Following adoption on 7 August 2015 of the Decision establishing a new structure for the non-food Scientific Committees, the Commission has launched a call for membership in the Scientific Committees (2016-2021), for scientists who wish to apply as members to:

• The Scientific Committees on Consumer Safety, and/or
• The Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging risks.

The call will run until 2 November 2015. Interested parties are invited to register here.
The above Committees assist the European Commission in its policy making by providing risk assessment and scientific advice on matters related to public health, consumer safety and the environment.

The major changes put in place with the 7 August 2015 Decision are:
• The Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) are merged into one Scientific Committee.
• The pool of advisors no longer exists. It has been replaced by reserve list of members.
• The length of the term of the members of the Scientific Committees has been extended from three to five years.
• Revised rules on special allowances and conflict of interest have been put into place.

Further information.

When it comes to food safety concerns, American consumers are most worried about chemicals in food, according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2015 Food and Health Survey. Previously, consumers’ concerns were centered around foodborne illness.

The IFIC’s survey findings are quite a contrast when compared to results from the UK Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) own survey results. Just 3 months ago, the FSA revealed that consumer concerns in the UK were primarily centered around: 1. the amount of sugar in food; 2. the amount of salt in food; 3. food hygiene when eating out; 4. the use of additives in food products.

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Job description

The Delivery Unit is a new team that will lead task and finish projects that are central to delivery of the Food Standards Agency’s strategy, policy and operational delivery. At an early stage of development, there is scope to shape both the Operational Research contribution and the culture of the Delivery Unit more generally. The team will be led by a G6, and will include both scientists and other analytical specialists.

The part of the Unit led by an Operational Researcher is fundamental to the organisations delivery of the strategy and engaging with new technology. The postholder will have the opportunity to work with individuals at the top of the organisation to develop problem-structuring approaches to maximise efficiency of delivery. The organisation also has a commitment to engage with new technologies, having carried out some pilot work using social media analytics to develop models for real-time monitoring and intervention targeting. It is anticipated that this work will continue and be extended to other areas of the Agency’s work. Work is also planned on the Internet of Things and citizen science.

The post holder will be responsible for managing an Operational Researcher and act as deputy head of profession for Operational Research within the organisation (working closely with the Head of Profession, within the Analytics Unit).

Closing date: 28th August 2015

Further information.

The Food Standards Agency has published a revised and improved version of its Meat Industry Guidance, following a review by the FSA and a panel of agency and industry representatives.

The guide to food hygiene and other regulations for the UK meat industry, contains legislation and good practice for businesses involved in the slaughter, cutting and processing of fresh meat. It is particularly targeted at businesses subject to veterinary control by the FSA, Food Standards Scotland and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

The new guide can be found here.

The flavouring substance p-Mentha-1,8-dien-7-al (also called “Perilla aldehyde”) has been shown to be genotoxic (damaging to DNA) in a new study on animals, evaluated by EFSA’s experts. Under EFSA’s process for the safety assessment of food flavourings, once a substance is characterised as a genotoxin, EFSA concludes on this aspect only without taking into account consumer exposure.

The flavouring industry first submitted data for this flavouring substance in 2012 following an EFSA request. EFSA’s experts then concluded in 2013 that the substance was potentially genotoxic and requested an additional study to determine the potential effects on the liver and stomach. The new study submitted in 2014 is the focus of the current EFSA opinion, which concludes that Perilla aldehyde induces DNA damage in the liver. 

Perilla aldehyde occurs naturally in the peel of citrus fruits. It is produced in limited quantities and added to some baked foods, puddings, meat products and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to produce a pungent citrus smell and a woody, spicy, citrus taste.

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To protect consumers from foodborne illness, produce farmers should wait 24 hours after a rain or irrigating their fields to harvest crops, according to new research published June 26 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Rain or irrigation creates soil conditions that are more hospitable to Listeria monocytogenes, which when ingested may cause the human illness Listeriosis.

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Storage times and CO2 content in packaging are the two main factors that influence the effect of temperature on histamine formation, the main temperature – dependent hazard. Scientists have identified combinations of these two factors that meet the EU food safety criteria for various storage temperatures.

To carry out the assessment, EFSA scientists used predictive bacterial growth models that assume favourable conditions for histamine formation. These models estimate the rate of microbial growth or provide an indication of whether growth of a particular microorganism will occur under a specified set of conditions.

While EFSA identified histamine formation as the main hazard, the opinion also evaluated Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, and Yersinia enterocolitica.

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Job Description:

Science and technology:

The main activity within this role is the completion of pilot trials within our dedicated S&I innovation facility. This requires a high level of understanding of both food science (meat & functional ingredients) and process technology so that you can deliver the required samples to our Customer as outlined within each brief.

Project Management:

This person needs to be a key driver of our stage gate (Nectar) innovation process and is expected to deliver each trial within the agreed timelines set by that project. Building over time a track record of success is a key deliverable.

Be a lean champion:

Taking an active role in problem solving for both new and existing products within our business, using the lean tools provided. Running effective meetings, maintaining clear records of events, managing change within the process are key skills for this role.

Location: Kildare

Further information.

Food safety is a major stumbling block in EU-US talks aimed at creating the world's biggest free trade zone.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would dwarf previous free trade deals. The European Commission estimates that by 2027 it could boost the size of the EU economy by €120bn (£94bn; $152bn) - equal to 0.5% of GDP - and the US economy by €95bn (0.4% of GDP). European opponents argue that TTIP risks watering down EU regulations in the drive to remove trade barriers.

There are tensions over TTIP in the European Parliament, whose draft recommendations proved too controversial for MEPs to vote on it this week. What divides the EU and US on food safety?

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A new program established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will give international food importers with proven food safety track records a break.

The FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) will be a fee-based program that is expected to benefit both importers and consumers in a number of ways. Importers who choose to join the program must prove that they maintain robust records and have an exemplary supply chain management system in place.

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Cranfield University is an exclusively postgraduate institution and a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management.  Staff working in our School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood (SEEA) lead in delivering solutions for the ‘green economy’, a rapidly integrated perspective on the world characterised by the opportunities of next generation sustainability.

We are seeking a postharvest scientist to join our team of academics. You will expand and diversify the activities of the current highly successful Postharvest Biology and Technology Research Group and will have the opportunity to develop research projects in all aspects of the fresh produce supply chain.

Further information and application guidelines.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 21 June 2015

Last Sunday, Indian food-safety inspectors said they had filed a criminal complaint against Nestlé India Ltd. after finding dangerous levels of lead in a batch of Maggi 2-Minute Noodles sold in the country.

The Food Safety & Drug Administration in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh registered a case in a local court Friday, saying it found seven-times the permissible level of lead in a routine test of two dozen noodle packets.

“The level of lead we found was shocking. In fact, it’s life-threatening,” said Vijay Bahadur, the assistant commissioner for food safety in Uttar Pradesh, in an interview.

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Basic Function of the Post:  This post doctoral scientist will have a PhD in Food Science or related discipline. The appointee will be involved in building and supporting the membrane fractionation platform within the Dairy Processing Technology Centre and will work strategically with Teagasc researchers, industry and academic partners.

Background:
This project will be carried out as part of a state funded Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC) in collaboration with industry. The Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC) is Ireland’s centre of excellence for dairy processing research and innovation, established to help to fuel growth in the Irish dairy sector by performing research focused on cost-efficient processing; facilitating a step-change in environmental sustainability; and creating, validating and commercialising a pipeline of science and technology-based manufacturing platforms for dairy ingredients. The DPTC is a strong, long-term industry-academic collaborative partnership that will develop, build and translate the knowledge and capabilities in dairy processing that are needed today and for the long-term growth of the sector.

Location: Fermoy, Co. Cork

Application deadline:  12 midnight on Monday 22nd June 2015

Further information.

Location: Kerry

Overview of role:
The Quality Assurance Manager report to our Site Quality Assurance Head and is responsible for managing all aspects of Quality Assurance and Quality Control in a fast moving Spray Drying manufacturing plant.
 
Qualifications and Experience:
Minimum of 10 years' experience in a similar quality management role, preferably in the Nutritional/ Food/Pharmaceutical industry
Strong people and organisational skills

Education/Qualifications: 
Degree in Microbiology / Biotechnology / Food Science or a related discipline is essential 
Key competencies/skills:
Strong attention to detailProject management skills
Drive & determination
Demonstrates strong initiative and self-motivation
Good people management and Interpersonal skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent organizational and planning skills
Process improvement/problem solving ability
Team-work

Further information.

The Food Standards Agency has completed a programme of unannounced inspections of all slaughterhouses in Britain, to ensure that the businesses are meeting their obligations on animal welfare standards and that FSA teams are checking their controls appropriately.

The decision to implement the unannounced inspections was taken by the FSA when footage emerged earlier this year of apparent cruelty to animals in two slaughterhouses.

The inspections, which took place in February and March, found that animal welfare standards in 267 businesses (87%) were considered good, and 38 businesses needed improvement; with one business in England requiring urgent improvement.

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Read the Board paper.

Position: Quality Technician - night shift

Responsible for:
• Checking that all Good Manufacturing Practices are being adhered to
• Checking that all controls are being done in adherence to SOPs and immediate reporting of any non-conformance
• Ensuring that all daily reports pertaining to the quality system are checked and filed by the end of the following day
• Ensuring full completion of all records and adherence of all records to specification
• Ensuring that all CCP/OPR are in control and immediate reporting of any non-conformance
• Reporting on and ensuring that corrective action is taken on any non-conformance to SOP
• Daily calibration checks
• Glass / Plastic audits
• Housekeeping and hygiene checks
• Staff induction training
• Completion of internal audits
• Assisting the Quality Manager in any other matters as requested
• To have a flexible and adaptive approach to quality and food safety, including occasional overtime, weekend work and changes in shift pattern

Experience / Qualification:
• 3rd level Diploma in Food Science or relevant qualifications.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a similar position
• Knowledge of HACCP and BRC

Further information.

The National Food Administration (NFA) in Sweden, has reported an outbreak of norovirus from imported frozen raspberries at an elderly care home in Ljungby.

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The notion that “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste” is credited to the American economist Paul Romer. Mr. Romer’s observation has since been echoed in a variety of contexts. It could be applied to stewardship of the food supply in the United States. Significant measures to keep Americans from being sickened, and sometimes killed, by what they eat have tended to come only after calamity strikes. Even then, in the view of many experts on food safety, the United States has wasted too many crises for comfort.

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Antibiotic residues in milk remain a problem for the dairy sector, according to a new report from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

It follows confirmation that one liquid milk producer, who had been found to have supplied antibiotic contaminated milk on at least six occasions in 2013, had not received a follow-up advisory visit by Department of Agriculture veterinary staff.

Such a follow up is a requirement of the current food safety regulations and the incidents were deemed by the FSAI to be a serious breach of the communication structures put in place between the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, liquid milk processors and farmers.

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The sale of a key government research unit to the outsourcing giant Capita could undermine essential work on food safety and lead to commercial concerns being put before the public interest, a leading expert has warned.

Professor Tim Lang, a Westminster adviser, told The Independent that the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), which led the way in identifying horsemeat in the UK food chain, is now doomed to failure. The global contractor has already outlined plans to almost double sales by making the unit’s work more commercial.

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