Top Stories
Country of Origin Labeling goes into effect
As the new Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations are put into practice this week in the United States, a number of media outlets are covering the issues surrounding the new rules and what they mean for consumers. CNN addresses the major questions and concerns posed by consumers. With the recent Chinese milk contamination scandal, the new regulations are very timely as Americans become more attentive to where their products are made. However, the news network points out that many recent outbreaks of foodborne illness have originated from foods produced in the United States, as in the California-grown spinach scare.
Although the COOL regulations help consumers determine where the foods they purchase come from, there are still some loopholes in the rules that could hinder their efforts. Bloomberg reports that consumer advocates say there are areas of the COOL rules that allow meatpackers to “blur the distinction between foreign and domestic meat.” Mixed vegetables and processed foods (including meat products) are exempt from the rules, prompting some lawmakers to call for more regulations.
Food industry feels effects of bailout failure, credit crisis
The uncertainty surrounding America’s financial system is having a predictable negative effect on food company stocks.
Shares in food companies fell slightly Monday in line with a market-wide reaction to the U.S. House of Representatives’ failure to pass the $700 billion financial bailout package. The Associated Press is reporting that shares of Sara Lee Corp. fell 3.6 percent, Kraft Foods Inc. fell 1.5 percent, shares of Kellogg Co. fell 2.5 percent and Chiquita Brands International Inc. fell 3 percent.
The current financial crisis is also impacting foodservice franchisees as commercial lenders become more restrictive on issuing credit, making it more difficult for franchise owners to improve existing or purchase new restaurants.
The Wall Street Journal reports that chains such as McDonald’s Corp., Panera Bread Co. and Sonic Corp. could be impacted by the tightened lending climate. The credit crunch hits franchisees at a time when they are already facing difficulties from rising food costs and sinking consumer demand as more people decide to save money by eating at home.
Soybean crops threatened by disease
Soybean farmers across the Southeastern U.S. continue to fight the Asian Soybean Rust outbreak, which could have far-reaching effects across the food industry.
Plant pathologists are trying to stop the disease, which causes pustules to form on the leaves and kill them. Some farmers expect to see a 10 to 50 percent loss for this year’s yield. Although this year’s yield is at risk, scientists are more concerned about the impact on next year’s harvest if the disease continues unchecked.
In addition to soy-based consumer products, soybeans are used in feed for livestock. A major blight on soy crops could have a ripple effect across the food industry, sending prices for meat, poultry and other related products even higher.A CBS affiliate in Tallahassee, Fla., takes a look at the disease and its impact on the food industry.
British consumers don’t read labels for treats and staples
A British Food Standards Agency study found that many consumers ignore nutrition labeling when buying “indulgence” items or basic ingredients.
The study found that consumers tend to ignore nutrition information on desserts and other items they buy knowing they are unhealthy, but wanting to treat themselves. They also ignore label information on basic items such as flour and butter, because they consider these items as necessary regardless of the nutritional value.
The agency also said that for those who did consider label information when purchasing items, they often didn’t consider total fat content and other nutritional issues when combining those individual items to make a meal.
The agency created a group of experts to determine the influence of different food labeling schemes in order to find one system that has the most impact on consumer decisions.
Research Briefs
New approach to food safety testing discovered
Thanks to research on the way pigment-bearing cells change color in Siamese fighting fish, scientists have developed a new technology for detecting bacteria that cause illness.
The new, patented method developed by microbiologists at Oregon State University is said to be faster and easier than conventional approaches to assessing toxicity, although further studies are needed before it can be applied to commercial use.
In the study, Siamese fighting fish exhibited a change in the appearance and pigment pattern of pigment-bearing cells called erythrophores when the fish were exposed to threatening environmental conditions, including toxic exposure from illness-causing bacteria. Researchers found the erythrophores responded to bacteria associated with causing foodborne illness. They believe the method can be developed so that the toxic behavior of bacteria and not just the presence of bacteria can be detected.
The findings were published in Microbial Biotechnology.
Study reviews caffeine in energy drinks
Research into the effects of high caffeine levels in many popular energy drinks found an increase in incidences of caffeine dependence and withdrawal.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University said that energy drinks pose a greater potential threat for acute caffeine toxicity than other dietary sources of caffeine. Caffeine levels in energy drinks can range from 50 mg to 505 mg, whereas a can of cola typically has 34.5 to 38 mg.
Researchers noted that most energy drink labels on products sold in the United States do not include the amount of caffeine in the product and do not include warning labels for proper use. They also voiced concern over the lack of restrictions on selling energy drinks to children.
The review was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Study shows fish helps fight eczema in infants
New research shows that introducing fish into the diets of infants younger than nine months old may reduce their risk for developing eczema.
The Swiss study found a 25 percent lower eczema rate in infants who had ingested fish before the age of nine months. Eczema is believed to be a result of slow immune system development and an early indicator of allergy. Most children grow out of the condition by the age of 15.
The findings appeared in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Company News
Cadbury recalled 11 candy products after finding melamine in chocolate that came from its Beijing plant.
None of the recalled chocolates were sold in the United States or Europe. The products were distributed to Asia and the Pacific. Melamine is an industrial chemical used in plastics that has caused the illness of 54,000 children in China, resulting in four deaths.
The recalled chocolate candies include Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate, Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Chocolate, Cadbury Dairy Milk Cookies Chocolate, Cadbury Dark Chocette, Cadbury Eclairs, and Cadbury Hazelnut Praline Chocolate.
7-Eleven hopes to predict next president
U.S. politics are percolating at 7-Eleven, which kicked off its third quadrennial 7-Election presidential coffee cup poll this week.
Customers who want to cast their vote can choose a blue 20-oz cup for Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama or a red 20-oz cup for Republican candidate Sen. John McCain. Undecided voters can choose plain white cups or non-partisan red, white and blue cups. The cup poll runs through the November 4th election.
The unscientific poll has often mimicked official polls in past elections. In the 2000 election, only one percentage point separated candidates George Bush and Al Gore. In 2004, President Bush beat John Kerry in total cup count.
7-Election site (coming soon)
Wrigley shareholders approve Mars deal
In a deal that will bring an end to the family-owned aspect of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., company shareholders approved a $23 billion proposal for Mars Inc. to buy the company.
The deal will be financed in part by Warren Buffett and should be finalized in the beginning of October 2008. The combination of the two companies will create the largest candy maker in the world, a title previously held by Britain’s Cadbury PLC.
Extra Credit Reading
Grape stompin’ time
California wineries are luring “culinary tourists” this harvest season with the opportunity to stomp grapes themselves.Out to lunch
A CBS health reporter in Miami compares fast food lunches to find the healthiest options.Hot breakfast
Starbucks scores with its new health-conscious oatmeal, which is the single highest-selling food item in the coffee chain’s history.Thunder from down under
The Philadelphia Inquirer answers reader inquiries about why sugar-free foods cause so many digestion issues.Canine cuisine
An Ohio man locks himself in a cage and eats only dog food for 24 hours to bring attention to a charity pet adoption event.
Regulatory News
FDA issues alert on instant coffee made in China
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products are being recalled by Taiwanese company King Car Food Industrial due to possible melamine contamination.
King Car Food Industrial Co. used a non-dairy creamer manufactured by Chinese-based company Shandong Duqing Inc., which was contaminated with melamine. The recalled products include:
- Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
- Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)
The agency also reported that no milk-based products imported into the U.S. from China have tested positive for melamine contamination.
FDA amends osteoporosis health claim regulation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended its labeling regulation authorizing a health claim on the relationship between calcium and a reduced risk of osteoporosis to include vitamin D.
Under the new regulation, products can claim a connection between consuming calcium and vitamin D and reducing osteoporosis risk. The new rule also eliminates the requirement that the claim list sex, race and age as specific risk factors for the development of osteoporosis, as well as the requirement that the claim identify the mechanism by which calcium reduces the risk of osteoporosis and instead makes it optional.
USDA grants $3.4 million for farmers markets
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced 85 grants totaling $3.4 million directed by the new farm bill to spread the use of farmers markets.
Eighteen of the 85 grants promote a new electronic benefit transfers to help low-income consumers buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. “Farmers markets are an increasingly popular source of fruits and vegetables,” said Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. “Locally grown and locally known sales of fresh produce strengthen the connection between farmers and the community.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service helps increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities and improve farmers’ income. The grants are authorized under the amended Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976.
IFT & Meeting News
US Pharmacopeia’s first International Food Ingredient Issues Workshop
US Pharmacopeia will hold its first International Food Ingredient Issues Workshop on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, in Rockville, Md.
The goal of the workshop is to bring together diverse experts to discuss issues that food ingredients industry professionals face every day. With increasing globalization of the food industry, there is an accelerating need for the USP Food Ingredients Expert Committee, as well as other international food ingredient experts, to understand international perspectives, especially in light of global Codex Alimentarius, JECFA, and Food Chemicals Codex activities.
Speakers representing the U.S., Canada, Europe, China, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Australia and the Middle East will present food ingredient issues relevant to their country or region. Topics include biotech/nanotech/GMO; allergens; micro- and macro-constituents; functional food ingredients; adulteration/contamination; and analytical methodology.
For further details and registration, visit ems.intellor.com or e-mail James Griffiths at jg@usp.org.
Call for Proposals Now Open for IFT 09
You’re invited to help shape the Scientific Program of the 2009 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo® by submitting a Technical Research Paper, Session Proposal, or New Products & Technologies Abstract. The latter opportunity is open to innovations that use a new technology or deliver improved performance over existing items, and were introduced between January 2006 and January 2009.
Contribute to the exchange of information and sound science that the Scientific Program is known for. Deadlines for submissions are:
• Session Proposals – November 20, 2008, 4:00 p.m. CST
• Technical Research Papers – December 12, 2008, 4:00 p.m. CST
• New Products & Technologies Abstracts – January 12, 2009, 4:00 p.m. CSTAs you know, the 2009 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo occurs earlier than last year, and your cooperation in meeting these deadlines is critical to ensuring the event’s success. To submit, go to http://www.am-fe.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000497
You’re also invited to learn more about the 2009 theme, Food Science from Producer to Consumer, by visiting ift.org or calling IFT’s Knowledge & Learning Center team at 312.782.8424.
