Food and Health Network Newsletter

Forthcoming Events

We are also in the process of planning a series of Food & Health Network Conferences to be held at one of 3 locations around the UK (Leeds, London or Norwich). More information on the topics and venues will follow shortly. To register your interest in the FHN Conferences or any other aspect of the Food & Health Network - please contact Lesley Swift .

The 2007 Calendar of Events for F&HN is available on the events section of the website, where you will also find an Event Registration Form. Completed forms should be faxed back to Lesley Swift in order to reserve a place for each event you wish to attend.

ComBase Workshop - 13 June 2007, IFR, Norwich

The ComBase Initiative is a collaboration between the Food Standards Agency and the Institute of Food Research from the United Kingdom; the USDA Agricultural Research Service and its Eastern Regional Research Center from the United States; and the Australian Food Safety Centre of Excellence. It's purpose is to make data and predictive tools on microbial responses to food environments freely available via web-based software. More information can be found at : http//www.combase.cc

Recent Events Held:

ComBase Workshop - 17 January 2007, IFR, Norwich

- An introduction to ComBase and how to use it

Allergy Cluster Meeting - 9 January 2007, MRC in London

- “Update on Europrevall - Patterns & Prevalence of Food Allergy”

PRIMA Cluster Meeting - 6 December 2006

- "101 Reasons why Salmonella & Campylobacter genomics are important for the food industry"

IFR Open Days & BA Festival of Science, Norwich Research Park, September 2006

Over 700 visitors attended the IFR Open Days. Displays used during the event to illustrate IFR Science are available online at www.food-research.info

Membership News

Membership of the Food & Health Network has an annual cost of £600 (+VAT) for the period July 2007-June 2008, and a Meeting Attendance Fee of £50 (+VAT)/delegate. All members are eligible to attend any Cluster event. We believe this better reflects the needs of the members who are increasingly looking to attend specific meetings rather than all meetings of one specific Cluster. If you would like to find out more about joining please contact Lesley Swift

Non F&HN Members may attend Cluster Meetings, this cost will continue to be £250 (+VAT).

Making the News

FSA Rules OK? The Labelling Rebellion

The battle of wills between the UK food watchdog and industry heavyweights over nutrition labelling threatens to destabilise the balance of power between industry and government.

Top food firms and major UK supermarkets will fly the rebel flag this week by officially launching a nutrition labelling system rejected by the country's Food Standards Agency (FSA). More information available at: http//www/foodqualitynews.com/news

European Commission to review EU Hygiene Laws

The European Commission plans to review the EU's new hygiene laws to determine whether further amendments are needed to strengthen provisions related to meat inspection, gelatine, good food safety practices and cold stores. The EU's package of hygiene laws came into force at the start of 2006, with some measures being phased in over the year. While the package has lead to higher costs for food processors, it has the potential to make cross-border trading in the bloc simpler for them by establishing a common set of rules. More info can be found at: http//www.foodqualitynews.com/news

EFSA gives Positive Review to 10 more Packaging Substances

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued positive scientific opinions on another batch of 10 packaging substances, part of an EU-wide effort to prevent the chemicals from contaminating foods.

The opinions mark the 13th batch of food contact materials EFSA's scientific panel has evaluated for their potential effects on human health. The panel evaluated scientific studies on the chemicals, which were submitted for consideration by food packagers. More information available at : http//www/foodqualitynews.com/news

‘Big Brother’ surveillance stops Salmonella getting stressed out

Scientists from Germany and IFR have discovered how pathogens such as Salmonella respond quickly to stress in its bacterial membrane or “skin”, giving insight into how the bacterium is able to adapt so rapidly to a multitude of harsh environments. More information available on IFR's website: www.ifr.ac.uk/media/newsreleases/

F&HN Brief – January 2007