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Europe: Food Safety Policy Issues 2010
Russia- Killer pig tails impounded
9 Dec. 2010
Moscow News [edited] [BITES]
Russia’s health watchdog has seized 25 tons of infected meat destined for the far east. The unlikely cut of meat, pigs’ tails, is a culinary delicacy and the bulk order had been imported from Germany to Khabarovsk and was due to go on sale in city supermarkets. The tails had been tainted with listeria, which can cause an infection with a 25% mortality rate among humans.
UK- Food poisoning: Hotels experience rise in food poisoning cases
06 Dec. 2010
Hotel-Industry [edited] [BITES]
Chefs and consumers have been told to ensure chicken liver dishes have been properly cooked following a rise in food poisoning linked to hotel and restaurant meals. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has had to repeat advice to caterers (first issued in July) because there has been no decrease in outbreaks linked to campylobacter, the most common cause of intestinal disease. Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows that 11 of the 15 food poisoning outbreaks at hotels or restaurants in England and Wales this year (2010) were associated with poultry dishes. According to a HPA employee, it has become apparent that chicken liver pâté and parfait is being served frequently. The product is also being promoted in Christmas recipes in magazines and the instructions do not always stress how important it is to ensure that livers are cooked sufficiently to kill the campylobacter.
Russia- In poultry war, Russia has a leg up on U.S.
31 Oct. 2010
Washington Post [edited] CAHFS-DailyNews
In the early 1990s, U.S. chicken imports were at the top of the market in Russia, at a time when Russian chicken tended to be scarce. Back then nearly a million tons of leg quarters flowed across the Atlantic every year - chicken parts that don't command very high prices in the breast-meat-craving United States, but that nicely filled a Russian preference for dark meat. But in the new pecking order, they come in close to the bottom. For the first nine months of this year, they were banned outright, on the grounds that the chlorine disinfectant used by U.S. producers is unhealthy. Now, after a relentless full-court press by the U.S. industry, and hard-nosed bargaining over Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization, they're coming in again, washed with a different antimicrobial solution. But Russian shoppers complain about their water content, and worry about hormones and antibiotics.
Ireland- 1.3 million drinking unsafe water from problem plants
25 Oct. 2010
Irish Independent [edited] [BITES]
UP to 1.3 million people are drinking tap water which is not safe because the plants treating it are old and need to be replaced. It is believed that 290 treatment plants across the State must be upgraded because they are out of date and not making the water safe for drinking. Dangerous levels of bugs, including e-coli and cryptosporidium, are being detected in supposedly treated water, while chemicals are also being found.
EU- Proposed Ban on Cloned Animals
19 Oct. 2010
Just Food.com [edited] [CAHFS-Daily News]
The European Union moved a big step closer toward a ban on cloning farm animals and a prohibition of imports of cloned livestock and their meat and milk. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, proposed the ban Tuesday. It is expected to be approved in coming months by the European Union's 27 members and the European Parliament.
UK- Regulator wants cameras in slaughterhouses to curb animal abuse
11 Oct. 2010
Barfblog [edited] [BITES]
In Feb. 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shut down a meat processing company after concluding that workers committed acts of animal cruelty, about a week after the Humane Society of the United States released video showing employees of the Meat Packing Co. tormenting cows that were too injured or weak to stand. That company does not exist anymore – brought down by someone using an over-the-counter video recording device. The images sparked concern not only from animal-welfare advocates, but from food-safety experts, who feared the company might have used the tactic to prod sick animals to slaughter in violation of state and federal regulations. The U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) tabled a proposal last week to introduce CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras into slaughterhouses in a bid to tackle animal welfare abuse. The FSA director of operations said the agency is calling for the voluntary introduction of surveillance cameras after undercover filming by an animal rights group in the last year had highlighted abuses in U.K. slaughterhouses. The proposal is due to go before agency chiefs next week for approval. The report said that while there is no legal requirement to fit CCTV, food business operators may come under pressure from retailers to install systems.
Ireland- Closure orders for food businesses
05 October 2010
Irish Times [edited] [BITES]
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1005/breaking29.html
Enforcement orders were served to five businesses last month for breaches of food safety legislation according to The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Wales- Call for mandatory display of food grades
3 October 2010
Barfblog [edited] [BITES]
The public will be able to access ratings through a searchable database, which will be overseen by the Food Standards Agency, but it is unlikely they will be scores in restaurant windows. Food safety campaigners welcomed the principle of the scheme [displaying food safety scores in restaurant windows] but said it was under-mined by the practice of voluntary display. The real benefit of public displays of food service inspection grades is the public shame and embarrassment, which may force operators to do a better job protecting the public and therefore enhancing the overall microbial food safety culture.
Turkey- 11 tons of listeria-ladnen meat missing
26 September 2010
Barfblog [edited] [BITES]
More than 11 tons of listeria and salmonella-contaminated hamburger meat in Turkey has gone missing. The meat scandal broke after the company responsible for distributing meat to a fast-food giant cancelled its contract with a producer on grounds that the meat was contaminated. The producer demanded that the 11.6 tons of meat be returned, but it has been reported that the meat was sent to a waste center for safe disposal, prompting the company to file a complaint with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Subsequent investigations showed that the waste disposal company sent the meat to a dog farm, where 55 dogs were said to have eaten hamburger patties between May 5 and June 7, 2010. But the ministry’s Inspection Committee said that if the dogs did eat the meat, they would have been killed, so the investigation continues.
Northern Ireland- Decrease in food safety training a ticking time bomb
25 August 2010
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health [edited] [BITES]
Food businesses are cutting back on food safety and hygiene training, according to a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).The survey was sent out during mid-August to 5000 food safety trainers and training centers. Around 50 percent of trainers thought the uptake of food safety training by food businesses was being negatively affected by the present economic climate. Also, 70 percent identified cost cutting as the main reason why businesses were not investing in training.
UK- Food Standards Agency urged to relax on meat from clones
23 August 2010
Food Chemical News Vol. 52, Number 23 [edited]
The UK’s National Beef Association (NBA) urged the Food Standards Agency last week to stop blocking food products from cattle with a cloned grandparent to create a level playing field for British meat producers. The NBA asked the agency to allow meat, milk and other food products taken from the offspring of cloned livestock access to the mainstream wholesale and retail distribution systems like the rest of the European Union.
UK- Investigation on cloned animals and their offspring
3 August 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited] [BITES]
The Food Standards Agency has been investigating reports that products from the offspring of cloned animals have entered the UK food chain. Currently, there is no evidence that consuming products from healthy clones, or their offspring, poses a food safety risk. Yet, meat and products from clones and their offspring are considered novel foods and need to be authorized before being placed on the market. The Agency’s investigation has been wide-reaching and has involved farming organizations, the dairy industry, local authorities, and breed associations. As part of this investigation, the Agency has traced two bulls born in the UK from embryos harvested from a cloned cow in the US.
Denmark- Farmers adjust to livestock antibiotic ban
1 August 2010
Des Moines Register [edited] [BITES]
Denmark can provide lessons for U.S. farmers and the Obama administration when it comes to restricting the use of antibiotics on hog [pig] farms. The nation banned the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in hogs in the 1990s, a step that the Obama administration is proposing for U.S. farms. That move cut antibiotic use by 40%. Denmark next halted the use of antibiotics for anything other than treating ill animals. Danish farmers have been forced to make changes in their operations, including keeping newborn pigs with their mothers for a week longer to protect them from getting ill. But, antibiotic usage has increased in recent years faster than hog production has grown according to a Danish food safety official.
United Kingdom- Food Safety Agency Keeps Crucial Safety Role
20 July 2010
barfblog [edited] [BITES]
The Government confirmed its intention to retain the Food Standards Agency (FSA) with a renewed focus on food safety. The FSA in England will focus on its core remit of food safety policy and enforcement. The Department of Health will become responsible for nutrition policy, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will become responsible for Country of Origin Labeling. The FSA was established as a non-ministerial Government Department in 2000. Its primary purpose was to secure food safety and provide vital advice to Government and to the public; a role that the Government believes must remain independent. Reorganizing will contribute to the Government’s objectives to improve efficiency and improving the health of the nation. FSA will retain a clearly defined departmental function focused on food safety. This means that, on crucial issues of food safety, the independent advice from FSA experts would be final.
Netherlands- Q Fever
15 July 2010
RNW [edited] [ProMED]
The Dutch Agriculture Ministry has lifted restrictions on breeding and transporting milk goats and milk sheep, which had been in force since the outbreak of Q fever earlier this year [2010]. The disease is spread by bacteria that use pregnant goats and sheep as hosts. Its affects on humans can be lethal for weakened patients. Since January this year, 420 people have been infected with Q fever, and five people who were already suffering from other afflictions, died.
EU- New regulations on traceability and labeling of beef
13 July 2010
Mattilsynet [edited] [BITES]
The Health and Care Services Ministry of Agriculture and Food issued new regulations about traceability and labeling of cattle and beef. The regulations deal with marking, reporting and registration of bovine animals, as well as labeling of beef products. Key provisions include: Cattle shall be marked with two approved earmarked within 20 days after birth (but before the animal is moved from the operating unit where it is born); Both earmarked ("origin marks") shall contain a code that identifies the animal and the appropriate operational unit; All births, deaths and movements of cattle, including information on the animals' identity should be reported to the FSA and registered in the Pets Register; Cattle transfers between Norway and other EEA States will be accompanied by a passport that contains certain information about the animal. The most important changes with respect to labeling of beef products include special rules for voluntary labeling of beef and beef products and a fee requirement for supervision and control of compliance with the approved voluntary label specifications.
Dendmark: Stronger action against Salmonella and Campylobacter in food
30 June 2010
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries [edited] [BITES]
The government signed a new four-year agreement to continue efforts to control bacteria in food. Approximately 25 million kroner will be allocated a year, which is stronger than previous actions against salmonella and campylobacter. Also, funds will be used to reinforce efforts against antibiotic resistant bacteria in foods. The conciliation parties agree to intensify efforts to fight bacteria in food by launching initiatives that will focus on the whole food chain from farm to table.
EU Vet Week: Shielding Animal Health and ensuring Food Safety through traceability
11 Jun 2010
Europa [edited][FSNet]
Since the '90s when BSE and other animal diseases were delivering severe blows to industry and consumer confidence alike, the European Union has come a long way in its efforts to reinforce Animal Health and Food Safety. Traceability, the ability to follow animals or food products throughout their lifecycle –from the moment they are born or produced till they end up in our plate: from farm to fork– has been at the forefront of these efforts. These issues will be at the heart of this year's EU Veterinary Week (EVW), which starts on Monday, June 14, and ends on Sunday, June 20.
Tracing animals and animal products in a free market of 27 Member States requires sophisticated systems. Citizens are often unaware of the importance and the benefits this procedure brings along, while sometimes the industry views EU traceability rules as burdensome.
Experience shows that traceability helps ensure the highest possible levels of food safety and hygiene. In other words, it limits the risks of the EU having to cope again with serious animal diseases, such as BSE, foot-and-mouth disease or classical swine fever, while when they do emerge, it helps ensure that they are dealt with in a speedy and efficient manner as the outbreak point is quickly discovered.
In addition, traceability ensures food quality and taste as it guarantees, for example, the origin of regional specialities. The consumer knows his feta is the real thing from Greece, his Iberico ham came from Spain, "Irish Beef" from Ireland and parmesan cheese from Italy. Traceability can also address ethical elements by ensuring, for example, that only food produced in organic farms can be labelled as organic.
Germany- Nanosilver has no place in food, textiles or cosmetics
10 Jun 2010
BfR [edited][FSNet]
BfR currently advises against using nanoscale silver ions in consumer products
The manufacturers of consumer products have made use of the antimicrobial properties of silver ions for some time now. Recently, silver particles in the nanorange have likewise been used. For instance, the surfaces in fridges coated with nanosilver are intended to inhibit the growth of germs and nanosilver aims to prevent odour formation in sports socks. It is not possible at the present time to determine in a definitive manner whether nanosilver constitutes a health risk for consumers.
Silver and silver compounds release silver ions that can inhibit the growth of germs. For that reason they are used for instance in cosmetics, textiles and household appliances. Furthermore, silver is approved as a dye for food (E174).
Recently, the manufacturers of consumer products have been increasingly using silver in the form of nanoparticles, too. Nanoparticles are particles with a diameter of less than 100 nanometres. The properties of nanoparticles differ from those of larger particles of the same substance. It is these special properties that make them interesting for various applications. However, it has still to be ascertained whether their toxic properties change and they could become a health risk for consumers.
BfR recommends refraining from using any nanoscale silver in consumer products until a definitive safety assessment becomes available. In any case nanoscale additives in food require approval. Nanosilver has not been approved for use in food.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientific institution within the remit of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). It advises the federal government and federal Länder on all aspects of food, chemical and product safety.
Denmark to curb antibiotic use in livestock
03 Jun 10
Agra Europe Weekly [edited][FSNet]
Denmark is to step up efforts to curb antibiotic use in livestock as part of a new action plan against antibiotic resistance, jointly developed by the country's Health and Food Ministries.
Although Danish farmers use antibiotics sparingly when compared to their counterparts in many other parts of the world, usage is rising both in livestock and humans. As a result, Denmark is starting to face the complex problems of antibiotic resistance which are already apparent elsewhere, the Danish food minister reportedly said.
UK:Local authority audits published
03 Jun 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Agency has published reports of local authority audits carried out in a number of areas of the audit programme.
The first set of reports for the programme of audits looking at Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliance includes the reports of audits in the local authority areas of Arun, New Forest, South Northamptonshire, Westminster and Wychavon.
The audit for Worthing is concerned with feed/food law service delivery and food business compliance.
In addition, the Agency has published the report into the focused audit of 34 local authorites within Berkshire, Derbyshire, Humber and Lancashire Food Liaison Groups evaluating their inter-authority and peer review processes.
European Union implements random testing of Indian seafood
03 May 2010
FIS [edited][FSNet]
In March, the EU Health Authority recommended the random testing of 20 percent or more of the aquaculture products imported from India for antibiotic residue and micro-organisms, among other tests, according to the reports of the technical committee on seafood imports to the European bloc.
This new development has the potential of causing mass delays for the consignments destined for Europe and a consequent drop in exports to that region, noted officials from the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI).
Recurrent rejections of farmed freshwater prawn exports to the EU in the early part of 2009 led EU authorities to make their newly implemented decision.
India counts the EU as one of its main importers of domestic aquaculture products and thus represents a vital market. Aquaculture exports to the EU make up nearly 32 per cent of the value of total seafood exports, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), news sources reported.
The EU has been tightening its import regulations by boosting its environmental and health standards. Starting on 1 January 2010, India and other countries have had to attach catch certificates to all their seafood shipments to the region indicating the origin of the products if they were to be accepted.
This rule was implemented by the EU in hopes that it would help reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Brussels-based Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) is responsible for ensuring the safety of food products imported into the EU and has the power to reject and ban imports that do not meet its standards. Following FVO’s biennial audit of Indian seafood testing laboratories, the office told the Indian government in a letter that the Indian method of residue monitoring and testing was structurally flawed and useless.
UK: Changes to FSA food alert system
02 Jun 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency is changing the way it issues information to consumers about food product withdrawals and recalls. The new system takes effect from June 2010.
Under the new system, a 'Product Withdrawal Information Notice' or a 'Product Recall Information Notice' will be issued to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. These replace what was known under the previous system as the ‘Food Alert for Information’.
The ‘Food Alert for Action’ category of alert will continue to be issued and will remain unchanged. This alert is issued to provide local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.
In 2009, the FSA carried out a 12-week consultation to review the way it communicates with local authorities during incidents. The change will: · increase FSA speed of response during incidents – this is because information notices will be quicker for the FSA to produce and issue · increase the impact of ‘for action’ alerts issued to local authorities – some local authorities indicated that they were receiving too many alerts (mainly of the type where no action needed to be taken) · address concerns voiced by some parts of the food industry over the terminology the FSA previously used, particularly when all the required actions by food business operators have been carried out following an incident If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product).
China- 5 FDA officials arrested for taking bribes
19 Apr 2010
Shangai Daily [edited][FSNet]
Five officials from China's food and drug watchdog have been arrested on graft charges only three years after its former head was executed for the same offence.
Another official was ordered by investigators to stay at home pending results of the investigation.
The five were arrested on suspicion of taking bribes, it was reported yesterday.
Wales-Hygiene scores of all Wales food businesses to be made available to the public
13 Apr 2010
Wales Online [edited][FSNet]
The hygiene scores of all food businesses in Wales will be available to the public in about six months.
Star ratings from zero to five allocated under the Food Standards Agency’s scores-on-the-doors scheme will be listed on a single website.
The move is in response to increasing public pressure to make caterers more accountable in the wake of South Wales’ deadly E. coli O157 outbreak.
It will mean that for the first time, consumers will have the ability to choose to eat or buy their food from the most hygienic businesses.
China- 5 FDA officials arrested for taking bribes
19 Apr 2010
Shangai Daily [edited][FSNet]
Five officials from China's food and drug watchdog have been arrested on graft charges only three years after its former head was executed for the same offence.
Another official was ordered by investigators to stay at home pending results of the investigation.
The five were arrested on suspicion of taking bribes, it was reported yesterday.
UK: New Operations Group for the Food Standards Agency
31 Mar 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced in July 2009 its intention to form a new Operations Group in 2010. This will take effect from 1 April 2010 when the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and FSA merge.
The FSA Operations Group will streamline and improve the Agency’s approach to compliance with official food and feed controls across the United Kingdom and will support the Agency’s priority to always put consumers first.
Anticipated benefits of the new Operations Group include: · Providing coordinated and consistent support to UK food and feed businesses and delivery partners to help compliance with official controls and other statutory requirements. · Ensuring that regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate. · Improving the sharing of knowledge, information and expertise throughout the Operations Group to provide a better understanding of which interventions are most effective in delivering compliance. · A consistent and targeted UK approach will contribute to improvements in public protection of food safety and a reduction in instances of foodborne illness. · A structure that will help deliver strategic objectives in line with external expectations and drivers – for example, the recommendations arising from the 2009 Report of the Public Inquiry into the September 2005 outbreak of E. coli O157 in South Wales and recommendations of EU Food and Veterinary Office Missions. · Driving internal improvements for efficiency and effectiveness, freeing up resources to enable work on the issues that will really make a difference to food safety. · Savings of approximately £2 million are forecast to be generated through the merger, mainly through back office efficiencies.
Ireland- Guide to food law for artisan food producers available
29 Mar 2010
FSAI [edited][FSNet]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) published a comprehensive guide to food law to assist artisan and small food producers who have started or are planning to start a new food business. The publication of the Guide to Food Law for Artisan/Small Food Producers Starting a New Business is timely given that the FSAI has witnessed a marked increase in interest in starting a new food business from members of the public. In 2009, there was a 50% increase on 2008, on the number of enquiries to the FSAI’s advice line asking for information on how to set up a new food business. To operate legally the food business operator must ensure: that their food business is registered, or approved; that they have a food safety management system in place; that their business has an effective traceability system; that staff handling food have received food safety training; and that they comply with food law. The guide provides concise and clear details on these legal requirements. It also includes simplified summaries on food legislation.
United Kingdom- Agency welcome shelf-life guidance for chilled foods
25 Mar 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Agency has welcomed the publication of new guidance to help food businesses determine the shelf life of ready-to-eat foods by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Chilled Food Association (CFA), working in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency.
The guidance is designed to help businesses, from small food outlets to major food manufacturers, calculate a safe shelf life for how long particular foods can be kept before being eaten. It is also designed to help firms meet European Union hygiene rules that set limits on bacteria in food, such as Listeria monocytogenes, which is the focus of the guidance.
Complex issues are explained simply for staff at all levels of expertise. Real life examples are also provided to show how the advice should be put into practice.
UK scientists devise worldwide food alert system
04 Mar 2010
ScienceDaily [edited][FSNet]
Countries producing food containing harmful bacteria and toxins could be named and shamed more quickly using a worldwide alert system devised by a team of scientists from Kingston University in South West London. The team was quoted by saying the easy to use computer tool can be used to monitor contaminated products; helping to prevent them reaching shop shelves and ensuring that food is safe to eat.
Thousands of alerts about contaminated food are produced each year, particularly by developed countries, but there is no single international system for monitoring food safety. This prompted the leading professor and his colleagues to develop a program to analyse alerts and produce a global picture of the countries that trade and detect contaminated food that can be deadly or cause health problems from food poisoning to long term degenerative diseases.
China, Iran, Turkey, the United States and Spain were the top five offenders when it came to producing contaminated food, according to an analysis of data from 2003-2008. Over the same five-year period, Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands were the countries that reported the largest number of contaminated products from other countries. Toxins in pistachio nuts from Iran, food recalled by major supermarket chains and imported products stopped by border agencies were among the alerts included in the analysis.
EFSA launches cooperation project on non-plastic food contact materials
22 Feb 2010
EFSA [edited][FSNet]
The European Food Safety Authority has set up an EFSA scientific cooperation (ESCO) working group to collect and analyse information on the safety of substances used in non-plastic materials which come into contact with food.
This follows a number of incidents in recent years in which certain substances used in non-plastic food contact materials (such as inks and adhesives) have been found to migrate into foods. Whilst EU rules specify that all materials coming into contact with foods must be safe, many non-plastic components of food contact materials - unlike plastic materials - are not subject to specific provisions at the European level.
The working group has been created following discussions on this issue at EFSA’s Advisory Forum, which brings together representatives of national food safety authorities.
UK: eatwell.gov to bring consumers all government food advice
29 Jan 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency is to expand its eatwell website to bring together all government information on food aimed at consumers. Advice on food safety and healthy eating will be integrated with information on a wide range of other topics relevant to consumers' food choices, with a particular focus on environmental and wider sustainability issues.
The Agency will work closely with other government departments and bodies over the coming year to gather up-to-date information, and it plans to launch the remodelled website in spring 2011.
The report of this scoping exercise, 'Integrated advice for consumers: discussion and analysis of options', provides a snapshot of existing information on government websites, identifies gaps in consumer advice and recommends options for implementing the new integrated site. The report is available online at the link below, alongside summaries of research undertaken with consumers and school-aged children as part of this project.
Earlier this month, 'Food 2030', the Government’s new food strategy, set out the Government's vision for the food system and how to achieve it by 2030.
Food 2030 confirmed the Government’s commitment to providing an integrated source of government information and advice for consumers, to help people make informed choices about the impact of the food they choose to eat.
Originally, the need for this website was identified in the Cabinet Office 'Food Matters' report, published in July 2008, also available at the link below.
'Food Matters' highlighted the need for government to take a more joined-up approach, not only in providing information to consumers, but to food policy overall. The need to tackle in an integrated way the health, social, environmental and economic challenges in the food system is an approach reinforced by the recent Food 2030 strategy.
UK: Good hygiene is good for business
25 Jan 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency is launching a UK-wide campaign today, to raise awareness among food businesses about the Agency tools available to help businesses comply with food hygiene law.
The tools being promoted include Safer food, better business (for use in England and Wales), CookSafe and RetailSafe (for use in Scotland), and Safe Catering (for use in Northern Ireland). These tools provide innovative and practical approaches to food safety management.
The campaign includes posters, advertisements in trade publications and on the radio, and promotion online. Running from today until Monday 1 March 2010, the campaign will target catering businesses that supply food direct to consumers – such as restaurants, takeaways and cafés.
Ireland reports 17% increase in food safety enforcement orders in 2009
08 Jan 2010
FSAI [edited][FSNet]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that there were a total of 54 Enforcement Orders – including 34 Closure Orders -- served for breaches in food safety legislation in 2009 compared with 46 in 2008, an increase totaling 17%.
The FSAI reportedly re-emphasized that it is unacceptable that food businesses were continuing to breach food safety laws and warned all food business operators to place robust food safety measures and hygiene practices top of their agenda for the new decade or face the full rigors of the law being imposed.
UK- Outbreak on cruise ship
07 Jan 2010
Daily Mail [edited][FSNet]
The UK's Daily Mail told media sources that at least 289 of 795 passengers on the Boudicca this week have been struck down by the illness. At 36% of passengers, it's one of the most widespread outbreaks of a norovirus-like illness recorded on a cruise ship in years.
9 Dec. 2010
Moscow News [edited] [BITES]
Russia’s health watchdog has seized 25 tons of infected meat destined for the far east. The unlikely cut of meat, pigs’ tails, is a culinary delicacy and the bulk order had been imported from Germany to Khabarovsk and was due to go on sale in city supermarkets. The tails had been tainted with listeria, which can cause an infection with a 25% mortality rate among humans.
UK- Food poisoning: Hotels experience rise in food poisoning cases
06 Dec. 2010
Hotel-Industry [edited] [BITES]
Chefs and consumers have been told to ensure chicken liver dishes have been properly cooked following a rise in food poisoning linked to hotel and restaurant meals. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has had to repeat advice to caterers (first issued in July) because there has been no decrease in outbreaks linked to campylobacter, the most common cause of intestinal disease. Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows that 11 of the 15 food poisoning outbreaks at hotels or restaurants in England and Wales this year (2010) were associated with poultry dishes. According to a HPA employee, it has become apparent that chicken liver pâté and parfait is being served frequently. The product is also being promoted in Christmas recipes in magazines and the instructions do not always stress how important it is to ensure that livers are cooked sufficiently to kill the campylobacter.
Russia- In poultry war, Russia has a leg up on U.S.
31 Oct. 2010
Washington Post [edited] CAHFS-DailyNews
In the early 1990s, U.S. chicken imports were at the top of the market in Russia, at a time when Russian chicken tended to be scarce. Back then nearly a million tons of leg quarters flowed across the Atlantic every year - chicken parts that don't command very high prices in the breast-meat-craving United States, but that nicely filled a Russian preference for dark meat. But in the new pecking order, they come in close to the bottom. For the first nine months of this year, they were banned outright, on the grounds that the chlorine disinfectant used by U.S. producers is unhealthy. Now, after a relentless full-court press by the U.S. industry, and hard-nosed bargaining over Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization, they're coming in again, washed with a different antimicrobial solution. But Russian shoppers complain about their water content, and worry about hormones and antibiotics.
Ireland- 1.3 million drinking unsafe water from problem plants
25 Oct. 2010
Irish Independent [edited] [BITES]
UP to 1.3 million people are drinking tap water which is not safe because the plants treating it are old and need to be replaced. It is believed that 290 treatment plants across the State must be upgraded because they are out of date and not making the water safe for drinking. Dangerous levels of bugs, including e-coli and cryptosporidium, are being detected in supposedly treated water, while chemicals are also being found.
EU- Proposed Ban on Cloned Animals
19 Oct. 2010
Just Food.com [edited] [CAHFS-Daily News]
The European Union moved a big step closer toward a ban on cloning farm animals and a prohibition of imports of cloned livestock and their meat and milk. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, proposed the ban Tuesday. It is expected to be approved in coming months by the European Union's 27 members and the European Parliament.
UK- Regulator wants cameras in slaughterhouses to curb animal abuse
11 Oct. 2010
Barfblog [edited] [BITES]
In Feb. 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shut down a meat processing company after concluding that workers committed acts of animal cruelty, about a week after the Humane Society of the United States released video showing employees of the Meat Packing Co. tormenting cows that were too injured or weak to stand. That company does not exist anymore – brought down by someone using an over-the-counter video recording device. The images sparked concern not only from animal-welfare advocates, but from food-safety experts, who feared the company might have used the tactic to prod sick animals to slaughter in violation of state and federal regulations. The U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) tabled a proposal last week to introduce CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras into slaughterhouses in a bid to tackle animal welfare abuse. The FSA director of operations said the agency is calling for the voluntary introduction of surveillance cameras after undercover filming by an animal rights group in the last year had highlighted abuses in U.K. slaughterhouses. The proposal is due to go before agency chiefs next week for approval. The report said that while there is no legal requirement to fit CCTV, food business operators may come under pressure from retailers to install systems.
Ireland- Closure orders for food businesses
05 October 2010
Irish Times [edited] [BITES]
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1005/breaking29.html
Enforcement orders were served to five businesses last month for breaches of food safety legislation according to The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Wales- Call for mandatory display of food grades
3 October 2010
Barfblog [edited] [BITES]
The public will be able to access ratings through a searchable database, which will be overseen by the Food Standards Agency, but it is unlikely they will be scores in restaurant windows. Food safety campaigners welcomed the principle of the scheme [displaying food safety scores in restaurant windows] but said it was under-mined by the practice of voluntary display. The real benefit of public displays of food service inspection grades is the public shame and embarrassment, which may force operators to do a better job protecting the public and therefore enhancing the overall microbial food safety culture.
Turkey- 11 tons of listeria-ladnen meat missing
26 September 2010
Barfblog [edited] [BITES]
More than 11 tons of listeria and salmonella-contaminated hamburger meat in Turkey has gone missing. The meat scandal broke after the company responsible for distributing meat to a fast-food giant cancelled its contract with a producer on grounds that the meat was contaminated. The producer demanded that the 11.6 tons of meat be returned, but it has been reported that the meat was sent to a waste center for safe disposal, prompting the company to file a complaint with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Subsequent investigations showed that the waste disposal company sent the meat to a dog farm, where 55 dogs were said to have eaten hamburger patties between May 5 and June 7, 2010. But the ministry’s Inspection Committee said that if the dogs did eat the meat, they would have been killed, so the investigation continues.
Northern Ireland- Decrease in food safety training a ticking time bomb
25 August 2010
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health [edited] [BITES]
Food businesses are cutting back on food safety and hygiene training, according to a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).The survey was sent out during mid-August to 5000 food safety trainers and training centers. Around 50 percent of trainers thought the uptake of food safety training by food businesses was being negatively affected by the present economic climate. Also, 70 percent identified cost cutting as the main reason why businesses were not investing in training.
UK- Food Standards Agency urged to relax on meat from clones
23 August 2010
Food Chemical News Vol. 52, Number 23 [edited]
The UK’s National Beef Association (NBA) urged the Food Standards Agency last week to stop blocking food products from cattle with a cloned grandparent to create a level playing field for British meat producers. The NBA asked the agency to allow meat, milk and other food products taken from the offspring of cloned livestock access to the mainstream wholesale and retail distribution systems like the rest of the European Union.
UK- Investigation on cloned animals and their offspring
3 August 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited] [BITES]
The Food Standards Agency has been investigating reports that products from the offspring of cloned animals have entered the UK food chain. Currently, there is no evidence that consuming products from healthy clones, or their offspring, poses a food safety risk. Yet, meat and products from clones and their offspring are considered novel foods and need to be authorized before being placed on the market. The Agency’s investigation has been wide-reaching and has involved farming organizations, the dairy industry, local authorities, and breed associations. As part of this investigation, the Agency has traced two bulls born in the UK from embryos harvested from a cloned cow in the US.
Denmark- Farmers adjust to livestock antibiotic ban
1 August 2010
Des Moines Register [edited] [BITES]
Denmark can provide lessons for U.S. farmers and the Obama administration when it comes to restricting the use of antibiotics on hog [pig] farms. The nation banned the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in hogs in the 1990s, a step that the Obama administration is proposing for U.S. farms. That move cut antibiotic use by 40%. Denmark next halted the use of antibiotics for anything other than treating ill animals. Danish farmers have been forced to make changes in their operations, including keeping newborn pigs with their mothers for a week longer to protect them from getting ill. But, antibiotic usage has increased in recent years faster than hog production has grown according to a Danish food safety official.
United Kingdom- Food Safety Agency Keeps Crucial Safety Role
20 July 2010
barfblog [edited] [BITES]
The Government confirmed its intention to retain the Food Standards Agency (FSA) with a renewed focus on food safety. The FSA in England will focus on its core remit of food safety policy and enforcement. The Department of Health will become responsible for nutrition policy, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will become responsible for Country of Origin Labeling. The FSA was established as a non-ministerial Government Department in 2000. Its primary purpose was to secure food safety and provide vital advice to Government and to the public; a role that the Government believes must remain independent. Reorganizing will contribute to the Government’s objectives to improve efficiency and improving the health of the nation. FSA will retain a clearly defined departmental function focused on food safety. This means that, on crucial issues of food safety, the independent advice from FSA experts would be final.
Netherlands- Q Fever
15 July 2010
RNW [edited] [ProMED]
The Dutch Agriculture Ministry has lifted restrictions on breeding and transporting milk goats and milk sheep, which had been in force since the outbreak of Q fever earlier this year [2010]. The disease is spread by bacteria that use pregnant goats and sheep as hosts. Its affects on humans can be lethal for weakened patients. Since January this year, 420 people have been infected with Q fever, and five people who were already suffering from other afflictions, died.
EU- New regulations on traceability and labeling of beef
13 July 2010
Mattilsynet [edited] [BITES]
The Health and Care Services Ministry of Agriculture and Food issued new regulations about traceability and labeling of cattle and beef. The regulations deal with marking, reporting and registration of bovine animals, as well as labeling of beef products. Key provisions include: Cattle shall be marked with two approved earmarked within 20 days after birth (but before the animal is moved from the operating unit where it is born); Both earmarked ("origin marks") shall contain a code that identifies the animal and the appropriate operational unit; All births, deaths and movements of cattle, including information on the animals' identity should be reported to the FSA and registered in the Pets Register; Cattle transfers between Norway and other EEA States will be accompanied by a passport that contains certain information about the animal. The most important changes with respect to labeling of beef products include special rules for voluntary labeling of beef and beef products and a fee requirement for supervision and control of compliance with the approved voluntary label specifications.
Dendmark: Stronger action against Salmonella and Campylobacter in food
30 June 2010
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries [edited] [BITES]
The government signed a new four-year agreement to continue efforts to control bacteria in food. Approximately 25 million kroner will be allocated a year, which is stronger than previous actions against salmonella and campylobacter. Also, funds will be used to reinforce efforts against antibiotic resistant bacteria in foods. The conciliation parties agree to intensify efforts to fight bacteria in food by launching initiatives that will focus on the whole food chain from farm to table.
EU Vet Week: Shielding Animal Health and ensuring Food Safety through traceability
11 Jun 2010
Europa [edited][FSNet]
Since the '90s when BSE and other animal diseases were delivering severe blows to industry and consumer confidence alike, the European Union has come a long way in its efforts to reinforce Animal Health and Food Safety. Traceability, the ability to follow animals or food products throughout their lifecycle –from the moment they are born or produced till they end up in our plate: from farm to fork– has been at the forefront of these efforts. These issues will be at the heart of this year's EU Veterinary Week (EVW), which starts on Monday, June 14, and ends on Sunday, June 20.
Tracing animals and animal products in a free market of 27 Member States requires sophisticated systems. Citizens are often unaware of the importance and the benefits this procedure brings along, while sometimes the industry views EU traceability rules as burdensome.
Experience shows that traceability helps ensure the highest possible levels of food safety and hygiene. In other words, it limits the risks of the EU having to cope again with serious animal diseases, such as BSE, foot-and-mouth disease or classical swine fever, while when they do emerge, it helps ensure that they are dealt with in a speedy and efficient manner as the outbreak point is quickly discovered.
In addition, traceability ensures food quality and taste as it guarantees, for example, the origin of regional specialities. The consumer knows his feta is the real thing from Greece, his Iberico ham came from Spain, "Irish Beef" from Ireland and parmesan cheese from Italy. Traceability can also address ethical elements by ensuring, for example, that only food produced in organic farms can be labelled as organic.
Germany- Nanosilver has no place in food, textiles or cosmetics
10 Jun 2010
BfR [edited][FSNet]
BfR currently advises against using nanoscale silver ions in consumer products
The manufacturers of consumer products have made use of the antimicrobial properties of silver ions for some time now. Recently, silver particles in the nanorange have likewise been used. For instance, the surfaces in fridges coated with nanosilver are intended to inhibit the growth of germs and nanosilver aims to prevent odour formation in sports socks. It is not possible at the present time to determine in a definitive manner whether nanosilver constitutes a health risk for consumers.
Silver and silver compounds release silver ions that can inhibit the growth of germs. For that reason they are used for instance in cosmetics, textiles and household appliances. Furthermore, silver is approved as a dye for food (E174).
Recently, the manufacturers of consumer products have been increasingly using silver in the form of nanoparticles, too. Nanoparticles are particles with a diameter of less than 100 nanometres. The properties of nanoparticles differ from those of larger particles of the same substance. It is these special properties that make them interesting for various applications. However, it has still to be ascertained whether their toxic properties change and they could become a health risk for consumers.
BfR recommends refraining from using any nanoscale silver in consumer products until a definitive safety assessment becomes available. In any case nanoscale additives in food require approval. Nanosilver has not been approved for use in food.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientific institution within the remit of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). It advises the federal government and federal Länder on all aspects of food, chemical and product safety.
Denmark to curb antibiotic use in livestock
03 Jun 10
Agra Europe Weekly [edited][FSNet]
Denmark is to step up efforts to curb antibiotic use in livestock as part of a new action plan against antibiotic resistance, jointly developed by the country's Health and Food Ministries.
Although Danish farmers use antibiotics sparingly when compared to their counterparts in many other parts of the world, usage is rising both in livestock and humans. As a result, Denmark is starting to face the complex problems of antibiotic resistance which are already apparent elsewhere, the Danish food minister reportedly said.
UK:Local authority audits published
03 Jun 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Agency has published reports of local authority audits carried out in a number of areas of the audit programme.
The first set of reports for the programme of audits looking at Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliance includes the reports of audits in the local authority areas of Arun, New Forest, South Northamptonshire, Westminster and Wychavon.
The audit for Worthing is concerned with feed/food law service delivery and food business compliance.
In addition, the Agency has published the report into the focused audit of 34 local authorites within Berkshire, Derbyshire, Humber and Lancashire Food Liaison Groups evaluating their inter-authority and peer review processes.
European Union implements random testing of Indian seafood
03 May 2010
FIS [edited][FSNet]
In March, the EU Health Authority recommended the random testing of 20 percent or more of the aquaculture products imported from India for antibiotic residue and micro-organisms, among other tests, according to the reports of the technical committee on seafood imports to the European bloc.
This new development has the potential of causing mass delays for the consignments destined for Europe and a consequent drop in exports to that region, noted officials from the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI).
Recurrent rejections of farmed freshwater prawn exports to the EU in the early part of 2009 led EU authorities to make their newly implemented decision.
India counts the EU as one of its main importers of domestic aquaculture products and thus represents a vital market. Aquaculture exports to the EU make up nearly 32 per cent of the value of total seafood exports, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), news sources reported.
The EU has been tightening its import regulations by boosting its environmental and health standards. Starting on 1 January 2010, India and other countries have had to attach catch certificates to all their seafood shipments to the region indicating the origin of the products if they were to be accepted.
This rule was implemented by the EU in hopes that it would help reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Brussels-based Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) is responsible for ensuring the safety of food products imported into the EU and has the power to reject and ban imports that do not meet its standards. Following FVO’s biennial audit of Indian seafood testing laboratories, the office told the Indian government in a letter that the Indian method of residue monitoring and testing was structurally flawed and useless.
UK: Changes to FSA food alert system
02 Jun 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency is changing the way it issues information to consumers about food product withdrawals and recalls. The new system takes effect from June 2010.
Under the new system, a 'Product Withdrawal Information Notice' or a 'Product Recall Information Notice' will be issued to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. These replace what was known under the previous system as the ‘Food Alert for Information’.
The ‘Food Alert for Action’ category of alert will continue to be issued and will remain unchanged. This alert is issued to provide local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.
In 2009, the FSA carried out a 12-week consultation to review the way it communicates with local authorities during incidents. The change will: · increase FSA speed of response during incidents – this is because information notices will be quicker for the FSA to produce and issue · increase the impact of ‘for action’ alerts issued to local authorities – some local authorities indicated that they were receiving too many alerts (mainly of the type where no action needed to be taken) · address concerns voiced by some parts of the food industry over the terminology the FSA previously used, particularly when all the required actions by food business operators have been carried out following an incident If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product).
China- 5 FDA officials arrested for taking bribes
19 Apr 2010
Shangai Daily [edited][FSNet]
Five officials from China's food and drug watchdog have been arrested on graft charges only three years after its former head was executed for the same offence.
Another official was ordered by investigators to stay at home pending results of the investigation.
The five were arrested on suspicion of taking bribes, it was reported yesterday.
Wales-Hygiene scores of all Wales food businesses to be made available to the public
13 Apr 2010
Wales Online [edited][FSNet]
The hygiene scores of all food businesses in Wales will be available to the public in about six months.
Star ratings from zero to five allocated under the Food Standards Agency’s scores-on-the-doors scheme will be listed on a single website.
The move is in response to increasing public pressure to make caterers more accountable in the wake of South Wales’ deadly E. coli O157 outbreak.
It will mean that for the first time, consumers will have the ability to choose to eat or buy their food from the most hygienic businesses.
China- 5 FDA officials arrested for taking bribes
19 Apr 2010
Shangai Daily [edited][FSNet]
Five officials from China's food and drug watchdog have been arrested on graft charges only three years after its former head was executed for the same offence.
Another official was ordered by investigators to stay at home pending results of the investigation.
The five were arrested on suspicion of taking bribes, it was reported yesterday.
UK: New Operations Group for the Food Standards Agency
31 Mar 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced in July 2009 its intention to form a new Operations Group in 2010. This will take effect from 1 April 2010 when the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and FSA merge.
The FSA Operations Group will streamline and improve the Agency’s approach to compliance with official food and feed controls across the United Kingdom and will support the Agency’s priority to always put consumers first.
Anticipated benefits of the new Operations Group include: · Providing coordinated and consistent support to UK food and feed businesses and delivery partners to help compliance with official controls and other statutory requirements. · Ensuring that regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate. · Improving the sharing of knowledge, information and expertise throughout the Operations Group to provide a better understanding of which interventions are most effective in delivering compliance. · A consistent and targeted UK approach will contribute to improvements in public protection of food safety and a reduction in instances of foodborne illness. · A structure that will help deliver strategic objectives in line with external expectations and drivers – for example, the recommendations arising from the 2009 Report of the Public Inquiry into the September 2005 outbreak of E. coli O157 in South Wales and recommendations of EU Food and Veterinary Office Missions. · Driving internal improvements for efficiency and effectiveness, freeing up resources to enable work on the issues that will really make a difference to food safety. · Savings of approximately £2 million are forecast to be generated through the merger, mainly through back office efficiencies.
Ireland- Guide to food law for artisan food producers available
29 Mar 2010
FSAI [edited][FSNet]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) published a comprehensive guide to food law to assist artisan and small food producers who have started or are planning to start a new food business. The publication of the Guide to Food Law for Artisan/Small Food Producers Starting a New Business is timely given that the FSAI has witnessed a marked increase in interest in starting a new food business from members of the public. In 2009, there was a 50% increase on 2008, on the number of enquiries to the FSAI’s advice line asking for information on how to set up a new food business. To operate legally the food business operator must ensure: that their food business is registered, or approved; that they have a food safety management system in place; that their business has an effective traceability system; that staff handling food have received food safety training; and that they comply with food law. The guide provides concise and clear details on these legal requirements. It also includes simplified summaries on food legislation.
United Kingdom- Agency welcome shelf-life guidance for chilled foods
25 Mar 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Agency has welcomed the publication of new guidance to help food businesses determine the shelf life of ready-to-eat foods by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Chilled Food Association (CFA), working in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency.
The guidance is designed to help businesses, from small food outlets to major food manufacturers, calculate a safe shelf life for how long particular foods can be kept before being eaten. It is also designed to help firms meet European Union hygiene rules that set limits on bacteria in food, such as Listeria monocytogenes, which is the focus of the guidance.
Complex issues are explained simply for staff at all levels of expertise. Real life examples are also provided to show how the advice should be put into practice.
UK scientists devise worldwide food alert system
04 Mar 2010
ScienceDaily [edited][FSNet]
Countries producing food containing harmful bacteria and toxins could be named and shamed more quickly using a worldwide alert system devised by a team of scientists from Kingston University in South West London. The team was quoted by saying the easy to use computer tool can be used to monitor contaminated products; helping to prevent them reaching shop shelves and ensuring that food is safe to eat.
Thousands of alerts about contaminated food are produced each year, particularly by developed countries, but there is no single international system for monitoring food safety. This prompted the leading professor and his colleagues to develop a program to analyse alerts and produce a global picture of the countries that trade and detect contaminated food that can be deadly or cause health problems from food poisoning to long term degenerative diseases.
China, Iran, Turkey, the United States and Spain were the top five offenders when it came to producing contaminated food, according to an analysis of data from 2003-2008. Over the same five-year period, Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands were the countries that reported the largest number of contaminated products from other countries. Toxins in pistachio nuts from Iran, food recalled by major supermarket chains and imported products stopped by border agencies were among the alerts included in the analysis.
EFSA launches cooperation project on non-plastic food contact materials
22 Feb 2010
EFSA [edited][FSNet]
The European Food Safety Authority has set up an EFSA scientific cooperation (ESCO) working group to collect and analyse information on the safety of substances used in non-plastic materials which come into contact with food.
This follows a number of incidents in recent years in which certain substances used in non-plastic food contact materials (such as inks and adhesives) have been found to migrate into foods. Whilst EU rules specify that all materials coming into contact with foods must be safe, many non-plastic components of food contact materials - unlike plastic materials - are not subject to specific provisions at the European level.
The working group has been created following discussions on this issue at EFSA’s Advisory Forum, which brings together representatives of national food safety authorities.
UK: eatwell.gov to bring consumers all government food advice
29 Jan 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency is to expand its eatwell website to bring together all government information on food aimed at consumers. Advice on food safety and healthy eating will be integrated with information on a wide range of other topics relevant to consumers' food choices, with a particular focus on environmental and wider sustainability issues.
The Agency will work closely with other government departments and bodies over the coming year to gather up-to-date information, and it plans to launch the remodelled website in spring 2011.
The report of this scoping exercise, 'Integrated advice for consumers: discussion and analysis of options', provides a snapshot of existing information on government websites, identifies gaps in consumer advice and recommends options for implementing the new integrated site. The report is available online at the link below, alongside summaries of research undertaken with consumers and school-aged children as part of this project.
Earlier this month, 'Food 2030', the Government’s new food strategy, set out the Government's vision for the food system and how to achieve it by 2030.
Food 2030 confirmed the Government’s commitment to providing an integrated source of government information and advice for consumers, to help people make informed choices about the impact of the food they choose to eat.
Originally, the need for this website was identified in the Cabinet Office 'Food Matters' report, published in July 2008, also available at the link below.
'Food Matters' highlighted the need for government to take a more joined-up approach, not only in providing information to consumers, but to food policy overall. The need to tackle in an integrated way the health, social, environmental and economic challenges in the food system is an approach reinforced by the recent Food 2030 strategy.
UK: Good hygiene is good for business
25 Jan 2010
Food Standards Agency [edited][FSNet]
The Food Standards Agency is launching a UK-wide campaign today, to raise awareness among food businesses about the Agency tools available to help businesses comply with food hygiene law.
The tools being promoted include Safer food, better business (for use in England and Wales), CookSafe and RetailSafe (for use in Scotland), and Safe Catering (for use in Northern Ireland). These tools provide innovative and practical approaches to food safety management.
The campaign includes posters, advertisements in trade publications and on the radio, and promotion online. Running from today until Monday 1 March 2010, the campaign will target catering businesses that supply food direct to consumers – such as restaurants, takeaways and cafés.
Ireland reports 17% increase in food safety enforcement orders in 2009
08 Jan 2010
FSAI [edited][FSNet]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that there were a total of 54 Enforcement Orders – including 34 Closure Orders -- served for breaches in food safety legislation in 2009 compared with 46 in 2008, an increase totaling 17%.
The FSAI reportedly re-emphasized that it is unacceptable that food businesses were continuing to breach food safety laws and warned all food business operators to place robust food safety measures and hygiene practices top of their agenda for the new decade or face the full rigors of the law being imposed.
UK- Outbreak on cruise ship
07 Jan 2010
Daily Mail [edited][FSNet]
The UK's Daily Mail told media sources that at least 289 of 795 passengers on the Boudicca this week have been struck down by the illness. At 36% of passengers, it's one of the most widespread outbreaks of a norovirus-like illness recorded on a cruise ship in years.
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