EU, FAO, Tanzania join forces to strengthen plant health, elevate agricultural trade

TANZANIA – The European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) government have come together to launch the “Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety” (STREPHIT) project. With a substantial contribution agreement of EUR 10.5 million (U.S$11.08 million) this endeavor is set to enhance the safety and quality of agricultural products…

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Infants at greatest risk of Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons exposure, EFSA says

EUROPE – The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) investigation, aimed at guiding the European Commission (EC) in establishing maximum Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH) levels in specific foods, has uncovered a disconcerting truth that demands immediate attention, with infants emerging as the most vulnerable population. These elusive compounds, derived from crude oil, coal, gas, and biomass, have quietly made their way…

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EFSA launches database project for risk assessment of novel foods

EUROPE – Delving into the world of novel foods is about to get a whole lot easier, thanks to a groundbreaking project initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). With an appetite for innovation, EFSA is setting the stage to develop a comprehensive structured database that promises to be a game-changer for the entire food industry. Picture a vast…

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Health concerns arise as ‘forever chemicals’ found in popular paper straws

EUROPE – Fresh research emerging from Europe suggests paper straws may harbor hidden environmental and health risks, contrary to initial assumptions. As people shift away from single-use plastics towards more eco-friendly alternatives, paper straws have been gaining popularity as a seemingly greener choice. In 2021, the European Union took steps to combat plastic pollution by enforcing a ban on select…

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Salmonella outbreak linked to cherry tomatoes sparks global concern, ECDC,  EFSA launch joint investigation

EUROPE – European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have uncovered a multi-country foodborne illness outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg, potentially originating from cherry-like tomatoes. The joint investigation has sent alarm bells ringing as genetic analysis points to a common source—cherry tomatoes—believed to be responsible for illnesses across 11 EU/European Economic Area (EEA)…

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EFSA updates list of microorganisms approved for use in food and Feed

EUROPE – The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has taken a proactive step to safeguard the quality and safety of food and feed by updating its qualified presumption of safety (QPS) list of approved microbiological agents.  The QPS list serves as a vital resource, offering generic pre-valuation of the safety of microorganisms intentionally added to food and feed products.  The…

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EU lifts import restrictions on Japanese food following Fukushima incident

EUROPE – The European Commission has announced the lifting of import restrictions for food from Japan, which were imposed following the Fukushima nuclear power station accident in 2011. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, stated that this decision was made based on rigorous scientific evidence and assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Japanese government…

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EFSA peer review finds no critical concerns in glyphosate risk assessment

EUROPE – The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has in its peer review of the risk assessment of the active substance glyphosate, commonly used in herbicides concluded that there are no critical areas of concern that would prevent the approval or renewal of glyphosate for its proposed uses. Glyphosate, an active substance found in various herbicide products, is subject to…

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Review identifies key preharvest interventions to control foodborne pathogens in beef

EUROPE – A recent review focused on preharvest interventions for controlling foodborne pathogens in beef has highlighted maintaining high herd health status, implementing good management practices, and prioritizing biosecurity measures as the three essential strategies necessary to achieve control. The comprehensive assessment aimed to update knowledge on controlling important pathogens in beef and evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions. The…

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EU reports surge in food safety notifications, highlighting pesticide residues, fraud concerns

EUROPE – The European Commission’s Alert and Cooperation Network 2022 Annual Report has revealed a significant increase in food safety notifications transmitted through vital EU networks.  The report highlights that a large number of these notifications were related to non-compliance caused by pesticide residues. The key networks involved are the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), the Administrative…

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