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New Film Detects Spoiled Meat

According to Fast Company, the Fraunhofer Institution in Munich has developed a film that changes color when packaged meat has gone bad. The film works by detecting the chemicals that make rotten meat smell. The research team has also developed an electronic version for the food industry that can be used during processing to help improve handling procedures and the accuracy of expiration dates.

Photo source: Fast Company

BP Documents Reveal Company Tried To Influence Oil Spill Research

According to BP's internal documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the company made attempts to influence the independent research of scientists examining the effects of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill that devasted the Gulf seafood industry. Photo source: flickr user faungg

A Hot Tub Of Corn Syrup

That's how much high fructose corn syrup the average human will eat in a lifetime. That's a little over an ounce a day and about 4 gallons a year. The New York Times featured this graphic along with an article discussing the debate over how unhealthy HFCS is for our diets. What do you think about HCFS? Is it as dangerous as some believe?

The Dietary Guidelines Of 1861

America has changed a lot since the Civil War began in 1861, but apparently its food advice hasn't. Food Politics discusses the dietary guidelines of 1861 and how nutritional guidance hasn't changed much in 150 years.

High Food Prices? Blame The Bats

According to Fast Company, an epidemic is wiping out U.S. bats, which are responsible for consuming large amounts of pests every day. In fact, the industrious little brown bat eats up to 1,200 insects per hour-- a very large feat for such a tiny name. And not only are bats talented in pest control, but they are also great pollinators. Of course, less bats means more pests and less pollination, which means higher food prices for us.

Photo source: flickr user Jo Nayler

NYC Wants To Get In On The Happy Meal Toy Ban

A New York City councilman has introduced legislation to ban toys from fast food meals that don't meet certain nutrition guidelines. San Francisco enacted a similar ban last year. According to the ban's supporters, nixing the toys will lessen the allure of these unhealthy foods. Do you agree?

Photo source: flickr user Calgary Reviews

Cows Genetically Modified To Produce 'Human' Milk

According to The Telegraph, scientists have successfully genetically engineered 300 cows to produce humanlike breast milk. Human genes were introduced into the cows in an attempt to make their milk more nutritious. The researchers are hoping the altered milk will provide a healthier alternative to baby formula, and they are seeking to eventually make the product available in stores.

Photo source: www.commons.wikimedia.com, author Dohduhdah

Food Fight: BPA-- Use It Or Lose It?

This feature originally ran in the March 2011 issue of Food Manufacturing.

Controversy has heated up in recent years over the safety of Bisphenol A (BPA), a common additive used in the plastic lining found inside most food cans and other consumer food packaging. As those who watch the industry continue to debate whether the chemical should continue to be used, Food Manufacturing asks two experts to sound off:

Is BPA safe to use in food packaging?

Dr. John Rost, Chairman, North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. (NAMPA)

With more than 1,500 different food items packed in metal packaging, today’s metal cans play a critical role in feeding the world’s population. This proven packaging technology allows seasonal produce to be globally accessible year round and maintains food products’ exceptional nutritional value and fresh taste, at the lowest possible cost, all the while keeping food safe from contamination.

Yet, with persistent questions about the safety of chemicals used in can linings, consumers need to know some key facts. All food products packed today require the use of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “food grade” coating inside the can. These coatings, including epoxy resins with Bisphenol A (BPA), are applied to the interior of cans to eliminate interactions between the metal package and the food contents. Coatings prevent perforation defects that would allow bacteria and microorganisms to enter the can, thus maintaining the can's integrity and protecting against food poisoning. In fact, FDA records show there has not been an incidence of food-borne illness resulting from a failure of metal packaging in more than 36 years, coinciding with the rise of epoxy resin coatings as the industry standard.

Regulatory experts worldwide are in agreement regarding the safe use of BPA epoxy resin coatings in food packaging. Last fall, following a comprehensive review of the current scientific research on BPA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced it saw no evidence that would prompt a change to its current safety assessment of the use of BPA. EFSA reviewed all studies that have alleged various health effects from BPA and deemed them inadequate or irrelevant to human health. EFSA’s conclusion is consistent with that of scientific experts at the World Health Organization, which completed a similar BPA review in November 2010. National agencies in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States concluded the same — that BPA is safe for use in metal packaging. Despite their determination of BPA’s safety in food contact applications, these agencies are continuing to monitor the science on the issue. Some agencies (including FDA) are conducting their own laboratory research to ensure that any new studies meet established regulatory standards.

Research on BPA dates back more than 50 years, and has been reviewed by scientific and regulatory authorities around the world. Consumers should look to these scientific regulatory experts for reassurance on the safety of metal packaging and not abandon proven technologies on the basis of unfounded fears.

Bobbi Chase Wilding, BPA Coordinator for the National Workgroup for Safe Markets

A healthy change is coming to the grocery store. More and more companies are announcing moves away from the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. As with the BPA-free transition that occurred with baby bottles, food manufacturers recognize that their customers want truly safe packaging.

Trade associations argue that BPA has been used safely for 50 years, so it’s fine to use it in food packaging. The truth is, during the past half-century, rates of diseases linked to BPA and other synthetic chemicals have risen, including diabetes, reproductive dysfunctions, breast and prostate cancers and learning disabilities.

There is broad scientific recognition of the problems posed by BPA. Canada declared BPA “toxic,” and the National Toxicology Program and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have acknowledged “some concern” for brain behavior and prostate cancer based on current levels of BPA in humans, while confirming that contaminated food is a primary source. In 2007, 38 of the world’s leading BPA researchers issued a consensus statement, concluding that the levels of BPA in people are above those shown to cause harm in laboratory studies. Since then, the evidence has only become more convincing.

Canned foods likely play a significant role in these exposures. Last summer, the National Workgroup for Safe Markets released the report, No Silver Lining. Food packed in cans likely to be lined with BPA-based epoxy were tested, and the results were shocking. 90% of canned foods had detectible levels of BPA, and some were alarmingly high. By eating just one serving of canned green beans during pregnancy, a woman could expose her vulnerable fetus to levels of BPA that increase aggression and predisposition to prostate cancer in animal studies.

By innovating and using materials that are known to be safe — as opposed to those known to disrupt our body’s normal functions or unstudied for their impacts — food manufacturers can show good business sense, ensure consumer confidence in their products, and protect public health. General Mills, ConAgra and Whole Foods have announced transitions to BPA-free cans in certain products, and more companies are exploring alternatives.

BPA-free packaging would go a long way toward reducing Americans’ BPA exposure, and, simply put, it’s what people want. No one should have to worry that the food they feed their loved ones is contaminated with chemicals that could harm them. Continued use of BPA could pose significant financial, legal, reputational and regulatory liabilities. A one-time investment in truly non-toxic packaging now will ensure long-term product viability. It is an idea whose time has come.

Freaky Friday: March's Weirdest Food News

Krystal Gabert, Editor

On the last Friday of each month (or, in this case, a week late), Food Manufacturing looks back at the most surprising or unusual food-related stories of the month. Here are our top picks for March:

A pizzeria owner employs rodent warfare to gain the competitive edge. The man faces disorderly conduct, harassment and animal cruelty charges after unleashing bags of mice at competitors' pizza establishments. Police call his actions "food terrorism."

All of the drama leading up to Kraft's 2010 acquisition of Cadbury hasn't quite died down yet. British lawmakers are furious that Kraft's CEO still refuses to appear before an inquiry panel into the controversial takeover.

The poultry industry may have their chicken wings sidelined by the NFL Players Association. Football season is also hot wings season in most sports bars and barbeques across the country. Until the players and owners can reach an agreement, next season will remain on hold, denying poultry processors the bump in chicken prices that each new season brings.

This just in: Marketing works. According to a new study, children believe that cereals endorsed by cartoon characters actually taste better. Any chance someone can invent "The Broccoli Panda?"

A Croatian immigrant and worker at a Nestle facility in Kentucky faces extradition for Bosnian torture and murder charges related to her time in the Croatian army. The charges are related to incidents in which she is alleged to have forced Serbs to drink gasoline and human blood.

A New Jersey man is suing caffeinated booze beverage maker Four Loko, claiming that after consuming two and a half cans of the drink, he experienced ongoing heart problems.

The inmates are running the asylum... or at least the bakery. Convicts at Rikers Island prison in New York are responsible for baking 36,000 loaves of bread per week — enough to feed the prison population.

What crazy/funny/unexpected stories have you been following this month? Let me know at krystal.gabert@advantagemedia.com.