When formulating diets for pigs, it is more accurate to use values for standardized or true nutrient digestibility than values for apparent nutrient digestibility because the former are additive in mixed diets. Research at the University of Illinois is helping to determine the true...
Read more True Digestibility Of Calcium In Pig Diets
Food Safety and Food Science News delivered daily along with food safety alerts, recalls and withdrawals.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Study looks at calcium in canola meal as part of pig diet
Crop intensification and organic fertilizers can be a long-term solution to perennial food shortages in Africa
Farmers in Africa can increase their food production if they avoid over dependence on chemical fertilizers, pesticides and practice agricultural intensification – growing more food on the same amount of land – using natural and resource-conserving approaches such as a...
Read more Food Production Can Be Increased By Agricultural Intensification Through Agroforestry In Africa
GlassGuard BlackBand® fragment retention lamps installed at German food factory
GlassGuard BlackBand® fragment retention lamps have been installed at raw meat supplier Heinrich Manten in Germany following an accidental lamp breakage. The installation safeguards Manten’s production site against glass contamination and also protects against injury to personnel. Whilst ch...
Read more GlassGuard® Fragment Retention For Glass Control?
Children’s Preferences for Sweeter and Saltier Tastes Are Linked to Each Other and to Measures of Growth
Scientists from the Monell Chemical Senses Center have found that children who most prefer high levels of sweet tastes also most prefer high levels of salt taste and that, in general, children prefer sweeter and saltier tastes than do adults. These preferences relate not only to food intake...
Read more Children Prefer Sweeter And Saltier Tastes Than Adults
Knowing whether food has spoiled without even opening the container
A color-coded smart tag could tell consumers whether a carton of milk has turned sour or a can of green beans has spoiled without opening the containers, according to researchers. The tag, which would appear on the packaging, also could be used to determine if medications and other perishable...
Read more Detecting Spoiled Food Without Opening Packaging
New evidence raises questions about the link between fatty acids and heart disease
A new study raises questions about current guidelines which generally restrict the consumption of saturated fats and encourage consumption of polyunsaturated fats to prevent heart disease. The research was published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
An international research...
Read more Researchers Question The Link Between Fatty Acids And Cardiovascular Disease
Tips for Reading Food Labels
We encourage people to think more about what they eat on a daily basis. We realise that some of consumers are not sure what they should be eating. We recommend that nutritional information included on food labels or provided by manufacturers are to be a good base for monitoring the consumers’ d...
Read more How To Read Nutritional Food Label Information
Bergpracht Milchwerk GmbH Recalls Organic Cheese
GERMANY – Bergpracht Milchwerk GmbH & Co.KG is recalling Bioland Bio Hofkäse (organic farmhouse cheese) and Unsere Heimat Hofkäse (Our home farmhouse cheese) because some of the batches may be contaminated with Listeria.
Listeria is the name of a bacteria found in soil and water and so...
Read more Bioland Bio Hofkäse and Unsere Heimat Hofkäse Recalled
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Why Eating a Diet Very Low In Nutrients Can Extend Lifespan
A new evolutionary theory in BioEssays claims that consuming a diet very low in nutrients can extend lifespan in laboratory animals, a finding which could hold clues to promoting healthier ageing in humans.
Scientists have known for decades that severely restricted food intake reduces the...
Read more A Diet Very Low In Nutrients Can Extend Lifespan
New reason to eat oats for heart health
Eleven top scientists from around the globe presented the latest findings on the powerful compounds found in oats in a scientific session titled, Physicochemical Properties and Biological Functionality of Oats, at the 247th Annual Conference of the American Chemical Society in Dallas, TX. ...
Read more Phenolic Compound In Oats Helps Protecting Your Heart
High-Tech Materials Purify Water with Sunlight
Sunlight plus a common titanium pigment might be the secret recipe for ridding pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other potentially harmful pollutants from drinking water. Scientists combined several high-tech components to make an easy-to-use water purifier that could work with the world’s most b...
Read more Sunlight To Purify Drinking Water
Tequila Plant Could Lower Blood Glucose Levels And Help Lose Weight
A sweetener created from the plant used to make tequila could lower blood glucose levels for the 26 million Americans and others worldwide who have type 2 diabetes and help them and the obese lose weight, researchers said.
The main reason it could be valuable, they explained, is that agavins,...
Read more Tequila Plant Could Lower Blood Glucose Levels And Help Lose Weight
Better-tasting reduced-fat desserts, dressings, sauces: Coming soon?
Adjusting the calcium level and acidity could be the key to developing new better-tasting, more eye-appealing and creamier reduced-fat sauces, desserts and salad dressings that could be on the market soon, researchers reported here today.
To date, a major problem with removing fat from these...
Read more Researchers Develop Better-Tasting, Creamier Reduced-Fat Sauces, Desserts And Salad Dressings
Honey is a new approach to fighting antibiotic resistance: How sweet it is!
Honey, that delectable condiment for breads and fruits, could be one sweet solution to the serious, ever-growing problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, researchers said here today.
Medical professionals sometimes use honey successfully as a topical dressing, but it could play a larger...
Read more Honey To Combat Bacterial Resistance To Antibiotics
Climate change will reduce crop yields sooner than we thought
A study led by the University of Leeds has shown that global warming of only 2°C will be detrimental to crops in temperate and tropical regions, with reduced yields from the 2030s onwards.
Professor Andy Challinor, from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds and lead ...
Read more Crop Yields Will Be Reduced Due to Global Warming From The 2030s
Nectar: A sweet reward from plants to attract pollinators
Evolution is based on diversity, and sexual reproduction is key to creating a diverse population that secures competitiveness in nature. Plants had to solve a problem: they needed to find ways to spread their genetic material. Flying pollinators—insects, birds, and bats—were nature’s sol...
Read more Nectar Produces Perfumes And Sugary Rewards To Attract Pollinators
Bionic plants
Plants have many valuable functions: They provide food and fuel, release the oxygen that we breathe, and add beauty to our surroundings. Now, a team of MIT researchers wants to make plants even more useful by augmenting them with nanomaterials that could enhance their energy production and...
Read more Plants To Monitor Environmental Pollutants
Monday, 17 March 2014
10 Facts about the Changing Fast Food Industry
There is no question that dieting and healthy eating has become a greater topic of conversation in recent years and the fast food industry has taken notice. Lower-calorie Satisfries at Burger King, no GMOs at Chipotle Mexican Grill, meals of less than 500 calories at El Pollo Loco, and locally ...
Read more Changes In Fast Food Industry
Researchers Find High Acceptability of Three-Colored Raspberry Jelly
Raspberries are among the most popular berries in the world and are high in antioxidants that offer significant health benefits to consumers. The red raspberry is most commonly used in processed products like juices, jams, jellies and preserves because of its short shelf life. A new study in...
Read more Mixed Raspberries Jelly, A Good Good Alternative To One-Colored Jelly
Gluten-Free Crackers Made with Hemp Flour and Decaffeinated Green Tea Leaves
A team of food scientists from University of Novi Sad in Serbia and Guelph Food Research Centre in Canada found that hemp flour, a by-product of cold-pressed hemp oil, in combination with decaffeinated green tea leaves could be used to develop a gluten-free snack cracker with functional...
Read more Hemp Flour And Green Tea Leaves Used To Develop A Gluten-Free Snack
Study suggests potential association between soy formula and seizures in children with autism
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has detected a higher rate of seizures among children with autism who were fed infant formula containing soy protein rather than milk protein.
The study found excess seizures among girls and in the total sample of 1,949 children. The soy-seizure...
Read more Soy Protein Linked Seizures In Children With Autism
Concerns raised about using beta agonists in beef cattle
Use of certain animal drugs known as beta agonists in cattle production has received considerable national attention.
A Texas Tech University veterinary epidemiologist has found that although there are significant societal benefits to the practice, an increase in death loss of cattle raises...
Read more Are Beta Agonists Safe For Beef Cattle?
Eating O' the Green for St. Paddy
St. Patrick’s Day has long been the day for the “Wearin’ O’ the Green” but Lisa Cimperman, RD, clinical dietitian at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, says it also makes a great time to think about the “Eatin’ O’ the Green.”...
Read more Eating Green On St. Patrick's Day
New wireless network to revolutionize soil testing
A University of Southampton researcher has helped to develop a wireless network of sensors that is set to revolutionize soil-based salinity measuring.
Dr Nick Harris, from Electronics and Electrical Engineering, worked with a group of professors from the University of Western Australia (UWA)...
Read more Soil-Based Salinity Measured By A Wireless Network Of Sensors
Plant biology discovery furthers scientists' understanding of plant growth and development
UC Riverside scientists discover auxin sensing and signaling complex on plant cell surface that explains why leaf epidermal cells have jigsaw puzzle-piece shapes.
Auxin, a small molecule, is a plant hormone discovered by Charles Darwin about 100 years ago. Over the years that followed it...
Read more Progressing In Understanding Of Plant Growth And Development
Eating green veggies improves immune defenses
Researchers reporting online in the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, have found another good reason to eat your green vegetables, although it may or may not win any arguments with kids at the dinner table.
It turns out that green vegetables — from bok choy to broccoli — are ...
Read more Eat Green Vegetables Not Just On St. Paddy Day
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Rice experts roll out new stress-tolerant rice varieties for Africa under ARICA brand
The Africa-wide Rice Breeding Task Force, convened by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), has recently nominated six varieties with improved tolerance to environmental stresses as ARICA, which stands for Advanced Rice Varieties for Africa.
“This is the second series of nominations since...
Read more New Stress-Tolerant Rice Varieties Selected For Africa
Asocian Aumento De Infecciones Por Salmonella Con Los Criaderos De Pollos Familiares
Las familias que poseenpequeños criaderos de pollos en sus viviendas estarían expuestasal riesgo de padecer salmonelosis, pero investigadores aseguranque podrían evitar la infección.
Un estudio demuestra que la campaña que promueve laproducción local de alimentos logró que cada vez más familia...
Read more Asocian Aumento De Infecciones Por Salmonella Con Los Criaderos De Pollos Familiares
Frozen Chicken Roulades Recalled
BELGIUM – Colruyt is recalling frozen chicken roulades (paupiettes de poulet surgelées) because some of the batches may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella is a group of bacteria which causes of food poisoning. Usually, symptoms last 4-7 days and most people get better without treatment. ...
Read more Colruyt Recalls Frozen Chicken Roulades
Offering Healthy Foods at High School Concession Stands
Pep-rallies, the marching band, cheers and chants, and savory, indulgent foods sold at the concession stand are all beloved features of the American high school sports tradition.
In contrast to the nutrition requirements on breakfast and lunches sold in school cafeterias, foods sold at...
Read more School Concession Stands Packed With Healthy Foods?
Food Alerts from Europe, week 11
Here is the summary of food alerts issued by Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) last week
On 11/03/2014, too high count of Escherichia coli (16.000 MPN/100g) was discovered in chilled clams (Tapes philippinarum) from Italy. The product was distributed to Germany, Netherlands, France,...
Read more RASFF Food Alerts, Week 11
Impacts of climate change in Switzerland: adaptation and climate change mitigation must go hand in hand
Cows will in future be at risk of heat stress. There are major regional differences, however, in the consequences of climate change. Tessin will be particularly affected by the negative consequences of a rise in temperature. (Picture: G. Brändle, Agroscope)
Southern Switzerland ...
Read more Researchers Report Impacts Of Climate Change In Switzerland
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Pig farmers on red alert over Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) is harmless to humans but is killing up to 100% of very young piglets on affected pig farms in the United States, says the National Pig Association (NPA). It is not yet known how the highly infectious virus spread to the States from China, and how it has...
Read more British Pig Industry On Red Alert Due To PEDv
New powers in food safety body bill
Food Standards Scotland (FSS), a new food safety body for Scotland which will replace the UK Food Standards Agency, will introduce extra measures as a result of the horsemeat scandal.
Food Standards Scotland will be given specific powers to seize food that does not meet labelling rules.
Public...
Read more Extra Measures In Scottish Legislation To Prevent Horsemeat Scandal
Spare Ribs Recalled
BELGIUM – Delhaize is recalling Spare Ribs Sate (froid) (cold) and Spare Ribs Sate Chaud (hot) because they contain mustard, which is not mentioned in the allergen information on the product labels. This makes the products a possible health risk for anyone who has an allergy or intolerance to m...
Read more Delhaize Spare Ribs Recalled
Mazza tinned sweet products recalled
UNITED KINGDOM – RS UK Foods Ltd is recalling two Mazza tinned sweet products because they contain wheat (gluten), which is not mentioned in the allergen information on the product labels. This makes the products a possible health risk for anyone who has an allergy or intolerance to wheat...
Read more RS UK Foods Recalls Two Mazza Tinned Sweet Products
Friday, 14 March 2014
Eating Fish, Nuts May Not Help Thinking Skills After All
A new research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may not benefit thinking skills. The study is published in the online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Omega-3s are found in fatty fish such as salmon and in nuts.
“There has been a lot of interest in...
Read more Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Not Benefit Older Women Memory
New Raisin Research Shows Several Health Benefits
There have been relatively few studies conducted on the health benefits of dried fruits; however, over the past few years there have been many advances regarding the health benefits of raisins.
The review showed that raisins contain significant amounts of the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol...
Read more Health Benefits Of Consuming Raisins
Gut Ponholz Delikatess Münchner Weißwurst Recalled
GERMANY – Südbayerische Fleischwaren GmbH is recalling Gut Ponholz Delikatess Münchner Weißwurst (Gut Ponholz Delikatess Munich white sausage) because some of the batches may be contaminated with foreign body, red plastic. Therefore the product may pose health hazard.
The recalled product i...
Read more Südbayerische Fleischwaren GmbH Recalls Gut Ponholz Delikatess Münchner Weißwurst
Herbal and Weight Loss Supplements, Energy Drink Associated with Liver Damage and Liver Failure
Severe liver damage, and even failure, has been associated with the consumption of weight loss supplements, an herbal supplement and an energy drink, according to four separate case reports presented at the American College of Gastroenterology. Use of herbal and dietary supplements is...
Read more Energy Drink Linked To Liver Damage
Tropical grassy ecosystems under threat
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found that tropical grassy areas, which play a critical role in the world’s ecology, are under threat as a result of ineffective management.
According to research, they are often misclassified and this leads to degradation of the land which has a d...
Read more Ineffective Management Leads Tropical Grassy Areas To Degradation
Gut Ponholz Delikatess Teewurst Recalled
GERMANY – Windau GmbH & Co. KG is recalling Gut Ponholz Delikatess Teewurst because some of the batches may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella is a group of bacteria which causes of food poisoning. Usually, symptoms last 4-7 days and most people get better without treatment....
Read more Windau GmbH & Co. KG Recalls Gut Ponholz Delikatess Teewurst
Tart Cherries Linked to Reduced Risk of Stroke
For the millions of Americans at risk for heart disease or diabetes, a diet that includes tart cherries might actually be better than what the doctor ordered, according to new animal research from the University of Michigan Health System.
A class of drugs called PPAR agonists that help...
Read more Cherries Linked To A Reduction In Stroke-Related Symptoms
Recall of Shellfish De La Mer Cooked Mussel Meats Due to Associated Illnesses
IRELAND – Following reports of illnesses associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) in Ireland, Shellfish De La Mer, Castletownbere, Co. Cork is recalling the above two batches of frozen cooked mussel meats, which were sold by Dunnes Stores and Tesco Ireland. The implicated ...
Read more Shellfish De La Mer Cooked Mussel Meats Recalled
Africa's pollution in the spotlight
Human activity in Africa significantly contributes to air pollution. However, no detailed data regarding country-by-country pollutant emissions in the continent was available until now. To remedy this, a joint French-Ivory Coast team headed by the Laboratoire d’Aérologie (CNRS / ...
Read more Researchers Map Pollution In Africa
Tabaluga Croissant Vanille Recalled
AUSTRIA – Chipita is recalling Tabaluga Croissant Vanille (Tabaluga vanilla croissant) because some of thebatches may be contaminated with mould. Therefore a potential health hazard exists and it is strongly advised against the consumption of this product.
The recalled product is Tabaluga C...
Read more Chipita Recalls Tabaluga Croissant Vanille
Heritable variation discovered in trout behaviour
Populations of endangered salmonids are supported by releasing large quantities of hatchery-reared fish, but the fisheries’ catches have continued to decrease. Earlier research has shown that certain behavioural traits explain individual differences in how fish survive in the wild. A new...
Read more Brown Trout Shows Personality
Healthy Food Options Trims Fat and Costs
Henry Ford Health System cut 7 tons of fat from food and increased fruit and vegetable purchases by 10 percent annually in an effort to offer patients more healthy food choices.
In addition, the hospital system removed all fryers and committed to removing all deep fried fat products, promotes...
Read more Henry Ford Health System Helps Promoting Healthy Food Choices
Thursday, 13 March 2014
Blu-ray technology detects microorganisms, toxins
A novel adaptation of Blu-ray technology is enabling researchers at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (PUV), Spain, to discover if a sample contains Salmonella or other toxic substances. This simple and cheap analytical system can be applied to clinical diagnosis and environmental ...
Read more Pathogens Detected Using Blu-ray Technology
Azti-Tecnalia Desarrolla Una Metodología Para Autentificar La Especie De Atún En Conserva En 24 Horas
Azti-Tecnalia, centro tecnológico especializado en investigación marina y alimentaria, ha desarrollado un nuevo método para autentificar el atún en conserva que permite detectar en tan solo 24 horas si el producto se trata de bonito del norte, yellowfin o patudo. Hasta ahora, las metodologías g...
Read more Azti-Tecnalia Desarrolla Una Metodología Para Autentificar La Especie De Atún En Conserva En 24 Horas
Natural Product Found In Grapefruit Can Prevent Kidney Cysts From Forming
Naringenin, which is also present in other citrus fruits, has been found to successfully block the formation of kidney cysts, an effect that occurs in polycystic kidney disease, by regulating the PKD2 protein responsible for the condition. With few treatments currently available, symptoms...
Read more Grapefruit Can Block The Formation Of Kidney Cysts
Debunking Water Myths: Weight Loss, Calorie Burn and More
Drinking a lot of water is often advised to those who are trying to lose weight, but a nutrition expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham says it is not the magic bullet to weight loss.
“There is very little evidence that drinking water promotes weight loss; it is one of those s...
Read more Bottled Water Myths Debunked
Success Of New Bug-Fighting Approach May Vary From Field To Field
A new technique to fight crop insect pests may affect different insect populations differently, researchers report. They analyzed RNA interference (RNAi), a method that uses genetic material to “silence” specific genes – in this case genes known to give insect pests an advantage. T...
Read more Some Crop Insect Pests Resistant To Crop Rotation
AZTI-Tecnalia develops a methodology for authenticating canned tuna species within 24 hours
AZTI-Tecnalia, the R&D centre based on marine and food research, has developed a new method to authenticate canned tuna, which allows you to check if a product is albacore tuna, yellowfin or bigeye tuna, and others tuna species within 24 hours. So far, the genetic methods for establishing...
Read more Canned Tuna Species Authenticated Within 24 Hours
Feigen-Mandelbrot Recalled
AUSTRIA – Heiderbeck Käse Vom Feinsten GmbH is recalling Feigen-Mandelbrot (Fig and almond bread) because the product may be contaminated with plastic debris.
The recalled products are:
PAIARROP Feigen-Mandelbrot (fig and almond bread) packaged in 200 g with expiry date: 02/07/2014 and ...
Read more Heiderbeck Käse Vom Feinsten GmbH Recalls Feigen-Mandelbrot
Bucking Conventional Wisdom, Researchers Find Black Sea Bass Tougher Than Expected
Black sea bass are bottom-dwelling fish, and are often caught at depths of greater than 60 feet. When the fish are brought to the surface, the rapid change in pressure causes the fish’s swim bladder to expand. This forces other organs out of the way and can result in visible “barotrauma” – such...
Read more Black Sea Bass Survives Barotrauma
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Tracking eating habits to promote healthier diets
Poor food choices, such as overconsumption of carbonated soft drinks, are an important factor driving the global obesity epidemic and have been linked directly to diabetes and heart disease. While public health agencies are working to help people to make healthier choices, monitoring the...
Read more Researchers Use Checkout Grocery Data To Combat Unhealthy Food Choices
Environment MEPs Clamp Down On Wasteful Plastic Carrier Bags
In 2010 every EU citizen used an estimated 198 plastic carrier bags, some 90% of which were lightweight; these are less frequently re-used than thicker bags and more prone to littering. In a business-as-usual scenario, consumption of plastic bags is expected to increase further. Estimates also...
Read more EU To Reduce The Consumption Of Carrier Plastic Bags By 80% By 2019
Meat Appeal High On Lamb Producer List
“Scientists aim at getting a balance between the sensory and the yield nutritional value of the meat,” Dr Jacob says. Credit: Stijn Nieuwendijk
Consumers’ want for visually appealing meat, and the genetic science behind producing such a trait has been explored in a recent summary paper ...
Read more New Study Focuses On Lamb Meat Quality
Fruit and Veggies Costs Too High for Schools
David Just, a behavioral economist and co-director of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition, says that while the new Harvard School of Public Health study shows an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption at school, food waste and costs are too high.
Just recently...
Read more Fruit And Vegetables Too Expensive For School?
Don't Choose a Diet Based on What's Trending
Research published in the journal Cell Metabolism has made a lot of headlines with findings that show adults age 50-65 who ate more protein were more likely to die from cancer. That headline quickly spread across social media.
“I think the study is valuable because it does show we need...
Read more Don’t Rely On Headlines When Choosing A Diet
Feigen-Mandelbrot Recalled
GERMANY – Fa. Heiderbeck Käse Vom Feinsten GmbH is recalling Feigen-Mandelbrot (Fig and almond bread) because the product may be contaminated with plastic debris.
The recalled products are:
PAIARROP Feigen-Mandelbrot (fig and almond bread) packaged in 200 g with expiry date: 02/07/2014 and ...
Read more Fa. Heiderbeck Käse Vom Feinsten GmbH Recalls Feigen-Mandelbrot
Aerosols Tend To Weaken Hurricanes And Cyclones
Aerosols in the atmosphere produced from human activities do indeed directly affect a hurricane or tropical cyclone, but not in a way many scientists had previously believed – in fact, they tend to weaken such storms, according to a new study that includes a team of Texas A&M University r...
Read more Aerosols May Cause Opposite Effects To Hurricanes Than Greenhouse Gases
Morrisons Seafood Cocktail and Prawn Mayo Sandwich Fillers Recalled
UNITED KINGDOM – Morrisons is recalling its Seafood Cocktail and Prawn Mayo sandwich fillers, because some of the packs may contain undercooked prawns. Morrisons has recalled the listed products and will be displaying product recall notices in stores. These notices explain to customers why...
Read more Morrisons Recalls Seafood Cocktail and Prawn Mayo Sandwich Fillers
Concession Stands Can Benefit From Offering Healthy Foods
In the fall of 2008, the booster club in Muscatine, Iowa took a chance. Researchers from the University of Iowa asked whether the club would add healthy foods – from apples to string cheese – to its concessions menu. And, by the way, would it also consider putting healthier ingredients in big s...
Read more Healthy Food In School Booster Clubs Paid Off
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Diagnosing Diseases In Real Time With Smartphone?
Smartphones are capable of giving us directions when we’re lost, sending photos and videos to our friends in mere seconds, and even helping us find the best burger joint in a three-mile radius. But University of Houston researchers are using smartphones for another very important...
Read more Diagnosing Diseases In Real Time With Smartphone?
Salmon Louse Delay Salmon
Salmon recaptured in the study with salmon louse on the gill coverings and head. The study shows that attacks of salmon louse on migrating smolt can increase mortality and change the age demographic of the spawning population. Individuals that are infected with salmon louse return at an older...
Read more Salmon Louse Delay Salmon
EASAC Recommends Urgent Action To Avoid Damage To Food Security And The Environment
Latest EASAC report on ‘Risks to Plant Health’ recommends urgent coordinated action to avoid damage to food security and the environment
Potentially devastating plant pests and diseases are highlighted in a new report from EASAC, the European Academies’ Science Advisory...
Read more EASAC Recommends Urgent Action To Avoid Damage To Food Security And The Environment
Healthy Diet Linked To Lower Risk Of Preterm Delivery
In the study, which was conducted by researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the participants completed a scientifically evaluated questionnaire about what they had been eating and drinking since becoming...
Read more Healthy Diet Linked To Lower Risk Of Preterm Delivery
Where Nothing Grows Anymore
The region known as ‘Crete Senesi’ between Florence and Grosseto. The small hills are typically characterized by erosion (photo: Beate Michalzik/FSU).
Vast fields of sunflowers, sprawling pine trees and slim cypresses, as well as vineyards as far as the eye can see – these are typical memor...
Read more Where Nothing Grows Anymore
Farmed Salmon Pose Threats To Wild Gene Pools
Farmed salmon show full reproductive potential to invade wild gene pools and should be sterilised – according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Findings reveal that, while farmed salmon are genetically different to their wild counterparts, they are just as...
Read more Farmed Salmon Pose Threats To Wild Gene Pools
Agroforestry Can Ensure Food Security And Mitigate The Effects Of Climate Change In Africa
Agroforestry can help to achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation while at the same time providing livelihoods for poor smallholder farmers in Africa.
Scientists at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) say agroforestry – which is an integrated land use management technique that...
Read more Agroforestry Can Ensure Food Security And Mitigate The Effects Of Climate Change In Africa
In Grasslands Remade By Humans, Animals May Protect Biodiversity
A comparative study of grasslands on six continents suggests there may be a way to counteract the human-made overdose of fertilizer that threatens to permanently alter the biodiversity of the world’s native prairies.
The solution is one that nature devised: let grazing animals crop the...
Read more In Grasslands Remade By Humans, Animals May Protect Biodiversity
The Five-Second Food Rule Exists, Researchers Prove
Food picked up just a few seconds after being dropped is less likely to contain bacteria than if it is left for longer periods of time, according to the findings of research carried out at Aston University’s School of Life and Health Sciences.
The findings suggest there may be some scientific b...
Read more The Five-Second Food Rule Exists, Researchers Prove
Healthy Dietary Choices In Midlife May Prevent Dementia
Healthy dietary choices in midlife may prevent dementia in later years, according a doctoral thesis published at the University of Eastern Finland. The results showed that those who ate the healthiest diet at the average age of 50 had an almost 90 per cent lower risk of dementia in a 14-year...
Read more Healthy Dietary Choices In Midlife May Prevent Dementia
Sucralose Is A Biologically Active Compound
The artificial sweetener sucralose is a biologically active compound according to an extensive review published by Taylor & Francis in the recent issue of Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: Critical Reviews. “Sucralose, A Synthetic Organochlorine Sweetener: Overview Of...
Read more Sucralose Is A Biologically Active Compound
Nature Could Clean Up Itself After Oil Spills
Norwegian researchers in Trondheim have achieved surprising results by exploiting nature’s own ability to clean up after oil spills.
We all know that marine bacteria can assist in cleaning up after oil spills. What is surprising is that given the right kind of encouragement, they can be...
Read more Nature Could Clean Up Itself After Oil Spills
Monday, 10 March 2014
Service Is Key To Winery Sales
To buy, or not to buy? That is the question for the more than 5 million annual visitors to New York’s wineries. Cornell University researchers found that customer service is the most important factor in boosting tasting room sales, but sensory descriptions of what flavors consumers might d...
Read more Service Is Key To Winery Sales
Understanding Consumer Responses To Health Claims
Health claims and symbols on food products could improve public health. At least, that is according to consumer researchers. But how they can best do that as effectively as possible is still a mystery. The EU-funded project CLYMBOL hopes to have the answer by the time it is completed in 2...
Read more Understanding Consumer Responses To Health Claims
Fisheries Affected More By Over Demanding Market Than Climate Change
Fisheries that rely on short life species, such as shrimp or sardine, have been more affected by climate change, because this phenomenon affects chlorophyll production, which is vital for phytoplankton, the main food for both species.
Disclosed by the research “Socioeconomic Impact of the gl...
Read more Fisheries Affected More By Over Demanding Market Than Climate Change
International Partnership To Promote Sustainable Fishing And Tourism Launched
A €300,000 international partnership to promote sustainable fishing and tourism in the UK and parts of Europe is being led by the University of Greenwich.
Known as TourFish, or Tourism for inshore fishing, food and sustainability, the partnership brings together two existing European projects f...
Read more International Partnership To Promote Sustainable Fishing And Tourism Launched
Traffic-Related Air Pollution Associated With Changes In Right Ventricular Structure And Function
Exposure to high levels of traffic-related air pollution is associated with changes in the right ventricle of the heart that may contribute to the known connection between air pollution exposure and heart disease, according to a new study.
“Although the link between traffic-related air...
Read more Traffic-Related Air Pollution Associated With Changes In Right Ventricular Structure And Function
Research Into Sustainability Within Supply Chains
Researchers from the University of Huddersfield are working with leading companies to help them ensure that supply chains remain intact in a world beset by risks that range from extremes of climate to economic upheaval and political unrest.
Professor Dani states that companies need to be...
Read more Research Into Sustainability Within Supply Chains
New Discovery Improves Checking Toxicity Of Mussels
A new discovery made at the University of Oslo, Norway, can make it far easier to check whether mussels are poisonous.
Poisonous mussels contain the extremely dangerous and paralyzing neurotoxin saxitoxin. This neurotoxin is the cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The first symptoms...
Read more New Discovery Improves Checking Toxicity Of Mussels
Hidden Variation Of Bacteria In The Gut Unravelled
Our intestines harbour an astronomical number of bacteria, around 100 times the number of cells in our body, known as the gut microbiota. These bacteria belong to thousands of species that co-exist, interact with each other and are key to our health. While it is clear that species imbalances...
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RASFF Food Alerts, Week 10
Here is the summary of food alerts issued by Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) last week
On 04/03/2014, Salmonella infantis (presence /25g) was discovered in chilled chicken breast fillet from Italy. The product was distributed to Denmark. RASFF reference No.: 2014.0290.
On...
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Sunday, 9 March 2014
Microdosing Fertilizer Improves Productivity For Less Money
Crop yields in the fragile semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe have been declining over time due to a decline in soil fertility resulting from mono-cropping, lack of fertilizer, and other factors. In collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT),...
Read more Microdosing Fertilizer Improves Productivity For Less Money
Good Hospital Food Safety Measures Minimize Risk To Food Handlers, Staff And Patients
A new study found more than 80 percent of raw chicken used in hospitals in food for patients and staff was contaminated with a form of antibiotic resistant bacteria called extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli. While sufficient preparation eliminated the presence of ...
Read more Good Hospital Food Safety Measures Minimize Risk To Food Handlers, Staff And Patients
Salmonella Unlikely to Cause Food Poisoning When Eating Unbaked Cake
Making a cake, licking a spoon, eating raw dough or consuming some of the uncooked mixture, have you ever thought of food poisoning caused by bacteria in raw eggs?
It might be a bit of a relief as Salmonella is unlikely to cause the food poisoning when enjoying eating, licking your unbaked...
Read more Salmonella Unlikely to Cause Food Poisoning When Eating Unbaked Cake
Saturday, 8 March 2014
50 Years Of Studying Diet, Lifestyle Related To Cardiovascular Diseases In One Spot
At the 50th anniversary of the Seven Countries Study (SCS) a website with all kind of information about this study is launched. The Seven Countries Study explored in detail the associations of diet, lifestyle, other risk factors and cardiovascular diseases between and within populations. The...
Read more 50 Years Of Studying Diet, Lifestyle Related To Cardiovascular Diseases In One Spot
Salt Awareness Week Launched
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to discover the benefits of reducing salt in their diet during National Salt Awareness Week.
The theme for this year’s awareness week (10-16 March) is “Switch the Salt” and highlights how eating less salt can lower blood pressure, a condi...
Read more Salt Awareness Week Launched
Laguna Nourriture Flottante En Sticks Recalled
FRANCE – Laguna Nourriture Flottante En Sticks (Laguna Food Sticks) have been recalled because elevated levels of cobalt have been detected in the product. Therefore the product may pose a health risk. Cobalt is a trace element that forms part of the structure of vitamin B12, one of the B ...
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Friday, 7 March 2014
Human Activity Influences Beach Bacterial Diversity
High beach bacterial diversity may contribute to less water contamination
Human activity influences ocean beach bacterial communities, and bacterial diversity may indicate greater ecological health and resiliency to sewage contamination, according to results published in the open access...
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EFSA Updates Its Analysis Of Arsenic Occurrence In Food
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has updated its analysis of the occurrence of arsenic in food in Europe. The analysis includes around 3,000 data samples on inorganic arsenic, which is more toxic than organic compounds. The Authority’s data specialists have also refined their e...
Read more EFSA Updates Its Analysis Of Arsenic Occurrence In Food
Spring Allergies On The Rise?
Several factors determine the severity of allergy season
The spring 2014 allergy season could be the worst yet, or at least that is what you might hear. Every year is coined as being the worst for allergy sufferers, but are spring allergies really on the rise?
“A number of factors, such as we...
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New Insights Into Ancient Pacific Settlers' Diet
Researchers from New Zealand’s University of Otago studying 3000-year-old skeletons from the oldest known cemetery in the Pacific Islands are casting new light on the diet and lives of the enigmatic Lapita people, the likely ancestors of Polynesians.
Their results—obtained from analysing ...
Read more New Insights Into Ancient Pacific Settlers' Diet
UK and China Agree New Low Carbon Innovation Programme
A new £20 million three-year programme that will support research to develop new low carbon manufacturing processes and technologies, low carbon cities and offshore renewables in the UK and China was agreed on Wednesday 5th March 2014.
Representatives from the National Natural Science Fo...
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Eating Red And Processed Meat Linked To Gut Cancer
Recent perspective paper in Meat Science cautions about uncertainties in scientific evidence
Recent reports warn about a link between eating red and processed meat and the risk of developing cancer in the gut. These reports have resulted in new nutritional recommendations that advise people to...
Read more Eating Red And Processed Meat Linked To Gut Cancer
New Poll Examines Consumer Confusion Over Grocery Labels
Ever stood in the aisle of a grocery store completely overwhelmed by the claims jumping out from the labels? You may not be alone. Health advocacy groups have long decried America’s nutrition labeling system as misleading, confusing and, ultimately, inaccurate, and the FDA recently...
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Diet Rich In Animal Proteins May Be As Bad For You As Smoking
That chicken wing you’re eating could be as deadly as a cigarette.
In a new study that tracked a large sample of adults for nearly two decades, researchers have found that eating a diet rich in animal proteins during middle age makes you four times more likely to die of cancer than...
Read more Diet Rich In Animal Proteins May Be As Bad For You As Smoking