Edition 435: 22 - 29 April 2009
New study fails to answer questions on fructose
An article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation describes further research into the ways in which glucose and fructose are metabolised in the human body. They show that in overweight and obese people, fructose can lead to an increase in insulin resistance and in visceral adipose tissue (belly fat).
A large team of authors led by Peter J Havel from the University of California, Davis, US investigated and compared the effects of glucose or fructose in the diet on body weight, regional fat deposition and the indices of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in a double blinded, parallel arm study involving 32 overweight or obese individuals aged 40 – 72 years old. The study involved 3 phases: 2 weeks during which the subjects consumed an energy-balanced diet, followed by 8 weeks when they consumed either fructose- or glucose-sweetened beverages providing 25% of daily energy requirements alongside their usual ad libitum diet, and a further 2 weeks in which the subjects consumed either fructose- or glucose-sweetened beverages providing 25% of daily energy requirements together with an energy-balanced diet.
The results showed that the subjects in both the fructose and glucose diet groups gained weight. However, those who had consumed the fructose-sweetened beverages gained more visceral fat than those who consumed the glucose-sweetened drinks. In the glucose group, the increase in fat was mainly under the skin (subcutaneous). This was of interest since people with visceral adipose tissue are thought to be at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes. Insulin sensitivity was also almost 20% lower in subjects who had been on the fructose-sweetened beverages for 8 weeks. Such insulin resistance is a risk marker for type 2 diabetes. According to the authors’ summary, fasting plasma triglyceride concentrations increased by about 10% for subjects consuming the glucose beverages, while there was no change for those consuming fructose. However, those consuming the fructose beverages had much higher levels of triglycerides in their blood post-prandially and much high levels of lipid synthesis in the liver (hepatic de novo lipogenesis). Other markers of altered lipid metabolism and LDL-cholesterol were also elevated in subjects who had consumed the fructose-sweetened drinks, and the possible reasons for this are fully explored in the article.
Notes on WebMD Health News by Louise Chang point out that while Havel’s study shows big differences in the way glucose and fructose are metabolised by obese individuals, it does not really contribute to the on-going debate as to whether fructose, and in particular high fructose corn syrups (HFCS) are responsible for the rise in metabolic syndrome, obesity and other chronic health conditions. For a start, the table sugar, sucrose, is made up of equal parts of fructose and glucose and HFCS itself contains only 55% fructose, the remaining 45% being glucose. Honey and sweeteners made from concentrated fruit juices also contain a mixture of glucose and fructose in roughly equal amounts. Dr Havel, himself acknowledges that this study does little to answer the question of whether the body processes HFCS differently to sucrose and other sweeteners, but reports that his team are in the early stages of research which should address this issue.
Cardiologist, Dr James Rippe, who is a consultant to the US Corn Refiners’ Association (CRA) and a professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Central Florida, is quoted as saying that there is no credible scientific evidence that HFCS is a bigger cause of obesity or chronic disease than any of the other sugars used in processed foods. Obesity, he points out, is on the increase in many countries which do not even use HFCS in their food supply. A very recent press release from the CRA highlights a supplement to be published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of Nutrition entitled “The State of the Science on Dietary Sweeteners Containing Fructose”. This provides a summary of a joint conference held in March 2008 by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) and the US Department of Agriculture. Havel’s paper is also discussed by Stephen Daniells in FoodNavigator.com (22/04/09).
RSSL's Functional Ingredients Laboratory can determine fructose by HPLC. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Dietary walnut supplementation improves motor and cognitive skills in rats
A recent animal study by scientists at Tufts University Boston, funded by the US Department of Agriculture and published in the British Journal of Nutrition has indicated that supplementation of the diet with a moderate (but not high) dose of walnuts may help reverse the degeneration of motor and cognitive skills in older individuals.
As brains age they undergo a variety of changes which can alter neural functioning and eventually lead to the degeneration of motor and cognitive skills. Recent research has looked at dietary intervention as a means of preventing and even reversing these ageing effects. The nervous system has been shown to respond to supplementation with a number of foods including vegetables, fruits and essential fatty acids from nuts and fish. Walnuts contain the omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, as well a number of other compounds, including vitamin E, folate and melatonin, which are thought to be neuroprotective. In the present study, Willis et al used 73 male Fischer-344 rats aged 19 months to examine the effects of dietary walnut supplementation on the motor and cognitive skills in aged rats. These rats were chosen since at this age they have already begun to show degeneration in motor and cognitive performance. The rats were split into a control group and three other groups whose diet was supplemented with 2%, 6% and 9% ground English walnuts for eight weeks. The rats underwent various age-sensitive psychomotor tests during the eighth week of treatment. Cognitive tests using a Morris Water Maze (MWM) were carried out in the ninth week of treatment.
Willis et al found that in the rod walking test, the 2% walnut group showed improved performance (shown by a longer time to fall than the control). For the medium plank walk the 6% walnut group was significantly better than all others but the 9% walnut group fell from the plank significantly quicker than the control and the 6% group. No differences were seen in the other tests. For the cognitive tests all of the rats in the walnut groups showed an improved working memory in the MWM, but the 9% group showed impaired reference memory.
The authors explain that since the 9% group had impaired reference memory in the maze and fared worse in the plank test, it is likely that the effects of walnut supplementation were not dose-dependent. This agrees with the results of previous studies which investigated the supplementation of young mice with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester (an omega-3 PUFA). In this case, although the highest doses were most helpful, there was no linear relationship between dose and maze performance. Willis et al. also mention human studies on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA, which while showing no detrimental effects on lipid peroxidation at low doses, showed the opposite effect at high doses, providing further possible evidence that the detrimental effect of 9% walnut group may have been due to DHA, (which may be formed in the rats’ body from α-linolenic acid). Finally, they say that a number of polyphenolic compounds in walnuts could also be responsible for the negative effects at higher doses, since previous research has shown non-linear, U-shaped correlation curves in the relationship between polyphenol supplementation and improvement in spatial memory.
Whilst acknowledging that other studies have shown a positive effect of PUFAs on MWM performance in young rats, the authors claim theirs is the first study to demonstrate the beneficial effects on motor and cognitive skills in aged animals of dietary supplementation with a moderate amount of walnuts. They believe that PUFAs derived from the walnuts could account for the rats’ improved motor and cognitive performance in this study, although other constituents of walnuts such as vitamin E, melatonin and polyphenols may also be contributing. They conclude that it is likely that the walnuts are providing a variety of bioactive compounds that are showing a range of effects on neural tissue. Given the results reported in this study the scientists indicate that they are now investigating the specific cellular mechanisms of walnuts in neural functioning.
RSSL's Functional Ingredients Laboratory can assay a range of products for polyphenolic components. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Review of research on the link between diet and acne
Eighty to ninety per cent of American adolescents experience acne which, when severe, has been associated with low self esteem, poor body image, social withdrawal and depression. A review published in the International Journal of Dermatology
has investigated the relationship between diet and acne by examining previous articles on the subject. It has concluded that evidence suggests that components of Western diets, particularly dairy products, maybe linked to this condition.
Reviews carried out before 2007 have concluded that acne is not associated with diet but rather is linked to hormones and genetic susceptibility. Despite this, participants in these studies have often associated the condition with diet in particular chocolate and fatty foods. The review states that studies before 2005 may have had methodological issues that could have limited the conclusions. This review by Spencer et al has stated that recent studies have supported the link between dietary factors and acne. Their review examines the quality of the published literature.
The scientists examined a number of databases and periodicals using the keywords acne, acne vulgaris, diet, nutrition, food, food allergy, vitamins and chocolate. If an article only reported on the effects of topical, herbal, or vitamin preparation or on the diagnosis, treatment or pathogenesis of acne then they were excluded. 59 abstracts and full articles were found and of these, 32 articles were excluded as they did not meet the criteria. The results of the remaining 27 studies, which included 15 cross-sectional studies, 2 case control studies, 4 cohort studies and 6 clinical trials, were examined in detail.
The dietary factors which may be associated with acne were dairy products, high-glycemic index foods, fat intake, fatty acid composition and chocolate. It was reported that three large studies found a positive association between milk consumption and acne. In recent observational studies, skimmed milk was found to be associated with the condition. This suggested it was not the fat component of the milk which was responsible for the acne. Spencer et al note that some studies showed certain hormones can survive milk processing including IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor-1), 5α-reduced-steroids and α-lactalbumin. These can affect the pilosebaceous unit (consists of the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the sebaceous gland which makes sebum, and the erector pili muscle). IGF-I production has been linked to the production of ovarian androgen which can increase acne in premenarchal girls and acne in women.
Regarding high glycemic index foods, the authors cite a study by Smith et al that found regular consumption of high-glycemic index foods increased serum insulin concentrations. This may increase sebocyte and sebum production, raise androgen concentrations and contribute to acne. They state that low glycemic index foods may produce higher levels of steroid hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which have been linked to a decrease in severity of acne.
In relation to fat intake, the review mentions a 5 year study of 871 girls, aged 10 – 11, carried out in 1997. This found that participants with severe comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads) had higher levels of androgen and earlier menarche. The authors note that diets high in saturated fat led to increased concentrations of IGF-I, whereas high fibre, low fat diets decreased IGF-I and androgen and increased SHBG. Omega 6 fatty acids have been associated with the development of inflammatory acne whilst high levels of omega 3 fatty acids have shown to decrease inflammatory factors and may therefore reduce acne risk. The review indicates that studies into the link between acne and chocolate and between acne and salt or iodine intake have proved inclusive.
Overall, it is concluded that there is evidence that some dietary components may be linked to acne, particularly dairy products, also that fat or fibre intake or the glycemic index of the food could control the effect of diet on acne risk.
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Polyphenols in conventionally and organically grown apples
A three year study of Golden Delicious apples grown at farms in Switzerland sought to compare the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of those grown on conventional farms and those grown on certified organic farms.
At the present time, about 8% of the agricultural area of Europe is managed organically, and until the economic downturn slowed the growth of the market for organic products, the global market for organic food and drink had grown to an estimated £16.7 billion by 2005. When consumers buy organic foods they believe they are buying safer healthier food containing less pesticides, yet showing that there are significant differences between organic and conventional foods has proved tricky.
With respect to apples, epidemiological studies have linked apple consumption to a reduced risk of lung cancer and asthma. Stracke et al. cite a human intervention study which showed that apple consumption decreased levels of endonuclease III sensitive sides and increased protection against DNA damage induced by iron chloride. In animal studies, cloudy apple juice inhibited DNA damage and colon carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Such chemoprotective associations have been attributed to high levels of flavonoids (flavanols, flavonols and dihydrochalcones) and derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acid such as chlorogenic acid.
Switzerland has an existing network designed for comparison studies which includes 10 commercial farms, 5 organic and 5 conventional, organised as pairs. The Golden Delicious apples were harvested from both types of farm from 2004 – 2006. Six apples were randomly chosen from the organic and conventional samples, with the apple polyphenols extracted and analysed by HPLC-MS. Dry matter content of the apples was also determined. Antioxidant capacities were determined using the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), by oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC), and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay.
Results showed that in all three years the levels of hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones and flavanols and also in the antioxidant capacity were statistically higher in the organically produced apples than the conventional ones, by a magnitude of 14 – 19%. In 2005 and 2006, the antioxidant capacity was 15% higher in the organically produced apples than in the conventionally produced fruits. In 2005, significantly higher polyphenol concentrations were found in the organically grown apples. The dry matter of the apples ranged from 10.6 to 29.4, but no significant differences were observed between the organic and conventional fruits.
Although there were small but significant differences between the organic and conventional fruit, the authors found that the year-to-year variations (up to 20%) in both groups were much larger than those between the agricultural systems. Differences in crop climate could offer an explanation for some of these differences. For instance, in 2006, there was 20% less rainfall than in 2005, which could explain the higher polyphenol content in 2006. Also more sunshine in 2006 could account for the higher sugar content of the apples harvested in 2006. Sunshine is also important for photosynthesis, which in turn can stimulate polyphenol synthesis.
In summary, the authors said that although the organically produced apples had higher phytochemical and antioxidant contents, it remained unclear whether these minor differences caused by production method were of nutritional relevance.
RSSL's Functional Ingredients Laboratory can assay a range of products for polyphenolic components. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Emerging risks to food and feed safety
The May 2009 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology carries a whole supplement examining emerging risks to food and feed safety, primarily based on the European Commission’s SAFEFOOD project which was funded by its Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technology Development. The consortium running the project has involved experts from universities and research centres, and in total has 37 institutional partners from 21 countries within and outside Europe. It has been led by Dr H A Kuiper and Dr H J P Marvin from the RIKILT Institute of Food Safety at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Following a number of well publicised, high profile food scares including the BSE crisis, the discovery of dioxins in the feed and food supply, the emergence of the pathogen E. coli O157 and public concern over the safety of genetically modified crops, SAFEFOOD was set up with a challenging set of objectives. These aimed at identifying new or re-emerging risks in the food production chains, developing new quantitative risk assessment models and tools, understanding consumer perceptions of risk, and designing a new risk analysis approach for foods, taking into account scientific principles, socio-economic impacts and effective public participation.
Articles on emerging risks to food safety cover a variety of topics. These include different types of early warning systems for food borne hazards in operation in various countries and the identification of emerging hazards reported in the European Community’s rapid alerts system for food and feed (RASFF). Various aspects of horizontal gene transfer of virulence determinants in foodborne bacterial pathogens are discussed in three articles. Mould growth and mycotoxin production can be affected by weather conditions, insect infestation, inadequate storage conditions and incorrect fertilisation. In the case of the Fusarium toxins, predictive computer models based on weather conditions (temperature, rainfall and moisture level) have been developed to predict the occurrence of Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol contamination in wheat. The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products is directly related to the amount of aflatoxin B1 consumed by dairy cattle in their feed. Reducing the likelihood that corn-based feeds will become contaminated with Aspergillus moulds which produce the aflatoxins can be achieved by the correct choice of hybrids, seeding time and density, suitable ploughing and fertirrigation methods, and chemical and biological control.
Climate change, another very topical issue, is also a factor which may affect agriculture and livestock production. In this case emerging risks include mycotoxin production, residues of pesticides in plant products affected by changes in pest pressure, trace elements and heavy metals in plant products due to changes in their abundance and availability in soil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods following long-range atmospheric transport and deposition in the environment, marine toxins in seafoods arising from harmful algal blooms, and the presence of pathogenic bacteria in foods following extreme weather conditions such as flooding and heat waves.
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Carotenoids may halve metabolic syndrome risk
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition has reported that increased consumption of antioxidant carotenoids, notably lycopene, may reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by as much as 50%.
Affecting an estimated 15% of the adult population in Europe and 32% in the US, metabolic syndrome is a condition characterised by central obesity, hypertension and disruption of glucose and insulin metabolism. Occurrences of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease have also been associated with metabolic syndrome. Carotenoids in the human diet are obtained mainly from vegetables and fruit, although they can also be derived from bread, eggs, fats and oils. Carotenoids are potent antioxidants, with lycopene being the strongest antioxidant observed in the present study. It is suggested that carotenoid consumption may account for the reduced incidences of several chronic diseases in people who have a Mediterranean-type diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
A team of Dutch scientists carried out a population-based, cross-sectional study involving 374 men aged between 40 and 80, 22% having been previously diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. A food frequency questionnaire was used to monitor the participant’s intake of carotenoids including α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. These are all compounds which were associated with reduced incidences of metabolic syndrome and some of which were reputed to have a protective effect. The quantities of carotenoids in foods were calculated from the 2001 Dutch food composition table
The researchers reported a 58% reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men with the highest average intake of carotenoids in the study. In comparison with men with the lowest average intakes of lycopene, those with the highest intakes of this particular carotenoid had a 45% lower incidence of metabolic syndrome and lower serum triglyceride concentrations. The findings of this study are consistent with studies carried out in the US and Japan, however this new study goes further to suggest a link between high serum lycopene concentrations and reduced incidences of metabolic syndrome.
RSSL’s Functional Ingredients Laboratory offers a full vitamin analysis service and uses HPLC to analyse for carotenoids in supplements and foodstuffs. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Product recalls and alerts
**Food Trac withdraws some Lar brand chicken
**Sainsbury's withdraws its Strawberry Pencils
**Jolly Good Food recalls more products
**Recall of some Nestlé FUNtastic Chocolate Cake
**From Ireland
**From Australia and New Zealand
**From Canada
**From the US
**European Rapid Alerts for week 17
**Links to recall web sites
**Recall web sites for halal and kosher foods
**Food Trac withdraws some Lar brand chicken
Food Trac has withdrawn some Lar brand frozen cooked diced chicken, because it might be undercooked. The affected two batches have been distributed by Lomond Foods. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for information.
**Sainsbury's withdraws its Strawberry Pencils
Sainsbury's has withdrawn its Strawberry Pencils (75g), because the product contains wheat gluten but a 'suitable for coeliacs' label appears on the product packaging. The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert advising anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat gluten not to eat this product.
**Jolly Good Food recalls more products
The Food Standards Agency has issued an updated Allergy Alert, because further Jolly Good Food products might contain a number of allergens, which are not mentioned on the product labels. The products might be a risk for people with allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, cow’s milk or gluten.
**Recall of some Nestlé FUNtastic Chocolate Cake
Memory Lane Cakes Ltd has recalled some Nestlé FUNtastic Chocolate Cake, because the product contains whole egg, which is not mentioned on the ingredient list. This product might be a health risk for egg allergic individuals. The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
**From Canada
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Piller Sausages and Delicatessens Ltd. are warning the public not to consume certain Piller’s brand Maple Flavoured Smoked Ham and Hickory Smoked Turkey Bacon because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
**Pistachios and Salmonella contamination
- See the CFIA Website for recalls linked to Salmonella associated with pistachios supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc.
**From the US
- North Little Rock-based Brent and Sam’s announced a voluntary recall on 31 cases of “Simply Enjoy” Brand Pina Coloda White Chocolate Gourmet Cookies because it may contain undeclared pecans.
- Torres Hillsdale Country Cheese of Reading, Michigan announces the recall of Oaxaca soft Mexican-style cheese due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
- Los Angeles Calco of Arcadia, CA is recalling their Los Angeles Calco brand of Alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. See also FDA statement.
- McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) has announced a voluntary recall of Lawry's® Fajitas Spices & Seasonings packages with UPC Code 2150022500 and a “best if used by” date of OCT0110PX62, sold under the Lawry's brand. Lawry's Fajitas Spices & Seasonings packages with this date code contain undeclared milk ingredients.
**Pistachios and Salmonella contamination
- See the FDA Website for recalls linked to Salmonella associated with pistachios supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc.
**European Rapid Alerts for week 17
The results of rapid alerts for week 17 (up to 24/4/2009) 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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Food safety
**Rapid testing of Listeria monocytogenes in food using biosensor
**Restaurant fined more than £5,000
**Contaminated sprout seeds linked to Salmonella outbreaks
**Food poisoning hits 42 pupils
**United Nation food agency checks if swine flu directly linked to pigs
**Inspections of premises should be unannounced
**Melamine contaminated milk consumption linked to kidney stones
**Germany allow open air trials on GMO potato Amflora
**Genome of foodborne pathogen Arcobacter deciphered
**EFSA to assess risk from nicotine in wild mushrooms
**EFSA publishes further opinion on smoke flavourings
**Effect of cooking on okadaic acid and related marine toxins
**EFSA opinion on calcium phosphinate as calcium source
**Aflatoxins in peanuts from Egypt
**Swine flu not a food safety risk
**FSANZ fact sheet on swine flu
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
**The Food Safety Network
**Rapid testing of Listeria monocytogenes in food using biosensor
A study published in Analytical Chemistry has reported the development of a new biosensor for use in detecting Listeria monocytogenes. Five of the six known species of Listeria have already had tests developed using antibodies that signal the presence of the bacteria. The scientists in Indiana have indicated that this is a much faster and more sensitive test. The biosensor works using heat shock proteins which are produced by the body in response to stress. They say the new biosensor will reduce the likelihood of false-positive results for Listeria monocytogenes and may lead to improved tests for detecting other types of dangerous pathogens and the capture rate is up to 83% higher than antibody tests. (Science Daily)
** Restaurant fined more than £5,000
An Egyptian restaurant has been fined more than £5,000 after EHO from Brighton and Hove City Council, UK, found that after serving a hygiene improvement notice in 2007 the restaurant has failed to improve. The Environmental Health Officer, Nick Wimot, is quoted as saying that the conditions of the cooking area were so filthy it reminded him of a farmyard. They found grease and cobwebs on a cooker hood, dirty floors and inappropriate food storage. According to the council the premises have now been brought back to an acceptable standard. (Environmental Health News)
**Contaminated sprout seeds linked to Salmonella outbreaks
In America, Federal Health Officials are warning consumers not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including salad blends that contain the sprouts, until further notice. It is thought that the seeds used by growers around the country may be contaminated with Salmonella. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have stated that six states have now reported illnesses linked to the strain of Salmonella enterica serotype Saintpaul and have associated the outbreak with eating raw alfalfa sprouts. CIDRAP reports that the FDA investigation suggests lots of potentially contaminated alfalfa seeds may have been sold around the country. This may be the reason for the illness spreading across multiple states. (CIDRAP)
**Food poisoning hits 42 pupils
Forty-two children from SRK Wangsa Maju Section 1 school were taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital suffering from symptoms of food poisoning after eating chicken rice in the school canteen. Six of the children were hospitalised whilst the others were discharged. The case is being investigated by the Education Ministry’s School Management Division and the Health Department. (Asiaone News)
**United Nation food agency checks if swine flu directly linked to pigs
Health experts have been sent to Mexico by the United Nations’ food agency to see if the new strain of flu virus is directly linked to pigs. The Food Agriculture Organisation is quoted as saying that at present, transmission seems to be occurring solely from humans to humans. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation Chief Veterinary Officer, Joseph Domenech, there is no evidence of a threat to the food chain and at this stage it is a human and not an animal problem. Several countries have banned pork imports from the United States, where 50 people have been infected, despite advice that the virus is not caught from eating pork products. (Reuters)
**Inspections of premises should be unannounced
According to a campaign group WAGE, Wales against E. Coli (set up by families and parent of affected by the E. coli outbreak), food hygiene officers should be legally prevented from warning businesses they are coming to carry out an inspection. The Food Law Practice Guidance (Wales) recommended unannounced inspections to be carried out but announced inspections continue to happen. Professor Hugh Pennington’s report found that all of the inspections at the butchers responsible for the E. coli outbreak had been pre-arranged. The article in Wales Online states that Professor Pennington has now recommended all inspections, primary and secondary, must be unannounced unless “there are specific and justifiable circumstances or reasons why a pre-arranged visit is necessary”. (Wales Online)
**Melamine contaminated milk consumption linked to kidney stones
Two recent studies have indicated that children who have a history of consuming milk powder contaminated with melamine have a higher risk of developing kidney stones and other related conditions. One looked at clinical data from 50 children who had consumed contaminated milk powder and who had double kidney stones. 85% of these cases occurred in children between 6 and 18 months while the second study looked at data from 165 children who had also consumed contaminated milk powder and had urinary stones. The peak age for stones in this group was found to be 6 to 12 months. Both studies found that around 42% of stones were passed after non-invasive hospital treatment. A spokesperson for the American Urological Association, at whose conference both studies were presented, indicated that the results showed the long-term complications for children fed melamine contaminated products and that parents and physicians should be vigilant for the signs and symptoms of such complications. (Eurekalert)
**Germany allow open air trials on GMO potato Amflora
The German chemical group BASF are to carry out open air trials on the GMO potato Amflora. Germany’s Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner has stated that this presents no threat to the environment or public health. Tests have been permitted on 20 hectares instead of the 40 hectares requested, and there must be extra protective fencing. In contrast, and despite approval by the European Union, GMO maize type MON 810 (produced by Monsanto), has been banned for cultivation and sale in Germany. According to the article by Reuters there has been speculation that the trials of GMO potatoes will be stopped by Aigner. (Reuters).
**Genome of foodborne pathogen Arcobacter deciphered
The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has featured a little-known microbe called Arcobacter butzleri in a recent edition of its magazine. In 2007 microbiologist William Miller and colleagues have deciphered the sequence of the bacterium’s genetic material. According to Miller, many medical professionals regard A. butzleri as an emerging cause of foodborne disease, and it was formerly classified as a Campylobacter. The complete genome sequence and analysis of the epsilonproteobacterium Arcobacter butzleri was published in PLoS ONE , 2007, 2 (12): Article number e1358
**EFSA to assess risk from nicotine in wild mushrooms
EFSA has received an urgent request from the European Commission for a scientific opinion in relation to the risks for human health from nicotine in wild mushrooms. This is because food business operators have found dried wild mushrooms to be contaminated with nicotine. It is not known what caused the presence of the nicotine, but it could be the result of factors including its use in pesticides. EFSA aims to answer this request by 7 May 2009 and its response will then be published. (From Flex-News.com)
**EFSA publishes further opinion on smoke flavourings
In the fifth of a series of opinions on different smoke flavourings, EFSA’s CEF Panel has expressed safety concerns over the use of the flavouring product Scansmoke PB 1110. The Panel concluded that given i) the fact that these margins of safety are based on a 90-day toxicity study, ii) the absence of data on reproduction and developmental toxicity and iii) the absence of long term studies, it is concluded that the uses and use levels of Primary Product Scansmoke PB 1110 would require a larger margin of safety. Although no toxic effects were found in animal studies, the margin of safety between estimated human exposure and intake levels above which adverse health effects may occur in animals was considered to be insufficient given the limited toxicological data available.
**Effect of cooking on okadaic acid and related marine toxins
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion on the marine biotoxin, okadaic acid and its analogues in November 2007. However, the European Commission asked EFSA to elaborate further on the influence of processing (cooking, steaming, autoclaving) on the levels of lipophilic marine biotoxins and to assess if the initial level of marine biotoxins belonging to the group of lipophilic toxins could be modified by processing.
**EFSA opinion on calcium phosphinate as calcium source
EFSA's ANS Panel has published its opinion on calcium phosphinate as a source of calcium added for nutritional purposes to food supplements. The ANS Panel concluded that due to the lack of toxicological data on phosphinate, the safety of calcium phosphinate as a source of calcium could be assessed.
**Aflatoxins in peanuts from Egypt
The European Commission’s Rapid Alerts for Food and Feed frequently contain notifications over the presence of aflatoxin in peanuts from Egypt and a recent inspection in Egypt by the EU’s Food & Veterinary Office (FVO) has highlighted deficiencies in the Egyptian authorities’ procedures for ensuring that aflatoxin levels are kept under control. Responses of the Egyptian authorities to the FVO recommendations have been published.
**Swine flu not a food safety risk
SAFEFOOD has reassured consumers that pork and pork products are safe to eat. Swine influenza (swine ‘flu) does not pose a food safety risk as it cannot be transmitted through food. Following guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) it is advised that pork and pork products can be prepared and eaten as usual, provided that they are handled hygienically while raw, and cooked thoroughly prior to consumption.
**FSANZ fact sheet on swine flu
The newsroom of Food Standards Australia New Zealand has published a fact sheet on Swine Influenza and food.
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
Regular global updates on food poisoning outbreaks and animal diseases, such as avian influenza, foot and mouth, Ebola, SARS, and Anthrax can be found on the International Society for Infectious Diseases ‘ProMED-mail’ web site.
**The Food Safety Network
The International Food Safety Network (iFSN) at Kansas State University provides research, commentary, policy evaluation and public information on food safety issues. An international repository of food safety-related information, FSN offers consumer, student and industry outreach services, information research, on-line resources, collaborative projects, evaluation and analysis, and a capacity to address current and emerging food safety concerns.
Contamination Identification
http://www.rssl.com/services/foodanalysis/contaminationandproblemsolving
RSSL's scientists are able to assist food businesses to manage food safety issues more effectively. The laboratories have considerable experience in the detection and identification of foreign bodies, heavy metals, allergens, toxins and chemical residues. For more information on any of these services and RSSL's Emergency Response Service, please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Legislation headlines
**ECJ rules on cocoa and chocolate products
**Novel ice structuring protein can be placed on EU market
**Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) from Bacillus subtilis natto authorised
**Lycopene authorised as a novel food ingredient
**ECJ rules on cocoa and chocolate products
An action brought on 2 February 2009 by the European Commission against the Italian Republic has been published (Case C-47/09). The Italian Republic has failed to fulfil its obligations under Directive 2000/36/EC relating to cocoa and chocolate products and Directive 2000/13/EC on the labelling of foodstuffs by restricting the use of the adjective ‘puro’ or the phrase ‘pure chocolate’ to the sales names of chocolate products which contain only cocoa butter but do not contain vegetable fat other than cocoa butter.
**Novel ice structuring protein can be placed on EU market
Commission Decision 2009/344/EC of 22 April 2009 authorising the placing on the market of Ice Structuring Protein type III HPLC 12 as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
**Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) from Bacillus subtilis natto authorised
Commission Decision 2009/345/EC of 22 April 2009 authorising the placing on the market of Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) from Bacillus subtilis natto as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
**Lycopene authorised as a novel food ingredient
Commission Decision 2009/348/EC of 23 April 2009 authorising the placing on the market of lycopene as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
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Other headlines (29/04/09)
**Fatty foods offer memory boost
**Acrylamide in food does not appear to increase lung cancer risk
**Green vegetables and asthma linked
**New information about our nutrient intake in US
**Soil Association condemns decision not to ban pesticides that kill honey bees
**Prostate cancer and pomegranate juice consumption
**Blueberries may help reduce belly fat and diabetes risk
**Flavonoids reduce ovarian cancer risk
**EC launches quest for organic logo
**Fatty foods offer memory boost
Oleoylethanolamide (QEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator which is released when dietary fat enters the small intestine. OEA mediates a fat-induced state of satiety by engaging type-α peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-α) in the gut and recruiting local afferents of the vagus nerve. In an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) a team from the University of California, Irvine, describe how they discovered that OEA can be formed from oleic fats in the gut. Administration to rats of OEA improved the animal’s performance in both memory tests and those involving avoidance of an unpleasant experience. More details BBC Health News ; full text in PNAS, online 27/04/09; doi: 10.1073/pnas.0903038106.
**Acrylamide in food does not appear to increase lung cancer risk
Some research has linked the intake of acrylamide, formed in some starchy foods cooked at high temperatures, with various cancers but other studies have not found a link. According to Dr. Janneke G. F. Hogervorst from Maastricht University, the Netherlands, the association, if any, with lung cancer was unclear. To investigate further, Hogervorst et al. analyzed data from 120,000 men and women enrolled in the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer. Questionnaires administered in 1986 were used to assess dietary intake of acrylamide, and the subjects were followed until 2000. During follow-up, 2649 patients developed lung cancer, according to the report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. On final analysis, men whose diets contained high amounts of acrylamide were no more or less likely to develop lung cancer than those whose diets had low amounts. In women, those with high-acrylamide diets were 55% less likely to develop lung cancer than women with low acrylamide diets. In a related editorial, Dr. Lorelei A. Mucci and Dr. Hans-Olov Adami, from Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, comment that it is premature to speculate how acrylamide intake may reduce the risk of lung cancer in women until other studies confirm that there is, in fact, a protective association. (Quoted direct from FlexNews/Reuters.com (29/04/09).
**Green vegetables and asthma linked
A team from Nottingham University, UK, led by Jo Leonardi-Bee, has reviewed 40 studies which looked at the relationship between diet and asthma. It suggested that people who did not get enough food containing vitamins A and C had a higher risk of becoming asthmatic. No association was found with vitamin E. The work has been published in the journal Thorax. More details in The Independent.ie 16/04/09).
**New information about our nutrient intake in US
The newly launched online Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database, planned and developed by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Institutes of Health and others---will help improve estimates of the U.S. population's nutrient intakes based not only on the beverages and foods people consume, but also on their dietary supplement intake.
**Soil Association condemns decision not to ban pesticides that kill honey bees
The Soil Association has condemned the decision by the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to reject calls to prohibit the use of a group of pesticides believed to kill honey bees. The pesticides known as neonicotinoids have been used on up to 1.5 million acres of farmlands in the UK, coinciding with the death of British honey bees, 30% of which occurred during the winter of 2007/2008, a trend reflected world-wide. Evidence summarised by the Soil Association suggests that the pesticides weaken the bees immune system and impair communication, as well as reducing their ability to home and forage. Paradoxically, this news coincides with the commitment of £4.3 million of funding for research in to the honeybee’s demise. Meanwhile, several European countries and the Co-op have banned the use of neonicotinoid sprays.
**Prostate cancer and pomegranate juice consumption
Pomegranate juice may slow the progression of unsuccessfully treated localised prostate cancer. This is the essence of research presented at the American Urological Association Annual Scientific Meeting 2009. It consisted of a two-stage clinical trial, involving 48 participants over 6 years, during which the effect of the daily consumption of eight ounces of pomegranate juice was measured. “Part of this ongoing study suggests that some patients may be more sensitive than others to the effects of pomegranate juice,’’ reported a spokesman from AUA. “This finding and other ongoing research might one day reveal that pomegranate juice is an effective prostate cancer preventative agent as well.” Phase three of the study is currently underway. (Summary in Eurekalert.org; J Urol, suppl. 2009: 181, 4, abstract 826).
**Blueberries may help reduce belly fat and diabetes risk
A study carried out by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Centre has indicated that eating blueberries could help to reduce weight. Researchers believe that the effect is related to the high level of anthyocyanins present in the fruit and that it stems from an ability to affect genes related to fat burning, fat storage and also glucose uptake. Less abdominal fat, lower cholesterol, lower triglycerides, improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity were all observed in rats from the study who consumed blueberries. The effect was even more pronounced when combined with a lower fat diet. The work indicates a very real possibility that anthyocyanins could have the potential, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome although further research is necessary to assess the effect in humans. (ScienceDaily.com 20/04/09).
**Flavonoids reduce ovarian cancer risk
Dr Margaret Gates of Harvard Medical School has suggested that apigenin, a flavonoid found in celery, parsley, red wine and tomato sauce could help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in a similar manner to kaempferol, found in broccoli and kale whose effect she had previously documented. Her latest study, highlighting a possible inverse relationship between intake of apigenin and the development of ovarian cancer, indicated that those consuming more apigenin seemed to be less likely to develop the cancer. Although further research is necessary to provide conclusive evidence, it is hoped that apigenin will prove to be the latest weapon in the fight against ovarian cancer. (FoodConsumer.org 24/04/09).
**EC launches quest for organic logo
The European Commission has launched a competition to create a new EU organic logo. When selected, the new logo will be mandatory for all pre-packaged organic products which originate in the 27 EU Member States, which meet the labelling standards. The use of the logo will be voluntary for non-prepacked organic products both from within the EU and from third countries outside the EU. Full terms and conditions for entering the logo competition can be found on the website
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This Newsletter was posted on:29 April 2009
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