OTTAWA, CANADA – The Canadian government announced earlier this week that it is allocating $75 million to protect Canadians from food-borne illness outbreaks, after an independent investigation concluded that last year’s deadly listeriosis outbreak in Canada was met by a “void in leadership,” the Ottawa Citizen reports.
The funding will target the “litany of problems” that private investigator Sheila Weatherill detailed in her July report.
“One year ago, we were reminded that the job of keeping Canadians safe is never done. There are always new opportunities to strengthen our food-safety system,” said …

FDA concerned about ingredients used in U.S. products
* Warning follows agency’s March 2009 inspection
* Bayer says it sees no safety or efficacy impact (Adds comment from Bayer spokeswoman)
WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) – U.S. health regulators warned Bayer AG (BAYG.DE) over the testing and quality of pharmaceutical ingredients made at its Bergkamen, Germany, facility, according to a letter released on Tuesday.
The Food and Drug Administration said its concerns arose following a March 2009 inspection that raised questions about the drugmaker’s ability to monitor and test for quality.
“We remain concerned with your …

Identical Supermarket Sales Increased 2.6% without Fuel

CINCINNATI, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today
reported identical supermarket sales increased 2.6% without fuel in the second
quarter of fiscal 2009 ended August 15, 2009, compared with the same period
last year.

Total sales, including fuel, in the second quarter were $17.7 billion compared
with $18.1 billion for the same period last year. Excluding fuel sales, total
sales increased 3.5% over the prior year.

Net earnings totaled $254.4 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the
second quarter, compared with net earnings of …

Company says, its preservation offerings help preventing contamination and thereby avoid recalls
DSM Food Specialties has revealed a new strategic positioning for its food protection portfolio which has been brought together under the umbrella brand ‘Protection You Can Trust’.
The company claims that the move reflects its commitment to offering effective preservation products to the global food industry which offer clear and tangible benefits such as reliable food protection, ease of application plus time and cost savings.
According to the company, its preservation offerings respond to stringent food safety standards and by preventing …

Affirmation Clears the Way for OnlySweet(TM) Stevia Extracts to be Used
    as a Sweetener for the U.S. Food and Beverage Industry
QUFU, China and ERLANGER, KY, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, Inc. (“Sunwin”) (OTCBB: SUWN) – a worldwide supplier of all-natural, zero-calorie stevia and WILD Flavors, Inc. (“WILD Flavors”) – one of the largest, privately-owned suppliers of natural and health-enhancing ingredients, flavors, colors, and innovative product concepts to the food and beverage industry, have completed the process for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) self-affirmed GRAS status for stevia …

For the past two decades food manufacturers have grown fat selling “functional foods” that claim to make you healthier. Now regulators in Europe are asking manufacturers to provide scientific evidence to support those claims. Mireia Bes reports.
The emergence of so-called functional foods – foods that have been modified to promote better health in one way or another – has done wonders for food company balance sheets over the past 20 years. Probiotic dairy products are a prime example. Starting in the 1990s with Yakult, a bacteria-enriched yogurt drink made by …

Metametrix Announces Availability of Phthalates & Parabens Profile to Help
Identify Everyday Exposures
 
DULUTH, Ga., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Personal care products that we use
everyday contain chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors, which hinder the
normal functions of our hormone systems.  Phthalates, also known as
plasticizers, are added to plastics to make them flexible to mold into shapes
for product packaging and as fragrance for perfumes and air fresheners.
Parabens are added to personal care products, such as cosmetics, to extend
shelf-life and eliminate fungi and bacteria.
Today, Metametrix Clinical Laboratory (http://www.metametrix.com) announces
the Phthalates & Parabens Profile, which …

 Play CBS Video
Video
 
Smart Choices?
 
Registered Dietitian Keri Glassman spoke to Jeff Glor about new controversial food labels called “Smart Choices” meant to help shoppers choose healthier food and beverages.
 
Photo
 
A Smart Choices checkmark logo on a bottle of syrup.  (CBS)
 
Quiz
 
Are You Food Savvy?
 
Have you consumed myths about diet and nutrition? Take these quizzes to find out.
Stories
Experts Say Industry Food Labels Deceptive
(CBS)  A new food-labeling campaign called “Smart Choices,” which is backed by many of the nation’s largest food makers, was designed to help shoppers easily identify smarter food and beverage choices. The …

As people around the world look for new and tasty foods, the splendid Asian noodle is quickly becoming an international favorite.
Witness eight wheat noodle manufacturing plant managers, food scientists, a chemical engineer, and a company president from South and Central America, all learning new techniques and honing skills recently acquired at the Wheat Marketing Center’s new, week-long Advanced Asian Noodle Technology Short Course in Portland.
The course was directed by Dr. Gary Hou, world-recognized Asian noodle expert, and WMC’s Technical Manager and Asian Foods Specialist. He was joined by speakers from …

Paul Lieber is a cosmetic chemist with Royal Labs in Johns Island, South Carolina. Paul’s experience and expertise in the natural skin care product arena qualify him to discuss what really makes a skin care product natural and how to choose truly natural and healthy skin care products.
I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with Paul frequently – on the phone – and getting to know him since January 2006. I’ve been impressed with Paul’s knowledge about truly natural skin care products and his dedication to creating and producing top quality …