Archives January  2008       OurFood - NEWS  Here food related news are posted.  Use the archives to search past  food reports

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31.01.2008: Polycarbonate bottles release bisphenol A (BPA) to water and other beverages[1]
Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor that affect reproduction and brain development in animal studies. The effect on humans is not clear yet. It is being widely used as a monomer for the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins for food and beverages plastic packaging and the resin linings of food cans.

Belcher and colleagues found in 2008 that exposure to BPA occurs mainly by consumption of contaminated foods and beverages that have contacted epoxy resins or polycarbonate plastics.

According to the authors high temperatures increases the migration of BPA to food and beverages. The authors found no difference between new and used bottles. The temperature was found to influence drastically the release of the chemical. In polycarbonate water bottles, which had not been previously submitted to heat, BPA was found to migrate at rates ranging from 0.20 ng/h to 0.79 ng/h. After a brief exposure to boiling water, rates increased to 8 to 32 nanograms per hour.

The authors concluded that BPA migration from polycarbonate drinking bottles should be included in the total Endocrine Disrupting Chemical-burden “EDC-burden”.

Industrial hot bottling of juices and other beverages, widely used to increase self-life may boost the release of harmful BPA.

[1] Le, Hoa H.; Carlson, Emily M.; Chua, Jason P.; Belcher, Scott M.: Bisphenol A is released from polycarbonate drinking bottles and mimics the neurotoxic actions of estrogen in developing cerebellar neurons. Toxicology Letters. Volume 176, Issue 2, 30 January 2008, Pages 149-156. Pages 149-156. Doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2007.11.001    ScienceDirect


31.01.2008: The group of OA-toxins and Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)
The Panel recommends reduction of EU OA-toxin limit [1]
Okadaic acid (OA) and its analogues, the dinophysis toxins (DTX1, DTX2, and DTX3), together form the group of OA-toxins. These toxins are lipophilic and heat stable, are produced by dinoflagellates and can be found in various species of shellfish, mainly in filter-feeding bivalve molluscs such as oysters, mussels, scallops, and clams.

OA-group toxins cause Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP), which is characterized by symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms may occur in humans shortly after consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscs such as mussels, scallops, oysters or clams. Inhibition of serine/threonine phosphoprotein phosphatases is assumed to constitute the mode of action of OA-group toxins.

According to the Panel OA appears to be not mutagenic per se, but induces changes at the chromosome level and is aneugenic in vitro. The Panel noted that these effects may be related to cytotoxicity of OA.

The Panel concluded that a lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) for human illness is in the region of 50 µg OA equivalents/person, this approximates to 0.8 µg OA equivalents/kg bodyweight (b.w.) for adults. An uncertainty factor of three was applied to extrapolate this LOAEL to a no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) which resulted in an ARfD of 0.3 µg OA equivalents/kg b.w.

Based on data provided by five Member States, the Panel identified 400 g of shellfish meat as the high portion size to be used in the acute risk assessment of marine biotoxins.

It was noted that a 400 g portion of shellfish meat containing OA-group toxins at the current EU limit of 160 µg OA equivalents/kg shellfish meat would result in a dietary exposure of 64 µg toxin. For a 60 kg adult this is equivalent to approximately 1 µg/kg b.w. This figure exceeds the ARfD by approximately 3-fold. The Panel concluded that in order for a 60 kg adult to not exceed the ARfD, a 400 g portion of shellfish should not contain more than 18 µg toxin, i.e. 45 µg OA equivalents/kg shellfish meat.

The mouse and the rat bioassay are the officially prescribed reference methods in the EU for the detection of OA-group toxins. The Panel called for a validation of the phosphoprotein-phosphatase assays and liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to replace actual methods.


[1] EFSAMarine biotoxins in shellfish - okadaic acid and analogues - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food chain. Adopted date: 27/11/2007. Question number: EFSA-Q-2006-065A Publication date: 31/01/2008
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178682985887.htm



31.01.2008: German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warn about pink duck breast [1]
High temperatures during preparation prevent Campylobacter infections
Examinations by the German official food control authorities of the federal states detected Campylobacter in around one-third of the poultry meat samples. Duck meat is also frequently involved.

Campylobacter infections in humans are frequently caused by poultry meat, including duck breast. Campylobacter bacteria are heat-sensitive and die when meat is cooked through. As duck breast in traditional recipes is often not cooked through ("pink duck breast"), its consumption can lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal disorders caused by Campylobacter bacteria.

The Campylobacter risk, including Salmonella, Listeria, noroviruses and hepatitis viruses, can be completely ruled out when the internal temperature of the meat during preparation on the stove or in the oven is 74 degrees Celsius or higher for more than 10 minutes.

Basic hygiene rules for handling poultry: Kitchen hygiene and sufficient cooking
Thaw water and packaging should be disposed of appropriately.
All kitchen utensils and surfaces in contact with the meat, should be thoroughly cleaned.
Hands should be washed thoroughly after each stage of preparation.
During preparation internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or higher must be attained. The use of a meat thermometer is highly recommendated.

[1] BfR: Risky delicacy: Pink duck breast. High temperatures during preparation prevent Campylobacter infections. 28.01.2008
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cd/10703

31.01.2008: Confirmed human cases of avian influenza A/(H5N1) since 2003 (Data as of 24 January 2008) [1]

                                                    Latest fatal cases
Indonesia: New fatal case confirmed on 23 January 2008 in Tangerang District, Banten Province. the man died on 24 January.

Vietnam: New fatal case confirmed on 24 January 2008 in Tuyen Quang Province. The case is a 34 year old man. He developed symptoms on 10 January 2008, was hospitalized on 16 January and died on 18 January. The case had contact with sick and dead poultry prior to his illness.
Human cases 2003-2008

Land	Cases	Deaths
Azerbaijan	8	5
Cambodia	7	7
China	27	17
Djibouti	1	0
Egypt	43	19
Indonesia	120	98
Irak	3	2
Laos	2	2
Myanmar	1	0
Nigeria	1	1
Pakistan	1	1
Thailand	25	17
Turkey	12	4
Vietnam	102	48
Total	353	221

[1] Europa -Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General:public health - Influenza: Influenza fact sheet. Confirmed Human Casesof Avian Influenza A/(H5N1)Since 2003. Data as of 24. Januar 2008. Press Release 29.01.2008
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/ai_current2_en.htm

30.01.2008: Coffee, caffeine and diabetes 2 risk
Dam and Hu in 2005 found that higher coffee consumption was consistently associated with a lower prevalence of postprandial hyperglycemia. They concluded that habitual coffee consumption is associated with a substantially lower risk of type 2 diabetes. [1]

Legrand and Scheen in 2007 reviewed studies on the relationship between type 2 diabetes and coffee drinking, the most of them confirmed a protective effect against the disorder. Decaffeinated coffee had a stronger protective effect as compared to regular coffee. The authors stress that the blood glucose reduction could not be attributed exclusively to caffeine and other components, such as chlorogenic acid and/or various anti-oxidants may add to the effect. [2]

Caffeine found to increase diabetes risk [3]
Dr James Lane and his colleagues in 2008 found that too much caffeine can raise blood glucose levels and impede the transport of glucose from the blood into muscle and other cells.

A moderate dose of 500 mg/day caffeine their average daily blood glucose levels rose by 8% and at peaks up to 26%.

The authors are uncertain about the mechanism of action of caffeine but suggest that it might inhibit inhibit glucose uptake in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells by antagonising adenosine receptors. Another way of action could be that caffeine might act indirectly by pushing up levels of adrenalin.
The authors suggest to quit drinking coffee, or any other caffeinated beverages to reduce blood glucose.

[1] van Dam, R.M.; Hu, F.H.: Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. JAMA 2005 Jul 6;294(1):97-104
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15998896?dopt=AbstractPlus

[2] Legrand, D.; Scheen A.J.: La consommation régulière de café réduirait le risque de diabète de type 2 Rev Med Liege,62(9),554-559, 2007
http://www.rmlg.ulg.ac.be/index.php?page=resume?num_id=1634&SessionID=
874e2f808d08726e285591bac21d65d9&langue=FR

[3] Lane, James D.; Feinglos, Mark N.; Surwit, Richard S.: Caffeine Increases Ambulatory Glucose and Postprandial Responses in Coffee Drinkers With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 31:221-222, 2008. DOI: 10.2337/dc07-1112
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/extract/31/2/221
28.01.2008: The American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort: Vegetable and fruit consume do not reduce risk of endometrial cancer [1]
According to Marjorie L. McCullough and colleagues lower risk of endometrial cancer was associated with greater vegetable consumption but not fruit consumption, and an inverse association with fruits and vegetables combined have been suggested.

In context of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort the authors found that neither fruit consumption nor vegetable consumption was associated with risk. Only among women who had never used hormone replacement therapy was the risk of endometrial cancer lower or vegetable consumption. The authors concluded that an association between vegetable or fruit consumption and endometrial cancer cannot be supported.

[1] McCullough, Marjorie L.; Bandera, Elisa V.; Patel, Roshni; Patel, Alpa V.; Gansler, Ted; Kushi, Lawrence H.; Thun, Michael J.; Calle, Eugenia E.: A Prospective Study of Fruits, Vegetables, and Risk of Endometrial Cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology 2007 166(8):902-911; doi:10.1093/aje/kwm156
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/8/902


28.01.2008: The Multiethnic Cohort Study: Flavonols and Pancreatic Cancer Risk [1]
Ute Nöthlings and colleagues assessed the effect of flavonols on pancreatic cancer risk, estimating the intakes of three flavonols quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin.

Total flavonols was associated with a reduced pancreatic cancer risk, kaempferol was associated with the largest risk reduction. Total flavonols, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin were all associated with a significant inverse trend among current smokers but not never or former smokers. The authors concluded that flavonols have a preventive effect on pancreatic cancer, and stressed that
current smokers do profit from that.

[1] Ute Nöthlings, Suzanne P. Murphy, Lynne R. Wilkens, Brian E. Henderson, and Laurence N. Kolonel
Flavonols and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: The Multiethnic Cohort Study
American Journal of Epidemiology Advance Access published on August 9, 2007
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2007 166: 924-931; doi:10.1093/aje/kwm172
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/8/924



29.01.2008: Diet and the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus [1]
Ai Kubo and colleagues assessed the dietary patterns of patients with Barrett's Esophagus They found that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and nonfried fish was inversely associated with Barrett's esophagus. A diet high in fast food and meat produced an adverse effect on the risk of the disease.
The authors concluded that there is a strong associations between a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and the risk of Barrett's esophagus.
This backs the WHO recommendations to eat 400 g of fruit and vegetable a day.

[1] Ai Kubo, T. R. Levin, Gladys Block, Gregory J. Rumore, Charles P. Quesenberry, Jr, Patricia Buffler, Douglas A. Corley: Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus. American Journal of Epidemiology. Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1093/aje/kwm381
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/kwm381v1


28.01.2008: Furan in heat treated foods[1]
Furan was found by the FDA in a number of foods that undergo heat treatment, such as canned and jarred foods. The presence of furan is listed in the Department of Health and Human Services Report on Carcinogens and is considered possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer .

Mechanisms of Formation
The primary source of furans in food is thermal degradation and rearrangement of organic compounds, particularly carbohydrates. A variety of experimental systems, including heating of sugars in the presence of amino acids or protein and thermal degradation of vitamins produced furans in food. Furan producing systems are: Thermal degradation of glucose; thermal degradation of glyceraldehydes, D-Erythrose, pentosans, hexoses, and polysaccharide; and a lactose-casein browning system. The specific mechanism that produce furan are unknown.

Among the model systems studied, ascorbic acid had the highest potential to produce furan, followed by glycolaldehyde/alanine > erythrose > ribose/serine > sucrose/serine > fructose/serine > glucose/cysteine. [2]

Intake of dioxins and furans can take place through breathing contaminated air, drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. About 90% of exposure to dioxins and furans is from eating contaminated food.
Dioxins and furans can build up in the fatty tissues of animals. This means that eating beef, pork,
poultry, fish as well as dairy products can be a source of exposure.

EPA Recommendations [3]
The U.S. EPA has set a limit of 0.00003 micrograms of 2,3,7,8-TCDD per liter of drinking water (ug/L). The Food and Drug Administration recommends not eating fish and shell fish with more than 50 parts per trillion (50 ppt) of 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

Foods which may contain furan [4]
During heat treatment furan may be formed in foods rich in carbohydrates such as babyfoods with banana or potatoes, other foods likee fruits, vegetable juices, canned vegetables, coffee cocoa, bread, grilled meat and smoked foods. Furan is present in the smoke of cigarettes in concentration of 8,4 mikrogram in 40 ml breath (Egle et al. 1979)
Furan is the 1,4 -Epoxy-1,3-butadien, it is also called Furfuran, Oxol, Tetrol, Divinylenoxid, Oxacyclopentadien. Furan is not dibenzo-furan which is part of a group of dioxin-like substances called furane.

The CONTAM Panel Report on furan [5]
Taking into account all the presently available data on the mode of action of furan, the Panel concluded that the weight of evidence indicates that furan-induced carcinogenicity is probably attributable to a genotoxic mechanism. However, chronic toxicity with secondary cell proliferation may indirectly amplify the tumour response.

From the presently available data it appears that there is a relative small difference between possible human exposures and the doses in experimental animals that produce carcinogenic effects, probably by a genotoxic mechanism. However, a reliable risk assessment would need further data on both toxicity and exposure.

[1] FDA: Federal Register: May 10, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 90)
Furan in Food, Thermal Treatment; Request for Data and Information
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr040510.html

[2] Carolina Perez and Varoujan Yaylayan: Origin and Mechanistic Pathways of Formation of the Parent Furan-A Food Toxicant J. Agric. Food Chem 2004, 52, 6830-6836. Doi:10.1021/jf0490403
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2004/52/i22/abs/jf0490403.html

[3] EPA: Dioxins and Furans
http://www.epa.gov/wastemin/factshts/dioxfura.pdf

[4] Bundesanstalt für Risikobewehrtung: Furan in Lebensmitteln - Nach Acrylamid ein weiteres herstellungsbedingtes Toxin ? Dr. H. Klaffke, 16.03.2005, Berlin
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/232/furan_in_lebensmitteln_nach_acrylamid_ein_weiteres_
herstellungsbedingtes_toxin.pdf

[5] EFSA: Report of the CONTAM Panel on provisional findings on furan in foods. 07/12/2004
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620772979.htm

28.01.2008: Effect of phytoestrogens such as lignans on cancer risk
Phytoestrogens may play a role in hormone-related diseases such as cancer, but epidemiological and clinical data are conflicting.

The mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol are produced by the microflora in the colon of humans and animals from precursors in foods such as lignans. They have been suggested to have potential anticancer effects.

Lilian U. Thompson and colleagues in 2005 determined the production of mammalian lignans from precursors in food bars containing unground whole flaxseed and sesame seed. The authors demonstrated that precursors from unground whole flaxseed and sesame seed are converted by the bacterial flora in the colon to mammalian lignans. [1]

Sesame seed is not protective and together with tamoxifen enhances tumor growth [2]
Flaxseed enhances the tumor growth-inhibitory effect of tamoxifen, but sesame seed was found by Sandra M.Sacco and colleagues to have no effect on tumor and tend to negate the tumor-inhibitory effect of tamoxifen, reducing apoptosis. The authors concluded in a 2008 study that sesame seed is not protective and negatively interferes with tamoxifen in inducing regression of established MCF-7 tumor size.

The Waagening lignan study January 2008: Enteroligans do not protect against colorectal cancer. [3]
Peter C.H. Hollaman and colleagues say that high plasma enterodiol or enterolactone concentrations do not reduce risk of colorectal cancer. Enterolignans are biphenolic compounds that possess several biologic activities whereby they may influence carcinogenesis.

Enterodiol and enterolactone are a product of the activity of the microflora of the colon metabolising lignans from plants such as flax seed, whole grain cereals, berries, vegetables and fruits. The authors stressed that plasma enterodiol and colorectal increased the risk of colorectal cancer among current smokers.  The results contradict the study published in 2006.

The Waagening lignan study June 2006: Enteroligans protect agaisnt colorectal cancer.[4]
Peter C.H. Hollaman and colleagues reported in June 2006 a substantial reduction in colorectal adenoma risk among subjects with high plasma concentrations of enterolignans, in particular, enterodiol. The authors write that findings could be important in the prevention of colorectal adenomas.

Dietary flaxseed reduces tumor growth in patients with breast cancer. [5]
Lilian U. Thompson and colleagues found in 2005 that dietary flaxseed, the richest source of mammalian lignan precursors, increased the apoptosis of cancer cells, increased urinary lignan excretion and reduced tumor biological markers in postmenopausal patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. The authors concluded that dietary flaxseed has the potential to reduce tumor growth in patients with breast cancer.


Flaxseed, soy protein isolates and their action on breast cancer cells [6]
Previous study of Lilian U. Thompson and colleagues had found that flaxseed (FS) reduced while soy protein isolate (SPI) stimulated MCF-7 breast tumor growth in ovariectomized mice. In 2007 the authors foiund that combining SPI and FS resulted in a negation of SPI-induced tumor growth. Uterus weight was significantly increased by the SPI + FS group, while SPI alone induced an intermediate effect. The authors concluded that although the SPI + FS and SPI groups exerted stimulatory effects on uterus weight, other histological parameters need to be measured to determine the overall safety of these breast cancer treatments on the uterus.

Flaxseed and soy protein isolates and their effect on breast cancer [7]
In several epidemiological studies, a phytoestrogen-rich diet containing lignans and isoflavones is associated with reduced breast cancer risk, but experimental findings are controversial.

In 2006 Lilian U. Thompson and colleagues found that in mouse, ligans of flaxseed reduced breast cancer growth, while isoflavones from soy protein enhanced it. The combination of soy protein with flaxseed reduced the tumor growth,

The authors concluded that dietary flaxseed did not stimulate the growth of estrogen responsive MCF-7 cancers in mice, while long-term consumption of soy protein did, and flaxseed reduced the tumor growth stimulating effect of soy protein. Flaxseed is therefore being suggested to attenuate tumor growth.

The combination of flaxseed with soy reduce the growth stimulatory effect on established breast cancer [7]
Concern over the safety of soy and its isoflavones are growing. Soy genistein was found to increase the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. According to Lilian U. Thompson and colleagues in july 2007 wrote that flaxseed with enterodiol and enterolactone, was found to negate the tumor stimulatory effects of soy protein or genistein alone. The authors , analysing the findings of their study, concluded that soy should be consumed together with lignan-rich foods to avoid an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.


[1] Coulman, Karen D. Liu, Zhen; Hum, Winston Quan Michaelides, John; Thompson, Lilian U.: Whole sesame seed is as rich a source of mammalian lignan precursors as whole flaxseed. Nutr Cancer. 2005;52(2):156-65.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content?content=10.1207/s15327914nc5202_6

[2] Sacco, Sandra M.; Chen, Jianmin; Power, Krista A.; Ward, Wendy E.; Thompson, Lilian U.: Lignan-rich sesame seed negates the tumor-inhibitory effect of tamoxifen but maintains bone health in a postmenopausal athymic mouse model with estrogen-responsive breast tumors. Menopause. 2008 Jan-Feb;15(1):171-9.               Menopause Journal

[3] Kuijsten, Anneleen; Hollman, Peter C. H.; Boshuizen, Hendriek C.; Buijsman, Michel N. C. P.; van 't Veer, Pieter; Kok, Frans J.; Arts, Ilja C. W.; Bueno-de-Mesquita, H. Bas: Plasma Enterolignan Concentrations and Colorectal Cancer Risk in a Nested Case-Control Study. American Journal of Epidemiology. Published on-line ahead of print 12 January 2008, doi:10.1093/aje/kwm349
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/kwm349v1

[4] Kuijsten, Anneleen; Arts, Ilja C.W. ; Hollman, Peter C.H.; van't Veer, Pieter; Kampman Ellen Plasma Enterolignans Are Associated with Lower Colorectal Adenoma Risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006 15: 1132-1136 doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-05-0991
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/6/1132

[5] Thompson, Lilian U.; Chen, Jian Min; Li, ; Strasser-Weippl, Kathrin; Goss, Paul E. : Dietary flaxseed alters tumor biological markers in postmenopausal breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2005 May 15;11(10):3828-35.
http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/10/3828

[6] Power, Krista A.; Ward, Wendy E.; Chen, Jian Min,; Saarinen, Niina M.; Thompson, Lilian U. : Flaxseed and soy protein isolate, alone and in combination, differ in their effect on bone mass, biomechanical strength, and uterus in ovariectomized nude mice with MCF-7 human breast tumor xenografts. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2007 Nov;70(22):1888-96. DOI: 10.1080/15287390701549179
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a783547576~db=all~order=page

[7] Saarinen, Niina M.; Power Krista; Chen, Jianmin; Thompson, Lilian U.: Flaxseed attenuates the tumor growth stimulating effect of soy protein in ovariectomized athymic mice with MCF-7 human breast cancer xenografts. Int J Cancer 2006 Aug 15;119(4):925-31.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112550811/ABSTRACT

[8] Power Krista A.; Thompson, Lilian U. : Can the combination of flaxseed and its lignans with soy and its isoflavones reduce the growth stimulatory effect of soy and its isoflavones on established breast cancer?
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jul;51(7):845-56. Review. DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.200600218
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114281170/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0


26.01.2007: The role of omega 3 and curcumin in treatment of reduce Alkzheimer`s  disease
A diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids reduces amyloid burden in an aged Alzheimer mouse. [1]
According to Greg M. Cole and colleagues in 2005 increased intake of the omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). the authors saay that DHA levels are lower in serum and brains of AD patients, which could result from low dietary intake and/or PUFA oxidation.

In a mouse study the authors found that DHA-enriched diets significantly reduced total beta-amiloid by >70% when compared with low-DHA or control chow diets. They concluded that dietary DHA could be protective against beta -amyloid production, accumulation, and potential downstream toxicity.

Omega 3 fatty acids increase the protein SorLA/LR11 which reduces the expression of Alzheimer`s disease [2]

According to Greg M.Cole and colleagues found in a study that omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could increase the production of LR11, a protein key to the clearance of enzymes in the brain that make the beta amyloid plaques that cause Alzheimer´s disease.
LR11 increase beta-amyloid production and may be a significant genetic cause of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The authors concluded that DHA increases SOR/LR11 levels and may play an important role in preventing late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Curcumin reducing Alzheimer`s risk [3]
Inflammation in Alzheimer's disease is characterized by increased cytokines and activated microglia. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used the reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease. The authors found curcumin promising to reduce excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and renal toxicity.

Curcumin significantly lowered oxidized proteins and interleukin-1 Beta, a proinflammatory cytokine elevated in the brains of these mice.

The authors concluded that curcumin spice may be promising for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

[1] Lim, Giselle P.; Calon, Frédéric; Morihara, Takashi; Yang, Fusheng; Teter, Bruce; Ubeda, Oliver; Salem, Jr, Norman; Frautschy, Sally A.; Greg M. Cole: A Diet Enriched with the Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Reduces Amyloid Burden in an Aged Alzheimer Mouse Model The Journal of Neuroscience, March 23, 2005, 25(12):3032-3040; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4225-04.2005
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/short/25/12/3032
[2] Qiu-Lan Ma, Bruce Teter, Oliver J. Ubeda, Takashi Morihara, Dilsher Dhoot, Michael D. Nyby, Michael L. Tuck, Sally A. Frautschy, Greg M. Cole: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Increases SorLA/LR11, a Sorting Protein with Reduced Expression in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Relevance to AD Prevention. The Journal of Neuroscience.
26 December 2007, Volume 27, Issue 52, Pages 14299-14307, doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3593-07.2007
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/27/52/14299

[3] Lim, Giselle P. ; Chu, Teresa; Yang, Fusheng; Beech, Walter; Frautschy, Sally A.; Cole, Greg M.: The Curry Spice Curcumin Reduces Oxidative Damage and Amyloid Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic Mouse. J. Neurosci., Nov 2001; 21: 8370 - 8377
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/short/21/21/8370

26.01.2007 26.01.2008:Healthy Food Code of Practice[1]
The UK Healthy Food Code of Practice includes a labelling regulation for food manufacturers, restaurants and other food outlets aiming to reduce consumption of saturated fat, sugar and salt.

OFCOM is also called review of restrictions on broadcast advertisement of food adverts aimed at children, which were introduced in stages last year.

Finally, local authorities are to be given planning powers to limit the number of fast food outlets in particular areas, such as in the vicinity of schools and parks.

Beyond promoting healthier food choices, the strategy has four other prongs to it and takes an integrated approach to tackling the obesity problem in the UK by reaching out to society at large.

These are:
Healthy growth and development of children
This includes investing in schools to up physical education activity and cooking lessons; and a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging parents to change their children's diets and increase their activity levels.
Physical activity
Projects include investing in town infrastructure to promote physical activity, and working with the entertainment industry to develop tools for parents to better manage the time children spend doing sedentary activities.
Incentives for better health
The incentives will be aimed at individuals, employers and the National Health Service (NHS), and will include personal financial incentives.
Personalised advice and support
Funding will be increased for the commissioning of more weight management services over the next three years; and the NHS Choices website will be developed.

The Food Law Code of Practice and associated Practice Guidance for England is available:
Code of Practice                            http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/codeofpracticeeng.pdf
Practice Guide                               http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/practiceguidanceeng.pdf
Summary of the main changes   http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/enf_e_06_016..pdf

[1]UK FSA: Code of Practice for England 12.08.2007
http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/foodlaw/foodlawcop/copengland

25/01/2008 - The microalgae Chlorella vulgaris could be a rich source of extractable antioxidants [1]
According to Ignacio Rodriguez-Gacia and Jose Luis Guil-Guerrero the antioxidant activity of the microalgal ethanolic extracts of Chlorella vulgaris was higher than that of Porphyridium cruentum, of Phaeodactylum tricornutum , of BHA and BHT.  Other sources of natural antioxidants may include the extracts from Porphyridium cruentum, Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

The authors concluded in this study that Chlorella vulgaris may be an important source of natural antioxidants, as an alternative to higher plants or the production by chemical synthesis.

[1] Rodriguez-Gacia, Ignacio; Guil-Guerrero, Jose Luis: Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of three microalgal species for use as dietary supplements and in the preservation of foods. Food Chemistry. Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.11.059     ScienceDirect

25.01.2008: X-Ray Inspection Systems [1]
X-Ray inspection detects metal, bone fragments, glass, shell, stone and many types of plastic and rubber contamination in food products such as meat, poultry and fish, and it can pinpoint the location of the contaminating particle.

X-ray inspection system can penetrate aluminium foil and metal cans, to reveal foreign particles as small as 0.5mm diameter and, depending on the specifications of the equipment, ignore metal or other artefacts that form part of the packaging, such as clips.

[1] Ishida Europe: X-Ray Inspection Systems
http://www.ishidaeurope.com/our_products/qualitycontrol_solutions/xray_inspection/

25.01.2008: Negative outcome probiotics in acute pancreatitis [1]
According to a press release of Gut Flora from 23.01.2007 in a study concerning the effects of probiotics in patients with severe acute pancreatitis, more people died in the group that was given probiotics than in the group that was not. Earlier studies had shown that that the treatment reduce the rate of pancreas infection.

In this study twenty-four died in the study group and nine died in the control group. It is not know what has caused the higher death rate, but the investigators advise colleagues not to use probiotic bacteria in the acute phase of this serious disease, at intensive-care patients, or the administration of probiotics through a feeding tube (directly into the intestine).

The bacteria involved in the research were varieties of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, or Bifidobacterium, from the DutchWinclove Bio Industries

[1]: Gut Flora: Experimental treatment for acute pancreatitis leads to unexpectedly high death rate.
Negative outcome probiotics in acute pancreatitis Press release- 23/01/2008
http://www.gutflora.org/hs-news.php?id=159

25.01.2008: Probiotic bacteria can ameliorate stress induced gastrointestinal disorders [1]
According to Laurent Diop and colleagues, the stress induces various disorders with gastrointestinal, physical, and psychological symptoms, in this case probiotics can help regulate or modulate gastrointestinal functions.

The authors found that the consumption of probiotics significantly reduced stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting.

For this study a proprietary blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 was used.

The researchers concluded that this blend of probiotic strains can provide a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by individuals affected by chronic stress.

[1] Diop, Laurent; Guillou, Sonia; Durand, Henri: Probiotic food supplement reduces stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Nutrition Research (Elsevier). Volume 28, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 1-5. Doi:101016/j.nutres.2007.10.001
ScienceDirect


25.01.2008: BASF increases GM expansion in Asia [1]
According to BASF the corporation signed cooperation and licensing agreement in biotechnology with Korea and China on GM crops such as corn, soybeans and rice. It will use a family of genes, such as license rights from CropDesign, which increase crop yield and can be transferred into a range of other crops.

Asia Pacific due to its emerging economy avoids everything which curbs quick development regardless to environment, ecology and food safety. One of these rapid development experiments had been the Green Revolution in India which is now driving local peasants to suicide. It is well-known that food politics in China is very far from excellent and China food is being warned from, so the GM traits of BASF suits well in this market.

[1] FoodNavigator: BASF expands GM activities in competitive Asia Pacific. 24.01.2008
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=82758&m=1fne124&c=cupvwwgxvukvwlm


25.01.2008: UK Environment Agency report says biofuel rises food prices and threatens food security [1]

The UK government 2008 report on biofuels says that this form of renewable energy is an expensive and ineffective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and is likely to cause increasing food prices and insecurity in Europe. This assertion is backed by the United Nations FAO which states that biofuel production rises food prices and threatens food security in developing countries.

The report say that the arable land in the EU is not sufficient to meet the target set by the EU Biofuels Directive. Imports will therefore be needed, increase environmental pressures in developingt countries, such as happening with palm oil is already happening in Malaysia and Indonesia.
The production of biofuels affects water use, water quality, waste management, and soil fertility, overuse of chemicals, preparing new land release CO2 and increase the risk of nitrate leaching.

[1] UK Environment Agency: Biofuels for Transport: Position Statement
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/512398/289428/1881465/


25.01.2008: Coffee may reduce risk of ovarian cancer [1]
Tworoger, Shelley S. and colleagues examined the associations between Smoking, caffeine, and alcohol intake and ovarian cancer risk.
The authors found that neither current nor past smoking was associated with ovarian cancer risk overall; however, both were associated with mucinous tumors. Caffeine from three or more cups of coffee may reduce ovarian cancer risk. more pronounced in women who had never used hormones. No association between alcohol and ovarian cancer risk was found.

[1] Tworoger, Shelley S.; Gertig, Dorota M.; Gates, Margaret A.; Hecht, Jonathan L.; Hankinson, Susan E.: Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoking, and the Risk of Incident Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancer. Published online ahead of print, 22 January 2008, doi: 10.1002/cncr.23275
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/117888868/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0


25.01.2008: Green tea extract may protect from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [1]
According to Richard S. Bruno and colleagues green tea extract inhibits intestinal lipid absorption and may regulate hepatic lipid accumulation and protects against hepatic lipid accumulation during the development of nonacoholic fatty liver disease in an obese mouse model by limiting hepatic lipid accumulation and injury without affecting hepatic antioxidant status and adiponectin-mediated lipid metabolism.

The polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin account for the health benefits of green tea. They are reduced tenfold in black tea by oxidation during the fermentation process.
The authors conclude that green tea extract may be used as a potential dietary strategy for preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and it may be helpful as a dietary therapy under conditions of preexisting hepatic steatosis. They suggest also to evaluate the extent to which green tea extract can prevent the transition toward more debilitating forms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

[1] Bruno, Richard S.; Dugan, Christine E.; Smyth, Joan A.; DiNatale, Dana A.; Koo, Sung I.: Green tea extract protects leptin-deficient, spontaneously obese mice from hepatic steatosis and injury. Journal of Nutrition. February 2008, Volume 138, Pages 323-331
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/138/2/323

24.01.2008: EFSA says cases of infections with Listeria monocitogenes are rising [1]
According to the EFSA 2008 updated opinion on Listeria monocytogenes risk the Pannel stresses that the number of infections are rising and gives advices to reduce the risk.
In its advice to industry, the Panel identified the following as key areas for attention: food packaging and preparation practices in the food chain (such as the slicing of RTE meat products), storage temperatures, general industrial good hygiene practices and the education and training of food handlers. The lack of an effective HACCP system may pose another risc.

Microbiological criteria [2]
Growth of L. monocytogenes is a function of the type of food, the storage time and the storage temperature.

Europe
Microbiological criteria have been implemented in Europe according to the categories of ready-to-eat foods. Microbiological criteria will assist in controlling the levels of L. monocytogenes e.g. absence in 25 g or 100 cfu/g at the point of consumption.

Codex alimentarius
The Codex alimentarius document on microbiological criteria for L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods suggests a zero tolerance throughout the shelf life of the product for ready-to-eat foods in which growth of this microorganism can occur. Applying this criterion close to the end of shelf life could classify products as unsatisfactory, although they are of low risk. An additional option proposed in this Codex document is therefore to tolerate 100 cfu/g throughout the shelf life provided that the manufacturer is able to demonstrate that the product will not exceed this limit throughout the shelf life. For ready-to-eat foods that support growth of L. monocytogenes, it is impossible to predict with high degree of certainty that the level will or will not exceed 100 cfu/g during the shelf life of these products. Thus, applying this option may result in accepting a probability that foods with more than 100 cfu/g will be consumed. The impact on public health would depend whether the levels markedly above 100 cfu/g are reached.
The Pannel recommends to investigate listeriosis cases more thoroughly and generate and analyse data on the consumption in the EU of ready-to-eat foods in which Listeria can be found.

EFSA recommendations
The Panel also advised that consumers should continue to observe recommended storage temperatures and keep food appropriately chilled at all times, and take note of the shelf-life of food in their refrigerators. Good food hygiene and preparation principles also play an important role in the prevention of Listeria and other food-borne infections.

New predictive microbiology tools for Listeria monocitogenes
The Pathogen Modeling Program (PMP) [3]
It is the most widely used predictive microbiology application software, and includes more than 35 models for 11 bacterial pathogens including L. monocytogenes. Download is free.
The ComBase [4]
It is a combined database of microbial responses to food environments. It is linked to the ComBase modelling toolbox, which includes :

• ComBase Predictor, a set of 23 growth models and 6 thermal death models for food pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms including L. monocytogenes,

• Perfringens Predictor, an application for predicting the growth of Clostridium perfringens during the cooling of meats.

• DMFit, a fitting tool, for growth and inactivation curves. The access is free.

The Food Spoilage Predictor (FSP) and the Seafood Spoilage and Safety Predictor (SSSP) [5]
Include models for different seafood spoilage bacteria, and a model to predict the simultaneous growth of L. monocytogenes and spoilage microorganisms in sliced and vacuum packed cold-smoked salmon.
Sym'previus [6]
Information from Sym'previus is available on a commercial basis.

The U.S. Food Protection Plan [7]
The FDA developed a new Food Protection Plan in late 2007 to address the changes in food sources, production, and consumption that we face in today's world. This plan is intended to cope with new infections like listeriosis. The Plan is based on three strings:

• Prevention of foodborne contamination: It aims to promote increased corporate responsibility to prevent illness. It also seeks to identify and assess vulnerabilities and expand understanding and use of mitigation measures.

• Intervention at critical stages in the food supply chain: This includes focus inspections and risk-based sampling, risk-based surveillance, and better detection of signals that indicate contamination has occurred.

• More rapid respond to problems: This is aimed to reduce the impact, and improve its communication on risks to the public, industry, and other stakeholders.

[1] EFSA: Request for updating the former SCVPH opinion on Listeria monocytogenes risk related to ready-to-eat foods and scientific advice on different levels of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods and the related risk for human illness. Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards (Question No EFSA-Q-2007-064) Adopted on 6 December 2007
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/Scientific_Opinion/biohaz_op_ej599_listeria_en.pdf

[2] EFSA: Request for updating the former SCVPH opinion on Listeria monocytogenes risk related to ready-to-eat foods and scientific advice on different levels of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods and the related risk for human illness - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards .
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178680093176.htm

[3] USDA: The Pathogen Modeling Program (PMP)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=6786

[4] The ComBase
http://www.combase.cc/

[5] Danish Institute for Fisheries Researche: Seafood Spoilage and Safety Predictor (SSSP) software v. 2.0 .
http://www.dfu.min.dk/micro/sssp/Home/Home.aspx

[6] Sym'previus
http://www.symprevius.net/

[7] FDA: Food Protection Plan
http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/food/plan.html

24.01.2008: New microencapsulation to improve probiotic foods [1]
Annan, Borza and Truelstrup Hansen encapsulated probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium adolescentis 15703T in alginate-coated gelatin microspheres to enhance their survival in adverse conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract. The Gelatin microspheres were cross-linked with the non-cytotoxic genipin and coated with alginate cross-linked by Ca2+ from external or internal sources. An improved survival of up to 16 per cent was achieved.

The authors concluded that this novel microencapsulation method protects probiotic bifidobacteria during exposure to adverse environmental conditions. This technology may improve existing probiotic foods.

[1] Annan, N.T.; Borza, A.D.; Truelstrup Hansen, L.: Encapsulation in alginate-coated gelatin microspheres improves survival of the probiotic Bifidobacterium adolescentis 15703T during exposure to simulated gastro-intestinal conditions. Food Research International (Elsevier). Published on-line ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2007.11.001               SienceDirect

23.01.2008: Natural antioxidants from garlic and onions
Pomegranate peel extract is a promising antioxidant for sunflower oil [1]
Pomegranate peels, an agricultural waste, was assessed by Iqbal Shahid and colleagues as an antioxidant source. Methanolic extract was found to be highest in yield. The authors found that 800-850 ppm of pomegranate peels extract to be as efficiency as the synthetic antioxidants BHT at its legal limit. In this study weight gain, antioxidant activity index, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were analysed as parameters of the stability of sunflower oil under test.

Important antioxidants of pomegranate are ellagitannin compounds like punicalagins and punicalins which are behind the reported health benefits such as heart health, prostate cancer risk reduction and improving  joint  cartilage.

The authors concluded that extracts from pomegranate peels to be a potent antioxidant for the stabilization of sunflower oil.

Garlic extract stabilizes sunflower oil [2]
Efficacy of methanolic garlic extract in stabilizing sunflower oil were studied by Iqbal and Bhanger. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of garlic in stabilising sunflower oil taking as parameters weight gain, antioxidant activity index, free fatty acid content, peroxide value, conjugated dienes, conjugated trienes and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances.

They concluded that garlic is a potent antioxidant for stabilization of sunflower oil.

Comparison of antioxidant activities extracts of garlic and onions [3]
The antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts of selected varieties and parts of garlic and onion were studied by Anna Maria Nuutila and colleagues using two methods: inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in isolated rat hepatocytes and scavenging activity against diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical.

According to the authors the radical scavenging method had more benefits compared to the lipid peroxidation method, being easier, cheaper, more specific and reproducible, and also correlated positively with the total phenolics of the extracts.

The researchers concluded that onions had clearly higher radical scavenging activities than garlic, red onion being more active than yellow onion, and the skin extracts of onion possessed the highest activities.

Antioxidant effect of garlic in chicken sauce [4]
Sallam and colleagues studied the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of equivalent concentrations of fresh garlic, garlic powder and garlic oil were investigated against lipid oxidation and microbial growth in raw chicken sausage during storage at 3°C. Fresh garlic and garlic powder were found to have high antioxidant activity and significantly reduce aerobic plate count extending the shelf-life of the product to 21 days

The authors concluded that. fresh garlic and garlic powder, through their combined antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, are potentially useful in preserving meat products.

[1] Iqbal, Shahid; Haleem, Saba; Akhtar, Mubeena; Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad; Akbar, Jamshed: Efficiency of pomegranate peel extracts in stabilization of sunflower oil under accelerated conditions. Food Research International (Elsevier). Published on-line ahead of print, doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2007.11.005
ScienceDirect

[2] Iqbal, Shahid; Bhanger, M.I.: Stabilization of sunflower oil by garlic extract during accelerated storage. Food Chemistry, Volume 100, Issue 1, 2007, Pages 246-254           ScienceDirect

[3]  Nuutila, Anna Maria;  Puupponen-Pimiä, Riitta;  Aarni, Marjukkaand;  Oksman-Caldentey, Kirsi-Marja: Comparison of antioxidant activities of onion and garlic extracts by inhibition of lipid peroxidation and radical scavenging activity.  Food Chemistry, Volume 81, Issue 4, June 2003, Pages 485-493             ScienceDirect

[4] Sallam, Kh. I.; Ishioroshi, M.; SamejimaK: Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of garlic in chicken sausage Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und-Technologie,Volume 37, Issue 8, December 2004, Pages 849-855    ScienceDirect

22.01.2007: Soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels, and promote weight loss[1]
Cope, Erdman and Allison reviewed studies related to weight reduction induced by soy protein, They concluded that the weight loss was equivalent when using soy protein, dairy milk meal replacements, beef or pork at equal calorie levels. Suggestion were found that soy protein may decrease short-term appetite and calorie intake. There were limited data of some evidence of soy isoflavones to improve the blood glucose and insuline levels, stopping fat tissue built up and enhancing fat breakdown. The cholesterol-lowering benefits of soy, and reduction of bone loss in women was also supported by the review.

The authors concluded that soy foods are as good as other protein sources for promoting weight loss and there is a suggestive body of evidence that soyfoods may confer additional benefits, but results must be carefully interpreted and additional evidence is needed before making firm conclusions concerning soyfoods and weight loss.

Black soy bean useful in weight reduction and improvement of LDL/HDL ratio in serum [2]
Shin Joung Rho and colleagues 2007 found that a diet of black soy bean peptide (Rhynchosia volubilis Lour.) given to mice reduced total cholesterol concentration and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio in serum, lowered the level of hepatic triglycerides, and excretion of faeces was higher compared with a casein diet.

The authors concluded that black soy peptide can be a potent nutraceutical component for anti-obesity and hypolipidaemic benefits.

[1] Cope, M.B.; Erdman Jr, J.W. ; Allison, D.B.: The potential role of soyfoods in weight and adiposity reduction: an evidence-based review. Obesity Reviews doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00390.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00390.x

[2] Rho, Shin Joung; Park, Soojin; Ahn, Chang-Won; Shin, Jae-Kil; Lee, Hyeon Gyu: Dietetic and hypocholesterolaemic action of black soy peptide in dietary obese rats. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Published Online: 26 Feb 2007. Doi:10.1002/jsfa.2808
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114129504/ABSTRACT



22.01.2007: Grape seed extract inhibition of lipid oxidation during meat storage [1] [2]
Brannan and Mah studied the antioxidant effect of grape seed extract in meat during storage. They found that grape seed extract inhibits lipid oxidation, helps to mitigate the pro-oxidative effects of NaCl, and may alter the effect of NaCl on protein solubility in salted chicken patties,
The authors concluded that grape seed extract at concentrations as low as 0.1% is a very effective inhibitor of primary and secondary oxidation products in various muscle systems and has potential as a natural antioxidant in raw and cooked meat systems.

[1] Brannan, Robert G.; Mah, Eunice: Grape seed extract inhibits lipid oxidation in muscle from different species during refrigerated and frozen storage and oxidation catalyzed by peroxynitrite and iron/ascorbate in a pyrogallol red model system. Meat Science. Volume 77, Issue 4. December 2007, Pages 540-546. Doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.05.001 sciencedirect

[2] Brannan, R.G.: Effect of Grape Seed Extract on Physicochemical Properties of Ground, Salted, Chicken Thigh Meat during Refrigerated Storage at Different Relative Humidity Levels. Journal of Food Science . Volume 73, Issue 1, Pages C36-C40, doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00588.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00588.x

22.01.2008: Health benefits of flavonoids from citrus fruits
Enzymatic modification of the citrus flavonoid hesperidin improves bioavailability in humans [1]

Hesperidin is the predominant polyphenol from citrus fruits and juices, but it has reduced bioavailability due to the rutinoside moiety attached to the flavonoid.  In a study by Nielsen and colleagues 2006 the rhamnose group was removed to yield the corresponding flavonoid glucoside improving the bioavailability of the aglycone hesperetin.

The authors concluded that the bioavailability of hesperidin was modulated by enzymatic conversion to hesperetin-7-glucoside, thus changing the absorption site from the colon to the small intestine.

Hesperidin and naringin from orange and grape fruits can lead to reductions in cholesterol levels in lab animals [2]
Shela Gorinstein and colleagues 2007 compared the influence of hesperidin and naringin, the main flavonones of orange and grapefruit, on plasma lipid profile and antioxidant activity in rats fed a cholesterol-containing diet. They found that a 30 day diet increased the plasma antioxidant activity.

The authors concluded that diets supplemented with hesperidin and naringin significantly hindered the increase in plasma lipid levels caused by cholesterol feeding. Hesperidin and naringin, bioactive compounds of citrus fruits, are powerful plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant activity increasing flavonones.


22.01.2007: Flavanones from citrus fruits may help to treat neurovegetative diseases [3]
According to Sam-Long Hwang and Gow-Chin Yen 2007 the citrus flavanones hesperidin, hesperetin, and neohesperidin from cirus fruits, have neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. The flavanones protect against oxidative stress , playing thus a neuroprotective role. Citrusfruits fruits have potential as functional foods for neuroprotectione.

The authors suggest the use of these flavanones in the intervention for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer´s disease,

[1] Nielsen, Inge Lise F. ; Chee, Winnie S. S.; Poulsen, Lea ; Offord-Cavin, Elizabeth; Rasmussen,Salka E.; Frederiksen, Hanne; Enslen, Marc ; Barron, Dennis; Horcajada, Marie-Noelle; Williamson, Gary : Bioavailability Is Improved by Enzymatic Modification of the Citrus Flavonoid Hesperidin in Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Trial. J. Nutr. 2006 136: 404-408.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/2/404

[2] Gorinstein, Shela; Leontowicz, Hanna; Leontowicz, Maria ; Krzeminski, Ryszard; Gralak, Mikolaj; Jastrzebski, Zenon; Park, Yong-Seo; Jung, Soon-Teck; Kang, Seong-Gook; Trakhtenberg Simon: Effect of hesperidin and naringin on the plasma lipid profile and plasma antioxidant activity in rats fed a cholesterol-containing diet. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Vol 87, issue 7. Pages 1257-1262. Published Online: 26 Mar 2007. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.2834

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114178333/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

[3] Hwang, Sam-Long; Yen, Gow-Chin: Neuroprotective Effects of the Citrus Flavanones against H2O2-Induced Cytotoxicity in PC12 Cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Published on-line ahead of print, doi: 10.1021/jf072826r Received September 23, 2007

http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/asap/abs/jf072826r.html


22.01.2008: Anti-atherosclerotic activity of avenanthramides from oat [1]
According to Chen and colleagues 2007 avenanthramides, alkaloids which occurre only in oats, may have anti-atherosclerotic activity.

The authors found that after consumption of 1 g avenanthramide-enriched mixture extracted from oats, plasma reduced glutathione was elevated by 21% at 15 min and by 14% at 10 h.

The authors concluded that oat avenanthramides are bioavailable and increase antioxidant capacity in healthy older adults.

[1] Chen, C.-Y. Oliver ; Milbury, Paul E.; Collins, F. William ; BlumbergJ, effrey B.: Avenanthramides Are Bioavailable and Have Antioxidant Activity in Humans after Acute Consumption of an Enriched Mixture from Oats J. Nutr., June 1, 2007; 137(6): 1375 - 1382.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/137/6/1375

20.01.2008: Reduction of trans-fatty acids may contribute to the prevention of prostate cancer [1]
According to Jorge Chavarro and colleagues 2008 blood levels of trans isomers of oleic and linoleic acids are associated with an increased risk of non-aggressive prostate tumours.

Trans fatty acids are also known to raise serum levels of LDL-cholesterol, reduce levels of HDL-cholesterol, can promote inflammation can cause endothelial dysfunction, and influence other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

This study backs food scientists and heath professionals and NGOs like CSPI which call for a worldwide ban of trans-fatty acids so as already in force in Europe. Partial hydration of edible oil can be avoided using fractions of palmoil . U.S., however has great plantations of soy, therefore the oil industry does not import palmoil which is more expensive. Deep-frying oil and margarine are still high on unhealthy trans-fatty acids.

Chavarro, Jorge E.; Stampfer, Meir J.; Campos, Hannia; Kurth, Tobias; Willett, Walter C.; Ma, Jing: A Prospective Study of Trans-Fatty Acid Levels in Blood and Risk of Prostate Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 1 January 2008, Volume 17, Pages 95-101, doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-0673
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/1/95

20.01.2007: Tapioca-based ingredient replaces butter
Ingredients firms in Europe have created healthy alternatives such as powdered tapioca starch that can replace 50% to 97% butter in bakery products. Other new ingredients based on lauric acid enable the production of low caloric whips, others reduce egg and fat content of cakes

19.01.2008: Genetic modified carrots could enhanced calcium intake [1]
Jay Morris and colleagues 2008 modified genetically carrots increasing the absorption of calcium by 41 per cent in humans. According to the authors the new calcium enriched carrot could help to compensate for a worldwide nutritional calcium deficiency.

The increased absorption was attained by altering the sCAXI gene which controls the absorption and transport of calcium in plants. Calcium enhanced plants would also be interesting for strict vegetarians

The authors stress that the technology may be applied to various crops because it involves the over-expression of a gene found in all plants

[1] Morris, Jay; Hawthorne, Keli M.; Hotze, Tim; Abrams, Steven A.; Hirschi Kendal D.: Nutritional impact of elevated calcium transport activity in carrots. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Published online ahead of print, PNAS Early Edition, doi: 10.1073/pnas.0709005105.
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0709005105v1

19.01.2008: UK advertising business in compliance with the Advertising Code [1] [2]
Content rules on advertising food and drink products to children came into effect in July 2007 and their aims to avoid adverts of poor nutritional habits or unhealthy lifestyle in children, and encourage excessive consumption. Also the use of licensed characters, celebrities, or promotional offers should be avoided.

According to the Advertising Standards Authority's survey, held in July 2007, an extremely high compliance rate, with 99.2% of ads surveyed deemed to be compliant with the Advertising Codes was found.
This should encourage other countries to tighten the rules on advertising of junk food to children

[1] ASA: ASA compliance survey reveals food and soft drink advertising is in good health
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/news/news/2007/Food+and+Soft+Drink+Advertising+Survey+2007.htm

[2]ASA: The Advertising Codes
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/codes/

19.01.2008 UK Soil Association banned Nanotechnology from organic foods
U.S. Environmental Protection Agencvy (EPA) and nanotechnology [1]
Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly one to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Many nanoscale materials are regarded as "chemical substances" under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The Nanotechnology White Paper [2]
The paper discusses the potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology, conduct risk assessment, responsible development, research needs for both environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology and concludes with staff recommendations for addressing science issues and research needs.

The paper organises nanoparticles in four groups:
  (1) Carbon-based materials: These nanomaterials are composed mostly of carbon, most commonly taking the form of a hollow spheres, ellipsoids, or tubes. Spherical and ellipsoidal carbon nanomaterials are referred to as fullerenes, while cylindrical ones are called nanotubes. These particles have many potential applications, including improved films and coatings, stronger and lighter materials, and applications in electronics.

  (2) Metal-based materials: These nanomaterials include quantum dots, nanogold, nanosilver and metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide. A quantum dot is a closely packed semiconductor crystal comprised of hundreds or thousands of atoms, and whose size is on the order of a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers. Changing the size of quantum dots changes their optical properties.

  (3) Dendrimers: These nanomaterials are nanosized polymers built from branched units. The surface of a dendrimer has numerous chain ends, which can be tailored to perform specific chemical functions. This property could also be useful for catalysis. Also, because three-dimensional dendrimers contain interior cavities into which other molecules could be placed, they may be useful for drug delivery.

  (4) Composites: They combine nanoparticles with other nanoparticles or with larger, bulk-type materials. Nanoparticles, such as nanosized clays, are already being added to products ranging from auto parts to packaging materials, to enhance mechanical, thermal, barrier, and flame-retardant properties.

Jean-Marie Lehn recieved in 1987 the Nobel-Price of chemistry for his work on nanotechnology.

Industrial involvement in nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is already being widely used by L'Oreal, Unilever and Lancome in their cosmetics and health products .

The NanoFood consortium was established by Danisco and Arla Foods. The consortium studies the applications, and improvement of the delivery of nutrients or flavours using nanoparticles in food products. [3]

The UK Soil Association wants to keep nanotechnology out of organic food [4]
The Soil Association is a certifier of organic products in UK. The association expresses concerns about the government's failure to follow scientific advice and regulate products. The association calls for an immediate stop of commercial release of nanomaterials until there is a sound body of scientific research into all the health impacts. The association recommends its associated organic producers to ban nanotechnology from their products.

BfR survey on nanotechnology acceptance [5]
According to a survey on nanotechnology acceptance the majority of the consumers are against the use of nanotechnology in food: 69 percent of the respondents reject the use of nanoadditives in spices to prevent them from becoming lumpy. 84 percent do not want any foods whose appearance has been rendered more appealing for longer through the use of nanoparticles.


[1] U.S. EPA: Nanotechnology under the Toxic Substances Control Act
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/

[2] U.S.EPA: Nanotechnology White Paper. 2007.
http://www.epa.gov/osa/pdfs/nanotech/epa-nanotechnology-whitepaper-0207.pdf

[3] NanoFood consortium: NanoFOOD – Samarbejde mellem offentlige forskningsinstitutioner og private virksomheder
http://www.inano.dk/sw6511.asp

[4] Soil Association first organisation in the world to ban nanoparticles -
potentially toxic beauty products that get right under your skin.
http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/89d058cc4dbeb16d80256a
73005a2866/42308d944a3088a6802573d100351790!OpenDocument

[5] BfR: The majority of consumers view the development of nanotechnology favourably 19.12.2007
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cd/10563

19.01.2008: Red palm weevil may pose a risk to date production[1]
The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) became a risk to date palms pest lays its eggs on the bark of the date, coconut, oil, sago and other ornamental palms.  Invasion spreaded from the Near East, the north of Africa and the European Meditarranean region. The weevil causes a total loss of the palms and rotting of the trunk which lead to the death of the tree. Adult females lay eggs in the crown of palm trees, larvae then penetrate the crown and later to most parts of the upper trunk, making tunnels of up to 1 m long. Pupation takes place in a cocoon under the bark.

Date palm is an important crop in north African countries and ornamental palms are widely planted as amenity trees in the whole Mediterranean area.

Phytosanitary measures taken in Israel according to Hamburger, Bitton and Nakache 2003: [2]

• R. ferrugineus was declared a quarantine pest, and the infested area was delimited on the basis on adult catches with aggregation pheromone traps (it included 600 ha of date palm plantations).
• Mass trapping was organized (at first 10-12 traps/ha, then decreased in 2000 to 1 trap/0.7 ha in infested areas and to 1 trap/3 ha in non-infested areas).
• Chemical treatments of infested trees.
• Destruction of heavily infested trees.
• Preventive measures to avoid infestations (drip irrigation to maintain trunk dry, removal of offshoots, preventive sprays on trunks).
• Regular inspections.

After 4 years of surveillance and control, the number of catches was reduced from 324 in 2000 to 26 in 2002, and no new infested tree was found in 2002. The authors concluded that mass pheromone trapping might have played a significant role in the suppression of red palm weevil populations in date plantations.

Dogs to find the weevil [3]
The tree being damaged by the weevil exudes a foul odour. Humans can eventually detect this smell but not soon enough to save the tree, which can be done, if caught in time, with Golden Retriever dogs are used in a joint Israeli-Arab project by the Shimon Peres Center for Peace, researchers. These dogs detect the presence of the grubs in the early stages of infestation when an injection of insecticide still may save the palm.

[1] RPW: Red Palm Weevil Distribution
http://www.redpalmweevil.com/Distribution/rpwworlddistribution.htm

[2] Hamburger, M.; Bitton, S.; Nakache, J. (2003) Control of red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a quarantine pest in Israel. Abstract of a paper presented at the 20th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel (Bet Dagan, IL, 2003-02-11/12). Phytoparasitica, 31(3), 299-300.
http://www.phytoparasitica.org/phyto/pdfs/2005/issue1/SOROK.pdf

[3] New Agriculturist: Dogs on crop protection duty.
http://www.new-agri.co.uk/00-3/newsbr.html#nb11

19.01.2008: German BFR concerned about 3-MCPD in refined oil and derived products [1 ]

According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) the substance 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) may be formed when fat-containing foods that also contain salt are exposed to high temperatures during production. It has been detected in numerous heated foods, for instance in dark brown toast, infant formula and follow-up formula. During the production of fats and oils, 3-MCPD fatty acid esters may be formed from 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol when the fats and oils are heated to high temperatures.

The BfR recommends that concerted action be taken to lower the levels of 3-MCPD esters in infant formula and follow-up formula, contain varying amounts of dried powder and water. The Institute recommends that mothers who are unable to breastfeed their infants and give them infant formula should continue to do so. Infants who are not breastfed there is no alternative to formula and follow-up formula. Mothers should not switch to cow, goat or horse milk either as they do not contain some of the essential nutrients that infants need.

Detected levels of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters
The BfR found that the amounts of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters detected in edible oils and fats were in the four to five digit microgram range. The highest level of 11,206 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) was found in deep-frying fat. In the infant formula and follow-up formula examined the highest level identified was 4,196 µg/kg in the fat content. For this food it amounts to around 25 percent of the dried powder.

The BfR stresses that it is unknown whether 3-MCPD fatty acid esters have the same toxic properties as free 3-MCPD. No data are available but it cannot be ruled out that free 3-MCPD is formed from most of the fatty acid esters during digestion.

According to the BfR men who consume 100 g of vegetable margarine with the highest detected level of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters daily would exceed the TDI five-fold, assuming that 3-MCPD fatty acid esters are fully converted into free 3-MCPD. Following tis assumption, intakes of formula and follow-up formula, infants would exceed the TDI three to twenty-fold.

Risk for infants and consumers
According to the BFR there are many uncertanties of a risk assessment. However, assuming that toxicological effects of 3-MCPD on animals can be translated to humans or that there is large scale conversion of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters into 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol, then the expected long-term exceeding of the TDI is not acceptable in the opinion of BfR particularly as children and adults ingest 3-MCPD from other sources, too. Any short-term exceeding of the TDI value would, by contrast, not present a safety concern.

[1] BFR: Frequently Asked Questions about 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD)
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cd/10581

18.01.2008: Addition of Calcium to modified whey protein concentrate (mWPC) leads to enhanced properties of the product [1]
Whey and lactose products in functional foods are used to increase added value to the product.
Debra Clare and colleagues studied the inclusion of calcium into whey protein concentrates solutions and powders.

The addition of calcium improved the functionality characteristics under pH 3,35
extended heat treatment, gelation, and spray drying. In solution adding calcium increased the thickening capacity, especially under refrigeration temperatures, and doubling of the water-holding capacity of bound or unfreezeable water of the solution was also observed.

[1] Clare, Debra A.; Lillard, S. John; Ramsey, Sharon R.; Amato, Penny M.; Daubert, Christopher R.: Calcium Effects on the Functionality of a Modified Whey Protein Ingredient. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Volume 55, Issue 26, Pages 10932-10940, doi: 10.1021/jf071613z
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2007/55/i26/abs/jf071613z.html

18.01.2008: Encapsulation of flavonols helps to improve functional beverages [1]
Lucas-Abellán and colleagues 2008 found that the encapsulation of flavonols quercetin and myricetin, using beta-cyclodextrin improved the dissolution and the bioavailability of quercetin and myricetin in functional beverages. These compounds were linked to the inhibition of lipid oxidation, improving heart health.

[1] Lucas-Abellán, Carmen; Fortea, Isabel ; Gabaldón, José Antonio; Núñez-Delicado, Estrella: Encapsulation of Quercetin and Myricetin in Cyclodextrins at Acidic pH. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Volume 56, Number 1, Pages 255-259, doi: 10.1021/jf0720640
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2008/56/i01/abs/jf0720640.html

18.01.2008: Cloning ethically not justified [1]
The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) has doubts as to whether cloning animals for food supply is ethically justified. Whether this applies also to progeny is open to further scientific research. The organisation does not see convincing arguments to justify the production of food from clones and their offspring, and recommends in case of future food products derived from cloned animals introduction to the European market, that the following requirements are met:

Food safety is considered to be a pre-requisite for the marketing of foods for human consumption. Concerning animal welfare and health, the five freedoms, should be met in intensive animal breeding: from hunger, thirst and malnutrition; from fear and distress; from physical and thermal discomfort; from pain, injury and disease; and to express normal patterns of behaviour should be maintained. A Code of Conduct on responsible farm animal breeding, including animal cloning should be prepared. Current EU legislation regarding traceability of animals and their food products should be enforced

Despite the efforts of open markets of the WTO, the import of cloned animals, their offspring and materials derived from cloned animals (e.g. semen and food products) should be conditional on proper documentation, in particular with regard to traceability provisions and animal welfare and initiatives to ensure consumers' freedom and rights should be taken. Proper measures to preserve the genetic heritage of farm animal species should be installed.

Public discussion related to the use of animal cloning should be promoted and indicators on public perception concerning the introduction of such products to the food market should be collected. Labelling procedures should be cleared prior to the marketing of such food in the EU.


[1] European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies: European Group on Ethics adopts its opinion nr. 23 on ethical aspects of animal cloning for food supply.
http://ec.europa.eu/european_group_ethics/activities/docs/press_release_opinion23_en.pdf

17.01.2008: The new European baby food regulation [1] [2]
The new regulations of the Commission Directive 2006/141/EC amending Directive 1999/21/EC on baby food is focused on the nutritional value of the formula to satisfy the nutritional requirements of the infant.

FSA says the rules will help parents and carers to clearly tell the difference between infant formula, which can be used for the first six months, and follow-on formula, which is only to be used after six months.

It also hopes to make sure labelling and advertising is in line with the principles laid out in the European code, on infant formula and follow-on formula and amending Directive 1999/21/EC.

Baby Milk Action say advertisements for formula are putting mothers off breastfeeding, and campaign for a complete ban.

Baby Milk Action is a non-profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding.[3]

A marketing code was introduced in 1981 to regulate the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Companies continue to violate its provisions.

The Infant and Dietetic Foods Association (IDFA) wants to delay by two years the regulation to come into force applying for a judicial review. [4]

[1] COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 1999/21/EC of 25 March 1999 on dietary foods for special medical purposes
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:1999:091:0029:0036:EN:PDF

[2]European infant formula and follow-on formula Regulation
Commission Directive 2006/141/EC of 22 December 2006 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae and amending Directive 1999/21/EC Text with EEA relevance.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:401:0001:0033:EN:PDF

[3]Baby Milk Action: New UK formula labels lack correct information - calls for better warnings and instructions
http://www.babymilkaction.org/press/press10aug07.html

[4]IDFA Newsroom: IDFA's action to protect the continued supply of baby milk formula.
http://www.idfa.org.uk/publications/IDFA_position_statement.pdf


17.01.2008: Reduction of packaging [1]
UK United Biscuits corporation came under pressure from climate campaigners for not revealing its emissions or setting any reduction targets.
In response United biscuits moves to reduce the total weight of packaging by 20 per cent by 2015 compared with 2003. The company states that more than 80 per cent by weight of all packaging is readily recyclable, and more than 90 per cent of the cardboard used is recycled board.

United Biscuits started a cooperation with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to develop new and more effective wrapping for the biscuit and snack markets.

The company anounces that it also wants to cut carbon dioxide emission from its vehicles by 22 per cent by 2012. and will issue specific requirements for sustainable ingredients sourcing in respoinse to pressure from the charity Christian Aid.

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) [2]
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment.
Important issues are reducing weight of packaging material, changing to 100% recyclable carton.

Redesigning packaging current packaging can improve food protection and reduces costs, such as happened with the introduction of the light glass bottle.

[1] United Biscuits achieving sustainability 14 January 2008
http://www.unitedbiscuits.com/80256C1A0047922E/vWeb/pcACHS7AUCJU

[2] Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
http://www.wrap.org.uk/


17.01.2008: Nitrofurans in Shrimps from Bangladesh [1]
Import of frozen shrimp and fish from from Bangladesh are threatened because of high contents of nitrofurans. The EU introduced strict laws against the presence of nitrofurans in food and rejected food with nitrofurans above zero level. The United States admits hat is 0.3 parts per billion as permissible level for nitrofurans.

Imports of sea food may be stopped as the Bangladesh government does not pay attention to the matter. The problems with nitrofurans are known since 2005

UK FSA response to nitrofurans in shrimps [2]
Test results have been received on warm water prawns and shrimps from SE Asia. The test results revealed that 16 out of the 77 samples of tested positive for illegal and unacceptable residues of nitrofuran drugs. These drugs are no longer permitted in the European Union for use in food producing animals. This is because of concerns including a possible increased risk of cancer in humans through long-term consumption.

The shrimps and prawns that were found to contain these residues are from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Bangladesh. Most of the samples with residues were tiger prawns and king prawns and not the cold water types which are used in the UK to make sandwiches and prawn cocktails. The affected batches are being recalled.

[1] NewAgeBusiness: Govt inaction hurts shrimp exports 15.09.2006
http://www.newagebd.com/2006/sep/15/busi.html

[2] FSA: Nitrofurans in shrimps and prawns. Question and Answers 15.01.2008
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/faq/51434/

17.01.2008: Metabolic changes induced by probiotic bacteria [1]
Jeremy K. Nicholson and colleagues 2008 using nutrimetabonomics researche tools found that probiotic strains could alter intestinal bacteria populations, and that this significantly influenced major metabolic pathways. Nestlé strains of Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus were given to mice whose intestinal microflora had previously been changed to human gut microbes.

The researchers found that the supplementation with the probiotics led to changes in host intestinal microflora and this lead to changes in the metabolism of liver, blood, urine, and faeces, affecting energy, lipid and amino acid. The energy recovery from the diet was modified, with subsequent effects on circulating lipids in the plasma and metabolism of glucose in the liver and bile acids, which are important key in the metabolism of fatty acids.

Stressing the different metabolic effects of the two probiotics in the host, the authors suggest the possibility of giving probiotic combinations according to a person's individual metabolic profile.

Nutrimetabonomics was developed by Sunil Kochhar and colleagues at the Nestlé Research Center (Switzerland) and Imperial College London to correlate metabolic phenotypes with a behavioral phenotype such as an affinity for rich, creamy chocolate. The Method is an offspring of metabonomics, a discipline that uses metabolic profiles of bodily fluids such as blood plasma and urine to understand drug toxicity, pharmacological responsiveness, and other biological events. This method is applied to examine the effects that diet has on metabolism. [2]

[1] Francois-Pierre J Martin, Yulan Wang, Norbert Sprenger, Ivan K S Yap, Torbjörn Lundstedt, Per Lek, Serge Rezzi, Ziad Ramadan, Peter van Bladeren, Laurent B Fay, Sunil Kochhar, John C Lindon, Elaine Holmes, Jeremy K Nicholson: Probiotic modulation of symbiotic gut microbial-host metabolic interactions in a humanized microbiome mouse model. Molecular Systems Biology. 4 Article number: 157. Published on-line ahead of print 15 January 2008, doi:10.1038/msb4100190
http://www.nature.com/msb/journal/v4/n1/full/msb4100190.html

[2] Perkel Jeffrey M.: A molecular picture of chocoholics. Journal of Proteome Research, Vol. 6 No.111, 2007
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/jprobs/6/i11/pdf/1107chocolate.pdf


16.01.2008: “Organic food” with GM ingredients [1]
The European organic farming legislation at EU was changed in June 2007 and will come into force
in January 2009. The legislation allow the use of GM-produced additives for which there is no alternative non-GM method in organic farming, such as animal-derived material raised with feed enriched with GM vitamins and GM enzymes. The finished product may then be labelled as “organic”.

German ” Non-GM food” with GM components
Based on the new legislation for organics, the German the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) reached a political agreement products using GM vitamins, additives and processing aids where there is no non-GM alternative available may be labelled as “non-GM”. This is to encourage the food industry to start using the non-GM labels.

German food industry federation, BLL
The German food industry federation, BLL says this misleads the consumer, thinking there is no intentional touch of GM in the product and the the credibility of the product will be reduced. The BLL will present its arguments at the hearing of the parliament.

EU Organic Regulation 834/2007 [2] [3]
Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 is hereby repealed as from 1 January 2009.
The new rules set out a complete set of objectives, principles and basic rules for organic production, and include a new permanent import regime and a more consistent control regime. The use of the EU organic logo will be mandatory, but it can be accompanied by national or private logos.
The place where the products were farmed has to be indicated to inform consumers.

Food will only be able to carry an organic logo if at least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic. But non-organic products will be entitled to indicate organic ingredients on the ingredients list only.
The use of genetically modified organisms will remain prohibited. It will now be made explicit that the general limit of 0.9 percent for the accidental presence of authorised GMOs will also apply to organic products .

The new rules also create the basis for adding rules on organic aquaculture, wine, seaweed and yeasts. The new organic regulation and labelling will come into force in January 2009

The EU followed the pressure of GM companies including AstraZeneca, BASF Plant Science, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, Du Pont, Monsanto and Syngenta. The new regulation increases the current threshold for GM contamination of organic food from 0.1 per cent to 0.9 per cent and allowing the use of GM-produced additives for which there is no GM-alternative the new regulation opens the way for genetically modified material to enter organic food.


[1] BLL: Pressemitteilung Regierungsentwurf zur Änderung der "ohne Gentechnik"-Kennzeichnung führt zu Verbrauchertäuschung
http://www.bll.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/pm_20080116_ohne_gentechnik/

[2]Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_189/l_18920070720en00010023.pdf

[3]Europa Rapid: Organic Food: New Regulation to foster the further development of Europe's organic food sector
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/807&format=HTML&aged=
0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

15.01.2008: Meat and dairy products from cloned animals in the EU and U.S.
Opinion of the EFSA on cloned foods [1]
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded there is no expectation that clones or their progeny would introduce any new food safety risks compared with conventionally bred animals.
According to the EFSA meat and milk obtained from healthy cattle and pig clones and their offspring are within the normal range with respect to the composition and nutritional value of similar products obtained from conventionally bred animals.

The opinion, however, says that there are only limited data on safety of cloned food and information on the survival of cloned animals. The EFSA opinion may influence the approval of cloned foods in USA.
The EFSA launched a public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on the implications of animal cloning on food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment. [2]

Cloning makes multiple exact copies of a single gene or other segment of DNA. The animals thus produced have the same genetic material as the original animal, allowing to create strains of animals with increased disease resistance and other qualities.

Coldiretti Italian Farmers Group
The Italian farmers' group Coldiretti says that cloned foods are an unacceptable risk. [3]

FDA wants to introduce cloned foods
According to the World Society for Animal Protection cloning results in animal suffering. with 95% of cloning attempts failing. In addition, many of the animals being cloned are those with particularly high productivity, such as cows with excessively large udders that produce more milk but also suffer from major leg problems and painful diseases. [4]

The agency is not requiring labeling or any other additional measures for food from cattle, swine, and goat clones, or their offspring because food derived from these sources is no different from food derived from conventionally bred animals, however, there are insufficient information of other animal species, such as sheep, which are recommended not to enter the food chain.  [5]

Should a producer express a desire for voluntary labeling (e.g., "this product is clone-free"), it will be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with statutory requirements that labeling be truthful and not misleading. The Agengy says that it did not consider moral, religious and ethical concerns aspects of cloning. The risk assessment was strictly a science-based evaluation. [5]

The Mikulski and Specter amendment [6]
Amendment 3524, introduced by Senators Mikulski and Specter, calls for more information on food products from cloned animals, with specific focus on elements that have not been addressed by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) initial risk assessment and reassures the moratorium on cloned foods.

The Food and Drug Administration FDA's preliminary report in December concerning the safety of cloned foods was criticized for being flawed and incomplete. According to the Center for Food Safety (CFS) there are few studies on the risks of food from clones, and no long-term food safety studies have been done. FDA indicates that it will not require labeling on cloned food, so consumers will have no way to avoid these experimental foods. The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to give its final verdict on food from cloned cattle and pigs soon.[6]

The proposed amendment to the Farm Bill calls for studies that would evaluate the health effects of allowing the commercialization of milk and meat from cloned animals. [7]

CSPI says that if companies begin using clones to breed food animals, they need to explain why. Will it make any food product better, safer, cheaper or more sustainable? Clear evidence of benefits must be generated if consumers are going to accept cloned animals and their products. [8]

Cloned meat and milk already entered US food chain [9]
According to Washington Post the U.S. cattle cloning companies did not tracked how many offspring of clones have entered the food supply. Producer say that cloned Kansas cattle semen were openly sold to many U.S. meat producers in the past years.

USDA encourages a voluntary moratorium [10]
USDA says that currently, the cloning industry is adhering to a voluntary moratorium on putting cloned products into the food chain. The Agency encourages the cloning industry to continue its voluntary moratorium for a sufficient period of time to prepare so that a smooth and seamless transition into the marketplace can occur.

The Food Standards Agency position
Foods produced from cloned animals fall under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 [11] (the ‘Novel Foods Regulation’). This means that meat, milk or eggs from cloned animals would be subjected to a safety evaluation and approved by all European Union (EU) Member States as a novel food before they could be legally marketed.

 In U.S. products from cloned animals and their offspring are allowed by FDA to enter the food chain. This may lead to the technology being considered for use in Europe. [12]

According to UK Food Standards Agency foods like meat milk and eggs from cloned animals are not allowed to enter the food chain in UK. [13]

There are no methods to detect offspring of cloned animals. As sperms from these animals are already being sent all over the world an unknown safety issue will affect the whole food industry with farming Frankenstein creatures.

[1] EFSA: Draft animal cloning opinion
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/DocumentSet/sc_opinion_clon_public_consultation.pdf

[2] EFSA: Public consultation on the draft “Scientific opinion on food safety, animal health and welfare and environmental impact of animals derived from cloning by somatic cell nucleus transfer (SCNT) and their offspring and products obtained from those animals” Deadline: 25.01.2008
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178676922939.htm

[3] Coldiretti News: N.022 - 11 gennaio 2008 : Clonazione: Coldiretti, via libera da EFSA e allarme a tavola in Europa. Occorre impedire il consumo inconsapevole di carni, latte e formaggi da animali clonati.
http://www.coldiretti.it/docindex/cncd/informazioni/022_08.htm

[4] World Society for Animal Protection: Act now to stop animal cloning. Cloned Food: recipe for disaster
http://www.wspa-usa.org/pages/2208_act_now_to_stop_animal_cloning.cfm

[5] FDA Issues Documents on the Safety of Food from Animal Clones.  Agency Concludes that Meat and Milk from Clones of Cattle, Swine, and Goats, and the Offspring of All Clones, are as Safe to Eat as Food from Conventionally Bred Animal. 15.01.2008
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01776.html

[6] The Center for Food Safety: Support the Cloned Food Labeling Act in the House and Senate
http://ga3.org/campaign/Cloning_Label


[7] Proposed Senate Amendment 3524 to H.R. 2419. Introduced November 6, 2007. SA 3524.
https://secure2.convio.net/navs/site/DocServer/Proposed_Senate_Amendment_to_H.R._
2419.pdf?docID=1121

[8] CSPI on the FDA’s Safety Assessment of Food from Cloned Animals.  Statement of CSPI Biotechnology Director Gregory Jaffe
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200801151.html

[9] Washington Post: USDA Recommends That Food From Clones Stay Off the Market. 16.01.2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011501555_pf.html

[10] USDA: FDA's Final Risk Assessment, Management Plan and Industry Guidance on Animal Clones and their Progeny. Release No. 0011.08. January 2008
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=
2008/01/0011.xml

[11] Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31997R0258:EN:HTML

[12] FDA: Cloned animals. 17.01.2007
http://www.food.gov.uk/gmfoods/cloned/

[13] Andrewe Wadge FSA: Cloned animals in the food chain.17.01.2008
http://www.fsascience.net/2008/01/17/cloned_animals_in_the_food_chain

14.01.2008: Health benefits of oats and oats-based products
Mark B. Andon and James W. Anderson assessed the literature of the last 10 years [1] concerning oats and oats-based products. They found that all concluded that consumption of oats and oat-based products significantly reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations without adverse effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations. extending it to other health benefits, such as reduce the risk for increased blood pressure, weight gain, and type-2 diabetes, reduce LDL cholesterol as part of a weight-loss program, and turn LDL cholesterol less susceptible to oxidation, and that Beta-glucan from oats may be responsible for decreases to LDL-C levels .

The authors concluded that the consumption of oats and oat-based products should be encouraged as part of an overall lifestyle medicine approach for the prevention of cardiovascular disease

The Cochrane Collaboration Review [2]
Despite the consistency of effects seen in trials of wholegrain oats, the positive findings should be interpreted cautiously. Many of the trials identified were short term, of poor quality and had insufficient power. Most of the trials were funded by companies with commercial interests in wholegrains. There is a need for well-designed, adequately powered, longer term randomized controlled studies in this area. In particular there is a need for randomized controlled trials on wholegrain foods and diets other than oats.
The authors point to a lack of studies on other wholegrains or wholegrain diets.

[1] Andon, Mark B.; Anderson, James W.: State of the Art Reviews: The Oatmeal-Cholesterol Connection: 10 Years Later. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2008, Volume 2, Pages 51-57.
DOI: 10.1177/1559827607309130.
http://ajl.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/2/1/51

[2] Kelly SAM, Summerbell CD, Brynes A, Whittaker V, Frost G. Wholegrain cereals for coronary heart disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005051. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005051.pub2
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab005051.htmlX

14.01.2008: France will impose a GM ban if serious safety doubts are presented [1]
The President Sarkozy in October 2007 imposed a temporary ban affecting cultivation of GM crops. This ban will end at the start of February but Sarkozy will restore the ban if scientists raise serious doubts about GM crops.

Austria enforced a ban on the import and processing of MON810 and T25 maize in June 1999 expressing concern about the effects on non-target organisms and the development of resistance to toxins by target organisms but failed to present scientific evidences for their claim. In 2005 the WTO ordered the ban to be lifted.

According to French anti-GM lobby leaded by Jose Bove pollination could cross-contaminate non-GM crops grown in the vicinity. The long-term health effects of GM on humans are not known. Bove is on hunger strike to enforce the GM ban.

The position of the Association Generale de Producteurs de Mais [2]
The Association Generale de Producteurs de Mais (AGPM) claims that the GM is needed because of considerable damage by corn borers in the south west and centre of the country.
According to AGPM there is absolutely no justification for this decision on a “genetic trait” which has been shown to be harmless and has been recognised as such for a long time, which is approved for use in many countries and has just been put back on the market in Germany after sales were suspended.

The AGPM highlights the implementation of a best practice guide for coexistence and traceability of GM and non-GM corn in 2004, and that no one of the plots studied went above the 0.9 % limit set by regulations for labelling. [3]

Greenpeace
According to Greenpeace in 2005 the European Commission Monsanto's approved MON810 maize under the old EU directive without a comprehensive monitoring plan. Greenpeace says that the new directive 2001/18/EC should to be applied for MON810. [4]


[1] Infoshop News: French anti-GM activist Jose Bove on hunger strike. 03.01.2008.
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20080103121327272

[2] AGMP News: GMOs: Keeping apace, avoidding problems. 12.07.2007
http://www.agpm.com/en/communique000114e2.php

[3]AGPM: GM maize in the field: Conclusive results. 15.05.2007
http://www.agpm.com/en/bibliothequeDocuments00010b87.php#

[4] Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2001:106:0001:0038:EN:PDF


14.01.2008: Lycopene may be beneficial treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) [1]
A possibly beneficial role of lycopene in patients diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), who are at increased risk of developing prostata carcinome was assesed by Silke Schwarz and colleagues 2008 using 15 mg lycopene for 6 month.

The researchers found that lycopene decreased the level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, the prostate did not enlarge in the lycopene group. Symptoms of the disease were significantly improved. he authors concluded that , lycopene inhibited progression of BPH.

[1]Silke Schwarz, Ute C. Obermüller-Jevic, Eva Hellmis, Winfried Koch, Günther Jacobi, and Hans-Konrad Biesalski : Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. J. Nutr. 2008 138: 49-53.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/1/49

13.01.2008 Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild birds in Dorset [1]
According to UK Defra laboratory test has confirmed highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in wild swans in Dorset. A 3km Control Area and a 10 km Monitoring Area has been established around the location.
UK, Poland, Hungary, Germany and the Czech Republic are European countries where bird flue outbreaks took place.

[1] Defra, UK: Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild birds in Dorset. January 12, 2008 18:37
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm

13.01.2008 Sorbitol in chewing gum and sweets may cxause serious weight loss  [1]
Sorbitol is a “sugar-free” sweetener found in chewing gum and sweets. The safety of sorbitol has been thoroughly reviewed by health and regulatory bodies around the world. The products containing sorbitol and other polyols must be labelled with the statement, "Excessive consumption may produce laxative effects."

According to Juergen Baudits and colleaugues 2008 serious weight loss and diarrhoea were caused by excessive sorbitol consumption. In the two reported cases the daily consume of sorbitol was abaut 20 to 30 grams.
The authors stress that the side effects of sorbitol are usually found only within the small print on foods containing sorbitol, consumers may be unaware of its laxative effects and fail to recognise a link with their gastrointestinal problems.

The industry would be well advised to print the warning concerning the laxative effect in 0,6 mm letters or higher.

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol derived from corn starch that is widely used in a range of food products, including confectionery, baked goods, jams and preserves, ice cream and diabetic foods. Sorbitol is hailed as noncariogenic, it has humectant and texturising properties and is used in food products such as snack foods and beverages.

The range of corn-derived sweeteners comprises glucose syrup, maltose syrup, high fructose corn syrup, crystallized glucose and maltodextrin and sorbitol, which is being sold as bulk reduced calorie sweetener.

Polyols such as sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, maltitiol and isomalt have been approved by the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) for use in foodstuffs and fall under the 'additives' label. In the sorbitol has achieved GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status.

[1] Bauditz, Juergen; Norman, Kristina; Biering, Henrik; Lochs, Herbert; Pirlich, Matthias: Lesson of the week: Severe weight loss caused by chewing gum. British Medical Journal 12 January 2008, Volume 336, Pages 96-97, doi:10.1136/bmj.39280.657350.BE
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7635/96

12.01.2008: Acrylamide linked to breast cancer [1]
Pelle Thonning Olesen and colleagues 2008 found a positive association between an increased acrylamide haemoglobin level and the development of breast cancer.

Acrylamide had been found to to cause cancer in laboratory rats, in carbohydrate-rich foods. Tobacco smoking also generates substantial amounts of acrylamide.

Despite being a carcinogen in the laboratory, many epidemiological studies have reported that actual exposition to acrylamide in food is too low to be of concern.

Pelle Thonning Olesen concludes in his publication that all previous epidemiological studies have been based on food frequency questionnaires, and that the risk of breast cancer doubles with a tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level.

According to the researchers there is a stronger association for oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer.

The authors say that it is uncertain whether breast cancer is instead related to other chemical compounds formed along with acrylamide during the heating of foods and that some of the acrylamide may come from sources other than food.

The Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer [2]
Janneke Hogervorst and colleagues 2007 increased risks of postmenopausal endometrial and ovarian cancer with increasing dietary acrylamide intake, particularly among never-smokers. Risk of breast cancer was not associated with acrylamide intake.

The HEATOX Study [3]
The HEATOX risk characterization concludes that the evidence of acrylamide posing a cancer risk for humans has been strengthened, and that acrylamide is not the only genotoxic compound formed when heating food. Furan, HMF and other compounds have been investigated. A database of more than 800 heat-induced compounds, of which around 50 have been highlighted as potential carcinogens based on their chemical structure, has been compiled to aid future research.
Acrylamide reduction methods for industry and for home are highlighted.

[1] Olesen, Pelle Thonning; Olsen, Anja; Frandsen, Henrik; Frederiksen, Kirsten; Overvad, Kim;Tjonneland, Anne: Epidemiology: Acrylamide exposure and incidence of breast cancer among menopausal women in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study. International Journal of Cancer. Published online January 8 2008. Doi:10.1002/ijc.23359
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/117881842/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

[2] Hogervorst, Janneke G.; Schouten, Leo J.; Konings, Erik J.; Goldbohm, R. Alexandra; van den Brandt, Piet A. : A Prospective Study of Dietary Acrylamide Intake and the Risk of Endometrial, Ovarian, and Breast Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 16, 2304-2313, November 1, 2007. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-0581
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/16/11/2304?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=
10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=acrylamide&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

[3] Press release: HEATOX project completed – brings new pieces to the Acrylamide Puzzle. Newsarchieves 26.11.2007.
http://www.slv.se/templates/SLV_NewsPage.aspx?id=14750&epslanguage=EN-GB


12.01.2008: Hen battery cages in UK banned in 2012
Battery cages for hens are scheduled to come under an EU-wide ban in 2012. The European Commission confirmed that the ban will go ahead. The National Farmers Union says the ban must also be applied to imports. [1]

The British Egg Industry Council also says that more than 85 per cent of UK egg producers subscribe to its British Lion Code of Practice which sets animal welfare requirements. [2]

There is a growing pressure of more ethical food sourcing and livestock treatment to both regulators and consumers.

[1] National Farmers Union: Poultry welfare facts
http://www.nfuonline.com/x25126.xml

[2] British Egg Industry Council: British Lion Code of Practice
http://www.stonegate.co.uk/pdfs/lioncodeofpractice.pdf


12.01.2008: Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild birds in Dorset [1]
According to UK Defra laboratory test has confirmed highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in wild swans in Dorset. A 3km Control Area and a 10 km Monitoring Area has been established around the location.

[1} Defra, UK: Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild birds in Dorset. January 12, 2008 18:37
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm


10.01.2008: Listeria monocitogenes in US milk [1]
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health located the source of the outbreak at the beginning of January. after four people had become ill, two of whom fatally, The bacteria is believed to have entered the dairy’s milk supply after it was pasteurized.

Milk pasteurisation and Listeria [2]
Current state and local regulations throughout the United States specify time and temperature conditions for pasteurization. These regulations call for milk to be heated to at least 71.7 C for 15 seconds (i.e., high-temperature short-time (HTST) process) or to 62.8 C for 30 minutes .

Viable L. monocytogenes could be recovered after minimum HTST treatment (71.7 C for 15 seconds), although not after treatment at 76.4 C-77.8 C for 15 seconds. This survival was attributed in part to protection of L. monocytogenes within leukocytes in milk (intracellular L. monocytogenes organisms are found in milk from infected cows but not in artificially inoculated milk), but these findings may not be applicable to usual production conditions.

In another study in which investigators identified cows that had been naturally infected with L. monocytogenes, proper pasteurization was found to inactivate L. monocytogenes in milk contaminated through natural infection as well as in artificially inoculated milk.

The World Health Organization Working Group on foodborne listeriosis recently concluded that "pasteurization is a safe process which reduces the number of L. monocytogenes occurring in raw milk to levels that do not pose an appreciable risk to human health"

CDC concludes that improperly performed pasteurization and the occurrence of contamination after pasteurization are the most likely explanations for the presence of L. monocytogenes in pasteurized milk.

The  risk is heightened in food processing environments, where Listeria bacteria tend to thrive, particularly in floor drains and other cool, damp areas. According to health officials, they suspect the Whittier Farms pasteurized milk was contaminated after the pasteurization process.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is recommending that consumers do not consume Whittier Farms milk products. Because the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days, anyone who has consumed the milk should watch for Listeria symptoms, including fever, muscle aches and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. In pregnant women, the symptoms may be mild, but an infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or early delivery.

USDA measures to close recent food safety loopholes [3]
In November 2007 the USDA launched a new Food Protection Plan, combining science and information technology to identify potential hazards before they have an impact. The Food Protection Plan comprises:

Prevention of foodborne contamination: This aims to increase corporate responsibility to prevent illness. It seeks to identify and assess vulnerabilities and expand understanding and use of mitigation measures.

Intervention at critical stages in the food supply chain: This includes inspections and risk-based sampling, risk-based surveillance, and better detection of signals that indicate contamination has occurred.

FDA more rapide respond to problems: This reduces the impact, and improve its communication on risks to the public, industry, and other stakeholders.


Related links to food safety:
Food Safety and Inspection Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
www.FoodSafety.gov (Managed by Food and Drug Administration)

Gateway to Government Food Safety Information
National Food Safety Programs (www.foodsafety.gov)
Produce and Import Initiative / Eggs / Fruit Juice / Sprouts / Listeria / Research /
Risk Assessment
Food Defense and Terrorism (Food and Drug Administration)
Food Safety Office (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Food Safety (Environmental Protection Agency)

[1] The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH): MDPH continues Listeria investigation
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=pressreleases&agId=Eeohhs2&prModName=
dphpressrelease&prFile=080108_listeria_investigation.xml

[2] CDC: Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Update -- Listeriosis and Pasteurized Milk. December 16, 1988 / 37(49);764-766
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001316.htm

[3] FDA: Food Protection Plan: An integrated strategy for protecting the nation's food supply. November 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/food/plan.html


10.01.2008: Organic milk in USA under fire
Aurora, selling milk under brands which include Costco's Kirkland and Target's Archer Farms in cartons marked "USDA organic," with pictures of pastures or other bucolic scenes, was lawsuited for not being organic at all. [1]

Aurora claims that there is absolutely no basis for claims we defrauded consumers by selling milk
that isn’t organic – none whatsoever. [2] [3]

The Organic Foods Production Act
Consumers buy organic food believing it is free of hormones or pesticides and the production protects the environment. Organic products, however, are being sold in such quantities that it is not possible to follow organic rules established by the Organic Foods Production Act 1990 [4].

The Harvey Rule
The “Harvey Rule”, demand organic grain, compared with the earlier standard of 80 percent organic grain and 20 percent conventional grain. The Harvey Rule went into effect in June 2007 [5].
But rising corn prices are a problem for organic farmers, because corn farmers see few incentives to go organic because they can make so much money selling their crops to make ethanol.

Meanwhile overproduction of organic milk drives to greater quantities of organic powdered milk, yogurt, ice cream, Omega-3-fortified organic milk and cheeses.

[1] Organic Consumer Association: Boycott the shameless seven-organic outlaws labelling factory farm milk as “USDA ORGANIC”
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=4756

[2] Aurora Press Release: Aurora Organic Dairy Will Fight Purported Class-Action Lawsuits. October 17, 2007.
http://www.auroraorganic.com/aodweb/site/news/press_14.pdf

[3] Aurora Press Release: USDA Dismisses Complaints Against Aurora Organbic Dairy. August 29, 2007.
http://www.auroraorganic.com/aodweb/site/news/press_12.pdf

[4] USDA: The National Organic Program: Organic Foods Production Act 1990
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/archive/OFPA.html

[5] The National Agricultural Law Center Magistrate Issues Decision on Inconsistency of Organic Program Final Rule and Organic Foods Production Act
http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/cases/harvey3.html


10.01.2008: Organics in Brazil [1]
It is estimated that the country is sixth in the world in terms of area turned to organic production, with around 890,000 hectares. Brazil is only behind Australia, China, Argentina, Italy and the United States.
Organics Brazil maintains a database of organic export products, their producers and the certifying organisations. [2]

Law 10,831  [3] promulgated by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2003 and that launches sector guidelines defines that organic products are all those produced in "organic systems", i.e., free of "synthetic material", "genetically modified organisms" and "ionizing radiations" - which cause cancer. The concept involves social, cultural and environmental aspects.

[1] APEX: Organic products: Brazil enters the game
http://www.apexbrasil.com.br/eng/noticia_detalhe.aspx?idnot=54

[2] OrganicsBrasil: Which product are you looking for?
http://www.organicsbrasil.org/eng/importador_buscaporproduto.ph

[3] Lei Nr. 10831 de 23 de dezembro de 2003
http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil/LEIS/2003/L10.831.h


10.01.2008: Acrylamide reduction
Asparaginase [1]
The formation of cancirogen acrylamide in baked, fried and toasted foods can be reduced or even avoided. Two enzyme products, Preventase, a DMS enzyme from Aspergillus orysae and Novoenzyme´s Acrylaway from Aspergillus niger convert asparagine into aspartic acid. Aspartic acid does not form acrylamide. Browning and taste of backed foods like chips, bread, biscuits, crackers, formed potato products and crackers remain unaltered. The enzymes are approved in Europe and are considered as GRAS in the USA.

Pedreschi and colleagues report that blanching potato strips at 75 °C for 10 min followed by soaking in an 10,000 ASNU/l asparaginase solution at 40 degrees Celsius for 20 minute reduced acrylamide formation after frying by 60 per cent.

CIAA acrylamide Toolbox [2]
The Acrylamide Toolbox provides solutions and methods to reduce acrylamide formation. The Toolbox includes asparaginase as and additional tool to reduce the formatioln of acrylamide.
It comprises the Acrylamide Pamphlets for five sectors: biscuits, crackers and crispbreads, bread products, breakfast cereals, fried potato products such as potato crisps and french fries, developed in collaboration with the European Commission. [3]

[1] Pedreschi, Franco; Kaack, Karl; Granby, Kit: The effect of asparaginase on acrylamide formation in french fries. Food Chemistry (Elsevier) Published on-line ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.12.057

[2] The CIAA Acrylamide “Toolbox”. December 2007 – Rev.11
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/contaminants/ciaa_acrylamide_toolbox.pdf

[3] Food Safety-From Farm to Fork: Food Contaminants-Acrylamide http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/contaminants/acrylamide_en.htm


10.01.2008: Infant formula made from soy protein is no substitute for cow’s milk products[1]
Soya formula for infants should only be administered on doctor’s advice Soybeans contain high concentrations of isoflavones which are similar to the female hormone oestrogen. The two main ones are the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. Soybeans may also contain higher amounts of the plant component, phytate.
In animal experiments isoflavone intake affects the development of reproductive organs, the immune system and the thyroid gland. For precautionary reasons BfR backs the recommendation of the Nutrition Committee of the German Society for Paediatric and Youth Medicine, which says that infant formula made from soy is no substitute for cow’s milk products. Babies who are not or not exclusively breastfed should only be given this formula in exceptional, concrete cases on doctor’s advice. Soy formula for infants is not intended for administration to healthy infants.

In case of lactase intolerance it is not generally a reason for turning to lactase-free infant soy formula In the case of infants with a cow’s milk allergy, too, the Committee does not recommend soy form ula at the start of treatment. Where appropriate, special protein hydrolysates can be used. Soy protein itself can trigger allergic reactions and does not prevent allergic disorders.
They should, therefore, only be given to infants over longer periods in exceptional, justified cases.

If parents reject cow’s milk-based infant formula on ethical or religious grounds, soy formula is one alternative - but only after seeking medical advice.

[1] Federal Institute for Risc Assessment: Infant formula made from soy protein is no substitute for cow’s milk products. 21/2007, 19.11.2007
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cd/10333


07.01.2008: Traffic lights not understood on the continent

__________________________        UK Traffic light labeling  initiated by the UK FSA uses the     colours to indicate the levels of                         nutrients __________________________
___________________________ UK food industry already uses the                      colours            RED for bad (high) YELLOW for middle (acceptable)      GREEN  for good amount __________________________
_______________________ Labelling on the European             continent Marketing does not know      the new labelling _______________________ The food industry did not understand the system. and uses  colours to fit their layout. It confuses the consumer  because red is always associated with danger. In this product FAT should carry  GREEN colour. Marketing CEOS please  get informed about correct labeling at: http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/trafficlights/

05.01.2008: Vitamin D2 is as effective as vitamin D3 [1]
Michael Holick and colleagues found that vitamin D2 daily was as effective as the same amount of vitamin D3 in maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and did not negatively influence serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Therefore, vitamin D2 is equally as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D status. This study was performed in response to two reports suggested that vitamin D2 is less effective than vitamin D3 in maintaining vitamin D status.

Diagnosis and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency [2]
According to Cannell and colleagues 2008 the metabolic product of vitamin D is a potent, pleiotropic, repair and maintenance, secosteroid hormone. Vitamin D deficiencies are common, standing for a host of diseases other than cancer.
Daily ingestion of 1100 IU of colecalciferol (vitamin D) over a 4-year period were suggested to reduced the incidence of non-skin cancers. The authors stress that official recommendations were never designed and are not effective in preventing or treating vitamin D deficiency.
Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency
The authors say that assessing serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D is the only way to make the diagnosis and to assure that treatment is adequate and safe.

They recommend that the of serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D should be raised > 40 ng/ml, year around, which is the level found in humans living naturally in a sun-rich environment. Sunlight, artificial ultraviolet B radiation or supplementation are being suggested by the authors which say that benefits of all treatment modalities outweigh potential risks.

Cannell and colleauges suggest a supplementation of ≤ 5000 IU (125 μg) of vitamin D/day for obese, aged and/or dark-skinned patients to maintain adequate levels during the winter at many temperate latitudes

[1] Holick, Michael F.; Biancuzzo, Rachael M.; Chen, Tai C.; Klein, Ellen K. ; Young, Azzie; Bibuld, Douglass; Reitz, Richard; Salameh, Wael; Ameri, Allen; Tannenbaum, Andrew D.
Vitamin D2 is as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Published online ahead of print, 18 December 2007. doi:10.1210/jc.2007-2308
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jc.2007-2308v1

[2] Cannell, JJ; Hollis, BW; Zasloff, M; Heaney , RP: Diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. January 2008, Vol. 9, No. 1, Pages 107-118 doi:10.1517/14656566.9.1.107.
http://www.expertopin.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14656566.9.1.107?cookieSet=1&journalCode=eop


05.01.2008: The BPA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)[1]
According to Calafat and colleagfues 2008 BPA is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins (BPA) and nonionic surfactants (tOP) . The authors measured the total urinary concentrations of BPA and tOP in the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. BPA and tOP were detected in 92.6% and 57.4% of the persons, respectively.
The authors concluded that urine concentrations of total BPA differed by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and household income. The study should help guide public health research priorities, including studies of exposure pathways, potential health effects, and risk assessment.

BPA: Bisphenol A (BPA; 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane):
BPA is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, which can be used in impact-resistant safety equipment and baby bottles, as protective coatings inside metal food containers, and as composites and sealants in dentistry. Exposure to BPA is thought to result primarily from ingestion of food containing BPA. [2] [3].

tOP: 4-tertiary-octylphenol (tOP; 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol):
tOP is both a degradation product of and an intermediate in the manufacture of octylphenol ethoxylates, which are nonionic surfactants used in detergents, pesticide formulations, and other applications. Exposure to tOP may occur from contact with personal care products, detergents, water, and food containing tOP.
BPA and tOP are of concern to environmental public health because of the high potential for exposure of humans to these phenols and their demonstrated animal toxicity.
Exposures to tOP can result in developmental and reproductive alterations in aquatic species and in laboratory animals. At high doses, BPA demonstrates estrogen-like effects on uterine and prostate organ weights in experimental animals. At doses below the putative lowest observed adverse effect level, exposure to BPA has reportedly resulted in decreased sperm production, increased prostate gland volume, altered development and tissue organization of the mammary gland, altered vaginal morphology and estrous cycles, disruption of sexual differentiation in the brain, and accelerated growth and puberty.

BPA in drinking bottles [4]
Hoa H. Le and colleagues evaluated the migratio of BPA into water stored in new or used high-quality polycarbonate bottles used by consumers. they found migration rates ranging from 0.20 ng/h to 0.79 ng/h. At room temperature the migration of BPA was independent of whether or not the bottle had been previously used. Exposure to boiling water (100 °C) increased the rate of BPA migration by up to 55-fold.

The authors concluded that the amounts of BPA found to migrate from polycarbonate drinking bottles should be considered as a contributing source to the total “EDC-burden” to which some individuals are exposed.

BPA and nonylphenol (NP) pollution a consequence of human domestic and industrial waste discharge [5]
Hodaka Kawahata and colleagues analyzed endocrine disrupters nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) levels at various sites in Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan. River-water samples showed low to undetectable concentrations of NP and BPA, but appreciable amount of NP and BPA were detected in sediments at one coral reef site and in river sediment.

The authors stress that the influence of endocrine disrupters may have already begun on adjacent coral reefs and conclude that NP and BPA pollution is a consequence of human waste discharge, both domestic and industrial, and not by agricultural activities.

Sewage treatment plant effluents cannot be the only sources for tech.-4-NP found in the river water in Germany [6]
Four small freshwater streams in the region known as Hessisches Ried in Germany were investigated with respect to the temporal and spatial concentration variations of the endocrine disruptors bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-tert-OP), and the technical isomer mixture of 4-nonylphenol (tech.-4-NP).


Quednow and Püttmann 2007 found that BPA levels concentration were decreasing due to the European Directive 2003/53/EG which restricts the marketing and the use of nonylphenols [7]. Results from the analysis of additionally collected water samples from sewage treatment plant effluents indicate that these efluents cannot be the only sources for tech.-4-NP found in the river water.

The European Directive 2003/53/EG:  The directive aims to protect the environment and in particular the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture, establishing a concentration limit value for NP and NPE in sewage sludge that is to be spread on land.

In order further to protect the environment, the placing on the market and the use of NP and NPE should be restricted for specific uses which result in discharges, emissions or losses to the environment.

                                           Nonylphenol C6H4(OH)C9H19
                                           Nonylphenol ethoxylate (C2H4O)nC15H24O
These compounds may not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in concentrations equal or higher than 0,1 % by mass for the following purposes:

(1) industrial and institutional cleaning except:
           - controlled closed dry cleaning systems where the washing liquid is recycled or incinerated,
           -  cleaning systems with special treatment where the washing liquid is recycled or incinerated;
(2) domestic cleaning;
(3) textiles and leather processing except:
           - processing with no release into waste water,
           - systems with special treatment where the process water is pretreated to remove the organic        
             fraction completely prior to biological waste water treatment (degreasing  of sheepskin);
(4) emulsifier in agricultural teat dips;
(5) metal working except:
           - uses in controlled closed systems where the washing liquid is recycled or incinerated;
(6) manufacturing of pulp and paper;
(7) cosmetic products;
(8)other personal care products except:-
(9) spermicides;
(9) co-formulants in pesticides and biocides.


[1] Calafat, Antonia M.; Ye, Xiaoyun; Wong, Lee-Yang; Reidy,John A.; Needham, Larry L.: Exposure of the U.S. Population to Bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-Octylphenol: 2003–2004. EnvironmentalHealth Perspectives, Volume 116, Number 1, January 2008.
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/10753/abstract.html

[2]Kang JH, Kondo F, Katayama Y. 2006. Human exposure to bisphenol A. Toxicology 226:79–89. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2006.06.009  Science direct

[3]Vandenberg LN, Hauser R, Marcus M, Olea N, Welshons WV. 2007. Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). Reprod Toxicol 24:139–177 doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.07.010  Science direct

[4] Le, Hoa H.; Carlson, Emily M.; Chua, Jason P.; Belche, Scott M.:
Bisphenol A is released from polycarbonate drinking bottles and mimics the neurotoxic actions of estrogen in developing cerebellar neuronns Toxicology Letters. Volume 176, Issue 2, 30s. Toxicology Letters  Volume 176, Issue 2, 30 January 2008, Pages 149-156 Doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2007.11.001 Science direct

[5] Kawahata, Hodaka; Ohta, Hidekazu; Inoue, Mayuri; Suzuki, Atsushi: Endocrine disrupter nonylphenol and bisphenol A contamination in Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan––within coral reefs and adjacent river mouths. Chemosphere, Volume 55, Issue 11, June 2004, Pages 1519-1527
doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.01.032   Science direct

[6] Quednow, Kristi; Püttmann, Wilhelm: Endocrine disruptors in freshwater streams of Hesse, Germany: Changes in concentration levels in the time span from 2003 to 2005 Environmental Pollution, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 15 August 2007 Doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2007.05.032  Science direct

[7] Directive 2003/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2003 amending for the 26th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement) 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:178:0024:0027:EN:PDF


04.01.2008: Television advertising of food and drink products to children in UK [1]
Ofcom found it appropriate and necessary to adopt restrictions intended to reduce significantly the exposure of children under 16 to advertising of food containing high fat sugar and salt (HFSS).

Ofcom's co-regulatory partners, the Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice (BCAP) and the Advertising Standards Authority, are now responsible for implementing the new scheduling and content rules and securing compliance respectively. The new rules will form part of the BCAP Television Advertising Standards Code.

Scheduling restrictions
The scheduling restrictions will now come into effect on a phased basis for all channels, as follows:
From 1 April 2007, HFSS advertisements will not be permitted in or around programmes made for children (including pre-school children), or in or around programmes that are likely to be of particular appeal to children aged 4-9; and

• From 1 January 2008, HFSS advertisements will not be permitted in or around programmes made for children (including pre-school children), or in or around programmes that are likely to be of particular appeal to children aged 4-15.

• Children’s channels will be allowed a graduated phase-in period, with full implementation required by the end of December 2008.

• New content rules come into effect immediately for new advertising campaigns.

• Existing advertising campaigns or those in the final stages of creative execution can be broadcast until the end of June 2007. However, from 1 July 2007 all advertising campaigns must comply with the new content rules.

• Scheduling restrictions will be confined to food and drink products that are assessed as high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) as defined by the Food Standards Agency’s nutrient profiling model;

• A total ban on HFSS food and drink advertisements in and around all programmes of particular appeal to children under 16 from 1 January 2008 (and from programmes of particular appeal to children under 10 from 1 April 2007);

• This would include a total ban in and around all children’s programming and on dedicated children’s channels as well as in youth-oriented and adult programmes which attract a significantly higher than average proportion of viewers under the age of 16;

• In addition to the scheduling restrictions outlined above, content rules will also apply to all food and drink advertising to children irrespective of when it is scheduled. These rules include banning the use of celebrities and characters licensed from third parties, promotional offers and health claims in HFSS product advertisements aimed at primary school children or younger;

• All restrictions on product advertising will apply equally to product sponsorship;
• Ofcom will review the effectiveness and scope of new restrictions in autumn 2008, one year after the full implementation of the new content rules.

A food advertising watershed has not been proposed by regulators, but a review of the existing rules on HFSS advertising in 2008 will take place. In November 2007 consumer watchdog Which? called for a 9pm watershed.

The Food and Drink Federation and the Advertising Associationt is campaignin to prevent the imposition of a 9pm watershed on advertising HFSS foods These organisations argue that the most popular programmes with kids are not aimed at their age-group, and regulation restrictions around programmes made for the under-10s are ineffectual.

The Advertising Association reports that there has been a shift in the nature of food advertising on television in the last three years away from HFSS foods and says that it is building on self-regulation in order to avoid the imposition of new regulations. [2]

[1] Ofcom publishes final Statement on the television advertising of food and drink products to children
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2007/02/nr_20070222

[2] FoodNavigator: Industry prepares to fight junk food ad watershed
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=82293-fdf-advertising-asociation-hfss-obesity-children