Sunday 27 July 2008

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Online incident report form for food authorities Friday 25 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency has launched an online system for all UK local and port health authorities, to notify the Agency of food incidents. Previously, the reporting system was only available to industry. Animals test negative after BSE control breach Wednesday 23 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency has been notified of an incident relating to over thirty months (OTM) cattle slaughtered on Friday 23 May 2008 at Alec Jarrett Ltd in Oldland Common, South Gloucestershire. Guidance on vacuum packed food safety Wednesday 23 July 2008 The Agency has today published new guidance and a factsheet on the safe production of vacuum and modified atmosphere packed foods. The guidance has been developed for small businesses and environmental health officers to tackle the problem of Clostridium botulinum . Views wanted on gluten regulation Wednesday 23 July 2008 The FSA is seeking views on a proposed European Commission regulation, concerning the composition and labelling of foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten. Salt levels continue to fall Tuesday 22 July 2008 The FSA today has published new evidence, which shows the UK’s average daily salt consumption has fallen from 9.5g to 8.6g since 2000. Although the recent figures show an encouraging decline in salt levels, more challenging targets are needed to meet the Government's target of 6g a day. FSANI picks up award at major agricultural show Tuesday 22 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland has won an award for having the best trade stand at the popular Castlewellan Show, which took place last weekend. The judges said they were impressed by the way the consumer messages had been tied together - from farm to fork. Contractors sought for Welsh translation Monday 21 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency is seeking a number of suppliers to carry out written translation from English into Welsh, to assist the Agency in meeting its commitment to Welsh language provision. FSA Board meeting video online Friday 18 July 2008 The video and podcast of the Board meeting held at the Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, on 17 July are now available. The meeting was chaired by Agency Chair Deirdre Hutton (pictured). Agency welcomes long life 1% milk Friday 18 July 2008 The Agency welcomes the launch of a long-life 1% milk, produced by Milk Link and available in Sainsbury’s stores from this week and in other stores nationwide shortly. Proposed workshop on Joint Code of Practice audit outputs Friday 18 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are contacting the quality assurance managers of their current research contractors, to gauge interest in the possibility of holding an autumn workshop on compliance with the provisions of the Joint Code of Practice (JCoPR). Taking forward the Healthy Food Code of Good Practice Friday 18 July 2008 The Agency and the Department of Health (DH) have jointly written to food industry leaders and other interested parties setting out plans to assist in delivering the Healthy Food Code of Good Practice. Latest FSA News published and available online Friday 18 July 2008 The latest issue of FSA News, the Agency’s magazine for stakeholders, highlights the recommendations of the Cabinet Office framework document on food and outlines the key role to be played by the Agency in the Government’s food strategy for the 21st century. Agency publishes annual report for 2007/08 Thursday 17 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency’s annual report for 2007/08 has been published and laid before the Westminster Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly. Attitude to health affects eating habits Thursday 17 July 2008 The Agency has carried out qualitative research to find out more about how people’s eating habits are determined by their attitudes towards food and health, rather than by other demographic characteristics, such as age and gender. New Director at Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland Thursday 17 July 2008 Gerry McCurdy has been appointed Director at Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI), as successor to current Director Morris McAllister who is due to retire in September. Gerry presently holds the position of Deputy Director at FSANI. FSA executive changes Thursday 17 July 2008 Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, told the Agency’s Board meeting in Cardiff today about a number of changes in senior positions in the FSA. Board recommends changes to MHS charges Thursday 17 July 2008 At its meeting today, the FSA Board agreed to recommend a number of proposed changes to the current Meat Hygiene Service charging regime, which currently regulates the UK meat industry. The Board also reaffirmed its support for small rural abattoirs during the development of the new charging policy. Marks & Spencer withdraws spread Wednesday 16 July 2008 Marks & Spencer has withdrawn some of its Reduced Fat Olive Spread (500g) because the product contains a milk ingredient that is not mentioned on the label, resulting in incorrect allergen information. This means the product is a possible health risk for milk allergic individuals. Chinese rice products containing an unauthorised rice Wednesday 16 July 2008 The Agency has provided a list of Chinese rice products tested since 12 April and found to contain Bt63 rice. In April, the European Commission adopted an emergency measure requiring imports of specified products originating or consigned from China to be certified free of the unauthorised genetically modified organism (GMO) known as 'Bt63'. Morrisons withdraws Bettabuy Beans and Sausages Wednesday 16 July 2008 Morrisons has withdrawn its own-brand Bettabuy Beans and Sausages (425g cans) product because it contains breadcrumbs, which contain wheat and gluten that are not mentioned in the ingredients list on the product label. This means this product is a possible health risk for individuals allergic or intolerant to wheat or intolerant to gluten. EFSA publishes aluminium opinion Tuesday 15 July 2008 The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has today published an opinion on the safety of aluminium from dietary intake. The Agency is not changing its advice to people as a result of this opinion. Update on saturated fat work Tuesday 15 July 2008 The Agency updated key industry stakeholders, at a meeting today, on work to reduce the amount of saturated fat the UK population is eating, which on average is currently 20% above Government recommendations. Sainsbury's withdraws two Freefrom products Friday 11 July 2008 Sainsbury's has withdrawn two of its Freeform products because they may contain gluten, which is not mentioned on the product labels. Therefore, the products are a possible health risk for gluten allergic or intolerant individuals. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert. Agency to boost social science research capacity Friday 11 July 2008 The first meeting of the Social Science Research Committee, which was set up in April to help the Agency strengthen its capacity for research in this area, will take place on Wednesday 23 July 2008. Local authority audit published Friday 11 July 2008 The Agency's local authority audit report for East Ayrshire is now available online. Agency action on Specified Risk Material (SRM) breach Friday 11 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency has been informed by the Swedish authorities that food products derived from SRM from cattle more than 30 months old has been exported to the UK. Agency encourages better use of marketing terms for food labelling Thursday 10 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency has revised its guidance on the use of marketing terms, such as 'fresh', 'pure' and 'natural' for food labelling. Dame Sheila McKechnie Award winners announced Wednesday 9 July 2008 The Agency is pleased to announce the 2008 winners for the Dame Sheila McKechnie Award. The three winners are: Community Supported Farming (CSF), Teen Cuisine, and Community Food Initiatives North East. Each of these initiatives has made an exceptional contribution to the battle against food inequality. New consultation on phosphated di-starch phosphate Wednesday 9 July 2008 The Agency is holding a second consultation on an application to approve phosphated distarch phosphate as a novel food ingredient. This follows an amendment to the original draft advisory committee opinion so that it considers the consumption of the ingredient by people with renal disease. Tesco withdraws Finest Triple Layer Indulgence Cake Wednesday 9 July 2008 Tesco has withdrawn its Finest Triple Layer Indulgence Cake because the product contains hazelnuts, which is not mentioned in the allergy information although it is listed as an ingredient. SOP International Ltd recalls Kong Moon Rice Stick Wednesday 9 July 2008 SOP International Ltd has recalled some Kong Moon Rice Stick (454g) because of the presence of unauthorised 'Bt63' genetically modified rice. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information. Day In Import & Export Co Ltd recalls Guilin rice-flour noodles Tuesday 8 July 2008 Day In Import & Export Co Ltd has recalled some Guilin rice-flour noodles because of the presence of unauthorised 'Bt63' genetically modified rice. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information. Agency welcomes Cabinet Office report Monday 7 July 2008 The Agency today welcomes the report from the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit on a new food policy framework for the UK. Support for nutrient profiling model Monday 7 July 2008 A panel of independent experts has given its backing to the Agency’s nutrient profiling model after its first year in use. The scoring system, which identifies foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, was described as ‘scientifically robust and fit for its intended purpose’. MHS Annual Report and Accounts 2007/8 Friday 4 July 2008 The thirteenth annual report and audited accounts of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) has been published and is now available online. The MHS is an Executive Agency of the Food Standards Agency. Views wanted on shiitake extract Friday 4 July 2008 A Danish company has applied to the Agency for approval to market its lentinan-rich extract from shiitake mushrooms as a novel food supplement and novel food ingredient. Co-op recalls sliced cooked turkey breast Thursday 3 July 2008 The Co-op has recalled some sliced cooked turkey breast because of contamination with low levels of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information. Do you know how hygienic your favourite eating house is? Thursday 3 July 2008 The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is consulting on a scheme to help consumers know at a glance how well their local takeaway or restaurant has done in food safety inspections. Working with food in the classroom Thursday 3 July 2008 The Agency has published a statement on the handling, preparation and serving of food in school classrooms.

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