Anti-cancer benefits of fruit and veg similar to aspirin
Professor Peter Elwood from the University of Cardiff has worked with experts from the Universities of Ulster, Aberdeen, Wales and the Welsh Aspirin Group to review the evidence that both aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid) and natural salicylates in fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices may reduce cancer risk. Their conclusions appear in The Lancet.
According to the authors, the idea that aspirin could protect against cancer initially arose from the observation in the late 1960s that aspirin reduced tumour metastases in rats with thrombocytopenia (reduced platelet count). Aspirin works by preventing the production of prostaglandins. Because prostaglandins are involved in so many different body functions, aspirin can have many different types of effect on the body, both positive and negative. Further rat studies showed that certain prostaglandins were raised in rat colorectal tumour tissue. It was suggested that this effect was mediated through the inhibition of the enzyme, cyclooxygenase (COX). Results from the Melbourne Colorectal Cancer Study, published in 1988, were the first to show a possible effect on human cancer. Evidence of an inverse association between the incidence of various types of cancer and the use of aspirin and various other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has since been supported by numerous epidemiological and animal studies, and by research into natural salicylates in plants. To gain conclusive evidence for an association between aspirin and cancer, randomised, controlled clinical trials would be needed. However, the authors point out that the risk of vascular events and cancer increase with age and denial of vascular benefits to participants in the control group in any cancer-reduction trial would probably be judged unethical. Therefore, data on aspirin for the current review has been gathered from studies in which cancer reduction was not the primary outcome measured.
Various salicylates are found in plants and the actions of salicylic acid have been well characterised. In most unstressed plants salicylic acid concentration is around 0.05 μg/g, but this can rise to 4 - 8 μg/g at the site of infection in plants challenged by pathogens. Concentrations of salicylates are further raised during heating and cooling, so that modern agricultural practices which “environmentally cosset” plants tend to lead to lower levels of salicylates. On this basis, organic practices tend to lead to plants which are higher in salicylates. Some herbs and spices are particularly rich in salicylates, which could account for international differences in cancer incidence. In plants, say Elwood et al., the hypersensitive response to pathogens has striking similarities to mammalian apoptosis. Research has consistently shown an inverse relationship between cancer risk and plant consumption, although neither the biological mechanisms nor the components which offer this chemoprotective effect are fully understood. To be protective, plant salicylates would need to be absorbed by the body in substantial quantities and the concentration in Western diets is probably too low to affect disease risk. However, serum and urinary concentrations of salicylates in vegetarians are greater than those in omnivores, and overlap with those in people taking low-dose aspirin.
One obvious target for the action of aspirin and natural salicylates is COX-2, since this is an enzyme which is strongly and rapidly induced in response to mediators of inflammation, growth factors, cytokines and endotoxins and is involved in cell proliferation and tumour promotion. Mounting evidence suggests that the ability of cells to resist apoptosis (programmed cell death) is characteristic of all types of cancer, so the pro-apoptotic affects of aspirin and salicylates could be mediated through inhibition of COX-2. Aspirin might also affect the DNA mismatch-repair system, which is designed to protect against the accumulation of mutations and the development of neoplasia during DNA replication at cell division. Salicylic acid might also inhibit tumour cell proliferation by inhibiting mitochondrial calcium uptake, reduce DNA damage, inhibit phenolsulphotransferase (a carcinogen activator), or interfere with angiogenesis (development of blood supply) through an prostaglandin-independent mechanism. (The Lancet, articles in press).
See also: Food e-News Edition 420 (14/01/09) which featured work by Dr Gwen Baxter from Dumfries and Galloway Hospital in Scotland and investigated whether salicylic acid in the human body came from consuming fruit and vegetables or if humans actually produce salicylic acid as an agent to fight inflammation.
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Lupin allergy update
An international research collaboration of Dutch and US scientists has concluded that people sensitised to peanuts also frequently demonstrate an allergy to lupin. It was also noted that pea and soy allergies are commonplace in people with peanut allergies. Like peanuts, lupin is a member of the legume family and has been regarded as a novel food since 1996. Lupin contributes to the fibre and protein content of foods, also to textural properties especially in baked products. In recent years the use of lupin in food has increased most notably in continental Europe. In France, for instance, lupin is used as a replacement for genetically modified soy.
The study, reported in the journal Allergy (2009, 64: 549-555
), investigated the occurrence of lupin sensitisation in people with a known peanut allergy and parallels were drawn with respect to the occurrence of pea and soy allergies. It was designed to determine the eliciting dose (ED) for lupin by means of a double-blind trial involving skin-prick testing of 39 peanut-sensitised adults. Results indicated that amongst the peanut sensitised adults under examination, 82% were sensitised to lupin, with 55% and 87% also showing sensitivity to pea and soy, respectively. A spokesperson for the researchers stated that a response indicating sensitisation does not necessarily mean an allergic response will occur upon contact with the allergen. Nevertheless, it was reported that an allergic response to food, referred to as “clinically relevant sensitisation” occurred in 35%, 29% and 33% of the population under examination to lupin, pea and soy, respectively.
The ED of lupin (0.5mg) was found to produce only mild symptoms with no observed effect at 0.1mg. EU labelling regulations require the declaration of common allergenic foods and ingredients such as peanut on food labels; lupin has been on this list since December 2006. It was noted that none of the study participants were aware of the use of lupin as a food ingredient. Better education is therefore required to raise awareness of the use of lupin in foods and of lupin allergy, in order for this labelling to have greater significance.
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, kiwi, fish, molluscs and crustacean allergens can also be detected by DNA methods. The laboratory also uses a range of UKAS accredited immunological procedures for the detection of allergens including gluten, peanut, hazelnut, almonds, soya, egg, milk, sesame and histamine. Distillation and titration methods are used for the determination of sulphur dioxide and sulphites. Ion-chromatography and gas chromatography are used for the determination of lactose. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com.
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Liquid calorie consumption linked to weight gain
A trial at Bloomberg School’s Department of International Health raises an interesting question as to whether calorie intake from solid foods leads to a lower weight gain than calories taken in from liquid foods. Since it is predicted that 75% of US adults will be overweight or obese by 2015, answering this question has some public health significance.
Data for the research was collected from 810 adults aged 25 – 79 years old who were participants in the PREMIER trial led by Professor Benjamin Caballero, supported by colleagues from several other US academic institutions. It is noted that PREMIER was a completed, 18-month multicentre, randomised trial designed to test the blood pressure lowering effects of lifestyle changes in a group of people with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension. Measurements of weight, height and 24-hour dietary recall were made at the start of the study and after 6 and 18 months. Dietary intake was measured by conducting unannounced 24-hour dietary recall interviews by telephone. The main objectives were to determine how changes in liquid calorie intake affect bodyweight, whether liquid calories were more obesogenic than solid calories, and how changes in consumption of specific beverages affect adult body weight. The beverages particularly investigated were sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), diet drinks sweetened with artificial sweeteners, 4 types of milk of varying fat contents, 100% fruit and vegetable juices, coffee and tea (with sugar, CTS) and coffee and tea without sugar (CT). Intakes of beer, wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages were also recorded.
Results showed that only sugar-sweetened beverages were significantly associated with weight change at both the 6-month and 18-month follow-up periods. Changes in the consumption of diet drinks and alcoholic beverages were inversely associated with weight loss, but not with statistical significance. A reduction in liquid calorie intake of 100 kcal/day was associated with a weight loss of 0.25 kg at 6 months and 0.24 kg at 18 months. For sugar-sweetened beverages, a reduction of 1 serving/day was associated with a weight loss of 0.49 kg at 6 months and 0.56 kg at 18 months. A reduction in liquid calorie intake had a more marked effect on weight loss than did a reduction in solid calorie intake.
It is suggested that the poor satiety properties of calories taken in as liquids mean that people do not recognise that they have consumed extra calories and take action by reducing energy intake from other dietary sources. Instead, they simply add more. Furthermore, the absence of mastication when beverages are consumed may result in decreased pancreatic exocrine and endocrine responses compared with solid food ingestion. Also, beverages are emptied from the stomach at a higher rate than solid foods and may induce weaker signals in the gastrointestinal tract, such that further food intake is not inhibited.
The authors conclude that the results of their study support policy recommendations and public health efforts to reduce the intake of liquid calories, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, in the general population.(Summary in TalkMedical.com 07/04/09). Full text in Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2009, 89: 1-8)
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High maternal vitamin E intake may damage fetal heart
Despite some limitations acknowledged in the study, a research team based at several institutions in the Netherlands has found evidence that a high maternal intake of vitamin E from the diet or dietary supplements is associated with a higher incidence of congenital heart defects (CHD) in the offspring.
The data came from the Dutch HAVEN study (a Dutch acronym for Heart Defects, Vascular Status, Genetic Factors and Nutrition) in which there were 276 cases of mothers with a child who was suffering from a CHD and 324 control mothers with healthy offspring. At 16 months after the birth, food frequency questionnaires were completed by the mothers giving details of their food intake for the previous 4 weeks. Risk estimates for the association between CHD and dietary intake of vitamin E (as α-tocopherol equivalents) and retinol (a form of vitamin A) were estimated in a multivariable logistic regression model. All the mothers also completed a more general questionnaire on lifestyle factors and demographic data referring to two different time periods. Since folic acid is taken by pregnant women to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, the questionnaires explicitly distinguished between folic acid supplements and multivitamin supplements containing vitamin E and retinol.
CHD case mothers showed a significantly higher dietary vitamin E intake than control mothers - 12.6 mg/day compared with 13.3 mg/day. Median vitamin E intakes, for cases and controls, were well above the Dutch recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 9.3 mg/day. Eighty nine (32%) of the case mothers had total vitamin E intakes of above 14.9 mg/day. Results demonstrated that if the mother was in the highest quartile of vitamin E intake, the risk of an infant suffering from CHD was nine times greater than for an infant with a mother in the lowest quartile, particularly if the mother had a high vitamin E intake around the time of conception. None of the risk estimates for high dietary retinol intake was statistically significant.
Evaluation of the study at NHS Choices – Behind the Headlines, agrees with the authors that further research is needed into whether high amounts of vitamin E in the diet during pregnancy do, indeed, increase the risk of congenital heart defects in newborn infants. Vitamin E is important to human health and is found naturally in numerous foods including nuts, avocado and olive oil. At the present time it says it may be sensible to advise pregnant women that they need not be overly concerned by vitamin E within foods, but that it might be advisable to avoid taking vitamin E supplements. (Smedts et al. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2009, 116 (3): 416 – 423.
RSSL's Lipids Laboratory has considerable expertise in all aspects of fat analysis and fatty acid profiling and can analyse for both tocopherols and tocotrienols (forms of vitamin E). To evaluate the healthy fats in your product please contact Customer Services on 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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ARS study on caffeine in dietary supplements and herbals
Dietary supplements may contain surprising levels of caffeine, according to scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), who analysed a number of caffeine-containing products purchased from supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandisers, health/natural food outlets, fitness clubs and direct marketers in 2004 – 2005.
In the United States, there is no legal requirement to state the amount of caffeine present in a food, beverage or supplement on the product label. However, if caffeine is added in a pure form, then the word caffeine must appear in the label’s ingredient list. In the European Union, including the UK, drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre have to be labelled as having a “high caffeine content” followed by the caffeine content expressed in mg/100 mL. Tea and coffee are exempt from this ruling provided the name of the drink makes it clear that the product is or has been made from coffee or tea. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) also has a legal requirement for an advisory label on a kola beverages if it contains added caffeine, and on any food which contains guarana or guarana extract. According to the USDA’s Nutrient Data laboratory (NDL), one 8 ounce cup of coffee (240 ml) contains about 95 mg of caffeine (almost 400 mg/litre).
The study formed the initial step in the development of an analytically validated US Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database. The 53 products analysed were sports-nutrition and weight-loss supplements as well as some vitamin and mineral products which also contained a wide range of botanicals. They were sold as tablets, caplets or capsules. The botanicals included guarana, yerba mate, kola nut and green tea extract, all of which contain caffeine. While most consumers are probably aware that foods and beverages like coffee, tea, cola and chocolate contain caffeine, they may not know that some dietary supplement ingredients contain caffeine. Label instructions for the various products tested directed consumers to take a specified number of tablets per serving and per day. Results are therefore presented as mg of caffeine/day for all 53 products analysed. One product containing guarana, kola nut, yerba mate and green tea offered an amazing 828.71 mg/day of caffeine. Several other supplements containing these ingredients also provided 500 – 750 mg/day of caffeine. Expressed per tablet or caplet, the supplements analysed contained from 0.07 – 307 mg of caffeine/tablet. Of the 28 products tested which voluntarily gave the amount of caffeine on the label, 25 contained caffeine levels within 20% of the label amount. For the remaining three products, the percentage difference between the label amount and the amount determined analytically was, -56%, +24% and +73%.
Note: This analytical work on dietary supplements was featured in the April 2009 issue of the ARS Magazine, but was originally published in 2007 in the Journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (389 (1): 231-239. doi:10.1007/s00216-007-1437-2, free access ).
RSSL’s Functional Ingredients Laboratory can quantify caffeine in foods and beverages. For more information please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Grapefruit increases the risk of blood clot from contraceptive pill
A report in The Lancet medical journal describes the case of a 42 year old female patient who presented at a hospital emergency department in Washington State, US. Her symptoms were shortness of breath, light-headedness and difficulty in walking. Prior to that, the she had been in a 1.5 hour car journey, after which she felt pain in her lower back and left buttock radiating down to the ankle. The next morning she entered the emergency department with a discoloured and swollen left leg. Background information about the patient revealed a combination of medications including contraceptive pills and a recently started aggressive weight-loss diet consisting of grapefruit, consumed every morning, after rarely eating the fruit previously.
The doctors involved in the treatment of the patient pointed out that although the consumption of grapefruit in her new diet was a contributing factor to the development of the thrombosis, several other risk factors were present prior to her grapefruit consumption, that could have lead to the acute venous thombosis. Grande et al. suggest that in order for thrombosis to occur a triad of primary ailments, known as May-Thurner syndrome must occur. These consist of stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. The patient in this case most likely incurred stasis as result of her already stenosed iliac vein worsened by the flexion of her hip during the 1.5 hour car journey. The hypercoagulation was probably caused by a combination of the new diet, the possession of the factor V Leiden gene mutation and oestrogen contraceptive use.
Previous studies by Bailey and colleagues (1998) on grapefruit juice drug interactions showed that it can increase the bioavailability of ethinylestradiol (a component of the patient’s oral contraceptive) through the inhibition of the drug metabolising hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme, expressed in the wall of the small bowel. In this case, the authors state that grapefruit has an effective half-life of 12 hours, causing a cumulative effect of daily grapefruit juice consumption as seen in the patient. Consequently, a significant reduction in the enzyme in the bowel resulted in an increase in peak drug concentration of up to six times, as described by Bailey et al. Commenting on the case report in BBC Health News, Dr Trevor Baglin, a consultant haematologist at Addenbrooke's NHS Trust in Cambridge is quoted as saying that from this case study it appeared as if the grapefruit enhanced the thrombotic effect of the contraceptive pill in the presence of a genetic predisposition to develop blood clots. However, he also said that this was a single case study and a very unusual case at that. (List of drugs affected by grapefruit given on Wikipedia).
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Broccoli may prevent stomach cancer by defeating Helicobacter pylori
Broccoli sprouts, a widely available human food, have the capacity to suppress Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infections according to a report in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. H.pylori infections are one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide and are a major cause of stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic bacterium that inhabits various areas of the stomach and duodenum. It causes a chronic low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and is strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.
The cancer protective effects of sulforaphane, a phytochemical from broccoli, have been known for almost two decades, but this is the first study to show an effect of broccoli in humans on the bacterial infection that leads to stomach cancer. The isothiocyanate, sulforaphane (SF), is abundant in broccoli sprouts in the form of glucoraphanin. Sulforaphane is an anticancer, antidiabetic and antimicrobial compound that can be obtained by eating cruciferous vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts and watercress. The enzyme myrosinase transforms glucoraphanin (a glucosinolate) into sulforaphane upon damage to the plant (such as from chewing). The young sprouts of broccoli and cauliflower are particularly rich in glucoraphanin.
SF is powerfully anti-bacterial against H. pylori infections, which are strongly associated with the worldwide pandemic of gastric cancer. In this study, researchers enrolled 48 Helicobacter-infected Japanese men and women and randomly assigned them to eat 70 grams of fresh broccoli sprouts daily for eight weeks or an equivalent amount of alfalfa sprouts. The researchers assessed the severity of H.pylori infection at enrolment, and again at four and eight weeks using standard breath, serum and stool tests. H.pylori levels were significantly lower at eight weeks on all three measures among those patients who had eaten broccoli sprouts, while they remained the same for patients who had eaten alfalfa sprouts.
In other studies, a daily intake of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts for 2 months reduced H.pylori colonization in mice and improved the sequelae (a pathological condition resulting from a disease, injury, or other trauma) of infection in infected mice and in humans.
Broccoli has recently entered the public awareness as a preventative dietary agent. According to the researchers, the study supports the emerging evidence that broccoli sprouts may be able to prevent cancer in humans as well as in laboratory animals. A reduction in H.pylori would be expected to lead to a reduction in stomach cancer due to their well-established cause-and-effect link. (Summary in Eurekalert.org (06/04/09); full text in Cancer Prevention Research, 2009, 2 (4):353-60).
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Product recalls and alerts
**Asda recalls two sizes of its ultra light mayonnaise
**Mars recalls sauces due to copper wire
**From Australia and New Zealand
**From Canada
**From the US
**European Rapid Alerts for week 14
**Links to recall web sites
**Recall web sites for halal and kosher foods
**Asda recalls two sizes of its ultra light mayonnaise
Asda has recalled a batch of its Ultra Light Mayonnaise 500ml and Ultra Light Squeezy Mayonnaise 450ml, due to possible contamination with traces of metal. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
**Mars recalls sauces due to copper wire
Mars Food UK Ltd has recalled certain batches of sauce products, because they might be contaminated with traces of metal thought to be small pieces of copper wire. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
**From Australia and New Zealand
- Heinz Australia is undertaking a precautionary recall of Heinz Dijon Mustard Sauce with a Hint of Orange. A small batch of this product was incorrectly labelled and consequently does not declare the presence of egg and milk.
**From Canada
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning people with sensitivities or allergies to wheat proteins not to consume certain gluten or wheat free organic brown and white rice buns or breads made by Harvest Bakery because these products contain wheat that is not declared.
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Chocolat Laurentide Inc. are warning people with allergies to egg protein not to consume certain chocolate Easter figurines. The affected products contain egg protein which is not declared on the label.
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to milk, sesame seeds, soy and almonds not to consume various food products from Korea. The affected products contain milk, sesame seeds, soy and almonds which are not declared on the label.
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada Safeway are warning the public not to consume certain Safeway lean ground beef described below because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
**From the US
- Union International Food Co. is further expanding the recall of Lian How brand and Uncle Chen brand dry spices to include all types of dry spice products in 15-pound and smaller containers (boxes, plastic bags & wide mouth jars) and 30-pound boxes and smaller packages of crushed chilli because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
- Stonyfield Farm is conducting a voluntary recall of Fat Free Plain Quarts in Stonyfield Farm branded containers limited to specific dates. The products are being recalled because they may contain a presence of food grade sanitizer.
- Lawrence's Delights, Atlanta, Ga is recalling its 2 oz walnut Baklava because it may contain undeclared peanuts.
- Union International Food Co. of Union City, CA is recalling 15-pound. and smaller size packages of the Lian How brand dry spices and Uncle Chen brand black pepper (whole and ground) in 5oz. retail containers, Uncle Chen white pepper (whole and ground) in 5oz. retail containers and 5 pound plastic bags and the Uncle Chen brand Wasabi powder in 2.2 pound foil bags, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public to a voluntary recall by Union International Food Company (Union City, Calif.) of the company’s dry spice products. The recall is based on an investigation of an ongoing foodborne illness outbreak of Salmonella Rissen.
- EDS Wrap and Roll Foods LLC., a Haywood, Calif., firm, is recalling approximately 12,460 pounds of frozen chicken egg roll products because they contain black pepper spice products that may be linked to a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis.
- Perk-Up, Inc., a New York corporation having a principal executive office in White Plains, NY, is recalling 114,540 pounds of chicken base products that were ineligible for import into the U.S.
**Pistachios and Salmonella contamination
See the FDA Website for recalls linked to Salmonella associated with pistachios supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc.
**FDA detects Listeria Strubs Norwegian Style Steelhead Salmon
The US Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to eat Strubs Norwegian Style Sliced Smoked Steelhead Salmon in 300 gram packages because of potential contamination with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death. Distributed by West Side Foods Inc. of Bronx, N.Y., the smoked steelhead salmon was imported from Canada, and 13 cartons were sold to three kosher retail stores in New York and Maryland. The Strubs brand Norwegian Style Sliced Smoked Steelhead Salmon was distributed in cartons containing vacuum-packed 300 gram packages bearing UPC code 0 71217 69997 4, registration number “0609”, and stickers with a code date of 03MA09. There is no production date on the individual packages. There are 24 individual-300 gram packages per carton. The FDA urges consumers who have purchased the Strubs product to dispose of the product in a safe manner and wash their hands thoroughly after handling the product. FDA press release (07/04/09).
**European Rapid Alerts for week 14
The results of rapid alerts for week 14 (up to 3/04/2009) 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
**Glass now found in Finnish foods
**Black Nightshade found in NZ peas
**Food Poisoning blamed for 1-0 defeat
**Rojak Food Poisoning outbreak in Singapore: worst since 2007
**Child dies, 19 hospitalised after eating chapattis
**Enhanced Nisin antibiotics may help treat resistant pathogens and food diseases
**EFSA opinion on smoked flavourings published
**Perchlorate found in infant formula
**FSANZ factsheet on egg safety
**FSA to update information on mycotoxins
**FSAI report on trans fatty acids in fast food
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
**The Food Safety Network
**Glass now found in Finnish foods
Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA) has received reports from different parts of Finland concerning pieces of glass hidden in a range of processed foods. The agency said that there was no common denominator and at this stage they were not sure if glass was definitely involved in all cases. This Finnish alert after a large number of foods were withdrawn from shelves in Sweden after shards of glass had been found, again in a variety of products. A spokesperson for EVIRA said that there was no cause for alarm in Finland at this stage, that nothing suggested affected products from Sweden had reached Finland and that EVIRA believe the glass in Finnish foods are isolated incidents. (Helsingin Sanomat)
**Black Nightshade found in NZ peas
Toxic Black Nightshade has been found in at least six bags of frozen peas and corn mix according to a New Zealand news channel. In one incident, the peas were served to two young children but luckily, none were eaten. One consumer indicated that the company involved claimed the black nightshade was a common agricultural weed and nothing to worry about. Black Nightshade, unlike Deadly Nightshade, is not fatal but if a child or baby consumes just a handful it can cause a severe reaction, including fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Further incidents have now caused the New Zealand food safety authority to investigate Talley’s, the company responsible. A NZ Food Safety Authority spokesperson said that larger proportions of contamination are now being reported and so it appears Talley’s systems are less in control than they thought. (3 News NZ)
**Food Poisoning blamed for 1-0 defeat
Football officials in South Korea say that North Korea’s claim that their footballers were poisoned before losing a World Cup qualifier is groundless. Officials say that the North Korea team stayed at a hotel of their choosing and that all food had been checked out by their team doctor. Three players fell ill before the game and North Korea officials asked for a postponement. FIFA however ordered the game to go ahead and the North lost 1-0. This result puts South Korea top of the Asian Group B table. North Korea said the food poisoning was the product of a deliberate act of food adulteration. (AFP)
**Rojak Food Poisoning outbreak in Singapore: worst since 2007
Health Ministry officials in Singapore have stepped up investigations in to the Geylang Serai temporary market following a food poisoning outbreak linked to Indian rojak (usually a mixture of fried seafood, egg and gravy) that has killed one woman, put another in a coma and hospitalised 27 other people. In total, more than 110 customers of the Rojak Geylang Serai stall have fallen ill. One woman is also believed to have miscarried due to eating the infected food. Officials have checked other stalls at the centre but found nothing. The rojak stall however will remain closed until investigations are complete. This outbreak is understood to be the worst mass food poisoning outbreak in the country since 2007 when 150 people became ill after eating contaminated Prima Deli cakes. (Channel News Asia, GMA News)
**Child dies, 19 hospitalised after eating chapattis
A 12 year-old child has died and 19 other people have been hospitalised after eating chapattis near Jaisalmer in the Indian state of Rajasthan. According to local police, farmers and their families became ill after eating lunch. Their condition deteriorated and the next morning officials were informed. Doctors from district HQ have been drafted in to help and food samples have been collected and sent for examination. (Times of India).
**Enhanced nisin antibiotics may help treat resistant pathogens and food diseases
Scientists at University College Cork have created a new range of natural antibiotics by altering some of the amino acids in nisin, an antimicrobial protein produced naturally by a bacterium called Lactococcus lactis. Different alterations created a range of variants each with greater activity, than the base molecule, against a range of important pathogens including MRSA and Listeria monocytogenes. The resistance of some pathogens to antibiotics has become a serious threat to public health and these new antibiotics may prove to be acceptable alternatives to those antimicrobials currently available. Nisin itself is FDA approved, is used as a natural bio-preservative in heat-treated and low-pH foods and is the active ingredient in a number of treatments for bovine mastitis. The use of the new bioengineered compounds against Listeria is significant as this is amongst the most naturally nisin-resistant bacteria. (Science Daily)
**EFSA opinion on smoked flavourings published
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its opinion on smoked flavouring products. The Agency’s CEF panel indicated that use of Smoke Concentrate 809045 did not raise concern. The panel did however express concern over the use of Unismoke and Zesti Smoke Code 10, based on estimates of exposure for all such flavourings used in the EU. These exposure estimates are based on proposed uses and use levels supplied by the manufacturers. The panel concluded that there were insufficient safety margins between the estimated exposure of these two products and the levels which may cause health concerns. No concern for the three products regarding damage to genetic material of cells was raised. Studies have shown that Unismoke and Zesti Smoke Code 10 caused adverse health effects in rats above certain intake levels. Smoke Concentrate 809045 however caused no such adverse effects in rats at the highest levels tested. (EFSA)
**Perchlorate found in infant formula
Scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Center for Environmental Health tested 15 brands of infant formulas and found all were contaminated with perchlorate, a chemical that is thought to interfere with brain development. Perchlorate is soluble and has contaminated waste water and hence soil and water supplies. It has been found in fruit, vegetables and dairy products in contaminated regions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a daily reference dose for perchlorate of 0.7μg/kg/day. The researchers indicate that in some instances, contamination of the formulas was above this limit. They also state that for more than half the products, this limit could be exceeded when the product was reconstituted with water contaminated with perchlorate at 4μg/l or more. The US infant formula industry claims the levels detected are “far below” safe reference values established by the EPA. (Food Quality News)
**FSANZ factsheet on egg safety
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recently conducted a consumer survey into the consumption of uncooked eggs, lightly cooked eggs and foods that contain eggs as an ingredient. FSANZ collected information on the level of egg consumption among Australian consumers, how eggs are cooked and behavioural information on how consumers store and prepare eggs. The findings of this survey are currently being analysed and will assist in developing and implementing a new egg standard. FSANZ is planning to release a Draft Assessment Report in late 2009. This report is the second step in the standard development process for the Primary Production and Processing Standard for Eggs and Egg Products. The report will contain the draft standard and a regulatory impact statement of how the introduction of a new standard could affect industry, government and consumers. Attached to this report will also be the complete scientific risk assessment, an analysis of the survey work and full responses to submissions received following the call for public comments in the Initial Assessment Report.
**FSA to update information on mycotoxins
The Food Standards Agency plans to update and expand the mycotoxins content on food.gov.uk in order to address the needs of its stakeholders. This will bring together all the current information to a common area and may include information on the legislation that covers mycotoxins, FSA & EU guidance, research contacted by the FSA, answers to frequently asked questions, general information and relevant contact details. If you have any comments, suggestions or requests in regard to this work or the future mycotoxins content of the site please send these to mycotoxins@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk by 20 April 2009. The contact for information on mycotoxins at the Food Standards Agency is Jonathan Briggs, Food Protection Division, Food Standards Agency, Tel: 020 7276 8716
**FSAI report on trans fatty acids in fast food
The Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI) has outlined results of a survey of 150 samples of fast food that were collected from 12 fast food restaurants to determine their fat content and fatty acid composition, including trans-fatty acids (TFAs). The survey looked at a cross section of fast food products including chips, burgers, chicken nuggets, desserts, pizza and battered products such as fish. Results indicated that levels of TFAs in the majority of the products surveyed are low. (Also discussed at Flex-News.com)
**Animal diseases updates and food poisoning outbreaks
Regular global updates on food poisoning outbreaks and animal diseases, such as avian influenza, foot and mouth, Ebola, SARS, and Anthrax can be found on the International Society for Infectious Diseases ‘ProMED-mail’ web site.
**The Food Safety Network
The International Food Safety Network (iFSN) at Kansas State University provides research, commentary, policy evaluation and public information on food safety issues. An international repository of food safety-related information, FSN offers consumer, student and industry outreach services, information research, on-line resources, collaborative projects, evaluation and analysis, and a capacity to address current and emerging food safety concerns.
RSSL's scientists are able to assist food businesses to manage food safety issues more effectively. The laboratories have considerable experience in the detection and identification of foreign bodies, heavy metals, allergens, toxins and chemical residues. For more information on any of these services and RSSL's Emergency Response Service, please contact Customer Services on Freefone 0800 243482 or e-mail enquiries@rssl.com
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Legislation headlines
**High selenium yeast given GRAS status by FDA
**Korea proposes ban on food colours in children’s products
**EC steps up controls on emerging contaminants
**FSANZ news – Autumn 2009
**New speciality products covered by PDOs and PGIs
**Fruit and vegetables for school fruit scheme
**Illegal yellow colour in spices
**FDA Serves Warrant for Inspection of Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc
**High selenium yeast given GRAS status by FDA
The US Food and Drug Administration has said that it has no objections to a type of high selenium yeast acquiring GRAS (generally recognised as safe) status. The SelenoExcell is a 100% organically bound high selenium yeast standardised with the US National Cancer Institute, which Cypress Systems Inc., claims has been proven in clinical trials to reduce cancer of the lung, colon and prostate. (Flex-News.com 01/04/09)
**Korea proposes ban on food colours in children’s products
From 1 January 2010, Korea’s Food and Drug Administration plans to ban the use of certain colourings in foods commonly eaten by children, including sweets, chocolates and soft drinks. The colours are Fast Green FCF, Erythrosine, Allura Red, Brilliant Blue FCF, Indigocarmine, Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF, New Occine (Ponceau 4R) and the equivalent aluminium lakes. More details in Flex-News.com (01/04/09).
**EC steps up controls on emerging contaminants
The European Commission has announced plans to tighten import controls on a number of foods in an attempt to combat known or emerging risks of contamination. The foods concerned are generally those which feature frequently in inspection reports from the Food & Veterinary Office (FVO) or in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. The initial list includes:
* Basmati rice for direct human consumption from both India and Pakistan;
* Peanuts from a host of nations including Argentina, Brazil, Ghana and India;
* Bananas from the Dominican Republic;
* Chilli, chilli products curcuma and palm oil for human consumption from “all third countries”;
* A number of spices shipped from India – capsicum, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric;
* Vegetables – fresh, chilled or frozen (peppers, courgettes and tomatoes) from Thailand.
Under the proposal, the products would only be allowed to enter the EU through designated points of entry, which must comply with the minimum stipulated requirements related to logistics, staff, access to an appropriate laboratory and capacity. An EC official said that these have not yet been identified, with responsibility for this task falling to individual member states. The enhanced control mechanism means there will three types of checks for the designated products - document, identity and physical inspections. More details and parts of the draft Commission regulation are given at Flex-News.com.
**FSANZ news – Autumn 2009
Amongst the topics covered by the Autumn edition of Food Standards News from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) are: New technologies in food processing; Australian food businesses urged to update their food recall plans; Health advisory labels on alcoholic beverages update; FSANZ seeks comment on Nutrition, Health and Related Claims consultation paper; FSANZ reviews trans fatty acid levels in food; and FSANZ Board considers infant foods labelling changes.
**New speciality products covered by PDOs and PGIs
Commission Regulation (EC) No 286/2009 of 7 April 2009 entering certain names in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Melva de Andalucía (PGI), Caballa de Andalucía (PGI), Ovos Moles de Aveiro (PGI), Castagna di Vallerano (PDO)).
**Fruit and vegetables for school fruit scheme
Commission Regulation (EC) No 288/2009 of 7 April 2009 laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards Community aid for supplying fruit and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetables and banana products to children in educational establishments, in the framework of a School Fruit Scheme.
**Illegal yellow colour in spices
Flex-News.com reports that an illegal colour, Methyl Yellow (Butter Yellow, Colour Index No. 11020) has been found in various curry spice products by the major European supermarket chains Intermarché and Delhaize. Sold under the Cigalou brand the curry is understood to have been distributed to French and Belgian Intermarché shops. The Belgian spice company, International Spice and Food Import, based in Braine l’Alleud has also recalled Madras curry powder after finding methyl yellow.
**FDA Serves Warrant for Inspection of Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc
At the request of the US. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals today executed an inspection warrant at Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc. (Westco/Westcott), an Irvington, N.J.-based company. Westco/Westcott did not provide access to distribution documents and declined to recall products after an FDA request. Regulated companies are required by law to grant FDA entry for inspection, as well as provide access to distribution records. The FDA does not have authority to compel companies to recall food products, such as peanuts.
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Other headlines (08/04/09)
**FSA reports that caterers and restaurants will display calories on menus
**Third of under-three children eat a takeaway a week
**Adding walnuts to a healthy diet
**Exaggerated claim on pomegranate poster
**Nanotechnology – does size really matter?
**Soil Association report on organic market in 2009
**Coffee before gym cuts the pain but not the gain!
**FSA reports that caterers and restaurants will display calories on menus
The Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo and the Food Standards Agency have announced that from the end of April 2009 eighteen major food and catering chains including Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut and Waitrose cafes will be displaying the calorie content of most of their products. The information will be printed in clearly visible locations including menu boards, paper menus and the edge of shelves, with the intention of providing the consumer with the nutritional information required to make an informed choice in food when eating out. It is hoped that the scheme, which is set to include 450 food outlets across the country by June, will be a step towards tackling and reducing the growing problem of obesity in the population
**Third of under-three children eat a takeaway a week
Almost a third of all children under three will consumer at least one takeaway meal a week and a fifth will be eating convenience or takeaway on a daily basis according to a survey carried out by the Infant and Toddler Forum which is funded by the food company Nutricia. Up to a fifth of nine to twelve month old babies are also likely to consume one such meal a week and items such as fizzy drinks, crisps and sweets are commonly used as bribes or rewards by parents. The Food Standards Agency has set an advisory level of 1 g of salt/day for children under one, but this amount could be contained in one large portion of fries from a takeaway it is highly likely that those eating such a diet are consuming levels of salt and fat which are highly unsuitable for children of this age. A new website called Little People's Plates, has been launched in an attempt to better advise parents on a healthy diet for young children. (The Guardian 05/04/09).
**Adding walnuts to a healthy diet
A study carried out by researchers with the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Aging (HNRCA) has suggested that adding seven to nine walnuts a day to a healthy diet may help to improve the motor and behavioural skills of older people. The animal model study found that a diet containing 2 or 6% walnuts appeared to combat the reduction in neural functioning which usually occurs as a brain ages. However, a higher percentage of 9%, could be detrimental to reference memory. These effects are believed to stem from the polyphenols and bioactive substances contained in walnuts. Such substances, according to researchers, can affect neural tissue in multiple ways - both positively and negatively - and whilst adding moderate intake to the diet can be beneficial, further increase could have the opposite effect. (ARS Magazine 31/03/09).
**Exaggerated claim on pomegranate poster
A poster for POM Wonderful showed a bottle of the product with a severed noose around its neck. The text stated "Cheat death. The antioxidant power of pomegranate juice". Complainants challenged whether the advert, and particularly the claim "Cheat death", misleadingly exaggerated the health benefits likely to be achieved by drinking the product. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) noted POM Wonderful's argument that the claim "Cheat death" was an impossible exaggeration and an obvious untruth about the results consumers were likely to achieve from drinking POM Wonderful pomegranate juice. However, the ASA stated that the ad must not appear again in its current form.
**Nanotechnology – does size really matter?
This is the title of an afternoon workshop to be jointly hosted in London on Thursday 30 April 2009 by the SCI, the British section of the IFT and the South Eastern branch of the IFST. The full programme of topics and speakers for this event can be accessed from the SCI web site.
**Soil Association report on organic market in 2009
An article in The Guardian suggests that the economic downturn is having a damaging effect on the market for organic foods. After 15 years of rapid growth, sales of organic foods are down in real terms, according to the first authoritative examination of the market for two years. A 72-page report from the Soil Association shows that overall, organic sales have risen 1.7%, to a little over £2.1bn. But last year was a time of massive food price rises, and to stay in step with overall food price inflation organic sales would have had to increase in value by at least 6%. In the decade to 2006, organic sales rose more than 20% each year. Supermarkets have now taken an even larger share of organic sales (now over 70%) and the amount of land devoted to organic fruit, flowers and herbs has dropped by more than 20% since 2006. Around 90% of organic fruit is now imported. On the plus side, farmers' markets are doing well with organic sales through them up 23.7%.
**Coffee before gym cuts the pain but not the gain!
Professor Robert Motl from the University of Illinois, US, has shown that cup of coffee drunk before a visit to the gym can help cut the pain of exercise. The results come from a study in which 24 fit young men took either caffeine tablets or a placebo before undertaking a session of intense cycling. Caffeine ingestion resulted in a statistically significant, moderate reduction in quadriceps muscle-pain intensity during the exercise. The study was published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (IJSNEM 19(2), April 2009) a peer-reviewed medical journal. It is discussed in NHS News, where the small number of subjects and their high level fitness are factors which the NHS say could limit the study’s relevance for a person of average fitness. It also points out that it is potentially harmful to take anything to mask pain during exercise, since pain is a signal that the exercise is too strenuous.
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This Newsletter was posted on:8 April 2009
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