Mobile device enables easier food allergen testing
A simpler way to detect allergens in food samples has been devised with the launch of a new device for mobile phones developed by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Archives for December 13, 2012
Monster CEO savages Wiley-style ‘frenzy’ of attacks on energy drinks
Monster Beverage Corporation CEO Rodney Sacks has faced down critics of energy drinks and his firm, and said attacks mirrored those on mounted on Coca-Cola and addressed to a ‘gullible public’ a century ago.
Brazil moves to reassure over BSE
Brazilian agriculture officials have offered reassurances over the safety of Brazilian beef, following confirmation of the country’s first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
Expensive taste? Barry Callebaut defends hefty $950m Petra Foods deal
Market analysts have branded Barry Callebaut’s $950 million takeover of Petra Foods' cocoa division ‘pricey’, but the Swiss chocolate giant has defended the move despite admitting it will hurt its pockets in the short-term.
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. facing nearly $100,000 fines
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has been cited by the US Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for exposing workers to hazardous chemicals.
US welfare group points to horse consumption danger
Horse meat from animals exported from North America could potentially pose a risk to human health, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Attorney on ‘all-natural’ lawsuit vs Monster Bev Corp: 'I think most people would look at this and think it’s getting crazy'
A lawsuit alleging that Hansen’s Diet Sodas with ‘all natural flavors’ are misbranded because they contain artificial sweeteners, highlights the lengths to which opportunistic plaintiffs’ attorneys are now going to try and cash in on the legal ambiguity...
Gourmet fruit range targets artisan chocolatiers and bakers
Taura Natural Ingredients has developed a range of natural concentrated fruit pieces to specifically target and cater to the needs of artisan chocolatiers and bakers.
Taxing junk food could improve diets, review finds
Taxes on soft drinks and foods high in saturated fat and subsidies for fruits and vegetables could improve diets and overall health, according to a new review from New Zealand researchers.
UK food industry trebles apprenticeships
The UK food industry has trebled the number of apprenticeships across the country since August last year, smashing its original target to double apprenticeships by the end of 2012.
Consultancy reaches out to Latin American companies on FSMA requirements
Evidence is growing that many overseas facilities may fail to meet the Dec. 31 Food Safety Modernization Act food facility re-registration deadline. A new consultancy based in Miami aims to help by offering online information in both Spanish and Portuguese.
FDA grants grace period on FSMA re-registrations
FDA announced on Thursday, Dec. 13 that it has in effect granted a month-long grace period for food facility re-registrations required under the Food Saftey Modernization Act (FSMA).
ANALYST INSIGHT
Suntory UK focus after $6bn IPO could see it snaffle Barr Britvic: Analyst
With rumors swirling that Japanese giant Suntory is considering a $6bn IPO next year, one analyst reasons that any desire to enter the UK market could see it target Barr Britvic Soft Drinks.
Special Edition: Fibre
From bakery to beverage: Are ‘high fibre’ claims diversifying?
‘High fibre’ claims are traditionally the realm of bakery products, but has recent growing demand for fibre by consumers resulted in a shift away from bread-based products?
Risk assessment report aims to strengthen food system
A risk assessment report delivered to the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) should enhance trust and the wider food system, according to the working group that put it together.
Comment
Greenpeace gone too far with GM Golden Rice scandal
“Human guinea pigs”, “gambling with health” and “shadowy research project”—the terms came thick and fast in Greenpeace’s revelation about Golden Rice earlier this year.
Newcastle disease strikes Nicaraguan chicken flock
An outbreak of Newcastle disease virus has been reported in a flock of chickens in Nicaragua.
Hershey backs industry-wide sustainability standards
The Hershey Company has joined the advisory council of a new non-profit organization – the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) - that aims to develop industry-wide standards on sustainability.
Ex BPI employee sues Jamie Oliver and ABC News for ‘reckless’ reporting on lean finely textured beef
Former Beef Products Inc. employee Bruce Smith has filed a lawsuit against Jamie Oliver; ABC News; two ABC news anchors Diane Sawyer and Jim Avila; and blogger Bettina Siegel; alleging that they “willfully” made false statements about lean finely...
South-east Asia in brief
New labelling from Nestlé, China buying more Vietnamese rice
A round-up of the big stories coming from South-east Asia.
Mixed bag of predictions in NZ’s latest trade report
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industry has revealed that the country’s food industry is feeling the pinch as a result of the adverse global economic situation, even though favourable climatic conditions have been a boon to production.