EFSA finds flavouring substance safety concern
17-May-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that a flavouring compound used to give a burnt, nutty flavour to confectionery, baked goods and some savoury products is a safety concern for human health.
EU urges protected origin status for more African, Caribbean and Pacific foods
16-May-2013 - The European Commission has urged increased global use of its PGI (protected geographical indication) system to increase trade in foods from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, while encouraging sustainable production practices.
Major European retailers urge support of Brazilian non-GM soy
15-May-2013 - Major retailers from five European countries have urged greater support of non-GM soy production in Brazil, as increased demand for genetically modified (GM) soy from China risks diminishing non-GM supply.
FSA pumps £500,000 into food safety funding
14-May-2013 - The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has injected £500,000 into funding food safety, authenticity and traceability research in collaboration with the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).
EC proposes reduced legislation in wake of horse meat crisis
07-May-2013 - The European Commission has proposed reduced legislation and tougher fines among a raft of measures to protect against food fraud in light of the recent horse meat scandal.
Most consumers don't know what EFSA is, experts find
06-May-2013 - Almost no German consumers know about the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), or understand the role it has in the approval of health claims for functional food products, according to experts.
UK government rejects “inadequate response” claims in horse meat crisis
02-May-2013 - The UK government has rejected a suggestion that the response to the horse meat crisis was inadequate, insisting it was “swift and effective” with co-operation throughout Europe.
EU pesticide vote: Europe imposes ban on bee-harming chemical
29-Apr-2013 - EU Member States have voted in favour of continent-wide suspension of neonicotinoid pesticides that have been linked to bee deaths.
EFSA completes aspartame consultation, says it needs to ‘better explain’ risk assessment
10-Apr-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has finished its consultation on the safety of aspartame with a public meeting held on Tuesday with representatives of national food safety authorities, EU institutions, consumer groups, NGOs, academia and the food industry.
Phosphate study prompts EC request for safety reassessment
04-Apr-2013 - The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to reassess the safety of phosphates as food additives, after researchers suggested excessive phosphate consumption could be damaging to health.
EFSA draws up priority list for food additive re-evaluation
02-Apr-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has called on food and drink manufacturers for information on the use of food additives, prioritising data on 15 colours and antioxidants for the end of July.
‘Together the industry can see the whole picture’: DNV expert calls on industry to share supplier info
21-Mar-2013 - Better sharing of information between rival food companies could save time and money and improve food safety and quality across the industry, says Stefano Crea, global manager of food and beverage at DNV Business Assurance.
A food safety success story: Three crazy guys with a big idea
13-Mar-2013 - The case of one company’s journey from ‘appalling’ food safety to third party certification provided a refreshingly honest view on the effect major companies can have on food safety – even for the smallest start-ups – at the GFSI conference in Barcelona last week.
Rapid microbiology has a big part to play in addressing foodborne disease
12-Mar-2013 - Rapid microbiology has a big part to play in addressing the speed that foodborne diseases spread across the world, according to bioMérieux.
‘Think like a criminal’ to beat food fraud, says Danone expert
11-Mar-2013 - The issue of food fraud has traditionally taken a backseat to wider food safety threats – but Europe’s horse meat scandal has underlined the threat it poses to food businesses, according to Danone’s corporate quality projects director Petra Wissenburg.
‘If your company fails, we all fail’: Cargill food safety exec
08-Mar-2013 - Greater cooperation on food safety throughout the supply chain to preserve company reputations was a major theme at this year’s GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) conference, wrapping up in Barcelona on Friday.
Scotland seeks to define scope of independent food authority
05-Mar-2013 - The shape of a new Scottish food body is set to be sketched out following a consultation period opened last week on the responsibilities and functions of an authority separate from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
EFSA revises downward ADI for synthetic blue colour
04-Mar-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revised downward the acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for synthetic food dye Patent Blue V (E 131) in light of the latest available data.
Horsemeat found in products from Taco Bell, Birds Eye and Brakes
04-Mar-2013 - The latest Food Standards Agency (FSA) tests have revealed four beef products sold by Bird’s Eye, fast food outlet Taco Bell and foodservice firm Brakes contained horsemeat above the 1% threshold.
Horse meat: health officials reassure as bute carcasses sent to France – again
15-Feb-2013 - Health officials in England and Scotland have rushed to re-assure the public after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed yesterday (February 14) that six horse carcasses containing the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, or bute, may have entered the food chain in France.