the latest in food science and technology news

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that average blood levels of vitamin D appear to have decreased in the United States between 1994 and 2004. Insufficient vitamin D levels have been associated with cancer, heart disease, infection, and suboptimal health overall. Evidence suggests that levels of 30 nanograms (ng) per mL to 40 ng/mL may be needed for optimum health. Decreases in outdoor physical activities and successful campaigns to reduce sun exposure may have contributed to vitamin D insufficiency, since sunlight exposure is a main determinant of vitamin D status in humans. The researchers compared levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D, a measure of the amount of vitamin D in the blood) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), collected between 1988 and 1994, to those collected during NHANES 2001–2004. Complete data were available for 18,883 participants in the first survey and 13,369 participants in the second survey.

“Overall, the mean serum 25(OH)D level in the U.S. population was 30 ng/mL during the 1988–1994 collection and decreased to 24 ng/mL during the 2001–2004 collection,” said the researchers. The prevalence of levels lower than 10 ng/mL increased from 2% to 6% between the two time periods, and fewer individuals had levels 30 ng/mL or higher (45% vs. 23%). Racial and ethnic differences persisted throughout the surveys; among non-Hispanic blacks, the prevalence of 25(OH)D levels of less than 10 ng/mL increased from 9% to 29% and levels of more than 30 ng/mL or higher decreased from 12% to 3%.

According to the researchers, “These findings have important implications for health disparities and public health. We found that the mean serum 25(OH)D level in the U.S. population dropped by 6 ng/mL from the 1988–1994 to the 2001–2004 data collections. This drop was associated with an overall increase in vitamin D insufficiency to nearly three of every four adolescent and adult Americans.”

The researchers concluded that current recommendations for dosage of vitamin D supplements are inadequate to address this growing epidemic of vitamin D insufficiency. They believe that increased intake of vitamin D (1,000 international units per day or more)—particularly during the winter months and at higher latitudes—and judicious sun exposure would improve vitamin D status and likely improve the overall health of the U.S. population. It should be noted that large randomized controlled trials of these higher doses of vitamin D supplementation are needed to evaluate their effect on general health and mortality.

Abstract

Kellogg CEO testifies in Salmonella hearing

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing on March 19, entitled “The Salmonella Outbreak: The Role of Industry in Protecting the Nation’s Food Supply.” David Mackay, President and CEO of Kellogg Co., was one of the people who offered testimony. Mackay expressed regret that Kellogg products were involved in the Salmonella outbreak associated with the Peanut Corp. of America (PCA). He went on to recount how the company handled news of the outbreak in Jan. 2009 by quickly recalling the food products linked with Salmonella. According to Mackay, “more than seven million cases of our products were recalled due to the PCA contamination at a cost of approximately $65–70 million.”

In addition, Mackay explained that the company has since taken actions to make their food safety systems and principles better. The company has established new cross-functional Kellogg audit teams, including the Quality, Food Safety, and Materials Management groups, to audit suppliers of high-risk ingredients, who have already completed on-site audits of Kellogg’s peanut and peanut paste ingredient suppliers. The company is requiring suppliers to conduct environmental testing and monitoring in their plants to assist in identifying, assessing, and correcting potential contamination before it becomes a food safety problem. In addition, Kellogg is strengthening its internal training and education across its supply chain.

To conclude his testimony, Mackay offered ways to enhance the safety of the nation’s food supply. They include:

• The formation of a single food safety authority under Health and Human Services that will give accountability to one agency leader for science, surveillance, research, and inspection, with support from a science-based Food Safety Advisory Council.
• A requirement that every food company conduct a risk analysis and document their preventative controls, verification systems, and testing results in a food safety plan that is subject to regular FDA review.
• Annual inspections by the FDA of facilities producing high-risk products.
• Working with industry and government to align around a single food safety standard for evaluating facilities, with appropriate training and accreditation of auditors and auditing firms.
• Ensuring that the FDA has the right mix of intervention and enforcement powers.

“The PCA situation has shown that if a company chooses to ignore even basic food safety principles, food safety systems and protections can be compromised, whether those are individual company systems or the U.S. food safety system generally,” said Mackay.

Hearing documents

David Mackay’s testimony (pdf)

Treating frankfurters with UV light, flash pasteurization may lower pathogens

A study published in the Journal of Food Science shows that the use of flash pasteurization (FP) and ultraviolet light (UVC) may reduce levels of Listeria monocytogenes and L. innocua on frankfurters. The frankfurters used in the study consisted of beef, pork, water, salt, flavoring, paprika, sodium phosphate, sodium diacetate (SDA), potassium lactate (PL), sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrate, and were 25% fat. The frankfurters were stored at -20°C, and thawed overnight in a refrigerator for experimentation the following day. L. innocua has similar inactivation and growth profiles to L. monocytogenes in response to UVC light, FP, ionizing radiation, and SDA/PL when inoculated onto ready-to-eat meat surfaces. In this study, L. innocua was used as a nonpathogenic surrogate in place of L. monocytogenes.

Application of UVC (1.0 J/cm2), followed by FP (0.75 s steam/121°C) resulted in inactivation of 3.19 log L. innocua, while application of UVC (4.0 J/cm2), followed by FP (3 s steam/121°C) resulted in inactivation of 3.89 log of L. innocua. A refrigerated storage study (8°C) of frankfurters that contained SDA/PL that were treated with UVC followed by FP revealed the growth of L. innocua was inhibited for approximately 8 wk following application of the interventions. The researchers noted that the use of UVC in combination with FP had little effect on frankfurter color and texture. They concluded that “the combination of UVC and FP, when used with antimicrobial compounds, would be a commercially realistic and effective low-cost method for controlling Listeria on frankfurters.

Abstract

Red meat consumption may raise risk of early death

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that consumption of red and processed meats may increase the risk of early mortality. For the study, researchers analyzed data from 545,653 volunteers, age 50–71, participating in the National Institutes of Health AARP Diet and Health Study. In 1995, the subjects filled out detailed questionnaires about their diets, including meat consumption. Over the next 10 years, 47,976 men and 23,276 women died.

After accounting for other variables that might confound the findings, such as smoking and physical activity, the researchers found that those who ate the most red meat—about a quarter-pound a day—were more likely to die of any reason, and from heart disease and cancer in particular, than those who ate the least—the equivalent of a couple of slices a ham a day. Among women, those who ate the most red meat were 36% more likely to die for any reason, 20% more likely to die of cancer, and 50% more likely to die of heart disease. Men who ate the most meat were 31% more likely to die for any reason, 22% more likely to die of cancer, and 27% more likely to die of heart disease. The risk also rose among those who consumed the most processed meat, which included any kind of sausage, cold cuts, or hot dogs. Women who consumed the most processed meat (about an ounce a day) were about 25% more likely to die overall, about 11% more likely to die of cancer, and about 38% more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those who ate the least. The men who ate the most processed meat were 16% more likely to die for any reason, about 12% more likely to die of cancer, and about 9% more likely to die of heart disease. In contrast, those who consumed the most white meat were about 8% less likely to die during the study period than those who ate the least.

Abstract

Yogurt may treat ulcers

At the 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society researchers reported that yogurt containing the antibody IgY-urease may help to treat stomach ulcers and gastritis. A type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori or over-use of aspirin and or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, causes most stomach ulcers. H. pylori ulcers can be effectively treated and eliminated with antibiotics and acid suppressants. However, that simple regimen is unavailable to millions of poverty-stricken people in developing countries who are infected with H. pylori. New research also links childhood H. pylori infection to malnutrition, growth impairment and other health problems. As a result, scientists have been seeking more economical and convenient ways of dealing with these bacteria.

According to the researchers, H. pylori seems to rely on a protein called urease to attach to and infect the stomach lining. In an effort thwart that protein, or antigen, the researchers turned to classic vaccine-making technology. They injected chickens with urease and allowed the chickens’ immune systems to produce an antibody to the protein. The researchers then harvested the antibody, called IgY-urease, from chicken eggs. The researchers theorized that yogurt containing the antibody may help prevent the bacteria from adhering to the stomach lining. To test their theory, the scientists recruited 42 people who tested positive for H. pylori. The volunteers consumed two cups daily of either plain yogurt or yogurt containing the antibody for four weeks. The researchers found that the levels of urea, a byproduct of urease, decreased significantly in the antibody group when compared with the control group, indicating reduced bacterial activity. Although the yogurt appears less effective than antibiotics for reducing levels of H. pylori, the researchers believe it is a lot easier to take than medicine and can be eaten daily as part of regular dietary routine.

Meeting abstract

Consumers turn to tap water; energy drink use on the rise

According to research by Canadean, a global beverage marketing and consultancy group, the combined forces of the economic downturn and environmental pressures are causing a sharp slowdown in the global bottled water market. The situation is most marked in the U.S., where Canadean is forecasting annual growth of less than 1% for the next five years. This is a significant deceleration from the double-digit rates seen from 2000–2008. High profile tap water campaigns across many U.S. states and bottled water bans by public institutions have resulted in consumers reverting to tap and filtered water. This is being mirrored in some major European markets such as France and the U.K., with the economic conditions reinforcing this trend.

Despite the decrease in demand for bottled water, Canadean reports that the global beverage consumption is relatively healthy. Beverage demand is forecast to weather the economic storm, growing by 2.0% in 2009 and 2.6% per annum in the longer term. The more buoyant categories include still drinks, nectars (juice drinks), as well as bulk and bottled water, where growth in countries such as China, India, and Indonesia will compensate for the stagnation in western economies. After a near flat performance in 2009, carbonates are expected to return to a growth rate of 2% annually. Those companies with strong international exposure will benefit from rising demand in Asia to offset the tougher markets in North America and Europe.

Alcoholic drinks are likely to show a mixed picture, with beer, wines, and spirits in gradual decline in Europe, where health and legislative issues are hitting traditional alcohol consumption. The pattern is clear: beer and spirits are in decline in their key markets such as Germany, the U.K., and Scandinavia, while wine is under pressure in France, Italy, and Spain. Meanwhile, Asia will continue to be the engine for beer demand, with a projected annual growth rate of around 5%.

Meanwhile, the energy drinks category grew at double-digit rates across a large number of countries in 2008, and is predicted to rise by nearly 10% globally in 2009. Upsizing in serving volume, the entry of more private label and B brand products, plus strong support from the multinational players are all factors pushing up consumption.

Release

Sugar-sweetened beverages may increase risk of heart disease in women

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that women who regularly consume sugar-sweetened beverages may have a high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Previous studies have linked full-calorie sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with greater weight gain and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In this study, the researchers examined the association between consumption of SSBs and the risk of CHD in women. The researchers used the Nurses’ Health Study data from 88,520 women aged 34–59, who were followed from 1980 to 2004. At the beginning of the study, the women did not have CHD, stroke, or diabetes. Consumption of SSBs was derived from seven repeated food-frequency questionnaires administered between 1980 and 2002. Relative risks for CHD were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models and adjusted for known cardiovascular disease risk factors.

During the 24 years of follow-up, the researchers ascertained 3,105 incident cases of CHD (nonfatal myocardial infarction and fatal CHD). The researchers grouped the SSB consumption into five categories: < 1/mo, 1–4/mo, 2–6/wk, 1/d, and ≥ 2 servings/d. After adjusting for standard and dietary risk factors, the researchers found that the relative risks for CHD increased with the higher consumption of SSBs. Additional adjustment for body mass index, energy intake, and incident diabetes attenuated the associations, but they remained significant. It should be noted that artificially sweetened beverages were not associated with CHD.

Abstract

Moderate alcohol intake may increase bone mineral density

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that moderate intake of alcohol may be beneficial to bone mineral density in men and postmenopausal women. In this study, the researchers aimed to determine the association between intake of total alcohol or individual alcoholic beverages and bone mineral density (BMD). The researchers examined alcohol intakes and BMD at three hip sites and the lumbar spine in 1,182 men and 1,289 postmenopausal and 248 premenopausal women, age range 29–86. They found that the men were predominantly beer drinkers, and women were predominantly wine drinkers.

Compared with nondrinkers, hip BMD was greater (3.4–4.5%) in men consuming 1–2 drinks/d of total alcohol or beer, whereas hip and spine BMD were significantly greater (5.0–8.3%) in postmenopausal women consuming > 2 drinks/d of total alcohol or wine. Intake of > 2 drinks/d of liquor in men was associated with significantly lower (3.0–5.2%) hip and spine BMD than was intake of 1–2 drinks/d of liquor in men. After adjustment for silicon intake, all intergroup differences for beer were no longer significant; differences for other alcohol sources remained significant. Beer is an excellent source of silicon, a mineral needed for bone health that has become increasingly rare in the modern diet, the researchers noted. Beer’s silicon content accounted for at least some of its bone-building effects in men; there were too few women who drank beer to draw conclusions about how the mineral affected female bone density.

The researchers concluded that moderate consumption of alcohol may be beneficial to bone in men and postmenopausal women. However, in men, high liquor intakes (> 2 drinks/d) were associated with significantly lower BMD. The tendency toward stronger associations between BMD and beer or wine, relative to liquor, suggests that constituents other than ethanol may contribute to bone health. Silicon appears to mediate the association of beer, but not that of wine or liquor, with BMD. The researchers noted that other components need further investigation.

Abstract

IFF opens Brazilian creative center

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. has opened a new flavor and fragrance creative center in Santana do Parnaiba, Brazil, near Sao Paulo. The new center occupies 8,500 square meters on four floors, and is expected to improve customer access and interaction, and strengthen IFF’s presence in Latin America.

Of this new development, Robert Amen, Chairman and CEO of IFF said, “IFF is dedicated to helping our customers grow their brands. To deliver on this, we must sustain our leadership in material science, creativity, and consumer insights. The new Sao Paulo Creative Center is another demonstration of this commitment.” The new center follows the opening of IFF’s creative center in Shanghai, China, in Feb.

Release

Pilgrim’s Pride sells facility for $80 million

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has agreed to sell its chicken complex in Farmerville, La., to Foster Farms for $80 million. The transaction is subject to the parties entering into a purchase agreement, as well as the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott Rodino Improvements Act and approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The company expects the transaction would be completed within 30 days from signing the purchase agreement. The Farmerville operations include a processing facility, cook plant, hatchery, feed mill, protein conversion plant, and any associated inventory.

According to a Forbes article, half of the cost for the facility will be paid by the state of La., because of the economic blow the community would have suffered from if the plant closed. In fact, the state’s Agriculture Dept. said that shuttering the plant would have cost about 1,300 jobs and also affected about 300 chicken farmers.

“Consistent with what we have said from the beginning, we would consider selling the complex if we received a meaningful offer reflective of the value for these assets,” said Don Jackson, President and CEO. “We believe this sale at this price is in the best interests of all parties involved, including our employees, growers, the Farmerville community, and our creditors. We appreciate the support and efforts of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and his staff working to bring this process to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone involved.”

Release

Forbes article

RCA elects 2009–2010 Board

The Research Chefs Association (RCA) has elected its new Board of Directors for 2009–2010. They are:

• President: Harry J. Crane (Executive Chef Culinary Center of Excellence, Kraft Foods Global)
• Vice President: Terry Van Winkle (Vice President of Sales, TIC Gums, Inc.)
• Treasurer: Janet Carver (Culinary Group Leader, National Starch Food Innovation)
• Secretary: Marilyn Carlson (Senior Manager, R&D, Oberto Sausage Co.)
• Immediate Past President: Stephen A. Kalil (Corporate Executive Research Chef, Culinary Innovation Center, Frito-Lay)

Directors:

• Kevin Anderson (Director of Global Product Development, Burger King Brands, Inc.)
• Alison Brushaber (President, Chef Consortium)
• Michael Cheng (Director/Associate Professor, Southwest Minnesota State Univ.)
• Robert Danhi (Executive Chef, Chef Danhi & Co.)
• Dianna Fricke (Executive Chef, Simplot)
• Melissa Haupt (Executive Chef, Applebee’s Services)
• Christian Kiefer (Director of Culinary Services/Corporate Exec. Chef, Schwan’s Foodservice)
• J. Hugh McEvoy (President, Chicago Research Chefs)
• Kurt Stiles (Executive Chef & CEO, Intelligent Ingredients)
• Brian Yager (Senior National Accounts Development Chef, Cargill Dressings, Sauces, and Oil)

RCA

GTC Nutrition to distribute Nu-Mega ingredients

GTC Nutrition, a business unit of Corn Products International, Inc., has been named the exclusive distributor of Nu-Mega Ingredients’ line of DHA-rich refined tuna oil and microencapsulated high omega-3 containing powders. Nu-Mega Ingredients is a subsidiary of Clover Corp. and provider of omega-3 DHA functional food ingredients. GTC will distribute the Nu-Mega product line, including Driphorm and ThermoMax microencapsulated Hi-DHA tuna fish oils, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) oils.

“Incorporating Nu-Mega’s unique omega-3 DHA ingredients into our portfolio expands our solutions-based offerings in the area of cognitive health,” said Patrick Smith, President, GTC Nutrition. “It also provides GTC with another ingredient solution for cardiovascular support and other meaningful health benefits.”

Release (pdf)

PepsiCo’s elects Brown to Board

PepsiCo, Inc. has announced the election of Shona L. Brown to its Board of Directors, effective March 20, according to a Forbes article. Brown, 42, will participate as a member of the Board’s Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Currently, Brown is Senior Vice President, Business Operations of Google Inc., a position she has held since 2006. She also previously worked at McKinsey & Co., a management consulting firm, where she had been a partner since December 2000.

The election of Brown to PepsiCo’s Board brings the total number of independent directors to 11. In addition, the Board has two inside directors, Indra Nooyi, the company’s Chairman and CEO and Mike White, Vice Chairman of PepsiCo and CEO of PepsiCo International, for a total of 13 directors.

Forbes article

Lenny joins ConAgra Board

ConAgra Foods has appointed Richard H. Lenny to the company’s Board of Directors, effective March 17. The appointment brings the total size of the board to 11 members. Lenny most recently served as Chairman and CEO of The Hershey Co. from 2001 through 2007. Prior to joining Hershey, Lenny was Group Vice President of Kraft Foods and President, Nabisco Biscuit and Snacks following Kraft’s acquisition of Nabisco in 2000. Lenny joined Nabisco in 1998 from the Pillsbury Company where he was President of Pillsbury, North America.

Release

Extra credit reading

Easter bunny cuts back on treats
According to the National Retail Federation's 2009 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, Americans will spend an average of $116.59 on Easter candy, gifts, food, and decorations, down from an average of $135.03 last year.

FAO launches food price database
As part of its response to high food prices, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed an interactive database of staple food prices on national markets in 55 developing countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

Database of soybean suppliers
The Soyfoods Association of North America has launched a Web site to help connect soyfood companies with growers of a wide variety of soybeans.

Fair trade coffee at low prices
Due to tough economic times, Nectar of Life Organic Coffee Co. has launched a new program—Feed the Farmers—to sell gourmet fair trade organic coffee to the public below wholesale cost.

COOL rule in effect

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is affirming, without change, its interim final rule requiring a country of origin statement on the label of any meat or poultry product that is a covered commodity, as defined by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and that is to be sold by a retailer, also as defined by AMS, in accordance with the regulations set out in AMS’ final rule, “Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macadamia Nuts.” FSIS is also affirming, without change, the provisions of the interim final rule that amended its regulations to provide that it will consider the addition of compliant country of origin statements to the labels of covered meat or poultry products to be generically approved. FSIS is thus conforming its regulations to the AMS final rule. FSIS is not amending its regulations or labeling policies for meat or poultry products that are non-covered commodities. This final rule is effective as of March 20, 2009.

Federal Register notice

GAO makes recommendations for FDA regarding seafood fraud

In 2007, Americans consumed almost five billion pounds of seafood. Most seafood buyers, at many levels—importers, distributors, supermarkets, restaurants, and individual consumers—assume that the seafood they buy is what the seller claims it is. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes seafood products are mislabeled for financial gain—an activity called seafood fraud. Three federal agencies play key roles in detecting and preventing seafood fraud: the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to determine the actions key federal agencies take to help detect and prevent seafood fraud and the extent to which these key federal agencies collaborate with each other to help detect and prevent seafood fraud. GAO reviewed data and documents from each agency on actions to detect and prevent seafood fraud, and interviewed agency officials and other key stakeholders.

The GAO found that the CBP and NMFS conduct several activities to help detect and prevent seafood fraud, but the FDA focuses on food safety and undertakes few fraud-related activities. Nonetheless, fraud can result in food safety problems. For example, fish that was mislabeled as a different species for financial gain has caused illnesses due to the presence of a potentially deadly toxin. To help reduce the prevalence of seafood fraud and improve FDA’s actions to detect and prevent seafood fraud, the GAO has recommended that the FDA Commissioner take the following three actions:

• Propose amendments to FDA’s seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations to include requirements that covered facilities include control points that can be used to identify and mitigate economic fraud risks.
• Provide the opportunity for stakeholder comments prior to formalizing any changes to the Seafood List not required by law or regulation and routinely update the public version of the list whenever FDA makes any changes.
• Update the Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and Controls Guidance to reflect the seafood labeling requirements of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.

In addition, to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of each agency’s efforts to detect and prevent seafood fraud and to increase interagency collaboration, improve information sharing, and reduce overlaps, the GAO recommends that the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Commissioner of the FDA take the following two actions:

• Develop goals, strategies, and mechanisms to share information and resources related to seafood fraud detection and prevention across agency boundaries.
• Create a federal agency-wide library of seafood species standards.

GAO report (pdf)

EFSA sets lower tolerable intake level for cadmium

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Panel on contaminants in the food chain has set a reduced tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for cadmium of 2.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight (μg/kg bw), based on an analysis of new data. The TWI is the level at which adverse effects are not expected. Average dietary exposure to cadmium for adults across Europe is around this level. Some population groups—vegetarians, children, smokers, and people living in highly contaminated areas—can have a higher level of exposure up to twice the TWI. However, the Panel concluded that even for these groups the risk of adverse effects would be very low. The Panel concluded that current exposure to cadmium at the level of the population should be reduced.

EFSA was asked by the European Commission to assess the risks to human health related to the presence of cadmium in foodstuffs in order to support risk managers in reviewing the maximum permitted levels in food. Foodstuffs are the main source of cadmium exposure for the non-smoking population. Cereals and cereals products, vegetables, nuts and pulses, starchy roots and potatoes, as well as meat and meat products contribute most to human exposure. High levels were also found in some other foodstuffs (e.g., seaweed, fish and seafood, food supplements, mushrooms, chocolate) but as they are consumed to a lesser extent, they were not major contributors to exposure.

The Panel carried out an analysis of a large number of studies looking at the relationship between urinary cadmium levels and beta-2-microglobulin, a protein excreted in the urine which is a biological indicator of kidney function. The Panel established the TWI of 2.5 µg/kg bw by applying the results of this analysis to a model translating levels of urinary cadmium into dietary exposure. The Panel concluded that the risk of adverse effects even for groups that have exposure at levels above the TWI was very low because the TWI was not based on actual kidney damage, but on an early indicator of changes in kidney function suggesting possible kidney damage later in life.

The Panel also analyzed data on levels of cadmium in food from 20 different countries, alongside national dietary surveys and EU-wide consumption data collected by EFSA. This information indicated that average and high-level exposure were 2.3 µg/kg bw and 3.0 µg/kg bw per week, respectively. Vegetarians—who eat relatively high amounts of foods containing cadmium, including cereals, nuts, oilseeds, and pulses—were estimated to have an average weekly exposure of up to 5.4 µg/kg bw.

EFSA report

Holdren confirmed as OSTP Director

The Senate voted unanimously March 19 to confirm John P. Holdren as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President. Holdren also serves as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Co-Chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Prior to this appointment, Holdren was the Teresa and John Heinz Professor of Environmental Policy and Director of the Program on Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Holdren worked early in his career as an aerospace engineer at the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, as a theoretical physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and as a Senior Research Fellow in the Environmental Quality Laboratory and the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at Caltech. In 1973, he co-founded, and then co-directed until 1996, a pioneering interdisciplinary graduate program at the Univ. of Calif., Berkeley—the Energy and Resources Group—focused on the interaction of scientific, technological, economic, and sociopolitical dimensions of energy and environmental challenges.

He has served since the early 1970s on a wide variety of advisory panels to government on science and technology matters, including the Committee on International Security and Arms Control of the National Academy of Sciences, which he chaired from 1994– 2004. Through both terms of the Clinton administration, he served as a member of PCAST, working closely with OSTP and chairing studies requested by President Clinton and Vice President Gore on preventing theft of nuclear materials, the prospects for fusion energy, a comprehensive R&D strategy for the energy challenges of the 21st century, and international cooperation on energy technology innovation.

President Obama has called Holdren “one of the most passionate and persistent voices of our time” addressing the growing threat of climate change and the value of science and technology as a means of strengthening the nation. “I look forward to his wise counsel in the years ahead,” Obama said in announcing Holdren’s nomination in Dec. 2008. “Today, more than ever before” the President added, “science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation.”

Release (pdf)

Eight more punished in tainted milk scandal

According to the Xinhua News Agency, eight more senior government officials in China have been fired or disciplined for supervisory failure in last year’s scandal involving the adulteration of Sanlu milk powder with melamine. The officials were from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ); the Ministries of Agriculture and Health; the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC); and the State Food and Drug Administration. Wang Bubu, Director-General with the law enforcement and supervision department of AQSIQ, was removed from his official and party posts. Lu Yangang, Deputy Director-General with SAIC’s food circulation supervision department, was removed from his job. The other six officials received various penalties, including demotion and having their conduct recorded. The punishments have sent a strong signal about China's resolution to hold officials accountable for severe production and quality incidents, said Professor Wang Wei of the National School of Administration. The melamine-contaminated milk powder left at least six Chinese infants dead and almost 300,000 with kidney disease.

Xinhua article

The IFT Leadership Election results are in

The IFT Leadership Election came to a close on March 13, 2009. IFT would like to thank all the members who cast their online vote. The IFT Membership has elected Bob Gravani, Ph.D. for President-Elect.

Bob Gravani is a Professor of Food Science and Director of the National Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Program at Cornell University where he is actively engaged in Extension/Outreach, Teaching, and Research activities. Bob is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists, served on the Executive Committee, chaired a number of IFT committees and the Extension/Outreach Division. He was the 2009 recipient of the IFT’s Carl R. Fellers Award.

As President-Elect, Gravani hopes to build consensus and bring out the best qualities in IFT’s  strong and vibrant membership. He believes that every member has a unique set of talents and skills and using these effectively can result in synergies that can make significant contributions to the profession, our publics, research and innovation, advocacy, and global citizenship.

In addition to President-Elect, the IFT Membership elected to fill four positions on the Board of Directors and three positions for the Nominations and Elections Committee. Please take a moment to visit ift.org/election to view the rest of the election results.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation

IFT plans to respond to the call for nominations for the President’s National Medal of Technology and Innovation and welcomes your ideas for possible candidates. The Medal is the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America’s leading innovators, to recognize those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation, and to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to strengthening the Nation’s technological workforce. The Medal also seeks to inspire future generations of Americans to prepare for and pursue technical careers to keep America at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.

Nominations may be made for an individual, a team of up to four people, or a company or a division of a company. The law establishing the National Medal of Technology and Innovation highlights three areas for which the Medal may be awarded. These are contributions to the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the United States. Each nomination is evaluated for achievements in these three areas based on one of three tailored sets of criteria: (1) individual and team nominations for technology products, processes, and concepts; (2) company and division nominations for technology and technological innovation; or (3) promotion of technological manpower. More details about the Medal, including nomination guidelines, are accessible at uspto.gov/nmti. Please direct your nominee ideas to Rosie Newsome, rlnewsome@ift.org, by Friday, April 17.

IFT Global Food Safety and Quality Conference

This year’s conference, themed “Traceability in Food Systems: Technology vs. Reality,” will highlight the need for traceability, current solutions and advances in traceability, future research needs, and more that could lead to improved product traceability for your business. Attendees will also learn more about the challenges associated with implementing a traceability system, including standardization of information and cost, and will discover various technologies available to improve product traceability at the Global Food Safety and Quality Conference. Make plans to attend this conference on Wednesday, June 10 from 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. following the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Anaheim, Calif. To register, click here.

Webcast broadcast live from IFT Food Laws & Regulations Division Symposium

"There’s a New Sheriff in Town:" Impacts that Regulatory Developments and a Change in the Administration Will Have on Your Business
April 3, 7:30–9:00 a.m. CST

Join this lively discussion that will examine current issues in food regulations including food safety and food security, in light of the Obama administration. Discover exactly where and how food safety, science, and the law intersect.

Presentations include:
“How Melamine Changed the World,” presented by Dr. David Acheson (Associate Commissioner for Foods, Food and Drug Administration) and “The New Administration and Legislative Agendas,” presented by John Bode (Principal Attorney, Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz P.C.).

To register for either the live or on-demand webcast, click here. When registering, please enter this code: 0309EM1463

Webcast: Creating Opportunities with Today’s Cautious Consumers

April 23, 12:00–1:30 p.m. CST

Is your organization poised to respond appropriately as consumer buying trends change during a recession? Which products are consumers purchasing given the current recession, and how is your company shifting business strategies to realign itself with consumer needs? If food manufacturers are reducing R&D budgets, how can food professionals plan for future growth?

This webcast will explore both the challenges and the opportunities faced by food companies in this recession, and examine the impact of the recession on organizations.

Objectives:

• Examine consumer buying trends and the impact these trends have on the food industry.
• Identify ways in which companies may shift marketing and pricing strategies to thrive in today’s economy.
• Explore growth opportunities for when the economy rebounds.

For more information, and to register, click here. When registering, please enter this code: 0309EM1464

USP call for experts

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is seeking nominations for experts to serve on the 2010–2015 Council of Experts and its Expert Committees as well as Expert Panels. Members of the Council of Experts will chair the 20 Expert Committees in areas such as Nomenclature, Small Molecules, Biologics and Biotechnology, Excipients, General Chapters, Reference Standards, Compounding, Food Ingredients, and Dietary Supplements.  Expert Panels are formed to provide additional expertise in specific areas. Details on the Council, Committees or Panels are available here. The deadlines for applications are Dec. 31, 2009 for Council of Experts members and May 15, 2010 for Expert Committee members. Recruiting for Panel members will continue through the summer of 2010. Individuals may nominate themselves or a colleague here. Questions? Contact Betty Bugusu at bbugusu@ift.org.

http://www.ift.org/