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Food e-News

Edition 491: 26 May - 9 June 2010
Effect of cocoa product consumption on lipid profile
Chemical may inhibit and target bitter aftertaste
Bacteria and obesity
Stevia is preferred sweetener in chocolate drinks
Ginger may reduce exercise-induced muscle pain
Coffee consumption unrelated to alertness: stimulating effects may be illusion, study finds
Asthma and diet
Non-dairy calcium intake and prostate cancer
Kiwifruit monoK pectin may be useful as a pre-biotic
Product recalls and alerts
Food safety
Legislation headlines

Effect of cocoa product consumption on lipid profile

Previous studies have indicated that cocoa has a protective effect in reducing blood pressure and decreasing cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.  Some cocoa products may contain more polyphenols than tea and red wines.  A meta-analysis of randomised control trials by Jia et al. and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has aimed to identify and quantify the effect of cocoa on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.   The researchers conducted a literature search to find studies that investigated how cocoa affected plasma lipids and found eight trials which involved 215 people.  As there was only one long term study, Jia et al. state that they decided to concentrate on the short term data.  Of the 8 studies, 4 trials investigated the effect of cocoa on healthy subjects, while the others examined the effect of chocolate consumption on patients with CVD risks such as hypertension or diabetes.  All the studies stated the types of cocoa products and polyphenol content on the basis of the percentage of cocoa used in the formulation.  The main sources of cocoa were cocoa powder and dark chocolate with polyphenol content ranging from 30 to 963mg/d. The treatment duration of the studies was from 2 to 18 weeks.  Jia et al. state that their meta-analysis indicated that short-term supplementation with cocoa products was associated with a decrease in LDL cholesterol but had no significant effect on total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol compared with controls.  The researchers carried out subgroup analysis and indicated that cocoa consumption significantly decreased both LDL cholesterol and TC but was only seen in those participants who consumed a low amount of cocoa (containing 260mg/d of polyphenols or less) and with cardiovascular disease risk.    In healthy subjects there was no evidence of a dose effect relationship on changes in HDL cholesterol.  In conclusion the study suggests that moderate cocoa consumption might aid the prevention of hypercholesterolemia in specific patient subgroups. They report that the long term effects and amount of cocoa consumption is not clear.  

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Chemical may inhibit and target bitter aftertaste

A study published in the journal Current Biologyopens in a new window by Slack et al. has found that a chemical known as GIV3727 can inhibit and target the activation of hTAS2R, human bitter tastes receptors, by two common artificial sweeteners, saccharin and acefulfame K.  Slack et al. identified 139 chemical candidates as antagonists using a high throughput biomolecular screening approach.  They found that GIV3727 (4-(2.23-trimethylcyclopentyl)butanoic acid) was a robust inhibitor of hTAS2R31 and report that inhibition of hTAS2R31 was reversible.   The study also states that GIV3727 similarly inhibited hTAS2R43 which is 88% similar to hTAS2R31 and which is also activated by saccharin and acesulfame K.   The scientists then examined whether GIV3727 could inhibit other bitter taste receptors.  Slack et al. discovered that it could significantly inhibit 6 bitter taste receptors out of the 18 tested.  Acesulfame K and saccharin are frequently used as sugar substitutes in low calorie products however an undesirable bitter taste is associated with them.  Slack et al. therefore wanted to investigate whether GIV3727 could reduce this aftertaste using controlled human taste tests.  Panellists were randomly provided with two aqueous solutions, one containing  2 mM acesulfame K and then other 2 mM acesulfame K solution with 30 ppm of GIV3727.  The participants were asked to identify which solution had the strongest bitter aftertaste, rate the bitter after taste intensity, and also in a separate experiment identify the sweetest solution and rate the intensity.  Slack et al. found that 95% of the panellists selected GIV3727-containing solution as the least bitter, and GIV3727 decreased the bitterness associated with acesulfame K from moderate to merely recognisable.  The study states that only 55% of the panellists selected the control solution as more sweet, and therefore indicate that GIV3727 therefore has no effect on the perceived sweetness. Using a triangle test the scientists found that GIV3727 had no discernable taste or aroma of its own as the panellist could not tell the difference between the GIV3727 and water.  In conclusion the study they state their results are an important step in understanding how bitter taste perception/signally can be modulated via small molecules.

RSSL's Product and Ingredient Innovationopens in a new window Team, has considerable expertise in the selection of sweeteners (both carbohydrate and high potency) to optimise sweetness profiles to cost requirements in a broad range of product categories.  Evaluation of new sweeteners for their market potential is also available.  For more information please contact Customer Services on Freephone 0800 243482 or email enquiries@rssl.comopens in a new window

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Bacteria and obesity

Research discussed at the American Society of Microbiologyopens in a new window meeting in San Diego (May 23-27) suggests that the composition of microbes in the human gut may have an impact on human obesity. A team from the University of Maryland chose to study volunteers from a genetically closed and relatively homogenous population, viz the Old Order Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The patient cohort included 50 lean volunteers, 50 obese volunteers without metabolic syndrome (MetS), and 50 obese volunteers with MetS. Initial results indicated that the human gut microbiota is dominated by two bacterial phyla, the Bacteroidetes and Fimicutes, and that the relative proportions of these two phyla vary widely between individuals. At higher levels of phylogenetic resolution, the researchers found that within the Fimicutes the abundance of one bacterial family, the Erysipelotrichaceae, differs significantly between lean and obese individuals, with a mean abundance of 4.1% in lean individuals and 1.8% in obese individuals (p value = 0.0020). The team is currently in the process of collecting and analyzing a second batch of fecal samples from this volunteer cohort to understand the extent to which the human gut microbiota in lean and obese individuals changes over time. However a report of the meeting on the ScienceDailyopens in a new window website  also notes that not all research presented at the meeting found a link between gut bacteria and obesity. One study, focusing specifically on children and childhood obesity, failed to identify any significant differences in the gut microbial communities of obese and normal-weight children.

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Stevia is preferred sweetener in chocolate drinks

Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistryopens in a new window indicates the significant potential of using alternative sweeteners for the preparation of cocoa drink mixtures, with stevia proving to offer the sensory profile most popular with a taste panel compared to sugar, aspartame and Acesulfame K. The research was carried out by a team from University of Zagreb, Croatia. The team studied powdered cocoa drink mixtures prepared from two cocoa powders with various fat contents and different sweeteners. The particle size and bulk density of the used sugars and sweeteners, as well as the formulated mixtures, were determined and their influence on cohesion index was evaluated. The content of polyphenols in the formulated cocoa drink mixtures was compared, as was the antioxidant capacity of the drinks. Cocoa powder mixtures prepared with the cocoa powder containing the most fat (16−18%) generally provided lower total polyphenol, total flavonoid, flavan-3-ol, and proanthocyanidin contents, compared to the mixtures prepared with cocoa containing least fat (10−12%). Total phenol content of cocoa drinks prepared from experimental mixtures ranged from 320 to 480 mg of GAE/L, whereas the ranking of the antioxidant capacities varied depending on the assay used, and the fat content of cocoa powder did not affect the antioxidant capacity of cocoa mixtures. The addition of sugar to cocoa powder increased the solubility and dispersibility of the mixtures, and on the basis of their cohesion index all mixtures were classified as very cohesive or hardened/extremely cohesive.  Results of the sensory evaluation showed that there was a preference for the cocoa drinks made with stevia because it tasted well, was moderately sweet, and provided a well-balanced flavour and taste.

RSSL's Product and Ingredient Innovationopens in a new window Team, has considerable expertise in the selection of sweeteners (both carbohydrate and high potency) to optimise sweetness profiles to cost requirements in a broad range of product categories.  Evaluation of new sweeteners for their market potential is also available.  For more information please contact Customer Services on Freephone 0800 243482 or email enquiries@rssl.comopens in a new window

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Ginger may reduce exercise-induced muscle pain

The ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is a rich source of compounds such as gingerols, shogaols and zingerones known to have anti-inflammatory properties.  In a paper published in the Journal of Painopens in a new window, Dr Chris Black and his colleagues at Georgia College and State University, US, describe their investigations into the pain relieving effects of both raw and heated ginger extracts in human muscles. They did this in two separate experiments both of which were double-blinded, placebo-controlled and randomised. Study 1 involved 34 volunteers who consumed 2  grams of raw ginger (or a placebo) for 11 consecutive days. Participants performed 18 eccentric actions of the elbow flexors to induce pain and inflammation.  Pain intensity, perceived effort, plasma prostaglandin E2, arm volume, range-of-motion and isometric strength were assessed prior to and for 3 days after exercise. In study 2, 40 volunteers consumed heat-treated ginger and then underwent exercise and tests as for study 1. Results showed that volunteers who consumed the raw ginger experienced a 25% reduction in post-exercise muscle pain compared with those who took the placebo. For the heat treated ginger, the pain was reduction was 23%. However, the authors report that smaller effects were noted between both types of ginger and placebo on other measures. Nevertheless, they claim that their two studies demonstrate that daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger can result in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury and support other work which has shown  the hypoalgesic effects of ginger in osteoarthritis patients as well as further demonstrating  ginger's efficacy as a pain reliever. (Summary NutraIngredients.comopens in a new window 03/06/10).

RSSL’s Functional Ingredients Laboratoryopens in a new window can analyse for gingerols and shogaols in ginger raw materials using an INA (Institute for Nutraceutical Advancement) method. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freephone 0800 243482 or email enquiries@rssl.comopens in a new window

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Coffee consumption unrelated to alertness: stimulating effects may be illusion, study finds

Recent research from the University of Bristol and published in Neuropsychopharmacologyopens in a new window has found that whilst caffeine can give people a buzz, raising alertness, the effect only works in those unused to the drink and for those regular drinkers, a cup of coffee may simply counteract the effect of caffeine withdrawal that has build up overnight.  The research by Rogers et al. was based on the results of test on 379 individuals (rated as either high/medium or non/low consumers) who were given either caffeine or a placebo (100mg late morning, and 150mg 90 minutes later) and then tested for a range of responses including memory level, attentiveness and vigilance.  They were also asked to rate their personal levels of anxiety, alertness and headache before and after being given either the dose.  Although the medium/high caffeine consumers (up to 6 cups a day) who received caffeine avoided the decrease in alertness and increase in headache reported by those receiving the placebo, the tests showed their post-caffeine levels of alertness were no higher than the non/low consumers (less than 40mg a day) who received a placebo.  The results suggest that caffeine simply brings coffee drinkers back up to ‘normal’.  The results also suggest, perhaps surprisingly, that people with the genetic predisposition associated with anxiety tended to consume slightly larger amounts of coffee than those without the variant - perhaps a mild increase in anxiety is part of the pleasant buzz? (Summarised also in the guardianopens in a new window, bbcopens in a new window, sciencedailyopens in a new window, timesopens in a new window, medicalnewstodayopens in a new window)

RSSL’s Functional Ingredients Laboratoryopens in a new window can quantify caffeine in foods and beverages.  For more information please contact Customer Services on Freephone 0800 243482 or email enquiries@rssl.comopens in a new window

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Asthma and diet

A study published in Thoraxopens in a new window by researchers from Germany, Spain and UK has investigated how different foods, particularly the Mediterranean-type diet, high in fruit, vegetables and fish, are linked to asthma symptoms and diagnosis and allergies in children.  The study by Nagel et al. states that the increasing prevalence of asthma and allergy might be linked to diet, particularly in Western countries.  The study used data collected between 1995 and 2005 on 50,000 children between the ages of 8 and 12 from 20 countries.  Parental questionnaires were used to collect data on the children’s diet.  The questionnaire included questions on allergies, meat, fish, fresh fruit, raw green vegetable, cooked green vegetable, burgers, fruit juice and fizzy drink consumption, as well as other factors thought to be linked to asthma including parental history of asthma, exercise and smoking.  Nagel et al. also carried out skin prick testing on 59% of the children to investigate whether they had any allergic sensitivities to the common allergies.  The scientists then carried out numerous analyses to find any associations and scored food intake according to how well it matched the Mediterranean dietary pattern.  The study found that high fruit intake was associated with a low rate of wheeze in both affluent and non-affluent countries.  Consumption of fish in affluent countries and cooked green vegetables in non-affluent countries were also associated with a lower rate of symptoms of wheezing. Nagel et al. report that overall more frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables and fish was associated with a lower lifetime prevalence of asthma. Burger consumption however was associated with a higher lifetime rate of asthma diagnosis.  Further analysis found that consuming burgers more than three times a week was associated with around a 40% increased risk of asthma diagnosis.  The skin prick test found none of the food items were associated with an allergic sensitisation.  In conclusion, Nagel et al. state that their results show that the Mediterranean diet may provide some protection against wheeze and asthma in childhood. (Summarises also in Science Dailyopens in a new window, Reutersopens in a new window, and Food Consumer.orgopens in a new window)

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Non-dairy calcium intake and prostate cancer

Previous studies have found consumption of dairy products, the main source of calcium in Western diets, to be positively associated with prostate cancer.  A study published in the journal Cancer Researchopens in a new window has investigated whether non dairy -foods such as soy, grains and green vegetables, which are the major contributors of calcium in the Asian diet, may increase cancer risk among Chinese men.  Using the Singapore Chinese Health Study, Butler et al. investigated the association between calcium intake and prostate cancer risk in a population of 27,293 Chinese men in Singapore aged 45 to 74 years with low dairy consumption.   The study used a 165 item food frequency questionnaire to assess the participants’ diet at baseline.  The researchers accounted for Body Mass Index (BMI) when they assessed the diets as it has been suggested that calcium is absorbed more in smaller individuals.  Of all participants, 298 were diagnosed with incident prostate cancer.  Butler et al. found that vegetables were the largest contributor of calcium (19.3%) in this population, then dairy at 17.3%, grain products (14.7%), soy foods (11.8%), fruit (7.3%) and fish (6.2%).  The scientists report a 25% increased risk of prostate cancer when comparing those who consumed on average 659mg compared to 211mg of total calcium a day.  Butler et al. indicate that those men with less than average BMI had a two-fold increased risk of prostate cancer.  The study concludes that they found no positive association with prostate cancer risk and one particular food group and that more studies are needed to examine the role of calcium, as opposed to other dairy components in prostate cancer.

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Kiwifruit monoK pectin may be useful as a pre-biotic

The prebiotic properties of six different pectins extracted from the kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa “Hayward”) were investigated by Shanthi Parkara and colleagues at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research. The pectins were obtained by selective resolubilisation of the kiwi fruit fibre with different chemical treatments, and then tested for  their  ability to promote bacterial adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, in vitro.  The most effective kiwi fruit pectin was the one solubilised  using monopotassium phosphate (monoK), and this pectin was subsequently compared with three other functional polysaccharides, citrus pectin, guar gum and inulin. Results showed that the kiwi monoK pectin was superior to inulin in enhancing the bacterial adhesion of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and reducing adhesion of the pathogenic Salmonella typhimurium. However, the adhesion of Bifidobacterium bifidus was significantly improved only in the presence of inulin and citrus pectin. Guar gum had no effect  on the adhesion of any of the bacteria. (From summary in FoodNavigator.comopens in a new window and authors’ summary in Journal of Functional Foodsopens in a new window, doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2010.04.009)

RSSL's Product and Ingredient Innovationopens in a new window Team, has considerable experience in re-formulating products to provide more healthy options including low salt, low sugar versions and using pre- and probiotics.  Using RSSL can help speed up your development cycle considerably.  For more information please contact Customer Services on Freephone 0800 243482 or email enquiries@rssl.comopens in a new window

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Product recalls and alerts

**The Co-operative recalls jars of pasta sauce
**Undeclared sulphur dioxide in Lundys Fine Foods' sausages
**Tree of Life dried apricots contain sulphur dioxide
**The Co-operative recalls some wine
**From Ireland
**From Australia and New Zealand
**From Canada
**From the US
**European Rapid Alerts
**Links to recall web sites
**Recall web sites for halal and kosher foods

**The Co-operative recalls jars of pasta sauce
The Co-operative is recalling four types of its Truly Irresistible pasta sauces, because the products might contain small pieces of glass. All jars of the four sauces are being recalled from customers. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alertopens in a new window for Information.

 

**Undeclared sulphur dioxide in Lundys Fine Foods' sausages
Certain Lundys Fine Foods’ sausages contains sulphur dioxide which, although within the legal limits, is not declared on the label, making this product a potential risk to consumers who are sensitive to sulphites. Sausages with 'use by dates' up to and including 7 June 2010 are affected. The company has contacted all its customers and the product has been put on hold until it is over-labelled with the correct ingredients information. New labels are being produced. (Food Standards Agencyopens in a new window)

 

**Tree of Life dried apricots contain sulphur dioxide
Tree of Life Dried Apricots contain the allergen sulphur dioxide, which is not mentioned on the product label. This makes this product a possible risk to anyone who is sensitive to sulphites. The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alertopens in a new window.

 

**The Co-operative recalls some wine
The Co-operative has recalled some 75cl bottles of wine from customers because the products might contain small pieces of glass. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Noticeopens in a new window.

 

**From Ireland

 

·         Sausages manufactured by Kelly’s Manufacturing, Newport, Co. Mayo have been found to contain sulphur dioxide, which was undeclared on the original label. While the sulphur dioxide content is within the legal limits, the product is unsafe for those consumers who are allergic or intolerant to sulphur dioxide or its constituents. The manufacturer is currently rectifying this by providing temporary labels which declare the presence of sulphur dioxide.

 

**From Australia and New Zealand

 

·         Borgo Smallgoods Co. is conducting a consumer level recall of certain Friulano Salame, Lismore Salame and Casalingo Salame due to the presence of Salmonella Bovismorbificans.

·         Bluebird Light Plus sea salt potato chips 150g, with a best before date of 25 AUG 2010, sold in supermarkets and dairies throughout New Zealand are being recalled due to the product containing milk, soy and gluten allergens which are not declared on the label.

 

**From Canada

 

·         Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) is warning the public not to consume President’s Choice® Baked by You™ Roasted Garlic Bread with the UPC number 0 60383 80497 8 because the product may contain a metal holding pin. A holding pin may have come dislodged from a processing machine specific to the product during production.

·         The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of three cases involving food tampering. It is reported that since May 2010, police have been investigating three separate food tampering cases involving Piller's Polish Sausage, customers, after purchasing the item, located a needle embedded in a sausage,  two packages were purchased at the No Frills store at 372 Pacific Avenue and one at 2187 Bloor Street West.  The public is requested to check the packaging of all food products thoroughly for signs of tampering.

·         The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to milk proteins not to consume certain Uncle Ben’s Bistro Express 1.5 kg 6 pack.

 

**From the US

 

·         Wally's Nut House, LLC of Oak Grove, MO, is recalling its 16 ounce packages of Tailgate Crunch Mix, Sweet Cajun Heat Mix, Country Western Mix, Cranberry Raisin Mix, Party Mix, Hot 'n Spicy Mix, and Louisiana Cajun Mix snack mixes because they may contain undeclared milk, soy, and/or wheat. People who have allergies to milk, soy, and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

·         Salinas, California - organicgirl Produce is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of 10 oz organicgirl Baby Spinach with an expired Use-by Date of May 22 and Product Code 11A061167 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

·         Detroit, MI -- Better Made Snack Foods of Detroit, Michigan is issuing a voluntary recall only of their Better Made 3-ounce Original Potato Sticks because it may contain undeclared dairy. People who have allergies to dairy run the risk of an allergic reaction.

·         Teaneck, N.J. Eastern Fish is alerting consumers that Hannaford Supermarkets and Bloom brands of frozen raw extra jumbo (16/20) shrimp in 16 oz packages, as well as these brands of shrimp from the full-service seafood cases, labeled as product of Mexico, sold May 4 through June 4 at Hannaford Supermarkets and sold April 8 through June 4 at Bloom grocery stores, are subject to a voluntary recall because the products may contain undeclared sulfites.

 

 

**EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)

The database of rapid alert notificationsopens in a new window hosted by the European Commission has recently changed format. The weekly list of notifications has been replaced by a database, searchable by week number.  The latest notifications, or updates to previous notifications are for 8 June 2010.

 

**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 Divisionopens in a new window 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

**Non allergic peanut created
**GM potato trial begins in Norfolk
**Canada’s food safety system “could be the best in the world”
**Food poisoning bacteria found in interior of car
**FSA reminds parents honey is not suitable for babies
**Two resign from FSA’s GM consultation group
**Survey reports no risk from BPA in canned food
**Meat plant owner has sentence appeal rejected
**Health Protection Agency pleads guilty to E.coli spill
**E. coli outbreak in Minnesota may have been caused by raw milk
**Survey investigates hygiene ratings of businesses
**IFST advisory statement on prevention of food poisoning by campylobacter
**FSA issues food safety tips for Food Safety Week
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
**The Food Safety Network

**Non allergic peanut created
A peanut has been created by scientists from the American Department of Agriculture’s Food Allergy Research Group in New Orleans which contains a number of different proteins to those which are thought to trigger an allergic reaction. Maleki et al. have already discovered the three proteins within the nut which they believe cause the majority of allergy problems. The researchers who presented their finding  at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology conference in London analysed 900 different varieties of peanut, looking for naturally occurring mutations with lower than expected levels of the dangerous proteins.  Maleki et al. used crossbreeding techniques to create a peanut with significantly reduced levels of the allergy-causing proteins.  It is thought that the new peanut could also be used to help desensitise allergy sufferers. (Telegraphopens in a new window)

**GM potato trial begins in Norfolk
 A field trial of a genetically modified (GM) variety of potato resistant to late blight, carried out by scientists from The Sainsbury Laboratory has begun on a 1,000-square-metre plot in Norfolk.  The field trial will test the plants’ resistance to a naturally occurring pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which causes late blight in potatoes.  The BBCopens in a new window states that each year of the trial, approximately 200 sq m, containing about 400 plants, will be sown with GM potatoes.  The genetically modified Desiree variety was produced by using two genes from two different inedible wild potato species, which are resistant to blights.

**Canada’s food safety system “could be the best in the world”
A report by the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy- part of the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina- has compared Canada's food safety system with other industrialized nations.  The report found that Canada tied for fourth place with the United States, behind Denmark, Australia and the United Kingdom.  The article by CBC Newsopens in a new window states that Canada's food safety system falls short in the ability to trace food-borne outbreaks of illness.  The lead researcher of the study, Sylvain Charlebois, is quoted as saying that Canada's food safety system could be the best in the world if a system were developed that could trace food from the farm to the fork, and include all the agencies and industry participants along the way. 

**Food poisoning bacteria found in interior of car
A report, carried out for Halfords, has found food poisoning bacteria in a typical family car. Scientists who tested swabs taken from a family car found Staphylococcus on the door, steering wheel and under the seats. Bacillus cereus which is found in soil and dust was on the door handles, gear stick, car mats and also under the seats.  Dr Hilton, a member of the Society for Applied Microbiology is quoted by the Daily Mailopens in a new window as saying  'Those who eat in their cars should treat it as an extension of their home and maintain the same levels of hygiene as they would in their dining room.' Halfords recommend cleaning out the car once a week.

**FSA reminds parents honey is not suitable for babies
The Food Standards Agencyopens in a new window is reminding parents not to feed honey to babies who are under a year old. This follows a case of the rare illness, infant botulism. Botulism is caused by a germ which normally lives in a dormant form in soil and dust and occasionally gets into honey. If the germ gets in to a baby’s intestine it can grow and produce a toxin or poison.  This can lead to infant botulism because babies under one year old do not have sufficiently developed guts to fight off the bacteria.  In the past 30 years there have only been 11 confirmed cases of infant botulism.  Three of these cases have happened in the last year and are though to be related to honey.  

**Two resign from FSA’s GM consultation group
Professor Brian Wynne has resigned as vice chairman of an FSA appointed steering group, set up in November 2009, charged with gauging the public view on GM food. Professor Wynne, an expert on public engagement with science, is quoted in the Telegraph as saying that within a few months it was clear to him that the consultation was "rigged in favour of GM technology”. Wynne added he is not prepared by default to aid and abet this kind of systematic failure of institutional integrity in what is a crucial public arena, involving deep questions of science and public good. Another member of the expert group, Dr Helen Wallace, also resigned recently in protest at the FSA's allegedly close links with the agri-chemical industry. She is quoted in the Telegraph as saying that taxpayers would be shocked that the FSA is blowing public money on a PR exercise on behalf of GM companies. An FSA spokesman denied bias and said that at its meeting last week, the Steering Group affirmed its commitment to holding a well-balanced dialogue with members of the public about the issues surrounding food produced with the aid of genetic modification. The spokesman added that the dialogue presumes no particular outcome. (Telegraphopens in a new window)

**Survey reports no risk from BPA in canned food
A survey carried out by Health Canada which investigated levels of bisphenol A in 78 products  including canned tuna, soup, vegetables and tomato-based products has reported that exposure to BPA from canned food causes no health risk to the general population. However, Food Production Dailyopens in a new window states that the agency indicates that their results were “exploratory and should not be used to indicate the distribution of BPA in canned food products.” The aim of the survey was to work with the food packaging sector to investigate how BPA migrates into food.  Only low levels of BPA were found in the food stuffs. Health Canada are quoted as saying that “the results of the survey confirm that exposure to BPA from canned food products is very low and poses no health or safety concerns to the general population”.

**Meat plant owner has sentence appeal rejected
The Food Standards Agencyopens in a new window has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal to uphold a prison term imposed on Yakub Moosa Yusuf, who ran a company called Direct Halal Meat and Poultry, Dewsbury. In September 2009, Yusuf appeared before Leeds Crown Court.  He was sentenced for 4.5 years after violating a number of food hygiene regulations dating back to 2004 and then breaching his subsequent bail terms. Yusuf’s lawyers appealed, stating that the prison term was too lengthy and did not reflect his personal circumstances at the time.  However, Mrs Justice Rafferty, sitting with Lord Justice Pitchford and Judge Clement Goldstone QC, maintained that the length of the sentence was justified.

**Health Protection Agency pleads guilty to E.coli spill
The Heath Protection Agency has pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in relation to a incident where E.coli was spilt on the floor of one its sites in north London.  According to the Health and Safety Executive between 100 and 200ml of the 0157 strain of E.coli landed on the floor as it was being placed in the waste at the HPA's Centre.  A number of employees were exposed to the risk of infection. The HSE are reporting that the case has been referred to the Old Bailey for sentencing at a later date. (Associated Pressopens in a new window)

**E. coli outbreak in Minnesota may have been caused by raw milk
Reports have suggested that dairy products from Hartmann Dairy have been linked to E.coli related illnesses which has caused sickness in at least five people.  Several animals at the dairy have been matched to the E. coli strain O157:H7 involved.  It is thought that raw milk may have caused the illnesses.  The article states that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during 1998-2005, raw milk or raw milk products were implicated in 45 outbreaks that resulted in over 1,000 illnesses and two deaths in the United States. The program manager for dairy, meat and poultry inspection at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is quoted as saying that this is an ongoing investigation and criminal and civil penalties could be assessed if action is pursued. (News Infernoopens in a new window)

**Survey investigates hygiene ratings of businesses
A survey by Transparency Data has investigated hygiene ratings of 4090 businesses  with the words China, Italia, Kebab, Fish, McDonald’s and KFC in the titles and found that Chinese takeaways are more likely to give you food poisoning than a kebab, curry or fish and chips.  Fifty five per cent of Chinese outlets failed to meet hygiene requirements, with fifty three per cent of kebab shop and forty eight per cent of curry houses failing to clean properly.  The survey found that one in ten of the Chinese restaurants had very poor hygiene.  (Daily Mail)

**IFST advisory statement on prevention of food poisoning by camplyobacter
The Institute of Food Science and Technology has issued an advisory statement on “Prevention of food poisoning by campylobacter” for the 18th National Food Safety Week 7-13 June 2010. Campylobacter is one of the major causes of food poisoning, and the theme of this year's food safety week is how to prevent illness caused by it. IFST is supporting food safety week by providing this statement on how to prevent cases of food poisoning by Campylobacter, especially while eating outside during the summer.

**FSA issues food safety tips for Food Safety Week
Food Safety Week is this week and as many people are likely to have barbecues or be eating outdoors for World Cup matches, the Food Standards Agencyopens in a new window has reminded everyone about food safety.  The FSA has issued some  food safety tips for people planning barbecues this summer including making sure chicken, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs are cooked, washing hands regularly and always after handling raw meat. It also advised waiting until the charcoal is glowing red, with a powdery grey surface, before you start to cook.

**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’opens in a new window web site.  

**BITES safe food from farm to fork
The BITES web siteopens in a new window at Kansas State University (KSU) provides up-to-date details of food safety incidents around the world.  It replaced the International Food Safety Network (iFSN) web site at KSU, which is no longer being kept up-to date. The Fsnet Archivesopens in a new window are still available but only updated until September 2009. 

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.comopens in a new window

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Legislation headlines

**EU decision on GM rice LL RICE 601
**EU amendments to pesticide MRLs
**PGI application for ‘Hofer Rindfleischwurst’
**Non-minor amendments to PDO for Spressa delle Giudicarie
**EU recommendations on acrylamide in food
**PDO application for ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’
**USDA guidance on HACCP
**USDA dairy workshop
**USDA Begins National Survey of Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
**FSANZ Food Standards News - Autumn 2010
**Canada produces common food allergen booklet
**Canada advances system for cattle traceability
**EFSA briefing document on health claims
**EFSA scientific documents recently published

**EU decision on GM rice LL RICE 601
Commission Decision 2010/315/EUopens in a new window of 8 June 2010 repealing Decision 2006/601/EC on emergency measures regarding the non-authorised genetically modified organism ‘LL RICE 601’ in rice products, and providing for random testing for the absence of that organism in rice products. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published the results of its investigation on, in particular, the presence of ‘LL RICE 601’ in US commercial rice. While the exact mechanisms of the admixture could not be established, the findings indicated that the source of the admixture with ‘LL RICE 601’ was limited. Consequently, the reasons which justified Decision 2006/601/EC no longer exist and that Decision has been repealed.

 

**EU amendments to pesticide MRLs

Commission Regulation (EU) No 459/2010opens in a new window of 27 May 2010 amending Annexes II, III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for certain pesticides in or on certain products (1)

 

**PGI application for ‘Hofer Rindfleischwurst’

An application has been made for a protected geographical indication (PGI) for ‘Hofer Rindfleischwurst’opens in a new window, which is a spreadable uncooked sausage, elongated in shape and packed into a synthetic gut (cellophane), the calibre of which measures from 40 mm to 55 mm. The colour of ‘Hofer Rindfleischwurst’ is an intense but pleasant meat-coloured shade of red.

 

**Non-minor amendments to PDO for Spressa delle Giudicarie
Commission Regulation (EU) No 480/2010opens in a new window of 1 June 2010 approving non-minor amendments to the specification for a name entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Spressa delle Giudicarie (PDO))

 

**EU recommendations on acrylamide in food
Commission Recommendationopens in a new window of 2 June 2010 on the monitoring of acrylamide levels in food 

 

**PDO application for ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’
An application has been made for a protected designation of origin (PDO) for ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegnaopens in a new window’, which is a spiny artichoke.It is obtained from the local ‘Spinoso Sardo’

 

**USDA guidance on HACCP

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced it will hold a series of public meetings to discuss and receive public input on the Agency's draft proposed guidance concerning Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Validationopens in a new window. FSIS made a preliminary draft of the validation guidance available in March in order to hear from the public earlier in the guidance development process, as requested by a number of stakeholders. The guidance does not create any new requirements on establishments, but rather clarifies existing requirements and provides direction on how processors, especially small processors, can meet them.

 

**USDA dairy workshop
The US Departments of Agriculture and Justice are to hold a Dairy Workshopopens in a new window on 25 June 2010 at the University of Wisconsin.  It will examine competition and regulatory issues in the dairy industry.

 

**USDA Begins National Survey of Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
The US  Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to begin a 13-state survey of honey bee pestsopens in a new window and diseases conducted cooperatively by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Pennsylvania State University (PSU). The survey will help USDA scientists to determine the prevalence of parasites and disease-causing microorganisms that may be contributing to the decline of honey bee colonies nationwide.

 

**FSANZ Food Standards News - Autumn 2010
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recently published the Autumn issue of its Food Standards Newsopens in a new window which covers the following topics: A five-year plan for its regulatory science; Food Labelling Review Committee’s; FSANZ’s health advice for women pregnant or likely to become pregnant; Tasty Science;  FSANZ Chief Scientist Dr Paul Brent’s column; Food Standards Updates; Sodium levels in a range of packaged and take-away foods; The Bonsoy incident.

 

**Canada produces common food allergen booklet
The Canadian Government has produced a consumer-friendly booklet containing key information on the most common food allergensopens in a new window.  Coming at the end of Food Allergy Awareness Month it  highlights the need to focus understanding and support on tthose who might be living with or are affected by a food allergy. The booklet provides easy access to crucial information such as common sources and names for the most common food allergens, ways to avoid allergic reactions, symptoms of an allergic reaction and treatment of food allergies.

 

**Canada advances system for cattle traceability
With effect from 1 July 2010, all cattle must be tagged with an approved Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag prior to moving from their current location or leaving their farm of origin. These tags will replace the bar-coded dangle tags.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agencyopens in a new window (CFIA) enforces national identification and movement reporting requirements for cattle and bison under the authority of the Health of Animals Regulations.

 

**EFSA briefing document on health claims
Experts from EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic products, nutrition and allergiesopens in a new window (NDA) provided an update on their work on health claims to over 400 participants at a technical meeting organised in Parma. The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: 1) to share information on the current status of EFSA’s scientific health claim evaluations and 2) to exchange views with experts from the food and beverage industry, Member States, and the European Commission. The briefing documentopens in a new window for stakeholders gives details about the evaluation of Article 13.1, 13.5 and 14 health claims.

 

**EFSA scientific documents recently published

MRSA in pigsopens in a new window

Statement on recent scientific information on the toxicity of Ochratoxin Aopens in a new window

Consumer safety assessment of the EU MRLs established for methidathionopens in a new window

Assessment of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for triforineopens in a new window established by Codex Alimentarius Commission

Consumer safety assessment of certain EU MRLs established for bromopropylateopens in a new window

Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance buprofezinopens in a new window
Flavouring Group Evaluation 40opens in a new window: An aromatic derivative of 2-hydroxy-propionamide. Chemical group 16

Flavouring Group Evaluation 94opens in a new window: Consideration of aliphatic amines and amides evaluated in addendum to the JECFA group aliphatic and aromatic amines and amides by JECFA.
Application of systematic review methodologyopens in a new window to food and feed safety assessments to support decision making.
Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claimopens in a new window related to Yestimun® and immune responses pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Modification of the existing MRLs for pyraclostrobinopens in a new window in tomatoes, aubergines, globe artichokes and celeriac

Modification of the existing MRLs for acetamipridopens in a new window in land cress and red mustard

Model-based comparative assessment of the Australian and European hygiene monitoring programmes for meat productionopens in a new window

Scientific Opinion on marine biotoxins in shellfish – Emerging toxins: Ciguatoxin groupopens in a new window

Scientific Opinion on marine biotoxins in shellfish – Cyclic iminesopens in a new window (spirolides, gymnodimines, pinnatoxins and pteriatoxins)

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This Newsletter was posted on: 09 June 2010

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