December

China to set up "preemptive" food safety network
31 Dec 2008
Xinhua News Agency [edited][iFSN]
A senior health official said here Wednesday that China will set up a "preemptive" monitoring system to improve food safety in China. "It means we will try to rid food problems by early detection, early warning and early intervention," said Su Zhi, deputy general director of health inspection and supervision bureau under the Ministry of Health. Illegal chemicals added into food have led to several major food scares in China. Despite frequent government crackdowns, illegal non-food substances remained a threat. Su said the "preemptive" monitoring system" will include a monitoring network on food manufacturing and distribution with focus on food additives and non-food substances.

Australia - Diners at risk as food safety laws are ignored
30 Dec 2008
Sydney Morning Herald - Matthew Moore Freedom [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that more than half the councils in NSW have not fined any food businesses caught breaking food safety laws in the past four years, raising fears that much of the state has no effective protection against food poisoning from unhygienic restaurants and cafes. It is reported that figures provided by the Office of State Revenue, which collects payments for fines imposed by councils, show that since 2004 only 67 out of more than 150 councils imposed any fines on restaurants and takeaway food businesses flouting hygiene laws. The story goes on by explaining that even some big Sydney councils, such as Willoughby, Lane Cove and Mosman, imposed no fines from 2004 to October this year, while some councils with many restaurants, such as Leichhardt, imposed just a handful of fines.

Australia - Bakery that put dozens in hospital fined $40,000
30 Dec 2008
Sydney Morning Herald - Kylie Bordignon [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story,the Sydney bakery responsible for a food poisoning outbreak that affected 319 people, of whom 136 were admitted to hospital, has been fined more than $40,000 for breaches of the Food Act. The NSW Food Authority closed French Golden Hot Bread, in Homebush West, in March last year after tracing a Salmonella outbreak to the egg mayonnaise served with its pork and chicken rolls. Contrary to government regulations, the egg mixture was not heat-treated or kept below the specified 5 degrees. A faulty refrigerator was also blamed for the elevated temperature of the mayonnaise, which allowed the bacteria to develop. The owners of the bakery had received previous warnings from the NSW Food Authority. An Improvement Notice was issued to Linda and Long Fou in 2005 regarding the cleanliness and maintenance of food preparation equipment and services.

Vietnam - Ministry tightens food safety
27 Dec 2008
SGGP - Ngoc Phuong
According to this story, 2008 was the year when a spate of illnesses, brought by food poisoning, caused public outcries. Subsequently, the Vietnam Food Administrator (VFA), part of the Ministry of Health (MoH), will tighten food safety and hygiene in 2009, said a VFA official. The Deputy Head of VFA admitted that in spite of the efforts of his department and other agencies, a large number of food poisonings have taken place.

Vietnam - Lunar New Year food safety and hygiene concerns raised
25 Dec 2008
Saigon GP - N. Khanh - Translated by Hai Son [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, health and agriculture officials met in Hanoi on December 24 to discuss food safety and hygiene in the lead-up to the Tet Lunar New Year. The head of the Health Ministry’s food hygiene and safety department, expressed concerns about some of the items seen at markets in Hanoi, such as imported cattle and chemicals and additives without clear indications of their origins. It is reported that those responsible for monitoring food markets were hampered by a lack of personnel, funding and space to store confiscated foodstuff, according to Ms. Nguyen Nhu Mai, deputy director of the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade.

New Zealand - Tainted milk scandal company declared bankrupt
24 Dec 2008
USA Today [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that a Chinese court has declared bankrupt the company at the center of a scandal over tainted milk — blamed for killing six children and sickening almost 300,000 more. According to this story, New Zealand's Fronterra Group, part owner in the Chinese venture, said Wednesday a court in Shijiazhuang, in China's Hebei province, issued a bankruptcy order against Sanlu Group Co. in response to a petition from a creditor.

China’s legislature postpones debate on revised food safety law until next February
22 Dec 2008
Star Tribune - Associated Press [edited][iFSN]
It is reporte that China's legislature has postponed debate on a revised food safety law, which is being revamped in the wake of a major scandal over tainted milk, state media reported Monday.
A draft of the law was taken off the agenda of a bimonthly session of the National People's Congress that started this week, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Lawmakers are expected to take up debate in February.

China's dairy giants take oath to improve quality
19 Dec 2008
China Daily - Wang Jianfen [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that China's biggest dairy companies Mengniu and Yili each took an oath on Thursday to uphold business ethics and provide safe products, as part of a nationwide campaign to bolster severely-damaged consumer confidence in the aftermath of the nation's tainted milk scandal. The company's employees at eight different locations outside of Hohhot also took the oath simultaneously and the scenes could be seen on a big screen at the headquarters.
Ding Junqing, a dairy farmer, made a speech at the ceremony.
Related stories
26 Dec 2008 –Two on trial in milk powder scandal
Xinhua News Agency/AP [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that a melamine producer and a dealer in China's tainted milk scandal stood trial on Friday in the capital of northern Hebei Province. According to this story, the Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court accused Zhang Yujun of producing 775 tonnes of "protein powder" which contained melamine from October 2007 through August 2008. If added to, the product would make raw milk appear high in protein content. Zhang sold more than 600 tonnes with total sales value of 6.83 million yuan (998,000 U.S.dollars), the court heard. Zhang Yanzhang, sold 230 tonnes to others for Zhang Yujun. The "protein powder" was sold to milk collectors in Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Xingtai and Zhangjiakou cities in Hebei. Some collectors added it to raw milk and sold it to Shijiazhuang-based Sanlu Group, the country's major dairy at the center of the tainted milk scandal.
27 Dec 2008 – Dairy firms to compensate tainted milk victims
Reuters - Jason Subler [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, Chinese dairy firms that sold baby formula tainted with the industrial chemical melamine will pay compensation to the families of nearly 300,000 children who were killed or sickened as a result, state media reported. Twenty-two dairy producers will soon make one-off cash payments to the families, the Xinhua news agency cited the China Dairy Industry Association as saying on Saturday. 30 Dec 2008 – Chinese dairies to compensate sickened babies
Associated Press - Christopher Bodeen [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, lawyers for the families of Chinese children sickened by tainted milk said Tuesday they are advising their clients to reject a government compensation package, saying the amount offered for families of victims is too low. State media on Tuesday reported dairies will likely pay 1.1 billion yuan ($160 million) in compensation to victims' families. According to the China Daily, the 22 companies blamed in the scandal will make a one-time 900 million yuan ($131 million) cash payment to victims. It is reported that the remaining 200 million yuan ($29 million) would cover bills for lingering health problems, the paper said, citing an unnamed source from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission. The story goes on by explaining that children who suffered kidney stones would get 2,000 yuan ($290), while sicker children would be paid 30,000 yuan ($4,380) and families of those who died would each receive 200,000 yuan ($29,000), China Daily said.
30 Dec 2008 - Families in CHINA's milk scandal denounce payout
USA Today - Associated Press [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, Chinese families whose babies suffered painful kidney stones from drinking tainted infant formula said Tuesday that a planned payout by dairies is too low and their lawyers pledged to continue attempts to sue for more compensation. 31 Dec 2008 – CHINA dairy manager on trial for milk scandal
Associated Press - Anita Chang [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that the former chairwoman of the dairy company at the heart of China's tainted milk scandal went on trial Wednesday on charges of selling fake or substandard products, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The former board chairwoman and general manager of Sanlu Group Co., and three other top executives who also went on trial Wednesday could face the death penalty if convicted..
31 Dec 2008 – Former head of Chinese dairy pleads guilty
The New York Times - David Barboza [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the former chairwoman of one of China’s biggest dairy producers pleaded guilty on Wednesday to selling tainted powdered baby formula and acknowledged for the first time that the company knew of the problem months before alerting local officials to what has become one of the country’s biggest food-safety crises.

China - City to draft local food-safety law
16 Dec 2008
Shanghai Daily - Cai Wenjun [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the city's first food-safety law is expected to be issued before the 2010 World Expo. The local law will be in line with the nation's new food-safety law, a draft of which is under examination. Shanghai's law will also take the city's individual circumstances into account. Local food and drug authorities are also planning to establish a food and drug safety evaluation center with inspection facilities.

Asia - GMA applauds APEC leaders on food safety initiative
11 Dec 2008
AsiaFoodJournal.com [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has applauded the leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum for launching the APEC Partnership Training Institute Network for food safety (PTIN). According to this story, the APEC PTIN represents a new initiative, designed to unite public and private sector representatives, as well as scientific experts, around a common purpose: improving food safety in the Asia Pacific region by increasing regulatory capacity. GMA says the APEC PTIN is critically important as concerns about food safety in the Asia Pacific region have risen sharply in recent months and years, a fact reinforced by the initiative’s high-level endorsement by APEC heads of government. This multi-year initiative will provide assistance to APEC Member Economies to improve regulator and manufacturer technical competence and understanding of food safety management, and thus will substantially improve food safety in the APEC community and beyond.

South Korea – South Koreans have new regard for U.S. beef
10 Dec 2008
Washington Post - Blaine Harden [edited][iFSN]
South Korea's beef over U.S. beef is, according to this story, finally over. Now, in the winter of their consumerism, the people have changed their mind. It is reported that low-priced U.S. beef has appeared in supermarkets here in recent days, after a decision by three major retailers to start selling it again, and the reaction has been brisk business and no political fuss. The story explains also that fifty tons of U.S. beef disappeared from shelves the first day it was offered for sale.

Australia - Band-aid puts Dominos Pizza on NSW shame list
09 Dec 2008
New Zealand Herald/AAP [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that a pizza topped with a band-aid has landed a southern Sydney takeaway store on the NSW government's name and shame list of food safety infringements. Dominos Pizza on Carter Road in Menai was fined $1100 ($1355 USD) for accidentally serving the band-aid in the pizza in August. According to this story, now 317 businesses appear on the name and shame list on the Food Authority website, with 502 fines issued. It is also explained that the Primary Industries minister said the list was designed to stop individuals and companies that cut corners on food safety for consumers. The website has had over 1.4 million visitors since it was launched in July.

China - 4-month campaign to ensure food safety launched
09 Dec 2008
China Daily - Zhu Zhe [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that a four-month nationwide campaign will begin on Wednesday to ensure all food products are free of non-edible substances and excessive levels of additives, the government said on Monday. The government is also working on a compensation package for the tainted milk victims, an official said. The campaign, to be jointly conducted by nine central government departments, is aimed at cleansing and regulating the market and firms using excessive food additives will be hauled up. The Ministry of Health said the campaign would be divided into three phases: From tomorrow [December 10] to January 10, companies will be asked to conduct self-examination and correction. From January 11 to March 10, law enforcement officers will raid high-risk food producers or regions, and intensify random checks on markets. From March 11 to April 10, the focus will be on illegal food-additive producers and cutting off the supply of high-risk non-food substances.

China to issue blacklist of harmful food additives
05 Dec 2008
Associated Press [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, China will issue a blacklist of food additives that could be harmful, state media said Friday in the wake of a scandal over tainted milk believed to have killed six children and sickened hundreds of thousands. It is also reported that the government also will step up testing of foods for banned additives, the official English-language China Daily newspaper reported.

New Zealand - Councils give Food Control Plans the green light
03 Dec 2008
New Zealand Food Safety Authority [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, sixty-four councils (of 73 total) across New Zealand have given the green light to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s (NZFSA) voluntary programme for managing food safety. The off-the-peg Food Control Plan, part of the proposed Food Bill which aims to reduce the rate of foodborne illness in New Zealand, is designed to give operators of participating food safety and catering businesses a set of procedures and records to help them simply and effectively manage food safety. It is reported that participating councils have already approved more than 150 Food Control Plans for food service and catering businesses across the country in the period to 3 December 2008 and many more are planning to join. Wellington City Council is leading the way with 30 businesses choosing to switch from the outdated 1974 Food Hygiene Regulations and proactively manage their food safety under the Food Control Plan.
Carole Inkster, NZFSA’s Policy Director, said the New Zealand Food Safety Authority is encouraged by the level of commitment demonstrated by local councils and food operators to improving food safety for consumers. “The Food Control Plan advocates good practice in food preparation, storage, display and cleaning and will help New Zealand food businesses meet their customers’ expectations for safe food.” Food operators who register their Food Control Plan with their council are exempt from the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 as their Food Control Plan sets the rules for their business. Local council environmental health officers are responsible for ensuring the operator’s Food Control Plan is appropriate for their business and that it is being followed properly.

Korea - Food safety fears spur new rules on keeping data
02 Dec 2008
JoongAng Daily - Limb Jae-un [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, iIn a move aimed at addressing food safety fears that were ramped up by the recent melamine poisoning scandal in China, all food manufacturers and importers will be required to keep detailed records on food purchases, imports, production and distribution for at least three years, beginning on Dec. 14. The new regulations were agreed upon at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, according to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. The measures are aimed to make it possible to institute quick recalls when necessary. Up until now, there was no mandate on keeping distribution records, so it was difficult for the government to act with sufficient haste when food safety issues arose.

November

Australia - FSANZ considers lifting ban on non-pasteurized cheese
24 Nov 2008
ABC Australia - ABC Rural [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, there is a chance Australia's ban on non-pasteurised, or raw milk, cheese, may be lifted. It is reported that Australian boutique cheese makers have long opposed the ban, and a discussion paper has been released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand to consider overturning it. The production and selling of raw milk products was banned in Australia because of a risk to human health.

China Admits it Used Melamine in Pet Food
24 November 2008
Pork news [edited]
According to this story, Chinese authorities have admitted that some ingredients used to make pet food did contain melamine. According to a report in USA Today , the admission led to increased investigations into two Chinese companies and their links to enormous animal food recalls last year in the United States. The report also noted that Chinese authorities claim melamine did not harm pets.

Malaysia - Malaysia-made Biscuits Free From Melamine , Says Health Minister
24 Nov 2008 [edited]
All biscuits sold in the local market and exported by Malaysia are free from melamine contamination, the Health Minister said. It is reported that biscuits previously found to be containing melamine meanwhile have been removed from the market and banned.
Following the discovery of melamine in several biscuits exported especially around the Asian region, the Malaysian government took fast action to identify the source of melamine in the biscuits which was ammonium bicarbonate imported from three factories in China. In order to regain confidence from the people and the market, the government has issued a letter to explain and convince the authorities in the importing countries on the safety measures taken and continued to be taken by Malaysia. This will be followed by sessions to explain the issue overseas, especially in the identified export markets, he said.He said the Health Ministry will make it easier to export biscuits with the letter of acknowledgment which will state that the biscuits being exported have met with the level of melamine content as allowed by the importing countries. Towards this, the laboratory facilities for analyzing melamine content have been also extended to cover the government laboratory in Singapore.

Australia - Family sues Smallgoods Company over death
21 Nov 2008
ABC News [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the family of a man who died after eating contaminated meat is suing the Smallgoods Company which made the products. Documents lodged with the Supreme Court allege that the man was given meat contaminated with Listeria and supplied by Conroy's Smallgoods. His mother, Doris Formosa, 79, and her disabled son, Vernon, are suing Conroy's and the RAH for negligence.

China to overhaul battered dairy industry
20 Nov 2008
Associated Press - Tini Tran [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, China's dairy industry — at the center of the country's latest food safety scandal — will be overhauled to improve every step from cow breeding to milk sales, the government said. It is reported that the major shake-up will cover all aspects of the dairy supply chain, including production, purchase, processing and sales within the next year. The story goes on by explaining that the government plans to step up regulation of milk collection stations, where dairy farmers sell their raw milk, and "firmly crack down on and outlaw illegal milk vendors, firmly crack down on any illegal acts involving adulteration," according to a statement from the National Development and Reform Commission. By the end of 2009, milk stations nationwide would be required to meet standards on hygiene, testing methods, operational procedures and personnel, it said.

China - $73m to beef up food safety surveillance
19 Nov 2008
China Daily - Hu Yinan [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, China will spend 500 million yuan ($73 million) to build wide-ranging surveillance systems to ensure its agricultural products are safe, the agriculture ministry said. As part of the recent 4-trillion-yuan fiscal stimulus package, the money is expected to spur a further 165.4 million yuan in local investment, the website of Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday.
Quoting an unnamed source with the Ministry of Agriculture, the report said the money will be spent on "are to further enhance China's capabilities and levels in inspecting the quality and safety of its agricultural products." An earlier statement on the ministry website ( www.agri.gov.cn ) said the money will help set up 18 ministerial quality inspection centers, 15 at the provincial and 117 at the county level. Seven regional quality inspection projects will also be launched.

Philippines – Two Lucena traders charged for selling contaminated shellfish
17 Nov 2008
GMANews.TV - Amita Legaspi [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, two traders in Lucena have been charged for selling contaminated shellfish in the province, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director said Monday. Emerging from a hearing held at the Senate, the Director said the two were charged with violation of the Consumers Act while another trader in Albay is being investigated for the same offense. He did not mention the name of the traders.

Philippines - DepEd reiterates guidelines on food safety in schools
17 Nov 2008
balita-dot-ph - PNA [edited][iFSN]
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday reiterated the guidelines on food safety in schools in the wake of a study undertaken by the Department of Health (DOH) showing that six out of 10 food handlers at canteens have infections that might be passed on to students. Through DepEd Order No. 52, the DepEd urged regional directors and schools division superintendents to oversee the effective management of school canteens whether those are managed by the school or by the teachers’ cooperative. The order also provided that food suppliers must have business and sanitary permits while food handlers are required to have health certificates. Likewise, teachers in-charge of school canteens should coordinate with their municipal health office for the periodic monitoring of food preparations and packaging. The DepEd prescribed that foods offered in the school canteens should be nutritious, safe and affordable. Consigned foods should be inspected prior to serving or vending. Under the order, the school heads are accountable for any untoward incident that may happen in the school due to non-adherence with school health policies and food safety guidelines. A monitoring team was also created to ensure compliance with standards or quality, handling and serving of food in the school canteens and that food safety measures and hygienic practices are strictly observed and implemented. The DOH study showed that 61.8 percent of food handlers in Metro Manila pose a disease-carrying agent.

China faces new problem: Disposing of tainted milk
14 Nov 2008
Associated Press - Audra Ang [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, China faces a new problem with the tainted milk that has sickened babies and battered public confidence. It is reported that tens of thousands of tons of milk laced with melamine have been pulled from shelves and warehouses since September, and local governments now face the huge — and costly — problem of safely disposing of it. Last month alone, more than 32,000 tons — enough were disposed of in a single province, Hebei, according to the official Xinhua news agency. It is reported that at a factory in the southern city of Guangzhou, tons of contaminated milk powder were incinerated in 3,000-degree heat.

Australia - Senator McLucas launches food safety advertisements
12 Nov 2008
FSANZ [edited][iFSN]
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Jan McLucas, today launched two new TV community service advertisements to ensure that consumers are aware of the food poisoning risks when preparing food at home. Senator McLucas said the advertisements had been developed by the Food Safety Information Council following a survey by Food Standards Australia New Zealand which found that 92 per cent of Australians were confident about food safety in their home.
Related stories
12 Nov 2008 – Govt launches new food safety ads
The Age [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the federal government has launched a new food safety campaign to try to reduce the risk of food poisoning in the home. The campaign was developed by the Food Safety Information Council and features two TV community service ads and three radio announcements.

China destroys tons of tainted animal feed
02 Nov 2008
International Heral Tribune - David Barboza [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, Chinese regulators said over the weekend that they had confiscated and destroyed more than 3,600 tons of animal feed tainted with melamine and that they had closed 238 illegal feed makers in a series of nationwide sweeps that involved more than 369,000 government inspectors.
Related cases
03 Nov 2008 – Tainting of milk is open secret in CHINA
Wall Street Journal - Gordon Fairclough [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the routine spiking of milk with illicit substances was an open secret in China's dairy regions, according to the accounts of farmers and others with knowledge of the industry. It is reported that the Agriculture Ministry said it has found melamine in 2.4% of the feed it has checked since mid-September, and has destroyed or confiscated more than 3,600 tons.

China- Toxic milk scandal worsens
01 Nov 2008
The Age - Mary-Anne Toy [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that nine more families of babies sickened from drinking tainted milk powder have filed lawsuits against one of China's largest dairy companies as the country's worst food safety scandal in years shows no signs of abating. The legal action comes as the Government appeared to admit the industrial chemical melamine, toxic in large doses, may be widespread within China's food supply and not confined to the dairy industry. The state-run media yesterday published a report saying the illegal practice of mixing melamine into animal feed to boost its apparent protein levels was an "open secret" in the food industry. The unusual admission comes after this week's disclosure that four brands of Chinese eggs sold in Hong Kong and two mainland provinces were also contaminated with melamine. Agricultural officials suggest that the chickens must have been fed melamine-laced feed. There have been no reports so far of any illness from eating contaminated eggs.

October

China - City fish food checked for melamine content – Animal feed
31 Oct 2008
Shanghai Daily , China [edited] [Promed
According to this story, Shanghai will carry out full-scale checks on feed used in the fisheries industry due to fears that the widening melamine-tainted food scandal may spread to seafood. Shanghai's Livestock Office said yesterday [30 Oct 2008] that the checks would cover more than 100 feed producers in the city. Further inspections on seafood would start if any food given to fish was found to be contaminated with melamine
Related stories
30 Oct 2008 – China's animal feed tainted with melamine
AP -- Houston Chronicle , USA [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the industrial chemical melamine is commonly added to animal feed in China to make it appear higher in protein, state media reported Thursday [30 Oct 2008], in what appeared to be a tacit admission by the government that contamination is widespread in the country's food supply.

China- Melamine in eggs
31 Oct 2008
BizChinaUpdate, China [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that China's food safety authority found traces of the toxic chemical melamine in eggs from Shanxi and Hubei provinces. This follows similar traces discovered by Hong Kong authorities in imported eggs from Dalian. Eggs produced by Green Biological Centre in Changzhi in Shanxi province contained as much as 3.5mg per kilogramme of melamine, 75 per cent higher than the national safety level. Hong Kong authorities also detected the chemical in eggs from Jinshan Changpeng Agricultural Products, from Hubei. A countrywide investigation is now underway as Chinese consumers shun eggs and egg byproducts as the latest food safety scare deepens.
Related stories
30 Oct 2008 – Melamine in eggs
Shanghai Daily , China [edited]
Four Chinese brands of eggs were found containing melamine this week in Hong Kong and Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province.
30 Oct 2008 - BBC News Asia-Pacific [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that despite a national campaign, lapses in food safety are continuing [to unfold]; 3 more Chinese brands of chicken's eggs have been found to contain high levels of the chemical melamine. According to this story, like the milk scandal before it, the contamination of China's egg supply appears to be far more widespread than first realized. Local officials say melamine was illegally mixed into chicken feed to make eggs [test] richer in protein than they were, but central authorities have not commented.
30 Oct 2008 – Feed factory representative arrested in tainted eggs scandal
Shanghai Daily , China [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the legal representative of a feed factory has been arrested after melamine was found in its products, according to Dalian Hanwei Enterprise Group, a producer of eggs that contained an excessive amount of the industrial chemical in its products, Beijing News reported today [30 Oct 2008 ].
29 Oct 2008 - Delayed disclosure of tainted eggs
USA Today -Associated Press [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, a local Chinese government acknowledged Wednesday that officials knew about melamine-tainted eggs for a month before the contamination was publicly disclosed. It is reported that a brand of chicken eggs produced by China's leading egg processor were pulled from some stores in the country after Hong Kong food safety regulators found excessive levels of melamine in eggs from the company.
29 Oct 2008 – Melamine found
Taipei Times, Taiwan [edited] [Promed]
The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday [28 Oct 2008] that protein powder imported from China was found to contain 1.90 parts per million (ppm) to 5.03 ppm of melamine. Of the 393 tons of protein powder imported from [mainland] China this year [2008], 261 tons imported from Jilin Jinyi and Dalian Green Snow were found to be contaminated with melamine, the deputy health minister said at a press conference yesterday.
28 Oct 2008 – CHINA firm apologizes for selling tainted eggs
Associated Press [edited] [iFSN]
It is reported that a Chinese company apologized to consumers in Hong Kong on Tuesday after the territory's food safety regulators found excessive levels of the industrial chemical melamine in eggs sold by the firm.
27 Oct 2008 – Melamine in eggs
The New York Times via Seattle Times [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, Hong Kong food inspectors have found eggs imported from northeast China to be contaminated with high levels of melamine, the toxic industrial additive at the heart of an adulteration scandal over Chinese milk products.
26 Oct 2008 – Hong Kong tests more food after egg scare
USA Today/Associated Press [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the discovery of excessive levels of the industrial chemical melamine in Chinese eggs has prompted the Hong Kong authorities to expand health tests to include meat products imported from China, a senior official said Sunday. It is reported that the move follows the announcement late Saturday that Hong Kong testers had found 4.7 parts per million of melamine in imported eggs produced in China.

China - Control measures regarding melamine
25 Oct 2008
Reuters Alertnet [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, China has burnt 32 200 tons of melamine-tainted dairy products in a bid to put behind it a health scandal in which tens of thousands of infants fell ill. It is also reported that China began reviewing a tougher draft food safety law on Thursday [23 Oct 2008] following criticism from the United Nations over its sluggish response to the health scandal. China approved in principle a new food safety law last October [2007] following a raft of scandals involving unsafe toothpaste, seafood and pet food, among other products.
Related stories
21 Oct 2008 - Four stand trial for massive food poisoning in south CHINA
Xinhua News Agency [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, four people are on trial in south China's boom city Shenzhen on charges of deliberately poisoning food at a snack bar, killing two diners and sickening 63 others early this year. The suspects include a private business runner, a manager of the Hong Kong-listed BYD Company and two migrants. A 33-year-old businessman from Huidong County in Guangdong Province, was suspected to have masterminded the poisoning to pressure the local government into demolishing a booming marketplace that had left his own stores in the same neighborhood unfrequented. A 21-year-old man and a woman of 18 died. Police detected sodium nitrite in the water collected from the restaurant drains and cloths used to cover food. The chemical was also found on top of the kitchen ranges.
17 Oct 2008 - Officials told tainted milk victims not to sue
Taipei Times -AFP
Lawyers for victims of China’s tainted milk scandal said yesterday the government had warned them not to sue, although three lawsuits had already been filed and more were expected. The three suits filed separately seek damages over the contamination of dairy supplies with the industrial. However, the courts involved had yet to notify plaintiffs whether the cases would be accepted, while judicial authorities were warning lawyers to back off, Beijing attorney Li Fangping said.
16 Oct 2008 – China says must share blame for milk scandal
Reuters [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said his government must assume some responsibility for the latest milk powder scandal in which at least four infants have died and tens of thousands fallen ill. Many Chinese milk companies were implicated and a few of them apologised this week for their involvement in the latest in a grim series of food- and product-safety scandals to blight the "made in China" brand. China's Health Ministry said 5,824 infants were still being treated and six were in serious condition.
16 Oct 2008 – Banned CHINESE milk is still being sold
Wall Street Journal - Loretta Chao [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, despite orders from China's central authorities to recall all milk produced before Sept. 14, banned milk from two of China's biggest dairies was still being sold this week at a discount to students in the southern city of Guangzhou through stores and milk dealers.. On Oct. 11, six government agencies issued an order that all dairy products dated from before Sept. 14 -- regardless of brand -- be pulled from stores for testing, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.
11 Oct 2008 – Muslim food industry in CHINA vows to ensure food safety
Xinhua News Agency
Muslim food business leaders in China are pledging product safety and vowing to follow their religious teachings in food production. 200 Muslim food business leaders made that declaration while attending an ongoing international trade fair in the northwest Chinese city of Xining. This is the latest move by the country's food industry to self-regulate after a series of safety scandals.
10 Oct 2008 – Tainted milk prompts new Chinese standards
UPI [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, chinese officials say they have introduced a new set of quality control standards regarding dairy products because of a scandal over melamine tainted milk. State Council health officials said the new standards include limiting the presence of hazardous substances in any Chinese dairy products, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said Friday.
05 Oct 2008 - China- Inspectors posted to dairy factories for 24-hour supervision
Xinhua News Agency [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that quality supervision authority has dispatched more than 5,000 inspectors to carry out round-the-clock scrutiny at dairy factories in an effort to restore consumer confidence in the wake of the scandal over the melamine contamination of milk. The director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ), told Xinhua that the government would strive to ensure all dairy products manufactured after Sept. 14 were melamine-free and safe. Calling the site inspections an "unusual measure," he said 1,644 teams had covered all dairy producers across the country and would be present through the whole production process. According to this story, inspectors would ensure all raw materials were stored properly, with the producers clearly marked and quality certified. The story goes on by explaining that chemicals including melamine and cyanuric acid, non-food raw materials, recycled foodstuffs and deteriorated raw materials would be weeded out, while food addictives must be registered with local quality supervision departments. In-house quality control personnel must sample test every batch of goods under scrutiny by GAQSIQ inspectors, who could advise management to transfer or sack incapable quality control personnel, the official said. Inspectors would also see that factory laboratories and equipment met standards. Products for shipping or delivery must have complete production records and the endorsement of GAQSIQ inspectors.

China - Premier says CHINA to ensure safe food
25 Oct 2008
Associated Press - Henry Sanderson [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that China's Premier said Saturday the country will take steps to reform its food safety, saying a milk scandal that has sickened thousands of kids was a failure of regulation. According to this story, Wen Jiabao said tainted milk products will spur the introduction of China's first major food safety law and China's food exports will meet international standards. The draft food safety law was submitted to be reviewed by China's legislature, the National People's Congress, on Thursday at the beginning of a six-day session.

China needs more coherent food-safety system: U.N .
22 Oct 2008
Reuters –Ben Blanchard, Nick Macfie [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, China, fighting a spreading tainted milk scandal, needs a more coherent food-safety system, with unified laws, one overarching watchdog and faster sharing of information, the United Nations said on Wednesday. It is reported that Jorgen Schlundt, the World Health Organisation's food safety chief, referring to the melamine case said "We see that a disjointed system with dispersed authority between different ministries and agencies resulted in poor communication and maybe prolonged (the) outbreak with a late response". "We need to have a coherent system that covers the full farm-to-fork table," he told a news conference in Beijing at the launch of a U.N. paper on improving food safety in China.
Related stories
23 Oct 2008 – U.N. Criticizes CHINA on Food Safety
Wall Street Journal - Gordon Fairclough
23 Oct 2008 – Call for 'farm to table' checks: Expensive tests on end-products less effective
The Straits Times- Chua Chin Hon, China Bureau Chief [edited] [iFSN]
It is reported that Beijing can better rescue the Made-in-China brand by implementing a coherent 'farm to table' food safety system instead of conducting endless rounds of expensive tests on end-products, World Health Organisation (WHO) experts advised the country yesterday. Their comments came as the United Nations launched a new report here urging China to improve its food safety record by creating an overall watchdog, setting clear laws, and ensuring the prompt sharing of information. Experts said China's current food safety system was not only 'old-fashioned' in its obsession with product testing, but also 'disjointed'. 'A disjointed system with dispersed authority between different ministries resulted in poor communication and a prolonged outbreak with late responses,' said Mr. Jorgen Schlundt, director of WHO's department of food safety, zoonoses and foodborne diseases. 'If there had been better detection and follow-up actions, this problem would not have been as severe,' he added, in reference to the scandal over melamine-tainted milk power and dairy products.

New Zealand - Dairy factory probed after E. coli , Listeria found
22 Oct 2008
The Southland Times - Jared Morgan [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority is investigating a Western Southland dairy factory after E. coli was detected in its milk, and yoghurt produced at the plant was found to contain Listeria. The authority yesterday warned people not to consume Tuatapere-based Happy Valley Dairies milk produced on or after October 15 because it might contain high levels of E. coli bacteria. The authority has issued Happy Valley Dairies with a direction to recall milk produced on or after October 15. The milk, produced 101km north-west of Invercargill, is sold in the southern South Island and has batch dates of 151008 and after the batch date indicates day, month, year and use-by dates of October 28 and later. While the cause of the contamination had yet to be established, it was likely pasteurised milk had come into contact with faecal matter, possibly in raw milk or through "some other mechanism

New Zealand - What is a Food Control Plan ?
21 Oct 2008
NZFSA [edited][iFSN]
A Food Control plan shows an operator how to produce safe food by controlling the risk areas in preparing and selling food. Food Control Plans will be enshrined in law once the new Food Bill becomes law. An off-the-peg Food Control Plan has been introduced under the current Food Act on a voluntary basis, due to a change in timing of the new Food Bill.
In practical terms, a Food Control Plan is a set of procedures a business follows to manage food safety and suitability. There are also sheets to fill in to record information such as temperatures, cleaning schedules, training etc.
When the new law is passed there will be two types of Food Control Plans, however only the off-the-peg Food Control Plan for Food Service (restaurants, cafes, takeaways etc) and Catering businesses is available now.
1. Off-the-peg Food Control Plan - a ready-to-use set of procedures that a food business operator uses to record how each food safety aspect of their business is managed. These Food Control Plans are designed to meet the needs of small-to-medium sized, less complex operations such as cafés, restaurants and corner dairies. These are the types of businesses that are currently covered by the Food Hygiene Regulations. Off-the-peg Food Control Plans will be available free of charge.
2. Custom made Food Control Plan - created by a more complex food business for its operations, either developed from scratch or adapted from an off-the-peg Food Control Plan. These are likely to be manufacturing-type businesses.
The particular Food Control Plan that a business uses will depend on the level of risk posed by the business. Not every business will need a Food Control Plan; some businesses will instead be covered by a National Programme, or Food Handler Guidance which is educational only.

Australia - Sydney’s restaurants to face greater food safety scrutiny over summer months 21 Oct 2008
Australian Food News - Daniel Palmer [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the NSW Government has launched a major crackdown on food outlets across Sydney’s CBD in the lead up to the hectic summer period. Food Authority inspectors are already out there visiting outlets in the CBD in a series of unannounced inspections - this will continue for the next few months. “Food safety is an issue this Government takes seriously - we want 100% compliance. Minister Macdonald said the action follows new laws empowering councils as food safety enforcers as well as new “name and shame” laws allowing the NSW Food Authority to publish food law violations on its website. It is reported that more than 175 premises are now listed on the Name and Shame website.

Hong Kong - Plans afoot to amend law to boost food-safety
20 Oct 2008
The Standard - Bloomberg [edited][iFSN]
It is reported that Hong Kong plans to revise rules to improve the ability of its food-safety regulator to recall and ban product imports and sale. "We will submit the draft of the amendments to the legislature in November for discussion,'' said the city's secretary for food and health. "The amendments aim to better safeguard public health.''

South Korea - KOREANS name food safety as biggest headache
18 Oct 2008
donga.com [edited][iFSN]
A survey released yesterday said food safety is more worrying for Koreans than national security, with 60 percent of the people believing society has grown more dangerous than 10 years ago. The Korea National Statistical Office in May conducted a survey on transportation, security and environment of 42,000 people age 15 or over belonging to 20,000 households. On security, 69 percent said they are worried over contaminated food and food poisoning. Public awareness of food safety has grown since the resumption of U.S. beef imports became a social issue when the survey was conducted. Given the melamine scare, however, Korean concern over food safety is expected to remain high.

Taiwan - DOH to create agency modeled on FDA
17 Oct 2008
Taipei Times - Shih Hsiu-chuan [edited][iFSN]
The Cabinet yesterday said it would create an agency modeled on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen inspection mechanisms and improve food and drug safety in the country, the Minister of Department of Health said.

China - Mainland, Taiwan open new channel to address food safety
15 Oct 2008
Xinhua News Agency - Wang Hongjiang [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan set up a channel for experts from both sides to talk directly about food safety issues, a mainland official said on Wednesday. Experts from six departments of the mainland and Taiwan can now talk directly through the mainland's Association for the Relations across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and Taiwan's Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF), State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesman Yang Yi said.

South Korea - Nearly 20,000 tons of U.S. beef clear KOREAN customs since June
14 Oct 2008
Yonhap News Agency - Asia Pulse [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, nearly 20,000 tons of American beef have cleared customs since June when South Korea reopened its beef market to the U.S., the South Korean embassy here said Tuesday, after several years of suspension due to concerns over mad cow disease. Since June 26 when Seoul began allowing in U.S. beef, 19,986 tons have passed customs, figures released by the embassy said. The total breaks down to 12,300 tons of new arrivals, with the rest having waited for clearance at South Korean ports. The number of U.S. butchers processing beef destined for South Korea also rose to 48 from 30.

Vietnam - Irradiation costly for dragon fruit exporters
13 Oct 2008
Thanh Nien Daily - Que Ha [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, though Vietnam recently shipped its first supplies of dragon fruit to the US, local exporters say high irradiation costs may make it difficult for the fruit to gain a foothold in the market. The US gave four Vietnamese dragon fruit producers permission to enter its market last July based on several conditions, including requiring irradiation of the fruit to meet safety standards.

Australia - Food firms pushed to come clean on nano-ingredients
10 Oct 2008
The Australian - Leigh Dayton [edited][iFSN] According to this story, Australia has taken its first step towards regulation of nanotechnology, with a call for food companies to disclose if they are including in their products particles invisible to the naked eye. There has been no regulation on the use of nanotechnology -- particles manufactured at the scale of atoms and molecules. But the national food authority is now proposing that food companies should be required to disclose any nano-ingredients in their products. The move follows comments by Science Minister that the Government intends to establish a regulatory framework for nanotechnology. It is reported that the lack of standards or testing for food, packaging and agricultural products containing nano-materials concerns scientists such as Nobel Prize-winning Swiss physicist Heinrich Rohrer, a pioneer of nanotechnology, because materials behave in unknown ways at the nano-scale.

UNICEF ambassadors, The Wiggles, use jingle to encourage kids to wash hands
10 Oct 2008
UN News Centre [edited][iFSN]
Popular Australian children’s entertainers and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassadors, The Wiggles, have created a catchy tune to help motivate millions of children worldwide to transform the mundane act of handwashing into an enjoyable habit, thereby improving hygiene and reducing the risk of disease. The Wiggles have donated the song to UNICEF to help the agency mark the first-ever Global Handwashing Day on 15 October. With approximately 5,000 children dying each day as a result of waterborne diseases, the UN agency has suggested handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet to help reduce the incidence of diarrheal diseases by almost 50 per cent. Helping to raise awareness and support for related UNICEF water and sanitation projects, The Wiggles have embarked on several fundraising initiatives since being name as Goodwill Ambassadors in February. “UNICEF gives all children, regardless of race or religion, the best start in life. For that reason, we feel deeply honoured to… work with UNICEF to help improve the lives of children around the world,” said ‘Red Wiggle’ Murray Cook. Global Handwashing Day is a public-private initiative spearheaded by UNICEF and other partners, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, Procter and Gamble, and Unilever. The event aims to bring handwashing to the top of the global hygiene agenda, and support the spirit of the UN International Year of Sanitation (2008).

Australia - Media statement: Advisory on melamine contamination of fruit and vegetables grown in China
07 Oct 2008
FSANZ - Lydia Buchtmann [edited][iFSN]
International media reports have raised concerns about melamine contamination of fruit and vegetables grown in China that have been exported to the world. Australia imports some vegetables from China so FSANZ is taking this seriously. At this stage we can find no evidence that fruit and vegetable imports are unsafe but it’s certainly something we’re looking at. If it is confirmed that fruit and vegetables contaminated by melamine are coming into Australia, we will alert the States and Territories and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and appropriate action will be taken.

Japan - Food Safety Commission needs to reform itself
03 Oct 2008
Daily Yomiuri Online - Kyo Torigoe [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the Cabinet Office's Food Safety Commission needs to undertake reforms to gain more trust from the public in the wake of numerous problems that have surfaced over food safety. In March, the commission hired a Research Institute for a focus group study to learn about the public perception of the commission. Fourteen women in their 20s to 40s were interviewed for two hours, with many saying they perceive the body as "a group of experts wearing white lab coats." The commission, established in July 2003, is in charge of assessing food risks and their potential impact on human health. It it reported that the commission was set up to separate that role from the missions of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, which tend to give priority to protecting business interests. In the past five years, the commission has assessed risks in more than 600 cases involving agrichemicals, genetically modified foods and food additives. The commission's debates have been disclosed to the public in principle, and its minutes and distributed documents are accessible on the Internet. However, many interviewees in the study said information disseminated by the commission was difficult to understand and full of technical jargon, while often leaving consumers at a loss as to what to be careful of when shopping.

September

South Korea - Lee calls for strengthening food safety regulations
26 Sep 2008
The Korea Times - Na Jeong-ju [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the President indicated Friday that his administration will toughen rules on food safety, saying Korea's punishment of violators is not as heavy as other countries. He made an unscheduled visit to the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) and instructed the agency to recall and destroy all Chinese-made food products tainted with melamine as quickly as possible. It is reported that the President called for the need to strengthen penalties for violators of food-safety regulations, saying the country should deal more sternly with the crimes related to food and narcotics.

New Zealand - Low levels of melamine okay
26 Sep 2008
New Zealand Herald - Kent Atkinson [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, New Zealand food safety experts say they are "struggling" to determine a safe level of melamine in the nation's diet, but have opted for a threshold of 5 parts per million. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) today said that melamine now appeared to be widespread in the food chain, but claimed it was harmless at low levels. The highest reported levels of melamine in Chinese infant formula are around 2500mg/kg and four children have died and almost 53,000 have been made ill after consuming infant formula. It is reported that last night, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirmed its estimated tolerable daily intake (TDI) of melamine at 0.5mg/kg - effectively saying a person can safely eat 0.5mg of melamine each day for each kilogram of bodyweight. This means a 20kg child could safely eat 10mg a day and a 70kg adult 35mg.
Related stories
26 Sep 2008 – New Zealand melamine response update
NZFSA - Gary Bowering
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has today been working with other international food safety and health authorities to determine the level of melamine in food that will present negligible risks to public health. NZFSA has been in close contact with authorities in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States and elsewhere since the issue with melamine adulteration in China became known. However for starter infant formula, this level will be set to the current level of test detection of 1 ppm. If NZFSA detects amounts above these levels, a risk assessment will be undertaken, taking into account how much melamine is in the food and how much is likely to be eaten in a day. If it is likely that anticipated consumption levels of the food will cause people to exceed the 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight tolerable daily intake, or there is a suspicion of adulteration, then the appropriate regulatory action will be taken. The measures NZFSA has imposed at the border will provide further assurances that products containing contaminated Chinese dairy ingredients should not enter New Zealand. From Tuesday, Customs checks will identify risk consignments at the border. Identified risk consignments will be stopped on arrival and only released when they have been found to meet New Zealand test requirements. “New Zealand’s border measures are similar to those in place in Australia and at least equal to those announced yesterday by the European Union,” said Dr. Allen. “While we are also continuing our testing programme of risk foods containing dairy products from China currently sold on the New Zealand market, to date we have found no further reasons for concern. We will continue to post the results on our website and to take action as appropriate. The bulk of the testing has now been completed and provides a high level of assurance for the key foods tested.” Should further results of concern be identified, NZFSA will again use the most appropriate regulatory tool or tools to quickly advise consumers of the risk and remove the product from supermarket shelves. “New Zealand law is quite clear that importers and retailers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the foods they sell, and are just as responsible for informing consumers and removing those products from shelves if required. NZFSA has powers to act to protect public health should those selling non-compliant products refuse to fulfill their legal responsibilities. We are pleased that, to date throughout this international problem, New Zealand importers and retailers that we are aware of are fully cooperating.” NZFSA also today advised that it had completed its initial investigations and confirmed that the locally produced product that has been found to contain melamine is lactoferrin, a highly processed dairy product that is used as an ingredient in a range of products. “Melamine can be found in the food cycle in minute traces from a range of sources. Explanations for its presence in this case include leaching from plastic involved in processing or packaging, or other unintended outcome of the manufacturing process. At these low levels, it does not present any health risk for consumers,” said Dr. Allen. “Further, because it is much diluted in the final product, it is unlikely it would even be detectable. In fact some of the products that we have already tested and cleared contain lactoferrin.” NZFSA will continue monitoring the actions being taken by key food safety authorities in other countries and believes that our approach will ensure New Zealand consumers can have confidence in the New Zealand food supply.
29 Sep 2008 – NZFSA refines melamine response approach
NZFSA [edited][iFSN]
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has further formalised its risk management response approach which details response options for melamine in infant formula, food ingredients and whole foods, says Dr. Geoff Allen, NZFSA Director (Compliance & Investigation).
“Over the weekend, NZFSA continued working with other international food safety and health authorities, particularly Australia, Canada and the United States to refine the approach announced late last week. We also received updated information from the European Union and World Health Organization and, using this, we have been able to set risk management options for melamine in food. These are in line with those also being established in most other countries.”
Dr. Allen says the level of 5 ppm that NZFSA announced Friday remains as the trigger for investigation into ingredients used to make food products. “For infant formula, the level remains set to the current level of test detection of 1 ppm. For foods in their final form, other than infant formula, this level is 2.5 ppm. “The European Food Safety Authority opinion on the estimated tolerable daily intake (TDI) of melamine states 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight (ie, for every kg a person weighs they can safely consume 0.5 mg every day – for a 20 kg child this is 10 mg; for a 70 kg adult the safe amount is 35 mg).” This means that it has been considered that foods containing up to 5 ppm of melamine do not pose a risk to human health. However, NZFSA has adopted a higher safety factor than is normally applied in such cases, and has set the limit of 2.5 ppm before regulatory action is considered. Dr. Allen says that where NZFSA finds foods that exceed these levels, an investigation will be initiated and the appropriate action will be taken. “This may include similar actions to those we took with the White Rabbit Creamy Candies which tested at 180 ppm, where we issued a Privileged Statement under the Food Act to immediately notify New Zealanders of the risk, while at the same time working with importers to withdraw the products from shop shelves. “In addition to our sampling programme, we are requiring all importers to provide us with confirmation that the products containing Chinese dairy ingredients that they currently have on the market, and those that they intend to import, meet New Zealand standards.”
Since early last week all identified consignments of products containing dairy ingredients originating in China have been stopped by Customs pending approval from NZFSA before they are permitted entry to New Zealand.
“We are working closely with Customs and importers to ensure that New Zealand consumers are protected.”

Taiwan- President Ma proposes cross-strait food safety hotline
24 Sep 2008
Radio Taiwan International [edited] [iFSN]
President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday that a cross-strait food safety hotline should be established to make sure Taiwan gets the latest information on Chinese food safety issues. Related stories
29 Sep 2008 – DPP to propose changes to food-safety regulations
Tapie Times [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus is expected to propose amendments today to two food safety laws that would require that the place of origin of ingredients in packaged and canned foods be stated on the labels. It is reported that DPP legislators plan to introduce the draft amendments to the Act Governing Food Sanitation and the Commodity Labeling Law, the DPP caucus whip said. The sanitation act only requires that food packages specify ingredients and their quantities, while the commodity law requires that the label state the place of origin of the final product.

Philippines - Bill seeks comprehensive program for safe food products
20 Sep 2008
GMANews.TV [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, a lawmaker has filed a measure seeking to establish a comprehensive program to ensure the safety of food products to protect consumers' health. The House Bill 4109, aims to prevent or minimize food safety hazards relating to food products.

New Zealand - NZFSA mandate confirms consumer safety comes first
18 Sep 2008
New Zealand Government - Lianne Dalziel [edited][iFSN]
NZFSA mandate confirms consumer safety comes first. A new mandate agreed by Cabinet for the New Zealand Food Safety Authority gives unambiguous confirmation that consumer protection is the organisation's number one priority. Food Safety Minister Lianne Dalziel told delegates at NZFSA's annual conference in Rotorua today that the adulteration of milk used to make infant formula in China showed how important it was for consumer safety that countries enforce rigorous food safety standards. NZFSA's previous mandate spelled out that its role was to protect and promote public health and safety and to facilitate access to markets for New Zealand food and food-related markets. "NZFSA has come under criticism from those who say this was a dual mandate and that it was not possible to fully serve the interests of both consumers and businesses at the same time. There was a concern that trade interests would subsume consumer interests, but I've never accepted that," Lianne Dalziel said. "I hope that New Zealand's swift and unequivocal response to the China infant milk tragedy makes it clear that it is the consumer interest that overrides all others. Following on from this statement are a list of guidelines the NZFSA has to take into account but it ends: "In pursuing this mandate the overriding priority will always be to protect consumers." The mandate was clarified following recommendations made in April by Dr. Stuart Slorach, an international food safety expert who reviewed NZFSA's risk management decision-making processes following criticism of its handling of the A1/A2 milk issue. The government has responded positively to the 39 recommendations made by Dr. Slorach, including directing NZFSA to bring together a group of experts to assess the need for further research following the findings of the European Food Safety Authority's review of the science of A1/A2 milk. This review is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Philippines Wash those hands, stop disease, experts say
12 Sep 2008
INQUIRER.net - Thea Alberto [edited [iFSN]
Twenty countries worldwide, including the Philippines, will go on an all-day hand washing event on October 15 to teach the public, especially children, the importance of regularly cleaning hand.

New Zealand - Improved food safety system hits the streets
08 Sep 2008
New Zealand Food Safety Authority [edited][iFSN]
Since it was launched in August, over 2000 copies of a Food Control Plan (FCP) especially written for restaurants, cafes and catering businesses have been distributed. Across the country, 58 local councils (over 80%) have signed up to take part in the voluntary scheme to introduce FCPs, meaning most operators of the food businesses will have easy access to them. The FCP provides operators with a ready-written food safety management system that identifies potential risks at each step of their production process (eg, receiving and storing goods, displaying food etc) and contains procedures to keep food safe at each of those steps. It’s accompanied by a suite of complimentary information resources, and is currently available at no charge to food operators registering under the new programme.

China - Food safety ensured for Beijing Paralympics
03 Sep 2008
People's Daily Online [edited][iFSN]
China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce issued an urgent notice recently to reinforce the supervision on food safety in distribution process during Beijing Paralympics. The industry and commerce bureaus will monitor and supervise the Paralympics-related food suppliers in all the processes in order to control the food quality, according to the notice. The notice also said, the bureaus will strengthen checking the suppliers without certificates in food market, improve supervision on food quality; and deepen the fast detection on food quality.

Australia - Food safety blitz on Sydney restaurants set to begin
03 Sep 2008
Australian Food News - Isobel Drake [edited] [iFSN]
The Iemma Government and local councils will conduct targeted inspections across Sydney restaurants, as part of a major crackdown on food outlets, the Primary Industries Minister announced today. The announcement comes eight weeks after the introduction of food safety laws empowering councils as food safety enforcers and new “name and shame” legislation allowing the NSW Food Authority to publish food law violations on its website. The Minister said a joint taskforce between the Food Authority and local councils will be formed. The crackdown on Sydney eateries will start in the near future, Food Authority and council officers will perform unannounced inspections over several months.

August

Fiji - Health Ministry promotes law on food safety
26 Aug 2008
Radio New Zealand International [edited] [iFSN]
Fiji’s interim Ministry of Health is finalising a new food security draft bill. The Fijitimes reports Fiji will be the first Pacific Island country to come up with a law on food safety. The regulation will protect the health of the people of Fiji, protecting consumers against deception and unacceptable and poor quality food. It will establish minimum standards on food products, whether they are produced and processed in Fiji for domestic consumption or export, or food imported into the country. The interim ministry’s secretary says this will be one of the most important pieces of legislation ever to come from his department.

China - Food safety law debate goes on
26 Aug 2008
China Daily - Zhu Zhe [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, the Ministry of Health has been given primary responsibility for food safety supervision under the latest draft of the legislation that was submitted for its second reading to the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Monday. The ministry will also shoulder a range of new tasks including risk evaluation, standard setting, accident investigation and information release, the draft of the food safety law said. A senior researcher with the National Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety, said Monday that while the draft draws clearer lines on responsibility, it fails to tackle the problems with the supervision mechanism. Currently, at least six government departments are involved with food safety and this leads to overlapping of responsibilities and causes problems with law enforcement, he said. The researcher praised the decision to give overall responsibility for supervision to the health ministry, as responsibility currently lies with the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), which has only vice-ministerial status.

Australia - New food safety laws to protect vulnerable people
21 Aug 2008
NSW Food Authority - James Ferre [edited] [iFSN]
It is reported that new food safety standards that will give added protection to people in hospitals and aged care facilities came into effect on 18 August, 2008. The Vulnerable Persons Food Safety Scheme will mean NSW’s 1,300 public and private hospitals and aged care facilities will be required to have mandatory food safety programs. The new laws mean that hospitals and aged-care facilities will be subject to regular food safety audits. The scheme impacts on businesses such as hospitals, aged care facilities, respite services, same-day aged care services and certain delivered meal organisations such as Meals on Wheels. For example, there will be strict requirements about how different types of food can be handled, prepared, transported and stored to minimise the risk of food poisoning. All affected vulnerable populations that serve food businesses will need to apply for a NSW Food Authority licence by 18 October 2008. The Scheme also requires audited food safety programs to be in place. Audits of impacted businesses will commence from 1 March 2009. Same-day aged care services have extra time to implement their food safety programs and be ready for audit - audits for those services will commence from 1 September 2009.

New Zealand - NZFSA Food Recall advertising survey
20 Aug 2008
Food Surveillance News - Winter edition - Food Standards Australia New Zealand [edited] [iFSN] The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) commissioned a pilot survey to find out how efficient newspaper advertisements are in communicating information about food recalls to the public. The survey also explored other avenues that might be more efficient at reaching people.
Typically, food recalls are advertised in newspapers in a standard format. While the NZFSA could take other steps to inform the public (such as website notifications, email alerts and point of sale notices), it relies heavily on newspaper advertisements. However, newspaper advertising is expensive, one-off in nature, and may not deliver the confidence the authority seeks in managing the risk.
For the survey, the NZFSA contracted UMR Research Limited to phone 750 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over living in private households. UMR used a standard phone survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted in May 2007, 10 days after a national consumer level recall was made by a well-known brand of breakfast cereals.
The results of the survey indicated that:
* The current communication strategy for notifying the public of food recalls results in, at best, a third of consumers becoming aware of food recalls.
* Currently, newspaper advertisements by themselves appear effective in ensuring 20% of the population becomes aware of recalls.
* Television was seen by 74% of respondents as the most effective means of notifying recalls.
* 56% of respondents still believe that newspaper advertising is effective.
* 61% of respondents see radio as an effective notification tool if the case is urgent.
* Press releases do help to get the message across.
* Notices in shops seemed to score relatively well even though they are not a current requirement in New Zealand, although one supermarket chain uses them as policy (scored effective 36%).
With this knowledge from the survey, the NZFSA proposes to:
1. Continue with newspaper advertising as the minimum advertising media for food recalls.
2. Undertake a cost benefit analysis for the different options for notifying the public , including consideration of the cost differences between the different forms of advertising and the timeframes to get advertising underway in the different media options. Such a cost benefit analysis may be useful for considering a requirement to use radio advertising in urgent situations, or where risk is severe. For example, such an analysis will investigate how practical the different media options will be, how quickly ‘advertising’ on radio can be set up compared with a press release, and will the cost be prohibitive to small/medium businesses?
3. Investigate whether the food recall awareness of young, old, pregnant and immune compromised consumers matches those of the rest of the population.
4. Investigate making a press release a requirement (that carries no extra cost to the company) as there appears to be a better coverage across consumers than newspaper advertising coverage alone.
5. Promote use of shop or point of sale notices.
6. Promote the email alert system in place for recalls from the NZFSA website to consumers (at that time there were 270 subscribers to recall alerts, 8% of total subscribers to our website).

New Zealand – New Zealand Food Safety Authority management of tutu toxin in honey
20 Aug 2008
Food Surveillance News - Winter edition
Food Standards Australia New Zealand [edited] [iFSN]
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) hopes to establish regulatory limits for tutin and its derivative in honey later in 2008. The authority has been working towards implementing regulatory limits since tracing the cause of illness of 22 people over Easter 2008 to comb honey contaminated with tutin and its derivative hyenanchin. Tutin has not been identified in any other sources, however its derivative, hyenanchin, has been detected at low levels in some of NZFSA’s residue monitoring programme samples. This presence of hyenanchin is not known to be associated with illness. The presence of tutin in honey was identified as part of the NZFSA’s routine residue monitoring program. There have been no further illnesses over the past three months from contaminated honey, indicating that the issue has been contained. NZFSA is compiling data obtained from the medical examinations of affected people and is trying to determine the level of tutin toxin that can be present in honey without causing symptoms or illness in the consumer. In addition, NZFSA is attempting to purify the toxins to understand and determine the level at which acute toxicity symptoms occur. When purified sources are available, the option for commercial testing of honey as part of the ongoing management of these substances will be possible. Until then, NZFSA will continue using the available animal toxicity data. These data will help NZFSA to establish regulatory levels later this year. NZFSA will also continue to work with bee keepers to expand general knowledge of honey contaminated with tutin toxin.

Australia – Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service updates its border testing of imported seafood
20.aug.08
Food Surveillance News - Winter Edition - Food Standards Australia New Zealand [edited][iFSN]
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) tests imported seafood for the presence of antimicrobial chemicals at the rate of 5% of consignments to monitor compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). This testing program is in addition to testing for food classified as “risk” by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The rates of inspection of risk food and for compliance monitoring are prescribed by the Imported Food Control Act 1992. AQIS has tested imported prawns for nitrofurans and chloramphenicol since 2003. In 2005, AQIS introduced testing for malachite green as part of the routine sampling of imported aquaculture fish. In the 2006 calendar year, imported seafood tested for these antimicrobial compounds showed above 95% compliance with the Code. Testing imported seafood for the above chemicals was introduced following information from domestic findings, including a number of Australian surveys that detected antimicrobial chemicals. To investigate whether new chemicals needed to be added to the testing program, AQIS conducted a snapshot survey of antimicrobial and pesticide chemicals in imported seafood. In September 2007, AQIS decided to add, for a trial period of six months, three additional antimicrobial chemicals (fluoroquinolones, quinolones and penicillin) to its existing screen for imported seafood, which tested for nitrofurans and malachite green. This testing occurs under the random surveillance program in which it randomly tests 5% of imported seafood. After the six months additional testing on imported seafoods, AQIS reviewed the test data. In those six months, AQIS has conducted 522 tests, with seven detections of an antimicrobial chemical. After six months of testing under the broadened antimicrobial screen, there had been no detections for penicillin or quinolones. As a result, AQIS removed these chemicals from the antimicrobial screen. It will continue testing imported seafood products for fluoroquinolones, nitrofurans and malachite green.

New Zealand - Minister getting feedback on food control
18 Aug 2008
Newstalk ZB [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, new rules on food safety systems are likely to be served up by the government. The new approach changes food safety rules from an inspection based, to a risk based approach and means responsibility is shifted from inspectors to operators to identify and fix problems. It is reported that the system is set to be implemented nationwide when Parliament passes a new Food Bill later this year, or early next year.

Japan to begin inspection at US beef processing plants: reports
15 Aug 2008 [edited] [iFSN]
AFP
According to this story, Japan is to begin inspection at US meatpacking plants this weekend after Washington concluded that human and computer error caused recent shipments of banned beef to Japan, news reports said on Saturday..

South Korea - KFDA to expand public trust in food safety
14 Aug 2008
KBS WORLD Radio [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) says it will expand its public participation system by increasing the number of civilian observers from 20 to 100. The public participation system allows civilians to observe and express their opinions during meetings of food sanitary review committees related to food safety. There are no necessary qualifications for interested applicants. The administration added that it is seeking to improve public trust in its food safety policies.

New Zealand - Pie maker convicted over dangerous filling
12 Aug 2008
New Zealand Food Safety Authority - Gary Bowering [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, serving up a pie containing a metal sliver has proved costly for a Wanaka bakery in a case brought by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). A customer, who bought a contaminated breakfast pie from McGregor's Wanaka (2006) Ltd in August 2007, required emergency surgery to remove the metal from his stomach and spent 11 days in hospital. The victim has also been forced to give up competing as an athlete at international level because of the consequences of the incident, which will affect him for life.
McGregor's was convicted in the Alexandra District Court on August 1. In sentencing, the Judge noted this was a trial case that was intended to be a deterrent and the safety of the public was at its heart. He also commented on the low level of fines available under the Food Act describing them as 'archaic'.

New Zealand - New rules for raw milk products considered
07 Aug 2008
New Zealand Food Safety Authority [edited] [iFSN]
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is proposing a framework that would allow a wider variety of raw milk products to be sold and produced in New Zealand. Currently food regulations only allow a narrow range of raw milk products to be imported and sold. These are three particular hard and very hard Swiss cheeses, extra-hard Parmesan style grating cheeses and the semi-hard Roquefort cheese. NZFSA’s proposed framework for the manufacture, importation, sale and export of raw milk products would allow for the manufacture and sale of raw milk products that have been produced to an acceptable level of microbial safety from a number of milking animals including cow, goat, sheep, buffalo, horse and camel. Under this framework it is expected that not all raw milk products will be allowed to be manufactured or imported into New Zealand. For example, general sale of raw drinking milk is not expected to be permitted, although the existing allowance for up to five litres of raw milk to be purchased for personal consumption from the farm gate would stay in place. Director of Standards Carol Barnao says the new raw milk products framework, if implemented, would address the concerns of some cheese producers, who are unhappy with what they see as an uneven playing field that currently allows importation of raw milk cheeses made overseas while domestic manufacturers cannot make their own equivalent products. Carol says the proposed framework is based on risk assessments of the hazards associated with raw milk products and how these could be managed. Under the proposed framework raw milk products would be categorised according to the risks they present. Category two would contain products that are low risk for the general population but may post a higher risk for vulnerable consumers, such as Roquefort. Risk management strategies would be put in place to manage those risks, including public awareness campaigns and further requirements for production. Category three would cover those raw milk products that cannot currently be produced to an acceptable level of safety for the general population. Carol says the framework recognises that some raw milk products can be produced so they pose low risk for all consumers or low risk to the general population, but also that vulnerable consumers are more at risk of falling ill from some raw milk products. The new rules would include strategies to mitigate risks for these vulnerable consumers by making them aware that raw milk products can pose a higher risk than traditional, pasteurised products. Raw milk products would be labelled so these vulnerable groups can avoid them. If the framework is progressed, a second round of consultation is scheduled to be carried out in 2009 on the specific details.

Australia - Consumers embrace name-shame website
07 Aug 2008
ABC News Online (Australia) - ABC Australia [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, New South Wales restaurant-goers have embraced a month-old website that names and shames establishments for breaching health standards. The State Government passed amendments to the Food Safety Act earlier this year, allowing the Food Authority to publish the details of businesses that receive penalty notices on its website. The Primary Industries Minister says consumers have the right to know if there has been a breach of food safety standards. "One thing I can say is that since this website was introduced on the first of July, there's been an average of 1,200 hits a day, which certainly proves its been really embraced by the public."

China - Visitors to BEIJING: WHO guide shows how to avoid foodborne illnesses
04 Aug 2008
Quam Net [edited] [iFSN]
The World Health Organization (WHO) and China's Ministry of Health are together promoting travelers' health -- particularly on food safety -- through a brochure and hotline service. The tools were put in place to assist visitors coming to China for the Olympic Games. The WHO-Ministry of Health brochure, "A Guide on Safe Food for Travellers," is available at the Beijing airport and over 100 hotels in the city.

July

New Zealand - Government launches food safety plan
21 Jul 2008
NZPA [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the Government has launched a food control plan which it says will provide an easy to follow safety system for service and catering businesses. The Food Safety Minister said it would be operate through local councils and was being released ahead of food safety legislation the Government is working on. The plan provides operators of cafes, restaurants, clubs, bars and catering businesses with a practical food safety management system. A series of information sheets cover each step in the food production and handling process. Businesses joining the plan, which is voluntary, will receive a range of supporting resources to help them keep food safe.

Australia - Three-week delay on gastro outbreak alert
16 Jul 2008
news.com.au - Clare Masters [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, it takes about 20 days for NSW Health to report a gastro outbreak, according to a State Government document that warns nursing home residents are at risk. A recent report from NSW Health revealed efficient monitoring of a gastro outbreak in hospital emergency departments could give experts a two-day head start in warning nursing homes and childcare facilities. The report said it could take up to 20 days for alerts to be issued.
Related Stories
15 Jul 2008 The Australian - Matthew Franklin [edited] [iFSN]
It is reported that accreditation standards for Australia’s nursing homes are to be toughened to improve infection control. The Rudd Government will also develop new national guidelines for dealing with Norovirus -- a common cause of gastroenteritis in nursing homes -- and develop a gastro awareness and prevention kit.

Vietnam - PM Dung calls for better food safety
15 Jul 2008
Viet Nam News- Vietnam News Agency [edited] [iFSN]
The Prime Minister Nguyen has recently asked relevant authorities to increase awareness and prevention efforts regarding mass food poisoning. The Ministry of Health and provincial and city people’s committees will cooperate with relevant agencies to effectively implement prevention measures. "The Ministry of Health and local authorities must enhance inspections of food hygiene and safety, especially in commercial kitchens, food processing units, school cafeterias and industrial zones," the Prime Minister affirmed. The ministry must also work with the Ministry of Education and Training to target food hygiene and safety in kindergartens, schools and universities. Every student, teacher and staff member will now have to follow strict regulations.
Related stories
28 Jul 2008 - Vietnam have national food safety inspection network
TP- VietNamNet Bridge [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the Prime Minister has issued a decree on food safety management, inspection and testing systems from the grassroots to central levels. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health is the agency that performs the state management role in managing food safety. The decree approves the establishment of the National Institute on Food Safety Test and some regional centres for food safety testing. These units are under the aegis of the Health Ministry. The Head of the Food Hygiene and Safety Agency under the Health Ministry, said that a system of food safety management will be set up throughout the country, with around 20,000 staffs. He hopes that this large number of employees will help more strictly control food safety.

South Korea - Seoul to adopt EU-style food testing rule
11 Jul 2008
Korea Times - Bae Ji-sook [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the government Friday unveiled plans to monitor 95 percent of all foods circulating in the country by 2012 and adopt rigorous EU-style food testing standards. The announcement came immediately after the President told the National Assembly that the government will approach food safety from the standpoint of “national health security.'' In order to thoroughly assure food safety, the government will establish a national health organization under the Prime Minister to be comprised of people from non-governmental sectors, the President said. Under the plan, those who intentionally “mess with'' foods will face more than three years in prison or be fined two to five times the profit they gained. According to the government Friday, the hazard analysis and critical control points system (HACCP) will be adopted to identify potential food safety hazards so that risky materials can be reduced, eliminated or at least constantly monitored. A total of 120 billion won will be set aside to help 3,600 small firms adopt the system, it said. Korea will adopt the strict EU-style standard to ensure food safety. For example, 500 items such as Kimchi and red pepper powder will be particularly monitored. Currently only 1 percent of all farm produce gets quality certification under the good agriculture practice (GAP). But in four years, the share will rise to 10 percent. To ensure beef safety, restaurants and food service providers will be required to keep all records, including receipts and order slips, of where they sourced meat. Radio frequency identification tags to track down the whereabouts of beef sold in the country will be adopted from 2010. Cows will also be given injections of antibiotics. About 40,000 civilians will be commissioned to monitor food safety, including the labelling of country of origin of genetically modified organisms (GMO). All faulty foods will be recalled in 10, 12 or 17 days according to the degree of seriousness. Imports will be suspended until all sources of faulty foreign foods are identified, the government said.

Australia - New leadership at FSANZ
07 Jul 2008
FOODweek Online [edited] [iFSN]
A former Commonwealth Ombudsman, Philippa Smith AM, has been appointed as chair of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (NZ) board. Smith, who will take up the position for four years, has had a high-profile career covering wide-ranging roles including those of Commonwealth Ombudsman, and CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia. It was also announced that former NZ member of Parliament Dianne Yates had been appointed as a new member of the FSANZ board for four years. Yates has extensive experience across issues of international trade, health and consumer affairs.

China – Olympics – North West China province orders restaurants to keep food samples for 48 hours
07 Jul 2008
Xinhua News Agency [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, all restaurant and hotel managers in northwest China's Shaanxi Province have been told to preserve their food samples for 48 hours during the Beijing Olympic period for fear of possible food safety incidents. Emergency teams for handling such incidents must stand by around the clock, according to the Provincial Food Safety Committee. Supervision efforts will be focused on restaurants and hotels at key tourist cities, famous scenic spots, airports and railway and long-distance bus stations, the committee said.
Related stories
13 Jul 2008 - In wake of tainted goods, food safety is paramount for China
McClatchy News Service - Tim Johnson [edited] [iFSN]
Food safety is a sensitive subject as China hosts the Olympics. China is striving to ensure the food served to 16,000 athletes in the Olympic Village is free of contaminants. It's going to great lengths to explain the care that it's putting into Olympic cuisine. According to this story, pork for Olympic athletes comes from 10 secret pig farms set up far away from cities, state media report. The pigs get two hours of exercise a day, eat organic feed and are monitored around the clock. Given the extent of such efforts, it is reported that Chinese officials bristled when they heard athletes from some countries -- the United States and Australia in particular -- were brown-bagging some of their own groceries to the Olympics.

Australia - 'Dodgy' food outlets named, shamed
02 Jul 2008
ABC Australia [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the New South Wales Government has named 12 restaurants as part of its new "naming and shaming" policy for outlets that breach food laws. The outlets are named on a new website designed to help consumers choose where to eat.

South Korea - U.S. beef goes on sale as protests continue
01 Jul 2008
USA Today/The Associated Press [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, U.S. beef returned to South Korean store shelves for the first time Tuesday under a new import agreement that has failed to stem anti-government protests.
Related stories
03 Jul 2008 – Time for the President to eat U.S. beef
Chosun Ilbo [edited][iFSN]
09 Jul 2008 – South Korean doctors hold US beef-eating event to dispel mad cow disease fears
International Herald Tribune - The Associated Press [edited] [iFSN]
28 Jul 2008 - First US beef shipment arrives in SOUTH KOREA
AFP [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, a shipment of US ribs arrived in South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in nearly five years under a new import deal which has sparked weeks of massive street protests here. It is reported that the US meat will undergo quarantine inspections for about 10 days before being released to local markets for sale next month, officials said.

China - DuPont Qualicon BAX(R) System named in government standard for food testing in China
01 Jul 2008
DuPont [edited] [iFSN]
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) (http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) has specified the BAX(R) system as an official method for pathogen detection in food imports and exports. AQSIQ is a government agency responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of food in China. The agency recently published a new professional standard for entry/exit inspection and quarantine in the PRC.

June

China - Illicit farm practices threat to health, top vet says
27 June 2008
Bloomberg - William Bi [edited] [iFSN]
China's food safety is threatened by illicit practices by some farmers in the livestock and fishery industries, putting the health of millions at risk, said the chief veterinarian at the country's Ministry of Agriculture. Some farmers still use banned growth-enhancing drugs, food coloring and other chemicals, which continue to harm consumers, while feed additives with high concentrations of metal pollute water and crops, said the chief veterinarian at a conference in Qingdao. According to this story, food safety is a government priority after tainted products harmed consumers around the world as China prepares to host the Beijing Olympic Games. Pet food, toothpaste, seafood and frozen dumplings have been recalled in the U.S., Japan and the EU after toxic chemicals were found in ingredients and raw materials.It is reported that rising incomes and better diets have fueled growth in meat, dairy and seafood production abd that rapid expansion, intense competition and cases of inadequate quality control have increased the risk to food safety. Still, according to the the chief veterinarian, livestock in China is mainly reared by small, low- tech farms, with only “crude facilities to manage waste and pollution,'' and the farms are unsanitary and also don't adequately immunize the animals, which are susceptible to diseases such as the Blue Ear epidemic, seen over the past two years.

Australia - Record fine for chicken shop owner as food safety crackdown continues
19 June 2008
Australian Food News - Daniel Palmer [edited] [iFSN]
A record fine of $132,000 has been handed to the owner of a chain of Sydney poultry meat shops for a string of food law offences, the Primary Industries Minister said today. The proprietor was convicted of 22 charges under the Food Act including unhygienic premises, substandard maintenance and poor pest control. In February this year, the company was also fined nearly $12,000 for illegally adding sulphur dioxide preservative to chicken mince.

United States and China outline progress on agreement on food and feed safety
18 June 2008
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - HHS Press [edited] [iFSN]
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mike Leavitt signed a Joint Progress Statement today with the Honorable Li Changjiang, Minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China. The document outlines steps taken by both nations in implementing the 2007 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on food and feed safety. The parties are meeting this week in Annapolis, Md., as part of the fourth session under the United States-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). The MOA, signed during the third session under the SED in December of 2007, established a bilateral mechanism to provide greater information and other assurances to enhance the safety of food and feed products traded between the two countries. Since its signing, HHS’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and AQSIQ have planned a joint implementation work strategy and have begun the initial steps called for under the agreement.
The statement describes progress in several important areas:
* Establishment of a mechanism for cooperation on significant events related to food and feed safety, including designated points of contact, emergency contacts, and thresholds for notifications; enhancing the exchange of information on the safety of food and feed safety; and developing a better understanding by both sides of each others’ respective regulatory systems.
* Development of concrete steps that will lead to a system whereby AQSIQ will electronically certify to FDA that specific products sent for export to the United States meet FDA standards for safety and manufacturing quality.
* Focus efforts on inspections and supervision and laboratory testing standards to ensure food and feed safety. The United States agreed to conduct training for Chinese officials on U.S. regulatory standards and requirements.
* Establishment of a cooperative mechanism to notify each other of significant risks to public health related to product safety or the gross deception of consumers, and to share information to facilitate each other’s investigation.
HHS/FDA and Chinese officials continue to work on implementing a second Memorandum of Agreement signed in December to enhance the safety of a variety of medical products.
For more information on the December 2007 MOA on the Safety of Food and Feed, go to http://globalhealth.gov/news/agreements/ia121107b.html .
To view the Joint Progress Statement Regarding the Five-Year Work Plan under the MOA, visit http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/international/progress_HHS_China.pdf

New Zealand - Cafe sentenced for dishwashing liquid poisoning
16 June 2008
New Zealand Herald- NZPA [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the owner of a Queenstown restaurant that last July mistakenly poisoned two women with dishwashing detergent was convicted and ordered to pay $1000 "emotional harm" reparation to both victims in Queenstown District Court today. It is reported that both women were hospitalised after drinking the potentially fatal poison, wrongly put in a mulled wine urn, on July 9 last year. One, a part-time barmaid, could suffer obstructive problems from her scarred oesophagus in later life, the crown prosecutor said. The cafe owner pleaded guilty three weeks ago to selling food containing an extraneous matter - sodium hydroxide - causing injury.

China - Government issues new pork processing regulations to promote industry modernization
05 June 2008
The Earth Times [edited] [iFSN]
A leading meat and food processing company in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), today announced that Chinese government has issued new regulations designed to promote the modernization of the pork processing industry. Under the new regulations, effective August 1, 2008, hogs can only be slaughtered by certified processors. In order to become certified, processors must meet national standards regarding abattoir facilities and equipment, water quality, environmental protection and inspection and quarantine. Certified facilities must have an animal epidemic prevention certificate, and separate equipment and areas for pollution-free treatment of ill hogs. In addition, abattoir technicians must have legal health certificates and inspectors must pass a pork product quality inspection examination. Those processors that do not currently meet the new regulations must either become compliant or cease processing pork, with certain exceptions for farmers in remote and rural areas. The new regulations also prevent local governments from restricting the sale of hog products from quarantined and certified facilities outside of the local market.

South Korea delays controversial US beef imports
02 June 2008
AFP [edited] [iFSN]
It is reported that South Korea on Monday put off the implementation of its decision to resume US beef imports, bowing to protests that have seen thousands take to the streets over fears of mad cow disease. The agriculture ministry said that it had asked for administrative procedures "on the implementation of new hygienic conditions" for US beef imports to be delayed.
Related stories
03 June 2008 – South Korea asks US not to export beef from older cattle
Google News - AFP
06 June 2008 - Massive anti-U.S. beef rally slated for the weekend
DongA.com
A coalition opposing U.S. beef imports comprised of citizens, students and unionists has, according to this story, been preparing for a 72-hour non stop rally beginning Thursday. The nation`s two largest labor umbrella groups, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, have also threatened to strike in protest of U.S. beef imports, casting ballots to decide whether to do so.
10 June 2008 - S. Korean cabinet offers to quit after beef protests
New York Times - Choe Sang-Hun [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, South Korea’s entire cabinet offered to resign on Tuesday hours before tens of thousands of South Koreans were scheduled to rally in downtown Seoul.
10 June 2008 - Questions on U.S. beef remain
The New York Times - Donald G. McNeil Jr. [edited] [iFSN]
11 June 2008 - Unease with S. KOREAN president grows
Washington Post - Stella Kim and Blaine Harden
11 June 2008 – Protests in South Korea imperil government
The New York Times - Choe Sang-Hun
16 June 2008 - South Korea won't import old US beef
The Associated Press - Kwang-Tae Kim [edited] [iFSN]
South Korea's president was cited as vowing Sunday not to allow the import of meat from older cattle, in hopes of quelling public anger at the government's decision to resume beef imports from the United States. The President comments came as the chief American and South Korean trade envoys launched talks in Washington aimed at resolving the dispute over the resumption of U.S. beef shipments. But Monday, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement those talks ended without a breakthrough.
19 June 2008 – South Korea to limit U.S. beef imports to young cattle
Reuters - Miyoung Kim, Jack Kim [edited] [iFSN]
19 June 2008 – South Korean leader apologizes for lifting ban on US beef
from a press release [edited][iFSN]
21 June 2008 – Korea, US agree on import of US beef from cattle less than 30 months old
The Associated Press, International Herald Tribune [edited] [iFSN]
21 June 2008 – South Korean clashes despite new deal on US beef
AFP [edited] [iFSN]
24 June 2008 – South Korea seeks to reassure public over beef deal, calls for strict inspection of US imports
Associated Press - International Herald Tribune [edited] [iFSN]
24 June 2008 – South Korea to resume US beef imports from Thursday
Agence France Presse

May

Japan - Quarantining of food found inappropriate
23 May 2008
Daily Yomiuri Online - Yomiuri Shimbun [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry told the Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to improve quarantine operations to secure the safety of imported agricultural products Friday. The internal affairs ministry issued the recommendations after it found inappropriate conduct in the ministries' quarantine processes. This is the first time the internal affairs ministry has taken up the issue of imported farm products' safety in its administrative evaluations and inspections. Under the farm ministry's guidelines for imported stock farm products, quarantine officers are supposed to pick samples to make sure the products have not been tampered with. But the internal affairs ministry found that importers picked samples before quarantine officers arrived, and the officers examined the preselected samples. Twenty-two of the farm ministry's 30 animal quarantines for testing were found to have been sampled inaccurately.

Philippines - Government strengthens food safety campaign on coco based products
23 May 2008
PIA Daily News Reader - Prix D Banzon [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the government is beefing up its food safety campaign on coconut-based food products. The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA-XI) regional manager said the advocacy campaign which they launched in Davao City was a multisectoral effort joined by coconut farmers, millers, traders, officials from government agencies and a delegation from the European Union of the European Commission to the Philippines. The May 21 launch was simultaneously carried in the cities of Zamboanga, Lucena, Catarman and Calbayog. The cities where the program was launched constitute the major coconut production hubs in the Philippines.

Hong Kong - Food safety law to be enhanced
21 May 2008
news.gov.hk [edited] [iFSN]
The Food Safety Bill is being formulated to require importers and distributors to register with the Food Safety Authority while the food business must keep records on food sources and distribution. Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow told the Legislative Council today this will enable the Government to trace a problem food's source and distribution more promptly and take proper measures to minimise its impact in the event of a food incident. The bill will also empower the authority to issue an order to prohibit a problem food's import or sale and to issue a food recall order when the situation warrants. This will prevent a problem food from entering the market or remaining on market shelves.

South Korea - Government confirms that it agreed to import bovine parts containing SRMs
16 May 2008
The Hankyoreh [edited] [iFSN]
The South Korean government, in its agreement to resume imports of U.S. beef, appears, according to this story, to have agreed to import bovine parts classified and banned from trade by the World Organization for Animal Health as “specified risk materials thought to cause mad cow disease.” According to OIE standards for cows older than 30 months, seven bovine parts, including the brain, spinal column, spinal cord and some kinds of intestinal material, are banned because they could contain SRM. This means the entire spinal column, including the backbone and other vertebral bones, is classified as SRM. Other bovine parts, like the third sacral nerve, are classified as SRMs and cannot be used for food. The new sanitary conditions for beef imports signed by Korea and the United States made some of these materials exempt from the import ban, including: the transverse and spinous processes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae; the coccygeal vertebrae; the medial sacral crest; and the wings of the sacrum. Of these, the USDA has banned from human consumption the transverse and spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and the medial sacral crest.
Related stories
19 May 2008 – South Korea - Bedrock 'market' sentiment erodes amid food scare
Yonhap News Agency - Sam Kim
23 May 2008 – South Korea government stops Internet ads raising U.S. beef safety
BBC World [edited] [iFSN]
According to this story, the government has suspended publicity advertisement on U.S. beef safety through major Internet portal sites. Government agencies, including the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Internet-related businesses yesterday severed public relations advertising on food safety regarding U.S. beef via major Internet portal sites.
25 May 2008 – South Korean police detain 37 protesters over US beef rally
AFP [edited] [iFSN]
Officials were cited as saying South Korean police on Sunday detained 37 protesters during a rally here against the government's decision to resume importing US beef.
26 May 2008 – Korea - New import conditions for U.S. beef to be proclaimed
The Chosunilbo [edited] [iFSN]
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries plans to proclaim new conditions for the import of U.S. beef on Tuesday. The announcement is expected to include safety requirements for U.S. beef agreed during Korea-U.S. negotiations on April 18, plus Korean rights to quarantine inspection agreed in follow-up negotiations.
28 May 2008 – South Korean workers vow to stop US beef imports, police clamp down on protests
Google News - AFP [edited] [iFSN]
South Korea's labour unions on Wednesday vowed to block the planned release of US beef from cold storage this week, as protests sparked by mad cow fears intensified. More than 200 protestors have been detained since last weekend in Seoul during increasingly volatile protests against US beef imports to South Korea, police said Wednesday.
29 May 2008 - South Korea to resume US beef imports
Associated Press - Kwang-Tae Kim
South Korea's government was cited as announcing Thursday it is going ahead with a much-criticized deal to resume imports of U.S. beef — a move that could escalate the daily street protests against the plan. The Agriculture Minister said in a nationally televised announcement that the government has finalized new quarantine regulations for U.S. beef in accordance with an April 18 agreement with Washington. It is reported that the new regulations call for South Korea to import nearly all cuts of American beef without restrictions on the age of the cattle, a significant easing of previous rules, which banned imports of meat attached to bones or from older cattle considered more susceptible to mad cow disease. The relaxed rules will take effect as soon as they are published in a government journal in a few days.
29 May 2008- Tougher safety standards for Korean beef
Chosun [edited]
It is reported that the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Wednesday [28 May 2008] said it will release new enhanced safety standards for Korean beef probably early next week, when it promulgates sanitary conditions for US beef imports.Major points in the ministry's new safety standards are to restrict the slaughter of so-called "downer cows", strengthen the ban on animal byproduct feeds, and expand BSE testing -- the measures internationally recommended to prevent the outbreak and spread of mad cow disease.
30 May 2008 - US beef imports set to resume in South Korea but finding it in stores may prove difficult
International Herald Tribune - The Associated Press
Amid daily street demonstrations involving thousands of people, major supermarkets said Friday they have no immediate plans to sell U.S. beef despite expectations shipments will start passing inspections next week.

Korea - Public worries prompt food industry to tighten rules
09 May 2008
The Chosun Ilbo [edited]
According to this story, Korea's food industry is suffering a crisis of public confidence and retailers are responding with stricter in-store measures to prevent accidents even if it means falling sales, and manufacturers are spending heavily on improving safety precautions.

China - Beijing promises safe food for Olympics athletes
08 May 2008
Xinhua News Agency [edited]
According to the director of the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Beijing has established a comprehensive food safety control mechanism that covers the whole process, from production to the table, to make sure Olympics food is entirely safe. It is also reported that the director said that the city has established 25 local food safety standards since 2002 and has chosen nine farms in greater Beijing as designated sources of major food products for the Games. Olympic food produced in other cities and provinces is inspected under the same strict standards, he added. A food tracing system is also in place for the transfer of food products destined for the Olympics, according to the same director.

April

Malaysia - School milk programme: Safety still an issue
30 Apr 2008
The Star - Karen Chapman [edited]
The school milk programme will not resume until the authorities are satisfied with the handling of the product. The former Deputy Education Minister suspended the school milk programme in August last year following reports of food poisoning among students in several schools nationwide.

New Zealand - Improvements in food safety urged
29 Apr 2008
Newstalk ZB - TVNZ
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is being told to do a better job in alerting the public to the risks of contaminated food. An independent international review, by Dr Stuart Slorach, has recommended a host of changes be made around the way the authority operates. It calls for improvements in the way the public is informed about risks associated with certain products, including publicity around foods that have been rejected at New Zealand's border and publication of results of inspections of food businesses. Slorach's report was commissioned by the NZFSA after criticism of the authority's handling of a report into A1 and A2 milk.
The NZFSA has welcomed the report. Chief Executive Dr Andrew McKenzie says the report found that the NZFSA's approach to ensuring food safety is aligned with best practice in similar authorities around the world. "The review of our work ... shows that New Zealanders can have confidence that NZFSA is committed to ensuring the safety of food and is basing its risk management decisions on sound science," says McKenzie.

Vietnam - Food for thought
29 Apr 2008
Lao Dong - Thanh Nien Daily
According to this story, implementing food safety certification has proven difficult due to limited public health resources and uncooperative vendors. The process of regulating food safety and hygiene via certification disbursement has yet to be conducted effectively, an official from the Ministry of Public Health told a local newspaper. Since the ministry first implemented the rule in March 2006, only 10 percent of food production and trade establishments have been granted certificates. The head of the ministry’s Vietnam Food Administration said among the approved establishments, some were certified just from cooperating with authorities’ inspection. Some local administrations indiscriminately grant as many certificates as possible to earn praise for their “good performance,” according to the official.

Japan suspends imports from US meat plant: farm ministry
23 Apr 2008
Google News - AFP
Japan suspended beef imports Wednesday from a US meatpacking plant that shipped risky cuts in violation of a bilateral accord aimed at limiting the threat of mad cow disease. The agriculture ministry was cited as saying that a pack of beef, imported for the major Japanese restaurant chain Yoshinoya from the Californian plant of National Beef, contained spinal tissue. The illegal shipment was among 700 packs or 17 tonnes of beef imported through Japanese trading company Itochu last August, the ministry said in a statement. The spinal tissue was discovered on Tuesday at a Yoshinoya meat processing plant in Tokyo's suburbs.

China - More city food streets to get safety 'face label'
23 Apr 2008
Shanghai Daily - Cai Wenjun and Yang Jian [edited]
According to this story, Shanghai will expand the "face label" program to more streets where restaurants, stalls and food suppliers pay strict attention to food safety. The "face labels" are posted on food supply venues, and the different colors and expressions on the labels signal a food safety and service rating.

China food safety law to allow for life in jail
20 Apr 2008
Reuters India [edited]
China unveiled a new draft food safety law on Sunday that provides for penalties of up to life imprisonment for people responsible for the production of substandard food. Lesser violations of the law could incur fines, confiscation of income from sales of substandard products, or revocation of licenses, Xinhua said
Related stories
23 Apr 2008 - China Daily [edited]
The draft clarifies only two standards for food, the State and local ones, and the latter must be stricter than the former. But it still fails to have strict stipulations on how the standards should be made and which department should be entitled to make them.

South Korea opens borders to all U.S. beef products
18 Apr 2008
Meatingplace.com - Janie Gabbett [edited]
South Korea has agreed to open its market to all U.S. beef products from cattle of all ages, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced.

Australia - Food bill leaves a bitter taste
12 Apr 2008
Sydney Morning Herald - Matthew Moore [edited]
The legislation, called the Food Amendment (Public Information on Offences) Bill, finally passed through Parliament this week. It allows the Food Authority to decide which offences it will publicise. Offences deemed not serious enough to warrant publication will remain confidential. The legislation requires also councils to inform the authority of all fines they impose, which means the public might eventually get some inkling of where inspectors check businesses and where they do not bother.

Vietnam - Deputy PM urges better food safety, Public awareness on food hygiene needs to be raised
10 Apr 2008
Viet Nam News [edited]
Education and media campaigns to raise public awareness must be intensified to improve food safety, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung at a national conference yesterday. Hung said the increase in the number of food producers who correctly understood food hygiene and safety was only slight, 47.8 per cent in 2005 to 53.8 per cent in 2007. Greater efforts should be made to help people understand the dangers of unsafe food and to change food production and usage habits, said the Deputy Prime Minister. A Health Ministry report showed that education and dissemination campaigns raised the percentage of food sellers’ hygiene awareness from 38.6 per cent in 2005 to 45.9 per cent in 2007. Meanwhile the increase in consumer understanding rose from 38.3 per cent to 46.2 per cent. Deputy Health Minister Cao Minh Quang said food hygiene education and information campaigns had been high on the State’s agenda following Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s issuance of Direction No 06/2007 last March.
Related stories
12 Apr 2008 - Vietnam to spend $80 million on food safety improvements
Thanhnien News.com - VNA
The Ministry of Health will spend around VND1.3 trillion (US$80.6 million) on six food safety and hygiene projects this year. The projects will focus on improving the management of food safety and hygiene throughout the country including implementing better inspection techniques for food sold by vendors on the street. Some of the projects will also target public education about food safety and hygiene, and a system will be implemented to better track and investigate food poisoning incidences and outbreaks of food-transmitted diseases.

China - Food safety system put in draft law
08 Apr 2008
China Daily - Zhu Zhe [edited]
The new product identification and tracking system, which has been in the spotlight recently over concerns it may raise production costs, has been written into the draft food safety law, a senior quality control official said Tuesday.
The system has become part of the draft food safety law and will become a legal obligation for all food companies if it is passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), Pu Changcheng, deputy director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), said at a working conference in Beijing.

New Zealand - Fishy deals result in historic fines
07 Apr 2008
NZFSA Communications - Miriam Meister [edited]
According to this story, last September, NZFSA brought a case to court against Sea Resources Company Limited and Ian Kenneth William Pharaoh, charging them each with three charges under s128 of the Animal Products Act 1999 for having sold more than 1.5 tonnes of squid, despite knowing it had not been processed in accordance with the proper requirements. In a long running defended hearing, both parties were found guilty on all countsand were handed down the biggest ever fine under the Animal Products Act 1999.

Vietnam - Hanoi launches action month for food safety
04 Apr 2008
Nhan Dan [edited]
The 2008 Action Month for Food Safety will start on April 15. It was announced at a meeting on April 3 held by the Hanoi People's Committee. In 2007, the examination and management of food hygiene and safety improved while the public awareness about the issue was raised.
However, there have been weaknesses in food hygiene and safety. As a result, acute diarrhea occurred. Therefore, during the 2008 Action Month for Food Safety, the Hanoi People's Committee will focus on improving the local people's understanding and knowledge about food hygiene and safety and stamping ongoing acute diarrhea, by promote their education of local consumers and producers about food hygiene and safety practice

March

New Zealand - Food company fined for serious case of mischief
27 Mar 2008
NZFSA - Wendy Harding [edited]
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has today welcomed the conviction of a company for knowingly supplying Salmonella -infected tahini. "People operating a food business are required to ensure that the product they are supplying is safe", said Geoff Allen, Director (Compliance and Investigation) for NZFSA. "We are very pleased that the Courts have taken a strong line in regard to the reckless behaviour we have seen in this case." Last November the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) brought a case to court against Shefco NZ Ltd for knowingly supplying Salmonella -infected tahini. The defendant company pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to two representative charges under s11AA of the Food Act 1981. On 20 March 2008 Shefco NZ Ltd was convicted and fined $15,000 on each charge. The court heard how this case dated back to September 2003 following an outbreak of salmonellosis. A permanent food standard is now in place and tahini importers are reminded of the importance of ensuring their tahini is tested on arrival.
NZFSA's website has further information about this rule: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/imported-food/high-risk/22tahiniorcrushedsesameseedsnf.htm .

Korea to step up food safety efforts
25 Mar 2008
Korea.net
Health officials were cited as saying Tuesday that as part of efforts to strengthen food safety, the government will suspend the operations of foodstuff makers that repeatedly manufacture harmful products or cover up such activities. In a policy report to President Lee Myung-bak, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs also said that it plans to establish an ad-hoc center to which consumers can immediately report their complaints. If a reported complaint is deemed serious, the ministry said it will inform the media and order the related company to stop producing and distributing the product in question. The move comes around a week after the nation was stunned by a consumer complaint which alleged that a head of a mouse was found in a package of "Saewookkang," a shrimp snack that is one of the oldest and most popular snacks in Korea. The snack is a flagship product of Nongshim Co., the nation’s largest processed food manufacturer. The food scare mounted days later when another consumer filed a complaint that a canned tuna product made by Dongwon F&B contained a small blade. On Thursday, Dongwon decided to recall all the canned tuna manufactured on the same day as the product in question.

China to use GPS to monitor transport, store of Olympic food
13 Mar 2008
Xinhua News Agency [edited]
China has taken a series of measures to ensure food safety for the Olympic Games, including using GPS to position and monitor the transport and store of food for the event, a senior quarantine official said here on Thursday. The Head of the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine was cited as saying on the sidelines of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) that "food safety is one of important factors for the success of the Beijing Olympics, to which the Chinese government always pays great attention," and that the Olympic food production will strictly follow "the highest international standards". It is reported that strict market permission is imposed for all food suppliers for the Beijing Olympic Games. Food processing companies can be recognized as the candidates of food suppliers for the Games only after undergoing very strict examinations. Candidates of food suppliers will be examined by officials and experts on spot, the official added. He also said that food will be transported from food processing companies to "consumption sites" directly and GPS will be used to position and monitor transport and store to "ensure safety of every procedure".

New Zealand - Belly aches on the rise
13 Mar 2008
NZPA
The Ministry of Health was cited as saying that an increase in stomach bugs should serve as a reminder for good hygiene and food handling. So far this year 45 cases of serious e-coli infection have been reported, more than twice the number from the same period last year .
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Alison Roberts was cited as saying there had been a general increase nationally in both bacterial and viral gastro-intestinal illness, and that so far this year there had been six outbreaks of norovirus with a total of 79 notified cases and 221 other notifications of unidentified viral infections. Dr Roberts said the increase in vero-toxigenic E. coli (VTEC) served as a reminder of the need for good hygiene and safe food handling practices.

Australia - Labor comes the raw prawn on seafood
12 Mar 2008
The Australian- Siobhain Ryan
Food Standards Australia New Zealand has, according to this story, backed an application from the Food and Beverage Importers Association to set a maximum residue limit for the antibiotic oxytetracycline in prawns, adding, "FSANZ considers that there are no health or safety concerns associated with the requested oxytetracycline maximum residue limit of 0.2mg/kg for prawns.”
No such limit exists, which means any trace of the substance, no matter how small, in prawns is deemed unacceptable.
If approved, it will be the first time that any level of residue from any antibiotic is allowed in prawns, a Food Standards spokeswoman confirmed. But minute levels of the same antibiotic - oxytetracycline - were already permitted in fish, she said.
Oxytetracycline is used in Australia and overseas to treat bacterial infections in aquaculture, and maximum residue limits have been adopted in some countries.
Scientists have expressed concern, however, that overuse of antibiotics in livestock or seafood could result in resistance to the powerful drugs building up over time in the people who eat them.
FSANZ said this would not be a problem in this case, because oxytetracycline was not in the medical arsenal used to treat people.

Philippines- DTI embarks on programs for SMEs
11 Mar 2008
Sun Star - Joy Romares-Sevilla
The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was cited as embarking on various programs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region on compliance to food safety standards.
These initiatives conducted by the DTI-Southern Mindanao are the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, the Halal Products Retail Merchandising Seminar, and the Awareness Seminar on ISO 2200.

Micronesia - Farmers who sell seasonal crops need food safety training
11 Mar 2008
Marianas Variety- Emmanuel T. Erediano
Although members of Saipan Sabalu Farmers Market Inc. who sell locally grown fruits and vegetables are not required to get a sanitation permit and food handler certificate, those who sell produce on seasonal basis should attend food safety workshop, according to the group’s former president, Edward Guerrero.
He said the Bureau of Environmental Health does not require them to get a food handler certificate as long as they sell locally grown crops at the Sabalu Market in Susupe.
The bureau, he said, has always been supportive of the local farmers.
But if a vendor sells a seasonal produce, he has to attend a food safety workshop, as “advised” by the bureau, Guerrero said.
They are now setting a schedule for the workshop, he added.

China to upgrade Health Ministry to better monitor food and drug safety
11 Mar 2008
Xinhua News Agency (China)
China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) will be put under the Ministry of Health (MOH) as part of the cabinet restructuring reform to better monitor the country's food and drug safety. The reform plan was announced by State Councilor Hua Jianmin here on Tuesday, also secretary general of the cabinet, to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature. The new MOH will be authorized to coordinate food safety management, organize investigations into serious food safety incidents and give due punishment, Hua said.

Singapore - Guardian of Singapore’s supply
08 Mar 2008
The Business Times Today (Singapore) - Chen Huifen *
Chua Sin Bin, 60, is the CEO of the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, the key agency responsible for making sure that Singaporeans can enjoy their favourite foods with peace of mind and that the well-being of Singapore's plants and animals is being managed properly.
Based on 2006 data, the number of food poisoning cases in Singapore is 35.93 per 100,000 population, lower than New Zealand's record of more than 400 cases per 100,000 and way better than the record of more than 2,000 cases in the US. Even taking into account the Prima Deli incident, last year's figure came to 36.67 per 100,000, within AVA's target of under 60 a year.
The consistent performance is achieved through stringent controls at source. For example, the AVA accredits sources, carries out checks and tests on food products at the point of import before making them available to consumers. In managing food poisoning outbreaks, the agency is also noted for its speedy and decisive response, as seen in the shutdown order on Prima Deli last year, after more than 100 people were infected with the Salmonella enteritidis bacterium after eating the bakery's cakes.
Dr Chua was quoted as saying, "People may think we are hard on the industry, but the public is more important. To us there's nothing more important than making sure that our public is protected."
Even in the area of disease outbreak management, Dr Chua ensures that the same fastidious approach is applied. Multiple layers of defence are in place to prevent a bird flu outbreak, including netted cages to cut off contact with local poultry by wild birds. Farms are also discouraged from sharing equipment and allowing casual visitors to their premises. Vaccinations are carried out at the zoos and the bird park and surveillance at slaughterhouses and immigration check points has been stepped up.

China - Top legislator promises more public participation in food safety legislation
08 Mar 2008
Xinhua News Agency
Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo was cited as promising on Saturday to give the general public more say in the formulation of the food safety law amid both domestic and international concerns about the country's food quality and safety.
The food safety law, with 19 others, is on the top agenda of the Chinese parliament's legislation plan in 2008 that Wu listed in his work report to the current session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC).
Wu said that the top legislature will publicly post the draft food safety law to solicit public opinions, particularly those of ordinary people, because it is "closely tied" to the interests of the people.

Philippines- Street food anyone ?
03 Mar 2008
Sun Star Baguio - Cielo Borja
Although Baguio is already highly urbanized and it has countless restaurants, diners, fast food and barbeque grills to choose from, there's a particular common ground where you can find students, "tambays", and professionals alike. "Hanging out," or rather "standing up" (with sticks on their hands) at the "tusok-tusok" stands!
The story says that everywhere you go, you can always find street food, for only P5 for a stick, you can already have a bite or two of the ever famous "isaw" (chicken intestines) not bad considering the current state of the economy nowadays, right? And isaw is not the only delicacy in their street food menu, they also have the yummy "gulong" (pig intestines) for only P5 per stick, the "odoc" (one day old chick) for only P6 per piece, "betamax" (boiled coagulated pig's blood) for only P3 per stick, "kwek-kwek" (four quail eggs dunked in flour and orangey substance), "nuggets" (chicken skin covered in flour), "squid balls", "chicken balls", and "kikiam" for only P2 per piece, and the cheapest of them all, the balls of all balls, the street food pioneer in the Philippines, fish balls! For only 50 centavos a piece.
But what about the "sawsawan" (sauce and or dip). Have you ever thought about how many patriotic customers have dunked their sometimes already bitten pieces of isaw in there? Or how long that "sawsawan" that been in the bottle, one day? One week? Or until the bottle's already empty.
Now, what are the typical cases you can get from sharing sawsawan (sharing saliva in particular) with others? First is the contamination, bacteria, food poisoning, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, Salmonella , and E. coli -- types of bacteria classified as "harmful micro-organisms." Contamination may also occur with improper handling of food, unsanitary utensils, or unhygienic surroundings, just like the stalls we have along the streets of Baguio City. It is obvious food sold in the streets are unsafe, it was only last year the City Health Services Office (CHSO) was asked to give a list of food outlets with sanitation permits. Yet until now some of the outlets do not have permit yet, and worse, some aren't even aware there is a need for permit in able to sell in the streets.
Exhibit two, you might say the chicken nuggets you're having is so tasty and a little crunchy, well, it's because you're eating a food that has already accumulated a whole days worth of GRIME, SMOKE, and DUST! Yum!!! Given that street foods are grilled, or dipped in boiling oil, in the study and observation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), it was reported that "even freshly cooked food was contaminated with these pathogenic micro-organisms... the duration of the cooking and temperature was not enough to destroy all pathogenic micro-organisms."
Exhibit three, notice the vendors do not even use gloves while cooking? Well, it is not mandatory considering they are street vendors, but do you notice the hands they use for handling your food are the same hands which gives your change back? Well, just a thought... speaking about sanitary reasons, aren't they supposed to wear hairnets too?
City Councilor Elaine Sembrano is very particular with the issuance of sanitary permit, not only for the legality of the stalls but she is more concerned about the health of the people who patronize street food.
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) now offers food and nutrition training courses as part of its efforts to strengthen its research utilization and to enhance the F&N manpower capability in the country.

China - China building tracing system to boost food safety
01 Mar 2008
www.chinaview.cn - Yao Siyan
The Chinese government is strengthening its efforts in building a food produce quality tracing system to ensure food safety, with various food tracing systems applied across the country.
In the logistic center of Jifa Farming Development Co. Ltd, the biggest vegetable provider in Qinhuangdao city of Hebei province, the black and white bar code appears on every package of tomatoes, celery and other green vegetables.
"The bar code is the 'identity card' of vegetables. You can find information about the producing area, producing date, producer, brand and source of the seed just by scanning the bar code in the supermarket or through phones, internet and the short messages, " said Zhao Huan, an pesticide checker of the company on Friday.
"Once a food safety incident happens, we can track the producing area of the vegetables through the bar code and solve the problem as quick as possible, " said Zhao.

February

International food safety conference in Japan brings new research information
29 Feb 2008
Press release
On Saturday 1st March 2008 the International Roundtable Conference on 'Food Safety: International Trade, Sustainable Production, Social Responsibility' will start at 09.15 hours at the UN House in Tokyo. The event, co-sponsored by United Nations University, The Tokyo Foundation and Public Advice International Foundation, includes many top speakers from Japan, China, the European Union, and UN institutions. There will also be new opinion research.
A Japanese public opinion poll by Media Interactive demonstrates that the Japanese public believes that China is 95% responsible for most food safety concerns. Second and third countries with food safety concerns are Japan (36.3%) and USA (26.8%). Also, 86.9% believes that China has the worst track record in terms of food production and inspection (India is second with 6.3% and Japan third with 3.6%).
Importantly, 98.4% believes it is not enough if China only accepts irregular inspections by foreign authorities of its food industry while 72.1% believes that there should be 100% food safety combined with a lesser degree of dependence of food export from China. 72.8% are willing to pay more for a safe product while 71.2% will choose a quality guarantee ‘stamped' product above a cheaper version.
A surprising 93.8% finds Japan's dependency of food from China too high (62.5%) or rather high (31.1%). Only 3.3% has 'no problem' with this dependency. Last but not least, a large majority of 69.3% believes that it will take China more than 10 years (28%) or an indefinite time (41.3%!) to solve its food safety problems particularly in view of the environmental problems in China.
At the same time, studies by UNU researchers combine statistics and numbers that portray an international (food) trade system that is out of balance and damages both China and its trading partners in several ways. While farmers both in China and in Japan experience serious problems, the Chinese environment suffers both under abuse of chemicals and a rapidly increasing carbon footprint.
Among the key conclusions is the observation that the Chinese policy decision to only or mostly target the clean-up of export products, overlooks the fact that domestic Chinese production includes the use of chemicals that are plagued by fakes, illegal actions and counterproductive methods. The Chinese food chain creates continuous mingling of food sources which does not allow any useful form of traceability creating an impossibility to track down sources of contamination. The deterioration of the quality of air, soil and water is a further negative factor in food production. The conference organizers emphasize that China is and will remain a key important partner in international trade and international food supply. China has a great history of science and quality. Therefore, international cooperation with China is required to ensure a continued but totally safe pattern of trade. The opinion poll suggests that even if this implies higher prices consumers are prepared to pay.

Australia - Animal activists urge Salmonella sufferers to see a lawyer
25 Feb 2008
ABC News
Victims of Salmonella outbreaks in southern Tasmania are, according to this story, being urged to seek legal advice. In the latest of seven outbreaks since 2005, eight people were treated in hospital after eating food made with eggs supplied by Pitt Poultry, south of Hobart. The Government has responded by forcing the producer to put labels on its cartons, warning people not to eat its eggs raw.
Against Animal Cruelty says dozens more people have signed a petition calling for the ban since the seventh salmonella outbreak linked to Pitt Poultry since 2005.

Malaysia - Stringent testing for new food, pharma before entering market
11 Feb 2008
The New Straits Times Online - Farrah Naz Karim
Malaysian Health Ministry Food Safety and Quality Control division director was cited as saying that all new food and pharmaceutical products will have to undergo stringent testing before they can be brought on the market, and that both local and foreign producers and manufacturers will have to obtain “pre-market approval” and have their products certified fit for sale. Mohamad was further cited as saying that under the new requirement, producers of food and pharmaceutical products will need to conduct an analysis on their goods and submit the findings. They must list clearly any claims of benefit and function, as well as the ingredients, nutrients and additives. Products will not be allowed on the shelves until they meet the requirements, he said. And once a product has been approved, it will be given a serial number for easy monitoring, he told a media dialogue on food safety and quality today

January

Taiwan - DOH mulls unified food safety system
27 Jan 2008
Taipei Times
The Department of Health (DOH) is, according to this story, exploring the possibility of creating a food safety center with a unified management system and integrated regulations to better safeguard the health of the population. Department official Hsiao Tung-ming was cited as saying on Friday that the center would integrate the rules and regulations of different government organizations on food safety management and inspection, including those regulating drug usage in vegetable farming and livestock and poultry, and drugs in imported and exported food. It would also create a unified safety monitoring system that follows food from the time it is produced all the way to consumption, he said.

China says its seafood is safer
17 Jan 2008
New York Times - David Barboza
China’s Ministry of Agriculture says a recent nationwide crackdown on the use of illegal veterinary drugs has already significantly improved the quality and safety of the country’s seafood production. Regulators say that over the last year, more than 30,000 inspectors have fanned out across the country, working to close shoddy seafood operations and enforce regulations against the use of banned antibiotics, like chloramphenicol and malachite green, which is thought to cause cancer. But officials from the ministry’s fisheries bureau also say that pollution and water quality problems are now the biggest challenges facing the nation’s fish farming or aquaculture industry, something they have rarely acknowledged in public.

China to improve nutrition labelling on food
11 Jan 2008
Reuters - Ben Blanchard
China will, according to this story, require basic nutritional labelling on all food packaging from May 1 and go after companies that hype up their products as having special health benefits, according to a new government directive. The Health Ministry was cited as saying in a statement on its Web site (www.moh.gov.cn) that labels will be required to show how much protein, fat, carbohydrate and sodium is in a food, and may also show the cholesterol, sugar and vitamin content. Companies will not be allowed to say their products are high in calcium, iron or low in fat unless they meet certain strict criteria, the notice said.

Korea - Agriculture ministry to monitor food safety
04 Jan 2008
The Korea Times - Ryu Jin
Government work related to the food industry and administration, currently scattered across various offices, are, according to this story, likely to be integrated under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry when the new administration is inaugurated in late February. Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan was cited as saying Friday that President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s transition committee has decided to bring various food-related work under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, telling reporters that, "We received a report from the ministry, which suggests the need for the integration of various food-related work." Lee, a former corporate executive who wants to slim down the government structure, has already vowed to fortify the ministry’s food administration function. He also offered to rename the ministry the ``Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Community and Food.’’

China - BEIJING to set up food safety monitoring center for Olympics
02 Jan 2008
Xinhua News Agency (China)
Zhang Zhikuan, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau for Industry and Commerce, was cited as saying that a special monitoring center for food safety will be set up for this year's Olympic Games in Beijing, and that the Olympic Food Safety Command Center, as it will be named, will be in a centralized command of food safety work during the Games period, issuing warnings for food risks and dealing with food-related emergencies. The center is to be established by the Beijing Municipal Food Safety Supervision and Coordination Office with the support of the Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympics, the Olympic Security Command Center and staff from major Olympic venues, said Zhang, also head of the food safety office, at a work conference.

Vietnam- Food safety certifications dangerously lag industry activity
01 Jan 2008
Viet Nam Net
To improve food quality and safety, HCMC People’s Committee regulations now require all food producers and distributors have food hygiene and safety certifications as less than 35% of such operations currently have the papers required. The HCMC Office for Food Hygiene and Safety reported only some 8,300 of over 24,000 food producers and distribution citywide have food hygiene and safety certification. An unnamed Tan Binh District Medical Office representative blamed limited public awareness of the importance of the food hygiene and safety, insufficient funding of medical bureaucracies and the amount of paperwork they must handle. Only some 700 of almost 1,650 food seller in the district had obtained certifications.

China - Zhejiang intensifies food safety monitoring
01 Jan 2008
Shanghai Daily
Xinhua Zhejiang plans to introduce an index especially for food quality in the eastern China province next year. The comprehensive index, which is correlated with the quality of each staple food, would be issued regularly on the website of the local government, according to the province's Food and Drug Administration officials. The local food safety watchdog planned to examine different foods throughout Zhejiang on a regular basis to make the index truly representative.