LA-MRSA discovered in piglet in Northern Ireland
News has emerged from Northern Ireland that a piglet has been found to have Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA), in what is the first case of its kind in the country.
Archives for July 29, 2014
Glasgow 2014 is AG Barr’s biggest sponsorship deal in history
AG Barr is undertaking the biggest sponsorship in the company’s history in support for the Commonwealth Games on home soil.
BioMérieux granted AOAC approval
BioMérieux has been granted approval for its automated quality indicator test for enumeration of Bacillus cereus bacteria in food.
Why did the chicken cross Europe? To call for better labelling
A chicken farmer’s daughter is calling for clear and mandatory ‘method of production’ labelling on poultry meat – by dressing up as a chicken called ‘Rosa’ and touring Europe for 39 days.
Dannon to be official yogurt sponsor of the NFL
Dannon has struck a multi-year deal with the National Football League (NFL) to become its official yogurt sponsor, starting in 2015.
New Zealand
Taura claims its fruit pieces are the world's smallest
Kiwi fruit products company Taura Natural Ingredients has introduced what it claims is possibly the world’s smallest real fruit pieces.
‘Important changes’ as gluten-free label laws move under FIC
Rules on gluten-free labeling have been published under the EU Food Information to Consumers (FIC) regulation, and there are some important changes for the future, says the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS).
Nestlé patent outlines straining-free process for 14% protein Greek yogurt
Nestlé has applied to patent a method it says will produce reduced-lactose skim milk-based Greek yogurt with a protein content of up to 14%, without adding protein or the use of straining technology.
DSM reads 'fini' in green tea and leaves it to Japanese
Dutch-Swiss ingredients giant DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) has called ‘time’ on Teavigo, a decade after launching the proprietary, weight management-focused green tea extract.
Chimp Food founder: This is not a juice!
Walk like a man, eat like a chimp...Florida start-up goes back to basics with drinkable food
First there was juice, then there were smoothies, now there is, er, Chimp Food, the brainchild of Florida-based entrepreneur Scott Joseph, who lost 100lbs after eating like a chimp (he ditched meat, dairy & grains and ate nothing but fruits, vegetables,...
Chobani request to appeal UK Greek yogurt injunction rejected
Chobani's long-running legal battle with rival Fage over its use of the term 'Greek yogurt' in the UK is seemingly at an end, after it was refused permission to launch a second appeal against a 2013 High Court injunction.
Secret salt: CASH slams salt levels in ‘healthy’ salads
Huge amounts of salt continue to be added to many restaurant, café and supermarket salads in the UK, according to a new survey by Consensus Action on Salt & Health (CASH).
Nutrition Facts Panel could help bakers with sodium-nutrient ‘balancing act’
The Nutrition Facts Panel overhaul could fuel more micronutrient fortification in baked goods, helping the balancing act between sodium and nutrients, says the American Bakers Association (ABA).
Plain packaging pay out to Mars would ‘certainly not be trivial’, says Institute of Economic Affairs
Mars in 2012 wrote to the UK’s Department of Health to express concern over the potential impact on branding and intellectual property rights should tobacco plain packaging policy be extended to food – something the Institute of Economic Affairs said...
Wood you? Novel pigment tipped for gummy and hard candies
Neocandenatone, a purple pigment found in the heartwood of Dalbergia congestiflora trees, could hold colorant possibilities for gummy and hard candies, according to Mexican research.
Russia continues to restrict meat imports
During the first half of the year meat imports to Russia fell by 37% year-on-year, while the country’s own meat production rose by 4%, clearly to compensate the losses, according to data from Rosstat, the Russian State Statistics Service.
Cyclospora outbreak source still unknown
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 110 cases of Cyclospora infection but admitted it is still unsure of the source.
FSA study shows country of origin labelling is accurate
An investigation in to the origin of foods claiming to be from the UK and Ireland has found that such claims on labels are accurate, says the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Future of food: Climate change and air pollution will combine to curb food supplies
The effects of air pollution on the ozone, coupled with higher global temperatures could combine to reduce crop yields. However effects will vary by region, say researchers.
More emphasis on microbes required in food safety
Current concepts regarding food safety and security may be inadequate to fully address what is an increasingly complex issue, according to a Lincoln University scientist.
Singapore relaxes export conditions for Northern Irish pork
Northern Ireland has welcomed the news that Singapore has relaxed conditions for its pork exports.
House bill would mandate soda tax; voluntary efforts not cutting it, rep says
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) on Wednesday introduced a bill that would require a mandatory tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in a contentious move aimed at curbing the “dual” crises of obesity and diabetes.
How much fast food do children eat?
A custom algorithm developed by University of Washington researchers that breaks down fast food restaurants (FFRs) by segment and meal type finds that children get most of their fast food calories from burger restaurants, though just 14% of children’s...
Big Interview: Chris Licata, CEO of Blake's All Natural Foods
‘Natural’ the bright spot in recovering frozen aisle, says Blake’s All Natural boss
The success of the frozen section hinges on the continued trend toward prepared meals with cleaner ingredient decks and accessible price points, says Chris Licata, CEO of natural and organic frozen meals line Blake’s All Natural Foods.
Australia
Nothing bitter about craft beer’s rising popularity
The remarkable rise in popularity of craft beer in Australia might be driving mainstream brewery executives to the bottle, but for Glenn Cary, chief executive of the independent Balmain Brewing Company, it is only the beginning.
China
'Health food' too broad for effective supplements regulation
The US-China Health Products Association has once again urged regulators to replace the term “health food” with “dietary supplement” in a submission to food authorities concerning the recent draft reform of China’s food safety law.
Analysts fear Chinese frugality and US share loss: Looking ahead to Diageo’s 2014 results
With Diageo set to report its full-year 2014 results tomorrow, let’s look at what we might expect – with analysts predicting a share loss in US spirits and continued concerns in Asia-Pacific.