FOOD SAFETY “BITES” Selected news, views and issues from ‘field to fork’

Food Safety Bites – November 2016

In this month's edition:

1. Brexit

a) Brexit could drive food firms offshore

b) Brexit will prove ‘messy and ugly’ for farmers

2. Diet and health

a) Obesity a ‘solvable worldwide pandemic,’ says professor

b) Preventing child obesity ‘starts in the previous generation,’ say leading researchers

c) UK teens not meeting adequate vitamin D levels, researchers find

d) Too much of a good thing? Calcium supplements may be bad for heart health

e) Vitamin research points to multi-life stage benefits

f) Eating processed meat may cause headaches

g) Garlic plus lemon may improve cholesterol level, lower blood pressure: Study

h) Grain from days gone by could form heart-friendlier bread, study finds

i) Ireland launches national obesity plan

j) Study finds no objective link between dairy intake and risk of cardiovascular disease

3) Nutrition Labelling

a) Is all fair in love & war, logos & lobbying? France begins nutrition label trial

b) Green light for colour-coded labels: Study

c) Food fraud fears on nutritional labels

4) Sugar

a) A couple of sugary drinks daily ‘doubles diabetes risk,’ study shows

b) Proposals outlining a tax on sugared drinks endorsed by WHO

5) Scotland - Minimum unit pricing for alcohol upheld

6) Food Hygiene is getting easier to spot in Northern Ireland

7) Fish to fork: a need to implement changes in the food system

8) Labelling and advertising

a) ‘May contain’ labels to be reassessed

b) Alpro and TV presenter told to remove tweet by ASA

c) Brewers add ingredient & nutrition info in Europe

d) EU herbals: Creative escape routes out of botanical claims limbo-land

e) Many small food firms are using illegal labels

f) The antibiotic-free dilemma: How to tap into the trend without implying conventional meat is

bad?

g) Greece and Finland to trial country of origin labelling for dairy

9) Modern Slavery

a) Supply chain the key to Modern Slavery Act

b) Thai chicken farmers stamp out slavery and abuse

10) National Minimum Wage to impact food firms: FDF

11) China and Europe increasingly working together on food safety – EFSA

12) Food Fraud

a) ‘Smart’ technology leads war against drinks fraud

b) IFR develops meat fraud testing method

c) Customs Union: Number of counterfeit goods seized by EU authorities continued to rise in 2015

13) FSA wants to change regulation but vague on details

14) New UK targets include 55% carbon cut and zero waste

15) Time to cap trans fats in Europe, ENVI politicians tell Commission

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

1. Brexit

a) Brexit could drive food firms offshore

Some manufacturers could relocate their operations overseas in whole or in part following

the Brexit vote, a senior food industry consultant has suggested.

The final decision on relocating will rest on where the majority of their business comes

from, be it country specific, EU or truly international, he added.

“Certainly, businesses need to consider, following Brexit, what their future options are in

terms of their supply chain assets,” he said. This would depend on their structure and the

way they deliver products to customers, he added.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Business-News/Brexit-could-drive-food-firms-

offshore?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOu%2BInFRBdrY7YNf4ux0H2%2F5&p2=

b) Brexit will prove ‘messy and ugly’ for farmers

Brexit is going to prove “messy, acrimonious and fairly ugly”, the director general of the

National Farmers Union (NFU) Terry Jones has warned.

It is probably the biggest seismic change in UK recent history and “for agriculture, it is

enormous”, Jones said at the 20th anniversary dinner of The Food Club in London last

month.

“Interestingly, farmers are really upbeat, they are saying ‘bring it on’, we are the best in the

world and we think we can deal with this challenge’,” said Jones.

“But when you start to drill into this and start to look at what we need to do, it gets a bit

more tricky.”

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Supply-Chain/Brexit-will-prove-messy-and-ugly-for-

farmers?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=19-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOtXecRhcroAWzAPO%2F59%2BGS5&p2=

2. Diet and health

a) Obesity a ‘solvable worldwide pandemic,’ says professor

The UK has the means and the motivation to become the first nation to solve the problem

of obesity, according to one academic - but will it act?

Speaking at a lecture organised by the Royal College of Physicians in London last week,

professor of endocrinology at Oxford University John Wass said a series of measures would

go a long way to easing the obesity issue.

Key to his strategy was the role food and drink manufacturers played not only in their

approach to product formulation but the dialogue they maintained with the UK

government.

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Market-Trends/Obesity-a-solvable-worldwide-pandemic-

says-

professor/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GIN_DRd

&c=2dIZZoVkrOvLlerXmT%2BX8SYu3bsTmuI7&p2=

b) Preventing child obesity ‘starts in the previous generation,’ say leading researchers

The chances that a child will become obese in later life are largely determined before they

are even conceived, as researchers believe parent’s health is key to tackling obesity in

future generations.

In a series of studies that appear in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, findings point

to the pre-conception period as a missed opportunity to prevent the ‘inheritance’ of

obesity from parent to child.

Referring to the escalating tide of obesity worldwide, the team of researchers argued that

a new approach was overdue and different ways to prompt potential parents into

improving their health were needed.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/Preventing-child-obesity-starts-in-the-previous-

generation-say-leading-

researchers?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOvA2xvZ8mS1LgAvkd0Kxlmj&p2=

c) UK teens not meeting adequate vitamin D levels, researchers find

High levels of vitamin D inadequacy have been observed in adolescents, as a study

identifies the minimum level required by this group to maintain adequate vitamin D levels

during the winter months.

A collaboration between academics from the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland

believe that the low levels of vitamin D seen in adolescents may be due to less time spent

outdoors — and subsequently less exposure to the sun — when compared to younger

children.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/UK-teens-not-meeting-adequate-vitamin-D-

levels-researchers-

find?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOu1K%2BKudiKXTvTwDbhvny9Q&p2=

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

d) Too much of a good thing? Calcium supplements may be bad for heart health

Calcium intake from food supplements may increase the risk of coronary artery

calcification (CAC), a ten-year follow-up of over 5,000 adults has found.

Calcium’s heart protective benefits are well documented and as expected the paper, part

of the US Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, found that high total calcium intake was

linked with a lower risk of clogged arteries over the long‐term follow‐up.

However the research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association

(JAHA) found this positive effect was particularly evident if the high intakes were achieved

without supplement use and concluded that use of calcium supplements may actually

increase the risk for incident CAC and therefore jeopardise heart health.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Too-much-of-a-good-thing-Calcium-

supplements-may-be-bad-for-heart-

health/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newslett

er%2BSubject&c=mZEn04e80rE7v5P8ONygkg%3D%3D

e) Vitamin research points to multi-life stage benefits

A selection of vitamin D and E studies re-emphasises contribution at a number of pivotal

life stages as the findings stress the long-term consequences of vitamin deficiency.

Micronutrient deficiency is thought to affect a third of the world’s population and is

particularly harmful on the developing foetus.

European countries such as Sweden are preparing to send proposals for mandatory vitamin

D food fortification to the EU.

“It demonstrates additional and new roles of vitamin D. The important impact of this

finding is that inadequate or even deficient vitamin D status – which is found in many

population groups - will impair cell expansion during embryogenesis.”

“This finding is in our view of major public interest. Based on this study it can be speculated

that all ages benefit from an optimal vitamin D3 status, since hematopoiesis is life-long

process.”

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Vitamin-research-points-to-multi-life-stage-

benefits/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newslet

ter%2BSubject&c=mZEn04e80rH%2FhCQ%2BtocpJw%3D%3D

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

f) Eating processed meat may cause headaches

US scientists have claimed that the nitrate found in processed meats, such as bacon, may

be the cause of migraines.

Nitrate is used to preserve processed meats like bacon and sausages, and scientists the

University of California San Diego’s School of Medicine believe consumption of it may be

causing migraines. As well as processed meats – which separately have been linked to

bowel cancer – nitrate is found naturally in leafy vegetables.

Experts now believe that consumption of either of these food items – processed meats or

leafy vegetables – may be linked to an increased chance of a migraine attack.

http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Analysis/Eating-processed-meat-may-cause-

headaches?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GIN_FNd

&c=2dIZZoVkrOvC0RYjxtT7aD8vy4qF29la&p2=

g) Garlic plus lemon may improve cholesterol level, lower blood pressure: Study

Data published in the PubMed-listed International Journal of Preventive Medicine

indicated that 20 grams per day of garlic and one tablespoon of lemon juice produced

significantly greater reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and fibrinogen

compared to garlic alone, lemon juice alone, or control.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Garlic-plus-lemon-may-improve-

cholesterol-level-lower-blood-pressure-

Study/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newslette

r%2BSubject&c=mZEn04e80rEsEQOz40w8pg%3D%3D

h) Grain from days gone by could form heart-friendlier bread, study finds

Eating bread made with ancient grain varieties could help lower cholesterol and blood

glucose, a study has determined.

Findings from research published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and

Nutrition, remarked on the beneficial effects on the cardiovascular health of subjects

consuming bread made from these grains.

Current agricultural strategies have mainly focused on improving the yield production of

wheat. While this has been realised, it has been at the detriment of the grain’s nutritional

profile.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science/Grain-from-days-gone-by-could-form-heart-

friendlier-bread-study-

finds/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GIN_NId&c=2

dIZZoVkrOtuygLb%2BQNSk0urI8ElUm2o&p2=

i) Ireland launches national obesity plan

The Irish government has launched an ambitious national obesity plan which proposes a

sugary drinks tax, maximum portion sizes, marketing restrictions and reformulation targets

- but the lack of funding to implement the policy has led to criticism from campaigners.

The policy will take a dual top-down and bottom-up approach with targets and measurable

outcomes over the next 10 years, and wants to see “appropriate support” from the food

industry.

Priority steps for the first year include developing proposals for fiscal measures to promote

healthy eating, including a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages by the end of this year, as

well as legislation for “calorie posting”.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Ingredients/Food-labelling/Ireland-launches-national-

obesity-plan/?utm_source=newsletter_product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04-

Oct-2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOt%2BGbOUy%2BekjyM4Zjt7vEUm&p2=

Policy

http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/A-Healthy-Weight-for-Ireland-Obesity-

Policy-and-Action-Plan-2016-2025.pdf

j) Study finds no objective link between dairy intake and risk of cardiovascular disease

Researchers from the Spanish Biomedical Research Network Center in Physiology of

Obesity and Nutrition in Valencia, Spain, discovered that the risk of cardiovascular disease

(CVD) is not objectively linked to milk and dairy consumption.

“Controversy persists on the association between dairy products, especially milk, and

cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Genetic proxies may improve dairy intake estimations, and

clarify diet-disease relationships,” the study stated.

http://www.dairyreporter.com/R-D/Study-finds-no-link-between-dairy-intake-and-

cardiovascular-

disease/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOv%2B8ewYrIRFl3OfFrN0Db%2Bi&p2=

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

3) Nutrition Labelling

a) Is all fair in love & war, logos & lobbying? France begins nutrition label trial

Amid cries of conflicts of interest and fierce industry lobbying, France will test out four

different nutrition labels for a trial period to see which is the most efficient in encouraging

healthier food choices.

A report evaluating the efficacy of the four systems will be produced by year's end at the

earliest and submitted to health minister Marisol Touraine, at which point the government

will decide which should be adopted as the country’s official nutrition label.

However use of the chosen system will be voluntary as EU regulation prohibits mandatory

food labelling in individual member states.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Ingredients/Food-labelling/Is-all-fair-in-love-war-logos-

lobbying-France-begins-nutrition-label-

trial/?utm_source=newsletter_product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOu2ez97%2Fwa%2BAinNxfvLBXWG&p2=

b) Green light for colour-coded labels: Study

Traffic light nutrition labels can sway consumer decisions towards healthier options,

according to scientists in Germany and the US.

Researchers at the University of Bonn and the Ohio State University found that colour-

coded labels “significantly increased” healthy choices by increasing the so-called ‘drift rate’

towards healthier products. The effects are strongest when a number of nutrients are

displayed rather than, say, sugar alone.

“Salient labels [in this case colour-coded ones] increased the sensitivity to health and

decreased the weight on taste, indicating that the integration of health and taste attributes

during the choice process is sensitive to how information is displayed,” they concluded.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science/Green-light-for-colour-coded-labels-

Study/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newslette

r%2BSubject&c=mZEn04e80rHQhIrR1pnUOA%3D%3D

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

c) Food fraud fears on nutritional labels

Thousands of small food and drink manufacturers, including many of the 40,000 artisan

producers in the UK supplying directly to consumers, could be breaking the law for illegal

nutritional labelling and making illegal claims on their pre-packed products, an expert has

warned.

Under the EU’s Food Information to Consumers Regulation (FIR), mandatory nutrition

declarations for the majority of pre-packed foods will come into force on December 13

2016.

But there are fears that some producers will fraudulently attempt to change the

information displayed on food labels to make them appear healthier than they actually are,

warned Mike Peters, strategy consultant for Nutritional Information Solutions at the

Institute of Food Research in Norwich.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Regulation/Food-fraud-fears-on-nutritional-

labels/?utm_source=Newsletter_SponsoredSpecial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=

Newsletter%2BSponsoredSpecial&c=2dIZZoVkrOvpLKlSntq5fSPWHifyqYNo

4) Sugar

a) A couple of sugary drinks daily ‘doubles diabetes risk,’ study shows

The choice between artificially sweetened and sugared soft drinks does not seem to make

a difference in the onset of chronic conditions such as diabetes, according to Swedish

research.

Findings were similar for sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened beverages in terms of

the chances of developing diabetes variants.

The study found that drinking more than two daily 200ml servings more than doubled the

chances of developing type 2 diabetes as well as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults

(LADA)—a form of diabetes that has a slower course of onset.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/A-couple-of-sugary-drinks-daily-doubles-diabetes-

risk-study-shows?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24-

Oct-2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOupyM6tr9%2BnDAgkTqLbA3p3&p2=

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

b) Proposals outlining a tax on sugared drinks endorsed by WHO

Mounting evidence suggests the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is

justified as a way to lower intake and reduce cases of obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth

decay.

In a report produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that a levy on sugary

drinks would result in ‘proportional reductions in consumption,’ especially if the retail price

were to increase by 20% or more.

Some European countries have already implemented plans to deter consumers from

products high in saturated fat as well as sugar.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/Proposals-outlining-a-tax-on-sugared-drinks-

endorsed-by-

WHO?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOsp1bGpld39XPigpfliuz%2BE&p2=

Report

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/250131/1/9789241511247-eng.pdf?ua=1

5) Scotland - Minimum unit pricing for alcohol upheld

Scotland’s Court of Session has given its approval to Scottish Government plans to introduce a

minimum unit price for alcohol.

In a landmark ruling today, the court has rejected the legal challenge from the Scotch Whisky

Association, ruling for the second time that the policy is lawful.

The Scottish Government has now called on the Scotch Whisky Association and others in the

drinks industry who have been behind the legal challenge to respect the democratic will of the

Scottish Parliament – and to respect the judgement of the highest court in Scotland.

http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Minimum-unit-pricing-upheld-2d76.aspx

6) Food Hygiene is getting easier to spot in Northern Ireland

The Food Hygiene Rating Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 and associated regulations have come into

force, and this new legislation means that the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is now mandatory,

replacing the voluntary scheme run since the end of 2011 by district councils and the Food

Standards Agency (FSA).

https://www.food.gov.uk/northern-ireland/news-updates/news/2016/15557/food-hygiene-is-

getting-easier-to-spot-in-northern-ireland

The Act

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2016/3/pdfs/nia_20160003_en.pdf

The Regulations

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2016/313/contents/made

7) Fish to fork: a need to implement changes in the food system

Securing our need for food has become a major threat to the environment, driving increased

emissions and over-exploitation of natural resources such as water, soil and fish. Our health and

well-being have also been affected. A shared understanding of the food system and the roles

different actors — policy makers, producers and other stakeholders in the food supply-chain —

play will be crucial to a sustainable future, according to a new European Environment Agency

report published today.

http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/fish-to-fork-a-need

Report

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/seafood-in-europe-a-food

8) Labelling and advertising

a) ‘May contain’ labels to be reassessed

‘May contain’ precautionary labelling of foods for the accidental presence of allergens

could become far more useful for those suffering allergies, as scientists develop a “risk

management toolbox” for industry, covering threshold dose allergen action levels for

specific allergens.

If these ‘reference dose’ action levels are accepted by the EU Member States and allergic

consumers themselves, it would mean a more uniform approach to ‘may contain’ labelling.

It would also result in a large reduction in such labels, which have proliferated as

manufacturers sought to provide a due diligence defence against potential litigation.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Ingredients/Food-safety-May-contain-labels-to-be-

reassessed/?utm_source=Newsletter_SponsoredSpecial&utm_medium=email&utm_camp

aign=Newsletter%2BSponsoredSpecial&c=2dIZZoVkrOs9LUTLa9jtQUG61Smpd3ko

b) Alpro and TV presenter told to remove tweet by ASA

An advert by plant-based food manufacturer Alpro has been banned by the Advertising

Standards Authority (ASA).

Alpro was told to make sure its online adverts were clearly identifiable as marketing

campaigns by the ASA, after a marketing tweet from television presenter AJ Odudu did not

contain an identifier.

Alpro believed the tweet was editorial content.

The ASA, however, said the plant-based food manufacturer’s contractual agreement with

Odudu meant the company had a degree of control over the tweet, and was it therefore

marketing.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Regulation/ASA-tells-food-manufacturer-to-remove-

tweet/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newslette

r%2BSubject&c=2dIZZoVkrOvddhpg0VqFuiG%2F7RcIVSxo

c) Brewers add ingredient & nutrition info in Europe

By the end of 2017, more than half the beer brewed in the EU will carry ingredients and

nutrition information, according to The Brewers of Europe.

In the EU, regulation on Food Information to Consumers (FIC) requires food and drink

products to provide information on ingredients and nutrition. However, alcoholic

beverages of more than 1.2% ABV are exempt.

In March 2015 The Brewers of Europe set out a commitment to voluntarily provide such

information, thus helping consumers become more informed about the beer they drink.

Heineken, Carlsberg, SABMiller and AB InBev are among the brewers who have backed the

pledge.

http://www.beveragedaily.com/Regulation-Safety/Brewers-add-ingredient-nutrition-info-

in-

Europe/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newslett

er%2BSubject&c=2dIZZoVkrOviQrx1EH%2BD5zgloLwVFqKg

d) EU herbals: Creative escape routes out of botanical claims limbo-land

With around 2000 botanicals claims on-hold whilst the European Commission comes up

with a solution, individual countries and supplement companies are taking matters into

their own hands.

In September 2010 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) put on hold the assessment

of 1,548 health claims for botanicals after instruction from the Commission.

“It is clear that all claim applications for botanical products would fail if the NHCR

guidelines were applied in their current form,” said Penny Viner, vice president of the

Health Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA).

The dilemma now facing the Commission is how to deal with these in-limbo botanical

claims, and Viner said the HFMA had been led to understand “that by 2019 the

Commission will have worked out an appropriate strategy for the review of botanical

claims”.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation-Policy/EU-herbals-Creative-escape-routes-

out-of-botanical-claims-limbo-

land/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOu42mipel1bRaiy2s%2Ftuw%2FF&p2=

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

e) Many small food firms are using illegal labels

Many small food and drink manufacturers could soon be breaking the law – if they are not

already – by putting misleading and, therefore, illegal information on their packs.

On December 13 the next tranche of the Food Information to Consumers Regulation will

make nutrition labelling mandatory for most pre-packed foods.

It emerges that many companies are playing fast-and-loose with their on-pack nutrition

labelling and nutrition claims, cutting corners rather than properly assessing the nutrient

content of their products and labelling those contents correctly.

The focus on ‘healthy’ food has made things worse. Without the resources of the big boys,

many small firms are not undertaking proper chemical analysis of their food and drink, and

are making nutrition claims they can’t stand up.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Packaging/Many-small-food-firms-are-using-illegal-

labels/?utm_source=Newsletter_SponsoredSpecial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=

Newsletter%2BSponsoredSpecial&c=2dIZZoVkrOsMUpVvSNmPPyuzZU3ntKSs

f) The antibiotic-free dilemma: How to tap into the trend without implying conventional

meat is bad?

Consumer interest in antibiotic-free meat is rising and British pork processor Karro is

upping investment. But how can you promote a premium antibiotic-free range without

giving the message that the rest of your products are bad? "It's a challenge," it says.

However not everyone believes the rise of antibiotic-free logos are the solution to

stemming the over dependence of antibiotics in animal husbandry.

Emma Rose from the Alliance to Save our Antibiotics, told Food Navigator last year:

“Introducing labels risks allowing the continuation of such practices, whilst turning meat

products from animals raised without antibiotics into premium products - rather than the

absolute norm.”

According to De Klein, the absence of an antibiotic-free logo is not necessarily synonymous

with irresponsible farming.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Market-Trends/The-antibiotic-free-dilemma-How-to-tap-

into-the-trend-without-implying-conventional-meat-is-

bad?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=24-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOu8rUCxpLi23XLLRhlzCaIT&p2=

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

g) Greece and Finland to trial country of origin labelling for dairy

Greece and Finland are the latest countries to request a trial period for country of origin

labelling on milk and dairy products.

The Greek notification to the European Commission relates to origin labelling for milk,

dairy products and rabbit meat, while the Finnish request relates to milk and mead.

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed will exchange views on both

notifications next Monday (10th October).

Italy will also trial origin labelling for milk and dairy products, while Lithuania and Portugal

will do so for “some milk products”.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/Greece-and-Finland-to-trial-country-of-origin-

labelling-for-

dairy/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GIN_NId&c=2

dIZZoVkrOuJYoNHI4J7LRM0ORSHLEJd&p2=

9) Modern Slavery

a) Supply chain the key to Modern Slavery Act

Food manufacturers were advised to review their supply chain traceability before the first

report deadline under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 came into force last week (September

30).

Risk management firm Aon said the first step to making sure manufacturers don’t accept

any products “adulterated” by the influence of modern slavery, is to carry out supply chain

traceability audits.

The Modern Slavery Act came into effect in October 2015, and aimed to ensure slavery and

human trafficking are removed from the supply chains.

Businesses with annual turnover exceeding £36M, whose most recent financial year ended

on March 31 2016, were the first to report under the act last week.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Regulation/Modern-Slavery-Act-advice-for-food-

manufacturers/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03-

Oct-2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOtCUEoO3Q4JWY7odK3Ko1aE&p2=

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

b) Thai chicken farmers stamp out slavery and abuse

Over 400 poultry farmers supplying Thai chicken exporter CP Foods have pledged to stamp

out abuse and exploitation of workers through the implementation of an anti-forced

labour programme.

Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) has confirmed 426 contract farmers

supplying the business with live chickens have completed a Good Labour Practices (GLP)

training programme organised by CP Foods.

Good Labour Practices is an initiative in Thailand that seeks to stamp out workplace abuse

that includes injustices like child labour and modern-day slavery. It was implemented after

Thailand’s multi-billion-dollar seafood sector was rocked by allegations of abuse. More

recently, Thailand’s chicken sector has moved to adopt GLPs , following claims made by an

NGO of alleged human trafficking and slavery at poultry farm Thammakaset 2.

http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Safety-Legislation/Thailand-farmers-stamp-out-slavery-

and-abuse/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOvA5ybfP1NDuGdAXMvLsVwP&p2=

10) National Minimum Wage to impact food firms: FDF

Food and drink manufacturers are preparing to manage the impact of the National Minimum

Wage boost, which came into force on Saturday (October 1), said the Food and Drink Federation

(FDF).

The organisation said the food and drink industry had coped with the effects of the rise in

minimum wage in the past. But the impact of the most recent wage boost – which rise from £6.70

per hour to £6.95 for 21 to 24 year olds – would be exacerbated by the uncertainty surrounding

the UK’s decision to leave the EU, said the federation.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Regulation/National-Minimum-Wage-to-impact-food-

manufacturers/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOtIVZgsK7ulVBnansgFvLIM&p2=

11) China and Europe increasingly working together on food safety – EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the China National Centre for Food Safety Risk

Assessment (CFSA) are to sign an agreement on food safety next month.

Bernhard Url, EFSA’s executive director and Jiang Lu, CFSA’s acting director general, will sign the

Memorandum of Cooperation in November in Beijing.

The agreement will set a legal basis to ensure cooperation in capacity building, exchange of

knowledge and expertise and harmonisation and innovation in food safety risk assessment

methods and approaches.

http://www.foodqualitynews.com/R-D/EFSA-and-CFSA-co-operate-on-food-

safety?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOu4UTxI7OgbKTW6wjOTh0eL&p2=

12) Food Fraud

a) ‘Smart’ technology leads war against drinks fraud

Drinks’ producers are making considerable advances in the war against counterfeiting and

the protection of their intellectual property (IP) rights, a leading lawyer in the field has

claimed.

‘Smart bottle’ technology is complementing techniques such as logo marking and batch

numbering to stave off the threat of fraud and provide reassurance to consumers that

products are genuine.

http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Packaging/Drink-fraud-smart-technology-can-

help?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=19-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOtNVc%2FA9BYCOiZBLFfnOutd&p2=

b) IFR develops meat fraud testing method

A method of testing for meat fraud has been developed at the Institute of Food Research

(IFR).

The rapid multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometric method is for detection

and relative quantitation of the adulteration of meat with an undeclared species.

They focused on myoglobin and relied solely on derived peptides as the marker peptides

for different meat species instead of using a shotgun-type proteomic approach.

http://www.foodqualitynews.com/R-D/Researchers-target-myoglobin-protein-to-stop-

food-fraud?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOvueEYeAXp3dTNiX50t0BzF&p2=

c) Customs Union: Number of counterfeit goods seized by EU authorities continued to

rise in 2015

Customs authorities across the EU seized an estimated five million more counterfeit items

in 2015 than the previous year, according to new figures released today by the European

Commission.

This means that the number of intercepted goods grew by 15% compared to 2014. More

than 40 million products suspected of violating an intellectual property right were detained

at the EU's external borders, with a value of nearly €650 million.

Benin was the originating country of a large amount of foodstuff, while Mexico was the top

source for counterfeit alcoholic beverages and Morocco for other beverages.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-3132_en.htm

Report

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/sites/taxation/files/2016_ipr_statistics.pdf

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

13) FSA wants to change regulation but vague on details

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) will start a three month trial as it looks to move away from a

‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to regulation.

The agency said the model that includes sending local authority inspectors to see how businesses

are providing food standards and hygiene assurance to consumers was ‘resource intensive’.

Cost has also been said to be a factor with the FSA budget for each year until 2020 being £85.4m,

down from £108m in 2014/15, which the agency said equates to a real-terms reduction of 7%.

FSA added it wanted businesses to take responsibility for food safety and local authority resources

to be ‘properly’ used.

It has gone to Tesco and pub and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers to do the trials

http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Regulation-and-safety/FSA-We-are-relying-too-much-on-visual-

inspection?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOtJRbKvuJgkut6YrictRWec&p2=

14) New UK targets include 55% carbon cut and zero waste

UK food manufacturers have committed to cut carbon emissions by 55% by 2025 and to send zero

waste to landfill by the end of this year.

The new targets were unveiled as part of a range of new commitments in the Food & Drink

Federation’s ‘Ambition 2025’ plan.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Business/New-UK-targets-include-55-carbon-cut-and-zero-

waste?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20-Oct-

2016&c=2dIZZoVkrOstMUSg872U9vTdjaGX3GbL&p2=

Plan

https://www.fdf.org.uk/corporate_pubs/Ambition-2025-booklet.pdf

15) Time to cap trans fats in Europe, ENVI politicians tell Commission

Health and food safety politicians today backed a motion for a resolution to protect the health of

Europeans by setting legal limits on the use of artificial trans fats.

The members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) backed

the draft motion for a resolution at a vote this morning.

ENVI politicians cited evidence from Denmark's introduction of 2% legal limit 2003 and was

successful in significantly reducing deaths caused by cardiovascular disease.

The draft resolution will now be considered for adoption by the European Parliament at a plenary

session in October.

http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/Time-to-cap-trans-fats-in-Europe-ENVI-politicians-tell-

Commission

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

he Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

Recalls –

Patchwork Pate is recalling fifteen varieties of pâté sold in jars because of concerns over the

company’s procedures in place to control Clostridium botulinum.

24 October 2016

Manufacturing controls necessary to ensure the safety of the products listed below could not be

demonstrated satisfactorily by the company.

Milegate Ltd recalls Mystry Dried Pangash fish because of chemical contamination

19 October 2016

Milegate Ltd is recalling a batch of Mystry Dried Pangash fish because of contamination with the

chemical contaminants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Kopparberg recalls its Sparkling Rose Strawberry and Sparkling Rose Raspberry 750ml bottles of

cider because the bottles may break

18 October 2016

Kopparberg is recalling its Sparkling Rose Strawberry and Sparkling Rose Raspberry 750ml glass

bottles of cider on a precautionary basis because there have been reports of bottles breaking.

HiPP Organic recalls batches of HiPP Organic Fruity O’s breakfast cereal because they may

contain small pieces of metal wire

13 October 2016

HiPP Organic is recalling four batches of its Fruity O’s breakfast cereal 140g, as a precautionary

measure, because the products may contain small pieces of metal wire.

Hilltop Honey recalls batches of Raw British Creamed Honey

12 October 2016

Hilltop Honey is recalling six batches of its Raw British Creamed Honey on a precautionary basis

due to small pieces of metal being found in the product. The company has advised that the

product should not be consumed.

Suma recalls its canned Organic Sweetcorn because of a manufacturing problem

12 October 2016

Further to Product Recall Information Notice (PRIN) 61/2016 issued on 11 October 2016, Suma is

recalling its canned Organic Sweetcorn because of a manufacturing problem (overfilling), which

has led to a processing issue.

Biona recalls its canned Organic Sweetcorn because of a manufacturing problem

11 October 2016

Biona is recalling its canned Organic Sweetcorn because of a manufacturing problem (overfilling),

which has led to a processing issue. BD

Barr recalls Rubicon Sparkling Mango 2 litre soft drink because of fermentation in the bottle

5 October 2016

A G Barr plc is recalling four batches of its Rubicon Sparkling Mango soft drink on a precautionary

basis because yeast fermentation has occurred in some bottles. This may cause the bottle to burst.

The presence of yeast has resulted in spoilage of the products, making them unsuitable for human

consumption.

Allergy

Urja Impex Ltd recalls a batch of Sena Farali Lot Flour due to the presence of gluten

21 October 2016

Urja Impex Ltd* is recalling a batch of Sena Farali Lot Flour because it contains gluten which is not

mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy

or intolerance to cereals containing gluten. *This alert has been updated to reflect the correct

company name.

Lizzie’s Food Factory recalls a batch of its Gluten Free Brownie due to the presence of walnuts

20 October 2016

Lizzie’s Food Factory is recalling a batch of its Gluten Free Brownie because it may contain walnuts

which is not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone

with an allergy to walnuts.

Mackays Ltd is recalling two condiments containing sulphur dioxide not mentioned on the label

14 October 2016

Mackays Ltd is recalling two condiment products that contain sulphur dioxide which is not

mentioned on the label. This means the products are a possible health risk for anyone with a

sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites.

TRS Wholesale Co. Ltd recalls Bambino Quickeat Poha because of incorrect declaration of

peanut

10 October 2016

TRS is recalling Bambino Quickeat Poha 110g because it contains peanut which is not correctly

emphasised within the ingredients list. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone

with an allergy to peanuts.

ASDA recalling Tiger Sausage Rolls 6pk because of incorrect allergen labelling

7 October 2016

ASDA is recalling Tiger Sausage Rolls 6 packs because they contain milk which is not declared

within the ingredients list. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an

allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD

Island Delight recalling Vegetable Short Crust Pattie due to incorrect allergen labelling

6 October 2016

Island Delight is recalling its Vegetable Short Crust Pattie as due to a manufacturing error, some

packets may contain its Salt Fish Short Crust Pattie and will have incorrect allergen information on

the packaging.

EU RASFF (Rapid alert system for food and Feed) – highlights

All RASFF can be found at: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-

window/portal/?event=notificationsList&StartRow=1

Date Country of

origin

Subject Country of

notification

Classification

21/10/2016 Nigeria attempt to illegally import

melon seeds from Nigeria

UK Border

Rejection

21/10/2016 Thailand benzo(a)pyrene (17.3 µg/kg

- ppb) and polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbons

(135.9 µg/kg - ppb) in dried

pangash from Thailand

UK food - alert -

official control

on the market

20/10/2016 USA aflatoxins (B1 = 3.2; Tot. =

3.5 µg/kg - ppb) in

groundnuts in bulk from

the United States

UK Border

Rejection

19/10/2016 Lithuania via

Sweden

risk of breakage of glass

bottles of cider from

Sweden, bottled in

Lithuania

UK withdrawal

from the

market

18/10/2016 India Salmonella in betel leaves

from India

UK Border

Rejection

14/10/2016 France inadequate thermal

processing of canned

organic sweet corn from

France

UK Food -

information

for follow-up -

company's

own check.

Recall from

consumers

13/10/2016 India Salmonella (presence /25g)

in white sesame seeds from

India

UK Border

Rejection

12/10/2016 Taiwan suffocation risk as a result UK Border

of the consumption of and

E 425 - konjac unauthorised

in jelly topping from Taiwan

Rejection

12/10/2016 UK metal pieces (shards) in

honey from the United

Kingdom

UK Food - alert -

official control

on the market.

Recall from

consumers

12/10/2016 Ghana aflatoxins (B1 = 85.1; Tot. =

112.3 µg/kg - ppb) and too

high content of colour E

160b -

annato/bixin/norbixin (cis-

bixin: >2000 µg/kg - ppb) in

kebab and barbecue

powder from Ghana

UK Border

Rejection

12/10/2016 Turkey absence of health

certificate(s) for food

supplement containing

casein from Turkey

UK Border

Rejection

12/10/2016 Ghana aflatoxins (B1 = 17.7; Tot. =

22.2 µg/kg - ppb) in egusi

seeds from Ghana

UK Border

Rejection

11/10/2016 Ghana unauthorised substances

permethrin (1.3 mg/kg -

ppm) and dichlorvos (0.029

mg/kg - ppm) in white

beans from Ghana

UK Border

Rejection

11/10/2016 Ghana aflatoxins (B1 = 25.7; Tot. =

33 µg/kg - ppb) in peanut

butter from Ghana

UK Border

Rejection

07/10/2016 India aflatoxins (B1 = 11.6; Tot. =

12.4 µg/kg - ppb) in chilli

powder from India

UK Border

Rejection

06/10/2016 Turkey aflatoxins (B1 = 19.3; Tot. =

46.3 µg/kg - ppb) in

hazelnut kernels from

Turkey

UK Border

Rejection

03/10/2016 UK undeclared nuts (almonds,

brazil nuts, cashews and

walnuts) in peanuts and

raisins packaged in the

United Kingdom

UK Food -

information

for attention -

official control

on the market.

Recall from

consumers

03/10/2016 Malaysia Salmonella Weltevreden

(presence /25g) in betel

leaves from Malaysia

UK Food -

information

for attention -

border control

- consignment

released.

Distribution

restricted to

notifying

country.

For further information or advice please contact the SOFHT Helpline.

(Subject to membership conditions)

Please call 08444 77 11 61 or email sofht@nsf.org

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

The Granary, Middleton House Farm, Tamworth Road, Middleton, Staffs B78 2BD