxes."

8 Sep 2011

FDA acts to prevent distribution of food from rodent-infested facility

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated food susceptible to rodent and pest contamination or other filth held at the Durham, North Carolina, warehouse of CFSD, Inc., which does business as Chan's Food Service.

29 Aug 2011

FDA tips for tackling hurricanes

The FDA reminds consumers to take precautions for storing water and ensuring the safety of their food and medical supplies for themselves and their pets during and after this week's expected hurricane-related rain, possible flooding and power outages.

26 Aug 2011

Insight into how bacterial toxins cause human diseases may help improve treatment

A better understanding of how bacterial toxins cause common human diseases may lead to their improved treatment and prevention according to a paper just published by Irish and US scientists in Nature Reviews Microbiology.

25 Aug 2011

Rick Perry's views on Medicare, other health policy issues draw scrutiny

The GOP presidential hopeful's views on key issues have triggered examination by news outlets. Meanwhile, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who proposed sweeping changes to the Medicare program, has opted not to join the presidential primary contest.

24 Aug 2011

Senomyx second quarter revenues increase 23% to $7.0 million

Senomyx, Inc., a company focused on using proprietary taste receptor-based technologies to discover novel flavor ingredients for the food, beverage, and ingredient supply industries, today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

5 Aug 2011