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Food Solutions may be asked for members views and experiences, by the UK or European authorities looking for feedback and guidance when framing the rules and regulations.

The authorities place great value on input that comes directly from the owners and operators of affected businesses.

Watch this space for information requests.

Enforcement of hygiene rules (Egg Producers)

The FSA is consulting on the production of guidance for inspectors enforcing the hygiene rules in egg production.

Responses are requested by 25th July. The guidance is 19 pages long covering everything from welfare and cleanliness to handling and transport. It gives a suggested format for a checklist the inspector might use.

For further details see the consultation page on the FSA website.

Labelling Issues

The Confederation of food and drink industries of the EU (CIAA) has come out firmly in favour of Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) in their labelling stance. They claim SME's as well as large companies are adopting this over other nutrition labelling formats.

The Commission labelling proposals do not come out in favour of any particular system. This could spell difficulties in the implementation of the regulation.

The FSA is backing the traffic light system.

If all this is supposed to benefit the consumer there needs to be some consistency or everyone will be confused.

Draft labelling regulation

The FSA has asked for responses to its consultation on the draft labelling regulation by 2nd May. This regulation will affect YOU. In its present form it could result in all foods whether pre-packed or loose having to have nutritional and allergen information displayed on or near it. From B and B breakfasts, pub meals, farmers markets and caterers, to the big boys who are much more able to comply with all the testing requirements, this will have an effect. For more details and to put your oar in now, when it matters, see the labelling page.

Scores on the Doors

Following the FSA Board meeting on 12th March, it was decided the Scores on the Doors scheme should be extended nationwide. The current pilots have been evaluated and a consultation will be launched in April to get opinions on the detail of a final scheme. The full FSA Board Briefing Note covers the preferred options of the new scheme and further details. At the May Board Meeting, Food Solutions learned the Scores on the Doors consultaion is likely to be launched mid May.Also see our Scores On The Doors page.

Labelling

Press release on the new labeling proposal from the Commission.

FAQ and answers on food labelling from the Commission.

FSA Enforcement Policy

This report summarises FSA plans for consumer protection and enforcement of food hygiene. Costs to business may result and more pressure to comply with good practice.

Food From Britain to be wound up

Food From Britain will terminate in its present form at the end of March 2009 because of DEFRA's funding cuts. In a statement, FFB Chairman Lady Jay said, "The prospect of zero Defra funding by financial year 2010/11,... made it impossible for us to continue to offer our clients the current type and level of FFB services after March 2009."

Blue Tongue

DEFRA's predicted midge activity period commenced on 15th March so animal movement restrictions have resumed.

Organisations across the livestock sector have joined to form JAB (Joint campaign Against Bluetongue) and issued a press release.

The first doses of vaccine have arrived, though there seems to be some difficulty with the dosing guns. Those ordered appear unable to fill will the full 1ml dose. Most vaccination guns use minimum 2ml dose.

As yet the vaccine is untested on species other than sheep and cattle, though, goats, camelids and deer are all susceptible. The recommendation is to try the vaccine on a few animals in a group before vaccinating them all. Vets are to use their discretion in rolling out vaccine to species other than sheep and cattle to achieve as many susceptible animals vaccinated as possible. See Warmwell for more details.

New Laws for Migrant workers

Guidance and advice is offered on the New Immigration laws that came into effect on 29th February. There is a new points system for third country migrant workers (those from outside the EU and not Swiss nationals) to determine eligibility to work in the UK. Employers wishing to bring in migrant workers must register as sponsors.

Shattered Lives

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has started a campaign to encourage organisations to think how accidents, trips, slips and falls can be prevented. The website shows scenarios in food retail and manufacture that could cause injury and suggests how employers and workers can minimise the risks. Businesses can download Shattered Lives campaign packs which highlight good practice.

Food News

We will be posting various news items that might affect the food sector or Industry.

If you have anything you that you think could be of interest to others, or comments about any of the items please let us know.

For more news items use the link on the left.

Haccp exemption

This draft regulation appeared to exempt food businesses with less than 10 employees from HACCP. Although welcoming simplification, many think the draft too loosely worded. Further details are available in the Members only section of the website. Food Solutions with other organisations has responded with a letter to the European Parliament. The meeting with MEP Horst Schnellhardt went ahead on 2nd April and three amendments were voted on. They were all approved. There is a meeting of stakeholders with the FSA scheduled for 21st April to discuss this, Food Solutions will maintain its opposition because the proposal is not risk based. A meeting of COREPER on 7th May discussed a further amendment, for more information, see Haccp exemption page in the members section.

Proposal to expand Traceability Regulation

The Commission is proposing to amend the traceability regulations for products of animal origin. Not only must there be information on who owns a product, but also where is is stored. This is likely to be unworkable as ownership of products in a large commercial coldstore could change several times while it is still in storage.

FSA report on Standards

The FSA has found most of the 17 Schemes it looked at were following guidelines on best practice for food production.

The report focussed on Assurance schemes of various types, Red tractor, Freedom Foods, SA organic food etc and concluded there had been improvement in the setting up and delivery.

Beef on the Bone allowed up to 30 months

Lower levels of BSE in the UK have prompted a relaxation in the SRM rules.

Meat from animals up to 30 months can now be sold on the bone. Previously, animals over 24 months had to have the spinal cord removed and disposed of.

Animals over 30 months are allowed into the food chain after a negative BSE test.

Do you know your haslet from your Cullen skink?

A survey commissioned by Country Living magazine has concluded that todays' young people are not au fait with regional delicacies. In the multiple choice exercise around 2000 youngsters were given a list of products to define. Bara brith and lavabread were not recognised as the Welsh delicacies they are and for the 18 to 24 year olds, haslet was believed to be part of a morris dancers clothing. Haggis was alone in being recognised by young and old. The Made In Britain campaign is highlighting the lack of recognition of regional dishes in the hope that they will not disappear through lack of demand.

Bees are not so busy

The UK bee population has been hit severely. Colonies have been wiped out for no apparent reason. There has been speculation that the increase in wi-fi and mobile phones has interfered with the bees. Some varroa mite has also become immune to the insecticidal strips used to control them. Defra is not prepared to fund investigations, so the future of UK bees is far from secure.

Food shortages could be solved with potatoes

After launching "The year of the potato" in Peru, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation branded potaoes a 'hidden treasure'. Research at the International Potato Centre in Lima, Peru has suggested an increase in potato cultivation could alleviate food supply shortages. Potatoes will grow in many climates,can mature in 50 days and may yield two to four times more food to the hectare than rice or wheat.

Increasing food prices

Gordon Brown was warned at the Progressive Governance Summit that food shortages could result from rising demand and bad weather. The UN High Commissioner for refugees, Antonio Guterres, said rising food costs could trigger social unrest and rioting.

Rice has hit an all time high in Chicago and the increase in crops for biofuels has resulted in less area for food crops. Coupled with poor harvests in Australia because of drought the outlook is grim. There have been reports of queues for bread and rioting in Egypt due to the rising cost of wheat and inflation increasing to 12.5%/year in February.

Food supply and food miles

The Government appears to be ignoring issues of food miles and safety of supply with its fund support to trade from the developing world. Although encouraging links with poor farmers, the £2 million Food and Retail Challenge Fund does not take account of distance from the market and sustainability of supply.

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