Switzerland: Guar Gum Thickening Agent Found to Contain High Dioxin Levels
31 July 2007 - High levels of dioxin have been found in a Swiss-made thickening agent. As a result, the manufacturer Unipektin has ordered a worldwide recall of the product. The contaminated additive, Vidocrem (made from guar gum), is used to thicken yogurt, vinaigrette, mayonnaise and ketchup. According to a Swiss newspaper, between 12 and 156 picograms of dioxin per gram of fat were discovered in additive samples tested by a German laboratory on 13 July 2007. The EU norm is 1 to 6 picograms per gram. The additive was delivered to customers in Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria, Britain, Finland, Spain, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Australia, Japan and Turkey. The European Commission issued a health warning to member states on 25 July 2007. Furthermore, Swiss retailer Migros announced yesterday that it was recalling three cream powders of its Midor brand. In a statement, Unipektin said that it purcahses raw materials from India and processes them into guar gum, which is added in very small quantities by the food manufacturers to meat, dairy, dessert or delicatessen products. “According to our current state of knowledge, the contamination occurred with an Indian supplier. The exact cause is now being investigated by renowned specialists and external laboratories” “As emergency measure, contact was immediately made with the responsible regulatory authorities. The guar gum affected with defined batch numbers was blocked from further processing and all customers informed. The return transport and proper disposal have been set in train”, Unipektin said. The company is not sure how much of the product must be recalled, however the total weight is estimated at "several tons". http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10126/ Switzerland/switze rland_guar_gum_thi ckening_agent_foun d_contain_high_dio xin_levels_worldwi de_recall_started. html (Jul 31, 2007 | post #1)
DSM delites bakers and cheese makers at IFT
DSM has recently posted good Q2 results and is optimistic for the rest of the year. See: http://www.flexnew s.com/console/Page Viewer.aspx?page=1 0034&str=dsm (Jul 31, 2007 | post #1)
Promising Perspective for Potato Proteins Animal or vegetable o...
- National Starch Food Innovation and the AVEBE Group -- two leaders in starch- based ingredients for the development of consumer food products -- have announced an alliance that will see National Starch as sole distributor of AVEBE's specialty potato starch portfolio of food ingredients in North America, South America and Asia. See: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10087/ Avebe/Starch/natio nal_starch_food_in novation_avebe_ent er_alliance_market _development_speci alty_potato_starch es.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
General Mills to Resume Pasta Production in Brazil After 4-Year Halt
24 July 2007 - FLEXNEWS has obtained confirmation that General Mills, which halted pasta production in Brazil in 2003 during a period of financial unrest, plans to resume its output in January 2008. At the time General Mills faced production problems for its pasta brand “Frescarini”. The firm adjusted prices 3 times in 2003, sales volumes and production fell. General Mills was finally forced to close down its plant located in Bauru, Sao Paulo state, in January 2004. As a result, the company began importing pasta products from its unit in Argentina. As of January 2008, General Mills will resume production of pasta at its unit in Contagem, Minas Gerais state. An investment of USD 4.4 million was needed to carry out the necessary adjustments. The Contagem facility currently produces Frescarini's dough with fillings for frying, as well as products under its “Forno de Minas” brand. General Mills leads the Brazilian market for pasta with fillings with a 20% share. In Brazil, the company also markets “Forno de Minas” cheese bread and salty snacks, “Pillsbury” frozen treats, cereal bars under its “Nature Valley” brand, as well as “Häagen-Dazs” ice cream. http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/9989/G eneral_Mills/gener al_mills_resume_pa sta_production_bra zil_year_halt.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
Q&A: High Fructose Corn Syrup: Special Culprit in American Obes...
Read this article on FLEXNEWS: http://www.flexnew s.com/console/Page Viewer.aspx?page=8 880&str=CORN%2 0and%20SYRUP (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
Coke Launches Vitamin-Infused Soda
Jones Soda of Seattle is the only soda producer which uses cane sugar. See what FLEXNEWS has said: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/8880/S ugar/Sweetener/USA /sugar_corn_syrup_ –_cheapest_option_ us_soft_drink_make rs___report.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #5)
Last week FLEXNEWS (www.flexnews.com) said that Diageo will not sell its Guinness business as it has plans to grow the brand outside its home market. See: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10052/ Diageo/diageo_will _not_sell_guiness. html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
Who wants to buy Cadbury's US drinks business?
FLEXNEWS coverage: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10063/ Cadbury_Schweppes/ cadbury_delays_dri nks_sale_amid_mark et_turmoil.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
What do you think about PepsiCo's plans for India? A story was published on FLEXNEWS: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10076/ Pepsi/pepsico_eyes _indian_juice_bran d.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
Sara Lee recalls bread that may have metal shards -- South Flor...
Full story can be read on FLEXNEWS: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10080/ Sara_Lee/sara_lee_ recalls_bread_meta l_pieces.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #8)
Sara Lee recalls bread that may have metal shards -- South Flor...
Full story can be found on FLEXNEWS: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10080/ Sara_Lee/sara_lee_ recalls_bread_meta l_pieces.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #7)
Kraft Foods - Robusta in Coffee
What do you think of Kraft Foods' plans to eliminate robusta usage in its Maxwell House regular blend Saw this article on Flexnews: http://www.flexnew s.com/pages/10077/ Coffee/Kraft/Proct er/usa_kraft_foods _coffee_rivals_rea ct_decision_remove _robusta_maxwell_h ouse.html (Jul 30, 2007 | post #1)
Like what you see?
Create your own Topix Profile
Olympics