Posts from the "Latest News" category
AU: Ginger production almost doubles in compost trial
ABC News: A trial using cured compost, processed poultry manure pellets and clean seed has almost doubled ginger production in a test plot. Senior scientist Dr Mike Smith said the cost of production per hectare for the trial was comparable to the industry practice of using untreated chicken manure, but had added benefits of reducing the nutrient budget and delivering a food safe product.
Read the full article at the ABC news website
AU: Food recall of betel nuts
Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Trans Oriental Import and Export Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of the above product. The product has been available for sale at Asian grocery stores in WA. The recall is due to the sale of prohibited food. Betel nut may cause illness if consumed.
Read the full recall notice at the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website
DE: Standard New Zealand GAP GLOBALG.A.P. equivalent 2017 has successfully been re-benchmarked
GLOBALG.A.P.: Standard New Zealand GAP GLOBALG.A.P. equivalent 2017 has successfully been re-benchmarked as an equivalent scheme against GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Version 5. It is a fruit & vegetable standard owned by Horticulture New Zealand and allows certification of individual producers as well as producer groups.
Read the full article at the GLOBALG.A.P. website
AU: Bannockburn walnut farm says red tape had forced the closure of his business
Geelong Advertiser: A Bannockburn walnut farmer claims red tape has forced the closure of his business, and could threaten the nation’s small nut producer industry. The farm has been classified as a low-risk, category-three processing plant since its inception. Now, Golden Plains Shire Council, guided by the Department of Health and Human Services, says the classification must be upgraded.
Read the full article at the Geelong Advertiser website
SG: ‘Blue pellets’ found in vegetables from NTUC FairPrice, AVA investigating
Straits Times: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is investigating what seems to be blue pellets or stains on vegetables bought from supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice, after several consumers flagged the issue online. As of Wednesday (Sept 27), at least three consumers have posted photos of the affected vegetables on the NTUC FairPrice’s Facebook page, asking for an explanation for the presence of the blue substance.
Read the full article at the Straits Times website
NZ: Whangarei berry farm finalist in NZ Food Awards
Stuff.co.nz: Maungatapere Berries is one of three Whangarei businesses named as finalists in this year’s NZ Food awards. This small family business has been named as a finalists in the Artisan Food Producers, MPI Primary Sector Product and MPI Food Safety Culture Award categories.
Read the full article at the Stuff.co.nz website
EU: EU battle heats up over controversial weedkiller
Yahoo!7: A battle is heating up over whether the European Union will renew at year-end the licence for glyphosate, one of the world’s most widely used weedkillers that some fear causes cancer. EU states have been deadlocked for more than a year over whether to declare that the chemical – used in US agro-giant Monsanto’s best-selling herbicide Roundup — is safe.
Read the full article at the Yahoo!7 website
US: Health department warns of exposure to hepatitis A from fruit cart vendor
KABC-TV: The Los Angeles Department of Public Health warned consumers of a possible hepatitis A exposure after a street fruit cart vendor was found infected with the disease in Lancaster. Health officials believe the produce may have been contaminated by the worker who was infected at the time. The fruit cart was located at the corner of West Avenue L and 20th Street West.
Read the full article at the KABC-TV website
US: Shared values are the foundation for a culture of food safety
Food Safety News: When food safety policies and procedures are created, correctly implemented, and instilled as part of a business culture, mistakes that can lead to foodborne illnesses are significantly reduced.As a result, in addition to boosting food safety, profit increases, employee morale soars, employee turnover is reduced, absenteeism is minimized, and the company’s reputation remains secure.
Read the full article at the Food Safety News website
AU: Spring is here – 5 food safety tips for growing your own fruit and vegetables
Food Safety Information Council: Spring is the time we like to get out into the garden and it is great to grow your own veggies, fruit and herbs as they taste good, are fresh and help our children understand where food comes from. But the Food Safety Information Council is reminding people that you can still get food poisoning from your own produce.
Read the full article at the Food Safety Information Council website