Process Control

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On December 19, the European Commission officially adopted a sweeping ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA), as well as some other bisphenols considered harmful, in all food contact materials. Industry will be allowed an 18-month transition period.

Hydroxyl radicals offer an effective, safe, and scalable approach to food plant hygiene and food safety. This outcome can be achieved by devices that use ultraviolet (UV) energy to generate hydroxyls from water vapor, turning the ambient air into a mechanism for cleaning. 

This article explores the science behind the controls required to ensure consistent, safe production of both hot and cold smoked fish, using generated wood smoke and liquid smoke, and focusing on two of the most relevant hazards—non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogenes.

Researchers have estimated a global economic cost of $1.5 trillion per year associated with three toxic chemicals commonly found in plastics and food contact materials—BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs—due to premature deaths, chronic diseases, and lower IQs.

Development of a new microbiological risk assessment model, led by researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, could help the produce industry determine the best risk management strategies for a diverse range of production scenarios. 

 Penn State Extension is offering a new online course to teach participants about the key elements and impact of food packaging. A continuing education unit is available upon completion of the course. 

A report by the European Court of Auditors has identified “notable gaps” in the EU legal framework around food labeling and enforcement of regulations, and offered recommendations for improvement. 

Companies W-Cycle Ltd. and Melhoramentos have joined forces to produce compostable food packaging made from renewable materials that naturally decompose within 100 days.

In an effort to reduce food waste caused by consumer confusion, and following new legislation passed in California standardizing the use of “Best By” dates on food, USDA and FDA have issued a joint request for information about industry practices, consumer perceptions, and impacts related to food date labeling.

Recent research efforts by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to support novel food risk assessments include a study of the effects that processing methods for novel and genetically modified foods can have on proteins, as well as the development of a fit-for-purpose, in vitro toxicity assessment approach for novel proteins.