Posts from the "Latest News" category


AU: Call for submissions on GM potato

Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a potato that has been genetically modified to reduce both bruising and the amount of acrylamide formed during cooking. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the potato had been modified by inserting genetic sequences from this potato and wild potato varieties.

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AU: Figures show Australia is food allergy capital of world

Food & Beverage Industry News: Australia has the highest level of food allergies in the world and Melbourne is the food allergy capital of the world, according to research. Two in every 100 Australian adults are affected by food allergies, while the figure rises to one in 10 for infants. The rates of these allergies in the western world has been rising for the past 20 years [..]

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NZ: Gastro probe to seek lessons for NZ

New Zealand Herald: Attorney General Christopher Finlayson has released the draft terms of reference for the inquiry into an outbreak of Campylobacter bacteria in Havelock North’s water supply. It will look at how the water supply was contaminated, whether the response was appropriate, and any wider lessons for New Zealand’s water supply network.

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NZ: Hawke’s Bay food safe to eat say growers

FreshPlaza: Last week, the Havelock North water supply was contaminated with campylobacter, leading to more than 2000 people coming down with violent vomiting and diarrhoea.

Growers are desperate to reassure the public it’s safe to eat fruit and vegetables from Hawke’s Bay, despite the region’s contaminated water supply.

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US: IBM researchers use grocery scanner data to speed investigations during early foodborne illness outbreaks

PR Newswire: During a foodborne illness outbreak, rapidly identifying the contaminated food source is vital to minimizing illness, loss and impact on society. IBM Research announced its scientists have discovered that analyzing retail-scanner data from grocery stores against maps of confirmed cases of foodborne illness can speed early investigations.

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NZ: Top scientist appointed food safety director

Scoop: Massey University’s Professor Nigel French, a world leader in molecular epidemiology and public health research, has been appointed the inaugural director of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre.

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US: Produce cannot safely be salvaged in flooded areas

Food Safety News: Floodwater carries pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria, according to the West Virginia notice and guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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NZ: Sick of the Gastrobug?

Horticulture New Zealand: Health officials in Havelock North have issued a boil water notice for council water supply due to an outbreak of Campylobacter. The council has advised that any water could be contaminated, including washing and drinking water.

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US: Big data and IoT solve food safety and supply challenges

TechRepublic: Grocery stores operate on paper-thin profit margins, and cannot afford to overstock inventories or to let food go to waste. Grocers and food suppliers also want to avoid food contamination issues that can negatively impact their reputations and discourage consumers from doing business with them.

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AU: Food allergy resources for business

Food Standards Australia New Zealand: If you’re a food service business, do your staff know what to do to assist people with food allergies? Allergy New Zealand, with the collaboration of Australia New Zealand Food Allergy Collaboration, has produced an excellent video for food service staff.

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