Food Safety News and Research

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Sara Lee plans to reduce salt in its top food brands

Sara Lee Corp. today announced it is committed to reducing salt an average of 20 percent over the next five years across its key categories of fresh bread, hot dogs, lunchmeat, breakfast foods and cooked sausage.

17 Dec 2009

Myrrh resin may have cholesterol-lowering properties

Laboratory experiments suggest that the resin of certain trees of the Middle East, known commonly as the "myrrh" of the Christmas story, may have cholesterol-lowering properties.

14 Dec 2009

Traceability Institute discusses U.S. food safety system at FDA and FSIS joint public meeting

Traceability Institute Partner and Founder Cristian Barcan provides comment on improving the food safety system during today's joint public meeting of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in Washington, DC.

11 Dec 2009

Department of Homeland Security opens new CTAC center to strengthen food safety system in the U.S.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today commended the Department of Homeland Security for opening a center devoted to ensuring the safety of foods imported to the United States.

10 Dec 2009

FDA and APHIS create online risk assessment tool for food industry at the farm level

The FDA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have created an online tool to help farmers and producers assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in their production processes.

5 Dec 2009

Concern about food safety: Latest cover story topic of C&EN weekly newsmagazine

Recalls of ground beef, peanut butter, and other foods have done more than raise public awareness and concern about food safety. They also are quietly fueling a boom in the market for food testing equipment and fostering new food safety regulations. That's the topic of the two-part cover story in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News, (C&EN) ACS' weekly newsmagazine.

4 Dec 2009

Study sheds light on gender differences in shopping experiences and behaviors

Daniel Kruger, research faculty at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, says it's perfectly natural that men often can't distinguish a sage sock from a beige sock or that sometimes women can't tell if the shoe department is due north or west from the escalator.

3 Dec 2009

Neogen announces acquisition of BioKits food safety business of San Diego

Neogen Corporation announced today that it has acquired the BioKits food safety business of San Diego, Calif.-based Gen-Probe Incorporated ( GPRO). The acquisition includes more than 50 test kits for food allergens, meat and fish speciation, and plant genetics.

2 Dec 2009

DFG approves establishment of new CRCs; research topics range from modern prostheses to political reforms to marine bacteria

The DFG has approved the establishment of 17 new Collaborative Research Centres as of 1 January 2010. This decision was made recently by the relevant Grants Committee in Bonn.

1 Dec 2009

Basic food safety measures can help prevent foodborne illness

Parties, family dinners, and other gatherings where food is served are all part of the holiday cheer. But the merriment can change to misery if food makes you or others ill.

25 Nov 2009

CFSAN releases IFT report

The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) today released a report from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), which recommends clear objectives be set for all users of a simpler, globally accepted food supply chain that can benefit from existing commercial systems.

24 Nov 2009

Flaxseed oil may reduce reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Animal studies suggest that adding flaxseed oil to the diet could reduce the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and women with diabetes, according to a report to be published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.

23 Nov 2009

Augusta woman sues Fairbank Farms over E. coli infected ground beef

As news broke that more Maine residents may be infected with E. coli from Fairbank Farms ground beef, an Augusta woman severely sickened in the E. coli outbreak has filed suit against the company. The lawsuit was filed in the Maine District Court by the plaintiff’s attorneys, Bill Marler of foodborne illness law firm Marler Clark, and Peter Felmley of the Portland firm Drummond, Woodsum, & MacMahon.

23 Nov 2009

Schoolchildren should eat snail pie to reduce malnutrition and iron deficiency, says nutritionist

A nutritionist in Nigeria says that malnutrition and iron deficiency in schoolchildren could be reduced in her country by baking up snail pie. In a research paper to be published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, she explains snail is not only cheaper and more readily available than beef but contains more protein.

20 Nov 2009

FDA files for permanent injunction against seafood processor Haifa Smoked Fish

The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against seafood processor Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. of Jamaica, N.Y., and two of its top officers for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

16 Nov 2009

Agilent Technologies reports decreased revenues of $1.17 billion for the fourth fiscal quarter ended Oct. 31, 2009

Agilent Technologies Inc. today reported revenues of $1.17 billion for the fourth fiscal quarter ended Oct. 31, 2009, 21 percent below one year ago. Fourth quarter GAAP net income was $25 million, or $0.07 per diluted share. Last year’s fourth quarter GAAP net income was $231 million, or $0.64 per share.

13 Nov 2009

"Make Our Food Safe" coalition urges Senate to enact stronger food safety laws

Over the next several weeks, the U. S. Senate has an historic opportunity to take a major step toward improving food safety for all Americans. That is why a coalition of public health professionals, consumer organizations and groups representing victims of foodborne illness is sending the message that it is time to "Make Our Food Safe for the Holidays!"

13 Nov 2009

Majority of New Hampshire voters support food safety legislation

An overwhelming majority of New Hampshire voters - 90 percent - support food safety legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to ensure the food Americans eat does not make them sick, according to a new poll commissioned by the Pew Health Group and conducted by Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies.

13 Nov 2009

89% voters support food safety legislation, reveals new poll

An overwhelming majority of North Carolina voters - 89 percent - support food safety legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authority to ensure the food Americans eat does not make them sick, according to a new poll commissioned by the Pew Health Group and conducted by Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies.

13 Nov 2009

Exposure to deadly bacteria can result in stillbirths

A new study shows the risk for severe effects of exposure to Listeria monocytogenes among susceptible populations may occur at doses lower than suggested by previous studies.

13 Nov 2009