Food safety blog

Is price driving the sustainability debate?

29th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

Food manufacturers have begun a massive repackaging effort to address the environmental concerns of consumers. This article takes a look at the way that some global brands are addressing the issue, as well as how they are attempting to balance environmental concerns with consumer health concerns.

“Good for you” will increasingly be faced off with “good for the environment,” and food companies will find themselves redefining how their food products will retain appeal, according to Mintel International in Chicago.

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Brand Reputations and Food Scares

23rd Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The melamine scare that has engulfed China has spilled over into the rest of the world. Nestle spent yesterday responding to media reports that there were concerns with Nestle Growing Up Milk, a product that seeks to bridge a toddler’s move from mother’s milk to cow’s milk.
Nestle has been very proactive and firm in denying the reports that have appeared in Hong Kong media, stating “”Nestle is confident that none of its products in China is made from milk adulterated with melamine.”

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US Food + Drug Administration moves to reduce “Port Shopping”

22nd Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule to reduce the practice called “port shopping,” or trying to gain entry at different ports when a potential import has already been rejected. The F.D.A. requires such foods must be exported or destroyed.

The rule would require denied imports to bear a label that would read, “United States: Refused Entry.” The rule would also implement a provision of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.

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Supply Chain Security/Food Safety Video

16th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

This link is to a flash movie on the key issues surrounding food safety and supply chain security.

The presentation is from O. Keith Helferich, Ph.D. -Professor, Supply Chain Management at Central Michigan University and
Instructor, Supply Chain Management, Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, and John Spink, MS., Director
Packaging for Food and Product Protection Initiative.

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Are Standards the answer to the Biofuels Debate?

15th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The Gallagher Review, commissioned by the UK government and released in July, concluded the EU’s biofuels target of 10% of all fuels by 2020 could not be met sustainably and advised that targets be scaled back.

The report concluded that, while the current targets are not realistic under the existing regulations,

if robust, comprehensive and mandatory sustainability standards are implemented now, a genuinely sustainable industry could evolve.

This ClimateChangeCorp.com article goes on to discuss existing standards, as well as introducing the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels “Version Zero” proposed standard.

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Japanese Government Launches Carbon Labelling Initiative

31st Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

Japan is the latest country to commit to carbon labelling retail products. According to this Guardian article, about 30 companies will display their labeled items at an eco-products fair in Tokyo in December, and the first batches are expected to appear in shops at the beginning of April 2009.

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Waste Reduction through Innovation

11th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have invited food manufacturers to take part in a project aimed at waste reduction through innovation in food packaging technology.

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US turns to cooperation and certification for solutions

10th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced a two part pilot project to help improve food safety.

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India sets up Food Safety and Standards Authority

8th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will be set up by the end of July, 2008 while the first set of food safety norms may come out within the next two months, according an Indian Government official.

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Are good intentions enough?

2nd Jul 2008

Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved.

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