NEWS >> FOOD SAFETY
Australian poison report sparks call for tighter energy drink rules
Date: 17 Jan 2012A sharp rise in emergency calls related to energy drinks with a high caffeine content has prompted a call for tighter regulation and compulsory health warnings. The call, rejected by the energy drink industry, came after research by the University of Sydney and the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre found an increase in symptoms including cardiac arrhythmias, tremors, dizziness, hallucinations and stomach problems. Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the research ... more
Health & Safety tips for restaurant & tavern owners
Date: 5 Jan 2012Restaurants and Taverns present a fun and entertaining venue for patrons, but behind the scenes, much care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that both workers and patrons remain healthy and safe. Recognising this, Business owners across New Zealand will be receiving the 2012 edition of Pro-Visual Publishing’s Restaurant & Tavern Industry Guide to Safety at no cost. With information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the guide is split into two ... more
RECALL: Green Monkey Organic Baby Food pouches
Date: 20 Dec 2011Green Monkey are initiating a full recall of their Green Monkey Organic Baby Food pouches due to a packaging fault, which could lead to a very low risk of foreign matter (plastic) finding its way inside the pouch. Name of Product: Green Monkey Organic Baby Food Package Description & Size: 100gm pouches Identification: All varieties and batches NZ Distribution: The product is sold in supermarkets throughout New Zealand. Overseas Distribution: These products are ... more
Total Diet Study a vote of confidence for New Zealand food
Date: 1 Dec 2011The 2009 Total Diet Study (TDS) released today by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) confirms that the common New Zealand diet poses no food safety concerns from chemical residues or contaminants. “Results from this comprehensive study provide confidence that New Zealand continues to have one of the safest food supplies in the world,” Acting Policy Manager Cherie Flynn says. The five-yearly study tests 123 commonly eaten foods for chemical residues, and ... more
Food Standards Australia New Zealand warns against consuming raw apricot kernels
Date: 4 Nov 2011Food Standards Australia New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon today warned consumers against eating raw apricot kernels following the discovery of high levels of a naturally occurring toxin in some products available in Australia. There are different types of apricot kernels, some of which contain high levels of the toxin that can release cyanide into the body when eaten. Adults eating as few as four of these kernels a day could become very ill – children should ... more
Recall: Bon-Soy soy milk powder and Bon-Rice rice milk powder
Date: 4 Nov 2011Health food manufacturer Bon-Soy is recalling its Bon-Soy Phyto-Nutraceutical soy milk powder and Bon-Rice Phyto-Nutraceutical rice milk powder products, which have been incorrectly labelled and may contain undeclared milk protein. Food Product: Soy milk powder and rice milk powder Name of Product: All batches of: Bon-Soy Phyto-Nutraceutical soy milk powder Bon-Rice Phyto-Nutraceutical rice milk powder Package Description & Size: Bon-Soy milk powder in ... more
RECALL: Phoenix Organic drinks
Date: 1 Nov 2011Charlie's Trading Co. has recalled several products from its Phoenix Organic Organic Carbonates and Organic Sparkling Juice drinks ranges due to inadequate pasteurisation of some bottles. Name of Product: Phoenix Organics Drinks (Charlie's Trading Co Ltd) PHOENIX ORGANIC GINGER BEER best before 22/08/12 batch PR08220811 PHOENIX ORGANIC CREAMING SODA best before 22/08/12 batch PR08220811 PHOENIX ORGANIC COLA CLUSTER (4pack) best before 22/08/12 batch PR08220811 ... more
Authorities, industry group question Australian report criticising imported frozen vegetables
Date: 29 Sep 2011A report on Australian current affairs TV programme Today Tonight stating that New Zealand is being used as the back door into Australia for Chinese frozen vegetables, avoiding residue testing and country of origin labelling, has been dismissed by food safety authorities on both sides of the Tasman. According to the programme, the vegetables are initially imported into New Zealand and then repackaged, together with locally-grown vegetables. It said tests on bags of frozen vegetables, ... more
New international food risk analysis publication launched
Date: 26 Sep 2011InTech launches the first issue of the International Food Risk Analysis Journal in collaboration and with the support of Health Canada’s Food Directorate and Food Standards Australia New Zealand. InTech Open access publisher, building on its collection and variety of highly successful scientific journals, announces the first issue of the International Food Risk Analysis Journal (IFRAJ), published under the Open Access model and edited with the support of Health Canada’s Food ... more
Fonterra Brands recalls additional cheese products
Date: 23 Sep 2011Fonterra Brands (New Zealand) Ltd (FBNZ) is extending the products covered by a voluntary recall of some Mainland cheese products. Dominic Quin, FBNZ General Manager Marketing and Innovation, said: “On Tuesday, as a precautionary measure, we announced the voluntary recall of three products following the detection of a metal fragment found in a single pack. “On further investigation, we have found that a small amount of the relevant cheese was further ... more
