Edition 447: 15 - 22 July 2009
FSA reports on survey of process contaminants in retail foods
The Food Standards Agency (FSA)
has published the most recent results of a study, carried out in 2008, looking at the levels of process contaminants in a range of UK food products.
Process contaminants are chemical substances which are produced in food during manufacturing, cooking, packaging and other processing activities. These contaminants are not present in raw unprocessed foods and are only formed when components in food undergo chemical changes during processing. Processing methods may include acid hydrolysis, smoking, drying, fermentation as well as cooking (baking, frying, grilling and barbecuing). Process contaminants can be formed in both manufactured and home cooked food. Some of the process contaminants of interest due to their potential to cause cancer are acrylamide, furan, 3-MCPD and ethyl carbamate.
The FSA is conducting a three year survey in response to recommendations from the European Commission to investigate the levels of acrylamide in food and in particular to monitor the effectiveness of acrylamide reduction measures as specified in the CIAA toolbox (EC Recommendation 2007/331/EC) and to monitor the occurrence of furan in foodstuffs (EC Recommendation 2007/195/EC). The FSA took the opportunity to expand the survey to focus on other process contaminants to gain a clear a picture of the levels in foodstuffs that are commonly consumed in the UK.
A total of 326 samples were purchased from a wide range of retail outlets including major and smaller supermarkets and independent retailers in the UK. Samples purchased covered the 10 food groups in accordance with the EC recommendation. These includes french fries sold as ready to eat (Group 1), potato crisps (Group 2), pre-cooked french fries/potato products for home cooking (Group 3), bread (Group 4), breakfast cereals (Group 5), biscuits including infant biscuits (Group 6), roasted coffee (Group 7), jarred baby foods (Group 8), processed cereal baby foods (Group 9) and ‘other products’ (Group 10). A further 91 samples were purchased representing Groups 1, 2 and 3 for March 2009.
The occurrence and levels for all of the process contaminants surveyed were in line with the results from the previous year’s survey. Based on previous and current risk assessments, the occurrence and levels found do not increase concern about the risk to human health.
The results of this survey do not affect the FSA’s advice to consumers regarding their diet. The FSA advises that as part of a healthy balanced diet, people should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and other starchy foods, some meat fish, eggs, beans, milk and dairy foods andonlon only small amount of food and drinks high in salt, fat and/or sugar (including chips and crisps).
The FSA continues to work with brand owners to reduce the levels of acrylamide and other process contaminants in food by following best practice.
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Dietary fish and meat intake and dementia in elderly
Dementia is a chronic and progressive age-related disease characterised by irreversible cognitive decline and functional impairment. More than 24 million people suffer from this disease and two-thirds of them live in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs). Evidence of a benefit of fish consumption on dementia risk is currently limited to developed countries and most observational studies report an association of high fish intake with better cognition or lower risk of dementia although these findings are not consistent over all studies. Oily fish is a rich source of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiatherogenic, antiamyloid and neuroprotective properties.
This study by Albanese et al. (2009) is the largest population-based study on this topic to date from either developing or developed country samples. Its purpose was to describe the fish and meat intakes in relation to health and sociodemographic characteristics of older people across countries and test the hypothesis that dietary fish is inversely associated and dietary meat is directly associated with prevalent dementia. The findings are consistent with some previous but not all studies on fish intake in Western countries and support previous associations of saturated fat, although not meat, with cognitive health. This was a cross-sectional catchment area one-phase survey of older people (aged ≥65 y) carried out at 11 sites in Peru, Mexico, China, India, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.
There was found to be no significant association between fish consumption and degree of dementia severity in any country studied, however, there was found to be a significant trend toward a lower prevalence of dementia among those with higher dietary fish intake in large population-based samples of older people living in 5 countries in Latin America, China, and India. Country-specific association of fish intake with dementia was not statistically significant in China.
There was a significant association between severity of dementia and meat consumption in Cuba, with higher meat consumption among those with more severe dementia. It may be that this finding is due to those with more sufficient diet of meat survived longer with dementia. Those with dementia may have also been selectively likely to over- or underreport their dietary exposure to meat or fish. Selection bias may also account for the findings if those without dementia reporting higher fish intakes were more likely to participate in the study. However, healthy persons were less available than impaired persons for interview and older persons in LAMICs may have scant awareness of the health-related properties of fish.
The findings from this study should be treated with caution due to the cross-sectional study design and the limitations in the dietary assessments. The study did not have information on the type of fish and meat consumed, portion size, and method of cooking, which may all be relevant factors. The results extended previous findings on the beneficial effects of fish consumption on dementia in LAMICs and provide preliminary evidence of the etiological significance of diet in dementia. More substantive evidence will come from the pending incidence stage of the study which plans to compare the incidence of dementia according to dietary exposure at baseline and the effectiveness of n-3 LCP supplementation for the prevention of cognitive decline. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.27580 Vol. 90, No. 2, 392-400, August 2009)
RSSL's Lipids Laboratory has expertise in all aspects of fat analysis and fatty acid profiling, including the determination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation and cows milk allergy symptoms
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests that dietary supplementation with probiotics and/or prebiotics reduces allergy symptoms to cows’ milk in whey sensitised mice.
It has been estimated that up to 5% of children in the West may be affected with an allergy to cows milk and previous studies have suggested that the development of such allergies in infants is associated with other respiratory allergies later in life. No effective prevention strategy or treatment for cows’ milk allergy (CMA), other than avoidance,are available.
FAO/WHO define prebiotics as non-digestible, selectively fermented ingredients that allow compositional and or activity changes in the gastrointestinal microflora that confer health benefits to the host. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when consumed in adequate quantities also confer a health benefit to the host. Previous studies have suggested prebiotics to be especially effective in the priming phase of an immune response and also are known to stimulate the growth and activity of probiotic bacteria. The authors of this study, including researchers from the University of Utrecht and the Danone Research Centre aimed to assess the preventive effects on CMA symptoms of dietary intervention with prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic (mixture of both) supplements.
Knippels et al took 3 week old female mice and fed both a non-sensitised and whey sensitised group either a control diet or a prebiotic supplemented, probiotic supplemented or symbiotic supplemented diet. Dietary supplementation was started two weeks before sensitisation began. Mice in the whey sensitised group were sensitised with homogenised whey with cholera toxin as an adjuvant whilst the non sensitised mice received the cholera toxin alone. Following the study, mice were injected with whey in the ear to determine acute allergic skin response and anaphylaxis scores. Faeces were also collected after this intervention. Twenty four hours later mice were challenged again with whey, and blood samples were collected and analysed for immunoglobulin E (IgE – the predominant antibody associated with allergic response) and IgG2a (antibody specific to whey).
The researchers discovered that the acute allergic skin response as shown by the amount of ear swelling in the whey sensitised mice was lower for those in the pre and probiotic groups than the control group. The synbiotic group showed even less allergic skin response. Knippels et al state that the supplementation itself did not affect ear swelling in the non sensitised mice. In addition to these results the researchers state that the anaphylaxis scores for sensitised mice in the synbiotic group were lower than the sensitised mice fed the control diet but neither the pre or probiotic diet alone affected these scores.
In analysing the IgE and IgG2a levels in blood and faeces, the researchers found that the whey sensitised mice showed increased IgE levels compared to the non sensitised mice. They indicate that the dietary supplementation did not affect IgE levels across the sensitised mice but that sensitised mice in the supplementation groups showed enhanced whey specific IgG2a levels compared to the non sensitised mice. They note that the IgG2a levels in the sensitised mice on the control diet were not significantly enhanced compared to the non sensitised mice.
In conclusion Knippels et al indicate that while the preventative synbiotic and to a less extent probiotic and prebiotic dietary supplementation reduced the allergic skin response and anaphylaxis scores, the exact mechanism by which this occurs is not known. They suggest however that as mucosal mast cell degranulation was reduced particularly in the synbiotic diet group this may have altered mast cell function and so allergic/immune response. Finally Knippels et al state that synbiotics shows promise as a concept which maybe more effective in reducing allergic symptoms that either of its constituents alone.
RSSL's Product and Ingredient Innovation Division, has considerable experience in formulating products containing prebiotics and probiotics. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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The role of grapefruit flavanoid in prevention of diabetes and heart disease
An animal study conducted by Erin E Mulvihill and others of the Research Institute of Ontario, Canada, has shown evidence that a flavanoid found in grapefruit could have a role in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. This in turn may mean it could reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in those that are at risk. The study was recently published in Diabetes 10.2337/db09-0634.
Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a combination of risk factors for heart disease. These can include high blood pressure, obesity and impaired glucose metabolism (glucose intolerance). A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome means that the patient is also at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, particularly if they present with glucose intolerance. Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for developing both metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
The authors of the current study recognise that cases of metabolic syndrome are on the increase, as obesity and diabetes become commonplace in western society. From previous research, the team were aware of the potential for a flavanoid found in grapefruit to lower levels of certain types of fat in the blood. The flavanoid they were looking at was naringenin, which is responsible for the bitter taste of grapefruit and other citrus fruits. Based on this previous lab work, the team decided to conduct a study on live mice. The research suggested that the naringenin acted by preventing very low density lipoproteins being secreted by liver cells. This is a similar action to that of insulin.
The team first bred mice that were null for receptors for low density lipoproteins. The mice were then fed high fat diets, which led to them becoming obese and effectively developing metabolic syndrome-like symptoms. These mice were then split into four groups and each was fed a different diet. One was fed a normal diet, one a high fat diet and the remaining two were fed high fat diets supplemented with different levels of naringenin (1% and 3% concentrations).
The results after four weeks showed that when compared to the mice fed on high fat diets, those with added naringenin had better lipid metabolism and their livers had produced less lipids as insulin levels had been reduced. The liver cells also made less cholesterol. They showed improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.
The authors conclude that this is valuable research which should be followed up. Naringenin could prove an important therapy for metabolic syndrome. It is important to note that the levels required to have any beneficial effects would be more than can be obtained from a normal diet and concentrated supplement pills would need to be produced. Also the study only looked at the prevention of metabolic syndrome and not at the reduction of symptoms once they have been established. Further work is therefore required before any conclusions and human applications can be considered. (More information on NHS Choices)
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Liquid chitosan coating may prolong fish shelf life
A study published in Food Chemistry by researchers at Oregon State University has shown that dipping lingcod fillets into a protective film containing chitosan and enriched with fish oil may make them more nutritious and extend their shelf life.
Fish is highly susceptible to microbiological and chemical deterioration due to high water activity, high water content, neutral pH and large quantities of amino acids. Cold storage and freezing are often used for preservation but do not totally inhibit the deterioration of the fish. Chitosan is a cationic polysaccharide obtained from crustacean shells and this biopolymer is capable of forming films with wide antimicrobial activity. Previous studies have used chitosan containing films to preserve fish fillets where it has shown to reduce moisture loss, lipid oxidation and the growth of micro organisms. Chitosan is also effective at carrying other functional substances and the authors of this study indicate that addition of omega 3 fatty acids to chitosan films to improve fish quality had not previously been reported. Lingcod is a good source of protein but its fat content, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, is low.
Zhao et al created a chitosan film of 3% chitosan in a 1% acetic acid solution and added 10% fish oil containing 91% EPA and DHA. A variant containing 0.8% vitamin E was also created. Fish samples were filleted, dried and coated with one or other solution, then stored at 2oC for up to 3 weeks or stored at -20oC for up to 3 months. At baseline and 1,2 and 3 weeks for cold storage or baseline and 1,2 or 3 months for frozen storage the researchers measured pH, fish colour, moisture content, drip loss, total lipids, fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation and microbiological activity. Uncoated fish acted as the control.
Zhao et al discovered that the coating treatments reduced the pH of the fish compared to the uncoated samples in both cold and frozen storage, though pH generally increased slowly over time. They note that whilst there was considerable variation in colour between individual fillets the coating did not alter the colour compared to the uncoated fillets. While the coated fish showed lower moisture content than the uncoated fish before and during storage (though not significantly in the second and third weeks and months) drip loss on subsequent thawing was lower in the coated samples and so kept the thawed fish moister than the uncoated frozen samples. The researchers found that the fish oil in the coating appeared to be stable during both cold and frozen storage and that therefore the coating itself significantly increased the total lipid content of the fish samples (up to three fold). In addition the coating was shown to reduce lipid oxidation when compared to the uncoated fish although the authors note that the coating containing vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, did not appear to enhance the antioxidant effect further. Zhao et al note that this agrees with previous studies investigating chitosan coated herring, atlantic cod and pink salmon and suggest the coatings oxygen barrier properties may promote this effect. They state that chitosan may also chelate ferrous ions present in fish proteins, also preventing lipid oxidation. The coating significantly lowered microbiological plate counts in fish samples, again in agreement with previous studies. Zhao et al estimated the shelf life of the cold stored fish to be approximately 5 days whilst the coating extended the shelf life to 7 days.
In conclusion the authors indicate that their results show fish oil enriched chitosan coatings to be effective in extending shelf life and enhancing omega 3 fatty acid content of lean fish. They note the addition of vitamin E did not further enhance the antioxidant properties of the coatings and indicate that they intend to conduct a separate sensory study to evaluate the acceptance of treated fish fillets by consumers. (Summary in Eureka Alert)
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Multivitamin, vitamin C and vitamin E supplements and mortality risk
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has studied use of multivitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation in relation to risk of death and specifically death from CVD and cancer.
Multivitamin, vitamin C and vitamin E supplements are commonly taken in the United States. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants and may prevent oxidative damage in humans. Pocobelli et al indicate there is currently no clear evidence that use of multivitamins, vitamin C or E supplements delays mortality or reduces mortality from CVD and cancer. This study was designed to evaluate the association between intake of multivitamin and vitamin C and E supplements in the 10 years before baseline with risk of total mortality, CVD mortality and cancer mortality up to 5 years after baseline.
Data from this study was obtained from the Vitamins and Lifestyle study, a prospective cohort of men and women aged 50-76 from Washington State. Over 350,000 people were identified and ultimately 77,673 participants met criteria and were followed up. These participants completed a questionnaire on the duration, frequency and dose per day of supplements consumed during the 10 year period before the study commenced. Participants also completed a food frequency questionnaire to assess diet in the year before baseline. Pocobelli et al calculated a 10 year average frequency of multivitamin use (days/week) and a 10 year average dose per day of vitamin C and E (mg/day). Deaths were identified by Washington State death certificate system. Following the 5 years of follow up, analysis was performed on the data to ascertain relative risk of total death, deaths from CVD and cancer associated with supplement use. The authors state that a number of confounding factors were taken into account.
Pocobelli et al state that they found no association between the use of multivitamin and total mortality, this being consistent with previous studies. They found a decreased risk of total mortality with the highest use of vitamin C or vitamin E supplements. For risk of CVD mortality, the researchers found a slight decrease in risk associated with multivitamin use and a more pronounced decrease in risk with vitamin E use but no association with use of vitamin C supplements. For the risk of cancer mortality however, Pocobelli et al found no association between this and the use of multivitamins or vitamin E supplements, whilst use of vitamin C supplements was associated with a slightly decreased risk of cancer mortality.
The researchers note stronger inverse associations between total mortality risk and use of vitamin C and E amongst those with BMIs greater than 30, and lower fruit and vegetable intake. They say this is consistent with the hypothesis that the impact of these antioxidants maybe stronger in those with the highest levels of oxidative stress. They point out however that the inverse association between vitamin C and vitamin E use and total mortality is stronger amongst those who never smoked even though smoking is thought to increase oxidative stress. The authors indicate that while they adjusted for many factors, confounding by unknown or unmeasured factors and errors in self reported supplementation doses should be included amongst the limitations of the study.
In conclusion they note that many of their results agree with previous cohort studies in this area and that whilst the vitamin E supplement use and decreased risk of CVD mortality association was consistent with that seen in the Women’s Health Study randomised trial, other findings were small and should be interpreted cautiously. (Summary in Nutra Ingredients)
RSSL's Functional Ingredients Laboratory provides vitamin analysis in a wide range of matrices including drinks, fortified foods, pre-mixes and multi-vitamin tablets. Storage stability studies can be used to ensure that the required levels of vitamins are still available at the end of shelf life. 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
**Morrisons withdraws some frozen sweet and sour battered chicken
**Peanut butter and paste contaminated with aflatoxins
**Kestrel Foods recalls some sesame seed products
**From Ireland
**From Australia and New Zealand
**From the US
**European Rapid Alerts for week 29
**Links to recall web sites
**Recall web sites for halal and kosher foods
**Morrisons withdraws some frozen sweet and sour battered chicken
Morrisons has withdrawn some of its own-brand Sweet and Sour Battered Chicken, because there is a problem with the packaging on one batch of Chicken Chow Mein. This means that one date code of the Sweet and Sour Battered Chicken contains the Chicken Chow Mein, which contains sesame and soya, which are not mentioned on the product label. This makes the mislabelled Chicken Chow Mein a possible health risk for anyone who is allergic or sensitive to sesame or soya. The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert advising anyone with an allergy or sensitivity to sesame or soya not to eat this product.
**Peanut butter and paste contaminated with aflatoxins
Active brand peanut butter, Active brand groundnut paste and peanut butter made by Jesu Aka Ltd are contaminated with excessively high levels of aflatoxins. The Active brand groundnut paste is made from peanuts (peanuts are also known as groundnuts). The products are made in Ghana, and are generally sold in food stores that sell African and or African-Caribbean food. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Action advising local authority food law enforcement officers to remove these products from sale.
**Kestrel Foods recalls some sesame seed products
Kestrel Foods Ltd has recalled some Supervalu brand and Centra brand sesame seeds products in Northern Ireland, because of the presence of salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
**From Ireland
- Salmonella has been detected in a second batch of sesame seeds, supplied via the UK to the retail chains Centra, Supervalu, and Tesco Ireland. The batches are being withdrawn from sale by the supermarkets but consumers who may have already purchased the seeds should not eat the seeds, and should dispose of them or return them to the supermarket.
**From Australia and New Zealand
- Hubbards Yours Fruitfully Natural Muesli has been recalled as the product may contain traces of peanuts and almonds which are not identified on the package labelling.
- Cadbury is conducting a voluntary consumer level recall of Cadbury Old Gold Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa due to the possible presence of milk protein, which is not labelled on the packaging
**From the US
- Hiland-Roberts Ice Cream, Norfolk NE is voluntarily recalling sorbet products manufactured for Espo’s Cucina Dolce, Inc. because they contain undeclared milk.
- Sweet Superior Fruit LTD. Co. of McAllen, Texas, is recalling 104 crates of fresh cilantro (coriander) because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
**European Rapid Alerts for week 29
The results of rapid alerts for week 29 (up to 17/7/2009) are now available on the Europa web site.
**Links to recall web sites
For more information on UK product recalls visit the Food Standards Agency (FSA) web site. For US product recalls visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web sites. For information on product recalls in Australia and New Zealand visit the FSANZ web site, for Canada go to The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and for Ireland 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 subscribe (free of charge) to a 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.
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
**German Risk Assessment institute holds seminar on cadmium intake
**Infants infected with HIV by eating pre-chewed food
**Californian committee rejects BPA hazardous claims
**Asda wins high court battle over aspartame label wording
**Dubai restaurants told to improve standards
**India should seek ‘absolute transparency’ on GMOs
**Endosulfan still available to use in Australia
**Report criticises FSA over Irish pork dioxin incident
**Boy dies of suspected food poisoning in Dubai
**Korea - ice cream found to be contaminated with high levels of bacteria
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
**The Food Safety Network
**German Risk Assessment institute holds seminar on cadmium intake
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recently held a seminar on cadmium and food safety for representatives from the food and feed industry as well as those from consumer associations and the scientific and political spheres. BfR President Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel is quoted as saying that efforts are needed on all levels to reduce both the input of cadmium into the food chain and consumer exposure. The seminar follows the EFSA decision earlier this year to lower the lifelong tolerable weekly intake of the heavy metal from 7 µg/kg body weight to 2.5 µg/kg body weight. Cadmium ingestion over long periods can lead to kidney damage and it has been flagged as a human carcinogen. Offal, seafood, wild mushrooms and oilseed have the highest cadmium levels and it has been estimated that average consumption of all foods leads to nearly 58% of the new tolerable weekly intake. Some, with high consumption of vegetables and cereals, may have an intake of up to 94% of the tolerable intake through food consumption alone. The seminar concluded that the challenge to reduce cadmium levels in foods must be taken up by all stakeholders across Europe. (BfR)
**Infants infected with HIV by eating pre-chewed food
Scientist in the US say they have found that three infants became infected with HIV after eating food pre-chewed by their HIV-infected carers. The mothers of two of the three were also HIV infected but had not breastfed and mother-to-child transmission had been ruled out. The researchers had also ruled out other methods of infection and it became clear that the children had been fed food pre-chewed by HIV-infected adults on multiple occasions. Lead researcher Dr. Aditya H. Gaur said that while the practice of pre-chewing had been described in various countries, its extent is not well known. The team noted that this route of infection may explain some cases of ‘late’ transmission and that until it was better understood, they recommended against thee practice for those infected with HIV or at risk of HIV infection. (Reuters India)
**Californian committee rejects BPA hazardous claims
A scientific regulatory board in California has rejected calls to put bisphenol A on its list of chemicals believed to cause cancer, birth defects or other harm to reproduction. The seven members of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee did voice their concern over the research that linked BPA to abnormalities in animals but said that none of the studies they evaluated showed any clear evidence that damage to human health would be caused by the chemical. One member of the panel said the finding was not the final ruling on BPA in California and that it could be reviewed if more evidence became available. The Californian Senate last month ruled to ban BPA in baby bottles, toddler cups and food containers but the measure is expected to face strong opposition in the Assembly. (Food Quality News)
**Asda wins high court battle over aspartame label wording
Asda has won its battle in the High Court after a judge ruled that the wording of labelling on its own ‘Good For You’ brand, stating that the products contained “no hidden nasties; no artificial colours or flavours, no aspartame, and no hydrogenated vegetable oils” did not mean that aspartame was potentially harmful or unhealthy. The judge said the wording was trying to indicate that if a consumer thought that aspartame may be bad for you, or unpleasant to taste then the product would be for them. Ajinomoto, who manufacture the sweetener, launched the action in 2008 saying that they considered that the wording implies that aspartame is an especially harmful, or potentially harmful, unhealthy or potentially unhealthy, sweetener which consumers concerned for their own health would do well to avoid. The judge did not call into question the safety of aspartame, saying he has no reason to doubt its safety. Adsa welcomed the judgement but Ajinomoto are expected to appeal. (Food Quality News)
**Dubai restaurants told to improve standards
Following recent cases of food poisoning culminating in the deaths of two children, the Dubai Municipality is intensifying its efforts to monitor and inspect restaurants and other eating-places. It has advised many to improve their quality standards. The municipality recently promoted a food safety awareness campaign under the banner "Food Safety is our Priority". The Managing Director of a chain of restaurants is quoted as saying that the municipality has advised many restaurants to install new equipment, including chillers, to keep food at appropriate temperatures. He added however that at this time of recession, business is down by up to 30 per cent, that small and medium sized restaurants cannot afford to make any investments now and should be given time to improve. A spokesman for the Dubai Municipality said quality checks in restaurants had been intensified at present as part of measures undertaken every summer.. The municipality has also arranged a programme to teach students, being trained in the municipality's units during the summer, the basics of food safety during preparation and handling of food. (Emirates Business 24-7)
**India should seek ‘absolute transparency’ on GMOs
Gilles-Eric Seralini, a professor of molecular biology at the University of Caen in France, hit headlines in India early in 2009 when his analysis of data on the country’s first transgenic vegetable, the Bt brinjal, was presented to the Supreme Court. In an interview in Delhi last week when asked about GMO testing Seralini said that no government anywhere has asked a company to do more than 90-day testing on GMOs and it’s unbelievable that such tests are considered adequate for food. He congratulated India on making results of the Bt brinjal test public but said that the papers submitted by Mahcyo, the company producing Bt brinjal, raised serious concerns as they were not signed by the researchers who did the tests, that Bt brinjal has been modified to produce an unknown insecticide toxin and that the vegetable is resistant to at least one well-known antibiotics. In concluding, Seralini is quoted as saying that India should seek absolute transparency on GMO testing. He added that GMOs should be tested like drugs with full life-cycle tests on rats and other mammals. (Business Standard)
**Endosulfan still available to use in Australia
Although the Bayer company is expected to replace the toxic pesticide endosulfan with safer alternatives worldwide, the Australian federal government continues to maintain that the chemical is safe to be used on a wide range of crops. Endosulfan has been linked to reproductive and development problems in animals and humans and over 60 countries have banned its use. It is however, still approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and a spokesman was quoted as saying that they have no scientific evidence that the way it is used in Australia is causing any problems. A National Toxics Network spokeswoman, however, said that endosulfan is now banned in over 62 countries and it's high time Australia stopped trying to defend the indefensible. (Sydney Morning Herald)
**Report criticises FSA over Irish pork dioxin incident
The Food Standards Agency has been coming under criticism over its handling of last year’s Irish Pork dioxin incident. A report commissioned by the FSA itself found that 75% of industry ‘stakeholders’ said the information provided by the FSA was inadequate, ambiguous and/or late when the incident first started but that performance then improved as the incident continued. The report by crisis management consultants Steelhenge made recommendations that if acted upon, would help the FSA build on its “excellent foundations“. At the start of the incident, the report indicates that even the enforcement teams in Northern Ireland felt constrained in their ability to act quickly and while internal FSA procedures were also questioned, FSA staff were described as doing an “excellent job“. (Food Production Daily)
**Boy dies of suspected food poisoning in Dubai
A two-and-half year-old Dubai-based Indian boy has died in hospital from suspected food poisoning. According to the doctors the mother of the boy also need medical attention after consuming reheated home-made food. Police investigations have still not been made public by Dubai health authorities on the death of the D’Souza siblings’ case. The children died early last month. (Gulf News)
**Korea - ice cream found to be contaminated with high levels of bacteria
The Korea Times reports that according to Seoul city around a quarter of ice cream sold at restaurants and drink shops in Seoul is contaminated with high levels of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. 74 ice cream shops, fast food franchises, coffee houses and bakeries were inspected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Of the shops inspected who sold ice cream and ice, 18 sold product contaminated with more than the permitted levels of bacteria such as colon bacillus and staphylococcus aureus. The article states that ice, used mostly in ice coffee, 14 locations among 44 fast food franchises and coffee shops were found to be using contaminated ice. They also found that of the 24 bakeries and fast food chains inspected, 9 used bacteria contaminated shaved ice on topped fruits and red berries.
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
Regular global updates on food poisoning outbreaks and animal diseases, such as avian influenza, foot and mouth, Ebola, SARS, and Anthrax can be found on the International Society for Infectious Diseases ‘ProMED-mail’ web site.
**The Food Safety Network
The International Food Safety Network (iFSN) at Kansas State University provides research, commentary, policy evaluation and public information on food safety issues. An international repository of food safety-related information, FSN offers consumer, student and industry outreach services, information research, on-line resources, collaborative projects, evaluation and analysis, and a capacity to address current and emerging food safety concerns.
RSSL's scientists are able to assist food businesses to manage food safety issues more effectively. The laboratories have considerable experience in the detection and identification of foreign bodies, heavy metals, allergens, toxins and chemical residues. For more information on any of these services and RSSL's Emergency Response Service, please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Legislation headlines
**EFSA rejects four probiotic and prebiotic health claims
**More dialogue between food industry and policy makers
**EFSA rejects health claims
**Evaluative study on reactions to GM crops in Europe
**Entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
**Import licenses for poultry meat
**Export refunds on agricultural products
**Annual review of controls on imports of animal products
**Latest scientific documents and opinions from EFSA
**EFSA rejects four probiotic and prebiotic health claims
Nutraingredients.com (17/7/09) reports that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected three article 13.5 probiotic and prebiotic health claims and one article 14 claim linking prebiotics with a range of benefits from immunity to diarrhoea for failing to demonstrate causality. The claims rejected included one from Sunstar Suisse linking p Lactobacilllus reuteri-fortified, probiotic chewing gum and tablets and oral health and three prebiotic submissions from UK-based Clasado Limited.
**More dialogue between food industry and policy makers
A new government report has stated that more dialogue is needed between the food industry and policy makers to ensure future food security in the UK, and an increase in production. The chairman of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee (EFRA) states that if people go hungry then political stability goes out of the window. The report makes 138 recommendations, including more input from the food sector and reintroducing a student scheme that MAFF used to run, to encourage more people to develop skills to increase food production. The food industry has welcomed the reports. (Food Navigator)
**EFSA rejects health claims
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have investigated the health claims of 66 foods and ingredients and found that in many cases the science did not support the claims of the manufacturers. Cranberry juice, black tea, probiotic supplements and fish oil supplements are amongst the items whose claims are unproven according to the Authority. The findings are the initial results of the inquiry prompted by the EU’s regulation of 2006 that requires substantiation of health claims. A further 4,000 products are to be inspected and although the rulings have yet to be approved by the EU parliament, some manufacturers are expected to remove products from the process, either to lobby for rules to be relaxed before submitting amended applications or to prevent loss of sales which may occur if EFSA rejects claims. Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University is quoted as saying that this is a long overdue revolution in the food industry. He added that consumers have been bamboozled by unsubstantiated claims for too long. (The Times)
**Evaluative study on reactions to GM crops in Europe
To evaluate the legislative framework on genetically modified organisms, the Director General for Environment of the European Commission has launched an evaluative study, looking into reactions to GM crops in Europe. The stated aim of the project is to “assess how far the implementation of the legislative framework has achieved its objectives.” A range of stakeholders from governments, biotechnology companies, professional associations and civil society organization will be consulted to answer these questions. GHK will be conducting the questionnaire and have set up a website where organisation can register their interest to participate. (Food Navigator)
**Entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Commission Regulation (EC) No 627/2009 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
**Import licenses for poultry meat
Commission Regulation (EC) No 628/2009 of 16 July 2009 on the issuing of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of July 2009 under tariff quotas opened by Regulation (EC) No 616/2007 for poultry meat
**Export refunds on agricultural products
Commission Regulation (EC) No 612/2009 of 7 July 2009 on laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of export refunds on agricultural products (Recast)
**Annual review of controls on imports of animal products
Annual Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products 2008/09 latest figures show that the number of seizures of illegally imported animal products by all enforcement bodies (but mainly UKBA) between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 was 20,660, with a total weight of 191,937kg.
**Latest scientific documents and opinions from EFSA
Reasoned opinion of EFSA: Review of the existing MRLs for fenamiphos - Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 lays down that EFSA shall provide by 01 September 2009 a reasoned opinion on the review of the existing MRLs for fenamiphos as this active substance was included in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC before 02 September 2008. In order to collect the pesticide residues data supporting the existing MRLs for that active substance, EFSA asked The Netherlands, as the designated Rapporteur Member State, to complete the Pesticide Residues Overview File (PROFile). The completed PROFile was submitted to EFSA on 28 August 2008.
Application (Reference EFSA-GMO-CZ-2006-33) for the placing on the market of the insect-resistant and glyphosate-tolerant genetically modified maize MON 88017 x MON 810, for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto -. Based on results of the comparative analysis the EFSA GMO Panel concludes that maize MON 88017 x MON 810 is compositionally, phenotypically and agronomically equivalent to the non-genetically modified (GM) counterpart and conventional maize varieties, except for the presence of Cry3Bb1, CP4 EPSPS and Cry1Ab proteins in maize MON 88017 x MON 810. Based on the assessment of data available, including the additional information provided by the applicant in response to the EFSA GMO Panel’s requests for maize MON 88017 x MON 810, for the single events and for appropriate non-GM controls, the EFSA GMO Panel has found no indication that crossing of MON 88017 with MON 810 maize results in an interaction between the single events which causes compositional or agronomic changes. The Cry3Bb1 and CP4 EPSPS proteins expressed in the parental maize line MON 88017, and the Cry1Ab protein expressed in the parental maize MON 810 have been assessed previously and no safety concerns were identified. Given all the information provided, the EFSA GMO Panel concludes that interactions between the single events that might impact on food and feed safety are unlikely. EFSA GMO Panel concludes that maize MON 88017 x MON 810 is unlikely to have any adverse effect on human or animal health or on the environment in the context of its intended uses.
Application (Reference EFSA-GMO-UK-2005-11) for the placing on the market of insect-resistant genetically modified maize MIR604 event, for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Syngenta Seeds S.A.S on behalf of Syngenta Crop Protection AG - In conclusion, the EFSA GMO Panel considers that the information available for maize MIR604 addresses the scientific comments raised by Member States and that maize MIR604 is as safe as its conventional counterpart with respect to potential effects on human and animal health or the environment. Therefore the EFSA GMO Panel concludes that maize MIR604 is unlikely to have any adverse effect on human or animal health or on the environment in the context of its intended uses.
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Other headlines
**Chemicals found in fruit and vegetables offer dementia hope
**Asian Spice could reduce breast cancer risk in women exposed to HRT
**Study finds Spanish consumers will pay more for nutritional panels
**Water footprint information should be stated on a food products label
**Food calorie count maybe in inaccurate by 25%
**FSA Chairman calls for supermarkets to help fight obesity
**Onion juice converted to electricity
**Memory impairment in rats fed high levels of fructose
**Advert should not be aired when children are likely to be listening
**‘Metallic’ pine nut mystery stumps food analysts
**Find ‘could cut allergy deaths’
**Chemicals found in fruit and vegetables offer dementia hope
According to Dr Williams of Kings College London, a group of chemicals commonly found in many fruits and vegetables may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is still much work to be done, the evidence that certain flavonoids found in plants and food derived from plants such as tea, cocoa and red wine could benefit sufferers of the disorder which affects an estimated 15-20 million people worldwide is growing. Recent studies suggest that oral administration of green tea flavonoids and grape flavonoids reduce brain pathology and can improve cognition in some cases. (Science Daily)
**Asian Spice could reduce breast cancer risk in women exposed to HRT
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that curcumin, derived from turmeric root, could reduce the cancer risk for women after exposure to hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy, often used as a treatment for symptoms of the menopause has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer by increasing production of VEGF which helps supply blood to the tumors. Conversely, the research indicates that curcumin could block the production of this molecule and therefore inhibit tumor growth. Further work is needed but the evidence suggests that further testing of curcumin as a dietary chemopreventative agent should be pursued. (Science Daily)
**Study finds Spanish consumers will pay more for nutritional panels
A study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference has found that Spanish consumers are willing to pay more for products that carry a nutritional panel on the packaging compared to those that make a ‘light’ claim, which is most commonly used in Spain. The study by Gracia et al aimed to assess how consumers value the different approach on food packages whilst shopping. The article in Food Quality News states that the researchers did not dismiss ‘light’ claims altogether, but concluded that “there is room for both types of nutritional labels given that they are shown as important determinants in consumers’ food choices”.
**Water footprint information should be stated on a food products label
Two health and food lobby groups have stated in a report that food products should carry 'water footprint' information, which will allow consumer to see how much water is used in manufacturing food and drink products. The article in the Guardian quotes the report's co-author Tom MacMillan saying that "Public awareness of water scarcity remains low. In the UK, citizens are rarely exposed to the direct effects of severe water shortage and cannot readily see the links between their purchases and water shortage in other countries. Water use is not reflected in the price of the final product." Meat and Diary products are the most water intensive, followed by higher value crops such a sugar and vegetables.
**Food calorie count maybe in inaccurate by 25%
An article reported in the New Scientist and summarised in the Daily Mail indicates that calorie counts on labels could by inaccurate by up to 25 per cent. Currently a food's calorie count is based on tables first put together more than 100 years ago by an agricultural chemist called Wilbur Olin Atwater. Dr Geoffrey Livesey, an independent nutritionist who used to work for the Medical Research Council's human nutrition research unit has come up with a different way of calculating the number of calories. According to his calculation, fat has 8.7 calories per gram (not 9) and carbohydrates 3.8 (not 4), and protein 3.2 (not 4). Livesey states that depending on the food being eaten, your body could be getting far more or less calories than it is actually consuming. The Daily Mail state that one of the main criticisms of the way we calculate calories is that our bodies chew and mechanically break down food - we do not incinerate it in the way Atwater did in his experiments. According to Livesey, this is one reason why the calculation for calories method is 'demonstrably flawed, and may be regarded at best as an approximate value'.
**FSA Chairman calls for supermarkets to help fight obesity
Dame Deirdre Hutton, the soon-to-retire chairman of the Food Standards Agency has called on supermarkets to stop selling high-calorie snacks to aid the fight against obesity. The call comes as the FSA prepares new targets for the reduction of calories and saturated fat in cakes, pastries, biscuits, chocolate bars and fizzy soft drinks. Dame Deirdre has also championed labels on the front of packs designed to identify unhealthy foods but this as caused clashes with the industry and a number of leading manufacturers are opposed. Speaking in an interview with The Times, Dame Deirdre said that the industry has already moved its position on labels and is quoted as saying that they have recognised that they are part of the solution, and they need to play ball, and they are. (The Times)
**Onion juice converted to electricity
Gills Onions, a fresh onion processor in the United States, are converting onion juice to provide electricity. According to the article on the Reuters website the new system uses the juice to produce methane gas and the system is creating enough power for 460 homes. The company expects to get 35 to 40 percent of its electricity from the on-site generator. The onion grower now aims to be a zero-waste facility by 2011.
**Memory impairment in rats fed high levels of fructose
A study by researchers from the Georgia State University has found that rats fed on a diet where fructose represented 60% of calories per day had impaired spatial memory. The study involved placing rats in a pool of water to test their ability to find a submerged platform which allowed them to get out of the water. The rats were then placed back in the pool with no platform to see if the rats swam to the platform’s location. The rats were fed higher levels of fructose than what humans consume, but the amount of fructose in the human diet is increasing. One of the researchers is quoted as saying that the bottom line is that we were meant to have an apple a day as our source of fructose and now, we have fructose in almost everything. Moderation is key, as well as exercise. (Science Daily)
**Advert should not be aired when children are likely to be listening
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld 21 complaints against a sexually suggestive radio adverts for Mattesons smoked sausages which asked listeners where they would like to “stick it”. According to the BBC the ASA agreed with Kerry Foods that the adverts were meant to be light hearted and were unlikely to cause offense. Although the ASA thought the adverts were not appropriate for older children and should not have been aired when children were likely to be listening.
**‘Metallic’ pine nut mystery stumps food analysts
The Food Standards Agency is investigating reports of a lingering metallic taste in the mouth of people who have eaten pine nuts, sometimes lasting as long as two weeks. First reported in Belgium in 2001, the problem has arisen in recent months in the UK and elsewhere. No chemical difference has been found between affected and unaffected nut batches and the FSA does not regard the problem as a food safety issue. It expects the task of finding the underlying problem to be tricky given the lack of information available and is inviting people who have experienced the problem to contact them with details of the pine nuts consumed and how long they had the metallic taste for.
**Find ‘could cut allergy deaths’
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can lead to cardiac arrest and death. A team of Glasgow University researchers have identified a molecule, IL-33, which amplifies allergic reactions. They looked at a number of patients who had experienced anaphylaxis during surgery and found that they had high levels of the molecule IL-33 and that the severity of the shock is related to the level of IL-33 in the system. Using a mouse model, they showed that blocking the molecule reduces the severity of the attack. They hope that this discovery could lead to a huge reaction in the number of fatal anaphylactic shock cases. (BBC)
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This Newsletter was posted on: 22 July 2009
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