Top Stories
China promises to improve food safety
China’s Premier Wen Jiabao pledged that the country will take steps to improve its food safety system by introducing China’s first major food safety law.
The official said the recent melamine-tainted milk scandal represented a failure of regulation. The country is committed to meeting international standards for all its food exports, he said.
“Food involves a full process from the farmland to the table. It involves many links and many processes,” he said, speaking at the Asia-Europe Meeting summit in Beijing. “In every link and every process, we need to put in place effective and powerful regulatory measures.”
State television also showed authorities destroying 32,200 tons of contaminated products. About a third of the products burned consisted of infant formula made by Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group, whose products were the most heavily tainted. Four babies have died and thousands were sickened by the products.
With the recent discovery of melamine in eggs, the Associated Press is also reporting that since the chemical is often added to animal feed in China, it may already be in the global food chain. But experts say the levels are likely low enough to pose no risk to humans.
China says it will improve food safety (Associated Press)
Melamine may already be in global food chain (Associated Press)
Probiotics—All that consumers believe them to be?
As new products touting the health benefits of probiotics pop up everywhere on grocery store shelves, some experts caution that the good bacteria isn’t the cure-all many consumers believe it to be.
MSNBC takes a look at the plethora of probiotic-infused foods currently on the market and their claims to help treat everything from high cholesterol to irritable bowl syndrome. The news outlet points out that few of these products have been clinically tested to determine their effectiveness in assisting with many of the conditions they claim to treat. Many of the products may contain probiotics in such low amounts as to not really be effective, or may not contain the right types of bacteria to help with health issues.
“According to Mary Ellen Sanders, a consultant to the probiotic industry, a true probiotic product contains purified strains of specific microbes or yeasts, such as B. Animalis (in Dannon’s Activia yogurt, for example) or other specific strains of Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus, and provide amounts shown to have specific beneficial effects,” the article states. “Probiotics can be helpful for specific conditions such as diarrhea, lactose intolerance or Crohn’s disease. While a published report about early research suggested probiotics could help lower blood pressure or blood cholesterol, or reduce postmenopausal disorders, we need many more studies that show probiotics have consistent beneficial health effects in humans before conclusions can be drawn, or specific recommendations made to consumers.”
Probiotics also don’t work the same in every person, the article notes. But despite the uncertainty about just how much health benefit one may actually get from consuming probiotics, the products they’re in usually have other nutritional benefits, including calcium.
MSNBC article
Will the global economic crisis make Americans gain weight?
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With food prices rising and household budgets falling, many consumers turn to cheaper, often less-healthy, food options in difficult economic times.
Media outlets are exploring the dietary impacts of the current economic climate. MSNBC highlights concerns from scientists that shrinking funds will lead to growing waistlines. |
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Some of the cheapest foods are calorie-rich, nutrient-poor and easy to come by, the network reports. When financially stressed, consumers tend to forgo healthy, pricier options like whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables in favor of low-cost, high-fat alternatives.
Organic products also take a hit during lean money times. Both MSNBC and The New York Times discuss the sudden about-face many organic fans exhibit when confronted with less disposable income. The New York Times reports that Whole Foods Market is experiencing a slowdown that is being seen across the organics industry, signaling the end of a decade-long sales boom. “When times are tough, consumers may be less interested in what type of feed a cow ate before it got chopped up for dinner, or whether carrots were grown without chemical fertilizers—particularly if those products cost twice as much as the conventional stuff,” the article states.
But all hope for the American waistline is not lost. MSNBC Health Editor Jane Weaver offers tips on how to eat well on a budget. Instead of reaching for the cheapest foods or consoling yourself with comfort foods, Weaver offers advice from registered dietitians on how to stay healthy during lean times. Shopping smarter and being more creative in the kitchen is the first step. Cutting down on high-priced protein sources, or substituting lower-priced, less used proteins sources such as eggs are another option. Buying frozen or canned vegetables instead of fresh is another healthy money-saving strategy.
Surprise: Lean times may actually make you fat
Budgets squeezed, some families bypass organics
Skip the dollar menu! Eating well on a budget
Research Briefs
Low amounts of caffeine risky during pregnancy
A new study finds that even consuming one cup of coffee daily could put pregnant women at a higher risk of having an underweight baby.
Researchers in the United Kingdom found that pregnant women who drank from 100 to 199 milligrams of caffeine every day (the equivalent of one to two cups of coffee) had a 20 percent increased risk of giving birth to a baby with low birth weight compared to women who consumed 100 milligrams or less per day. For those who consumed 200–299 milligrams, the risk increased to 50 percent. The study found that the source of the caffeine didn’t matter.
The findings appear in the British Medical Journal.
Abstract
Giving infants probiotics doesn’t prevent allergies
An Australian study finds that ingesting probiotics in the first six months of life did not reduce children’s risk of developing allergies.
The findings were the result of follow-up work done on a previous study of 178 children who consumed Lactobacillus acidophilus or a placebo each day for the first six months of their lives. At the age of one year, the children who ingested the probiotics were more likely to develop a sensitivity to allergens. However, the scientists found that at two and a half years of age, there was no difference between the children who consumed the probiotics and those who took the placebo. The findings did show that the children in the probiotic group had fewer gastrointestinal infections, although the study wasn’t designed to measure those effects.
The results of the study appeared in the journal Allergy.
Abstract
Hops extract may reduce Clostridium in chickens
A new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service shows that hops contain substances that control pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of chickens.
The hop plant (Humulus lupulus) contains bitter acids known to be potent antimicrobials, including lupulone, which is believed to control levels of the disease-causing agent Clostridium perfringens in chickens. Researchers examined the effect of feeding different concentrations of lupulone to broiler chickens to determine the compound’s impact on Clostridium populations in the intestinal tracts of birds inoculated with C. perfringens.
After 22 days—the timeframe associated with clostridial disease in broiler chickens—C. perfringens counts were significantly reduced in the lupulone-treated group compared to another group of chickens that did not receive the lupulone treatment. The reductions ranged from 30 to 50 percent.
This research was published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Agricultural Research Service Press Release
Restaurants lower prices for cash-strapped consumers
More restaurants are promoting “value” in their menu offerings in today’s difficult economic climate, according to new data from Mintel.
Through Mintel’s newly enhanced Menu Insights database, director and registered dietician Maria Caranfa found that more restaurants from fast food to fine dining are promoting quality menu items for lower prices. “Foodservice has been hit hard by people cutting back,” she said. “When we surveyed Americans last January, over half said they were trying to reduce restaurant spending because of the economy. Many people’s finances have worsened since then, so it’s smart for restaurants to advertise lower prices. The key to making these lower prices work, however, is maintaining food quality and making sure every customer’s experience is optimal. Restaurants need to make cheap chic.”
One trend has been dubbed the “$5 phenomenon” and is seen in many fast-service restaurants including Subway, which offers Footlong subs for $5; Quizno’s, which offers Large Deli Favorites for $5; Pizza Hut, which features Pizza Mia Pizzas for $5 each (when you order three or more) and Boston Market, which offers meals for $5.
Family and fine-dining restaurants are also finding innovative ways to give customers more bang for their buck. T.G.I. Friday’s introduced the “Right Portion, Right Price” menu options which offer smaller servings of regular entrees that are value-priced between $5.99 and $9.99. Ruth’s Chris Steak House has “Economy Proof” meals, which include soup or salad, entrée and side dish from a limited menu of items for $35.95.
For more information, visit http://www.menuinsights.com/.
Corn researchers discover novel gene shut-off mechanisms
Scientists have identified unusual differences in the natural mechanisms that turn off, or “silence,” genes in corn.
The discovery was made by comparing the impact of inactivating a gene that occurs in both corn and in the much-studied laboratory plant Arabidopsis. The findings provide new insight into how crops protect themselves from mutation-causing mobile DNA elements and viruses.
An important key to the process is short sequences of ribonucleic acids known as “small RNAs” which act like biochemical switches that shut off genes, thus playing a fundamental role in plant development. Understanding how small RNAs work is a continuing quest for geneticists seeking to breed plants with improved crop yields, disease resistance and other characteristics.
The results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
Press Release
Abstract
Forage fish being used mostly for animal feed
One-third of the world’s marine fish catches are used as animal feed for farm-raised fish, pigs and poultry, according to new research.
The study “Forage Fish: From Ecosystems to Markets ” is a product of the nine-year Sea Around Us Project, a partnership between the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The authors of the study express concern over the use of human food resources for feed, as well as the way it contributes to the ongoing problem of over-fishing.
“There is considerable scope for policy makers to change the current management of these fisheries and to enhance their contribution to food security and economic development,” the researchers state. “Industry and consumers also have an important role in finding the balance between these fisheries contributing to human food security and poverty alleviation on the one hand, and sustaining intensive animal food production systems, especially aquaculture, on the other.”
The study appears in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources.
Abstract
Eat a sardine today—USA Today blog takes a look at the issue
Company News
Fonterra opens Chicago technical center
New Zealand-based dairy co-operative Fonterra Inc. recently opened its Chicago Technical Center near O’Hare International Airport.
The $2.4 million facility houses advanced processing equipment, sample analysis lab, and an ingredient supply area. The15-person technical staff will enable United States and Canadian customers, partners and scientists to formulate retail and foodservice products using the company’s functional dairy proteins and specialty ingredients.
Recently, Fonterra USA launched several products for the North American market. These include PowerProteins for improved functionality and flavor in bars, clear whey-based ingredients for beverages, specialty milk protein concentrates designed to improve yield and texture in cheese and yogurt, and several hydrolysates for pediatric nutrition products.
Press Release
Slimmer Twinkies hitting shelves
Hostess launched a 100-calorie snack pack version of the iconic Twinkie.
The snack packs will be called “Twinkie Bites” and will be available nationwide beginning Monday. The original Twinkie is 150 calories.
In addition to the Twinkie Bites, Hostess also plans to add strawberry cupcakes to the 100-calorie snack line.
Hostess
Nestlé opens Beijing R&D center
Nestlé opened a new research and development center in Beijing.
R&D Beijing is Nestlé’s second research and development facility in China, and its 24th worldwide. Food safety and quality will be a major focus of the facility. The safety and quality of food will be addressed at every stage of product development, from the selection of ingredients to the choice of packaging material.
In addition, R&D Beijing will work on nutrition and life sciences research, food technology, processing and packaging.
Press Release
Sealed Air, Clemson University open retort lab
Sealed Air and Clemson University opened the Cryovac Flavour Mark Retort Laboratory, a teaching, research and service facility in the university’s packaging science department in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
The Sealed Air-Clemson University collaboration will benefit Clemson students, facilitate state-of-the-art research and foster economic growth in the state, regional and global economies. Clemson students will use the laboratory as a hands-on classroom to study food packaging—specifically shelf-stable retort packaging—and will benefit from Cryovac brand equipment donated by Sealed Air.
When not in use by students, the facility will be available on a lease arrangement or fee-for-service basis to allow food processors to create and test a limited number of sample products for market distribution.
Press Release
Recalled 2006 Hershey products may still be on Canadian shelves
After finding previously recalled Hershey products still on store shelves, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued an expanded warning about possible salmonella contamination.
Hershey recalled dozens of products in 2006 after detecting salmonella in its Smiths Falls plant, but a bunch of the recalled candy was stolen from a recycling depot in Toronto where it was supposed to be destroyed. CFIA’s statement said that some of the recalled candy was recently found for sale in Niagara Falls and Oshawa.
The recalled products have codes that range from 6417 to 6455 stamped on the packaging. No confirmed illnesses have been reported.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Jacobina Biscuits recalled due to melamine
Everlasting Distributors Inc. recalled its 3.88 oz (110 g) packages of Fresh and Crispy Jacobina Biscuits because the product may be contaminated with melamine.
The product was distributed nationwide in Asian grocery stores and comes in a blue and red clear plastic packaging labeled “JACOBINA.” No illnesses associated with this product have been reported to date.
The recall was initiated after FDA testing discovered that product contained melamine.
Food and Drug Administration Press Release
Extra credit reading
Election eats
For journalists, it’s been a long, strange trip on this election year’s campaign trail. Although they may never get any sleep, they definitely don’t go hungry. A Time reporter logs her campaign food diary, documenting everything from eggplant parmesan to brownies.
Calories count
With more restaurants including calorie totals on menus, The New York Times takes a look at the comeback of calorie counting.
Criminal crops
From beekeeping to gardening, inmates help prisons grow their own food as more penitentiaries go green.
Don’t be salty
Cooking Light takes a look at how to be sodium savvy.
No more fake IDs?
In an effort to combat binge drinking and underage drinking enforcement issues, college presidents are banding together to urge lawmakers to consider lowering the legal drinking age to 18.
Regulatory News
EFSA releases labeling decision on plant stanol esters
The European Food Safety Authority’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies released an opinion stating that there is evidence that the risk of coronary heart disease can be decreased by cholesterol-lowering therapy including dietary intervention strategies.
The Panel determined that products that contain added plant stanol esters should be consumed only by people who need and want to lower their blood cholesterol. Patients on cholesterol-lowering medication should only consume the products under medical supervision.
The panel also approved specific label wording, which it felt reflected the available scientific evidence—“Plant stanol esters have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”
European Food Safety Authority opinion
USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Center celebrates 30th anniversary
Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital recently celebrated 30 years of cooperative children’s nutrition research.
Officials from the organizations will renew a long-term agreement at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) to conduct cooperative research on obesity and other issues affecting the health of children in the United States. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Baylor College of Medicine manage CNRC through an agreement that has allowed the center to operate as a cooperatively run research institution.
“Research at CNRC has enabled healthcare providers and policy advisors to make dietary recommendations that improve the health of children in the United States and around the world,” said Caird Rexroad, ARS associate administrator for national programs.
Agricultural Research Service Press Release
Government reallocates a portion of the 2008 Tariff-Rate Quota for refined sugar
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced a re-allocation of a portion of the fiscal year 2008 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for refined sugar.
TRQs allow countries to export specified quantities of a product at a relatively low tariff, but subject all imports of the product above those quantities to a higher tariff. In response to tight market conditions, the secretary of agriculture increased in August the in-quota quantity of the TRQ for refined sugar for FY 2008 by 272,155 metric tons raw value (MTRV) and extended the period in which the sugar could be entered until December 31, 2008.
On August 13, 2008, the USTR allocated the TRQ increase through the publication of a Federal Register notice. A total of 40,000 MTRV was allocated to Canada, 68,278 MTRV to Mexico, and the remaining 163,877 MTRV to a global TRQ portion, which may be supplied by any country on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to any other provisions of law.
The U.S. market for sugar, particularly for refined sugar, remains tight as shown by the historically low 6 percent ending stocks-to-use ratio for FY 2009 projected in USDA’s October World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report. As a result, the U.S. government consulted with the government of Mexico as to whether it intended to fill its allocated portion of the August increase. Mexico informed the U.S. that it will continue to export sugar to the U.S. under the duty-free access provided by the North American Free Trade Agreement and, therefore, the portion allocated to Mexico will not be used and is available for re-allocation by the U.S.
USTR is therefore re-allocating the 68,278 MTRV portion to the global refined sugar TRQ allocation, which may be supplied by any country on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to any other provision of law. The re-allocation will take effect upon publication of a Federal Register notice by the USTR.
USDA Press Release
IFT & Meeting News
Produce Food Safety and Traceability, Hosted by the IFT DC Section
November 17, 2008, 1:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CST
Brought to you by the Washington, D.C. Section of IFT, this webcast is only available live.
In conjunction with IFT’s Washington, D.C. Section meeting, this webcast will include a presentation entitled "History and Current Status of the Tomato/Pepper Outbreak of Salmonella Infections" presented by Dr. Robert Tauxe, Deputy Director of the CDC Division of Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases.
In addition, Dr. Stephen Sundlof, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, will present an update on the FDA Traceability Activities and Programs, and Dr. David Gombas, Senior Vice President of Food Science and Technology at United Fresh Produce Association, will give an industry response to the tomato/pepper episode.
Register now to take advantage of this opportunity to hear from these experts. This webcast will only be offered live on November 17, and will NOT be recorded.
Register at http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1001896. When registering, please enter this code: 1008EM1268
USDA’s 85th Agricultural Outlook Forum
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold its 85th Agricultural Outlook Forum, “Global Agriculture & Rural America in Transition,” February 26-27, 2009, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.
The secretary of agriculture, government, farm and industry leaders will discuss the future of American agriculture. For more information, visit http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/index.htm
IFT Achievement Award nominations are now open
Time is running out to nominate an accomplished colleague for an IFT Achievement Award. These Awards recognize IFT members representing multiple facets of the profession, including teaching, public health, lipid or flavor science, food ingredient safety, industrial developments, and others.
The deadline for Award nomination is December 1, 2008. Please take this opportunity to help us to honor our esteemed colleagues in industry, academia, and government—and to recognize the very best among us.
Awards nomination forms may be found here:
http://members.ift.org/NR/exeres/9A8AE25E-C316-424A-A8B1-779BEA1A1E35.htm?NRMODE=Unpublished&wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished
Also, please help us identify candidates for IFT Fellow. The professional distinction of IFT Fellow rewards individuals with outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience in food science and technology. The deadline for Fellow nominations is February 1, 2009.
Fellow nomination forms may be found here: http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000289.
If you have questions about the nomination process or would like to submit a nomination, please e-mail Jenny Schmidli jschmidli@ift.org.
Help shape IFT's theme: Food Science from Producer to Consumer
Help shape the Scientific Program of the 2009 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo by submitting a Technical Research Paper, Session Proposal, or New Products & Technologies Abstract. The latter opportunity is open to innovations that use a new technology or deliver improved performance over existing items, and were introduced between January 2006 and January 2009.
The 2009 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo occurs earlier than last year, and your cooperation in meeting the submission deadlines is critical from an event planning perspective. Deadlines for submissions are:
- November 20th for Session Proposals
- December 12 for Technical Research Papers
- January 12 for New Products & Technologies Abstracts
Find details and deadlines, and submit online.
Nanoscience Webcast to Examine Applications
Nanoscience as an Emerging Food Industry Driver
November 19, 2008, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. CST
Deepen your understanding of one of the most promising, innovative, and controversial research areas with the potential to impact food science and technology. Hear from the experts and examine the latest advances in the emerging arena of nanoscale science and technology of food. This webcast will describe the fundamental concepts of science, engineering, and technology at the nanoscale level. Additionally, it will focus on recent developments in nanoscience applications within the food and ingredient industry, as well as their benefits to the consumer. This webcast will also offer perspective on the potential challenges facing nanoscale research.
Presenters Rickey Yada of the University of Guelph and Bernadene Magnuson of Cantox Health Sciences International will focus on defining and describing nanoscale science and nanotechnology, providing you with an appreciation for its novel applications in food and the challenges facing the food industry.
For more information, and to register, visit ift.org/knowledge. When registering, please enter this code:1108EM1269
Register Now for Wellness 09!
Are you involved in the development, regulation, packaging, or marketing of foods that contribute to health and wellness?
As more and more Americans amend their diets to improve health, food manufacturers must keep current with the issues and new technologies that are shaping the landscape of the wellness marketplace. This event, designed for R&D professionals, brand and marketing managers, new business developers, purchasing directors, regulatory managers and consultants, will help you discover new marketplace opportunities, gain sound insight on key issues, and learn about techniques that reduce costs. In addition, "track" areas related to these consumer needs will be discussed: Consumer Lifestyles & Demographics, Health Issues, and Legal, Regulatory, and Standardization Issues.
Join us for lively discussions on topics that borrow from today's headlines, including the interaction between nutrition and food science, the assessment of the connection between body composition, metabolic status, and diet, emerging technologies, and more! Attendees from the inaugural conference, held earlier this year, told us that they identified new marketplace opportunities, and shared best practices. Plan now to attend this event, presented by Food Technology magazine.
For more information, and to register, visit ift.org/ftpc. When registering, please enter this market code: 1108EM1271
Sponsored by: Global Outlook for Food Color
Global leaders across the food color supply chain will gather December 3 – 5, 2008 at the Doubletree Guest Suites – Atlanta Galleria in Atlanta, GA, US to explore the latest issues surrounding colors in food. Presentations will examine global food color law, health and safety concerns and initiatives, market trends, consumer perceptions and the science behind the latest technical innovations and formulations with food color.
Presenters include: Artemis International Inc., BASF, Canadian Inspection Agency, Chr Hansen, Colarome Inc., Color Science Consultancy, Colormaker, Corvus Blue LLC, D.D. Williamson, Earthwise Technology, GNT USA, Kalsec Inc., Kelly Drye & Warren, Lawrence Foods, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Oregon State University, Pepsi-Cola Company, San-ei GEN F.F.I. Inc., The Roberts Group, Tragon Corporation, University of Alberta, US Food and Drug Administration.
For complete program information visit: http://www.foodcolorconference.com/. For booking prices including group discounts, contact Jeremy Powell at jeremy.powell@pira-international.com or +1 207 781 9610.
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