Potato-heavy diet could raise blood pressure, study claims
A high intake of potatoes is related with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in adults, according to a controversial study.
Archives for May 31, 2016
Pakistan launches its biggest halal plant
Pakistan’s largest conglomerate, the Fauji Group, has launched the country’s biggest halal abattoir, meat processing and exporting unit near Port Qasim, Karachi.
Reaction to FSMA Food Defense Rule
The last major rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was published recently. FoodQualityNews asked around for reaction.
Roma group calls on EU to end subsidies to Holocaust site pig farm
A campaign group backing the rights of Roma people in the Czech Republic has called on the EU to halt paying subsidies to a pig farm on a former Holocaust site.
Spinneys and Multibrands go under the hammer
US private equity firm TPG Capital may buy Spinneys Egypt for US$100m, as Gulf Capital announces the acquisition of GCC food distributor Multibrands to target the fast-growing Saudi F&B market.
Iron giant: Nestlé aims to iron out discolouration in fortified foods
Alterations to pH, complexation of iron and binding other micronutrients could minimise undesired colour changes in fortified foods, say Nestlé researchers.
Young urban males keenest to experiment
Germans give insect food a definite ‘maybe’
More safety data is needed for insects as a food and feed source a symposium organised by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has heard, with Germans more likely to accept them as a feed rather than food source.
Egypt smashes wheat target, continues buying
Egypt has exceeded its domestic wheat-buying target, paying farmers for more than 4.3m tonnes, but plans to keep purchasing wheat until the end of the season as reformers look to the future.
$4bn Americana sale collapses
The sale of Americana to investor consortium Adeptio will not proceed, both parties announced on Sunday, ending a transaction which could have been worth as much as US$4bn.
EFSA panel concludes E 444 limit can be doubled
An EFSA re-evaluation of the safety data for sucrose acetate isobutyrate (E 444) as a food additive has doubled the acceptable daily intake limit (ADI).
Germany backs proposal for legal definition of vegetarian and vegan food
Germany has formally adopted a proposal for a legally binding definition of vegan and vegetarian food - but will it spur the Commission into finally drawing up an EU-wide definition or will it be another barrier to trade for EU manufacturers?
ALSO: BRC Global Standards is to launch a module assessing food safety culture
BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 7 compared to FSMA rule
BRC Global Standards commissioned The Acheson Group (TAG) to assess one of its standards against a FSMA final rule with findings showing almost complete alignment.
Meat companies fail to report soy use
A string of European meat processors, including Danish Crown and Moy Park, failed to disclose the source of soybeans this year, raising questions about their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Siniora buys UAE’s DMP, eyes GCC growth
Palestinian meat producer Siniora has bought the UAE firm Diamond Meat Processing (DMP) in a deal worth US$17m, in order to expand into the UAE and wider GCC.
dispatches from Analytica 2016
Agilent Technologies introduces atomic spectroscopy platform
Agilent Technologies has added to its line-up of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES) at Analytica 2016 in Munich.
NUTRITION LABELLING IN THE US AND EUROPE
Should Europeans be told how much sugar is added to their food?
Nutrition labels in the US will now have to tell consumers how much sugar has been added by manufacturers and how much is naturally occurring. Is it time Europe introduced similar measures so consumers know whether the food they are eating is healthy?
Brazil agri exports extend regional reach
Brazilian agribusiness exporters are expanding their markets in the Middle East, as poultry sales boom, Saudi rice imports ramp up, and live cattle exports to Egypt are set to resume.
Sparkling future for Iranian soft drinks, if economy holds
After several years of hardship the Iranian soft drink sector is heading back towards stronger growth – but remains under threat from economic uncertainty, according to a Euromonitor report.
'Resource-smart' food system needs less meat and fewer ultra-processed foods
A tax on meat and stricter rules on marketing of cheap products that contain “empty calories” are needed as part of a major overhaul of the global food system, according to a report by the International Resource Panel.