New food for astronauts
The
science students of Chicago’s Chapman University, led by a Department
Chair and the Institute of Food Technologist’s food science expert Anuradha
Prakash, have developed a super-nutritious pizza preparation intended
for use by astronauts on future missions.
The
students and their product was to be presented at the 2003 IFT annual
meeting and Food Expo at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention centre
in July.
According
to Ms Prakash, the impressive characteristics of the product, from the
NASA perspective, are its utilisation of protein-rich wastewater leftover
from tofu manufacturing and its ability to be crispy while producing
no crumbs that can adversely affect sensitive electronics aboard space
stations.
Zambia
to supply food to neighbouring countries
The
World Food Programme (WFP) has planned to import food from Zambia and
supply it to other countries in the region that are currently facing
food shortages.
WFP
country director Richard Ragan said Zambia’s announcement of removal
of all export restrictions on food had cleared the way for WFP to supply
the needs of neighbouring countries. The agency would also buy food
locally to supply the other pockets of need within Zambia.
Mr
Ragan said the WFP hoped that food purchases from Zambia for supply
to neighbouring countries and redistribution locally would support the
local economy.
Vietnam’s
dairy tariffs disappoint exporters
Exporters
from New Zealand are disappointed with the Vietnamese Government’s intention
to put tariff
quotas
on a range of imports including dairy products.
Dairy
products accounted for 70
per cent of New Zealand’s $129 million merchandise export trade with
Vietnam last year.
Till
now no details have been given on whether the tariffs will be within
or out of quota or what quota will be given to whom, hence creating
a lot of confusion.
All
food labels to reveal trans fat levels: US FDA
Trans
fat and saturated fat will be both listed on the food label, according
to a new rule by the US Food and Development Administration (FDA). Both
the fats can cause heart diseases that afflict 13 million Americans
– and many doctors actually consider trans fat the worst artery clogger.
The
FDA has estimated that the labelling could prevent up to 1,200 cases
of heart disease and 500 deaths a year, as people will either choose
healthier foods or manufacturers would change their recipes to leave
out the damaging ingredient.
The
rule would be operational by the year 2006, when the companies would
have to phase out the labels. But many aren’t waiting as they jockey
for position in the competitive anti-fat market. Frito-Lay has announced
that it is eliminating trans fat from Doritos, Tostitos and Cheetos.
Controversial
fats likely to be removed from UK products
As
risks and worries of obesity grow, British food companies are planning
to remove controversial fats from some of their products. The UK arm
of Nestle confirmed that it was removing hydrogenated vegetable fat
from Rolo and Toffee Crisp and looking into how it could be removed
from other brands also. Cadbury is also looking at options to remove
partially hydrogenated fat from a limited number of its products that
contained it.
Hydrogenated
vegetable fats and oils – also known as trans fatty acids (TFA)– have
been linked to obesity, clogging of the arteries and heart disease.
McDonald’s
forbids antibiotic growth promoters on livestock
McDonald’s
has banned some of its US meat suppliers from feeding livestock antibiotic
growth promoters, following concerns about the drugs’ impact on human
health. The company has also encouraged other suppliers to stop using
the drug if they want to continue their supply to the fast food major.
The European Union has already banned the use of antibiotics for growth
promotion.
Some
experts believe the wide use of the drugs in livestock production has
reduced the effectiveness of antibiotics such as penicillin in humans.
In
the US, where McDonald’s is the nation’s biggest buyer of beef and among
the largest of chicken and pork, the decision is being hailed as a turning
point in agricultural production.
Greece
creates ‘feta police’ to check bad cheese
Greece
has vowed to form a special ‘feta police’ after more than two tonnes
of the famous Greek product arrived in Norway tainted with listeria.
Agriculture Minister Giorgios Dris said that setting up a squad was
needed to avoid further blows to the reputation of one of Greece’s main
exports.
After
years of debate, the EU late last year gave Greece the sole right to
use the name feta. Denmark, a major feta producer, is fighting the decision.
Greece won by claiming that feta should be made only from sheep’s milk,
or a mixture of goat and sheep’s milk, from livestock that eat grass
and flowers in the rugged Greek countryside.
Halal
foods in Malaysia to have standard certification
Domestic
Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
has announced that the food products carrying certificates or labels
denoting they are halal must have the endorsement of the Islamic Development
Department (Jakim) under a ruling to be enforced soon. Such certificates
include the ISI 2020, a standard label issued by the Malaysian Muslim
Consumers Association, in collaboration with a special panel under the
Organisation of Islamic Conference.
The
Government would decide on the standardisation of the halal certificates
and labels and would enforce the ruling once this was done. The approved
certificates are expected to be introduced before the end of the year.
The ruling will also apply to halal products meant for export and those
imported.
EU
to promote food processing in N Ireland
The
European Union has announced an award package for the Northern Ireland
food processing sector. The awards, totalling £2.48 million from EU
funds and £0.42 million from national funds, would assist 10 projects
submitted by applicants under the EU Agricultural Processing and Marketing
Grant Scheme and the EU Marketing of Quality Agricultural Products Grant
Scheme.
These
schemes are designed to improve the economic performance and international
competitiveness of the food processing sector in Northern Ireland.
The
award of grants demonstrates the Government’s commitment in ensuring
the future sustainability of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry.
The significant level of investment by the 10 applicants also emphasises
the progressive approach of food processing companies in Northern Ireland
to meet consumer requirements. They also protect some 400 jobs.
Authorities
uncover 30 tonnes of illegal meat in London
More
than 30 tonnes of illegal meat including decomposing lambs’ brains and
cows’ feet were seized from a London warehouse. The meat was allegedly
destined for human consumption. The stock was found in two huge freezer
containers at an unlicensed cutting plant in Bow, East London.
After
tracking for seven months the environmental health officers had found
that the meat for pet food was being purchased at abattoirs across Britain
before being transported to the plant for processing and packaging.
Evidence
was found that rancid chicken that had turned yellow through putrefaction
was bleached with chemical agents to make it look like healthy meat.
Much of the boxed meat at the plant had begun decomposing before it
was frozen.
The
swoop was one of the biggest in coordinated raids on the illegal meat
trade. Around 16 environmental health officers and 50 police officers
swooped in east London while other local authorities simultaneously
raided 23 premises across England, Wales, North Ireland and the Republic
of Ireland.
Vodka
flavoured ice pops to be banned in Sweden
Vodka-flavoured
ice pops are being banned in Swedish stores as the regulators feel that
there are chances of children eating them. The pops, made by Evolution
Enterprise, based in Netherlands, are water-based and come in three
flavours: tequila, vodka and a cocktail blend.
The
company on the other hand said that the pops were not targeted towards
anyone who is not of legal drinking age and hence were marketed only
in discos and bars and not in hypermarkets.
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