Regulation & Safety

The Brazilian industry will phase out the use of carbendazim to meet US standards. (Photo copyright: Nicola since 1972)

Brazil OJ exporters accept US carbendazim defeat

By Mark Astley

The Brazilian orange juice and concentrate industry has admitted carbendazim-related defeat, after efforts to increase allowable levels of the fungicide in orange juice product shipments were shot down by US food safety officials.

Relief for Coke, Pepsi after UAE ditches can ban

Relief for Coke, Pepsi after UAE ditches can ban

By Ben Bouckley

Coca-Cola has welcomed a decision by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Economy to reverse its ban on the sale of 300ml cans, which also saw cans of other sizes stripped from shelves last week, after a row broke out last week about their illegal...

Suspect foods include household staples like bread, fried potatoes and coffee as well as potato crisps and biscuits.

Acrylamide limit ‘red tape’ premature, says FDF

By Oliver Nieburg

The added bureaucracy of legal limits for acrylamide in foods is preventable as industry efforts to reduce levels have been sufficient, says the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Austrian Flag

Austrian prosecutors drop Hitler spirits probe

By Ben Bouckley

Austrian prosecutors have dropped a legal case that followed complaints about alcohol being sold online that carried portraits of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and swastikas on labels.

Brazilian citrus juice producers hope the current US carbendizem crisis won't leave them high and dry (Picture copyright: guigo.eu)

US juice trade association fights Brazilian fungicide fallout

By Ben Bouckley

The US Juice Products Association (JPA) has moved to allay consumer concerns that orange juice produced in the country is unsafe, after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was blocking some Brazilian imports found to contain the substance.

Err...canned mouse anyone?

Canned mouse would have turned to jelly: PepsiCo

By Ben Bouckley

PepsiCo is fighting claims by a consumer that he found a dead mouse in a Mountain Dew can, with a scientist testifying that there is no way the creature could have passed the bottling process intact.

How much booze is in your beer?

CFA calls for “Alcohol Facts” labeling

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has renewed a call for nutrition facts labeling on alcoholic beverages, which it says was agreed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in 2007.

Red Bull fights Pit Bull filler to EU court defeat

Red Bull fights Pit Bull filler to EU court defeat

By Ben Bouckley

Simply filling a soft drink bearing a trademarked brand name does not itself violate an EU directive regarding use of that sign, according to the European Court of Justice (CJEU) in a high-profile ruling involving Red Bull.

EC issues guide on active and intelligent packaging reg

EC issues guide on active and intelligent packaging reg

By Rory Harrington

New guidance on active and intelligent (A&I) food packaging will help industry players, professional bodies and national authorities understand and implement legislation passed two years ago, said the European Commission (EC).

FSA warns over illegal vodka

Health warning issued over illicit vodka

By Nilpa Shah

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has declared that the ‘Drop Vodka’ brand is illegal and unsafe for consumption, following the discovery of traces of industrial solvents and other potentially damaging substances.

Unregulated mycotoxin found in cereals - FSA

Unregulated mycotoxin found in cereals - FSA

By Mark Astley

An unregulated, potentially harmful mycotoxin was found in over 10% of cereal sampled during a Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey, a report has confirmed.

First yeast-derived beta glucan approved as novel food in EU

Novel Foods Exclusive

First yeast-derived beta glucan approved as novel food in EU

By Oliver Nieburg

Health ingredients firm Biothera has been granted novel foods approval in the EU for its immune health ingredient yeast beta glucan and said there were prospects for manufacturers in a variety of food formulations.

Coca-Cola to launch stevia-based brands in EU in early 2012

Special Edition: Stevia

Coca-Cola to expand stevia offering in EU; no plans to drop aspartame

By Jane Byrne

Coca-Cola said it has no reason to drop the artificial sweetener aspartame from its low or zero calorie beverage brands in the European market as it welcomes last week’s approval by the European Commission for the use of the natural sweetener stevia in...