Edition 439: 20 - 27 May 2009
Bisphenol A in human urine following polycarbonate bottle use
A study by Carwile et al and published in Environmental Health Perspectives has examined the association between the use of polycarbonate beverage containers and urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in humans. It found that BPA concentrations increased by two thirds when participants used polycarbonate bottles for one week.
BPA has been associated with the disruption of normal reproduction in laboratory animals as well as the early onset of sexual maturity, an alteration in the mammary glands and decreased sperm production in animals. In humans, it has been linked to a number of diseases including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Consumption of food and drink that has been in contact with polycarbonate plastics or epoxy resins is thought to be an important source of human exposure. Previous studies have shown that BPA is released from polycarbonate bottles following simulated normal use and that high temperatures and acidic or alkali solution can result in increasing BPA migration from the plastic container. There is conflicting evidence as to whether the release of BPA is higher from old or new containers. Due to the increased concern over the possible harmful effects of BPA in humans, some polycarbonate bottle manufacturers have recently voluntarily removed BPA from their production and Canada is drawing up legislation to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles.
The researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health recruited 77 college students (aged between 18 -22). They were provided with two stainless steel bottles and asked to drink all cold beverages from them for 7 days and to avoid drinking water from polycarbonate cold water dispensers. This washout phase was designed to minimise the initial exposure to BPA. Urine samples were taken towards the end of this phase. Subjects were then provided with two polycarbonate bottles and asked to drink all cold beverages from these containers. This phase also lasted 7 days and urine was again collected towards the end of the period. The researchers asked participants to complete a brief questionnaire in which they estimated their compliance with the rules of the study. Urine samples were analysed for BPA and four other phenols (exposure to which is unrelated to polycarbonate bottle use and due mainly to the use of personal care products) using solid phase extraction and HPLC-MS.
Carwile et al found that self-reported compliance with the study in the second week ranged from 50-100% but was generally high with a median of 90%. The researchers found that nearly 12% of samples in the first week and nearly 4% of samples in the second week had BPA concentrations less than the limit of detection (0.4µg/L) but that the average concentration of BPA was 1.3µg/L during the washout week and 2.1µg/L during the polycarbonate bottle week. Urinary BPA concentrations on average increased by 69% following consumption from polycarbonate bottles and a larger difference (77%) was seen in those participants whose compliance with the study was reported to be greater than 90%.
The researchers indicated that as far as they were aware this was the first study to measure the increase in urinary BPA concentrations following use of polycarbonate bottles and that their data suggests that such bottles release sufficient BPA from the bottle to significantly raise the amount of BPA excreted in urine in humans. Carwile et al note that the increase was statistically significant despite the fact that background exposure to BPA was not measured or controlled. They also note that, as expected, no difference in urinary concentrations of three of the four other phenols measured was observed between the two weeks. The fourth, benzophenone-3 (BP-3), showed higher concentrations following polycarbonate bottle use, although the association was stronger in those participants reporting less compliance. Researchers found BPA and BP-3 concentrations to be strongly correlated and whilst the study was not designed to look for other sources of BPA or the other phenols, the researchers hypothesised that the correlation could be due to shared source or behaviour. They stated that they were not aware that BP-3 is present in polycarbonate plastic but it is found in sun screens and can be used as an ultra violet stabiliser in plastic surface coatings. One explanation could be that the students who exercised more outdoors may have drunk the most fluid from the bottles and applied the most sunscreen.
NHS choices have reviewed this study and indicate whilst it adds further evidence to this debate, there are still conflicting results and opinions regarding the safety of polycarbonate drinking containers. They state that the Food Standards Agency has indicated that dietary exposure to BPA is well below levels that would be a concern.
Also in the May 2009 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives is another article on BPA by Richard W. Stahlhut from the University of Rochester Medical Center and his co-workers. In the authors’ summary it is noted that human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is assumed to be predominantly from food and that BPA is rapidly and completely cleared from the body. If this was correct, BPA levels in fasting individuals should decrease with increased fasting time. With this in mind, Stahlhut et al. set out to investigate the relationship between urine BPA concentrations and fasting time in a population-based sample. However, results showed that BPA levels did not decline rapidly with fasting time in this sample. This suggested substantial non-food exposure, accumulation in body tissues such as fat, or both. Explaining these findings may require experimental pharmacokinetic studies of chronic BPA exposure, further examination of BPA levels and effects in fat, and a search for important nonfood sources. (Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 117, Number 5, May 2009).
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Meat intake not linked to breast cancer in older women
A US study involving 120,755 post-menopausal women has found no link between eating meat (total meat, red meat, or meat cooked at high temperatures) and an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
When compared to stewing or microwaving, high temperature cooking of meats by frying, grilling or barbecuing, particularly to a high degree of “doneness”, can lead to the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), such as 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The amount of these compounds produced varies according to the cooking method, temperature, duration of cooking and type of meat. While both HCA and PAHs have been shown to induce mammary tumours in laboratory animals, epidemiological studies in relation to breast cancer in humans have produced inconsistent results, with some showing a positive association with degree of doneness or estimated intake of mutagens/carcinogens and others showing no evidence of an association.
With the aim of establishing whether or not well-cooked or processed meats did indeed increase breast cancer risk in older women, Dr Geoffrey Kabat from the Albert Einstein college of Medicine in New York and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute analysed detailed data on meat intake, meat preparation methods and estimated intake of meat-mutagens as measured for the National Institutes of Health – American Association of Retired Persons (NIH-AARP) Diet and Health Study. Between 1995-1996, 120,755 post-menopausal women had completed a food frequency questionnaire at the start of the study, with a detailed meat-cooking module following within the first six months of the study. Data was adjusted to take account of a large number of variables including age, body mass index (BMI), age at menopause, family history of breast cancer, menopausal hormone therapy, race, energy intake, saturated fat and alcohol intake, fruit and vegetable intake and smoking habit.
In their discussion, the authors say that data from this large prospective cohort of AARP members provided no support for the hypothesis that intake of meat, meat cooked at high temperatures, well-done meat, or estimated intake of mutagens/carcinogens from meat are associated with increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Furthermore, the results did not indicate that consumption of meat or meat cooked at high temperatures affected breast cancer risk in subgroups, such as obese or nulliparous women (never borne a child), consumers of alcohol, smokers, users of menopausal hormone therapy, women with low physical activity levels or with a low intake of fruits or vegetables. However, they do also point out that previous analyses of NIH-AARP data (PloS Med, 2007, 4 (12): e325
) showed positive associations between the intake of red and processed meats and cancers of the colorectum and lung, and for red meat intake an association with cancers of the esophagus and liver. (Kabat, et al. International Journal of Cancer, 2009, 124 (10): 2430-2435 (free access). Summary in ReutersHealth, (25/05/09)).
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Childhood food allergies may be linked to obesity
Research by a team from the University of North Carolina, has suggested that obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk of having some kind of allergy, especially to a food. Data taken from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2005-2006 showed that allergen-specific immunoglobulins were much higher in obese and overweight children than in their normal counterparts.
The authors explain that the prevalence of allergies and obesity in children have both increased in the last few decades, yet previous research had produced inconsistent results in trying to determine if there was an association between the two conditions and whether systemic inflammation could be a factor in any such relationship.
Visness et al. analysed NHANES data from 4,111 children and young adults aged 2 to 19 years old. They looked at total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and at antibody levels against a range of indoor, outdoor and food allergens. Body weight, levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and responses to a questionnaire about diagnoses of hay fever, eczema, asthma and allergies were also recorded.
Results showed that IgE levels were higher among children who were obese or overweight and that obese children were about 26% more likely to have allergies than children of normal weight. The likelihood of having a food allergy was 59% higher for obese children than normal weight children. C-reactive protein levels were associated with total IgE levels, atopic disease and food sensitisation.
Dr Darryl Zeldin, the senior author, said that whilst the study showed a positive association between obesity and allergies, indicating that obesity might be a contributor to the increased prevalence of allergic disease in children, it did not prove that obesity caused allergies. More research was needed, he said, to further investigate this potential link. (Visness et al. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2009, 123 (5): 1163-1169. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.12.1126 . Summary in ScienceDaily.com).
RSSL’s DNA and Protein Laboratory carries out allergen testing using immunological, DNA and distillation techniques, depending on the allergen to be detected. Detection limits are in the range 0.1 – 10 mg allergen/kg of sample for almond, Brazil nut, macadamia nut, peanut, walnut, hazelnut, cashew nut, pistachio nut, pecan nut, pine nut and chestnut. Celery, celeriac, black mustard, lupin and kiwi allergens can also be detected by DNA methods, as can crustacean allergens. The laboratory also uses a range of UKAS accredited immunological procedures for the detection of allergens including gluten, peanut, hazelnut, almonds, soya, egg, milk, lactose, sesame and histamine. Distillation and titration methods are used for the determination of sulphur dioxide and sulphites. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com.
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Preserving orange juice with chitosan
There are already a number of scientific papers exploring the efficacy of both low and high molecular weight chitosans in acting as a natural preservative in food and drink products. In an article in Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies Ana B. Martın-Diana and colleagues at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland, describe their experiments to find out if chitosan would be an effective preservative for orange juice.
One of the main problems with fresh orange juice is its rapid spoilage and loss of vitamins during storage. In addition there have been incidents in which orange juice has become contaminated with Salmonella typhimurium and caused cases of human illness, so that the US Food and Drug Administrationhas advised consumers against drinking unpasteurised juice. The stated objective of Martin-Diana’s research was find out if chitosan could be used as a natural preservative for orange juice and as an alternative to pasteurisation. Since consumers have become more aware of and critical of traditional methods of food preservation, the food industry has begun to actively seek new methods for minimally processing foods or using bioactive and functional food ingredients.
Chitosan is obtained by deacetylation of chitin and is a non-digestible oligosaccharide which is the main component of the cell walls of fungi, and the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans. It is one of the most abundant organic materials. Its positive ionic charge gives chitosan the ability to chemically bind fats, lipids and bile acids. Being a biodegradable non-toxic polymer it has potential applications in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries in roles such as enzyme immobilisation and purification, wastewater treatment, and as a novel food ingredient with binding, gelling, thickening and stabilising properties.
Fresh orange juice samples were prepared using Spanish Navelina and Valencia oranges. The freshly squeezed juice was strained to remove pulp and seeds and the strained juiced was immediately homogenised and mixed with chitosan at concentrations between 0 and 2 g/litre. The juice was then stored at 4oC in sterilised, opaque polyethylene containers. The chitosan used came from crab exoskeletons and had a 75% degree of deacetylation. The juices were examined for a range of microbiological and quality parameters including pH, total soluble solids, colour, enzymic and non-enzymic browning, turbidity, viscosity and aerobic plate counts. Ascorbic acid, carotenoid content and pectin methylesterase activity were also determined and sensory analysis carried out by trained panelists.
Results showed that there was a significant reduction in flavour quality and general acceptability as the concentration of chitosan increased. Bitterness, in particular increased. However, panelists also reported that pasteurisation negatively affected the flavour of the orange juice samples. Concentrations of chitosan at 0 – 0.8 g/litre did not affect the ascorbic acid content of the juice, but the higher chitosan concentrations did lead to a reduction in ascorbic acid content, probably through sequestration. Chitosan did not protect carotenoids from oxidation and these decreased in the same manner for all samples as storage time increased. The chitosan at concentrations up to 1g/litre reduced the bacterial aerobic plate counts by 1 log, with no further reduction being achieved by using up to 2g/litre. Chitosan increased the “yellowness” and reduced the browning of the orange juice samples.
Overall, the study recommends the use of chitosan at concentrations up to 1 g/litre to extend orange juice quality and preserve ascorbic acid and carotenoids during the storage of fresh orange juice, thus avoiding the use of standard thermal treatments which produce a negative impact on the nutritional value. (Martın-Diana et al., Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, in press, doi: 10.1016/j.ifset.2009.05.003. Summary in FoodNavigator.com 22/05/09).
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Salmonella’s energy source discovered
UK scientists have become the first to identify the nutrients that sustain the food poisoning bacterium Salmonella while it is infecting the host body. Understanding the nutritional requirements of the bacteria during infection is an emerging science and the discovery that glucose is the major fuel for Salmonella was achieved by a team at the UK’s Institute of Food Research (IFR) in collaboration with Dr. Gary Rowley at the University of East Anglia.
Salmonella is a widespread zoonotic enteropathogen that causes gastroenteritis and fatal typhoidal disease in mammals. Salmonella food poisoning causes infection in around 20 million people worldwide each year with 200,000 of those resulting in fatalities. The bacterium takes advantage of the natural immune response of a host by having the ability to reside within the vacuole of macrophages after being engulfed by them. Nutrients are paramount in allowing the Salmonellae to replicate within these immune cells and became a point of focus for scientists wanting to identify the substrates and metabolites necessary for the growth of the vacuole-invading bacteria. In this respect glycolysis and sugar metabolism provided a good starting point.
Salmonella mutants were created which had disruption to their glycolytic pathways through the deletion of key glycolysis genes. This produced strains of the bacterium that were unable to transport glucose into the immune cells they occupied during infection, were unable to utilize glucose as an energy source and were effectively rendered harmless. However, the mutant strains still stimulate an immune response and patents have been filed by the scientists who designed them with the intention of developing vaccines for the protection of humans and animals against poisoning by the fully virulent Salmonella. There is also the possibility of using these harmless strains as vaccine vectors for the flu virus by introducing viral genetic material into the mutants.
Footnotes to the IFR press release mention that bacterial nutrition is also the subject of a six-year priority programme in Germany, with the next stages of research being to understand whether the mutant Salmonella strain will elicit a protective immune response in mice. The nutrition of pathogenic bacteria was also the subject of an international conference at the beginning of April 2009. More details on the ”Metabolism meets Virulence” web site. IFR’s and Dr Rowley’s research on Salmonella was published in Infection and Immunity online 20/04/09; doi: 10.1128/IAI.00093-09.
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Product recalls and alerts
**Red Bull cola recalled in Germany after cocaine traces found
**Sudan I dye found in spice mix in UK
**Canadian recalls over Salmonella-contaminated pistachios
**Irish alert over contaminated water supplied in bulk
**US recalls
**European Rapid Alerts for week 21
**Links to recall web sites
**Recall web sites for halal and kosher foods
**Red Bull cola recalled in Germany after cocaine traces found
Retailers in six German states have recalled Red Bull Cola energy drinks after traces of cocaine were found. Sample analysis conducted in North-Rhine Westphalia found 1 litre of the drink contained 0.4 mg of the banned substance. German officials, however, stressed that the levels are too low to endanger human health, but are not permitted in food. Red Bull has since protested against these claims, insisting the [decocainated] extract of coca leaf is used worldwide in foods as a natural flavouring. The company said its cola was "harmless and marketable in both the US and Europe.” Further official test results are expected during the next few days. (Quoted direct from Flex-News.com 26/05/09).
**Sudan I dye found in spice mix in UK
The illegal dye Sudan I has been found in Alif Foods ‘Mix Bisar’ spice mix. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Action. Sudan I dye is a red dye that is used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. It is not allowed to be added to food in the UK and the rest of the European Union.
**Canadian recalls over Salmonella-contaminated pistachios
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the foods listed on the CFIA web site because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. These foods contain pistachios that have been recalled in the U.S. and Canada by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., due to Salmonella contamination. This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify and remove all affected products imported into Canada from the U.S. The CFIA is also working with Canadian manufacturers to recall foods containing affected U.S. pistachios. As more products are identified, the CFIA will continue to update its list of recalled products. Updated (22/05/09).
**Irish alert over contaminated water supplied in bulk
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has informed the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that samples of water used by Fionn Uisce in its 18.9 litre bulk containers do not comply with the microbiological criteria for bottled water [European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007 – S.I. No. 225 of 2007].The water is produced by Fionn Uisce Limited, Stafford Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary at its bottling plant in Killaloe, Co. Clare. The containers are supplied mainly to offices and businesses but some have been supplied to domestic users.
**US recalls
- Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Illinois, is recalling approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
- Paisano Meat, Inc., Gardena, California is voluntarily recalling approximately 350,000 pounds of beef and pork products because they may contain undeclared sulphites, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Sulphites can be a health hazard to individuals who are sensitive to sulphites
- St. Bernadette Circle, St. Rose Church, Longview, WA is recalling Pistachios In Shell Roasted and Salted, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The pistachios were repacked using pistachios recalled by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
- Western Bagel Baking Corporation, the manufacturer of Publix 100% Whole Wheat Sliced Bagels is recalling a limited number of 12oz packaging of 100% Whole Wheat Sliced Bagels with lot code date of 10491 and 11291 as they may contain undeclared Egg.
- Rio Pluma LLC (a division of Stapleton Spence Packing Company) is Reissuing its Recall of Peanut Products Because they may be Contaminated with Salmonella. Rio Pluma LLC, A division of Stapleton Spence Packing Company located at 1900 Hwy 99, Gridley, CA. 95948 is reissuing its recall of various peanut products to clarify affected codes.
- Domega International Co Ltd is recalling its Fmd Brand Spiced Bean because it contains undeclared sulphites. People who have severe sensitivity to sulphites run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.
More details of enforcement action and Class I, II and III recalls can also be found on the US Food and Drug Administration web site. Ongoing and completed recalls are listed. Also, in partnership with WebMD, the
FDA publishes more details of particular recalls, and suggests how consumers should respond to them.
**European Rapid Alerts for week 21
The results of rapid alerts for week 21 (up to 20/5/2009) 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
Emergency Response Service
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Food safety
**Toxic colouring agent Methyl Yellow reappears in France
**FSA survey of arsenic in rice-based drinks
**Two die of food poisoning, 8 taken ill in New Delhi
**”Fat Duck” illness was not food poisoning
**Global warming link to food poisoning
**Another 100 hit by food poisoning at training camp in Malaysia
**Actress suffers from food poisoning at Cannes Film Festival
**Food poisoning kills four children in SW China
**Food poisoning: 391 students intoxicated in Algeria
**Salmonella linked to queso fresco Mexican-style cheese
**Survey probes raw milk attitudes in California
**Food safety threat from re-useable shopping bags
**Ocean methylmercury levels increasing
**Test of wash effectiveness in reducing E. coli O157:H7
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
**The Food Safety Network
**Toxic colouring agent Methyl Yellow reappears in France
French authorities have been informed that traces of the banned food colour, Methyl yellow (Colour Index No. 11020) have again been found in spice products. The authorities have therefore requested that the distributors involved proceed to recall all potentially contaminated products sold in the French market. This latest discovery of Methyl Yellow in spice has occurred only several weeks after some European countries including Belgium and France detected the banned food colouring in Delhaize and Intermarché products. (Quoted direct from Flex-News-Food.com 25/05/09).
**FSA survey of arsenic in rice-based drinks
Arsenic occurs naturally in a wide range of foods, amongst which rice and rice products are known to have higher levels of inorganic arsenic compared with other foods. Arsenic can be present in food and drinks in both organic and inorganic forms, with the inorganic form being the more toxic. As part of a larger survey of arsenic levels in rice and rice products, the Food Standards Agency has now completed the part addressing total and inorganic arsenic in 60 samples of rice drinks. Arsenic was detected in all the samples tested with an average concentration of 0.023 mg/kg of total arsenic and 0.012 mg/kg of inorganic arsenic. As a result of the rice drink study, the Agency recommends that toddlers and young children should not have rice drinks, often known as rice milk, as a replacement for cows’ milk, breast milk or infant formula. The full details of the FSA survey are contained in Food Survey Information Sheet 02/09. The FSA has also published the results of work carried out at Aberdeen University which investigated the effect of cooking on arsenic levels in food. The Food Standards Authority Ireland (FSAI) has also amended its advice on rice milks following the FSA survey.
**Two die of food poisoning, 8 taken ill in New Delhi
Two members of a family died of food poisoning and eight others were taken ill after having food at Nakipur in Bihar’s Katihar district. While one person died on Friday night after having the meal, another perished on Saturday morning. Eight others, all belonging to the same family, fell sick and were currently under treatment. (The Hindu, 24/05/09).
**”Fat Duck” illness was not food poisoning
WalesOnline (24/05/09) reports that Heston Blumenthal, the owner of the “Fat Duck Restaurant”, has cautiously suggested that the outbreak of illness associated with his restaurant, which was closed down for 2 weeks in March 2009, was not food poisoning. However, no suggestion of the actual cause is mentioned in the article.
**Global warming link to food poisoning
Global warming could produce hundreds of extra cases of food poisoning in Northern Ireland, as temperatures rise, food poisoning organisms proliferate more readily and the population ages. This is the opinion of Gary McFarlane, director of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. He said on a UK-wide basis there could be 10,000 extra cases of food poisoning a year if temperatures increase as anticipated between now and 2050 in the UK. A breakdown of that per head of population would indicate over 200 cases in Northern Ireland at a cost of around £1.5 billion to the UK economy as a whole. McFarlane also said there were implications for pest control, obesity, mortality rates and the potential for new and infectious diseases. He made his comment whilst giving evidence to Stormont's Environment Committee. (Belfast Telegraph 24/05/09).
**Another 100 hit by food poisoning at training camp in Malaysia
Three cases of food poisoning involving 127 trainees have been reported at the national service training camp in Cancun Park, Pasir Mas, in the past two months. In the latest incident on Tuesday, about 100 trainees were taken ill with the symptoms of food poisoning after they were believed to have consumed contaminated fried rice and chicken supplied by another contractor appointed by the food caterer. More details in The Star Online. (21/05/09)
**Actress suffers from food poisoning at Cannes Film Festival
Several media sources report that the actress Penelope Cruz was taken ill with food poisoning whilst attending the Cannes Film Festival in the South of France. The illness meant she missed an event to promote her forthcoming musical "Nine.” (NewsOK, 21/05/09).
**Food poisoning kills four children in SW China
A spokesman of the Menghai County government in Xishuangbanna, in South West China’s Yunnan Province said that four children from an extended family were confirmed dead and two other members of the same family were still in critical condition in an apparent poisoning case. The four dead, all male, were cousins aged from 18 months to 14 years. (China Daily 19/05/09).
**Food poisoning: 391 students intoxicated in Algeria
As many as 391 students on a university campus for girls ‘Mohamed Seddik Ben Yahia’ in El Khroub, Constantine, Algeria, became ill with symptoms of food poisoning after eating cakes, chickpeas and boiled eggs at breakfast. It is the cakes (Mille-feuilles), which are suspected of being behind this poisoning. According to reports by some workers, the first cases recorded at the end of day were superficial, but in the early hours of the following day, the signs of intoxication were confirmed with the students suffering from vomiting and stomach pain. The director of the Department of Health together with local officials went to the scene. An inspection team has been installed. This latter started inspecting the kitchen of the university campus and the health condition of the premises. http://www.ennaharonline.com/en/news/1282.html
**Salmonella linked to queso fresco Mexican-style cheese
Public health agencies in Utah, US, have been investigating a cluster of Salmonella Newport cases, which appear to be connected to queso fresco, a Mexican-style soft cheese. However, the Bear River Health Department has not received confirmation of any Salmonella cases within the past two weeks in the Bear River Health District. Health officials do not believe the contaminated cheese is being made or sold commercially. Rather, the investigations suggest that the infections may be linked to queso fresco being made in private homes and then either sold to neighbors or given away. (The Herald Journal, 24/05/09).
**Survey probes raw milk attitudes in California
The California Department of Public Health is conducting a research survey in Del Norte County to learn more about people’s attitudes and beliefs regarding raw milk. In particular, the researchers want to interview residents who were involved in Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farms’ cow-share program that was the vehicle for distributing unpasteurized milk to its customers. Health officials say it also was the source of a Campylobacter outbreak that caused illness in more than a dozen people, including one woman who was paralyzed and placed on a ventilator shortly after drinking the product. (From The Triplicate 22/05/09).
**Food safety threat from re-useable shopping bags
Sporometrics, an environmental microbiology laboratory based in Toronto, Canada has highlighted the fact that reusable food shopping bags and packages can contain high levels of bacteria, yeast, mould and coliform counts which may pose a significant food safety risk. Swab tests of reusable bags revealed a bacterial count of 1,800 colony-forming units while 550 were discovered in Tupperware containers. A mould count of 290 was discovered in bags and 10 in Tupperware compared with a typical mould count of 150 or less per cubic metre of room air at that time of year. Sporometric claims that the findings clearly support concerns that reusable grocery bags can become an active microbial habitat and a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, mould and coliforms. The study was funded by the Environment and Plastic Industry Council (EPIC). (From FoodQualityNews.com).
**Ocean methylmercury levels increasing
Research by scientists at universities in the USA, Australia and the US Geological survey, published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles has indicated that levels of methylmercury in the Pacific Ocean have increased by 30% since 1995. Previously, it was thought that methylmercury in the ocean was a result of geological conditions but this new study proposes a mercury methylation cycle where mercury is methylated biologically with the aid of decomposing organic matter. The researchers attribute the increase to elevated global atmospheric mercury emission levels. Methylmercury is highly toxic and accumulates rapidly up the food chain with older, larger, predatory fish such as shark, swordfish, marlin, and larger species of tuna having the highest levels of mercury in their tissues. It is estimated ocean fish and shellfish consumption accounts for over 90% of US human methylmercury exposure with tuna caught in the Pacific alone accounting for up to 40%. The new study indicates that measurable change in methylmercury levels occur over a reasonably short period and that if mercury emissions are decreased, ocean levels of methylmercury would follow. (Food Consumer).
**Test of wash effectiveness in reducing E. coli O157:H7
A study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology by researchers from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) compared the effectiveness of four different washes at reducing populations of E. coli O157:H7 on Romaine and Iceberg lettuce leaves. Fresh cut leaves were immersed in water containing E. coli O157:H7 (8 log CFU/ml) for 5 minutes and then dried in a salad spinner before being washed for 2 minutes either immediately or following 24 hour storage at 4oC. The washes tested were chlorine (20–200 ppm), acidic electrolyzed water (50 ppm chlorine, pH 2.6), acidified sodium chlorite (20–200 ppm chlorite ion concentration) and aqueous chlorine dioxide (20–200 ppm chlorite ion concentration). The researchers found that on Iceberg lettuce, the washes containing chlorite ion concentrations of 100 and 200ppm were the most effective with log reductions up to 1.25 log CFU/g, with the other washes showing log reductions of less than 1 log CFU/g. All four washes performed similarly in washing Romaine lettuce with log reductions of approx 1 log CFU/g.
**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
**EFSA provides FAQs on health claims
**ISO developing standard to combat food counterfeiting
**Transition period extended for labelling of wines
**New EU protected geographical indications (PGI)
**FAO launches livestock welfare web portal
**Contained use of GMOs
**Organic conversion label could help farmers convert
**Corrections to Spanish list of mineral waters
**EU dispute over blending of rosé wines
**UK contaminant regulations published
**EFSA provides FAQs on health claims
The European Food Safety Authority has published answers to the following questions on the way it deals with health claims, with comments requested by 8 June 2009: 1. Overview of main issues addressed by the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); 2. To what extent should a food/constituent be characterised? 3. How should the claimed effect be shown to be beneficial? 4. What is a risk factor for the development of a human disease? 5. What are pertinent studies for substantiation of a claim? 6. What is the totality of the available scientific data? 7. How does the NDA Panel decide whether a claim is substantiated? 8. When does EFSA request supplementary information from the applicant? 9. On what basis does EFSA propose wordings of claims? 10. How does EFSA treat proprietary data? 11. How does EFSA treat confidential data? Coments on the FAQs given in FoodNavigator.com
**ISO developing standard to combat food counterfeiting
An international standard intended to food companies protect their products against counterfeiting is being drafted by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The ISO wants formal global guidelines to ensure that the many devices and systems used to authenticate genuine products operate at a high standard. A spokesperson for the ISO is quoted as saying that there is currently no global standard available to help compare the different systems, establish performance criteria or ensure interoperability. It also stated that the food sector was a priority, because of the health risks posed by fakes. The organisation has established a new technical committee (ISO/PC 246) for this work, including national standards organisations in the US, UK, Canada, China, France, Italy and elsewhere. Just-Food.com (27/05/09)
**Transition period extended for labelling of wines
Commission Regulation (EC) No 415/2009 of 20 May 2009 amending Directive 2007/68/EC amending Annex IIIa to Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain food ingredients. The amendment allows wines, as defined in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No. 479/2008 and placed on the market or labelled before 31 December 2010, and which comply with the provisions of Directive 2005/25/EC, to be marketed until stocks are exhausted.
**New EU protected geographical indications (PGI)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 417/2009 of 20 May 2009 entering a designation in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Mariánskolázeňské oplatky (PGI))
Commission Regulation (EC) No 418/2009 of 20 May 2009 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Petit Épeautre de Haute Provence (PGI))
Commission Regulation (EC) No 419/2009 of 20 May 2009 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Kiwi de l’Adour (PGI)).
Commission Regulation (EC) No 430/2009 of 25 May 2009 approving non-minor amendments to the specification for a name entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Kölsch (PGI))
**FAO launches livestock welfare web portal
A new internet portal dedicated to providing information on animal welfare legislation, research and standards, practices and policies has been launched by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The Gateway to Farm Animal Welfare is intended for use by for policy-makers, farmers, scientists and animal welfare organisations. According a short report in FoodNavigator.com (22/05/09), it will provide an important forum for animal welfare issues related to activities such as transport, slaughter and pre-slaughter management, animal husbandry and handling and the culling of animals for disease control.
**Contained use of GMOs
Directive 2009/41/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (Recast)
**Organic conversion label could help farmers convert
A new European study, which collected evidence from 5 EU countries, suggests that developing an official ‘label’ for organic conversion-grade produce would let farmers secure price premiums while they are going through the organic conversion process. Details of the study have been published in Food Policy ( 34 (2009) 287 – 294. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2009.03.001. Summary in FoodNavigator.com (25/05/09).
**Corrections to Spanish list of mineral waters
Corrigendum to list of natural mineral waters recognised by Member States. The corrigendum applies to the list of mineral waters recognised by Spain.
**EU dispute over blending of rosé wines
Flex-News-food.com (27/05/09) contains details of a dispute between companies and vineyards in the EU which produce rosé wines. The issue concerns a proposal by the European Commission to end a ban on the blending of rosé wines, which is likely to be approved by a number of EU Member States. However, producers of quality rosé wines in France, Italy and Spain are infuriated by the idea and oppose the lifting of the blending ban. A vote on the proposal is scheduled for 19 June 2009.
**UK contaminant regulations published
The Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1223) have been published and come into force on 1 July 2009. These Regulations, which apply in relation to England only, revoke and re-enact with changes the Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/210 as amended). They make provision for the execution and enforcement of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for contaminants in foodstuffs. This consolidated and made further amendments to the provisions formerly contained in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 466/2001, which was recently amended by (a) Commission Regulation (EC) No. 565/2008, which concerns maximum levels for dioxins and PCBs in fish liver; and (b) Commission Regulation (EC) No. 629/2008 which concerns maximum permitted levels for certain heavy metals. These Regulations also provide for the execution and enforcement of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 124/2009 which concerns maximum permitted levels for certain feed additives that may in specified circumstances occur in food.
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Other headlines (27/05/09)
**Briton's wary over cancer advice
**Curcumin may reduce weight gain
**Vitamin D, cognitive performance and dementia
**Challenge to antioxidants and exercise study
**Gluten-free diet may not be friendly to gut bacteria
** Fast food link to lower school attainment levels
**Survey on honeybee losses from September 2008 to April 2009
**JRC analytical methods and melamine proficiency testing
**Britons wary over cancer advice
Over fifty percent of the UK public could be sceptical of scientific claims relating to cancer causes and prevention according to a poll by YouGov for the World Cancer Research Fund. No sooner does a study raise a new preventative measure than another will dispute it and bring up another possible option. Despite claims to the contrary, the study of 2,400 people indicated that the general public appears to be, to a great extent, of the opinion that health advice is constantly changing with respect to cancer and that it might as well be ignored. In contrast to this belief, the experts maintain that recommendations have remained broadly stable for some years with focus on not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake, eating a healthy, balanced diet, being physically active and taking precautions to remain safe in the sun. (BBC Health News 24/05/09).
**Curcumin may reduce weight gain
A study conducted by a team led by Mohsen Meydani of Tufts University Boston, US, has demonstrated that a naturally occurring polyphenol present in turmeric (curcumin) can reduce weight gain in mice. It has been suggested that dietary polyphenols can suppress growth of adipose tissue. It is thought that they do this by inhibiting angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels) which is needed for adipose tissue to grow. The animal study carried out by Meydani aimed to investigate whether curcumin could also do this. During the research, one group of mice was given a high fat diet; the other was given the same diet, but supplemented with curcumin. The researchers found that those fed with the supplemented diet gained less weight and less body fat. The researchers next aim is to determine whether levels of curcumin normally present in foods are sufficient to have health benefits in humans. (From ScienceDaily.com and ARS magazine).
**Vitamin D, cognitive performance and dementia
A European study, recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, conducted by a team led by David M Lee of the University of Manchester, has investigated the possible link between Vitamin D levels and the preservation of cognitive function in older European men. Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin after sun exposure and can also be found in foods such as oily fish. More than 3000 men from all over Europe took part. They were all around 60 years old. The men were given tests of visual memory, scanning and processing of visual information. They also had their blood taken so that vitamin D levels could be measured. The results showed that those with lower vitamin D levels had poorer scores in the tests. Although their findings showed a clear pattern, Lee acknowledges that other factors may have played a role and that further work should be done before any conclusive associations are made. (Summary in WebMD). In the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, William B. Grant of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center examines the literature which suggests that low levels of vitamin D in older people may be increasing their risk of getting vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. (Summary in ScienceDaily.com 27/05/09).
**Challenge to antioxidants and exercise study
Food e-News Edition 437 covered a study which suggested that taking antioxidant-containing supplements in conjunction with exercise, could possibly negate the beneficial effects of that exercise. Since its publication, this work has been criticised by Dr Rob Childs, nutritional biochemist for the Cervelo Pro Cycling Test Team, and Dr Alexander Schauss from AIBMR Life Sciences, a nutraceutical products consultancy. The reasons for Dr Childs’ criticism of the study are given by FoodNavigator.com. Those of Dr Schauss were covered by NutraIngredients.com.
**Gluten-free diet may not be friendly to gut bacteria
A gluten-free diet may be detrimental to gut health, which may also affect immune health, according to results of a preliminary study, by the Spanish National Research Council. In a very small study, the researchers analysed the gut microflora of ten healthy subjects, average age of 30, who consumed a gluten-free diet for one month, without changing other normal dietary intakes. Analysis of the participants’ faeces showed that beneficial gut bacteria populations decreased whilst the counts for Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli increased. Markers of immune health were also reduced following consumption of the gluten-free diet. The authors therefore point out that when treating patients with coeliac disease with a gluten-free diet, the possible adverse effects on the gut microflora should be taken into account (British Journal of Nutrition, online ahead of print; summary in FoodNavigator.com).
** Fast food link to lower school attainment levels
Dr Kerri Tobin, a graduate student at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, looked at the test results of more than 5,500 10 and 11-year-olds, and asked them to record how many times in one week they ate at a fast food restaurant. More than half (54%) said they had consumed fast food one to three times in the past seven days, almost 10% had indulged four to six times, and almost 2% said they had eaten it four or more times a day. Results showed that those eating fast food four to six times a week scored 6.96 points below average in their reading tests, and 6.55 points below average in maths. Eating fast food once a day led to a 16.07 point drop in reading and a 14.82 point drop in maths. Those snacking on junk food three times a day scored 19.34 points lower in their reading scores and 18.48 points lower in their maths results. The study, which was first published in the Times Educational Supplement, does note that other background factors could contribute to the lower scores. (Telegraph.co.uk 22/05/09).
**Survey on honeybee losses from September 2008 to April 2009
According to an interview based survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from September 2008 to April 2009 honey bee colony losses were around 29% from all causes. Similar surveys have found that overall losses were at around 36% from 2007-2008 and 32% from 2006-2007. America has 2.3 million colonies, of which 20% were surveyed. Of those surveyed 26% of apiaries said that some of their colonies died of colony collapse disorder (CDD) which is less than 2007-2008 where 36% died of CDD, the cause of which is unknown. Those apiaries without CDD each lost an average of 26% of their colonies. The article on the USDA website states that honey bee pollination is critical to agriculture, adding more than $15 billion to the value of American crops each year.
**JRC analytical methods and melamine proficiency testing
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre - Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM) has reviewed existing analytical methods for the detection of melamine in food and feed and is now organising proficiency tests to benchmark laboratories’ ability to carry out such tests. Proficiency test results are published on a dedicated JRC web site.
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This Newsletter was posted on: 27 May 2009
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