Posts from the "Latest News" category
PH: PH-New Zealand food safety pact
Philippine Daily Inquirer: The Philippines and New Zealand – which mark 50 years of diplomatic ties this year – have signed a food safety cooperation arrangement as part of efforts to enhance trade relations.
The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) signed a food safety cooperation arrangement on Tuesday, building on the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation)-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
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A-NZ: Natural contaminants in honey
Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Some types of honey contain high levels of naturally occurring plant toxins, known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may cause adverse health effects. PAs are found in many foods and are naturally produced in more than 600 plants.
The toxins may get into the honey when bees forage on the flowers that are rich in pyrrolizidine alkaloids such as Paterson’s Curse, also known as Salvation Jane.
Read Article →NZ: Bolt found in wrap from Tank: ‘I was lucky I didn’t choke’
NZ Herald: Another customer of a popular health food takeaway store has revealed their experience with an inedible intruder in their meal. Val Thomas ordered a vegetarian wrap from Tank Juice Bar at 162 Victoria Street West, Auckland, but after taking a bite she realised there was an extra, unwanted ingredient.
Read Article →AU/NZ: FPSC welcomes new board member
‘We are delighted to announce that Roger Gilbertson has accepted our invitation to join the Board of FPSC,’ said FPSC Chair, Michael Worthington.
Roger appreciates how the role enables him to take a step back from implementing market/customer assurance programs (including food safety) and looks to shaping the role food safety plays in the bigger fresh produce picture. ‘In particular, I want to ensure the risks for the fresh produce sector are well understood, and programs are efficiently implemented in line with managing these risks,’ Roger said.
Read Article →AU: Results of survey of chemicals in food from packaging reassuring
Food Standards Australia New Zealand: The results of a survey on packaging chemicals in food are reassuring for consumers, Food Standards Australia New Zealand Chief Executive Steve McCutcheon said today. Mr McCutcheon said the second phase of the Australian Total Diet Study looked at chemicals that might migrate from packaging into food.
Read Article →AU: Consultation on irradiation labelling requirements begins
Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a consultation paper on the existing labelling requirements for irradiated foods. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said ministers responsible for food regulation had asked FSANZ to review the requirements in response to a labelling review recommendation.
Read Article →AU: Do we really have to wash fruit and vegetables?
The Conversation: There is a growing demand for fruit and vegetables across the Western world, thanks to increased awareness of their nutritional and health benefits. But we’ve always been taught they might not be safe to eat straight out of the supermarket, and they have to be washed first. Is this the case? And what might happen if we don’t?
Read Article →AU: Brisbane City Council names and shames 58 venues over poor food safety, collects $622,500 in fines
ABC News: Brisbane City Council has named and shamed a number of food venues that failed to comply with its EatSafe food safety guidelines last year. Fifty-eight businesses, including bakeries, restaurants and fast food chains, were prosecuted and fined $622,500 last year.
Read Article →NZ: Expansion allows NSF International to grow capacity of services in New Zealand and Australia
NSF International: NSF International, a global organization with over 70 years experience in food safety auditing, training and consulting, has acquired the Burwater Pacific Group, a leading food safety training, auditing and consulting business based in New Zealand.
Read Article →NZ: Fighting $40bn food fraud to protect food supply
ForeignAffairs.co.nz: Fraudsters will find it harder to infiltrate supply chains and profit from food fraud with the release of a new industry tool designed to help fight fraud and protect consumers. SSAFE and PwC say this free tool – developed by SSAFE in partnership with PwC, Wageningen University, VU University Amsterdam and food industry leaders around the world – will help food companies assess their food fraud vulnerabilities. Food fraud affects consumer confidence and is estimated to cost the global industry US$30 to $40 billion a year.
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