Food Safety News and Research

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Existing scientific evidence indicates no risk to human health from BPA exposure

The North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. urges policymakers and media to take heed of a decisive analysis by independent toxicologists that concludes bisphenol A (BPA) poses no risk to human health.

20 Apr 2011

Drug resistant bug plaguing the meat industry: Study

It has been found that nearly half of the meat and poultry (47 percent) sold in U.S. grocery stores is contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (“Staph”), a bacteria linked to a wide range of human diseases, and this bacteria is resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics in more than half (52 percent) of contaminated samples. This comes from a nationwide study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) published this week in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

17 Apr 2011

Researchers develop sensor film to estimate packaged food quality

When it comes to packaged fish or meat, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between fresh goods and their inedible counterparts. Researchers have now developed a sensor film that can be integrated into the package itself, where it takes over the role of quality control. And if the food has spoiled, it changes color to announce the fact.

15 Apr 2011

Toxic substances including arsenic in baby food

The latest reports have revealed that there are small amounts of arsenic and other toxins that are found in soil, creeping into the ingredients used in top-selling baby foods. Manufacturers insist the levels are so low they do not pose a health risk. But scientists and food campaigners are calling for efforts to eliminate the chemicals from mass-produced products eaten by millions of young babies. Leading brands from Organix, Hipp, Nestle and Holle were tested by Swedish researchers.

10 Apr 2011

Nanotechnology-based biosensor may allow early cancer, pathogen detection

A nanotechnology-based biosensor being developed by Kansas State University researchers may allow early detection of both cancer cells and pathogens, leading to increased food safety and reduced health risks.

30 Mar 2011

Food safety lawyer calls on Palmyra to pay medical expenses incurred by E. coli outbreak victims

Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is calling on Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc., maker of Seltzer's Lebanon bologna products, to pay medical expenses and other costs incurred by victims of a multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

24 Mar 2011

Queen’s University completes first ever analysis of all food recalls over last decade

As the increasing number food scares causes consumers to question the safety of everyday food items, researchers at Queen's University Belfast have completed the first ever analysis of all the food recalls announced in the USA, UK and Ireland over the last decade.

22 Mar 2011

Aid delivery trickles in one week after Japanese quake, tsunami

"Across large parts of Japan stricken a week ago by a quake and tsunami, aid isn't getting through. Blizzards, impassible roads, worries over radiation exposure, fuel shortages and other logistical problems have stalled aid from getting to those who need it, even as officials have boosted the amount of food and other goods available to some easier-to-reach communities," the Wall Street Journal reports.

19 Mar 2011

China-Biotics enters agreement with US based nutritional product company

China-Biotics, Inc., the leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of probiotics products in China, today announced that the Company has entered into an agreement with a US based nutritional product company.

18 Mar 2011

Bruker launches GC CARE gas chromatography columns

At Pittcon 2011, Bruker has significantly expanded its gas chromatography solutions with the release of Bruker GC CARE gas chromatography columns.

16 Mar 2011

FDA clears Intralytix phage-based EcoShield food safety product

Intralytix, Inc. announced today that it has received regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its phage-based EcoShield food safety product, effective against E. coli O157:H7.

16 Mar 2011

Bits of plastic in Lean Cuisine meals bring recall

The recall notice was issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and affects about 10,260 pounds of frozen spaghetti and meatballs. Food maker Nestle, in its statement, says the affected packages were produced in October. The health risk associated with this recall is low, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service explained. If the product is consumed, there is only a remote probability of adverse health consequences.

15 Mar 2011

CCMAS endorses IDF/ISO Guidelines for melamine determination in milk products, infant formula

In response to the crisis caused by milk adulterated with melamine that affected thousands of children in 2008, the International Dairy Federation and the International Organization for Standardization developed a technical specification/reviewed method : ISO/TS 15495 | IDF/RM 230:2010, Milk, milk products and infant formulae - Guidelines for the quantitative determination of melamine and cyanuric acid by LC-MS/MS.

15 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Are waivers weakening health law?; Ill. 'Dangerous Docs'; Arizona transplants

It is irresponsible for the feds to dole out hundreds of millions without the assurance of insurance, payment and system reform, as well as universal coverage. That's the problem with Republican proposals to use a "block grant" approach in giving Medicaid dollars to the states to do with as they will. The president should use his precious time to encourage the law's implementation as soon as possible in areas of the country that are already on this road -- like our own Upper Midwest -- not to coddle his political enemies.

9 Mar 2011

Scientists sequence Clostridium botulinum genome that produces neurotoxin

Scientists on the Norwich Research Park have sequenced the genome of a novel strain of Clostridium botulinum, one of the most dangerous pathogens known to man. The strain produces an unusual botulinum neurotoxin, known as type A5 neurotoxin, which was isolated by the Health Protection Agency, following a case of wound botulism.

8 Mar 2011

Food safety lawyer calls on DeFranco & Sons to pay medical bills for hazelnuts victims

Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is calling on DeFranco & Sons, a Los Angeles, California wholesaler to pay medical bills and other costs incurred by victims of the multi-state E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with eating in-the-shell hazelnuts, also known as filberts.

6 Mar 2011

Thermo Fisher Scientific plans for new manufacturing facility in China

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced plans for a new manufacturing facility in China within the Suzhou Science and Technology Town - part of the company's strategy to aggressively expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 2 Mar 2011

Baxter announces European rMRP approval of PREFLUCEL seasonal influenza vaccine

Baxter International Inc. announced today the approval of a European repeat mutual recognition procedure (rMRP) by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety for Baxter's PREFLUCEL seasonal influenza vaccine. The 13 participating European Union countries, including Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Nordic countries, will formally implement the license on a national level to make PREFLUCEL available for the 2011-12 influenza season.

From Baxter International Inc. 2 Mar 2011

UIC researchers receive USDA grant to reduce obesity in preschool children

The preschool years are a critical period for addressing weight-related behaviors among at-risk groups, say researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Among young children, obesity has tripled since 1980, and the prevalence is highest among black and Hispanic children.

1 Mar 2011