KENYA – Kenya is considering adopting a regional regulation on trans-fats to promote Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) prevention and control in East Africa. The project which is also being implemented in Uganda and Tanzania also aims to establish an effective regional regulatory mechanism for the elimination of industrially produced trans-fatty acids within food supply in the East African Community (EAC) in…
READ MOREMonth: March 2022
Tanzania’s standards watchdog impounds low quality food items
TANZANIA – Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has impounded low quality food items in three western regions of Kigoma, Rukwa and Katavi in a move aimed at protecting consumers from using substandard goods. TBS conducted operations in 11 councils of the three western regions and managed to seize food and cosmetic products weighing 32.2 kilogrammes and valued 97.7m/-. The Acting…
READ MORESpecialists underscore need to embrace biotechnology to boost food production
NIGERIA – Specialists from the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the partnering host Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu as well as the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and Program for Biosafety, USA, have accentuated the need for the adoption of Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) technology to boost food production and sufficiency. This was during a 1-day South East Biotech- Biosafety…
READ MORENovolyze raises U.S$ 15 million in Series A financing round
FRANCE – France-based food safety and quality tech-enabled solutions provider Novolyze has raised U.S$ 15 million in a Series A financing round that closed earlier this month to accelerate feature enhancements to its digitized solutions. The Series A funding round was led by WAVE Equity Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm investing in clean energy, food, water, and materials companies…
READ MORECannabinoid ingredients manufacturer Palmate achieves BRC certification
U.S – Palmate, a full-service manufacturer of premium cannabinoid ingredients, has received the Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standard (BRCGS) certification, formerly known as British Retail Consortium (BRC), placing it among the few CBD and cannabinoid ingredient companies with a certification recognized by Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This followed a comprehensive audit of its facility, systems, and procedures, by…
READ MORENSF International unveils factors threatening food safety in restaurants
UK – National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF International), a leading global public health and safety organization, has in a study on the state of quick service restaurant (QSR) operations around the world, revealed Covid-19 regulatory requirements, the rise of delivery services and equipment malfunctions as some of the areas of concern. The study identified the challenges directly impacting food safety…
READ MOREPaloma Orejas appointed new Quantitative Research Director of Sagaci Research
AFRICA – Sagaci Research, the leading Africa-focused data and analytics firm, has appointed industry expert Paloma Orejas as new Quantitative Research Director to lead its Quantitative Consumer Research department and reinforce its service offering in technical consumer insights and Product testing in Africa. Paloma brings 13 years of experience in consumer research with a unique focus on sensory assessment services,…
READ MOREGiant Eagle expands use of SmartSense’s temperature monitoring technology
U.S – Giant Eagle, an American supermarket chain, has expanded its use of Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based temperature monitoring technology from SmartSense by Digi to reinforce food freshness and quality. The Pittsburgh-based company has deployed 32,000 new SmartSense remote digital temperature tracking devices to automatically and continuously monitor its critical food assets. The grocer’s walk-ins, chillers and refrigerators across all applicable supermarkets…
READ MOREUganda takes charge as new Coordinator of FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa
UGANDA – Uganda has taken over from Kenya as the new Coordinator for the Food and Agriculture Organization / World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA). CCAFRICA was established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in 1972 with a mandate to exercise general coordination in the preparation of standards relating to the region of Africa. The CAC during…
READ MOREScientists develop natural antibacterial material for use in food packaging
AUSTRALIA – A team of scientists has developed a natural antibacterial material for use in food packaging by replicating the bacteria-killing wings of certain insects, thus extending shelf life and cutting food waste. The research – a collaboration between RMIT, Tokyo Metropolitan University and Mitsubishi Chemical’s The KAITEKI Institute – highlighted that dragonfly and cicada wings are covered by a…
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