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Oily fish may reduce prostate cancer risk
Food exclusion may not help prevent eczema in children
Sweet preference linked to growth in adolescence
Diet containing glycomacropeptides good for phenylketonurics
Sweetened drinks and CHD risk in women
Low GI food stimulate gut hormone and suppress appetite
Product recalls and alerts
Food safety
Legislation headlines
Other headlines

In conclusion, the authors say that their findings support the hypothesis that LC n-3 fatty acids influence prostate inflammation and carcinogenesis through the COX-2 enzymatic pathway. ( Fradet et al., Clinical Cancer Research, online 24/03/09, doi:10.1158/1078-0432. Summary in WebMD.com ).

RSSL's Lipids Laboratory has expertise in all aspects of fat analysis and fatty acid profiling, including the determination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com

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Whilst eczema in children is increasing and food allergies have often been associated with this increase, a review of previous studies published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare concluded that eliminating foods from the diet may have little or no effect on eczema.

Eczema is a non infectious skin condition that is relatively common. It is thought that some eczemas are triggered by allergens such as pollen or dust mites or irritants such as soap and cigarette smoke. Eczema is often called atopic eczema meaning that it could be associated with an allergic reaction. It has been estimated, however, that up to two thirds of sufferers may have a non atopic form. The condition often starts within six months of birth and whilst it disappears in up to 70% of sufferers by the age of 15, it is estimated that 2% of the adult population of countries such as Germany have eczema. The condition has been more common in the last few years but there is little information as to the reason why. As sensitivity to foods is considered to be the first step in developing intolerance or allergic reactions, it has been suggested that symptoms of eczema may be relieved by avoidance of some foods particularly eggs and cows’ milk. These ‘elimination diets’ have become popular as a way of attempting to treat eczema. 

The Institute notes that in order to assess whether such diets can indeed affect eczema, randomised controlled trials are required. Researchers from the Institute studied nine trials that had looked at the effect of diet on eczema. Six of these trials considered avoidance of eggs and milk, whilst two considered a liquid formula diet which contained only a few selected nutrients. The remaining trial included only a small number of foods. Only two of the trials looked at adults whilst the others looked at babies and children. 

The review found that 8 of the 9 trials considered did not find significant differences between those on the exclusion diet and those in the control group. The authors note that the participants on these trials were not tested for food allergies. In the other trial, babies were tested for allergic reaction to eggs before the trial started. One group then followed a four week egg-free diet whilst another ate a normal diet. Those in the egg-free group had less eczema than the control. 

The review concludes that avoiding certain foods probably does not help people with eczema unless they are allergic to those foods. It indicates that the final trial only involved 62 babies and identified several other issues which may limit the certainty that this result could be applied more widely. The review indicates that there are some problems with the other trials too. All considered only a small number of subjects, only two were for longer than six months and in half those milk and soya based milk substitutes were excluded. This has been shown to cause other allergies and so may limit the value of the results. Professor Sawicki, the Institute’s Director, is quoted as saying that restricting children’s diets can harm their health and growth and so parents should be careful about acting on unproven theories about diet and eczema. He added that eliminating foods like milk or eggs from the diet of infants with eczema probably only helps if they have proven food sensitivities. Sawicki and the review indicate that formal allergy tests such as the skin prick test should be performed to obtain a reliable picture of whether a given food is really causing a problem. 

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A study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior suggests that changes in sugar preference from high to low during adolescence appears to be associated with children’s physical growth, and as growth rate declines so does the preference for a sweet taste.

Children are often at risk from over-consuming sugar and studies have found that there is a decreased preference from childhood to adulthood. The sharpest decline is reported to be found in adolescents. The possible cause of this sugar preference as reported by the researchers, Coldwell et al,could be due to: perception, children may be less sensitive to some tastes; physiological, the increased preference may be due to an increase in calories required for growth or hormonal changes; and/or cognition, as adults are more concerned over weight or health compared to children. Young rodents have also been reported to have an increased sweet preference which means this is more likely to be caused by a biological explanation rather than psychological. 

The objective of this recent study was to assess perceptual, physiological and eating habit differences between 142 adolescents (78 boys and 65 girls) aged between 11 to 15 years (the average age was 13.5), where some preferred solutions high in sugar and some preferred solutions low in sugar. Using sexual maturation (assessed using two self reporting measures) and linear growth (assessed by bone collagen resorption in the urine) the researchers aimed to see if there was a difference between children’s preferences. During puberty children have an increase in bone growth and breakdown products from bone collagen resorption may be found in urine. These products substantially decline during late puberty and by adulthood urinary excretion of bone collagen products is relatively low. The study measured bone resorption marker type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides (NTx) in the participants’ urine.

The researchers split the children into two groups according to numerous criteria, high preference, which comprised of 88 children (46 male, 40 female) and low preference (28 male, 25 female). There was nearly the same number of black subjects in both groups. The subjects rated liking for and intensity of six concentrations of sucrose (0.056M to 1.000M in 0.25 log steps) and also rated the taste on a scale from barely detectable to the stongest imaginable. They then tasted and ranked in order of preference four solutions of orange Kool-Aid (a flavoured beverage) which had different concentrations of added sugar (30%, 20. 8%, 14.4%, 10%). The high preference children ranked solutions with 30% sucrose as the most preferred, whereas the low preference ranked it as the worst of the four solutions. Both groups were able to detect sucrose in the water and there was no difference in age, percentage body fat, body mass index and gender between the two groups. The high and low preference groups also did not differ in the self reporting stage of puberty. The study found that NTx levels and plasma leptin concentration (most notably in the female participants) were significantly higher in the high sugar preference group compared to the low preference group.

The study’s data supports previous studies which suggested that hormonal and biochemical changes controlling sugar preference are a likely explanation of sugar preference in youth. Coldwell et al state that while leptin levels diverge it seems unlikely that leptin is mediating the change in sugar preference. The change in leptin correlates with other changes in puberty associated with growth and it therefore seems that it is growth that controls the changes in preference rather than leptin itself. The adolescents with a low preference were no more restrained in their eating habits than the high preference group so this indicates that changes in sugar preference is not due to weight concern as children reach sexual maturity. The study found no difference between race and preference which according to the researchers surprised them as other studies have found that Americans of European descent have a lower sugar preference. (Summary at Monell Chemical Senses Center; full text in Physiology & Behavior, 2009, 96 (4-5): 574-580).

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In an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009, 89: 1068-77) Sandra C van Calcar and her colleagues from the University of Wisconsin describe their study in which eleven subjects with PKU were asked to consume a diet in which a phenylalanine-free amino acid formula (AA diet) was substituted by a GMP-based diet (supplemented with essential amino acids) . In two 4-day treatments, the subjects first consumed the AA diet (days 1-4), followed by the GMP diet (days 5-8). One 24-hour menu was designed for the AA diet and another for the GMP diet, with the same menu repeated on all diet treatment days. Plasma concentrations of amino acids, blood chemistries and insulin were measured and compared on day 4 (AA diet) and day 8 (GMP diet). The sensory quality of the two diets was also assessed by the subjects.

Results showed that no adverse health problems were encountered, and blood chemistries remained normal when the PKU subjects consumed the GMP as their primary protein source for 4 days. There was no significant difference in post-prandial plasma concentrations of phenylalanine when the GMP diet was consumed compared with the AA diet. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly lower (suggesting decreased ureagenesis) and plasma insulin was higher with the GMP diet than with the AA diet. In addition, the GMP diet was preferred by the subjects providing confirmation that foods and beverages made with GMP were both safe and highly acceptable for use in phenylalanine-restricted diets for people with PKU.

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To find out if the consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks could be linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) Teresa T Fung and colleagues based at Harvard School of Public Health, analysed data from the US Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and came to the conclusion that it probably was.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) , carbonated or non-carbonated, containing fruit juices or flavours, currently account for 9.2% of total energy intake in the United States, an increase from 3.9% in the late 1970s. Previous epidemiological studies have found a positive association between SSBs and weight gain and obesity in both children and adults, and a link to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are risk factors for CHD. However, since SSBs are also potential contributors to a high glycaemic load, the authors speculate as to whether SSBs might also influence the risk of CHD, independently of obesity, by increasing levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. Inflammation is not only involved in atherosclerosis, but also affects plaque stability and thrombosis, both of which may respond to lifestyle changes more quickly than atherosclerosis.

88,520 women from the NHS, aged 34 – 59, without previously diagnosed CHD, stroke or diabetes at baseline were followed from 1980 to 2004. Details of their consumption of SSBs was derived from 7 food frequency questionnaires submitted between 1980 and 2002. Adjustments to the data were made for body mass index, energy intakes, smoking habit, alcohol intake, physical activity, parental history of heart disease, aspirin use, hypertension, high blood cholesterol and menopausal status. Adjustments were also made according to the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, because it was speculated that SSB consumption could be a marker for a generally unhealthy diet.

During the 24 years of follow up, there were 3105 cases of CHD, and the data indicated that regular consumption of SSBs was associated with an elevated risk of CHD in the women. For instance, consumption of one SSB/month had no effect on CHD risk, but consuming one/day increased the risk by 23%. This association remained significant even after adjustment for numerous dietary and lifestyle factors. However, additional adjustment for BMI and energy intake attenuated this association, which suggested that excess calorie intakes and obesity mediate the association. In this cohort, a high glycaemic load was also shown to be associated with a raised CHD risk.

In the discussion of their results the authors point out the women with the higher consumption levels of SSBs were also those who were current smokers, had lower levels of physical activity and a higher body mass index. They also tended to consume more sugar, trans fats and total fat and less alcohol, fruit and vegetables. In the study, artificially sweetened diet beverages were also associated with small, non-significant increase in CHD risk. This, they authors say, may be because diet beverages contain no calories, so they may induce increased energy intakes from other sources. Also mentioned is the fact that fructose has been used in SSBs since the mid-1980s, and fructose is known to increase triacylglycerol synthesis in the liver. This leads to elevated plasma triacylglycerol concentrations which are also linked to CHD risk. Fructose can also increase blood uric acid concentrations, which in turn reduce endothelial nitric oxide and the authors suggest that this might be one of the mechanisms underlying the link between sweetened soft drink consumption and CHD risk.

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In a press release from King’s College it is explained that glycaemic index is a ranking system assigned to carbohydrates, based on the effect they have on the body’s blood sugar levels. A low GI meal takes longer to digest and releases sugar into the bloodstream more slowly than a high GI meal. Although a low GI meal is known to suppress appetite the reason for this has remained unknown. To address this knowledge gap the volunteers were first given a medium GI meal for dinner, after which they fasted overnight and were then given either a low (46) or a high GI (66) meal for breakfast. Blood samples were taken every 30 minutes for 150 minutes and levels of the gut hormone, glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) and insulin were measured. It is noted that GLP-1 had already been shown to be one of the most potent hormones for causing a feeling of fullness and suppressing appetite.

Results showed that the volunteers who had eaten the low GI breakfast had 20% higher blood plasma levels of GLP-1 and 38% lower insulin levels than those who had consumed the high GI breakfast.

Commenting on the work, one of the authors, Dr Reza Norouzy, said that their results had shown for the first time the direct effect of a single GI meal on gut hormone levels, and provided evidence of a physiological mechanism whereby a low GI meal creates a greater feeling of fullness than a low GI meal. (Also in ScienceDaily.com).

RSSL's Clinical Testing Department can measure the Glycaemic Index.  Product and Ingredient Innovationcan assist with the development of low glycaemic foods. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com department (GI) of food and drink products and from this the glycaemic load (GL) of the diet can be determined and glycaemic response measured. The protocol follows an internationally approved standard and has received independent ethical approval. RSSL’s

Product and Ingredient Innovation

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The Telegraph.co.uk (24/03/09) is amongst a number of news sources which report that thousands of jars of Active brand peanut butter have been recalled in the UK over concerns that they are contaminated with carcinogenic aflatoxins (mycotoxins produced by various Aspergillus spp). This was the subject of a Food Alert by the Food Standards Agency on 17 March 2009. Active brand peanut butter has been found to be contaminated with excess levels of aflatoxins. The maximum permitted limits in groundnuts (peanuts) and processed products are 2 μg/kg for aflatoxin B1, and 4 μg/kg for total aflatoxin, and these limits are enforced under the Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2007, as amended. The Active brand peanut butter is distributed in the UK by Marduro, believed to be from Croydon area and is manufactured by Marduro in Ghana.

**FSA warns over unsafe food supplement
The Food Standards Agency is warning people not to take the food supplement Leppin Miradin, also known as Fortodol, following reports of contamination with a banned drug. Swedish laboratory tests have found that some of these supplements have been contaminated with nimesulide, which is a medicine that is banned in the UK because it has been linked to liver-related illnesses. It is not possible to identify exactly how many or which batches of this product contain nimesulide. There have been no reports of liver failure or illness linked with these products in the UK. As a precautionary measure, however, these products have been voluntarily withdrawn from sale by the two main importers and recall notices will be placed in the shops selling these supplements. Further details on the FSA web site.

**Damasgate Wholesale recalls sesame seed paste halva
Damasgate Wholesale has recalled some batches of Ayyam Zaman Halawa (sesame seed paste halva) due to the presence of Salmonella. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.

**Interlink Direct recalls CQ Hotpot Seasoning products
Interlink Direct Ltd has withdrawn all of its batches of CQ Hotpot Seasoning Spicy and CQ Hotpot Seasoning Seafood sauces because the products contain peanut, which is not mentioned on the labels. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert advising anyone with an allergy or intolerance to peanuts not to eat this product.

**From Ireland

• Swedish laboratory tests have found that Fortodol and Leppin Miradin food supplements have been contaminated with nimesulide, which is a medicine whose use has been suspended in Ireland because it was linked to severe liver-related illnesses.

**From Canada

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Shefa Meats are warning the public not to consume Shefa brand Beef Salami because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Limited are warning the public not to consume certain luncheon meat kits and wieners. A number of products have been found to contain 50 mm sewing needles.
• See the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website for latest recalls due to the Salmonella incident linked to peanut butter in the US.

**From the US

• Den Dulk Poultry Farms of Ripon CA. is voluntarily recalling their Organic brown eggs as a precaution because the eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
• Neco Foods, LLC of Lantana, Florida is recalling 231 cases of 7 ounce, 32 ounce and 5 pound packages of Atlantis Brand Smoked Fish Dip, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
• Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese of Reading, Michigan announces the recall of Asadero and Oaxaca soft Mexican-style cheeses due to potential Listeria contamination.
• The Food and Drug Administration is advising retailers and food service operators not to offer for sale oysters harvested between Feb. 24 and March 17, 2009, from Mississippi Area 2C. Consumers are advised not to eat such oysters. Consumers who are uncertain about the origin of oysters they currently have should contact the place of purchase to determine if the oysters are from the affected area as the Agency investigates an outbreak of norovirus illnesses associated with the oysters.
• Khong Guan Corporation is recalling approximately 2,858 pounds of chicken drink products that were ineligible for import to the U.S. FSIS is recalling these products because the chicken drink products do not meet poultry products inspection or poultry exemption requirements.
• Engelhart Gourmet Foods, Inc. is recalling approximately 3,456 pounds of a smoked chicken sausage product because the product may contain an allergen, wheat.
• See the FDA Website for recalls linked to the Salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter supplied by Peanut Corporation of America

**European Rapid Alerts for week 12
The results of rapid alerts for week 12 (up to 20/03/09) are now available on the Europa web site.

**Links to recall web sites
For UK product recalls visit the Food Standards Agency’s Food Alerts and Allergy Alert web sites.
For US product recalls visit the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web sites.
For product recalls in Australia and New Zealand visit the FSANZ web site.
For Canada go to The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
For Ireland go to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (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 system. For US Kosher alerts please go to Kashrut.com and follow the link labelled 'Consumer Kashrut Alerts' for Kosher alerts. For Halal alerts go to the Muslim Consumer Group web site, which also outlines the criteria used to judge if products are halal or not.

RSSL's Emergency Response Service (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.com

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**Wales 2005 E. coli outbreak report published
The Public Inquiry into the 2005 E. coli 0157 outbreak in Wales has now been published. The outbreak, the largest of its kind in Wales, affected over 150 people, mainly children and caused the death of a five-year-old boy. The inquiry was set up by the National Assembly for Wales to investigate the circumstances that led to the outbreak and to consider the implications for the future. The Food Standards Agency said it will review the report in detail and that the report is valuable in understanding the chain of events that led to the outbreak.  The Agency said in a statement that when rare outbreaks such as this occur it is important to learn from them and further strengthen food safety systems. (Food Standards Agency).

**Another study links red meat to increased cancer risk
Individuals who eat more red meat and processed meat appear to have a modestly increased risk of death from all causes and also from cancer or heart disease over a 10-year period, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, (2009;169 (6): 562-571). In contrast, a higher intake of white meat appeared to be associated with a slightly decreased risk for overall death and cancer death. (Summary also in Newswise.com (23/03/09)).

**Nestle rejected PCA as supplier following audits
Following audits of PCA facilities in 2002 and 2005 Nestle rejected the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) as a supplier. Now members of the US Congress have questioned executives of three other food companies about their role in ensuring ingredient safety. The three companies questioned are King Nut Company, Kellogg, and Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets. All have issued recall notices following the Salmonella outbreak linked to PCA and which has affected nearly 700. The chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce noted that Nestle USA rejected PCA as a supplier and wanted to ask why the other companies did not do the same. (CIDRAP)

**Potassium Chloride could replace salt but products should be labelled
The well-researched effects of excessive salt (sodium chloride) consumption have led to pressure on US manufacturers to reduce the salt content of packaged foods. Potassium chloride appears to be a good candidate as an alternative as it is salty and has not been connected to the health issues associated with salt itself. Renal specialists however have called for clear labelling so that dialysis patients, who also need to avoid too much potassium as well as sodium, are aware of the contents. Bonnie Malinowski, a certified specialist for renal nutrition, suggested that products that could be labelled ‘low in sodium’ and a ‘good source of potassium’. Renal patients should avoid potassium as their kidneys are unable to filter it. It is found at high concentrations in many common foods including bananas, tomatoes and potatoes. For the general public, potassium chloride could be a good choice as a salt replacement. A recent study has indicated that consumption lowered blood pressure for adults considered to be at risk of heart disease.(Food Navigator)

**Food poisoning outbreak affects 170 in Sri Lanka
A food poisoning outbreak in Sri Lanka has affected over 170 people, including more than 120 children and killed one adult. Health Ministry officials have indicated that tough action will be taken against those responsible for the outbreak linked to buns from a bakery in Trincomalee. (Colombo Page)

** Owner of “worst pub kitchen in Britain” fined
The owner of the pub whose kitchen has been dubbed “the worst in Britain” pleaded guilty to 23 food and hygiene offences at Harlow Magistrates' Court and was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay another £1,000 in costs. The Rose and Crown pub in Thaxted, Essex was closed immediately following the surprise inspection by environmental health officers last December. Inspectors found work surfaces and utensils covered in thick grease, floors covered with rotting detritus and fridges covered in mould. In total 190 items of 'mouldy, slimy, putrescent or expired foodstuffs' were found. The kitchen was also found to have no hot water. Geoff Smith, Harlow’ Council’s head of environmental health, described the conditions at the pub as 'totally unacceptable'. The pub, though not currently serving food, has now reopened and the owner, Nicholas Marchetto, says he has 'put things right'. (Daily Mail)

**Animal antibiotic ban will damage food safety say US industry groups
A bill which would prevent the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animals would have a negative effect on animal health and damage the safety of the US food supply according to Bob Stallman, president American Farm Bureau Federation. Other industry groups opposed to the bill claim more animals will die which will push up producer and thus consumer costs. The bill, introduced in the Senate by Edward Kennedy, would ban the use of antibiotics important to humans from being used on cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry unless animals are ill. Its proponents are concerned that overuse of antibiotics in animals may lead to new antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may cause sickness in people and claim that antibiotics are used to promote weight gain and compensate for unsanitary conditions. (Reuters)

**More farms test positive for Salmonella in Finland
More Salmonella cases have been found on pork and poultry farms in Finland. The Finnish food safety authority, Evira, state that 13 farms have tested positive in the country’s worst outbreak since 1995. Officials indicated that 800 farms, one-third chicken and two-thirds pig farms are currently being investigated. No cases of food poisoning have been reported due to this outbreak and the risk to humans is thought to be low due to the strain involved. Evira say that they are making progress in identifying how the bacteria spread following the food group Raiso reporting finding Salmonella on one of its animal feed production lines. Company officials said they are paying clean-up and compensation costs to farms that have lost sales as a result of receiving tainted feed. (Reuters)

**Needles found in Canadian grocery products
Police are investigating after seven sewing needles were discovered inside a variety of Schneider's meat products on the shelves of a grocery store in Guelph, Ontario , Canada. Staff at the store on Silvercreek Parkway and officials from Loblaw reported to police that seven identical sewing needles were inserted into the products. Guelph police said the investigation was being treated as a criminal matter. The products included three varieties of Schneiders Lunchmate Stackers, two types of Schneiders SmartLunch combos and Schneiders wieners. (Quoted direct from Canada.com 19/03/09; See also Product recalls above).

**JECFA 2008 “blue book” on food additives
The Technical Report from JECFA’s June 2008 meeting on various food additives has now been published and runs to 222 pages. Amongst the chemicals covered at this meeting were phytosterols, phytostanols and their esters, steviol glycosides and polydimethylsiloxane. A number of flavouring agents were also evaluated and revisions made to the specifications for several additives. WHO Technical Report Series 952.

**COM report on genotoxicity of acrylamide
The UK’s Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM) has prepared a statement on acrylamide’s genotoxicity based on the Committee’s evaluation of data presented in the 2002 EU risk assessment report (RAR), several submissions made by the Polyelectrolyte Producers Group and a systematic review of the scientific literature published after 1995. The RAR described acrylamide as an in vitro mutagen and an in vivo somatic cell and germ cell mutagen, and the COM has now concluded that the new data “extends the effects of acrylamide to include identifiable glycidamide DNA adducts and gene mutations detectable in cultured mammalian cells and somatic cells in vivo”. Several non-exclusive mechanisms were proposed that may contribute to the genotoxicity of acrylamide. However, with a lack of evidence for a genotoxic threshold, the COM affirmed that “based on the currently available evidence, it should be considered that there is no level of exposure to acrylamide that is without some risk, although it was acknowledged that the genotoxic effects of exposure to very low levels of acrylamide were likely to be pragmatically indistinguishable from background”.

**Chinese study links kidney stones with melamine-tainted infant formula
Food standards in China have attracted much attention in the past year after it emerged that melamine had been added to various foodstuffs, including infant formulae, to boost their apparent protein content. The contamination coincided with an epidemic of urinary tract stones in young children (most of whom were less than 3 years old) in which six babies died and thousands more became ill. A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine by authors based at Peking First and Third Universities describe a study of a group of 589 young children who had been registered for urinary stone screening (a free service introduced after the melamine contamination was discovered). Results showed that children who had been exposed to high-melamine formula were 7.0 times as likely to have kidney stones as those exposed to no-melamine formula. Stones were present in 42 of the 421 infants who had ingested doctored formula, whereas only eight cases occurred among 168 children who had evidently not been exposed to melamine (Guan N. et al., New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), 2009, 360, 1067-1074). Also in NEJM, the results of a study involving over a thousand Taiwanese children (who were screened following fears of possible exposure to tainted formula) indicated that consumption of melamine-contaminated dairy products also appeared to be a “major factor” in the development of urinary stones (Wang I.-J. et al., NEJM, 2009, 360, 1157-158. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc0810070).

**EFSA sets lower intake level for cadmium
The European Food Safety Authority’s Panel on contaminants in the food chain has set a reduced tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for cadmium of 2.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight (µg/kg bw), based on an analysis of new data. The TWI is the level at which adverse effects are not expected. Average dietary exposure to cadmium for adults across Europe is around this level. Some population groups - vegetarians, children, smokers and people living in highly contaminated areas - can have a higher level of exposure up to twice the TWI. However, the Panel concluded that even for these groups the risk of adverse effects would be very low. The Panel concluded that current exposure to cadmium at the level of the population should be reduced. Full text of EFSA opinion.

**EFSA to look at sheep, goats and chicken clone safety
The European Food Safety Authority has been asked by the European Commission to look at the safety of cloned sheep, goats and chickens and their offspring in the food supply by the end of June 2009. However, the EFSA’s Scientific Committee had already stated that there was insufficient data on these species to give an assessment, which is why its 2008 opinion on the subject covered only pigs and cattle. EFSA says it will try to expand on its July 2008 opinion on health and welfare aspects, particularly during the production life of the animal and their natural life span, but there is some doubt that there is much new published data which was not taken into account by EFSA in 2008. ( From AgBiotech Reporter (23/03/09)

**No problem with mercury in high fructose corn syrups
At the end of January 2009, a paper in Environmental Health suggested that samples of high fructose corn syrup, probably manufactured using caustic soda produced by a membrane chlor-alkali plant, contained unacceptably high levels of mercury. The paper drew a rapid response from the US Corn Refiners’ Association (CRA) which said the study appeared to be based on outdated information of dubious significance. According to the CRA spokesperson, Audrae Erickson, the industry has used mercury-free versions of the two reagents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years. Since then, manufacturers of high fructose corn syrup in the United States and Canada have commissioned independent testing and expert review, which have shown that no quantifiable levels of mercury were present. The analysis was carried out by Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratory, whose work and results were reviewed by Dr Woodhall Stopford from Duke University Medical Center, who is one of the nation’s leading experts in mercury contamination. (From FoodProductDesign.com).

**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.

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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**FDA uncovers additional tainted weight loss products
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expanding, for the second time, its nationwide alert to consumers about tainted weight loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. The FDA has identified additional weight loss products (Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic, and Xsvelten) and new undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients (fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide, and cetilistat). The current list now includes the following 72 products.  

**EFSA negative opinion on Algatrium
European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has published its negative opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Algatrium® and antioxidant response pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006. Algatrium® is a product derived from fish oil and contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as active ingredient (67%) and other long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, about 10%). The NDA Panel concluded that a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of Algatrium® and the claimed effect has not been established.

**EFSA negative opinion on GOS in infant formulae
The EFSA’s NDA Panel has published its negative opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to 'follow-on formulae with fixed combination of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), acidified milk, nucleotides and beta-palmitate' and intestinal ailments pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 on health claims. The NDA Panel concluded that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of 'follow-on formulae with a fixed combination of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides, acidified milk, nucleotides and beta-palmitate' and the claimed effect (i.e. 'aids minor intestinal ailments') in infants aged 6 to 12 months, who are not, or are no longer breast-fed.

**EFSA opinion on dimethyl ether as solvent
EFSA's Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) has published its Opinion on safety in use of dimethyl ether as an extraction solvent. Dimethyl ether is a solvent to be used in the processing of proteins, in particular collagen, for the meat industry to prepare meat products at levels normally between 0.5 to 1.0 % (w/w) of the finished product. The CEF Panel concluded that the use of dimethyl ether as an extraction solvent, under the intended conditions of use and with a proposed residual limit of 9 µg/kg of extracted animal proteins is of no safety concern.

**EFSA evaluates flavouring groups FGE 08 and FGE 74
EFSA’s Former Panel on Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Material in Contact with Foodstuffs (AFC) has published its Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 8 (FGE.08): aliphatic and alicyclic mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulphides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups from chemical group 20. The Panel has been asked to evaluate 52 flavouring substances, which belong to chemical group 20, listed in Annex I of the Regulation No. 1565/2000 laying down the measures necessary for the adoption of an evaluation programme in application of Regulation No. 2232/96 on a Community procedure for flavouring substances, using the Procedure as referred to in Regulation No. 1565/2000. The Panel has also evaluated Flavouring Group Evaluation 74 (FGE 74). This group covers Simple Aliphatic Sulphides and Thiols evaluated by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) (61st meeting) structurally related to Aliphatic and Alicyclic Mono-, Di-, Tri-, and Polysulphides with or without Additional Oxygenated Functional Groups from Chemical Group 20 evaluated by EFSA in FGE.08 (2008).

 **PGI for Italian rice amended
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 205/2009 of 16 March 2009 has been published approving minor amendments to the protected geographical indication (PGI) for 'Riso Nano Vialone Veronese' a type of speciality rice produced in Italy.

**GM oilseed rape gains limited approval in EU
Commission Decision 2009/184/EC of 10 March 2009 has been published, authorising the placing on the market of products containing or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape T45 (ACS-BNØØ8-2) resulting from the commercialisation of this oilseed rape in third countries until 2005 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed. Foods, food ingredients and feed containing or produced from ACS-BNØØ8-2 oilseed rape are authorised. Also products other than food and feed containing ACS-BNØØ8-2 oilseed rape are authorised for the same uses as any other oilseed rape with the exception of cultivation. The words ‘not for cultivation’ shall appear on the label of and in documents accompanying products containing ACSBNØØ8-2 oilseed rape. The Decision is addressed to Bayer CropScience AG (Germany) and shall apply for a period of 10 years from the date of its notification.

**EU derogations for small amounts of meat
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 199/2009 of 13 March 2009 has been published, laying down a transitional measure derogating from Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards the direct supply of small quantities of fresh meat derived from flocks of broilers and turkeys. Regulation 2160/2003 must not apply to flocks of broilers and turkeys where the producer only intends to supply small quantities of the fresh meat. Member States shall establish national rules governing the supply of that fresh meat by the producer. The Regulation enters into force on the 20th day following its publication (3 April 2009) and is directly applicable in all Member States. It shall apply for a period of three years.

**Responses to EU paper on agricultural product quality schemes
The European Commission has published a summary of opinions from 560 stakeholders which were submitted in response its Green Paper on agricultural product quality policy. This looked in detail at the effectiveness of the EU’s schemes to protect speciality products using protected designations of origin, (PDOs), protected geographical indications (PGIs) and traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG). The main conclusions of the consultation were: Support for further simplification of marketing standards while keeping the current legislative approach; Clarification and harmonisation of the Geographical Indication schemes and for increased protection at international level; Support for improvements to the traditional specialties scheme; Improvements in the operation of private and national certification schemes and guidelines should be sufficient; Support for compulsory indication of the place-of-farming where justified on a sector-by-sector approach. These responses will be used in the preparation of the Commission Communication on quality policy, which is expected to be adopted on 27 May 2009, and will set the strategic direction for the policy. Stakeholders will be invited to react to the Communication and legislative proposals could be tabled in 2010.

**EU list of natural mineral waters
In accordance with Article 1 of Council Directive 80/777/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters  the European Commission has published a new the list of natural mineral waters recognised as such by the Member States. List also published in the Official Journal (C54, 07/03/09).

**Control of Salmonella in poultry breeding flocks
Commission Regulation (EC) No 213/2009 of 18 March 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005 as regards the control and testing of Salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus and turkeys.

**EFSA opinions and reports recently published
Lipil® and brain development - Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Lipil® and brain development pursuant to Article14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Lipil® and visual development - Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Lipil® and visual development pursuant to Article14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Enfamil® Premium and visual development - Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Enfamil® Premium and visual development pursuant to Article14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Enfamil® Premium and brain development - Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Enfamil® Premium and brain development pursuant to Article14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

DHA and ARA and brain development - Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) and brain development pursuant to Article14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Reasoned opinions of EFSA: Modification of the existing MRLs for acetamiprid in cress, spinach and herbs, and for indoxacarb in raspberries and blackberries.

**PDO application for ‘Makói vöröshagyma’ or ‘Makói hagyma’
An application has been made by a producer group in Hungary for a protected designation of origin (PDO) for ‘Makói vöröshagyma’ or ‘Makói hagyma’ which are a type of speciality onions.

**CSPI warns consumers over acai scams in US
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is warning consumers not to enrol online in supposedly free trials of diet products made with the trendy Brazilian berry açai (pronounced a-sigh-EE). CSPI say that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that açai pills will help shed pounds, flatten tummies, cleanse colons, enhance sexual desire, or perform any of the other commonly advertised functions. And thousands of consumers have had trouble stopping recurrent charges on their credit cards when they cancel their free trials. More on the scams at CSPI.

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**ASA upholds complaint about Müller advert
Müller Dairy (UK) Ltd has been accused of misleading consumers with its advertisements for "Little Stars" children’s yoghurt products. It has been claimed that not all of the ingredients they contain are natural and that the products contain more than five ingredients each as is claimed in the advertisements. In a lengthy adjudication the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) agreed with the complainant that the use of the term “100% natural ingredients” was likely to mislead consumers. The ASA also concluded that, in the context of the foliage depicted in ad (b) and the daisy logos shown in ads (b) and (c), together with the claim "100% natural ingredients" in each ad, "A helping hand from Mother Nature" was a strong claim which implied that the ingredients were less processed and closer to nature than they were. The ASA ruled that the TV ad and print Adverts should not be shown again in their current form.

 **Antibody sticks to prion protein
Although not so frequently making headlines these days, prion diseases such as BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and CJD (Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease) still command the attention of many scientists. In the UK, research collaboration between scientists at the Medical Research Council Prion Unit, University College London and a team from the Molecular Biophysics Group at the Science and Technology Facilities Council Daresbury Laboratory, University of Liverpool, has led to the discovery of a group of antibodies, named ICSM 18, which bind to normal prion protein (PrP) and prevent it changing to the PrP^SC form which is thought to be responsible for the death of brain cells and other symptoms of prion diseases. By preventing the normal prion protein from binding to the diseased protein, the antibodies effectively stop progression of the disease. The research has also confirmed the importance of the presence of a valine (v) or a methionine (M) amino acid residue at position129 on the protein. It is already established that individuals with two M copies of the prion gene (MM) are genetically predisposed to be particularly susceptible to developing a prion disease. Those with MV and VV variants are less susceptible. Details of the research were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS, 2009, 106 (8): 2554-2558; doi: 10.1073/pnas.0809170106; summary at the MRC web site).

**Eating alien species!
Ed 427 of Food e-News (04/03/09) checked out the possibility that an alien species, Chinese Mitten Crabs, which are now plaguing the Thames Estuary, could be consumed as restaurant fare. This idea is discussed with respect to other alien species by Nigel Burnham, in the Guardian (18/03/09). Species particularly featured by Burnham include American crayfish, grey squirrel, muntjac deer, Pacific oysters, various species of duck and wild boar.

 **Hollywood’s silliest diet!
It sounds perfectly disgusting, but Aajonus Vonderplatz, a 62-year-old nutritionist from California, US, is advocating the consumption of raw meat, dairy products and eggs which are all well past their “sell by” dates. Some adherents to the so-called “primal diet” eat 95% raw meat, including chicken. This could be made up of dishes like sashimi, steak tartare and beef carpaccio. The remaining 5% comprises vegetable juices and low-carbohydrate fruits, or perhaps rancid unpasteurised yoghurt or fermented vegetables. Some of those on the diet claim to like the meat when it is really “off”. Cases histories appearing on web sites claim cures from major diseases for the diet. However, Dr Andrew Wadge, Chief Scientist at the Food Standards Agency, is quoted as saying that advocating a diet that relies on eating raw meat is simply irresponsible and could be downright dangerous. Raw meat contains harmful bacteria which may cause illness and even death. Indeed, he points out that there are still around 500 deaths in the UK each year from food poisoning. (From TimesOnline.com)

 **Sales of bottled waters fall
Since their heyday in the 1990s, sales of bottled water have fallen sharply, with consumers now regularly asking for tap water in restaurants. More on this story in the Guardian (23/03/09), which also discusses the importance of World Water Week (22 – 28 March 2009).

 **Plans to commercialise GM wheat
According to AgBiotech Reporter (Agra Informa Inc), wheat growers groups in the United States, Canada and Australia are preparing to collaborate in preparing to launch genetically modified (transgenic) wheat to the export market. The groups include US Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). The NAWG has recently conducted a survey which has shown that 75% of the respondents would like to see genetically modified wheat being commercialised. The plan is to release a joint statement from wheat producers in the US, Canada and Australia which would alert export markets and biotechnology providers to the farmers’ willingness to work with them to develop the technology. The co-ordinated approach is designed to avoid serious disruption in wheat export markets common to all three countries.

**BfR answers questions on iron in food
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has published a list of questions and answers on the subject of iron in food which covers: What does the body need iron for? How much iron do we need every day? Why do women need so much iron during pregnancy? Is iron stored in the body? Iron is not always iron - what is the difference between iron of plant and animal origin? Which factors inhibit or promote iron intake? Which foods are good sources of iron? What is the iron status of the population? What should people on a vegetarian diet bear in mind? Are vegetarians more prone to an iron deficiency than the rest of the population? What are the signs of iron deficiency? Who are the risk groups for inadequate iron intake? Can dietary iron intake lead to excessive intake? Is it possible to overdose on iron-containing tablets (food supplements)? Are there risk groups for excessive iron intake? Is BfR in favour of the supplementation of foods with iron?

 **Antibody-laced yoghurt combats H. pylori in stomach
A "functional" yogurt helps fight Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium which is responsible for the majority of stomach ulcers and many cases of chronic gastritis. It also promotes stomach cancer. The results of the first human clinical studies with the yogurt were reported at the 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Salt Lake City, Utah. Antibiotics and acid suppressants are commonly used to rid the stomach of H. pylori, although scientists have been looking for more economical and convenient ways of getting rid of the bacteria. Because H. pylori depends on a protein called urease to infect the stomach lining, scientists created an antibody to urease called IgY-urease and showed that eating yogurt containing the antibody suppresses H. pylori activity in the stomach. (Reuters Health 23/03/09))

**Acetaldehyde may cause more than a hangover
A new study published today in the journal Addiction (2009; 104: 533 – 550) shows that drinking alcohol is the greatest risk factor for acetaldehyde-related cancer. Heavy drinkers may be at increased risk due to exposure from multiple sources, particularly since acetaldehyde is ubiquitous in daily life. Widely present in the environment, it is inhaled from the air and tobacco smoke, ingested from alcohol and foods, and produced in the human body during the metabolism of alcoholic beverages. Research indicates that this organic chemical plays a significant role in the development of certain types of cancers (especially of the upper digestive tract), and it is currently classified as possibly carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization. (Summary in Eurekalert.org).

**Edible film may kill bacteria in refrigerated foods
Lactoperoxidase (LPS) incorporated edible film has good potential for bacterial inhibition use in refrigerated foods as well as meat, poultry and seafood, claims a new study in the journal, Food Microbiology and Safety. (Quoted direct from FoodProductionDaily.com 18/03/09).

**Whole grains lower risk of colorectal cancer
A systematic review with meta-analysis of 11 cohort studies has suggested that the consumption of whole grains is inversely related to the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The studies analysed involved 1,719,590 subjects, 25 to 76 years old. The period of study varied from six to 16 years, during which 7,745 persons developed colorectal cancer. In the multivariate analysis, the highest quintile relative risk was 0.94, whereas that for the lowest quintile was 0.96. The location of tumours was also evaluated, with tumours in the colon demonstrating a relative risk of 0.93 and tumours in the rectum a relative risk equal to 0.89. (From authors’ summary in International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, online 21/03/09, doi:10.1080/09637480802183380).

**African mango could help with weight loss
Research carried out at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, West Africa has suggested that an extract made from Irvingia gabonensis (African mango) may be able to influence genes and enzymes which regulate metabolism, and in doing so could help people lose weight. 102 overweight adults who took the mango extract every day for 10 weeks lost far more weight than a comparable group who took a placebo extract. (Flex-News.com 25/03/09).

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This Newsletter was posted on: 25 March 2009

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