Meat, fish and savoury ingredients

EFSA issues guidance on GM animal risk assessment

23-May-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued guidance on how to evaluate the introduction of genetically modified (GM) animals in the European Union.

Omega-3 sausages: German researchers develop method to tackle oxidation

21-May-2013 - Fraunhofer researchers in Germany have come up with a new method of adding omega-3 fatty acids to sausages, to allow German consumers to continue eating their favourite foods, but with the main nutritional benefit of fish.

EU ministers agree on fisheries policy reform

16-May-2013 - European fisheries ministers have agreed on an overhaul of the Common Fisheries Policy, with the hope that it will end decades of arguing over fishing quotas and help rebuild fish stocks.

About 2 billion people already routinely eat insects, the FAO says

FAO touts edible insects as ‘valuable sources of nutrition’

15-May-2013 - Insects could play a vital role in food security in the coming decades – but disgust remains a barrier for consumers in many Western countries, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The retailers have said they support continued, and even expanded, production of non-GM soy in Brazil

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.

Minimising meat and dairy consumption is an 'obvious way' to cut agricultural emissions, says Worldwatch

'No clear pathway' to climate-friendly livestock production: Worldwatch

14-May-2013 - Annual global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and livestock have increased 13% since 1990 as food production has increased - with the majority coming from livestock, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute.

The proposal includes more unannounced inspections of food facilities

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.

Horse meat was first found in burgers

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.

Abrange claims that the shortage is temporary and due to a lack of berths for mooring ships in Brazil

UK retailers ‘misled’ about tight non-GM feed supply, say suppliers

19-Apr-2013 - UK retailers have been misled about tight supply of non-genetically modified (GM) feed, which led them to reverse requirements for GM-free poultry feed, according to the Brazilian Association of Non-GMO Grain Producers (Abrange).

FSA agrees to external review of horse meat handling

FSA agrees to external review into horse meat scandal

18-Apr-2013 - The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has agreed to an external review in response to the adulteration of processed beef products with horse and pig meat and DNA.

Lasagne was one of the products found to contain horse instead of beef

Horse meat: FSA considers review while EU reveals test results

17-Apr-2013 - The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is considering commissioning an external review of its response to the horse meat crisis at a board meeting today (Wednesday).

Much of the missing 50,000t of meat, possibly contaminated with horse, is thought to have been eaten. Don't miss our free webinar on the lessons to be learned from the horsemeat crisis. More details at the end of this article

Meat supply chain has ‘shocking blind spots’ after 50kt goes missing

12-Apr-2013 - The European meat supply chain still contains “shocking blind spots”, said a supply chain management firm, after the Dutch authorities revealed 50,000t of meat supplied by two Dutch meat traders may have contained horsemeat.

The ingredient boasts sodium chloride, potassium chloride and flavour in every grain

Givaudan and AkzoNobel partner on salt reduction

12-Apr-2013 - AkzoNobel Salt Specialties has partnered with Givaudan to produce a one-to-one salt replacer for up to 40% salt reduction in processed meat.

Photo copyright didbygraham/flickr

ASDA finds bute in corned beef

10-Apr-2013 - UK retail giant Asda has recalled a range of its ‘smart price’ corned beef after it was found to contain phenylbutazone (or bute).

Meat eaters produce gut bacteria to metabolise carnitine, while vegans produce much less

Red meat and heart disease: L-carnitine linked to increased risk

09-Apr-2013 - High intakes of red meat repeatedly have been linked to heart disease, but new research suggests that along with saturated fat and certain preservatives, l-carnitine is another red meat constituent that may contribute to cardiovascular risk.

Only about 8% of plant proteins have been explored as potential meat alternatives, says Gates

Bill Gates: Food industry innovation crucial for health and food security

08-Apr-2013 - Our approach to food is ripe for reinvention – and the food industry is just at the beginning of what it can achieve through innovation, according to Microsoft mogul and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.

The locusts of the sea?

‘Prawns are basically locusts that live in the sea’: Could psychology drive sustainable choices?

05-Apr-2013 - An understanding of psychology could help persuade people to make more sustainable dietary choices – and even steer their preferences, according to Dr Andrew Bodey, analyst at sustainability consultancy Best Foot Forward.

Natural seasoning can prevent charred-meat carcinogens

26-Mar-2013 - A new study has found that natural seasonings like cinnamon, pineapple and green tea can significantly reduce the formation of cancer causing substances in well cooked meats. 

Horse meat: Latest FSA tests reported

Five samples disputed in latest horse meat tests

26-Mar-2013 - Five samples that tested positive for horse or pig DNA above the Food Standards Agency (FSA)’s threshold have been challenged, according to the latest survey results.

Lasagne is one product that horse meat has been found in

Horse meat mislabelled as diced beef sold in UK

25-Mar-2013 - Forty kilograms of horse meat labelled as diced beef has been sold in Preston and Liverpool, according to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).