9/9/2010 -

Food Manufacturing E-bulletin - March 2010

Food Safety News

A spotlight on the hottest topics for the food manufacturing sector

March 2010

In This Month’s Edition……
1. FSSC 22000 gains full GFSI approval
2. New EU organic logo unveiled
3. ISO Standard for supply chain RFID product tagging
4. EU cage ban will not lead to increase in salmonella
5. Revised EU Guidance on General Food Law
6. Country of origin labelling COP for pork and pork products
7. EFSA launches cooperation project on non-plastic food contact materials
8. UK FSA Food and Allergy Alerts (February ‘10)

1. FSSC 22000 gains full GFSI approval
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has now formally approved the FSSC 22000 scheme. The scheme now managed by The Foundation for Food Safety Certification, based in the Netherlands, has been given full recognition by the Global Food Safety Initiative Board of Directors. This follows an extensive benchmarking process using the requirements laid out in the GFSI Guidance Document Version 5, and an addendum which was issued in December 2009.

GFSI has recognised FSSC 22000 for the scopes of the processing of animal and vegetal perishable products as well as processing of long shelf life ambient products and food. The FSSC scheme is based on the internationally recognised standard ISO 22000 and the British Standards Institute (BSI) specification PAS 220, and integrates additional auditing protocol required to meet GFSI requirements.

This benchmarking process has been completed using an internationally accepted set of food safety requirements, based on industry best practice and sound science, which are developed through a consensus building process by key stakeholders in the food supply chain.
To see the full press release go to:
http://www.fssc22000.com/downloads/GFSI.pdf

 

2. New EU organic logo unveiled
The EC has announced the winner of its contest to design a new logo to appear on all organic food and beverage products in the EU: 12 stars in the shape of a leaf (the ‘Euro-leaf’).
The new logo will be compulsory on new organic products as of 1 July 2010, but it is thought that industry will have until 1 January 2012 before labels on all existing products need to be changed. National, regional, or private labels will be allowed to appear on packaging alongside the common EU logo.
To see the logo go to: http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/press/frontpage/100208_en.htm


3. ISO Standard for supply chain RFID product tagging
ISO 17367:2009, Supply chain applications of RFID – Product tagging, is designed to provide a standardised approach to help manufacturers and distributors to track products and manage global traceability using radio frequency identification (RFID).
It defines traceability as the tracking and tracing of product and information related to it at each stage of a chain of production, processing, distribution, and selling.
The ISO said the standard was applicable to a range of industries and has been formulated to ensure it complied with other standards from the organisation.
The new standard can be applied across a raft of industry sectors and has been drawn up to ensure compatibility at the physical, command and data levels with 4 other International Standards under the general title Supply chain applications of RFID i.e.
ISO 17363:2007, Supply chain applications of RFID – Freight containers;
ISO 17364:2009, Supply chain applications of RFID – Returnable transport items (RTIs); ISO 17365:2009, Supply chain applications of RFID – Transport units
ISO 17366:2009, Supply chain applications of RFID – Product packaging;
Available to order from ISO at: http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38337

4. EU cage ban will not lead to increase in salmonella
Scientists across Europe, studying the impact of different egg production systems on the incidence of salmonella say that the move away from conventional cage production to free range and other systems should not lead to an increase in salmonella.
The work was commissioned by the EU, which is imposing a ban on producing eggs in conventional cages in January 2012. The EU wanted the scientists to examine whether the fears of some people that a switch from conventional cages to alternative forms of production would lead to an increase in salmonella were justified. The results of the scientists’ work have now been published, and they should allay any fears that the cage ban could lead to increased salmonella problems.
In terms of salmonella incidence there was nothing to choose between each of the various alternatives to conventional cages, but hens in all of the alternatives achieved better results than birds in battery cages.
The study was conducted on units in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy and Switzerland.
More info at: http://www.farminguk.com/TopNews/Cage-ban-will-not-lead-to-increase-in-salmonella_17811.html


5. Revised EU Guidance on General Food Law
This Guidance, first issued in 2004, has been updated by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) and provides compliance guidance re. Articles 11, 12,14,17-20 of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 on General Food Law.
A new section has been developed on food safety requirements, and the sections on traceability, withdrawal/recall and export of food and feed, have been redrafted with a view to simplifying, clarifying and completing them.  The new guidance can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/foodlaw/guidance/guidance_rev_8_en.pdf

6. Country of origin labelling COP for pork and pork products
Leading UK retailers and caterers have endorsed a new voluntary code, produced by BPEX’s Pig Meat Supply Chain Task Force, which aims to give clear and unambiguous information about country of origin on packs of pork, bacon and ham when it ‘goes live’ in April.
Major companies already committed to the code include Asda, Baxter Storey, Marks and Spencer, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, The Co-operative, Waitrose and Whitbread.
The key elements of country of origin include:
- A commitment to clearly display the country of origin on retail packs
- Where single country of origin is displayed it means that the pig was born, reared and slaughtered in that country
- The term "produced in the UK" will not be used without qualification of the origin of the pork
- The use of national terms and symbols (such as flags) will mean that the pork comes from that country
- Product specific terms such as Wiltshire Cure will mean that the pork used to make the product comes from within the UK. If not the origin will be clearly stated
- Imagery that could imply UK origin will only be used on UK origin product; otherwise there will be a statement of origin on the pack
- Food service outlets will make origin information readily available to customers such as on the menu, in literature or on company websites
- Where the term "local" is used it will be clearly defined.
Production definitions, such as 'outdoor bred' and 'outdoor reared' are being finalised and an announcement on how these could be incorporated into labelling is expected in the near future.
More info at: http://www.bpex.org.uk/articles/299949/Code_Brings_Clarity_to_Country_of_Origin__23_February_2010.aspx


7. EFSA launches cooperation project on non-plastic food contact materials
The European Food Safety Authority has set up a scientific cooperation group to collect and analyse information on the safety of substances used in non-plastic materials which come into contact with food.
This follows a number of incidents in recent years in which certain substances used in non-plastic food contact materials (such as inks and adhesives) have been found to migrate into foods. Whilst EU rules specify that all materials coming into contact with foods must be safe, many non-plastic components of food contact materials - unlike plastic materials - are not subject to specific provisions at the European level.

More Info at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/cef100222.htm


8. UK FSA Food and Allergy Alerts (February ‘10)

Food Alerts:
02/02: Heinz recalls a batch of its Fruity Custard Fruit Medley baby food (4 x 100g pots) because it might contain small pieces of plastic that could cause choking.
23 & 24/02: Smoked mackerel products produced in unapproved premises Northern Ireland ('The Smoke House')
26/02: The Premier Foods Group recalls certain batch codes of Loyd Grossman Tomato and Chilli Pasta Sauce 350g due to possible contamination with pieces of glass
26/02: Pro-Pak Foods Ltd recalls various batches of Country Store Sliced Chicken Roll due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
26/02: Euroversal International Ltd/Mithaighar recalls Sweetened Yoghurt produced in premises served with Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order
03/03: Waitrose recalls a certain date code of its own brand Natural Roasted Peanuts due to possible contamination with of rubber.
03/03: Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc recalls a certain date code of its own brand Toffee & Pecan Ice Cream due to possible contamination with pieces of rubber.

Allergy Alerts:
05/02: Harden Foods withdraws its ‘Rootz’ Large Eccles Cakes due to incorrect allergen labelling. Allergen: Sulphur Dioxide
09/02: Premier Foods notifies consumers that a batch code of Cadburys Chunks Bournville 180g (used for cooking and baking) contains milk protein which is not declared on the label. Allergen: Milk
16/02: Grace Foods withdraws it’s own brand Coconut Milk Powder/Leche de Coco en Polvo due to incomplete allergen labelling of milk. Allergen: Milk (incorrectly labelled as sodium caseinate)
18/02: Asda withdraws one date code of Asda Extra Special Double Chocolate Cookies due to a packaging error resulting in undeclared allergen information. Allergen: Nuts (Hazelnuts)
18/02: KTC Edibles withdraws Lasco brand Coconut Cream Powder due to incomplete allergen labelling of milk. Allergen: Milk (incorrectly labelled as sodium caseinate)
18/02: TRS Wholesale withdraws Cocomi brand Coconut Milk Powder due to incomplete allergen labelling of milk. Allergen: Milk (incorrectly labelled as sodium caseinate)
26/02: Asda withdraws one date code of Asda Fresh Tastes Gammon Steaks with Pineapple due to a packaging error resulting in the presence of undeclared gluten (wheat) and milk. Allergens: Gluten (wheat) and milk


If you have any queries or comments about these articles please contact Jon Adams – Business Development Manager - Manufacturing on 07801039026, email jonathan.adams@nsf-cmi.com

NSF-CMi is the leading independent environmental health, food assurance and supply chain technical services provider working throughout the catering, foodservice and hospitality & leisure sectors. It is the UK market leader for bespoke, food safety, health & safety compliance support and provides a full range of technical services for the retail, catering and leisure sectors.

NSF-CMi works extensively with governments, UK and international executive agencies and industry bodies to develop solutions which balance the interests of all stakeholders in the quest to improve the quality of consumer safety, provide client protection and enhance brand equity.

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