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Food e-News

Edition 444: 24 June - 01 July 2009
Honey propolis ingredient may protect cyclists against heat stress
Nut consumption may lower CVD risk in diabetic women
New shrimp allergen identified
Pesticides Residues Monitoring fourth quarter of 2008
Starvation diet lengthens life span
Sweetness perception could vary with ethnicity
Dietary carotenoids may lower risk of invasive breast cancer
Product recalls and alerts
Food safety
Legislation headlines
Other headlines

Honey propolis ingredient may protect cyclists against heat stress

Aerobic and endurance exercise such as cycling can cause an increase in core body temperature as well as greatly increasing production in the body of reactive oxygen species such as the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals.  Heat stress is known to reduce endurance capacity.  Hyperthermia (muscle temperatures up to 45oC and core body temperature up to 44oC) and the generation of free radicals can lead to physical damage induced by exercise. 

 

Honey bee propolis has long been used as an alternative medicine and previous studies have shown that an active ingredient of propolis, CAPE, shows a wide range of biological properties including antioxidant effects, antiviral action, prevention of reperfusion injury and anti-cancer effects.  Given these properties, Chen et al  sought to investigate whether an antioxidant could reduce or prevent the generation of free radicals induced by hyperthermia, and if CAPE could prevent hyperthermia-induced damage.

 

Thirty male competitive cyclists were recruited, all of whom had undergone endurance training for between 2 and 4 years prior to the study but had not taken part in any competitions or intensive training in the four months immediately before the study.  Subjects rested quietly for 30 minutes and blood samples were taken.  Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from the blood of each subject were separated and divided into five groups.  Group A, the control group was incubated at 37oC for 1 hr.  Group B was incubated at 37oC for 30 minutes followed by 1 hr at 43oC.  Group C was incubated with 1 µg/ml CAPE for 30 minutes at 37oC and 1hr at 43oC.  Groups D and E were handled as for group C but with 2 µg/ml and 4 µg/ml CAPE respectively.  Following treatment cells were incubated at 37oC until analysis. 

 

The number of cultured viable MNCs in each group was counted 24hrs after treatment.  A surviving fraction of MNC was calculated by dividing the number of viable cells in the group by the number of viable cells in the control group after this period. The percentages of dead monocytes and lymphocytes were calculated for each group. Levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and superoxide anions were assessed and measured. 

 

The surviving fraction of MNC after 24 hrs in group B (hyperthermia alone) and group E (hyperthermia and higher dose CAPE) were 72.5% and 97.8% respectively.  Chen et al claim this shows the protective effect of CAPE on hyperthermia-induced cell death.  They also note the effect shows a dose dependent pattern.  They further state that the percentage of dead monocytes and lymphocytes were much higher in group B than group A but not in the CAPE treated groups.  It was also demonstrated that CAPE inhibited the over-production of superoxide caused by hyperthermia and that this, again, showed a dose dependency.  The increase in the levels of intracellular superoxide was also reversed in a dose dependent manner by CAPE.  Finally, intracellular GSH levels in cells in group B were decreased compared to group A.  Pre-treatment with CAPE reversed this decrease but only in lymphocytes. 

 

In conclusion Chen and his co-workers suggest their findings show CAPE offers effective protection against hyperthermia-induced oxidative stress and injury in MNC from cyclists.  They suggest that this effect may be the result of the antioxidant activity of CAPE.  They state that they discovered that hyperthermia not only increased the production of superoxide but also decreased intercellular GSH. They found that CAPE was able to return this unbalanced state to nearly normal and rescued MNC from hyperthermia-induced cell death.  Whilst they note that this implies CAPE may be preventing immunosuppression, they believe that the protective effect of CAPE against hyperthermia stress needs further investigation.

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Nut consumption may lower CVD risk in diabetic women

Although nuts are high in fat and calories, previous studies have found that a high consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of CVD.   Macronutrients and micronutrients contained in nuts have been found to provide health benefits.   Peanuts are proportionally low in saturated fat and high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats which have been shown to improve the blood lipid profile by lowering LDL cholesterol.   This study by Li et al from the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Heath also examined plasma lipids or markers of inflammation to see if nuts influenced the risk of CVD. 

 

The participants of this study were women who were also members of the Nurses’ Health Study.  This was carried out from 1980 to 2002 and participants were 6309 women, all with type 2 diabetes.  1171 of these participants also provided blood samples.   Participants reported their average frequency of consuming selected foods at commonly used portion sizes including nuts and peanut butter (portion size 28g/1oz and 16g/1 tablespoon respectively) and using a questionnaire starting in 1980 and subsequently every two years.  Women were classified into four exposure groups depending on their frequency of nuts and peanut butter consumption, namely almost never, 1-3 serving/month to less than 1 serving a week, 1-4 servings a week and at least five servings a week. Nutrient intake was calculated using consumption frequency and specified portion size.  Cardiovascular endpoints, including fatal CHD, non fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and coronary bypass surgery were recorded and where blood samples were provided these were analysed for variety compounds including total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and plasma lipid.  Participants also completed a questionnaire every two years assessing a variety of factors including physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, menopausal status, duration of diabetes, and hypertension. 

 

Li et al reported 634 cases of CVD endpoints between 1980 and 2002.  They discovered that women who, at baseline, consumed more nuts and peanut butter tended to be leaner, more physically active and to smoke less.  They reported that these women were less hypertensive and had a slightly longer duration of diabetes.  Women in the highest consumption group had higher total energy, polyunsaturated fat, red meat, fruit and vegetable intakes as well as a significantly lower glycaemic load than those in the other groups.  The researchers discovered that frequent nut and peanut butter consumption was inversely associated with total CVD risk (after adjustments for age).  This association was found to be stronger amongst vegetarians who had higher nut consumption than non vegetarians.  Those women in the highest consumption group had a CVD and MI risk lower by 44% than those in the “almost never” group but no significant linear trend across increasing consumption was found. Li et al also found those women in the highest consumption group had significantly lower LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations than those in other groups.  No association between HDL cholesterol and nut and peanut butter consumption was found, nor did consumption appear to be associated with those inflammatory markers measured in the blood. 

 

Li et al note that their results agree with and extend previous studies by showing that frequent nut consumption is beneficial for women with diabetes who are at increased risk of CVD.  The authors of the study note that as well as improvements in blood lipid levels there are other possible mechanisms by which nut and peanut butter consumption may provide a cardio-protective effect. These include decreased lipoprotein oxidation, inhibition of inflammation, decreasing insulin resistance and improving endothelial function.  The authors conclude that although their study has several limitations including possible misreporting of consumption by participants, they say that they would expect this to bias the result toward a null effect.  They believe it has many strengths including a large sample size and long duration of follow up.  They indicate that their data supports a role for the regular consumption of nuts for patients with diabetes to reduce the risk of CVD. 

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New shrimp allergen identified

In their introduction, Rosalia Ayuso and her colleagues explain that shellfish allergy is a long-lasting and potentially life-threatening disorder which is said to affect as many as 1 in 50 Americans.  Although the black tiger shrimp (Panaeus monodon) is the most widely cultured prawn species in the world, the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei, also in fact a prawn) is the species of choice in the Western hemisphere. These two species account for 80% of all farmed shrimp.

Until recently the allergenic reactivity of shrimp had been attributed to the protein tropomyosin. However, in 2008, Ayuso et al. found that myosin light chain (MLC), Lit v 3, was also allergenic, especially in children.  (JACI, 2008, 122: 795-802). But although the IgE recognition of MLC in boiled shrimp extract was very intense, the recombinant protein was recognised significantly less strongly. This led the authors to speculate as to whether another IgE-binding protein of a similar molecular weight might be present.

Sera from fifty two subjects with shrimp allergy (23 children and 29 adults) were used for the current study. They had exhibited immediate allergic reactions after ingestion of shrimp and had elevated levels of serum IgE to shrimp. Extracts were prepared from raw and boiled tail muscle of Pacific white shrimp. Proteins from the extracts were separated by SDS-PAGE and protein identification performed from 1- and 2-dimensional gels stained with Simply Blue SafeStain.  Proteins of interest were excised and subjected to tryptic digestion.  Immunoblots for detection of IgE binding were performed with the raw and boiled shrimp extracts. Membranes were incubated with the sera from the shrimp-allergic subjects. This demonstrated IgE binding by 31 of the 52 sera to a 20-kd shrimp protein. Tryptic digests from this 20-kd IgE-binding protein were analysed by LC-MS/MS and showed it to be a sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein (SCP).  DNA encoding for this protein was obtained from a shrimp DNA library, amplified by PCR and cloned into an expression vector (E. coli).  The recombinant SCP produced in this way was tested against the allergic subjects’ sera.

 

Results showed that the recombinant SCP was recognised by serum IgE from 20 of the 52 subjects, 17 of whom were children. Mediator release (measured as beta-hexosaminidase in rat basophilic leukaemia cells) in a few subjects, induced by recombinant SCP, was shown to be higher than that induced by recombinant tropomyosin. So in conclusion the authors claim to have identified and cloned a new shrimp allergen, Lit v 4.0101, a sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein, which appeared to be of particular importance in children with this type of allergy.

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Pesticides Residues Monitoring fourth quarter of 2008

The PRC’s fourth quarterly report for 2008opens in a new window (232 pages) covered 1518 samples of 28 different foods.  These were apples, beans in pods, bread, carrots, celery, chillies, Chinese cabbage, cooking oils, courgettes, cucumber, duck, grapes, infant food, lettuce, melon, milk, nuts, oily fish, oranges, parsnip, pears, peppers, potatoes, prawns, sausages, spinach, tomato products and yams.  The results showed that only  33 samples contained residues above the maximum permitted levels, including yams, apples, chilli peppers, cucumbers, beans in pods and grapes.  It is pointed out that some of the samples analysed for this report were collected after 1 September 2008, a date on which new EU legislation came into force in the form of Regulation 396/2005/ECopens in a new window, with further details of maximum residue levels (MRLs) contained in Regulation 149/2008opens in a new window, Annexes II, III and IV (398 pages). This legislation recognises that produce treated before this date is not subject to the new MRLs, and the PRC has indicated that the MRLs in place before 1 September 2008 would apply to produce sampled throughout 2008.

 

In 2007 the maximum number of pesticides that were looked for in the survey was 200, with a reporting limit of  0.02 mg/kg.  For the 2008 survey, the range of pesticides looked for has been expended to 240 and the reporting limit reduced in most cases to 0.01 mg/kg.

 

Monitoring carried out by the PRC has also confirmed that fresh produce supplied to schoolchildren as part of the School Fruit & Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) is consistently safe to eat. Results from the latest testing programme for the Autumn Term in 2008opens in a new window indicated that all samples either contained no detectable residues or residues below the maximum residue level (MRL). (More comments at FreshInfo.comopens in a new window (30/06/09). 

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Starvation diet lengthens life span

Although health factors such as obesity influence life expectancy, genetic factors are also central to the ageing process.  So far three genetic networks are known to be involved in extending youthfulness.  These involve insulin/insulin growth factor-1 (a regulator of metabolism and growth), the mitochondria (the energy generating part of the cell), and dietary restriction. Although it may seem some evolutionary  distance from a roundworm to a human, scientists have found that the WWP-1 pathway is highly conserved between worms and mammals. When Andrea Carrano began her investigations she found that humans had three copies of WWP-1 which would make it difficult to study. Since C. elegans contains only one copy, Carrano began to work with Professor Andrew Dillon at Salk, who was already working on the ageing process using C. elegans.

 

In an article in Nature.comopens in a new window (24/06/09) Andrea Carrano,  Andrew Dillon and their colleagues describe how they found that HECT (homologous to E6AP carboxy terminus) E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP-1 was a positive regulator of lifespan in C.elegans in response to dietary restriction. The over-expression of WWP-1 in the worms extended their lifespan by up to 20% under conditions of ad libitum feeding. However in worms manipulated to over-express WWP-1 lacking in catalytic activity, the lifespan extending characteristic was lost, proving the central role of the ubiquitin ligaseopens in a new window in longevity. The Salk research also indicated that UBC-18, a ubiquitin conjugating enzymeopens in a new window was also essential for diet-restriction-induced longevity. Over-expression of UBC-18 alone was not sufficient to extend the worm’s lifespan, but depleting it appeared to negate the effects of caloric restriction. Ubiquitin ligases work in tandem with ubiquitin conjugating enzymes to attach a chain of ubiquitin molecules to other proteins. This usually tags the proteins ready for destruction, although it can also act as a regulatory signal.

 

Commenting on the research, Professor Dillon said that elucidating the role of these two enzymes brings scientists closer to understanding the receptor that receives the signal for throwing the cellular switch to promote a longer lifespan.  Identifying this receptor might mean that drugs could be designed  to mimic that signal and lead to new treatments for age-related diseases. (Summary in Eurekalert.org 24/06/09).

 

An outline of the cell’s ubquitin system is given in Nature, with further links to scientific articles giving further information.  Also, a review entitled “Aging and survival: the genetics of life span extension by dietary restriction “ by Mair and Dillin appeared in the Annual Reviews of  Biochemistryopens in a new window, 2008, 77: 727-754.

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Sweetness perception could vary with ethnicity

The study, conducted by a team led by Dennis Drayna at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders presented a group of 144 people (92 European, 37 Asian and 15 African) with nine solutions containing varying amounts of table sugar (sucrose) in amounts varying from 0 to 4 per cent (4 per cent being intensely sweet).  The solutions were arranged by the volunteers in order of their perceived sweetness numerous times, and from these, the researchers calculated a sucrose sensitivity score for each person.  They saw differences of up to 16 per cent.  This data was then set against a wider analysis of the worldwide sweetness taste receptor genes.  Human sweet taste perception is mediated by the heterodimeric G protein-coupled receptor encoded by the TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 genes.  The results of the study show that the vast majority of people in the UK, France, Italy and Russia have a tandem of genetic variations in a sugar-sensing gene that allows them to detect trace levels of sweetness.  Around the world, populations that live at northern latitudes carry these genetic variations at far higher frequencies than tropical-living people. 

 

Although the gene variants were most common in Europeans, they were also widespread in Japanese, Palestinian, Han Chinese and other Middle Eastern and Asian populations.  Low-sensitivity variations were most prevalent among the several different African populations that the team examined.  But since other great apes appear to have the low sensitivity version, the changes probably occurred sometime after the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees split, roughly six million years ago.  One explanation for the variation in sensitivity observed could have been a dearth of sweet fruits and vegetables beyond the tropics.  This might have favoured increased sugar sensitivity to help find energy rich carbohydrates in local food plants. 

 

The researchers hope that the study will be used to help inform discussion of behavioural differences and their role in the global obesity epidemic.  It is suggested that if people are more taste-sensitive to carbohydrates, their gut could also be more sensitive to carbohydrates.  It is posited that the existing differences could be based on evolutionary changes.  It is hypothesized that the ability to taste sugars at lower concentrations was one of the critical factors for human survival in cold geographical regions.  As a result, evolutionary pressure led to high sweet sensitivity gene variants becoming more prevalent in non-tropical regions.  The results of this research will be of interest for food and beverage manufacturers in creating more geographically targeted marketing. (Fushan et al. Current Biologyopens in a new window, article in press, doi:10.1016/j.cub.2009.06.015.  Summary in New Scientistopens in a new window 27/06/09).

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Dietary carotenoids may lower risk of invasive breast cancer

A series of review articles have indicated that carotenoids have a protective influence on certain cancers in animals, and therefore may also have the same effect in humans. Carotenoids are plant pigments that can be found in yellow and orange vegetables and fruits and in dark green leafy vegetables. In an interview with Reuters Health Mignone points out that carotenoids are strong antioxidants and may play a role in protecting the body from the various carcinogens to which people are exposed. Indeed, hypothesised mechanisms for the protective properties of carotenoids against cancer include their potential antiproliferative and antioxidant properties. Specific carotenoids such as β-carotene, α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin possess retinoic acid activity and are able to influence cell differentiation. Others, such as lutein and zeaxanthin are able to reduce cell proliferation despite not having any retinoic acid activity. The other proposed mechanism involves the inhibition of estrogen signalling by 17β-estradiol that may alleviate the effects of hormone-dependent malignancies. 

 

The study by Mignone and colleagues involved examining the association between consumption of carotenoids and breast cancer in a large population-based case-control study of women (pre and postmenopausal). An inverse association was observed among premenopausal women for high levels of vitamin A, β-carotene, α-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin. The results indicated that the risk of premenopausal breast cancer was reduced with the consumption of carotenoid rich vegetables such as carrots, kales and green leafy vegetables. Higher intake of the above mentioned carotenoids and vitamin A from food was associated with statistically lower risk among premenopausal women. Contrastingly, this was not observed in postmenopausal women.

 

The authors state that it is unclear why the association between carotenoids and breast cancer is limited to premenopausal women, although it may be related to the increasing cell turnover in breast epithelium under the influence of cyclic ovarian estrogen exposure. Other risk factors considered by the study include smoking and the known oxidative stress induced by tobacco smoke. Considering this, it is suggested that premenopausal women, particularly smokers, might benefit from increasing their dietary intake of carotenoid-rich vegetables to at least two servings each day, which might reduce the risk of breast cancer by 17%.

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Product recalls and alerts

**Sainsbury's has recalled some sesame seeds and seed mix

Sainsbury's has recalled its own-brand sesame seed and seed mix products, because of the presence of Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alertopens in a new window for Information.

 

**From Australia and New Zealand

 

  • Roger's Select Meats has initiated a consumer recall on ready-to-eat Roast Beef as a precautionary health measure. The recall is in response to testing which indicates the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

**From Canada

 

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with sensitivity to sulphites not to consume Sweet Potato Slice manufactured by Zhongshan Kaxing Industry & Trade Co., Ltd. in China. The affected product may contain sulphites which are not declared on the label.

**From the US

 

  • City Baking LLC, of Long island City, NY is recalling 781 individually wrapped City Baking brand Apple Crumb Cakes, because they contain Walnuts, which were inadvertently omitted from the label.
  • Nuts For You of Preston, ID is recalling up to 30 lbs of Roasted and Salted Peanuts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  The product was manufactured using peanut products recalled by Peanut Corporation of America.
  • La Mexicana, Inc., of Seattle, Washington, is recalling Solena Tortilla Chips with a June 03, 2009 code date, because they may contain undeclared milk and milk products.
  • JBS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, Colo., establishment is voluntarily expanding its June 24 recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

**European Rapid Alerts for week 26
The results of rapid alerts for week 26opens in a new window (up to 26/6/2009) are now available on the Europaopens in a new window web site.

 

**Links to recall web sites
For UK product recalls visit the Food Standards Agency’s  Food Alertsopens in a new window and Allergy Alertopens in a new window web sites.
For US product recalls visit the USDA’s  Food Safety and Inspection Serviceopens in a new window (FSIS) or the Food and Drug Administrationopens in a new window (FDA) web sites.
For product recalls in Australia and New Zealand visit the FSANZ web siteopens in a new window.
For Canada go to The Canadian Food Inspection Agencyopens in a new window (CFIA)
For Ireland go to the Food Safety Authority of Irelandopens in a new window (FSAI).

 

**Recall web sites for halal and kosher foods
Food e-News does not cover product recalls and mislabelling alerts for Kosher or Halal products. If you need information on these please go to the London Beth Din Kashrut Division where there is a facility on the home page to access the  kosher alerts systemopens in a new window.  For US Kosher alerts please go to  Kashrut.com  and follow the link labelled 'Consumer Kashrut Alerts'opens in a new window for Kosher alerts. For Halal alerts go to the Muslim Consumer Groupopens in a new window web site, which also outlines the criteriaopens in a new window used to judge if products are halal or not.

 

RSSL's Emergency Response Serviceopens in a new window (ERS) helps customers deal with a wide range of product emergencies and offers advice on crisis management. It operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.  To request an ERS presentation or find out more please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.comopens in a new window.

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Food safety

**E. coli is present in NestleToll House refrigerated cookie dough

The U.S. Food and Drug Administrationopens in a new window has announced that it has found E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough collected at Nestlé’s facility in Danville, Va.  The product is currently under recall by the manufacturer Nestlé USA as 69 persons from 29 states have been infected with the strain.  Thirty-four persons have been hospitalized, nine with a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Further testing is needed to conclusively link the E. coli strain found in the product to the same strain that is causing the outbreak.

 

**Tighter GM rules
Welsh farmers, landowners and the public have been asked for their views on rules which would tighten planting of genetically modified crops in Wales.  According to the Rural Affairs Minister this would protect contamination of traditional crops.  The plans would include banning of GM crops in areas like national parks and the creation of GM-free zones.  An industry funded compensation scheme would also be put into place as the GM crop grower would be liable for contaminating organic or conventional crops.  The public would also be able to view a national register of GM crops.   People have until 22 September to comment. (BBCopens in a new window)

 

**CO2 levels could cause toxins in crops

At a recent conference held in Glasgow, Scotland, scientists from Monash University in Melbourne have suggested that staple crops such as cassava are more toxic and produce much smaller yields in a world with higher carbon dioxide levels and more drought. Ros Gleadow, one of the researchers, points out that  climate-change-resistant cultivars need to be developed.  The Monash team tested the effect of climate changes on cassava’s and sorghum’s nutritional quality and yield by using different climate scenarios including different CO2 levels.  They found that both plants produced a chemical which released cyanide gas when the leaves were crushed or chewed.   It is stated in the Reutersopens in a new window article that at double the current CO2 levels the level of the toxin was much higher and was accompanied by reductions in protein levels in the plants.

 

**Chemical in plastic pallets could be leaching into food

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG, a US environmental organisation), plastic pallets which contain the chemical decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca) should stop being used, since chemicals from the pallets may be leaching into food.  The pallets are used to ship, cool and store fruit and vegetables.  The EWG said Deca is a flame retardant, known to be a neurotoxin and a suspected carcinogen.   In a letter to the FDA commission, EWG senior vice president warned that standard food industry practices could cause a build up of Deca during hydro-cooling.  This is a process whereby fruit and vegetables on stacked pallets are submerged in water or water is dripped over them. During this process the water is recycled repeatedly and the concentration of Deca increases and opens the possibility for leaving a residue of the chemical on food.  (Food Production Dailyopens in a new window)

 

**One star hygiene rating given to £60-a-head restaurant

Hygiene inspectors have given a one star food hygiene rating to Michael Caine’s £60-a-head restaurant, which is located in the four-star Abode Hotel in Canterbury, Kent.  This rating is below the Age Concern day centre in the same city which received the full hygiene rating of five stars.  A one star rating means a poor level of compliance with food safety legislation, with much more effort required.   According to the site’s general manager at the time of the inspection in February the restaurant was in the process of changing health and safety consultants.  He is quoted as saying “the issues have been addressed and I am very happy with the systems we now have in place.  I just wish we could be re-assessed because I am very confident we would score very well." (Telegraphopens in a new window)

 

**Food safety and smaller companies

According to a report written for the meeting of the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission, food producers, processors and exporters in developing states are finding it hard to cope with new and overlapping requirements in food safety.  The biggest constraints were being felt in poorer nations. The WHO/FAO study states that small businesses may need assistance to avoid being squeezed out of the market by the drive to sanitise the food chain. The report says the exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy and seafood must comply with multi-tiered requirements including quality grades and standards, traceability requirements, labels of origin, phytosanitary controls and food safety standards, of both a regulatory and private nature.  It is evident that a number of developing countries, and exporters and producers therein, face challenges in complying. (Guardianopens in a new window)

 

**CFIA reports 3 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in London, Ontario

Over the last few days, the Middlesex-London Health Unit has received reports of three children suffering from E. coli O157:H7 infections. To receive three laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 in such a short timeframe is unusual. In two of these cases, the common food consumed was kofta (spiced ground beef) purchased on June 14 and 15 from the Westmount Halal Food Store located at 490 Wonderland Road South. The source of the third child's infection is currently unknown. This child's family also eats halal food but did not purchase any food from the Westmount Halal Food Store.  Further details on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s web siteopens in a new window.

 

**WHO revises drinking water guidelines
The third edition of the World Health Organisation’s Guidelines for drinking water qualityopens in a new window has been comprehensively updated to take account of developments in risk assessment and risk management since the second edition. It describes a “Framework for Drinking-water Safety” and discusses the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders, including the complementary roles of national regulators, suppliers, communities and independent “surveillance” agencies.  Developments in the third edition of the Guidelines include significantly expanded guidance on ensuring the microbial safety of drinking-water – in particular through comprehensive system-specific “water safety plans”. Information on many chemicals has been revised to account for new scientific information and information on chemicals not previously considered has been included. For the first time, reviews of many waterborne pathogens are provided.

 

**EFSA authorisation for MON810

Applicationsopens in a new window to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have been made by Monsanto for renewal of authorisation for the continued marketing of (1) existing food and food ingredients produced from genetically modified insect resistant maize MON810; (2) feed consisting of and/or containing maize MON810, including the use of seed for cultivation; and of (3) food and feed additives, and feed materials produced from maize MON810, all under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto.

 

**Aflatoxin levels in nuts to be raised
The European Food Safety Authority’sopens in a new window Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) has made a statement on the effects on public health of an increase in the levels of total aflatoxins from 4 µg/kg to 10 µg/kg for tree nuts other than almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios. Based on the information which was available in 2007 the CONTAM Panel concluded that public health would not be adversely affected by such increases in aflatoxin levels.  Nevertheless, the CONTAM Panel reiterated its previous conclusion that exposure to aflatoxins from all sources should be as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), because aflatoxins are genotoxic and carcinogenic, and that priority should be given to reducing the numbers of highly contaminated foods reaching the market, irrespective of the commodity involved

 

**EFSA scientific documents – recently published
The following opinions are amongst those recently added to the EFSA web siteopens in a new window (ANS panel):

  • Manganese ascorbate, manganese aspartate, manganese bisglycinate and manganese pidolate as sources of manganese added for nutritional purposes to food supplements
  • Potassium molybdate as a source of molybdenum added for nutritional purposes to food supplements
  • Inability to assess the safety of manganese-enriched yeast added for nutritional purposes as a source of manganese to food supplements, based on the supporting dossiers
  • Inability to assess the safety of calcium-enriched yeast added for nutritional purposes as a source of calcium in food supplements, based on the supporting dossiers
  • Inability to assess the safety of riboflavin-enriched yeast added for nutritional purposes as a source of riboflavin in food supplements and the bioavailability of riboflavin from this source, based on the supporting dossier
  • Inability to assess the safety of biotin-enriched yeast added for nutritional purposes as a source of biotin in food supplements and the bioavailability of biotin from this source, based on the supporting dossier
  • Inability to assess the safety of vitamin C-enriched yeast added for nutritional purposes as a source of vitamin C in food supplements and the bioavailability of vitamin C from this source, based on the supporting dossier
  • Inability to assess the safety of sodium hyaluronate added for nutritional purposes as a source of sodium in food supplements and the bioavailability of sodium from this source, based on the supporting dossier
  • Inability to assess the safety of zinc-enriched yeast as a source of zinc, added for nutritional purposes to foods for particular nutritional uses and foods (including food supplements) intended for the general population, based on the supporting dossiers
  • Safety of magnesium taurinate added for nutritional purposes as a source of magnesium in food supplements and bioavailability of magnesium from this source, based on the supporting dossier.

**Food safety topics in Journal of Food Protection
Each month, the Journal of Food Protection (JFP) contains a number of scientific articles, mainly on microbiological food safety.  The following topics are just a few of those covered in the June 2009 issue: chemical decontamination of Campylobacter on chicken skin; inactivation of Listeria, E. coli and Salmonella using normal household chemicals; patulin in apple cider; simultaneous identification of 7 food-borne pathogens using capillary electrophoresis-based single strand conformation polymorphism coupled with multiplex PCR; prevalence of Salmonella in vegetables from Mexico; how carnitine can enhance the growth of Listeria in infant formula; Bacillus cereus in refrigerated milk, a real-time PCR tool for detection of pathogenic bacteria on food contact surfaces; the effect of heat treatment on aminoglycosides in milk.

 

**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
Regular global updates on food poisoning outbreaks and animal diseases, such as avian influenza, foot and mouth, Ebola, SARS, and Anthrax can be found on the International Society for Infectious Diseases ‘ProMED-mail’ web site. 

 

**The Food Safety Network
The International Food Safety Network (iFSN) at Kansas State University provides research, commentary, policy evaluation and public information on food safety issues.  An international repository of food safety-related information, FSN offers consumer, student and industry outreach services, information research, on-line resources, collaborative projects, evaluation and analysis, and a capacity to address current and emerging food safety concerns.

 

Contamination Identification

http://www.rssl.com/services/foodanalysis/contaminationandproblemsolving/analyticalchemistry/Pages/analyticalchemistry.aspx

 

RSSL's scientists are able to assist food businesses to manage food safety issues more effectively. The laboratories have considerable experience in the detection and identification of foreign bodies, heavy metals, allergens, toxins and chemical residues. For more information on any of these services and RSSL's Emergency Response Service, please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com

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Legislation headlines

**EU validation of systems for recycled plastics

The European Commission has published a Register of valid applicationsopens in a new window for authorisation of recycling processes to produce recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods submitted to EFSA under Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 282/2008opens in a new window.

 

**DEFRA details changes to fruit and veg marketing regulations
According to a press releaseopens in a new window from DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) strawberries or apples for making jams and pies at home - which in the past might not have been available because of cosmetic imperfections - should now be easier to spot on the shop shelves. New EU marketing regulations come into force on 1 July which clarify the rules relating to wonky fruit and vegetables - good news for anyone keen on curvy cucumbers or partial to out-of-proportion plums. Until now, there has often been a misconception that anything which does not look “perfect” can’t be sold by retailers. But the new rules simplify how retailers can market produce without misleading consumers – whether it’s polished, knobbly, or bent. DEFRA Consultationopens in a new window on the implementation and enforcement of the EC Marketing Standards in fresh fruit and vegetables as revised by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2008opens in a new window.

There are also comments in The Timesopens in a new window as the ban on ugly fruit and vegetables is axed!

 

**Casein and caseinates in cheese manufacture
Commission Regulation (EC) No 548/2009opens in a new window of 24 June 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 760/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards authorisations for the use of casein and caseinates in the manufacture of cheeses.

 

**Exploitation and marketing or natural mineral waters in EU
Directive 2009/54/ECopens in a new window of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters (Recast)

 

**Amendments to PDO for Queso Manchego

Commission Regulation (EC) No 561/2009opens in a new window of 26 June 2009 approving non-minor amendments to the specification for a name entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Queso Manchego (PDO)).

 

**PGI for Melton Mowbray Pies

Commission Regulation (EC) No 566/2009opens in a new window of 29 June 2009 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (PGI)).

 

**TSG for Pierekaczewnik
Commission Regulation (EC) No 567/2009opens in a new window of 29 June 2009 entering a name in the register of traditional specialities guaranteed (Pierekaczewnik (TSG)).

 

**PGI application for  ‘Mela di valtellina’

An application has been made for a protected geographical indication (PGI) for  ‘Mela di valtellina’opens in a new window, a production area in which Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Gala apples are grown.

 

**Food contaminants regulations - Wales

The Contaminants in Food (Wales) Regulations 2009 (W.142) (SI 2009/1386opens in a new window) have been published and came into force on 1 July 2009.

 

**Date labelling in Canada – fact sheet
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has produced a fact sheetopens in a new window on the date labelling of foods in Canada.

 

**New organic logo in Canada

The Government of Canada has revealed the new organic logo that will give organics producers access to more markets and make sure Canadians can find more certified organic food products in their grocery stores. According to the Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, the new organic logo allows consumers to make informed, confident choices.  At the same time the new regulations will allow Canadian organic farmers to have their products recognized in this emerging market. More on the CFIA web siteopens in a new window.  See also:

Organic Products Regulationsopens in a new window, 2009 (ID 20183) SOR2009-176. Registered 11/06/09.

 

**NZ Court slams unhygienic poultry processing

An Auckland woman whose company slaughtered thousands of poultry in what a judge described as stomach-turning conditions has been fined more than $23,000 in a case brought by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA).Ling Zhang and her company Ling Ling Poultry pleaded guilty in Papakura District Court last week to four charges under the Animal Products Act. Judge Eddie Paul fined Zhang $20,000 for selling animal product that has not been processed in line with the Act and $3000 for not having a registered risk management programme, plus court costs.  He told Zhang that to call the operation ‘bad’ was an understatement: “Anyone viewing that barn in the manner in which those chickens were slaughtered, their stomach would turn.” (Quoted direct from NZFSA web siteopens in a new window).

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Other headlines

**Vegetarians less likely to develop cancer
According to the Daily Mail (01/07/09) eating a vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of developing cancer by up to 45%. The reason for this observation comes in an article by Professor Tim Key, from the Cancer Research UK Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University, published in the British Journal of Canceropens in a new window (2009, 101, 192–197. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605098). In a study of more than 61,000 people, the scientists followed meat eaters and vegetarians for over 12 years, during which 3,350 of the participants were diagnosed with cancer. Results showed that the risk of being diagnosed with cancers of the stomach, bladder and blood was lower in vegetarians than in meat eaters. The most striking difference was in cancers of the blood including leukaemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The risk of these diseases was 45% lower in vegetarians than in meat eaters. (ecancermedicalscience.comopens in a new window 01/07/09).

 

**Phthalate exposure linked to low birth weight
Findings from a study of Chinese newborns suggest that pregnant women exposed to phthalates, a plasticizer used in many consumer products including food contact materials, increases the risk of low birth weight. In animal studies, phthalate exposure has been linked to reduced fetal birth weight and shorter pregnancies. However, until now comparable data have not been available regarding a possible association between phthalate exposure and low birth weight in humans. To look into this issue, the researchers measured phthalate levels in the pregnant mother's blood, the cord blood, and meconium specimens obtained from 88 mother-newborn pairs in which the infant had a low birth weight and in 113 unexposed control pairs. Low birth weight and control pairs were similar in length of pregnancies, pre-pregnancy body mass index, prenatal care, vitamin supplementation, and socioeconomic levels, according to the report. Results showed that measurable phthalate levels were present in over 70% of samples taken, and significantly higher levels were noted in case pairs than in controls. In particular, prenatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) was linked to low birth weight, while exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was associated with shorter birth length.  (Quoted direct from ReutersHealth.comopens in a new window 30/06/09).

 

**Sweden seeks feedback on enviro-health food guidelines

Swedish authorities have drawn up a new set of guidelines on diet choices for health and the environment and is circulating them around the EU for feedback, and to encourage take up of the strategy elsewhere. The Swedish National Food Administration already has a developed collection of guidelines and schemes on food choices, including the Food Circle depicting a healthy balanced diet, the Food Database, which gives the nutritional composition of 2000 foods and dishes, and the Keyhole symbol to help people easily recognise healthier choices.  More on this story at Food Navigator.comopens in a new window .

 

**Photostability of natural orange and yellow colours

With the emphasis on natural colourants for food increasing constantly, ascomycetous fungi may be the next big thing in colourants.  According to a paper by students at the University of Denmark, two fungal pigments especially show a greater photostability stability than many compounds already used.  In particular, the yellow components of the orange-red fungal pigment extract used were more photostable than the red components, and both were more stable than monascus red and turmeric which are currently used as natural pigments.  (Sameer et al. J. Agric. Food Chemopens in a new window., Article ASAP 17/06/09).

 

**Antioxidants plus exercise may boost bones in older women

A new study from Canada has suggested that a combination of antioxidant supplements and exercise may help to reduce bone loss in older women. Perhaps a combination of both exercise and a mixture of vitamins E and C could provide a further tool to combat the onset of osteoporosis in the future.   Researchers have pointed out that this is only a pilot study, and it is too soon to make definite determinations as to the effect of antioxidants on bone loss but the results do seem to warrant further investigation. (NutraIngredients.comopens in a new window

(19/06/09)).

 

**Salads can beat fast food for calories
Salad may not always be as healthy an option as we are led to believe according to a study by researchers at Which? Magazineopens in a new window.  Of the twenty prepacked salads studied, at least two contained more fat and calories than a big Mac burger and medium fries at McDonald’s and many more had labels which could be misleading.  Some salads contain over half the daily recommended fat intake and close to half of the recommended calories for a woman.  With such an emphasis being placed on eating healthily, experts stress the importance of clear labelling to allow customers to make an informed choice and avoid misleading perceptions.  (BBC Newsopens in a new window (24/06/09)).

 

**Detection of macadamia nuts in food
Macadamia nuts are widely used in confectionery products such as filled chocolates and nougats but they are also a common allergen.  Whilst many products will now state if they contain such nuts, accidental contamination and vague labelling can still cause problems.  Now, a PCR-based technique developed by researchers in the Food Research Institute, Slovakia could offer a method to detect macadamia nuts in food.  Although the sensitivity of such a method is quite low, it is specific and relatively quick and for the moment the researchers believe may be an important step forward in the detection of this nut. (Brežná et al. Journal European Food Research and Technologyopens in a new window, 2009, 229 (3): 397-401).

 

**Two reports say Africa alone could feed the world
New Scientist (27/06/09) reports on two international reports which suggest that the doom-mongers have got it wrong, and there is enough space in the world to produce the extra food needed to feed a growing population. And contrary to expectation, most of it can be grown in Africa. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2009-2018opens in a new window projects 10 years into the future from last year's food crisis, which saw the price of food soar.  It suggests that about 1.6 billion hectares could be added to the current 1.4 billion hectares of crop land [in the world], and over half of the additionally available land is found in Africa and Latin America.  The second report, entitled “Awakening Africa’s Sleeping Giant - Prospects for Commercial Agriculture in the Guinea Savannah Zone and Beyond”, by the FAO and the World Bankopens in a new window, concludes that 400 million hectares, straddling 25 African countries, are suitable for farming.  Models for producing new crop land already exist in Thailand, where land originally deemed agriculturally unpromising, due to irrigation problems and infertile soil, has been transformed into a cornucopia by smallholder farmers.  As in Thailand, future success will come by using agriculture to lift Africa's smallholder farmers out of poverty, aided by strong government measures to guarantee their rights to land, say both reports.  (From New Scientistopens in a new window 27/06/09).

 

**Risk of mad cow disease from farmed fish
Scientists have suggested that eating farmed fish, fed by-products rendered from cows, could provide a means of transmission of infectious prion proteins from cows to humans, causing variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, the human form of mad cow disease (BSE).  Dr. Friedland, a neurologist at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, emphasises that the risk of transmission appears to be low, but the incubation period of these diseases may last for decades, which makes the association between feeding practices and infection difficult, meaning that enhanced safeguards need to be put in place to protect the public. (medicalnewstoday.com. opens in a new window June 2009)

 

**New gene discovery links obesity to the brain
A variation in a gene that is active in the central nervous system is associated with an increased risk for obesity, according to an international study, published in Plos Genetics. opens in a new window The data examined came from 34 research institutions, eight studies and over 31,000 people, who had been identified as having the NRXN3 gene variant, previously associated with addiction and now thought to be the third obesity-associated gene. 

 Since NRXN3 is active in the brain and also implicated in addiction, these traits may share some neurologic underpinnings.  Although there is insufficient information to suggest a direct connection between drug abuse and obesity, a link can be indirectly inferred because other traits have this gene in common. (Sciencedaily.comopens in a new window 28/06/09)

 

**The End of Overeating

This is the title of a bookopens in a new window written by Dr David Kessler, the former head of the US Food and Drug Administration. As FDA Commissioner under George (1st) and then Bill Clinton, Kessler took on the tobacco companies over their conspiracy to keep smokers hooked on their products. Now at the University of California San Francisco, he is taking on the food industry over the rising tide of obesity.  According to a short item in the Daily Telegraph (29/06/09) Kessler believes ice cream and chocolate bars are addictive because the mix of ingredients in them activates our “bliss point”, and makes people carry on eating them even when they are full. (Also in New Scientistopens in a new window (23/05/09) ).

 

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This Newsletter was posted on: 01 July 2009

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