NEWS PLUS + Issue 09 | 01.03.2019

A global update on food safety brought to you by FOOD PLUS + an enhanced approach to food safety and quality. 

1. Chicken nugget recall expanded that is linked to Salmonella outbreak

28.02.2019. Canada. Salmonella

As Canadian officials continue to investigate Salmonella infections linked to raw chicken, including frozen raw breaded chicken products, Sofina Foods Inc. is expanding its recall of such products to include another brand.

Source: Food Safety News

2. Food recalls rise 40% due to allergy concerns

25.02.2019. UK. Recall

Recalls of unsafe food products in the UK have jumped by 40%, driven by rising concerns over poorly-labelled items causing allergy-related deaths. 

Source: Food Manufacture

3. Glass, plastic bits spur recall of frozen meals from stores, DOD facility

24.02.2019. USA. Recall

Consumer complaints about pieces of glass or plastic in Boston Market brand dinners have prompted the recall more than 86 tons of the frozen meals from retailers nationwide and from a Department of Defense facility in Arizona.

Source: Food Safety News

4. EC identifies ‘dual quality’ issues across the bloc: ‘It is not an East-West issue, it is everywhere’

27.02.2019. Europe. Dual Quality

As the European Commission finalizes its EU-wide report on so-called dual quality food, JRC director Elke Anklam reveals 'dual quality' products have been identified in "some Member States" across the bloc, irrespective of geography. 

Source: Food Navigator

5. Cost of South African Listeria outbreak estimated $285 million

28.02.2019. South Africa. Outbreak

A new paper published in the journal Food Control has estimated the cost of the 2017-2018 South African listeriosis outbreak at over $285 million.  

Source: Meating Place

6. Antimicrobial resistance shows no signs of slowing down

26.02.2019. Europe. Antimicrobial Resistance

Data released today by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reveal that antimicrobials used to treat diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans, such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, are becoming less effective.

Sources: EFSA

7. Food Drink Ireland hails progress on reformulation

25.02.2019. Ireland. Nutrition

Food products on sale in Ireland contain less salt, sugar, and fat than they did a decade ago, progress that industry body Food Drink Ireland (FDI) claims demonstrates the success of voluntary efforts. 

Source: Food Navigator

8. ‘Fake news’ is undermining trust in food: ‘Facts should remain facts’

26.02.2019. Europe. Fake News

The European Commission's health and food safety commissioner warns that 'fake news' could further undermine trust in the food sector and details how European policy makers are tackling this threat. 

Source: Food Navigator

9. Europe sees rise in trichinellosis cases

01.03.2019. Europe. Trichinella

The number of trichinellosis cases in Europe increased by more than 50 from 2016 to 2017 following several years of decline.

Source: Food Safety News