NEWS PLUS+ Issue 18 | 10.05.2019

As leaders in food safety, we provide a weekly global update brought to you by our Food Plus+ team delivering an enhanced food safety & quality system to protect your brand.

1. ASF impacts global protein and other commodity prices

06.05.2019. Global. African Swine Fever

Pork is the most widely consumed meat in the world, and China, as the largest consumer and producer, is the primary reason why pork has earned its status as the world’s favourite protein. That's why the ongoing battle with African swine fever (ASF) in the Chinese hog herd poses some serious market implications for global agriculture.

Source 1: Forbes

Source 2: Pig World

Source 3: Feed Navigator

2. 13 million pounds of frozen chicken products recalled

06.05.2019. USA. Recall

Two of the largest U.S. food processors have issued product recalls—one for an undeclared allergen and the other for the presence of foreign material.

Source: Food Safety Magazine

3. Australia recalls frozen desserts linked to Salmonella outbreak in Canada, as more eggs recalled in Australia 

04.05.2019. Canada/Australia. Salmonella

Frozen profiteroles and eclairs from Thailand linked to a Salmonella outbreak in Canada have also been sold in Australia, initiating a product recall; along with more eggs as the Salmonella outbreak investigation continues

Source: Food Safety News

4. 'A symptom of a dysfunctional food system’: EC adopts common methodology to track food waste

07.05.2019. Europe.Sustainability

The European Commission wants to halve food waste by 2030 and, in a bid to enhance this ambition, regulators have agreed a common methodology to measure food waste throughout the bloc.

Source: Food Navigator

5. Governments should recommend nuts to pregnant women, says study

09.05.2019. Europe. Allergy

Governments and food regulators in Europe should have special recommendations for pregnant women to eat nuts in order to develop the health of the baby, according to the coordinator of a first-of-its-kind study. 

Source: Food Navigator

6. U.S. received cheese linked to French E. coli outbreak

07.05.2019. USA. E. coli

Authorities in the United States have confirmed the country did receive a “small” amount of raw cow’s milk cheese that has been linked to an E. coli O26 outbreak in France. There are a number of confirmed patients, including at least 13 children who developed kidney failure.

Source: Food Safety News

7. EU ban on ‘meaty names’ for plant-based products ‘breach fundamental human rights’: Vegan Society

09.05.2019. Europe. Labelling

European proposals to block vegetarian or vegan products from using names traditionally associated with meat-based foods are being challenged on the basis that they would breach the "fundamental human rights" of vegans. 

Source: Food Navigator

8. Increasing cattle numbers blamed for Irish people contracting potentially fatal strain of E-coli

07.05.2019. Ireland. E. coli

Increasing cattle numbers are a major factor in Irish people contracting a strain of E-coli that is potentially fatal, with rates of the food-borne disease 10 times higher here than the rest of Europe, leading health professionals have warned. 

Source: The Independent 

9. Identifying ‘food fingerprints’ to combat crime: ‘Fraud is a growing concern’

06.05.2019. Europe. Food Fraud

Researchers in Portugal are helping authorities test food authenticity and safety through the use of 'food fingerprints'. 

Source: Food Navigator

10. Scottish survey looks at consumer perception of food safety risk

09.05.2019. Scotland. Food Safety

Risks from undercooked chicken and unpasteurized cheese are of low concern to the public, according to a survey for Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

Source: Food Safety News