Food News January 2013

03/01/13
EFSA Revised Consumer Exposure To Caramel Colours
Caramel colours are added to food to give a deeper shade of brown and are widely used in a variety of foods including non-alcoholic flavoured drinks, confectionary, soups, seasonings and alcoholic drinks such as beer, cider and whisky.

Caramel colours are complex mixtures of compounds produced by carefully controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates (sugars). They are classified into four categories depending on the reagent used in their manufacture (ammonia and/or sulphite or no reagent), and generally known by the E numbers E150a, E150b, E150c, and E150b.
Source: European Food Safety Authority.

30/12/12
UNITED KINGDOM – Budgens, Londis and SuperValu have recalled some of their SuperValu Salted Peanuts, because one batch of the product has been found to contain aflatoxins at levels higher than the regulatory limits. The levels of aflatoxins found are not considered a safety risk. However, if you have bought any of the product do not eat it.

Product Details: SuperValu Salted Peanuts (200g)

‘Best before’ 30 April 2013

Batch code 022154

Budgens, Londis and Supervalu have recalled the affected batch of product from consumers. Product recall notices have been displayed in stores that sell the product, explaining to customers the reason for the recall.

Customers who have purchased the above product are advised not consume it but to return it to the store to obtain a full refund.

No other Budgens, Londis or SuperValu products are known to be affected.
Source: HACCP Europe

21/12/12
UNITED KINGDOM – Iceland is recalling its Chicken Biryani with a ‘best before’ date of 3 October 2013, because a packaging error has resulted in some of this product being incorrectly filled with Prawn Curry. If you have an allergy to, or intolerance of, wheat (gluten), milk, mustard or shellfish (prawns), do not eat this product.

Product Details

Iceland Chicken Biryani, 500g

‘Best before’ date: 3 October 2013

Iceland is recalling the above product from customers because a packaging error has resulted in some of this product being incorrectly filled with Prawn Curry, made with wheat (gluten), milk, mustard and shellfish (prawns) that are not mentioned on the label.

Customer notices will be displayed in stores, explaining why the product is being recalled. Iceland has also contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the issue.

If you have bought this product and are allergic to or intolerant of wheat (gluten), milk, mustard or shellfish (prawns), do not eat it. Instead, return it to your local Iceland store for a full refund.

No other Iceland products are known to be affected.
Source: HACCP Europe

21/12/12
UNITED KINGDOM – Dutch importer Liroy B.V. is recalling batches of Koon Yick Wah Kee Rose Bean Curd (Tofu) and Chilli Bean Curd (Tofu), because the products are contaminated with the bacterium Bacillus cereus and several types of yeast. The presence of Bacillus cereus poses a possible health risk. If you have bought one of these products, do not eat it.

Product Details

Koon Yick Wah Kee – Rose Bean Curd (Tofu), 454g

‘Best before’ date 30 December 2014

Lot number 023424

Koon Yick Wah Kee – Chilli Bean Curd (Tofu), 454g

‘Best before’ date 30 December 2014

Lot number 023421
Source: HACCP Europe