Posts from the "Latest News" category
AU: Yet another cruise ship gastro outbreak
Australian Institute of Food Safety: It’s proving difficult to keep track of gastroenteritis outbreaks on cruise ships these days with 6 outbreaks being reported in Australian waters within the last 12 months. In the latest incident, approximately 200 passengers on the Sea Princess, a cruise ship bound for Brisbane from New Zealand, were struck with norovirus.
Read the full article at the AIFST website
AU: National Residue Survey results 2016-17
Apple & Pear Australia Ltd: The apple and pear industry has once again demonstrated its commitment to food safety and minimising residues with the latest National Residue Survey results showing a 98 per cent compliance level in apples and pears tested in 2016-2017.
Read Article →AU: Average annual Salmonella cases in South Australia have risen to 1200 in past four years
The Advertiser: The salmonella outbreak linked to the Gawler South Bakery is only the tip of a food hygiene problem causing illness across South Australia. Food poisoning has become a growing problem in recent years, prompting repeated warnings from authorities about the need for good food-handling hygiene.
Read the full article at The Advertiser (adelaidenow.com.au)
AU: Tasmanian cherry producer uses technology, social media to combat rip-off merchants in Asia
ABC News: Producers of Tasmania’s highly sought-after export cherries are turning to technology and social media to combat low-grade fakes being sold in Asian markets.
Read Article →US: FDA: Voluntary importer program will benefit importers and agency
The Packer: Seeing benefits for both the agency and for importers, officials at the Food and Drug Administration expect to soon begin accepting applications for the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP). The program is voluntary and fee-based, to allow for quicker reviews and importation of foods into the U.S. for approved applicants who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains.
Read the full article at The Packer
UK: Food safety paramount for Chinese online shoppers of imported food
Undercurrent News: Based on an online survey of 1,259 Chinese consumers, the survey finds food safety and product quality rank ahead of trust in e-commerce platforms; attractive prices; convenience; and being accustomed to shopping online, among the factors which determine Chinese shoppers’ purchases.
Read the full article at undercurrentnews.com
AU: NRS to test for metals and microbes from Jan 2018
Apple & Pear Australia Ltd: The Apple & Pear National Residue Survey (NRS) will be expanded from January this year to include microbiological and metal screening in addition to the existing pesticide residue analysis to reflect growing demands for more comprehensive food safety data.
Read the full story at apal.org.au
AU: Agvet Chemical Task Group Discussion Paper: Off-label Use Harmonisation Proposal
Photo: Aqua Mechanical / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Australian Government: The Agvet Chemical Task Group (ACTG) is conducting public consultation on the Discussion Paper: Off-Label Use Harmonisation Proposal. The discussion paper describes approaches for harmonisation of agricultural chemical product off-label use practices that are expected to deliver the most significant benefits to Australian farmers. The consultation on the discussion paper is now open and submissions must be lodged by 2:00 pm AEDT on 28 February 2018.
Download the discussion paper and make a submission at agriculture.gov.au
US: Deadly outbreak tied to romaine ongoing; no recall, few details
Food Safety News: Little information is available to the public in the U.S. or Canada more than six weeks into a deadly E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce. Almost 60 people are confirmed to have fallen ill, including one in Canada who died, since mid-November. Whole genome sequencing shows E. coli O157:H7 samples from sick people in both countries are the same strain, which is evidence that a single source is likely, the CDC reports.
Read the full article at the Food Safety News website
US: Researchers focus on preventing Listeria contamination
Capital Press: The recall of Michigan apples in Midwest and Southeastern states due to listeria contamination fears is unfortunate, and the Washington apple industry is working hard to avoid similar problems, a leading researcher says.
Read the full article at the Capital Press website