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

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27.03.2008:Calorie load responsible for activation of the food reward system increasing obesity
According to Andrews and Horvath 2008 food palatability acts on the dopaminergic reward system to override homeostatic control. The authors support the study of Ivan Araujo and colleagues 2008 which lifts questions on the dopamin theory. [1]

The study of Araujo and colleagues used trpm5−/− mice which have no capacity for sweet taste. They found that these mice developed preference for a sugar solution based only on the caloric content and dopamin was secreted, but not when clear water was ingested. Dopamin was not secreted when the sugar solution was sucralose sweetener solution lacking calories.
The authors concluded that calorie-rich nutrients can directly influence brain reward circuits that control food intake independently of palatability or functional taste transduction. [2]

A better control of obesity could therefore be attained reducing calories content of foods, being the taste of foods independent of the craving. This speaks for an urgent reduction of fat, sugar and caloric load in diet to avoid overweight. Fruits, vegetables and low caloric foods are therefore highly recommended.

[1] Andrews, Zane B. Horvath; Tamas L.: Tasteless Food Reward. Neuron, 2008, 57:6:806-808
http://www.neuron.org/content/article/abstract?uid=PIIS0896627308002171

[2] Araujo, Ivan; Oliviera-Maia, Albino; Sotnikova, Tatyana; Gainetdinov, Raul; Caron, Marc; Nicolelis, Miguel; Simon, Sidney: Food Reward in the absence of taste receptor signalling. Neuron. Vol 57, 930-941, 27 March 2008. Doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.032
http://www.neuron.org/content/article/abstract?uid=PIIS0896627308001190

21.03.2008: Shape and size gene of tomatoes identified which may also be applied in other plants [1]
Esther van der Knaap studied US the SUN gene from the tiny round wild ancestor and compare it with the actual elongated tomato varieties

Furthermore, the gene encodes a member of the IG67 domain of plant proteins, called IQD12 - a family of proteins whose discovery is relatively new.

The authors found that one of themajor genes controlling the elongation of tomato, encode a member of theIQ67 domain-containing family, resulting in an unusual gene duplication event mediated by the long terminal repeat retrotransposon RIDER. This resulted in the increased fruit size and variation in fruit shape of domesticated tomatoes. Introducing the gene in the wild small tomato, the plant produced big, elongated tomatoes. Small original tomatoes were produced after removal of the gene.

The scientists hope to control the shape of other very diverse crops, such as peppers, cucumbers and gourds when more researches are done on this matter.

[1] Xiao, Han; Jiang, Ning; Schaffner, Erin; Stockinger, Eric; van der Knaap, Esther: A Retrotransposon-Mediated Gene Duplication Underlies Morphological Variation of Tomato Fruit. Science. 14 March 2008: Vol. 319. no. 5869, pp. 1527 – 1530. doi: 10.1126/science.1153040
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/319/5869/1527

21.03.2008: Encapsulation: Oxidised corn and amarath starches as a substitute of gum arabic [1]
Rekha S. Singhal and colleagues 2007 compared oxidised starches prepared from corn and waxy amaranth starch with gum arabic and a known substitute of gum arabic (amiogum 688) for encapsulation of a model flavour compound, vanillin. Recovered percentage of encapsulated vanillin using these encapsulation agents were found by the authors to differed marginally.

The authors suggest therefore,the use of oxidised starch as a substitute for gum arabic in encapsulated flavours with advantages such as freedom from hygroscopicity and similar encapsulation efficiency.

[1] Kshirsagar, Amol C.; Singhal, Rekha S.: Preparation of hydroxypropyl corn and amaranth starch hydrolyzate and its evaluation as wall material in microencapsulation. Food Chemistry.Volume 108, Issue 3. 1 June 2008. Pages 958-964. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.11.074        ScienceDirect


21.03.2008: The Portman Group's Fourth edition of the Code of alcoholic drinks into effect since January 2008 [1]
The fourth edition of the Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks came into full effect on 1 January 2008. The Code seeks to ensure that products are marketed in a socially responsible way and only to an adult audience.

The Code applies to all pre-packaged alcoholic drinks and covers the drink's naming, packaging, point-of-sale advertising, brand websites, sponsorship, branded merchandise, advertorials, press releases and sampling. Television, radio and non-broadcast advertisements are regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The Portman Group's Code is consistent with the ASA's rules.

[1] The Portman Group’s Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks
http://www.portmangroup.co.uk/assets/documents/4th%20Ed%20of%20Code.pdf



21.03.2008: Milk from the Himalayas healthier than milk from dairy cattle fed grain-based diets [1]
Mamun Or-Rashid and colleagues 2008 compared the fatty acid composition of cheese from yak (Bos grunniens) from Nepalese Himalayas with that of Canadian dairy cow Cheddar cheese.

The authors found that the yak cheese had a higher level of total long-chain saturated fatty acids and a 3.2 times higher content of total n-3 PUFA than cow cheese. The total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in YC was 2.3% of total fatty acids compared to 0.57% in DC. The cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer in YC constituted 88.5% of the total CLA.

CLA from dairy products such as milk, cheese and meat are formed by bacteria in ruminants that convert  plant linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid.

The researchers concluded that cheese from yak, grazed on Himalayan alpine pastures, may have a more healthful fatty acid composition compared to cheese manufactured from dairy cattle fed grain-based diets.

This may support studies claiming the milk from organically reared cows at mountain pastures to be healthier compared with conventional rearing at lower altitude.

[1] Or-Rashid, Mamun M.; Odongo, Nicholas E.; Subedi, Bhishma; Karki, Pralhad; McBride, Brian W: .Fatty Acid Composition of Yak (Bos grunniens) Cheese Including Conjugated Linoleic Acid and trans-18:1 Fatty Acids Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Volume 56, pp 1654 - 1660; (Article). Doi: 10.1021/jf0725225
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2008/56/i05/abs/jf0725225.html


20.03.2008: Glass bottling of wine at destination reduces emission compared with PET bottling [1]
Significant savings in emissions are possible by changing the way how wine is imported.
The UK is the largest importer of wine in the world, Bulk delivery is significantly more cost effective than bringing in bottled wine.

Glass or PET?
The study says that manufacturing glass is less carbon intensive than manufacturing PET. The lower weight of PET bottle compared with glass bottle this impacts the transport calculation in favour to PET. Comparing carbon emission of both, there is no gain at any side.
Wrap suggests therefore the transportation of Australian wine in bulk to archive a significant CO2 emission.

Transportation in bulk
Significant reductions in CO2 emissions from the transportation of wine can be achieved by converting wine from shipping in the bottle to bulk importation reducing emissions by 30% to 40%. In addition, lighter glass bottles can also achieve reductions of up to 30%. WRAP's suggestion ist to bulk shipping and bottling in the UK into the lightest 300g bottles can result in 375g CO2 savings for every 75cl bottle of wine.

Recycling and rail transportation whenever possible is being suggested for a further emission reduction.

A cost and carbon savings from adopting either or both of these options is available at http://winebottles.wrap.org.uk

[1] Wrap: CO2 emissions for wine imported to the UK can vary significantly, largely based on
two key elements - transport and weight of packaging used.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/docs/15149-07_BottlingWine_CS_lr.pdf

20.03.2008: Chocolate as beauty treatment [1]
Emma Little, a beauty therapist, introduced the chocolate beauty skin treatment.  The treatment is a facial mask consisting of cacao butter, shea butter and high content of antioxidants rich melted chocolate. Their customers say that the skin is soft and smooth claiming it to be an effect of the cacao butter and the antioxidants of chocolate.

[1] Women find a way to indulge their passion for chocolate this Easter
without gaining an ounce.
http://tvscripts.edt.reuters.com/2008-03-19/232df844.html


20.03.2008: New animal model to evaluate drug efficacy of genistein [1]
Raymond Bergan and colleagues found that genistein inhibits prostata cancer cell detachment and cell invasion in vitro by blocking activation of p38 MAP kinases molecules. The authors developed and animal model to evaluate the antimetastatic drug efficacy of genistein. Using this model genistein was found to decreased metastases by 96%, but did not alter tumor growth. Dietary concentrations of genistein can inhibit prostata cancer cell metastasis. Studies of antimetastatic efficacy in man are warranted and are under way.

[1] Lakshman, Minalini; Xu, Li ; Ananthanarayanan, Vijayalakshmi; Cooper, Joshua; Takimoto, Chris H.; Helenowski, Irene; Pelling, Jilland; Bergan, Raymond: Dietary Genistein Inhibits Metastasis of Human Prostate Cancer in Mice. Cancer Research 2008;68(6):2024-32
Doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-1246
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/68/6/2024

                                       20.03.2008: Food waste
Wheat waste conversion to biomass or biogas [1]
Environmental growing concerns and rising food prices turn the possible uses of waste is of great importance to optimise the conversion of wheat, barley and oat waste into useful materials such as biomass, biogas/biofuel, animal feed and composting.

Arvanitoyannis and colleagues recommend the conversion of wheat waste into biomass or biogas in view of the energy problems and the extended pollution of the environment due to release of carbon dioxide compared with other methods such as incineration.

Corn and rice waste treatment [2]
Corn and rice waste are of great volume. Arvanitoyannis and Tzerkzou published a review for most of the waste treatment techniques (composting, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion), to reduce its volume and/or toxicity and to make the waste safer for disposal and uses of treated corn and rice waste such as fertilisers, biomass and biogas/biofuel.

Uses of treated fish waste [3]
Fish waste has great impact on the marine environment and EU regulations include it within the frame of Integrated Coastal Management. Arvanitoyannis and colleagues 2008 summerise the application of fish waste as animal feed, biodiesel/biogas, dietic products (chitosan), natural pigments (after extraction), food-packaging applications (chitosan), cosmetics (collagen), enzyme isolation, Cr immobilisation, soil fertiliser and moisture maintenance in foods (hydrolysates).

Meat waste treatment [4]
According to Arvanitoyannis and colleagues meat waste materials like blood, hair, tail, horns and bones are a high pollution factor of meat production. Methods like aerobic and anaerobic composting like windrows, aerated static piles and bins or aerated chambers are discussed. According to the authors meat and bone meal are increasingly being used in animal nutrition as a protein source in place of proteinaceous feeds.

Disposal of wast from olive oil [5]
The olive oil industry continues to be one of the most heavily polluting ones among the food industries. various thermal processes, such as pyrolysis, combustion and gasification, were investigated. Another crucial issue is the fate of treated waste. Arvanitoyannis and colleagues 2007 present a review of various thermal treatment waste methodologies and summarise the uses activated carbon and briquette production.

[1] Arvanitoyannis, Ioannis S.;Tserkezou, Persefoni: Wheat, barley and oat waste: a comparative and critical presentation of methods and potential uses of treated waste. International Journal of Food Science & Technology. Volume 43 Issue 4 Page 694-725, April 2008 Doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01510.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01510.x

[2] Arvanitoyannis, Ioannis S.;Tserkezou, Persefoni: Corn and rice waste: a comparative and critical presentation of methods and current and potential uses of treated waste. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, OnlineEarly Articles Published article online: 21-Dec-2007. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01545.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01545.x

[3] Arvanitoyannis, Ioannis S.; Kassaveti, Aikaterini : Fish industry waste: treatments, environmental impacts, current and potential uses. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, Volume 43, Issue 4, Page 726-745, Apr 2008, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01513.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01513.x

[4] Arvanitoyannis, Ioannis S.; Ladas, Demetrios: Meat waste treatment methods and potential uses. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, Volume 43, Issue 3, Page 543-559, Mar 2008, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01492.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01492.x

[5] Arvanitoyannis, Ioannis S.; Kassaveti, Aikaterini; Stefanatos, Stelios: Current and potential uses of thermally treated olive oil waste: International Journal of Food Science & Technology, Volume 42, Issue 7, Page 852-867, Jul 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01296.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01296.x



19.03.2008: The Malaysian cocoa beans antioxidants study 2007 [1]
Amin Ismail and colleagues 2007 investigated the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of cocoa beans from Malaysia, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sulawesi. They analysed the water extract to measure the antioxidant activity based on β-carotene bleaching assay, while the ethanolic extract was used to measure the scavenging and ferric reducing activities.

The researchers reported that Ghanaian cocoa beans had the highest antioxidant and scavenging activities, followed by Ivory Coast, Malaysian and Sulawesian. Malaysian and Sulawesian beans were found in this study to have the highest ferric reducing activity, compared to the other beans. The highest phenolic content was found in Malaysian beans, followed by Sulawesian, Ghanaian and Ivory Coast.

The authors concluded that antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of Malaysian cocoa beans were comparable to Ghanaian, Ivory Coast, and Sulawesian beans.

Ghana cocoa hybrids nutrition and polyphenols study [2]
The yields of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in Ghana is decreasing. New hybrids to be introduced in the near future were developed to improve yields, resist to diseases and improve pest resistance.

Gregory Tucker and colleagues 2008 studied the nutrients and polyphenols in these hybrids.
The authors found that the hybrid beans had significantly higher antioxidant capacities found in the hybrids Amazon/Trinitario hybrids, two different Amazon/Amazon hybrids, and Amazon/Amelonado hybrids than in the traditional beans for most of the hybrids under scrutiny. The authors concluded that these hybrid varieties were either similar to, or higher in polyphenols compared with traditional beans, the introduction of these new varieties will not impact detrimentally on nutritional components of the beans.

Polyphenols from cocoa bean, such as different catechins, as well as procyanins, anthocyanins, and flavone and flavonol glycosides are linked to health issues such as cardiovascular health, diabetes and skin health. These researches are therefore supported by the chocolate industry such as Nestl\'e, Barry Callebaut and Mars eager to improve the health image of chocolate strongly associated with high saturated fats, high sugar and high calories profile.[3]


[1] Othman, Azizah; Ismail, Amin; Ghani, Nawalyah Abdul; Adenan, Ilham: Antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of cocoa beans. Food Chemistry, Volume 100, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 1523-1530 . Doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.12.021       ScienceDirect

[2] Jonfia-Essien, W.A.; West, G.; Alderson, P.G.; Tucker, G.: Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of hybrid variety cocoa beans. Food Chemistry 108 (2008) 1155-1159. Doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.12.001              ScienceDirect

[3] Cooper, Karen A.; Donovan, J.L.; Waterhouse, A.L.; Williamson, G.: Cocoa and health: a decade of research. British Journal of NutritionPublished on-line ahead of print. Doi: 10.1017/S0007114507795296
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1590848


19.03.2008: Diacetyl from butter flavours damages lung [1]
Daniel Morgan and colleagues 2008 evaluated the respiratory toxicity of diacetyl in mice.
The authors report that depending on the route and duration of exposure, diacetyl causes significant epithelial injury, peribronchial lymphocytic inflammation, or fibrohistiocytic lesions in the terminal bronchioles, a condition that can lead to the lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), a thickening and scarring of the lungs.

The authors concluded that workplace exposure to diacetyl contributes to the development of BOS in humans.

The EU Commission has declared that diacetyl is legal for use as a flavouring substance in all EU states. [2]

The butter flavour diacetyl is used in the production of popcorn, confectioneries, bakeries and margarine. US popcorn Pop Weaver and ConAgra announced to eliminate diacetyl in their butter flavours.

[1] Morgan, D.; Flake, G.; Kirby, P.;Palmer, S.: Respiratory Toxicity of Diacetyl in C57BI/6 mice. Toxicological Sciences ToxSci Advance Access published online on January 27, 2008 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfn016
http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/kfn016v1

[2] 1999/217/EC Commission Decision of 23 February 1999 adopting a register of flavouring substances used in or on foodstuffs drawn up in application of Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 October 1996 (notified under number C(1999) 399)
(text with EEA relevance)
http://www.fsai.ie/legislation/food/eu_docs/Flavourings/Dir99.217.pdf


18.03.2008: Ug99 fungus, other crop pests and drought are threatening food security of large population groups.
Ug99 has also known as TTKS is a race of black stem rust (Puccinia graminis tritici)
which has jumped from eastern Africa and is now infecting wheat in Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), countries in the predicted, immediate pathway grow more than 65 million hectares of wheat, accounting for 25 percent of the global wheat harvest. [1]

According to Ravi P. Singh and colleagues 2006 the stem or black rust, caused by Puccinia graminis tritici is of high importance because most wheat cultivars currently grown in its likely migration path, i.e. to North Africa through Arabian Peninsula and then to Middle East and Asia, are highly susceptible to this race. The long-term strategy should focus on rebuilding the ‘Sr2-complex’ to achieve long-term durability. A Global Rust Initiative has been launched to monitor the further migration of this race. [2]

Fighting crop pests and drought [3]
Dr Lesley Boyd at the John Innes Centre identifies the genetic resistance to stem rust. Stem rust has the potential to wipe out 40-70% of wheat yields and has already caused a painful spike in wheat prices. The Centre says that for farmers who cannot afford to use expensive fungicides, resistance is the only defence.
The centre is also focused on food security for poor rural population developin feasible solutions for crop pests:

Armyworm control: Armyworm (Pseudaletia unipuncta Haworth) may ne controlled with the use of a naturally occurring virus as a biological pesticide. The African armyworm is an insect which feeds on cereal crops.

Witchweed famine threat: Witchweed (Striga asiatica) is a parasitic plant that attacks some of the most important crops such as corn, sorghum, sugar cane, and rice, reducing drastically yields . Witchweed rob nutrients and moisture by tapping directly into the host’s root system. Consequently, the host spends energy supporting witchweed growth at its own expense. The Centre is developing resistant crops.

Improving pearl millet resistance to drought: Pearl millet provides food security for half a billion people in Africa and Asia. The researchers are improving pearl millet’s genetic tolerance to drought caused by climate change.

Fighting root-knot nematodes with fungus: Root-knot nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plant roots, stunting their growth. The researchers are looking for a natural soil fungus to destroy the worms' eggs.

Reducing arsenic levels in rice: Irrigation with arsenic contaminated groundwater, pollution resulting from mining and the use of municipal solid waste as fertilizer causes rice to have high content of toxic arsenic. Researchers are searching for types of rice which have lower take-up levels of inorganic arsenic.

[1] Global Rust: Dangerous wheat disease jumps Red Sea
Devastating fungal pathogen spreads from eastern Africa to Yemen, following path scientists predicted. 17.January 2007.
http://www.globalrust.org/images/IR2007_002_GRI.pdf

[2] Singh, Ravi P; . Hodson, David P;. Jin, Yue; Huerta-Espino, Julio; Kinyua, Miriam G.; Wanyera, Ruth; Njau, Peter; Ward, Rick W.: Current status, likely migration and strategies to mitigate the threat to wheat production from race Ug99 (TTKS) of stem rust pathogen. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources 2006 1, No. 054.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/ad_hoc/36400500Publications/YJ/PAV054.pdf

[3] University of the Free State in South Africa, John Innes Centre: Major scientific push to tackle agricultural productivity and food security in developing world. February 2008.
http://www.jic.ac.uk/corporate/media-and-public/current-releases/080221SARIDLesleyBoyd.htm



17.03.2008 Southampton team responds to EFSA evaluation [1]
The researcher of the Southampton study on hyperactivity caused by certain colourings and preservative, leaded by Jim Stevenson, Donna McCann, Edmund Sonuga-Barke and John Warner, responded to the EFSA evaluation of their study. They say that despite EFSA saying there is no justification from this research to change the limits on these additives, that does not mean there are no grounds for action at all.

The team stresses that since the colours being tested in this study are of no nutritional value, even the small overall benefit of removing them from children's diets would come at no cost or risk to the child, and a benefit, even a small one, would be worthwhile achieving.

According to the authors added weight is given to this conclusion because other important influences on hyperactivity in children, such as genetic factors, are difficult to address while the risk arising from exposure to food colours can be regulated.

[1] University of Southampton: Southampton response to EFSA evaluation of study on food additives and children's behaviour. Ref: 08/50 14 March 2008
http://www.soton.ac.uk/mediacentre/news/2008/mar/08_50.shtml


17.03.2008: Rising taxes on alcohol in UK
UK announced a lift of taxes on alcohol. Also this lift is cost factor bounded and not explicitly the health situation, groups promoting responsible health lifestyles welcomed the action as part of a fight against irresponsible drinking.

A discussion paper on the EU strategy on alcohol focused primarily at alcohol and driving and under-age drinking, including binge drinking. [1]

The alcohol industry, especially the highly protected vine industry is taking a lot of measures to avoid any setback on alcohol sells, fearing a similar situation as happened with smoking.

However addressing parliament with his budgetary speech yesterday, the UK chancellor stressed that it was cost factors and not explicitly health that had encouraged him to lift taxes on drink. The UK Wine and Spirit Association condemns government's action calling it an attack on consumers. [2]

[1] EC.Europa: Discussion Paper on the EU Strategy on Alcohol. 2005
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/documents/ev_20050307_rd01_en.pdf

[2] Wine and Spirit Trade Association: WSTA Condemns Government's Attack on Consumers 112.03.2008.
http://www.wsta.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=296&Itemid=74



17.03.2008: French Cheese under safety concern
Various types of French cheese are prepared from raw milk. The definition of Camembert dated December 1986, says that temperatures not higher than 37°C may be used during production process and only milk from cattle which tuberculosis and brucellosis free may be used. [1]

Safety concern which were nourished by a series of cheese poisoning by Listeria monocitogenes and salmonella made some producers like Lactalis to apply a mild heat of 60°C (thermised milk), which may inactivate these pathogens. The AOC do not approve this safety measure claiming that quality and flavour of the camembert will be compromised. The AOC members voted to keep the definition of 1986 unaltered . It is expected that official ruling will forbid the use of raw milk for cheese production in France. [2]

[1] AOC: Définition du Camembert
http://veritable.camembert.free.fr/pages/aoc.htm

[2] Food Safety Consortium , Iowa State University: FRANCE: Raw milk camembert poses safety concern says manufacturer. 14.03.2008.
http://www.foodsafety.iastate.edu/news/


16.03.2008: Additives and plasticisers migration from PVC gasket seals
Koni Grob and colleagues 2006 tested the migration of plasticizers from PVC gaskets into oily foods packed in glass jars oil at standard conditions (pasteurization/sterilization followed by 10 days at 40°C), and found migration far below that observed in reality; after 20 days at 60 °C, migration was above average in reality, but still did not reach the worst case required by legislation. ESBO, DEH, DEHS and ATBC, Citroflex A were included in testing. [1]

Ezerskis and colleagues 2007 tested foods and gaskets and found epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) to be the principal plasticiser in 53% of the tested gaskets. Polyadipate in 27% and Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) in 20%.
ESBO hat the highest migration rate, with concentrations in food up to 281.9mg/kg (max allowed= 60 mg/kg).
The authors found also high migration rates of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), up to 8.7 mg/kg (max allowed= 3 mg/kg) in 40% of the food samples.
Total polyadipate (PA) concentrations of 16.3 mg/kg in average (maxPA allowed= (30 mg/kg) were found to be acceptable.
The authors suggest the polyadipates, having the lowest migration rates of the tested platicisers, as plasticisers for PVC gasket seals used in food industry. [2]

Koni Grob and colleagues 2007 support the findings of studies saying that polyadipates seem to be the only acceptable plasticizers for PVC gaskets. They suggest dilute the plasticizers with others of low viscosity for a better handling. According to the authors storage test for two years showed migration of polyadipate clearly below the limits and the migration of ESBO was found several times higher. [3]

Linolenic acid free ESBO was suggested to reduce toxicity [4]
According to Koni Grob and colleagues 2006 epoxidized soy bean oil (ESBO) was found to be toxic for rats, but the toxic constituent is unknown. Analysing the components of ESBO the authors found a possible effect of epoxy oleic acid to be negligible. Diepoxy linoleic acid was found similar to the exposure from oxidized fats and oils of normal diet. Only triepoxy linolenic acid from ESBO exceeds that from normal food by around two orders of magnitude. The authors suggest therefore the use of an epoxidized edible oil virtually free of linolenic acid.

Method for testing ESBO in foods [5]
Koni Grob and colleagues 2005 wrote that the migration of epoxidized soy bean oil (ESBO) from the gasket in the lids of glass jars into foods, particularly those rich in edible oil, often far exceeds the legal limit (60 mg/kg) and propose a method of testing ESBO in foods. According to the authors the new method has a detection limit between 2-5 mg/kg, depending on the food, with uncertainty of the procedure being below 10%.

Analytical procedure for plasticisers in strech-type films [6]
A single analytical procedure is presented for determination of so-called monomeric plasticisers such as di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, polymeric plasticisers such as poly(butylene adipate), and secondary plasticisers such as epoxidised soybean oil, in stretch-type films. The combined method offers significant savings in time compared with the separate analytical methods published earlier for monomeric and polymeric poly(vinyl chloride) plasticisers.

[1] Fankhauser-Noti, Anja; Koni Grob: Migration of plasticizers from PVC gaskets of lids for glass jars into oily foods: Amount of gasket material in food contact, proportion of plasticizer migrating into food and compliance testing by simulation. Trends in Food Science & Technology, Volume 17, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 105-112. Doi:101016/j.chroma.2005.05.057    ScienceDirect

[2] Ezerskis, Z.; Morkunas, V.; Suman, M.; Simoneau, C. : Analytical screening of polyadipates and other plasticisers in poly(vinyl chloride) gasket seals and in fatty food by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta. Volume 604, Issue 1, 26 November 2007, Pages 29-38. Doi:10.1016/j.aca.2007.04.047                    ScienceDirect

[3] Biedermann, Maurus; Fiselier, Katell; Marmiroli, Giuseppe; Avanzini, Giampietro; Rutschmann, Ernst; Pfenninger, Susanne; Grob Koni: Migration from the gaskets of lids into oily foods: first results on polyadipates. European Food Research and Technology. Published online: 7 June 2007. Doi:10.1007/s00217-007-0670-4
http://www.springerlink.com/content/4u21567n323w821m/

[4] Fankhauser-Noti, Anja; Fiselier, Katell; Biedermann-Brem, Sandra; Grob Koni: Assessment of epoxidized soy bean oil (ESBO) migrating into foods: Comparison with ESBO-like epoxy fatty acids in our normal diet
Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 44, Issue 8, August 2006, Pages 1279-1286 Doi:10.1016/j.fct.2006.02.005                        ScienceDirect

[5] Fankhauser-Noti, Anja; Fiselier, Katell; Biedermann-Brem, Sandra; Grob Koni: Epoxidized soy bean oil migrating from the gaskets of lids into food packed in glass jars: Analysis by on-line liquid chromatography–gas chromatography
Journal of Chromatography A, Volume 1082, Issue 2, 5 August 2005, Pages 214-219. DOI:101016/j.chroma.2005.05.057                  ScienceDirect

[6] Castle, Laurence; Jickells, Sue M.; Nichol, Janet; Johns, Sue M.; Gramshaw, John W.: Determination of high- and low-molecular-mass plasticisers in stretch-type packaging films
Journal of Chromatography A, Volume 675, Issues 1-2, 22 July 1994, Pages 261-266 Doi:10.1016/0021-9673(94)85283-9              ScienceDirect



16.03.2008: Official method for compliance testing of lids is dissatisfying [1]
Koni Grob and colleagues 2008 says that the official method for testing migration from the gaskets of lids into oily foods is not suitable for compliance testing of lids.

The official method
A glass jar containing oil is closed with the caps to be tested, turned on its lid and heated 1 hour at 100°C and 1 hour at 130°C, simulating pasteurisation and sterilisation respectively. Prediction of migration during 5 years storage is performed measuring the migration after 10 days at 40°C.

Critics on the method
Keeping the jar turned on its lid gets the whole content of the jar in contact with the lid and equilibrium of migration is completed involving all oil and not just 30 ml sticking to the lid under normal conditions.

Speed of migration at 40°C accelerated only by a factor of 2.4 the platicizer such as ESBO and and 3.9 for polyadipate, variation occur with the oil used , while migration measured with coconut oil being 2-3 times that with olive oil. ESBO was found by the authors to be left behind a layer of PVC which stops the migration during the test.

The authors concluded that the described official method is not suitable to extend the 10-day testing to a prediction for years in general manner and they call for testing under a more realistic scenario.



[1] Biedermann, Maurus; Fiselier, Katell; Grob, Koni: Testing migration from the PVC gaskets in metal closures into oily foods. Trends in Food Science and Technology. Volume 19,Issue 3 March 2008, Pages 145-155. Doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2007.08.008                  ScienceDirect


15.03.2008: Testing for unapproved Genetically Modified Organisms rice BT63 will enter into force on 15th May [1]
The European Commission decided today to require compulsory certification for the imports of Chinese rice products that could contain the unauthorised GMO Bt63. The decision has been taken after rice products -originating in, or consigned from, China and containing the unauthorised genetically modified rice "Bt 63" were discovered in the EU market between 2006 and 2007.

The presence of the unauthorised Bt63 was first discovered in the United Kingdom, France and Germany in September 2006. Despite measures announced by the Chinese authorities in 2007, alerts concerning the presence of the unauthorised genetically modified rice "Bt 63" were reported until late 2007.

EU emergency measures
The emergency measures adopted by the Commission mean that, as of April 15, only consignments of the rice products indicated in a specific Annex of the Decision can enter the EU. These consignments must be tested by an official or accredited laboratory using a specific testing method and accompanied by the analytical report assuring they do not contain Bt63.

Responsible parties for the controls
China is responsible for ensuring that Bt63 does not enter the EU food chain and that imports are certified as free from this unauthorised GMO. Member State authorities are responsible for controlling the imports at their borders and for preventing any contaminated consignments from being placed on the market. In addition, they should carry out controls on products already on the market, to ensure that they are free from Bt63.

Business operators importing rice products from China are also responsible for ensuring that Bt63 does not enter the EU food chain and that imports are certified as free from this unauthorised GMO, in accordance with the EU food law principle that operators are responsible for the safety of the food or feed that they place on the market.

Bayer CropScience puts rice industry in distrust [2]
According to Green Peace a series of scandals erupted in 2006 as world rice supplies were discovered to be contaminated with unapproved genetically engineered (GE) rice varieties. Field trials of GE rice in the US and the illegal sale of rice seed in China led to unapproved GE rice entering global food supply chains. Contaminated food stocks were found and pulled from shelves in European stores. Widespread bans on US-produced rice were enacted.

The latest GE contamination scandal shows that once GE organisms are released into the environment, the consequences for consumers, farmers and traders are enormous. As a result, farmers, millers, traders and retailers around the globe are facing massive financial costs, including testing and recall costs, cancelled orders, import bans, brand damage and consumer distrust-distrust that could last for years.

Lawsuits have been filed by US rice farmers against Bayer CropScience already, as farmers struggle to protect their livelihoods from GE contamination.
On the other side,WTO has published a ruling on a case brought against the EU by the US, Canada and Argentina over Europe imposing restrictions on the importing of GE food.

[1] European Commission: Commission requires certification for Chinese rice products to stop unauthorised GMO from entering the EU. IP/08/219 Date: 13.02.08
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/219&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN

[2] Green Peace: Rice Industry in Crisis. 2006
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/eu-unit/press-centre/reports/rice-industry-in-crisis-2.pdf



14.03.2007: The Southampton Study on hyperactivity does not warrant an ADI change of colour and preservative says EFSA.
McCann et al. (2007), the Southampton study on hyperactivity [1]
The Southampton study by McCann et al. (2007) on the effect of two mixtures of certain food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate on children’s behaviour suggested a link between these mixtures and hyperactivity in children. The additives included in the two mixtures given to the children were Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), Ponceau 4R (E124), Allura Red AC (E129), Carmoisine (E122) and sodium benzoate (E211).

The UK COT review of the Southhampton Study [2]
The UK Committee on Toxicity COT reviewed the Sothhampton Study concluding that the study provided supporting evidence suggesting that artificial food colours together with the preservative sodium benzoate are associated with an increase in hyperactivity in children from the general population.

According to the COT report increases in mean levels of hyperactivity observed in this study were small relative to normal inter-individual variation and that changes in behaviour were not evident in all children in any one group and were not consistent across age groups or across the different mixtures used in the study. Therefore it is not possible to draw conclusions on the implications of the observed changes at the population level. It is also not possible to extrapolate the findings to additives other than the specific combination in the mixtures used in this study.

The COT concluded that the results of this study are consistent with, and add weight to, previous published reports of behavioural changes occurring in children following consumption of particular food additives.

The EFSA review of the Southhampton Study released on 14.03.08 [3]
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) AFC Panel concluded that this study provided limited evidence that the mixtures of additives tested had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children. However, the effects observed were not consistent for the two age groups and for the two mixtures used in the study.

Considering the overall weight of evidence and in view of the considerable uncertainties the Panel concluded that the findings of the McCann et al study could not be used as a basis for altering the ADI of the respective food colours or sodium benzoate.

Although the findings from the study could be relevant for specific individuals showing sensitivity to food additives in general or to food colours in particular, it is not possible at present to assess how widespread such sensitivity may be in the general population.

The Panel noted that the majority of the previous studies used children described as hyperactive and these were therefore not representative of the general population.

{1} McCann et al (2007) : The Southampton Study
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673607613063/abstract

[2] Committee on Toxicity: COT statement on research project (TO7040) investigating the mixtures of certain food colours and a preservative on behaviour in children
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/committee/colpreschil.pdf

[3] Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials (AFC) on a request from the Commission on the results of the study by McCann et al. (2007) on the effect of some colours and sodium benzoate on children’s behaviour. The EFSA Journal (2008) 660, 1-5
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178694648892.htm



14.03.2008: Development of second generation technology needed to avoid biofuel to compete increasingly with food sources. [1]
The increase in food prices hit at most bread, dairy and meat being biofuel blamed for an important reason of food shortfall. To reverse this trend Europabio presented at the World Biofuels Markets in Brussels on 13.03.2008 its future contribution to sustainable energy.

In its press release the association stresses the importance of a measure in order to stimulate the transition towards biofuels with high greenhouse gases savings, and proposes a "stepwise approach"starting with a relatively low greenhouse gases savings threshold and increasing in time, or a system where a moderate threshold could be set as basis, coupled with an “incentivisation system” rewarding additional greenhouse gases savings.

The association claims that in five to seven years biofuel of second generation using waste such as straw as source could help to reduce the negative effects on food supply in Europe and third countries, by reducing biofuel of the first generation which rely on corn and other starch sources. The moratorium on biofuel of the Friends of the Earth targets this period of first generation biofuels [4].

European COM 2008 30 [2]
EuropaBio refers to the European directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (COM 2008 30) where the rules are critical in order to ensure that the environmental benefits of using biofuels outweigh any possible environmental disadvantages. At the same time, the Commission is committed to promoting in all its policies the rapid development of second generation biofuels. It will closely monitor market developments and their effects on food,
feed, energy and other industrial uses of biomass, and take appropriate action if needed.

Four pillars of sustainability [3]
EuropaBio says that it is important that the emerging biofuels sector be built on sound sustainability principles do not stand in the way of food production, forest protection, soil degradation prevention and sound water supplky.

EuropaBio’s pillars of sustainability include:

• The development of a credible and robust certification scheme on an EU or global basis to guarantee that biofuels are produced in an environmentally sustainable way.

• The development of a credible and robust certification scheme on an EU or global basis to guarantee that biofuels are produced in an environmentally sustainable way.

• The development of sustainability criteria for the biomass used for fuel production as well as for all (energy) applications.

• The support of a threshold value for greenhouse gas savings, restrictions on land use to avoid major reduction in carbon stocks and biodiversity loss from land use change.

[1] EuropaBio: Get the facts on biofuels – how do you determine whether biofuels are sustainable or not?
http://www.europabio.org/Biofuels/Biofuels_PressBrief.htm

[2] European Commission.: COM(2008) 30 final. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. 20 20 by 2020. Europe's climate change opportunity. Brussels, 23.1.2008
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2008:0030:FIN:EN:PDF

[3] EuropaBio: European biotech industry sets the record straight on biofuels
and outlines contribution of biotech to a low-carbon society
http://www.europabio.org/Biofuels/PressBrief/PR_WorldBiofuelsMarkets_13%20March.pdf

[4] Friends of the Earth: Out of the laboratory and on to our plates: Nanofood in the Grocery Aisles: Miller Light, Cadbury and Other Brands Have Toxic Risks. March 2008.
http://www.foe.org/pdf/nano_food.pdf



13.03.2008: Moratorium on the use of nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale, normally 1 to 100 nanometres and the fabrication of devices with critical dimensions that lie within that size range. [1]

Nanofood
The term ‘nanofood’ describes food which has been cultivated, produced, processed or packaged using nanotechnology techniques or tools, or to which manufactured nanomaterials have been added (Joseph and Morrison 2006). Examples of nano-ingredients and manufactured nanomaterial additives include nanoparticles of iron or zinc, and nanocapsules containing ingredients like Omega 3, or producing stronger flavours and colourings.

Nanopackaging for foods
In food packaging, nanoparticles are used to detect bacterial contamination, absorb oxygen or release preservatives to food, surface coating of bottles for Ketchup or dressings and more.

Nanoparticles and food safety [2]
The Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration, (ETC Group), in its document "Down on the Farm " in November 2004 call on governments to keep the Precautionary Principle, all food, feed and beverage products (including nutritional supplements) incorporating manufactured nano particles to remove from the shelves until such time as regulatory regimes are in place that take into account the special characteristics of these materials, and until the products have been shown to be safe.

The Moratorium on nanotechnology [3]
Friends of the Earth in Europe, the US and Australia made a similar call for a temporary halt on using nanotechnology in the food chain The authors say that nanotechnology poses a number of unexamined risks to human health.

The large surface area of nano particles alter their bioavailability and may be readily absorbed into cells, tissues and organs where they may trigger toxic effects. Nanofoods are not labelled as such. Consumers who wish to avoid these food products are not being given this option.

Friends of the Earth also stresses that nanotechnology as a global, mono-cultural system of agriculture may potentially destroy biological diversity and various food systems across the world.

Report co-author Georgia Miller, Friends of the Earth Australia Nanotechnology Project Coordinator, said many of the world’s largest food companies, including Heinz, Nestle, Unilever and Kraft are currently using and testing nanotechnology for food processing and packaging. Without increased federal oversight, these companies could begin sale of these products whenever they choose.

"There is no legal requirement for manufacturers to label their products that contain nanomaterials, or to conduct new safety tests," said Miller." This gives manufacturers the ability to force-feed untested technology to consumers without their consent." According to the Report all nanomaterials must therefore be subject to rigorous nano-specific health and environmental impact assessment and demonstrated to be safe prior to approval for commercial use in foods, food-packaging, food contact materials or agricultural applications.

EU voluntary code of conduct for nanotechnology [4]
The European Commission released on 17.02.08 a voluntary code of conduct for nanotechnology, stressing that there is a deficit of knowledge of the environmental and health impacts of nano-objects. According to the code of conduct the precautionary principle should be applied in order to protect not only researchers, who will be the first to be in contact with nano-objects, but also professionals, consumers, citizens and the environment in the course of nanosciences and nanotechnologies research activities.

[1] Wikipedia: Namotechnology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology

[2] ETC: Down on the Farm. The Impact of Nano-Scale Technologies on Food and Agriculture. November 2004.
http://www.etcgroup.org/upload/publication/80/01/etc_dotfarm2004.pdf

[3] Friends of the Earth: Out of the laboratory and on to our plates: Nanofood in the Grocery Aisles: Miller Light, Cadbury and Other Brands Have Toxic Risks. March 2008.
http://www.foe.org/pdf/nano_food.pdf

[4] Commission Recommendation of 07/02/2008 on a code of conduct for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research. Brussels, 07/02/2008 C(2008) 424 final
http://ec.europa.eu/nanotechnology/pdf/nanocode-rec_pe0894c_en.pdf


13.03.2008: Enhanced antiinflamatory activity of curcumin in nano emulsions [1]
Wang and colleagues 2008 prepared oil/water emulsions using high-speed and high-pressure homogenization of medium chain triacylglycerols as oil and emulsions using Tween 20 as emulsifier.

The authors found enhanced anti-inflammation activity of curcumin encapsulated in O/W emulsions but a negligible effect was found for curcumin in 10% Tween 20 water emulsion .

[1] Wang, Xiaoyong; Jiang, Yan; Wang, Yu-Wen; Huang, Mou-Tuan; Ho, Chi-Tang; Huang, Qingrong: Enhancing antiinflammation activity of curcumin through O/W nanoemulsions. Food Chemistry. Volume 108. Issue 2. 15 May 2008, Pages 419-424 doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.10.086            ScienceDirect



12.03.2008: International five-year ban on producing biofuels to combat soaring food prices [1]
According to Jean Ziegler the conversion of arable land for plants used for biofuel had led to an explosion of agricultural prices which was punishing poor countries forced to import their food at a greater cost. He says that biofuel from food is a human rights infraction.
He stresses that 232kg of corn is needed to make 50 litres of bioethanol. A child could live on that amount of corn for a year.

Ziegler proposes a five-year moratorium, to be submitted to the UN General Assembly on October 25. The moratorium bans the conversion of land for the production of biofuels.

The author says that in five years science may create a"second generation" biofuels, made from agricultural waste or from non-agricultural plants such as jatropha, which grows naturally on arid ground. Solar energy from the deserts may produce sufficient hydrogen for transportation. Biofuel may then not be needed any more.

In Brazil moncultures of sugar cane,  castor-oil plant and soy are spreading at the expense of food-producing land and harming the environment. In Borneo and indonesia palmoil plantations have a deep impact on nature. While ten hectares (316 to 316 metres) of food-producing land may sustain seven to ten farmers, the same area can only produce enough sugar cane for one farmer.

The International Food Policy Research Institute [2]
Joachim von Braun, director of the International Food Policy Research Institute warns that increased bioenergy costs are affecting food prices and predicts a 20-40 per cent increase in food prices between now and 2020.

Higher feedstock prices would benefit energy crop producers. They would, however, adversely affect poor consumers, as well as small farmers who buy more food than they grow. For countries with a limited natural resource base, biofuels could divert land and water away from the production of food and feed.

The position of the German Biofuel Association [3]
Arnd von Wissel, Head of the German Biofuel Association denies stoutly the moratorium initiated by Ziegler and argues that producing less biofuel in Europe would not solve the hunger in developing countries. He argues that demand for biofuel creates jobs. These arguments reflect the interests of the Biofuel Association which is focused on the revenues of their members.

The Right to Food [4]
According to Right to Food the shocking news is that global hunger increased yet again this year. The FAO's latest report, The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2004, reports that hunger has increased to 852 million gravely undernourished children, women and men, compared to 842 million last year, despite already warning in 2003 of a "setback in the war against hunger". Important recent progress in reducing hunger has been made, but the overall trend is now one of regression, rather than the progressive realization of the right to food. In fact, it appears that hunger has increased every year since the 1996 World Food Summit.

The Voluntary Guidelines [5]
The FAO issued The Voluntary Guidelines on the right to food which set out some practical steps on how Governments can implement the right to food.


[1] swissinfo.ch: UN rapporteur calls for biofuel moratorium
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2008.01.008

[2] vonBraun, Joachim: When food makes fuel. Sciencealert, 20. August 2007.
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/opinions/20071908-16224.html

[3] Spiegel Online: UNO Experte: Biotreibstoff aus Nahrung verletzt Menschenrecht. 12.03.2008
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/0,1518,540848,00.html

[4] United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
http://www.righttofood.org/

[5] FAO: The Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Food
http://www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/009/y9825e/y9825e00.htm


11.03.2008: EFSA Safety and Nutritional Assessment of GM Plants and derived Food and Feed released [1]
The safety assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed follows the approach widely accepted by international organisations such as the FAO/WHO, Codex Alimentarius and the OECD. It is based on comparison with conventional counterparts to identify intended and unintended differences.

The Report is a basis for deciding whether animal feeding trial studies are needed for the safety and nutritional assessment of GM food and feed. The report was published by the EFSA in March 2008.

The EFSA is working with member states to update risk assessment guidance for GMOs. These guidelines remain voluntary, however all member states do use them.

[1] Safety and Nutritional Assessment of GM Plants and derived food and feed: The role of animal feeding trials. Report of the EFSA GMO Panel Working Group on Animal Feeding Trials. Food and Chemical Toxicology 46 (2008) S2–S70
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/DocumentSet/gmo_report_feedingtrials.pdf



11.03.2008: High glycemic index foods are a universal mechanism for disease progression [1]
Alan W. Barclay and colleagues 2008 evaluated the association between Glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL) and chronic disease risk.

According to the authors high blood glucose leads to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, gallbladder disease and some types of cancer, such as breast cancer. High blood glucose releases high amounts of insulin together with insulin like growth factor one (IGF-1). Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an insulin similar hormone which plays an important role in childhood growth and anabolic effects in adults. The authors explain that both hormones increase cell growth and decrease cell death, and increase the risk of developing cancer.

Low GI food diets like whole grain bread musli are being suggested instead of white bread, corn flakes high in sugar candies and cookies. The authors stress that higher postprandial glycemia is a universal mechanism for disease progression.

GI ranking [2} [3]

Classification	GI range	Examples
Low GI	55 or less.	most fruit and vegetables (except potatoes, watermelon  and sweet corn), wholegrains, pasta, beans, lentils
Medium GI	56 - 69	sucrose, croissant, basmati rice, brown rice
High GI	70 or more	corn flakes, baked potato, some white rices (e.g. jasmine),  white bread, candy bar

[1] Barclay, Alan W.; Petocz, Peter; McMillan-Price, Joanna; Flood, Victoria M.; Prvan, Tania; Mitchell, Paul; Brand-Miller, Jennie C.: Glycemic index, glycemic load, and chronic disease risk—a meta-analysis of observational studies. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, Mar 2008; 87: 627 - 637.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/3/627

[2] University of Sydney: Glycemic Index and GI Database
http://www.glycemicindex.com/

[3] Wikipedia: Glycemic index.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index


10.03.2008: The TRANSFACT Study says natural trans fatty acids not as detrimental to health as industrial once [1]
Jean-Michel Chardigny and colleagues comparing the effect of trans fatty acids (TFAs) from industrial with those of natural source found that TFAs from natural sources significantly increased HDL cholesterol increases in LDL-cholesterol concentrations in women but not in men. Large HDL and LDL concentrations were modified by TFAs from natural sources but not by those from industrially produced sources.

The authors concluded that TFAs from industrially produced and from natural sources have different effects on CVD risk factors in women. The HDL cholesterol–lowering property of TFAs seems to be specific to industrial sources. The reason of the different results between women and men was not knows.

The position of the European Dairy Association (EDA) [2]
These finding were effusively belauded by the the European Dairy Association (EDA) as it came in support of the trans fatty acids of dairy. Based on the results of TRANSFACT the participants of the European Dairy Association’s TFA Policy Conference in Brussels, 13 February 2008 concluded that there is no evidence on negative health effects from dairy TFA and EDA stated that dairy TFA should therefore not be taken into consideration for labelling or nutrient profiling for claims.

The Willett and Mozaffarian position [3]
According to Willett and Mozaffarian 2008 to reduce the intake of industrial TFA is ideally being done by replacing them with cis unsaturated fatty acids. The Danish government and the New York City have shown that the legislation to limit the use of partially hydrogenated vegetables oils in foods is feasible and effective. Multiple committees concluded that TFA intake should be as low as possible, and continued efforts to eliminate the consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are strongly warranted.

The authors stress that despite small differences between the metabolic effects of industrial and ruminant TFA, there is no compelling evidence to exclude natural TFA from the total TFA on food labels.

[1] Chardigny, Jean-Michel; Destaillats, Frédéric; Malpuech-Brugère, Corinne; Moulin, Julie; Bauman, Dale E; Lock, Adam L.; Barbano, Dave M.: Mensink, Ronald P.; Bezelgues, Jean-Baptiste; Chaumont, Patrice; Combe, Nicole; Cristiani, Isabelle; Joffre, Florent; German, J. Bruce; Dionisi, Fabiola; Boirie, Yves; Sébédio, Jean-Louis: Do Trans Fatty Acid from Industrially-Produced Sources and from Natural Sources Have the Same effect on Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors in Healthy Subjects? Results of the trans Fatty Acids Collaboration (TRANSFACT) Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Volume 87, Number 3, Mach 2008, Pages 558-566
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/87/3/558

[2] EDA: Major outcome of the European Dairy Association’s TFA Policy Conference:
No scientific evidence on negative health effects from dairy TFA
http://www.euromilk.org/upload/docs/EDA/PR%20TFA%20Policy%20Conference.pdf

[3] Walter Willett and Dariush Mozaffarian: Ruminant or industrial sources of trans fatty acids: public health issue or food label skirmish? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
March 2008, Volume 87, Number 3, Pages 515-516
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/87/3/515



10.03.2008: Drugs contaminate US drinking weater from California to New York [1]
According to an investigation of Associated Press published by the Washington Post on March 10, 2008 pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, acetaminophen Carbamazepine, Monensin (antibiotic administered to cattle), Sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic used in humans and animals), ibuprofen, chemotherapy drugs, and sex hormones (such as used in the anti-baby pill) are found in the US drinking water supplies.

Water authorities say that the water is safe because it is far below the levels of a medical dose. However, scientists are worried about long-term consequences to human health.

The article explains that pills and medicine taken all over the country is almost entirely eliminated by the body and is flushed down the toilet. Wastewater treatment does not eliminate these drugs and they are discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes and return as tap water.

According to Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the  EPA recognizes this contamination as a growing concern.

Some experts say medications may pose a unique danger because, unlike most pollutants, they were crafted to act on the human body. These pharmaceuticals are prescribed to people who need them, but can produce side effects and interact with other drugs, they should not be present in drinking water, exposing people to the medication others, says Dr. David Carpenter from the University of New York at Albany.



[1] Washinton Post: AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water. By Jeff Donn, Martha Mendoza and Justin Pritchard. The Associated Press Monday, March 10, 2008; 9:17 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/10/AR2008031000621_pf.html

09.03.2008: Farmers' market, a sustainable solution for small farmers[1]
Products at farmers' markets are renowned for being locally grown and very fresh.
Farmers' markets advocates believe the markets help farmers stay in business as well as preserve natural resources. Wholesale prices farmers get for their produce are very low, often near the cost of production. It can be shown that the preservation of farmland is important for the health of the environment and water supply. Sustainably-managed farms conserve soil and clean water in our communities and provide a habitat for wildlife.

UK farmers' markets [2]
According to the Councillor' Handbook farmers' markets give smaller local producers an outlet direct to the public enabling them to become less reliant on wholesalers and supermarkets. The Handbook stresses that Trading Standards and Environmental Health Services are closely involved in ensuring the markets achieve the standards required. The Handbook cites Hampshire farmers' markets as a case study. The market has been certified by the National Association of Farmers' Markets [3].
Produce being sold at all Hampshire's farmers' markets must have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, or processed within Hampshire or ten miles of the border.

US Farmland preservation [4]
American Farmland Trust is helping the county’s farmland preservation program into opportunities for direct marketing, value-added products and a vibrant local food and farming system by:
-Identifying municipal barriers that hinder local farmers' ability to connect directly with local consumers;
-Creating a model ordinance that supports a local food system and protects farmers from rural-urban conflicts; and,
-Finding out what other places have done to increase the access of low income populations to local food through token payment programs at farmers’ markets.

Farmers' markets in Germany [5]
These markets are regulated by Germany the Gewerbeordnung [Trade Code). There is no Farmers' markets certification body in Germany. There are no restrictions like those found in Hampshire which allow only products have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, or processed within the region where markets are taking place or ten miles of the border.

Other great markets like the "Hamburger Großmarkt"  market which supplies foodstuffs from international origin to the great supermarket chains are quite different.Their aim as commercial entity is to make profit. They do not protect local farmers and they have no restrictions on carbon footprint.

[1] Wikipedia: Farmers' markets.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmers%27_Market

[2] LACORS and FSA: Councillors' Handbook: Food matters at your Council
http://www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/upload/17351.pdf

[3] FARMA, the National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association: What is a farmers' market and what makes them special?
http://www.farmersmarkets.net/

[4] American Farmland Trust: Growing a Community Food System that Sustains Local Agriculture.
http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/NJ/default.asp

[5] Gewerbeordnung; §67Wochenmnarkt
http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/gewo/gesamt.pdf


08.03.2008 Offspring of a cloned cow put to sail in UK [1]
The BBC News report (05.03.2008) that a commercial breeder placed two offspring of a cloned cow to sail on an auction at Easter Comton UK . However, the animals were withdrawn later on because of negative publicity. Selling of the offspring will now take place privately.

The Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) group said that the selling would bring cloning out of the laboratory and on to the farm. The group stresses that they are opposed to cloning on the basis of the animals' welfare.and also there has not been enough research into whether or not there are dangers of the meat or milk entering the food chain.

[1] BBC News: Calves withdrawn over cloning row. 05.03.2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/7279010.stm

08.03.2008: The absurd Flybe ecolabel [1]
According to Eccolabelling Flybe is Europe’s largest regional airline, and which has invested over $2 billion in new, environmentally sensitive aircraft over the last two years, has become the first airline in the world to introduce an aircraft eco-labelling scheme. The scheme is in response to the Stern Report’s call for ‘labelling’ to help consumers and businesses make sound decisions.

Flybe passengers will be provided at the time of booking via the internet with a detailed but user-friendly breakdown of the fuel consumption, carbon emissions and noise patterns of the aircraft type to be used on their journey.

Air traffic destroys the world of tomorrow. Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline is therefore the largest emission producer high up, where it hurts the most. Regional business flights are responsible for the crowded European Sky.
Its is amazing to see that airlines advertise in environment sites and hide their malpractices under an ecolabel. This discredits labels. Another discrediting action is admitting air transportation for organic foods.
OurFood calls on the European Commission and the NGOs to impose a 100 percent tax on flight tickets. Unnecessary meetings and conferences must be stopped. The work can be done by video conferences and other commodities.

Figure 1: Contrails at the sky of Wilhelmshaven, Germany. These contrails resulted from heavy domestic air traffic which expand to clouds. CO2, NO2, NOX are a deadly mixture of emission in 10.000 metres.

[1] ecolabelling.org: Flybe Aircraft Ecolabel
http://ecolabelling.org/ecolabel/flybe-aircraft-ecolabel/

08.03.2998: The loophole of organic food air freighting [1]
Soil Association mutates organic food to supermarket standards
According to a press release 06.03.2008, the Soil Association’s Standards Board recommended that the organisation’s standards should be changed so that organic produce can only be air-freighted if it also meets the Soil Association’s own Ethical Trade or the Fairtrade Foundation’s standard [2].

The Association launched a second round of open consultation launched to comment on the implementation of this recommendation.

Airfreighted foods are not organic. They may be sold as healthy, good delicious foods, but NOT under an organic label. Admitting airfreight, under whatsoever ethical standards, mutates organic food in the supermarket niche. Airfreight is not conform with the principles of the initial organic movement.

If the organic certification organisation Soil Association accepts airfreight in their statute a new denomination should be created:
Organic: as described by the European Organic Directive, airfreighted and marketed by supermarket chains.
Holistic Food , or Nature Food: Produced at small farms following the original principles of organic farming and sold at the farm or at small speciality shops.

[1] Ensuring limited organic air freight is fair and ethical Press release 06.03.2008 (version 2)     Download PDF

[2] Soil Association Ethical Trade standards.
Download PDF

07.03.2008: Heparin
FDA researches on faked heparin from US Baxter [1]
FDA launched a far ranging investigation in both the United States and abroad. This included inspecting Baxter’s domestic facilities, examining Heparin product in the United States and sending a team of experts to China to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the Changzhou SPL facility that makes the active ingredient for this drug.

While the FDA has yet to determine the root cause of these adverse events, we have found a Heparin-like compound that is not Heparin present in some of the Heparin Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) produced by Scientific Protein Labs, which maintains a facility in Wisconsin in addition to the Changzhou plant.

This contaminant is present in significant quantities, accounting for 5 to 20 percent of the total mass of each sample tested. It reacts like Heparin in many tests, which is why the traditional release tests did not detect it.

FDA impurity evaluation screening methods [2]
To ensure that all is being done to provide a safe supply of this life-saving drug, we are releasing information on two tests that manufacturers and regulators can use to screen for this contaminant.

The two methods include proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The tests are to be used for ALL Heparin Sodium API prior to batch release. The API material is considered contaminated if there is a doublet peak at 2.1 ppm in H-1 NMR and a shoulder peak in CE, as illustrated in the two attachments. Heparin sodium API must contain only a single peak (singlet) at 2.1 ppm in NMR and a single peak in CE. It is recommended that both screening methods (H-1 NMR and CE) be used in addition to the regulatory and/or compendial specification requirements.

Will other companies follow?
According to Pharmalot, Pfizer has been looking at making active ingredients in China for a few years. It made a deal with two companies, including Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group, which recently made headlines because of contaminated leukemia drugs that sickened 200 Chinese patients. Pfizer said it never did buy ingredients from Shanghai because it didn't meet the company's standards. [3]
Pfizer announce it's looking to outsource 30 per cent of its manufacturing to Asia for cost-cutting. It will shut down plants in Brooklyn, NY, and Omaha, NE, plus sell a plant in Germany. [4]

Tainted German Heparin from Rotexmedica [5]
All of the tainted heparin was made from raw heparin produced in China, some of it in small, unregulated family workshops. Heparin is derived from pig intestines. Germany imported 13 Tons and USA received 10 Tons from China . Other 40 countries imported heparin from China in 2007.

Dialysis patients in Germany have become sick using a different brand of the blood thinner heparin than was linked to 19 American deaths. According to FDA Germany recalled heparin made by a German Rotexmedica that uses a different supplier of raw heparin ingredients than Baxter does. Rotexmedica and Baxter gets its supply from China, the world's leading source of heparin.

Out-sourcing and cost-cut on raw ware endangers medical and food safety
The recent heparin scandal comes in front of other medical and food scandals. How will Baxter and Rotexmedica regain the confidence of their customers?
 All companies which importing cheap raw ware or out-sourcing their activities run a serious danger to get involved in scandals like faked heparin of tainted foods.  Quality has its price and is directly bounded with image of the country where it was produced.
Both companies seriously damaged the image of their home countries.

[1] FDA: Information on Heparin Sodium Injection (Baxter)
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/heparin/default.htm

[2] FDA: Screening Methods (3/6/2008)
Impurity Evaluation of Heparin Sodium by Capillary Electrophoresis
Impurity Evaluation of Heparin Sulfate by H-NMR Spectroscopy

[3] Pharmalot: Is Pfizer taking a slow boat to China? March 06.2008.
http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/is-pfizer-taking-a-slow-boat-to-china/

[4] FiercePharma: Pfizer plots big outsourcing push. 30.11.2007
http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/pfizer-plots-big-outsourcing-push/2007-11-30?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

[5] Spiegel Online: Gefährliche Spur nach China: Bundesbehörde nimmet Heparin vom Markt. 07.03.2008
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/0,1518,540094,00.html


07.03.2007: NOAEL for Soy products established in Europe [1]
In a study performed in Switzerland, Denmark and Italy Barbara K. Ballmer-Weber and colleagues 2007 reported that the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in Europe should be two milligrams for soy and 1 milligram for soy protein.
According to the authors 1% of patients with soy allergy would react subjectively and objectively with 0.21 and 37.2 mg of soy protein, respectively. this should be considered in food-labelling directives.

[1] Ballmer-Weber, Barbara K.; Holzhauser, Thomas; Scibilia, Joseph; Mittag, Diana; Zisa, Guliana; Ortolani, Claudio; Oesterballe, Morten; Poulsen, Lars K.; Vieths, Stefan; Bindslev-Jensen, Carsten: Clinical characteristics of soybean allergy in Europe: A double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge study, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 12 April 2007
pages 1489-1496
http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymai/issues/contents#


07.03.2008: Reduction of allergic effect of soy products [1]
Juana Frias and colleagues 2007 studied the reduction of the immunoreactivity and improvement of amino acid content after fermentation of soybean flour.
The highest reduction in IgE immunoreactivity was obtained with Lactobacillus plantarum fermenting milled soybean flour in liquid state, and most of the total amino acids increased.
Cracked soybean in solid state fermentation with Bacillus subtilis presented high reduction in immunoreactivity, alanine and threonine improved. Less effective were fermentations with Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oryzae.
The authors concluded that fermentation can decrease soy immunoreactivity, and nutritious hypoallergenic soy products may be developed using this technology.

[1] Frias, Juana; Song, Young Soo; Martínez-Villaluenga, Cristina; De Mejia, Elvira González Vidal-Valverde, Concepcion: Immunoreactivity and Amino Acid Content of Fermented Soybean Products. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Volume 56, Issue 1, Pages 99-105, 2007. doi: 10.1021/jf072177j
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2008/56/i01/abs/jf072177j.html


07.03.2008: Pseudin-2 from frog to control diabetes type 2 [1]
A nocturnal frog (Pseudis paradoxa) that dwells in the ponds and lagoons of the Amazon secretes on its skin a protein that protects the frog from infection. A copy of this peptide called pseudin-2 is suggested to boost insulin production in people with Type 2 diabetes.

The joint team from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and United Arab Emirates University say that pseudin-2 could join a new class of medicines, called incretin mimetics, that help diabetics to control their condition when dietary changes or other medicines have failed.

Incretin mimetics [2]
Intestinal peptides regulate postprandial insulin secretion resulting in a higher insulin response to an oral glucose load compared with an intravenous administration of an equivalent amount of glucose.This is the " incretin effect" leaded by the incretin hormones, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP, renamed glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

These hormones are synthesized and secreted by cells lining the intestinal tract, and stimulate insulin secretion. A class of substances with the incretin effect are called "incretin mimetics" and include Liraglutide and Exenatide, polypeptide hormones, similar to the human GLP-1, but it is not subjected to rapid degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase.

[1] The Times: Jungle frog’s anti-infection agent may help millions of diabetics. March 3, 2008
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3471372.ece

[2] Schnabel, Catherine A.; White, Jr., John R.; Campbell, R. Keith: Incretin Mimetics and DPP-IV Inhibitors in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. US Pharm. 2004;11:35-49.
http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_1377.htm



06.03.2008: Soaking Frech fries in standing water reduces formation of acrylamide [1]
Rachel S Burch and colleagues 2008 investigated simple measures which could be used to reduce acrylamide formation in industrial and home-cooked French fries. The authors found that washing for 30 seconds under running tap water and then soaking in water for 30 min or 2 hours raw French fries before cooking led to reductions in acrylamide of up to 48 per cent and the colour was lighter compared with untreated French fries.
The authors stress that standing water removes sugars from the potato and extracts less starch from the surface of the potato than running water. Lower acrylamide levels were found when starch is not removed.

[1] Burch, Rachel S.; Trzesicka, Agnieszka; Clarke, Matthew; Elmore, J. Stephen; Webber, Nina: The effects of low-temperature potato storage and washing and soaking pre-treatments on the acrylamide content of French fries. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3179
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/117923641/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0


06.03.2008: Discarded mango peel is a valuable source of antioxidants and dietary fibre [1]
Mangopeel from mango products processing is being discarded whilst being a valuable source of antioxidants. Prasada Rao and colleagues 2007 studied the improvement in the nutraceutical properties of the biscuits with added mango peel powder.
The wheat flour incorporated with mango peel powder showed an increase in water absorption, and the biscuits incorporated with 10 per cent mango peel presented a high content of total and soluble dietary fiber, increased polyphenols and carotenoid content, and improved antioxidant properties.
The authors concluded that mango flavoured biscuits produced with wheat flour and mango peel powder are dietary fibre enriched have improved antioxidant properties and mango flavour.

[1] Ajila, C.M.; Leelavathi, K.; Prasada Rao, U.J.S.: Improvement of dietary fiber content and antioxidant properties in soft dough biscuits with the incorporation of mango peel powder. Journal of Cereal Science. Published online ahead of print 22 November 2007, doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2007.10.001  ScienceDirect


06.03.2008: Consumption of Food and Beverages with Added Plant Sterols [1]
Food products with added plant sterols are widely available in the EU, such as yellow fat spreads, dairy products and sauces including mayonnaises. Consuming plant sterols has been shown to help reduce blood cholesterol as part of a healthy diet.

However, high doses can also reduce levels of carotenoids in the blood. These are a source of vitamin A and may help reduce the risk of certain chronic health disorders including some forms of cancer. Consumers should therefore restrict intake of such products to below the recommended maximum level of 3g per day.

EFSA Report on food and beverages with added sterols [2]
The report of the European Food Safety Authority on Food and beverages with added plant sterols highlights that while there seems to be little over-consumption of such products in the EU, a small established subgroup appears to be consuming in excess of recommended amounts. It also reveals low consumer awareness of labelling and dietary guidelines for such products and of the need to consume sufficient fruit and vegetables to ensure robust blood carotenoid levels.

Structure of plant sterols
Plant sterols are structurally related to cholesterol and can be divided into phytosterols and phytostanols, phytostanols being the saturated form of the phytosterols. Phytosterols and phytostanols both exist in free or esterified form. Phytostanols are less used in commercial products because the production is more expensive requiring hydrogenation and esterification while phytosterols require only esterification.

Plant sterols fall into one of three categories: 4-desmethylsterols (no methyl groups); 4-monomethylsterols (one methyl group) and 4,4-dimethylsterols (two methyl groups). The most common plant sterols are beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol and structurally these are very similar to cholesterol, belonging to the class of 4-desmethylsterols.

There is a natural supply of plant sterols in the normal diet with the most common phytosterols being ß-sitosterol and its 22-dehydroanalog stigmasterol. Campesterol also occurs widely in plants Major sources of naturally occurring plant sterols are seeds, vegetable fats and oils, and nuts. According to a recent study in Finland, cereal and cereal products, especially rye, were the major sources of phytosterols, followed by margarine.

Intake recommendations
It is clear that the manufacturers target a daily intake of between 1.5-3 g of phytosterol for an average person, covering the beneficial range as noted by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF, 2002a) [3]. In many cases the portion size provides about a third of the recommended daily phytosterol intake and the manufacturers suggest accordingly that the specific product should be consumed three times a day or other phytosterol-enriched products should be consumed to supplement the intake.

There is a growing concern that, as the number of enriched product categories increases, consumers might use several products simultaneously and receive higher doses of plant sterols than intended.
The normal Western diet would contribute a daily supply of plant sterols in the range of 150-400 mg per person [3]. It should be noted that vegetarian diets are closer to the upper range.

It has been found that plant sterols in the diet reduce the cholesterol absorption in humans and there is some evidence that levels of naturally occurring plant sterols might reduce blood cholesterol to a small degree. However, for an effective reduction higher doses are required. Scientific studies indicate that consumption of 1.5-3 g of plant sterols per day can significantly reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals if consumed as part of a healthy diet. It can be concluded that the estimated average intake of 300 mg of naturally occurring plant sterols in the diet constitutes only about 10-20% of the recommended intake of 1.5-3 g

To take advantage of the cholesterol-lowering effect, an increasing number of food products with added plant sterols or plant sterol esters have become available on the EU market. Foods with added phytosterols or phytosterol esters require a novel food authorisation according to regulation 258/97/EC [4] since they were not used significantly as food in the European Union before 15 May 1997. Foods with added phytostanols or phytostanol esters do not need a novel food authorisation since they were already used as food within the EU before the introduction of the novel food legislation.

Carotene and other other essential fat-soluble micro nutrients [5]
Unfortunately, the consumption of high doses of plant sterols can also significantly reduce the blood levels of carotenoids and, to a lesser extent, other essential fat-soluble micro nutrients. [4] Although the consequences of a persistently decreased blood concentration of carotenoids on human health are largely unknown, there could be a concern during pregnancy, lactation or infancy when vitamin A requirements are greater than normal. As a prudent precaution it has thus been suggested that intakes of plant sterols should not exceed 3 g per day [3]

Labeling of products with plant sterols [6]
The EC regulation 608/2004 imposes a statutory requirement for all products with added plant sterols to label the maximum daily dose of such compounds and include an advise pregnant or nursing women and children under 5 years of age to avoid consuming these products.

[1] EFSA: Consumption of Food and Beverages with Added Plant Sterols. 4.03.2008
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178690353765.htm

[2] EFSA: Consumption of Food and Beverages with Added Plant Sterols in the European Union
Issued on 20 February 2008
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/Scientific_Document/datex_report_phytosterols,0.pdf

[3] SCF (Scientific Committee on Food) (2002a). General view on the long-term effects of the intake of elevated levels of phytosterols from multiple dietary sources with particular attention to the effects on ß-carotene. Opinion adopted by the Scientific Committee on Food on 26 September, 2002.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out143_en.pdf.

[4] 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

[5] Berger, A., Jones, P.J.H. and Abumweis, S.S. (2004). Plant sterols: factors affecting their efficacy and safety as functional food ingredients. Lipids Health Dis. 3:5.
http://www.lipidworld.com/content/3/1/5/abstract

[6] Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 of 31 March 2004 concerning the labelling of foods and food ingredients with added phytosterols, phytosterol esters, phytostanols and/or phytostanol esters.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:097:0044:0045:EN:PDF



05.03.2008: The genetic modified oilseed T45 from Bayer CropScience receives import green lights for food and feed uses, cultivation is excluded in EU        [1]
The GMO Panel of the European Food Safety Authority is of the opinion that the molecular characterisation of the DNA insert and flanking regions of oilseed rape T45 does not raise any safety concern, and that sufficient evidence for the stability of the genetic modification was provided.
The GMO Panel is of the opinion that the composition of oilseed rape T45 does not deviate from that of conventional oilseed rape varieties, except for the introduced trait.

The PAT protein induced no adverse effects in acute dose oral toxicity studies in rodents. In addition, the PAT protein is rapidly degraded in simulated gastric fluid and inactivated during heat treatments.
A 42-day feeding study with broilers did not indicate differences in the nutritional value of T45 oilseed rape versus the non-GM comparator and confirms the nutritional equivalence of T45 oilseed rape containing diet in comparison with a conventional diet in broiler chickens.

The applications for oilseed rape T45 concern food and feed uses, import and processing of oilseed rape T45 and all derived products, but excluding cultivation of the crop in the EU. There is therefore no requirement for scientific assessment of possible environmental effects associated with the cultivation of oilseed rape T45. There are no indications of increased likelihood of establishment or survival of feral oilseed rape plants in case of accidental release into the environment of oilseed rape T45 seeds during transportation and processing.

However, the GMO Panel advises that appropriate management systems should be in place to minimise accidental loss and spillage of transgenic oilseed rape during transportation, storage, handling in the environment and processing into derived products.

In conclusion, the GMO Panel considers that the information available for oilseed rape T45 addresses the scientific comments raised by the Member States and that the GM oilseed rape T45 is as safe as its non genetically modified counterpart with respect to potential effects on human and animal health or the environment. Therefore the GMO Panel concludes that oilseed rape T45 is unlikely to have any adverse effect on human or animal health or on the environment in the context of its intended uses.

[1] Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms on an application (Reference EFSA-GMO-UK-2005-25) for the placing on the market of glufosinate-tolerant oilseed rape T45 for food and feed uses, import and processing and renewal of the authorisation of oilseed rapt T45 as existing products, both under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 from Bayer CropScience, The EFSA Journal (2008) 635, 1-22.
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178690393760.htm


05.03.2008: Korean Professor Kim Tae-kook was suspended from KAIST under allegation of faked data [1]
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) suspended the bioscience professor Kim Tae-kook for the fabrication of data in two papers, published in Science in July 2005 and Nature Chemical Biology in July 2006, according to the Korea Times.

A postgraduate student, who was a co-author of the paper, unveiled the faked data after failing to replicate the experiments. He notified notified the school.

Kim's 2006 paper suggested ideas for increasing the human lifespan by "reprogramming" cells.
It was one of Kim's students who first suspected the credibility of Kim's research, the school said.

Professor Lee Gyun-min from KAIST said that false data were found in both articles and there is strong evidence that these were deliberately done under Kim's supervision.

The Kim 2005 paper published in Science journal [2]
Tae Kook Kim and colleagues 2005 wrote that magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) coated with a small molecule of interest are taken up by living cells and can be used to detect target proteins and activation of signaling pathways. The new technology that identifies molecular targets was called magnetism-based interaction capture (MAGIC). The authors stressed that the use of MAGIC in genome-wide expression screening identified multiple protein targets of a drug.

The Daxiang Cui 2007 research citing the Kim's paper published in Cancer Research journal [3]
Daxiang Cui and colleagues 2007 cite the Kim 2005 paper. According to Cui also magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were used. These nanoparticles were modified with different generations of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and mixed with antisense survivin oligodeoxynucleotide (asODN). The MNP then formed asODN-dendrimer-MNP composites, which can enter into tumor cells within 15 min, and cause down-regulation of the survivin gene and protein, and inhibited cell growth in dose- and time-dependent means. The authors wrote that PAMAM dendrimer-modified MNPs may be a good gene delivery system and have potential applications in cancer therapy and molecular imaging diagnosis.

The Kim paper 2006 published in Nature Chemical Biology [4]
According to Tae Kook Kim and colleagues 2006 most somatic cells encounter an inevitable destiny senescence. The authors claimed that the intrinsic 'senescence clock' can be reset in a reversible manner by selective modulation of the ataxia telangiectasia–mutated (ATM) protein and ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) protein with a small molecule, CGK733. Employing the magnetic nanoprobe technology MAGIC, described in 2005 the ATM protein was targeted by CGK733 blocking their signaling pathways with great selectivity. These results might reflect the specific targeting of the kinase activities of ATM and ATR by CGK733 without affecting any other domains required for cell proliferation.

The case of Professor Hwang Woo-suk [5]
In January 2006 the Science journal had to retract two Korean papers written by Hwang Woo-suk after his stem-cell cloning research was found to have faked data. Both scientist have now discredited Korean scientific work.
Hwang Woo-suk was a professor of theriogenology and biootechnology at Seoul National University (dismissed on March 20,2006) who rose to fame after claiming a series of remarkabble breakthroughs in the field of stem cell researche. Until November 2005, he was considered one of the pioneering experts in the field of stem cell research, best known for two articles published in the journal Science in 2004 and 2005 where he fraudulently reported to have succeeded in creating human embryonic stem cells by cloning. Both papers were later editorially retracted after they were found to contain a large amount of fabricated data. He has admitted to various lies and frauds.\\
\\
On May 12, 2006, Hwang was "indicted on embezzlement and bioethics law violations linked to faked stem cell research."Korea Times reported on June 10, 2007 that "The university expelled him and the government rescinded its financial and legal support. While being charged with fraud and embezzlement, he has kept a low profile at the Suam Bioengineering Research Institute in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where he is officially engaged in animal cloning. The government barred Hwang from conducting human cloning research." [6]

[1] The Korea Times: KAIST Suspends Star Bio-Scientist. 20.02.2008
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2008/03/133_19894.html

[2] Won, Jaejoon; Kim, Mina; Yi, Yong-Weon; Kim, Young Ho; Jung, Neoncheol; Kim, Tae Kook: Magnetic nanoparticles coupled to small-molecule probes are taken up by living cells and can be used to detect target proteins and activation of signaling pathways. Science 1 July 2005:
Vol. 309. no. 5731, pp. 121 - 125 DOI: 10.1126/science.1112869
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/309/5731/121

[3] Pan, Bifeng; Cui, Daxiang; Sheng, Yuan; Ozkan, Cengiz; Gao, Feng; He, Rong; Li, Qing; Xu, Ping; Huang, Tuo: Dendrimer-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles Enhance Efficiency of Gene Delivery System. Cancer Res. 67, 8156-8163 Cancer Research 67, 8156-8163, September 1, 2007. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-4762
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/67/17/8156

[4] Won, Jaejoon; Kim, Mina; Kim, Nuri; Ahn, Jin Hee; Lee, Woo Gil; Kim, Sung Soo; Chang, Ki-Young; Yi, Yong-Weon; Kim, Tae Kook: Small molecule–based reversible reprogramming of cellular lifespan. Nature Chemical Biology 2, 369-374 (2006). Published online: 11 June 2006 | Doi:10.1038/nchembio800
http://www.nature.com/nchembio/journal/v2/n7/abs/nchembio800.html

[5] Wikipedia: Hwang Woo-Suk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwang_Woo-Suk

[6] Korea Times: Hwang Woo-suk to Resume Cell Cloning Abroad published June 10, 2007
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2007/06/129_4446.html


04.03.2008: The cause of increasing number of allergies is unknown [1]
Many allergies and immune -system diseases have quadrupled in the last decade. Researchers suspect suspect modern living -- including the sterile homes, changes in diet, air pollution, obesity and increasingly sedentary lifestyles to be responsible for the increase of the ailments.

The Hygiene hypothesis [2]
According to Fernando Martinez the hygiene hypothesis, as originally proposed, postulated an inverse relation between the incidence of infectious diseases in early life and the subsequent development of allergies and asthma. Researchers say that microbial burden in general, and not any single acute infectious illness, is the main source of "danger" signals which modulate the immune response in early life. This may interact with genetic variations and result in an inherited susceptibility to asthma and allergies.

Some are feeding high-risk children gradually larger amounts of allergy-inducing foods, hoping to train the immune system not to overreact. Others are testing benign bacteria or parts of bacteria. Still others have patients with MS, colitis and related ailments swallow harmless parasitic worms to try to calm their bodies' misdirected defences.

Robert Summers and colleagues 2004 postulated that helminth parasites mostly have been eliminated in industrialized parts of the world, where the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease became the highest. Therefore the authors experimented with whipworms, proposing that helminths protect the bowel by downregulating inflammatory responses. They call on the symbiotic effect of helmnths and humans on developing and maintaining the immune system. [3]

Although hay fever, eczema, asthma and food allergies seem quite different, they are all "allergic diseases" because they are caused by the immune system responding to substances that are ordinarily benign, such as pollen or peanuts. Autoimmune diseases also result from the body's defence mechanisms malfunctioning. But in these diseases, which include lupus, MS, Type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, the immune system attacks parts of the body such as nerves, the pancreas or digestive tract.

According to Jean-Francois Bach the immune systems are much less busy, resulting in much more strong responses to much weaker stimuli, triggering allergies and autoimmune diseases. The researcher stresses that children raised with pets or older siblings are less likely to develop allergies, possibly because they are exposed to more microbes and parasites. Children reared on farms were one-tenth as likely to develop diseases such as asthma and hay fever. This was strongly supported by Erika von Mutius of the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich. [4]

The lack of exposure to potential threats early in life leaves the immune system with fewer command-and-control cells known as regulatory T cells, making the system more likely to overreact or run wild, says William Parker of the Duke University.

Ropbert Wood of the Johns Hopkins School of medicine is against the "hygiene hypothesis" because it does not explain asthma which is common in poor population which is exposed to cockroaches and rodents.

Other researchers blame processed foods or change in the balance of certain vitamins, such as vitamins C and E and fish oil. This is being supported by Thomas Platts-Mills
But many researchers believe the hygiene hypothesis is the strongest, and is in connection with a genetic predisposition. William Cookson says to develop allergies or autoimmune diseases both environmental factors and genetic susceptibility are needed.

Some researches following the hypothesis that challenge is necessary to develop a correct response, try to give increasing amounts of milk, egg and peanut to children suffering from these allergies . At start tiny doses are given, trying to train the immune system, the studies are leaded by
Wesley Burks.

Other researches give patients microscopic parasitic worms to try to tamp down the immune system.
Multiple sclerosis patients who had intestinal parasites were found to be in better conditions than those who did not. Professor John O. Fleming and colleagues will therefore undertake experiments with pig worms on MS patients. [5]

[1] Stain, Rob: Immune Systems Increasingly On Attack. Washington Post 04.03.2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/03/AR2008030303200_pf.html

[2] Martinez, Fernando D.: The coming-of-age of the hygiene hypothesis. Respir Res. 2001; 2(3): 129–132. Published online 2001 April 2. doi: 10.1186/rr48.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2002071

[3] Summers, Robert W.; Elliott, David E.; Weinstock, Joel V.: Is there a role for helminths in the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease? Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology (2005) 2, 62-63 Doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep0087 Received 2 September 2004 Accepted 14 December 2004
http://www.nature.com/ncpgasthep/journal/v2/n2/full/ncpgasthep0087.html

[4] Erika von Mutius of the Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München: EU-Projekt sucht genetische Faktoren und Umwelteinflüsse. LMU-Forscherin als Co-Koordinatorin von Asthma-Studie München, 09.05.2006
http://www.uni-muenchen.de/einrichtungen/zuv/uebersicht/komm_presse/verteiler/
presseinformationen/2006/nf-11-06.html

[5] Fleming, John O.: "Helminth-induced immunomodulation therapy (HINT) in relapsing-remitting MS" A novel, pilot clinical trial testing whether ingestion of worm eggs has the potential to alter the immune attack in MS. National Miltiple Sclerosis Society.
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_RES_research_fleminghttp
://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_RES_research_fleming


03.03.2008: Muslims say Walkers Crisps are not Halaal [1]
UK Muslims are upset on Walkers crisps containing traces of alcohol. The Muslim Council of Britain says that consuming food with alcohol in it is not permitted by the Muslim faith. Walkers should make ingredients such as alcohol clear on the packaging. Walkers have stated that only a minimal amount of alcohol is used in some products to extract flavour added to the crisps. The food industry, however should select flavourings which were extracted by other methods as using alcohol. Such methods are for instance, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. This is a way to keep the list of ingredients small and satisfy all consumers.

Flavour containing alcohol as a solvent [2]
According to Halapreneur some Islamic Scholars considered a non Halal food product if it is made with flavour containing alcohol as a solvent. But the others considered it Halal because they said the small or large quantity of the product does not intoxicate a person.

Masood Khawaja, of the Halal Food Authority, said that it had raised labelling issues and alcohol flavouring with Walkers before. “They should have looked into the matter and solved it instead of hiding behind labelling regulations. It does not matter what percentage of alcohol is involved.”

Walkers says that “There is not enough room on the packaging to list things beyond allergy-causing ingredients that can make people ill. “
Snacks that are likely to be boycotted by Muslims are Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, Doritos Chilli Heat Wave and Quavers Cheese.
See Walkers Crisp Homepage at http://www.walkers-crisps.co.uk/

[1]Times Online: Muslims shocked to learn that crisps contain alcohol. 22.02.2008
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article3412749.ece

[2] Halalpreneur: Is Vanilla Halal or Haram?
http://www.ehalal.org/vanilla.html



02.03.2008: Vitamin E supplements may increase risk of lung cancer [1]
Christopher Slatore and colleagues 2008 assessed the association of the incidence of lung cancer and supplemental multivitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate.
The authors found that daily use of supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate did not reduce the risk of lung cancer. Supplemental vitamin E was even associated with a small increased risk of lung cancer in current smokers, the greatest incidence was found for non-small cell lung cancer.

[1] Slatore, Christopher G.; Littman, Alyson J.; Au, David H.; Satia, Jessie A.; White, Emily: Long-Term Use of Supplemental Multivitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Folate Does Not Reduce the Risk of Lung Cancer.American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 177. pp. 524-530, (2008). Published ahead of print on November 7, 2007, doi:10.1164/rccm.200709-1398OC
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/177/5/524

02.03.2008: EFSA and FSA safety and bioavailability of Vanadium[1] [2]
EFSA's AFC Panel has issued an unfavourable opinion on vanadium containing compounds which may be added for nutritional purposes in foods for particularly uses and foods (including food supplements) intended for the general population. The assessed compounds were vanadium citrate, bismaltolato oxo vanadium and bisglycinato oxo vanadiumand vanadyl sulphate, vanadium pentoxide and ammonium vanadate. The non-vanadium constituents of these sources of vanadium are of no safety concern at the levels considered in this opinion. However, according to the FSA NDA Panel vanadium itself present various toxic effects, and a tolerable upper intake level could not be established in lack of appropriate data.

The bioavailability of vanadium from five of these six compounds is higher than that of vanadium absorbed from the normal diet. Consequently consumers could be exposed to higher levels of vanadium through products containing these five compounds than from a normal diet.
The Panel concluded that the safe use of the six sources for vanadium added to foods intended for the general population, including food supplements, and foods for particular nutritional uses, could not be established.

Uses [3]
These sources for vanadium are not included in the list of vitamin and mineral substances which may be used in certain foods including food supplements. However they have been allowed to remain in use in Member States of the European Union.
Vanadium forms are typically used as a dye and colour-fixer in foods and supplements.
Vanadyl sulfate, has been used to increase insulin sensitivity in supplements and has therefore been targeted at diabetes sufferers and the body-building market.

Occurrence of vanadium in food, food supplements
According to the UK Food Standards AgencyBeverages, fats, oils, fresh fruits and vegetables contain the lowest levels of vanadium, whereas whole grains, seafood, meats and dairy products contain more (0.005 – 0.03 mg/kg). A few foods, including spinach, parsley, mushrooms and oysters, contain relatively high amounts of vanadium (>0.10 mg/kg).

Vanadium is present in a number of multi-vitamin/mineral dietary supplements at levels of
approximately 0.025 mg per day. There are no licensed medicines containing vanadium.

Other sources of exposure
Exposure to vanadium by inhalation may occur occupationally. In the production of vanadium
pentoxide, dust concentrations of the pentoxide can range from 0.1 to 30 mg/m3 , and concentrations of 0.5–5 mg/m3 are not uncommon in the production of vanadium metal and vanadium catalysts.

Recommended amounts
Vanadium has not yet been proven to be an essential trace element for mammals. There is no evidence to suggest that the vanadium we get from food is harmful It is unlikely that we need vanadium for good health and too much could be harmful.

Function
No specific function has been identified for vanadium in higher animals. In vitro and animal studies suggest that vanadium may function as an oxidation-reduction catalyst, and may regulate the sodium, potassiumadenosine triphosphatase enzyme, however, this has not been proven.

Deficiency
In humans, the reported signs of deficiency are questionable, although it has been suggested that low intakes may be associated with cardiovascular disease.

Interactions
Although no specific data have been identified, it is possible that vanadium may interfere with the
storage and metabolism of iron, because absorbed vanadium is bound to transferrin.

Absorption and bioavailability
Intestinal absorption of vanadium is low, less than 5%. The mechanism of absorption has not been
defined.

Distribution
Absorbed vanadium is mainly transported in the plasma, associated with transferrin. Concentrations
reported in human blood vary widely, with levels in whole blood and serum in the range of 0.01 – 0.4 mg/L.
The concentrations in all tissues are low, but are higher in the liver, kidney and lung. Vanadium is also present in breast milk and saliva and passes through the blood brain barrier. Small amounts have been identified in the placenta. Based on animal studies, bones and teeth retain the highest concentrations of vanadium.

Excretion
Ingested vanadium is predominantly eliminated unabsorbed via the faeces. Absorbed vanadium is mainly excreted via the urine.

Toxicity
Human data
The toxicity of vanadium compounds increases as valency increases, V5+ being the most toxic. In
humans, exposure by inhalation causes diverse toxic effects on the respiratory, digestive, and central
nervous systems, the kidney and skin. There are very few reported cases of vanadium toxicity in humans, when it is taken by mouth.

Supplementation trials
Supplementation of human volunteers with vanadyl compounds at oral doses of 50-125 mg/day caused cramps, loosened stools and "green tongue" in all patients, and fatigue and lethargy in a minority.

Animal data
Orally administered vanadium has low overt toxicity, but is reported to have adverse effects on
reproduction and development in both males and females. There is some evidence of increased pre and post-implantation foetal loss and significant accumulation of vanadium in the foetus. Skeletal
anomalies and reduced ossification in the offspring, as well as an increased incidence of cleft palate
have been reported.

Carcinogenicity and genotoxicity
Lifetime studies in animals indicate that vanadium is not carcinogenic. Positive results have been
obtained in some in vitro mutagenicity tests.

Exposure assessment of vanadium
Total exposure/intake:
Food Mean: 0.013 mg/day (1980 UK TDS)
Supplements up to 0.025 mg/day (Annex 4)
Drinking Water 0.01 mg/day (estimated from 0.005 mg/L, WHO 1988)
Estimated maximum
daily intake 0.013 + 0.025 + 0.01 = 0.05 mg/day

[1] EFSA issues opinion on nutrient sources containing vanadium
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178689482553.htm

[2] Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic products, nutrition and allergies [NDA] related to the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Vanadium
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620766253.htm

[3] EVM Review of Vanadium
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/evm_vanadium.pdf


01.03.2008: UK infant and follow-up formula may keep current labels [1]
According to a notice of FSA the UK High Court has ruled that manufacturers may continue to produce (and retailers may continue to sell) infant and follow-on formula bearing the current labels until 1 January 2010. After this time, they will have to ensure that products are labelled in accordance with the new labelling rules in the 2007 regulations. The judgement does not affect the rules relating to advertising of infant and follow-on formula, which apply immediately.

The implementation of new European legislation on infant and follow-on formula. infant and follow-on formula legislation was announced by the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency in November. It is designed to introduce stricter controls on labelling and advertising of all types of formulae to ensure that breastfeeding is not undermined by the marketing and promotion of such products.

[1] Food Standards Agency: Judicial review of infant formula regulations
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/feb/infantjr


01.03.2008: Phytosterol effects on dairy microflora [1]
Phytosterols such as beta-sitosterol, campesterol, sitostanol, and campestanol are added in functional foods based on milk or yoghurt for their ability to reduce serum cholesterol. Blank and colleagues 2008 studied antimicrobial proprieties of these compounds in milk and yoghurt starter cultures

They found that the tested commercial phytosterol had no effect on the growth of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus from yoghurt cultures, nor did it influence the growth of the spoilers Pseudomonas, Saccaromyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus ochraceous. However, when stearoyl lactylate, a dispersing agent, was added, growth of Lactobacillus and Strepotococcus bulgaricus was affected. Pseudomonas was not affected by the commercial dispersible phytosterol preparation.

The synergistic effect of Phytosterol and stearoyl lactylate should be considered when used in these products.

[1] Monu, E.; Blank, G.; Holley, R.; Zawistowski, J.: (2008) : Phytosterol Effects on Milk and Yogurt Microflora. Journal of Food Science. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00668.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00668.x



01.03.2008: Cloning of animals for food should be prohibited says MEPs.[1]
The European Union is currently considering whether to approve animal cloning for food production. According to Sonja Van Tichelen , director of the Eurogroup for Animals, cloning is an incredibly wasteful way of producing food, and causes suffering and harm to animals at every stage of development.

Cloning has been proved to be an inefficient practice that requires the loss of many animal lives just to produce one successful clone. Only 8% of sheep involved in a cloning process result in a viable offspring or embryo transferred. For cows this is 15-20%. Goats less than 3%, pigs 3-5%, rabbits less than 2%, mice less than 2%, horses less than 1%, and deer less than 1%.

Members of the European Parliament of the Intergroup on Animal Welfare, leaded by Neil Parish MEP, signed a resolution calling on the Commission to prohibit:

* The cloning of animals for food supply
* The farming of cloned animals or their offspring
* The placing on the market of meat or dairy products derived from cloned animals or their offspring
* The import of cloned animals or their offspring, semen and embryos from cloned animals or their offspring, and meat or dairy products derived from cloned animals or their offspring.


[1] Eurogroup for Animals: MEPs call for ban on cloning
http://www.eurogroupanimalwelfare.org/news/pdf/prcloning21feb08.pdf