South African researchers have recommended the creation of a single food safety authority to tackle food fraud and boost consumer health protection.
They said a centralized national food control authority if equipped with enough resources, would streamline enforcement efforts and enhance investigative capabilities.
In a review, the team looked at
Continue Reading Review calls for the creation of a food safety agency in South Africa
Illicit trade and food fraud can cause considerable damage to the international market and public health, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Contributors to a WTO report underlined the importance of focusing efforts on prevention, as it is a more cost-effective strategy for governments and the food industry.
The
Continue Reading WTO highlights food fraud impact on trade
Two sampling projects have found issues with meat substitution and undeclared allergens despite an overall high level of compliance.
Findings come from targeted surveillance sampling of products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
In 2020, the program focused on commodities and hazards where intelligence
Continue Reading Sampling projects find adulteration and allergen issues
As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are
Continue Reading Food firm in Mississippi on notice from FDA over seafood violations
A man has been arrested in Italy for threatening to tamper with food and water products in supermarkets.
Investigators said the 47-year-old man claimed he would target mineral water and food items in supermarkets by injecting them with cyanide, thallium sulphate and rat poison, if he was not paid a
Continue Reading Man arrested in Italy after threats to adulterate food products
A survey on herb and spice authenticity in Europe has found potential adulteration, illegal dyes and allergens.
The work was overseen by DG SANTE, the European Commission’s health and safety body, and carried out in 21 EU member states, Switzerland and Norway.
Technical support came from the Joint Research Centre,
Continue Reading EU survey on herbs and spices finds fraud, dyes, extraneous material, allergen risks
A group of people affected by a large poisoning outbreak in Spain from adulterated olive oil several decades ago have tried to raise awareness of the incident, according to media reports.
Reuters reported the survivors went into Madrid’s El Prado art gallery on Tuesday and threatened to commit suicide. They
Continue Reading Spanish poisoning survivors stage museum protest
Fats and oils remained the category most debated in 2020 by European countries trying to tackle food fraud, according to a report.
The EU Agri-Food Fraud Network (FFN) is managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) of the European Commission.
The annual report does not measure
Continue Reading Food fraud discussions continue to rise in Europe
More than 25 people have died in the Dominican Republic after drinking adulterated alcohol, according to authorities.
The Ministry of Public Health reported 26 deaths and more than 80 people affected throughout the country. The agency called on the population to not drink illegally produced alcoholic beverages.
The outbreak of
Continue Reading Deaths in Dominican Republic linked to tainted alcohol
Researchers have developed a device that detects low concentrations of methanol in alcoholic beverages.
Swiss experts have created and tested a portable device paired with a smartphone app that can measure methanol levels. When placed over an open container, the device uses a sensor that absorbs a vapor or gas
Continue Reading Researchers develop device to measure methanol in alcohol
