CMi

11/9/2010 -

Food Manufacturing E-bulletin May 2010

Food Safety News
A spotlight on the hottest topics for the food manufacturing sector

May 2010

In This Month's Edition..

1. Cancer reduction from fruit & veg not as strong as commonly thought
2. Revised EC import control measures on Indian guar gum
3. EFSA issues advice on Q Fever
4. Norovirus infections are largely unreported
5. EFSA assess possible allergenic reactions from fish parasites
6. EFSA cuts melamine TDI by 60%
7. AOAC guidance on harmonisation of food allergen testing standards
8. EFSA issues food safety risk advice following Icelandic volcano eruption
9. BMJ calls for UK industrial trans-fats ban
10. BRC publishes Retailers' Commitment to Health
11. BSDA launches high caffeine code of practice for soft drinks
12. UK FSA Food and Allergy Alerts (April '10)

If you have any queries or comments about these articles please contact Jon Adams - Business Development Manager - Manufacturing on 07801 039 026, email jonathan.adams@nsf-cmi.com

1. Cancer reduction from fruit & veg not as strong as commonly thought
An 8 year study of Western European dietary data by U.S. researchers from more than 400,000 people has found that the relationship between high consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of cancer is not as strong as commonly thought.
In 1990, the World Health Organization recommended eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day to prevent cancer and other diseases. However, although many studies have been conducted since then, none have been able to confirm an association between fruit and vegetable intake and cancer resistance.
Researchers did find a small protective effect, but it was considered smaller than previously thought. An increase of 200g a day of fruits and vegetables resulted in a reduction of about 3% of cancer risk. Vegetable consumption by itself also afforded a modest benefit but was restricted to women. Heavy drinkers who ate many fruits and vegetables had a somewhat reduced risk, but only for cancers caused by smoking and alcohol.
However, authorities have been quick to emphasise that eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial for health in general and the results of this study do not justify changing current recommendations aiming at increasing intake of these foods.
Free editorial available at: http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/djq098

2. Revised EC import control measures on Indian guar gum
In summer '07, dioxin contamination was discovered in Indian guar gum, a thickening agent (E412). Although there was no immediate risk to health, a wide range of processed foods were withdrawn from sale across Europe.
The high dioxin levels were linked to contamination with pentachlorophenol (PCP), a fungicide banned from use in food and feed. Visits by inspectors from the European Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) in Oct '07 and again in Oct '09 found that, whilst there has been no further contamination, improvement actions are still ongoing.
In order to prevent a repeat of the '07 incident, the EC has decided that all consignments of guar gum imported into Europe from India should be subject to analytical and health certification controls to ensure the absence of PCP.
The new controls are effective from 15 Apr 2010 and implement Regulation (EU) No.258/2010
More info. at: http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/imports/banned_restricted/guargumindia

3. EFSA issues advice on Q Fever
Following a significant increase of human cases of Q fever in the Netherlands, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has provided scientific advice on this animal disease which can also be transmitted to humans.[1] The opinion addresses the significance of Q fever in animals and humans, different risk factors involved in the occurrence and spread of the disease, and the effectiveness of possible control measures at the EU level.
EFSA’s advice states that infection with Coxiella burnetii, the bacterium which causes Q fever, is widespread in cattle, sheep, and goats in the EU. Several factors can affect the spread of the infection between these animals, but the overall impact on their health is limited as they rarely develop the disease itself. The opinion suggests that a combination of measures could be used to control Q fever in the long-term and short-term, with preventive vaccination of animals considered to be the most effective long-term option.

More info at:
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/ahaw100511.htm

4. Norovirus infections are largely unreported
Foodborne viral infections including Norovirus continue to go largely unreported, with cases far more widespread than official figures indicate, it has emerged.
Norovirus, also known as 'winter vomiting sickness', whilst commonly associated with oysters that have been contaminated with sewage, can also be commonly passed on through other foodstuffs and by infected food handlers.
It is probably the most common viral infection, said Dr David Brown of the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Virus Reference Department, addressing the FSA's Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) indicating that there could be as many as 100,000 unreported foodborne infections each year, of which 70% may be Norovirus.
More info at: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/committee/acm978viralinfections.pdf

5. EFSA assess possible allergenic reactions from fish parasites
EFSA has recently assessed food safety concerns resulting from possible allergic reactions to parasites in a range of fish products and assessed methods to reduce risks of infection. The BIOHAZ Panel has concluded that the only parasite in fish products for human consumption likely to cause allergic reactions is Anisakis, a parasitic worm whose larvae can be found in fish flesh.
Whilst advising on the effectiveness of freezing and heating treatments to kill or inactivate the larvae, they have advised that allergic reactions are most likely to occur only when a person eats fish infected with live larvae.
For fish caught in the wild no sea fishing areas can be considered free of Anisakis larvae, whilst for farmed fish (data only available for Atlantic salmon) risk is negligible.
However, the report recognises that more work is required to identify the nature and geographic spread of allergy cases across the EU.
More info at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/scdoc/1543.htm

6. EFSA cuts melamine TDI by 60%
The presence of melamine in food has become a significant food safety issue in recent years following a slew of incidents of food and animal feed adulterated with the chemical e.g. Chinese dairy products.
EFSA's recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) for melamine has been cut by 60% (reduced to 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight from its previous level of 0.5 mg/kg b.w.) after new research suggests the chemical may pose health (kidney) risks at lower levels than previously thought.
This brings EFSA's limit in line with that of the World Health Organisation (WHO) delivered in 2008.
Whilst exposure to melamine in the EU through foodstuffs is considered "generally below the TDI", EFSA lowered the limit because low levels of melamine could also migrate from melaware food contact materials - such as plastic cups and dishes - as a further source of exposure.
They have stressed that this does not mean that those exceeding the new or previous TDI would necessarily suffer adverse health affects because of the "significant safety margin".
More info at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/contam100413.htm

7. AOAC guidance on harmonisation of food allergen testing standards
New guidance, drawn up by analytical standards body AOAC International, seeks to harmonise the validation of commercially available ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays) allergen testing kits, widely used in food industry laboratories and by official bodies to detect and quantify allergens in foods.
The guidance defines a minimum standard for test kits so that food manufacturers can have greater confidence that the results they are getting will be consistent with those from their customers and/or regulatory bodies.
This has been particularly problematic for companies supplying 'free-from' products, some of which have had products recalled after they tested positive for gluten and dairy derivatives during random sampling by customers - whereas their own tests had suggested that the products in question were free from these allergens.
In the current absence of legal thresholds for the unintentional presence of allergens such as milk, peanuts and egg, many UK food manufacturers have worked to unofficial limits or used the threshold-based Australian VITAL scheme as a guide when trying to validate cleaning regimes or test product samples for allergens.
The AOAC guidance has been published in the March/April issue of the Journal of AOAC International as part of a special section on food allergen testing; papers can be viewed at:
http://www.atypon-link.com/AOAC/toc/jaoi/93/2

8. EFSA issues food safety risk advice following Icelandic volcano eruption
Following a request from the EC, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued scientific advice on the possible short-term risks from fluoride in ash for food and feed safety, including drinking water, in the wake of the eruption of the Icelandic volcano on 14 Apr.
EFSA concludes that, based on available information, the potential risk posed by the fluoride in volcanic ash through contamination of drinking water, fruit, vegetables, fish, milk, meat and feed in the EU is negligible and, therefore, the risk for human and animal health through food and feed is not considered to be of concern in the EU. (fluoride has been identified in most scientific publications on past volcanic eruptions around the world as the main component that could pose a short-term risk to food and feed safety).
In its assessment, EFSA acknowledges a number of uncertainties, such as the dispersal of ash in the air, how much ash has fallen in the EU, the lack of data on the composition of the ash-fall in the EU, and the geographical areas potentially affected.
EFSA may deliver advice on the long term and indirect risks in coming weeks as further data become available on the level and composition of any ash deposits in the EU.
Prior to this advice being issued, the UK FSA confirmed that it "does not consider it to be a food safety issue at present.", following the lead of DEFRA which had stated, "There continues to be no recorded impact on air quality, water quality or water supply, and no immediate concerns for animal health or crop production following the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Full statement available at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/scdoc/1593.htm

9. BMJ calls for UK industrial trans-fats ban

A British Medical Journal (BMJ) editorial backed by scientists from Harvard, has called for trans-fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) to be banned from all UK foods.
Trans-fats have already been banned by some countries following studies showing harmful effects on health including increased blood cholesterol levels. The BMJ article estimates that a 1% drop in consumption could prevent 7000 deaths a year in England alone.
The FSA, following a 2007 review of consumption, said a complete ban was not required due to the low average consumption in the UK by comparison with other countries e.g. U.S., Canada. The UK Food and Drink Federation commented that artificial trans-fats have been virtually eliminated from processed foods in the UK.
Full editorial at: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/340/apr15_1/c1826

10. BRC publishes Retailers' Commitment to Health
Major UK retailers* are detailing the extensive progress they have made in reducing saturated fat, sugar and salt levels in their own-brand processed foods over the last three years.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published "Retailers' Commitment to Health: Reformulation Achievements" - which provides a progress update on the previous publication, "British Retailing: A Commitment to Health", which detailed retailers' policies on nutrition.
The document details their progress in reducing fat/saturated fat, salt and sugar levels through the re-formulation of own-brand foods.
The document can be downloaded at:
http://www.brc.org.uk/downloads/Retailers_Commitment_to_Health_Reformulation_Achievements_May_2010.pdf

* BRC members who contributed to the report are: Asda, Boots, Burger King, The Co-operative Group, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, McDonald's, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose

11. BSDA launches high caffeine code of practice for soft drinks

The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has published a code of practice covering the promotion of high caffeine content drinks.
EU and UK law requires high caffeine content soft drinks (>150mg caffeine/litre) to carry the statement, "High in caffeine" (EC Directive 2002/67/EC); the code of practice will also require the addition of the statement: "Not suitable for children, pregnant women and persons sensitive to caffeine". In addition, such drinks may not be promoted or marketed to persons aged under 16.
The code of practice will apply to energy shots if they are marketed as soft drinks, but not to energy shots that are categorised as food supplements, which are governed by separate rules. The full text of the code of practice can be read at:
http://www.britishsoftdrinks.com/pdf/bsda%20high%20caffeine%20content%20code%20of%20practice.pdf

The Union of European Beverages Associations (UNESDA) is currently working on the establishment of similar guidelines for energy drinks on a European level.

12. UK FSA Food and Allergy Alerts (April '10)

Food Alerts:
14/04: Ella's Kitchen recalls several batches of its toddler food, Stage 3 'Totally Cool Caribbean Chicken with Mangoes 190g because they might contain hardened vegetable pieces that could cause choking.

Allergy Alerts:
07/04: Dorset Cereals withdraws 2 batch codes of Simply Fruity Muesli 820g (BBE Jan 2011) because it contains Brazil nuts and hazelnuts not mentioned on the label. Allergen: nuts
16/04: The Healthy Bowels Company advisers customers with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents not to eat 'Lepicol' probiotic 180g (which carries a 'dairy-free' label) because it contains milk protein as an unintended ingredient. Allergen: milk protein
23/04: Tesco recalls one batch of its own-brand Flaked Pudding Rice due to the presence of undeclared wheat (gluten). Allergen: Wheat (gluten)
29/04: ASDA withdraws Prawn Coleslaw (300g) with a 'best before' of 05 May because it has been mistakenly packed using a Garlic and Herb Coleslaw lid. The presence of shellfish is not indicated on the Garlic and Herb Coleslaw lid, therefore the product is a potential health risk for people with an allergy to shellfish.Allergen: Shellfish (prawns)

View earlier News & Briefings