Top Stories: Hong Kong finds H5N1 bird flu virus in chicken carcass; Report finds weakness in FDA’s oversight of state food facility inspections; Tyson recalls ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination
December 21, 2011
Hong Kong finds H5N1 bird flu virus in chicken carcass
According to Bloomberg, Hong Kong began culling more than 17,000 birds and banned the sale and import of live poultry for 21 days after the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus was found in a chicken carcass at a wholesale market. The government hasn’t determined whether the infected bird came from local farms or was imported, York Chow, secretary for food and health, said in a statement.
More than 17,000 birds, mostly chickens, have been ordered to be destroyed at the market, according to the statement released on the Hong Kong government website. The market, which also has live pigeons, will be closed until Jan. 12.
The Department of Health is testing workers at the market, farmers, and other people who may have come into contact with the birds, according to a separate statement. So far no human H5N1 infections have been discovered, it said.
Bloomberg article
Report finds weakness in FDA’s oversight of state food facility inspections
A report released by the U.S. Health and Human Services Inspector General identified significant weaknesses in U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight of state-run food facility inspections. Notably, in eight states, the FDA failed to ensure that the required number of inspections was completed. Moreover, the FDA paid for many inspections that were incomplete.
In addition, the FDA did not ensure that all inspections were properly classified or that all inspection violations were remedied. Based on the violations found during an inspection, the FDA assigns each inspection a classification; an official action indicated (OAI) classification is generally assigned when the most serious violations are identified. The IG found that FDA officials were often unclear about how to properly classify contract inspections. Specifically, officials responsible for 11 states reported that they would not assign OAI classifications to state inspections under any circumstances, contrary to FDA guidance. Additionally, FDA officials reported that when states are responsible for correcting violations, the FDA was not always informed about actions taken by the states. As a result, the FDA was unable to ensure that all inspection violations were remedied.
Finally, the FDA failed to complete the required number of audits in one-third of the states with inspection contracts. FDA guidance requires that a minimum of 7% of a state’s contract inspections be audited each year. However, the FDA failed to complete the required number of audits in 14 of 41 states. Additionally, the audits in 10 states revealed systemic problems that needed to be corrected; however, the FDA initiated corrective action in only four of these 10 states.
The report recommends that the FDA: (1) ensure that all contract inspections are completed, properly documented, and appropriately paid for; (2) ensure that contract inspections are properly classified in accordance with FDA guidance; (3) ensure that all inspection violations are remedied by routinely tracking all actions taken to correct violations; (4) ensure that the minimum audit rate is met in all states; and (5) address any systemic problems identified by audits.
Press release
Tyson recalls ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Dakota City, Neb., is recalling approximately 40,948 lbs of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) announced Dec. 16.
The following products are subject to recall: 10-lb chubs of “Chuck Fine Ground Beef 80/20,” packed in cases containing eight chubs. The products subject to recall have a “Best Before or Freeze By” date of “11/13/11” and “EST. 245C” on the box label. The products were shipped to institutions and distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E. coli O157:H7. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
Press release
Bell predicts 2012 top 10 flavor trends
Bell Flavors & Fragrances has announced its annual selections for Top 10 Flavors & Fragrances. Bell’s worldwide marketing teams have complied two different flavor and fragrance lists that will help developers understand consumer demands when launching products in the years to come.
The top flavors were selected through three different processes of analysis: tracking samples that have been requested over a 12-month period, trend scouting by its internal Marketing and R&D Departments worldwide, and tracking trends through external databases.
The theme for this year’s Top 10 Flavors list is “Emerging Cultures.” With consumers having more interest in cuisines throughout the world, these menu items are becoming more mainstream. Korean cuisines are predicted to make a huge hit to the market with Cajun and Greek following close behind. Bell predicts Salty Caramel Flavor will make the largest impact on all food and beverage products in 2012.
Sweet Flavors: Consumers like what is familiar and the comfort that certain foods provide. Bell foresees sweet flavors to combine comfort foods with gourmet flavors.
- Chocolate Soufflé
- Honey Vanilla
- Red Velvet
- Caramel Macchiato
- Yumberry
- Coconut Crème
- Sweet Potato
- Ginger Peach
- Mint Citrus
- French Toast
Beverage Flavors: Consumers have been continually drawn to the distinctive tastes and powerful nutrients of exotic superfruits. Bell projects 2012 beverages will incorporate regional fruits, exotic herbs, and rare blends to drive innovation for new beverage concepts.
- Blood Orange
- Yumberry
- Coconut Water
- Maqui Berry
- Cupuacu
- Elderflower
- Caramel
- White Grape
- Rambutan
- Snake Fruit
Savory Flavors: Many consumers are traveling more and sampling new flavors from around the world. Consumers want to bring these global taste experiences home and infuse the flavors into their daily diets.
- Black Garlic
- Rich Umami
- Truffle Oil
- Aged Cayenne Pepper
- Nuc Maum
- Calamansi Lime
- Demi Glace
- Harissa
- Aji Panca
- Paneer Cheese
Press release
Early dietary experience may shape salt preference
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that infants who have been introduced to starchy table foods—which often contain added salt—may have a greater preference for salty taste than infants who are not yet eating these foods.
In the study, salt preference of 61 infants was tested at both two and six months of age. At each age, the infant was allowed to drink from three bottles for two min each. One bottle contained water, another contained a moderate concentration of salt (1%, about the saltiness of commercial chicken noodle soup) and the third bottle had a higher concentration of salt (2%, which tastes extremely salty to adults). Preference for salty taste was calculated at each age by comparing the amount the infant consumed of a given salt solution to the amount of water it consumed. Thus, if the infant drank more of the 1% salt solution than water, it was considered to have a preference for the 1% solution.
Two-month-old infants were either indifferent to (1%) or rejected (2%) the salt solutions. At six months, salty taste preference of the same infants was related to previous exposure to starchy table food. The 26 infants already eating starchy foods preferred both salt solutions to water, while the 35 babies who had not yet been introduced to these foods remained indifferent to or continued to reject the salt solutions. Reflecting their greater liking for salty taste, the exposed infants consumed 55% more salt during a preference test than did infants not yet introduced to starchy foods.
To explore whether the early effect extended into childhood, 26 of the children returned at preschool age. Mothers completed questionnaires about the children’s dietary behaviors, which revealed that the 12 children who were introduced to starchy table foods before six months of age were more likely to lick salt from foods and also were likely to eat plain salt. These findings suggest that the early dietary exposure was related to an increased affinity for the taste of salt several years later.
“More and more evidence is showing us that the first months of life constitute a sensitive period for shaping flavor preferences. In light of the health consequences of excess sodium intake, we asked if the effect of early experience extended to salt,” said lead author Leslie J. Stein, a Physiological Psychologist at Monell. Stein noted that the study was a correlational and experimental studies need to be conducted to address the question of how children and adults come to prefer high levels of salt in their food.
Abstract
Teenagers buy fewer sugary drinks with posted calorie information
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health shows that teens may purchase fewer sugary beverages if there are signs that bring attention to the number of calories in them. Previous research has shown that the average American teenager drinks approximately 300 calories a day in sugar-sweetened beverages including soda.
The researchers examined the effect of providing clear and visible caloric information about sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and fruit juice on the number of sugar-sweetened beverage purchases at neighborhood stores, and found that providing easily understandable caloric information, specifically in the form of a physical activity equivalent, may reduce the likelihood of sugar-sweetened beverage purchases among adolescents by as much as half.
“People generally underestimate the number of calories in the foods and beverages they consume,” said Sara Bleich, Assistant Professor with the Bloomberg School’s Department of Health Policy and Management. “Providing easily understandable caloric information—particularly in the form of a physical activity equivalent, such as running—may reduce calorie intake from sugar-sweetened beverages and increase water consumption among low-income black adolescents.”
Researchers conducted the study at four corner stores located in low-income, predominately black neighborhoods in Baltimore, Md. For the intervention, one of three caloric information signs was randomly posted with the following information: “Did you know that a bottle of soda or fruit juice has about 250 calories?” (absolute caloric count); “Did you know that a bottle of soda or fruit juice has about 10% of your daily calories?” (percentage of total recommended daily intake); and “Did you know that working off a bottle of soda or fruit juice takes about 50 minutes of running?” (physical activity equivalent). They collected data for 1,600 beverage sales to black adolescents, aged 12–18 years, including 400 during a baseline period and 400 for each of the three caloric-condition interventions.
Researchers found that providing participants with any caloric information significantly reduced the odds of sugar-sweetened beverage purchases by 40% relative to the baseline of no information. Of the three caloric-condition interventions, the physical activity equivalent was most effective, reducing the odds of black adolescents purchasing a sugar-sweetened beverage by 50%.
Press release
Abstract
Gains predicted for aseptic packaging
A new report forecasts the future demand for aseptic packaging by product and market. According to “Aseptic Packaging to 2015,” demand for aseptic packaging is expected to significantly outpace the overall packaging industry and will exceed $5 billion in 2015. Growth in aseptic packaging, which is the process in which product and packaging are sterilized separately before being combined and sealed under sterilized conditions, will be driven in part by the storage advantages it represents for food and beverages. Gains will also be supported by growing interest in natural and minimally-processed food and beverage products, as the short heating time and lower temperature of aseptic processing minimizes loss of flavor and nutrients and offers extended shelf life without preservatives.
Gains in the beverage market will be helped by rising consumption of beverages such as protein drinks, iced coffee, and smoothies, all of which tend to use aseptic packaging. Other factors driving demand will include the growing popularity of value-added beverage offerings, such as milk-based coffee drinks, in quick-service restaurants and convenience stores and rising interest in aseptic packaging due to its shelf stability. This results in reduced energy use in shipping and storage as well as increased opportunities in vending machines, movie theaters, and other venues with limited refrigerated storage.
Prospects for aseptic cartons will be fueled by expanding liquid food and dairy beverage applications and favorable consumption trends in ready-to-drink nutraceutical and weight loss beverages. Other factors supporting growth will include improving aesthetics of cartons, a favorable environmental profile, the availability of cartons with closures, the quality perception of these containers, and greater openness to alternative packaging among younger consumers.
Press release
Cheese may be better than butter for cholesterol
A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows despite its high content of saturated fatty acids, cheese does not seem to increase plasma total and LDL-cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) concentrations when compared with an equivalent intake of fat from butter.
The study was a randomized dietary intervention consisting of two, six-week crossover periods and a 14-day run-in period during which the subjects consumed their habitual diet. The study included 49 men and women who replaced part of their habitual dietary fat intake with 13% of energy from cheese or butter. After six weeks, the cheese intervention resulted in lower serum total, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and higher glucose concentrations than did the butter intervention. Cheese intake did not increase serum total or LDL-cholesterol concentrations compared with the run-in period, during which total fat and saturated fat intakes were lower.
The researchers concluded that cheese lowers LDL cholesterol when compared with butter intake of equal fat content and does not increase LDL cholesterol compared with a habitual diet. They hypothesized that this effect may be due to the high calcium content of cheese, which results in a higher excretion of fecal fat.
Abstract
Healthy food options at schools may lead to lower obesity rates
A study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) shows that the obesity rate in grade school-aged children in New York dropped 5.5% between 2006 and 2010 as the city started programs to boost physical activity and encourage healthier eating habits. The percentage of obese kids in kindergarten through eighth grade dipped to 20.7% in the 2010–2011 school year, from a 21.9% rate in 2006–2007.
The study examined data from 947,765 students, including measurements of body weight, muscular strength, and other physical parameters that were taken from children starting in 2005 under a program that sends home a fitness report card.
The researchers found the decrease in obesity was largest among white children and kids of Asian descent, and smaller among black and Hispanic kids. Although the study didn’t prove a cause, city officials attributed the drop to programs that eliminated deep-fried food and sugary sodas in cafeterias, limited how often junk food can be sold for fund raisers, and added low-fat milk and salad bars to school menus.
Study
Coca-Cola Co. invests in Middle Eastern beverage company
The Coca-Cola Co. has signed an agreement to acquire approximately half of the equity in Aujan Industries, one of the largest independent beverage companies in the Middle East. Once closed, this $980 million transaction will provide Saudi Arabia-based Aujan Industries a platform to accelerate the international growth of the Aujan brands, including Rani and Barbican, while enhancing the regional outlook for licensed brand Vimto. The transaction will present The Coca-Cola Co. a significant equity stake in one of the leading still beverage businesses in the Middle East.
This transaction represents the largest-ever investment by a multinational firm in the Middle East’s fast moving consumer goods sector, reflecting the strength of Aujan’s operations. Aujan holds a top-three position in still beverages in every country in which it operates and is one of the top 100 companies in Saudi Arabia with total annual revenues exceeding $850 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, Coca-Cola will acquire 50% of the Aujan entity that holds the rights to Aujan-owned brands, and 49% of Aujan’s bottling and distribution company. The licensed brand Vimto will remain with the Aujan-managed bottling and distribution company.
“The Middle East is a high-growth region with some of the highest rates of non alcoholic ready-to-drink per capita consumption. Today’s announcement is a demonstration of our commitment to consumers here that we are investing for the long term,” said Ahmet C. Bozer, President, Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa Group. “In addition to their great brands, we are investing in Aujan because it is a well-run, successful business. This transaction creates a platform for further cooperation between The Coca-Cola Co., Aujan, and existing bottling partners across the region.”
This agreement excludes Aujan’s Iranian manufacturing and distribution business. Closing of the transaction is subject to certain conditions. Both companies expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2012.
Press release
Former Chicago Mayor named to Coca-Cola board
The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Co. has elected Richard M. Daley as a Director of the company, effective immediately. Daley is the former mayor of Chicago, Ill., and currently serves as of counsel at the international law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP and is the Managing Principal of Tur Partners LLC, an investment and advisory firm.
As part of his election, Daley was appointed to the company’s Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance.
“Mr. Daley brings significant public policy expertise and experience in creating sustainable growth opportunities for businesses and communities to our Company,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Co. “His experience and insights will be invaluable as we continue to work to grow our business and invest in the fabric of the communities we serve.”
Over the course of almost 40 years in public life, Daley has been recognized for his efforts to foster business development and economic growth. As the longest serving mayor of Chicago from 1989 to 2011, he drove significant redevelopment efforts across the city that helped improve its competitive position on the national and international stage, while also helping the region become more environmentally sustainable.
Press release
Bunge acquires Indian edible oils business of Amrit Banaspati
Bunge India Private Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge Ltd., and Amrit Banaspati Co. Ltd. have announced that Bunge India has entered into definitive agreements with Amrit Banaspati and Amrit Corp. Ltd. to acquire the edible oils and fats business of Amrit Banaspati.
The acquisition includes Amrit Banaspati’s manufacturing facility at Rajpura in the state of Punjab, rights to its brands and trademarks, its sales and distribution business and the transfer of employees pertaining to its edible oils and fats business to Bunge India. Bunge India would also acquire rights to Gagan, the vanaspati (a hydrogenated vegetable fat used as a butter substitute in India) brand held by Amrit Corp. that is currently licensed to Amrit Banaspati.
The transaction, which is subject to approval by shareholders of Amrit Banaspati and Amrit Corp., has been unanimously approved and recommended by the Boards of Directors of both companies. The transaction is also subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
“This acquisition underscores Bunge’s long-term commitment to growing our consumer food business in India. It enables us to expand our distribution reach, manufacturing base, and brand portfolio to serve a growing customer base,” said Christopher White, CEO, Bunge Asia.
Press release
Louisiana Sugar Refining announces shift in ownership
Louisiana Sugar Refining LLC (LSR) has announced that Cargill and Sugar Growers and Refiners Inc. have acquired all of Imperial Sugar’s interest in LSR. Cargill and Sugar Growers and Refiners now each have a 50% interest in the sugar refinery.
“The new partnership marries Cargill’s 140 years of food industry expertise with the Louisiana sugar farmers’ 200 years of collective wisdom in growing and milling sugar cane,” said Red Geurts, LSR General Manager and CEO. “As we are in the process of starting up the newest sugar refinery in the industry, it’s very exciting to know we have two very strong partners with a shared vision of making [sure] the Louisiana cane sugar industry remains a strong and vibrant supplier of sugar to the food industry and consumers in the United States.”
Sugar Growers and Refiners Inc. is a Louisiana cooperative representing eight sugar cane mills and more than 700 Louisiana sugar growers in Louisiana. Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products and services. LSR was previously owned in equal 1/3 shares by Cargill, Imperial Sugar Co., and Sugar Growers and Refiners Inc.
Press release
Naturex opens new subsidiary in Canada
Naturex has opened a new subsidiary in Toronto, Canada, in response to the growing demand in natural products by Canadian consumers. Allowing local flexibility, the new premises in the Ontario region includes a warehouse and a sales office. This office is headed by Maxence Duprez, Sales Director, and will support the development of both the food and nutraceutical/pharmaceutical markets.
“Our office in Toronto is targeting the specific needs of the Canadian market,” said Duprez. “It gives us the opportunity to enhance the relationship with our existing clients as well as prospecting new ones.”
Naturex
BASF names North American distributors for human nutrition business
BASF Corp. has announced the appointment of two distributors to serve its human nutrition customers in North America. Effective Jan. 1, 2012, Brenntag Specialties Inc. and Horn Co. will be part of BASF’s human nutrition distribution network.
“We chose two companies with a long history of specialized industry expertise and a proven track record with numerous other BASF business groups,” said Frank Bergonzi, Director of Corporate Distribution, North America, BASF Corp. “Brenntag Specialties will serve customers in Canada and the Eastern United States. Customers in the Western states will work now with Horn Co.”
Brenntag Specialties is a global market leader in full-line chemical distribution. Its sales and marketing teams are supported by six regional customer service centers, 17 warehouses across the United States and Canada, technical service, regulatory, and analytical laboratories. Horn Co. is a North American distributor of specialty ingredients, raw materials, and chemicals for use in a wide variety of industries. These encompass nutraceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, food ingredients, cleaning products and animal wellness products, coatings, composites, building materials, elastomers, and adhesives.
BASF
Extra Credit Reading
DDW launches ‘Expert Answers’ series
D.D. Williamson has launched a new series to help food scientists, chemists, students, professors, managers, and others in the food and beverage industry stay informed, grow their business to its full potential, and expand into untapped markets. The new Expert Answers series resolves queries and provides relevant industry information.
Holiday celebrations are sweeter with confectionery
If visions of sugar plums are dancing through your head this month, you’re not alone according the National Confectioners Association. The National Retail Federation reports the average consumer spends about $90 on candy and other seasonal foods for the holidays, roughly 13% of their overall seasonal spending.
Coca-Cola moves top-secret formula for 1st time since 1925
The Coca-Cola Co. has made its secret formula the centerpiece of a new exhibit at its corporate museum in Atlanta, Ga., ditching the confines of the bank vault where the list of ingredients had been stored since 1925.
Chicago restaurant named greenest in the U.S.
Chicago, Ill.’s Uncommon Ground restaurant has been named the greenest restaurant in the United States. It earned top marks in all seven categories: energy, food, water, waste, disposables, building, and pollution production.
Callebaut launches Fairtrade-certified chocolate
Callebaut Finest Belgian Chocolate has launched Fairtrade-certified versions of its popular 811NV (55.3% Cacao Dark), 823NV (35.1% Milk) and 70-30-38NV (70% Cacao Dark) references to confectioners, bakers, and pastry chefs.
Cargill ground turkey production resumes in Arkansas
Ground turkey production has resumed at Cargill’s meat processing facility in Springdale, Ark., after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved an enhanced food safety plan. The company suspended ground turkey production after voluntary recalls in August and September. Due to the resumption of ground turkey production, Cargill has brought back approximately 50 employees who were part of an early October, 130-person, layoff. More than 70 people had already been called back to work as job openings in other parts of the facility occurred.
During the past three months Cargill food safety scientists have been exploring all possible solutions to reduce the risk from Salmonella in ground turkey. One of four ground turkey production lines has been reactivated at Springdale and the other three will be reactivated over the coming weeks as part of a multiphase ramp-up of production at Springdale. To reach this point, Cargill took the following actions:
- Complete reassessment and overhaul of the facility’s food safety plan;
- Implementation of several new food safety measures, including more and better bacterial reduction steps throughout the process;
- Creation of a three-phase ground turkey sampling and monitoring program;
- Use of high pressure processing (HPP) to reduce Salmonella;
- Development of an enhanced process control monitoring system to ensure all aspects of the company’s Salmonella control program are continuously generating the best possible results.
“Our quest for the safest food products possible is never ending,” said Steve Willardsen, President of Cargill Value Added Meats Retail. “With the collective knowledge, experience, and capabilities we’ve tapped to find solutions, we are confident in our ability to better ensure the safest ground turkey products available for consumers.”
Press release
Monsanto’s soybean biotech trait receives USDA deregulation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has deregulated the biotech trait, MON 87705, in Monsanto’s Vistive Gold soybeans. The soybeans produce soybean oil with increased levels of monounsaturated fat while lowering saturated fat.
“With the availability of Vistive Gold soybeans, farmers will soon be able to deliver an economical and sustainable source of nutritionally improved soybean oil to consumers and food companies,” said Joe Cornelius, Monsanto Global Technology Lead for food quality traits. “Vistive Gold soybeans are a breakthrough innovation that represent years of collaboration across the food supply chain. Monsanto worked closely with the food industry, health and nutrition communities, and agricultural sector to bring a biotechnology trait with direct consumer benefit. The result, Vistive Gold soybeans, is one step closer to reality with the recent USDA deregulation.”
Vistive Gold soybean oil has 60% less saturated fat with increased monounsaturated fat, which leads to improved oil stability, compared with conventional soybean oil. Because of the increased stability, Vistive Gold soybean oil does not have to be hydrogenated, and, therefore, does not contain trans fat.
The USDA deregulation of MON 87705 completes the regulatory processes in the United States, allowing for field testing and seed production to take place within the United States. All field tests and seed production will be conducted under strict stewardship guidelines until Monsanto has obtained the necessary regulatory approvals in the key soybean export markets. The Food and Drug Administration completed the consultation process in January 2011. The trait has also been approved for use in Canada.
Press release
Online USDA tool helps farmers lower contamination risk
U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, along with leaders from food and agriculture organizations, has introduced a free online tool to help U.S. producers of all sizes achieve Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) harmonized standards and certification, helping to further expand economic opportunities for American agriculture. USDA’s GAP audit verification program focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that farms are producing, and packers are handling and storing, fruits and vegetables in the safest manner possible to minimize food safety hazards. The free online tool—developed by FamilyFarmed.org with funding from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA)—helps farmers design a customized manual to meet GAP harmonized standards and certification requirements, including USDA GAP standards, and mitigate business risks by answering just a few questions.
“USDA believes that a strong farm safety net—including effective, market-based risk solutions for producers of all variety and size—is crucial to sustain the vitality of American agriculture,” said Merrigan. “Effectively managing risk is important to all producers, and having an acceptable food safety program is in the best interest of consumers, buyers, and the farmers themselves. USDA is proud to have worked with private, public, and non-profit partners to introduce this free tool to farmers seeking to gain certification as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) producer.”
USDA’s GAP audit verification program, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that farms are producing fruits and vegetables in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. USDA’s voluntary audit based program verifies adherence to the recommendations made in the Food and Drug Administration’s Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
To generate a food safety plan using the tool, the user must answer a series of questions on topics including worker health and hygiene, agricultural water, previous land use, soil amendments and manure, animals and pest control, packinghouse activities, product transportation, agricultural chemicals, and field harvesting. In addition to helping farmers create a food safety plan, the tool offers farmers a full-set of record keeping templates to document their food safety efforts as well as useful food safety resources. Once users have completed their farm’s food safety plan and compiled necessary documentation, they have the capacity to apply for GAP food safety certification, a process asked for by many larger buyers.
Press release
California lifts quarantine on Organic Pastures raw milk, dairy products
Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County, Calif., with the exception of raw colostrum, have been released from a statewide quarantine that began November 15. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) imposed the quarantine in response to notification from the California Department of Public Health connecting E. coli O157:H7 foodborne illness to the dairy.
The facility was required to meet all sanitation requirements and comply with food safety regulations under state law before the quarantine could be lifted. During the quarantine, the facility was prohibited from producing raw milk products for the retail market. The order affected milk as well as raw butter, raw cream, raw colostrum, and a raw product labeled “Qephor.” At this time, the quarantine hold on raw colostrum remains because it is the subject of continuing investigation by the CDFA.
The Department of Public Health identified a cluster of five children who were infected, from August through October, with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. Interviews with the families indicate that the only common reported food exposure is unpasteurized (raw) milk from Organic Pastures dairy. Three of the five children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome. There have been no deaths. The findings that all of the children drank Organic Pastures raw milk and that this was the only common exposure among them established the dairy as the likely source of the illnesses.
Press release
2012 Annual Meeting Scientific Program deadlines approaching
The deadline to submit a Technical Research Paper (TRP) Abstract and/or New Products & Technologies (NPT) Abstract for the Scientific Program is Jan. 6, 2012. Review IFT’s submission guidelines to see where your insights and innovations best fit, and then submit today.
Intersection of Food, Policy and Profitability: Obstacles and Opportunities for the Private and Public Sectors
Marketing and product development professionals will benefit from this live, interactive webcast taking place Jan. 10, 2012, which explores the needs and challenges facing consumers, government, food organizations, and academia. Through practical insights and business drivers presented by key policymakers, it will identify areas of commonality versus conflict across all sectors. Register today.
Online course: Incorporating Food Safety in Product Development
This online course, running from Jan. 26–Feb. 23, 2012, will help you understand where food safety fits into product development and start integrating food safety measures at the onset. Through five course modules, participants will explore the key issues around food safety, including how to identify food safety hazards and control measures, implement food safety practices, and consider consumer concerns about food safety. Register now.
Food Science & Innovation Conference
This inaugural event, taking place Feb. 27–29, 2012 and brought to you by IFT & ALACCTA, is designed for the region’s food professionals to engage in discussion around the latest research, scientific perspectives, and concerns in the global food industry. Through presentations and dialogue with food science professionals, participants will learn how the Food Safety Modernization Act will impact global trade, get the latest information on issues in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, hear industry leaders’ perspectives on issues impacting global trade, and more. Register today.
Food Science & Innovation Conference
This inaugural event, taking place Feb. 27–29, 2012 and brought to you by IFT & ALACCTA, is designed for the region’s food professionals to engage in discussion around the latest research, scientific perspectives, and concerns in the global food industry. Through presentations and dialogue with leading food science experts and professionals, participants will learn how the Food Safety Modernization Act will impact global trade, get the latest information on issues in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, understand global food safety research needs, hear industry leaders’ perspectives on issues impacting global trade, and more. Get more details and register today.
Short course: Sensory Evaluation: Current Developments and Applications
Through this two-day instructor-led short course, taking place March 26–27, 2012, just prior to Wellness 12, participants will gather the tools needed to manage resources and information to meet product development deadlines. Professionals in product development, R&D, and sensory science roles will learn current sensory analysis procedures, understand qualitative and quantitative methods, identify industry recommended practices for qualifying subjects for sensory analytical tests, and more. Register today for greatest savings.
Wellness 12
Wellness 12, taking place March 28–29, 2012, offers professionals involved in bringing healthy foods to market with the latest advances in the healthful foods arena, and the practical knowledge to apply these advances to their own product development initiatives. “Weight Management,” one of three timely tracks, offers sessions such as: Changing the Food Marketing Environment Through Policy and Standards; Achieving Wellness through Behavior Innovation; and Health Insurance Wellness Programs: Opportunities for the Food Industry. Check out the agenda with additional tracks and sessions, before registering today.