The FSA is concerned that the latest consumer study indicates people are less worried about saturated fat, sugar and salt in their diet than they were last year. It sees the need for an increase in its consumer awareness campaign.

Concerns about food safety also seem to have decreased. The FSA does not know if this is because there is more confidence in industry regulation or that consumers are less aware of food safety issues.

Packaging material fits the bill

Octal, Oman-based producer of amorphous polythene terephthalate (APET) claims it can simplify packaging. APET enables:

• consumers to see the product within the pack
• stacking and display in a variety of forms
• easier recycling because only a single product is used in packaging

However the UK does not have a good track record for recycling plastics.

There are forms of bio-degradeable packaging with similar qualities to plastics becoming available, made from maize. On the other hand can these be blamed for reducing food supplies? It is a fine line.

Italian Buffalo Mozzarella contamination

Italian Buffalo Mozzarella producers face closure of their businesses after traces of dioxins were found in some batches of cheese. Dioxins are said to cause cancer, birth defects and organ failure. Festering rubbish in the Naples area as a result of a shortage of incinerators is thought to have caused contamination to milk from water buffalo grazing in Campania. None of the suspect cheese was exported and the Director of the National Research Council said, "There are always traces of dioxins in the food chain." He also said people would have to eat 7 kg Mozzarella every day to have any effect on their health.

Jamaica Inn fined for poor hygiene

The Inn on Bodmin Moor, made famous by Daphne Du Maurier's book has been fined nearly £10,000 for poor hygiene in the kitchens.

Five Star Taverns, the owners were ordered to pay a fine of £9,965 after admitting four offences.

Code of Practice on Salmonella Controls in laying flocks.

Defra has published a code of practice for those with laying flocks. SI 2007 no 3574 came in on 28 January 2008 complying with the EU Zoonoses Regulation 2160/2003. There are various other codes of practice for salmonella control available to download from DEFRA.

Responsible drinking

The Scotch Whisky Association claims it is having success in promoting sensible drinking in Scotland. However, it suggests Government and industry should cooperate more throughout the rest of the UK. Levels of irresponsible drinking are falling in Scotland, but further efforts are needed to expand this to the rest of the UK.

Stand By Your Ham

A group of British pig farmers have produced a single, Tammy Wynette-style to highlight the plight of the pig industry. Winnie the pig returned to Downing Street to add her support to the campaign 'Pigs are Worth it!'. Hundreds of pig farmers aimed to draw attention to an industry losing over £20 on every pig produced. They hope to encourage supermarkets and consumers to Buy British and pay a sustainable price or risk losing British pork, bacon and products altogether.

New Report on Dairy Industry Crisis

First Milk, the largest UK dairy farmer-owned cooperative has published a report into milk prices to farmers. The report calls for a fair price to be paid to farmers and uses a formula to allow for a 10% margin to allow reinvestment. It highlights the decline in dairy cow numbers and farmers over recent years.

Village pub closures

The British Beer and Pub Association claims village pub closures are approaching 30 a week. Increasing food and electricity costs, the smoking ban and sinking sales are to blame.

Guidance on Age Discrimination Law

Supernova have produced a DVD lasting 10 minutes to advise business about the age rules. It is called As Old As You Feel and is offered at £499 + VAT.

Salsa

SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) is sponsored by BRC and others to allow you to supply all the major buyers. It would put you on an approved suppliers list.

Food News

This overflow page also contains news items which may be of interest.

Natural colour deficit for drinks and confectioners

Soft drinks and confectionary manufacturers are lagging in natural colour development for their products. 90% of colours used are artificial. In the meat and dairy sector, 70 - 80% of colours used are natural.

Hans free food in Germany

Baggers restaurant in Nuremburg, Germany has done away with waiters. There are touch screens at the tables for diners to select from the menu. The orders are sent electronically to the kitchen where the chefs prepare them. The meals are sent them down helter-skelters to the appropriate table. Customers can view the ingredients and send comments about the food using the screens.

Prime Minister dealing with Animal Diseases by cutting Welfare budget

Defra has been told to reduce the animal health and welfare budget by a £121 million over the next three years.

In the wake of Foot and Mouth Disease, Avian Flu and as Defra projects midges that carry the Blue Tongue Virus will become active from 15th March, fears grow for an already beleaguered livestock industry. It makes a mockery of the Prime Minister's claims to be dealing with such diseases.

Is Cameron backing British food and farming?

Could it be that Conservatives would back British farming if they were in power? David Cameron, in his speech at the NFU Centenary Conference in London suggested food security may become a big issue. Has someone at last begun to recognise the decline in the UK's ability to feed itself and the increasing cost of food imports as demand threatens to exceed supply?

National Control Plan.

The FSA, DEFRA, and the Agriculture/Rural Affairs Departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have jointly prepared the UK's first National Control Plan. Published in February 2008, this covers the period 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2011.

It details the roles and responsibilities of the authorities and associated organisations involved in the monitoring of compliance with, and enforcement of, feed and food law, animal health and welfare rules and plant health requirements.

The Plan is designed to safeguard public, animal and plant health, to protect consumers and to promote animal welfare, and also to deal with emergencies. It meets a requirement in EU Regulation 882/2004 that all Member States must have a three to five year national control plan in place by 1 January 2007.

The UK National Control Plan is a lengthy document. Bedtime reading??

Mandatory Folic Acid in flour

FAA (Folic Acid Action) has criticised the FSA's recommendations to manufacturers on reducing folates in other products to guard against excessive intakes were folic acid added to flour compulsorily. FAA believes there is little evidence to support the need for this.

Animal Transport Rules

These say that vehicles used to transport animals for eight or more hours will have to be officially approved. They came into effect in January 2007. Drivers will have to be trained and even certified as from January 2008 in animal welfare for journeys of more than 65km. New vehicles have to have satellite navigation systems. More details from NFU countryside, NFU or Defra.

Animal Welfare

Proposals for new regulations for animal welfare at and prior to slaughter. If you have any comments, send them to Food Solutions and we will pass them on.

Listeria advice

EFSA the European Food Safety Authority has issued updated advice on listeria, urging care to avoid contamination during preparation, packaging and storage of ready-to-eat foods.

SFBB DVD training aid

The FSA has launched a new DVD to complement the Safer Food Better Business package. It is available free.

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