Food safety

Health research

Study links red meat consumption to heightened diabetes risk

Researchers in Singapore have identified that eating high quantities of red meat over a period of time can increase the risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

China finally looking to act on cadmium rice scandal

China's Ministry of Land and Resources has announced plans to conduct a survey across the country to assess pollution levels as a means to ascertain the reasons behind excessive cadmium...

Food safety

China to restructure dairy industry, target formula standards

China's cabinet has announced detailed plans to improve the quality of domestic baby milk powder in a bid to stamp out the constant food safety fears that have plagued the...

Food safety

Delhi told to get tough after high pesticide levels found in produce

A government panel has called for stringent checks for pesticides in fruit and vegetables brought into Delhi after discovering that most of the produce it tested contained dangerous chemical residues.

Opinion

Sino-US pork deal is destined to bring home the bacon for both sides

While it is expected that the Shuanghui takeover of Smithfield Foods will take place once it is rubber-stamped by American authorities, the union will hardly be blessed in the US.

News in brief

Hong Kong recalls Australian low-fat milk over excessive bacterial count

The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has ordered the recall of an Australian low-fat milk product after routine tests found a bacterial count exceeding the legal limit.

Food safety

Bubble tea brands banned by Singapore for unapproved chemical content

Singapore food inspection authorities have withdrawn 11 starch-based products from Taiwan - mostly tapioca starch balls used in bubble tea - from sale after finding they contained amounts of an...

Food safety

Chinese premier tells agencies to get tougher on food crime

China’s authorities need use all their resources to monitor the food market more closely and impose harsher penalties if the country is to bounce back from a spate of food...

Indian health

Tamil Nadu outlaws edible tobacco

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has has become the latest to outlaw edible tobacco. The order, revealed by the chief minister in the state assembly, is expected to...

More arrested for smuggling infant formula than drugs - Hong Kong Customs

More people have been arrested for attempting to smuggle infant formula out of Hong Kong since 1 March 2013 than were detained at the border for trafficking drugs throughout the...

900 arrested in latest Chinese meat sting

China’s Ministry of Public Security has announced the arrest of 904 suspects during a three-month campaign to prevent meat-related crime, such as the sale of rat and fox under the...

Report shows Chinese-made formula better and cheaper than imports

Chinese consumers are paying more for a lower nutritional content when they opt for foreign-made milk formula, according to a study by the China Dairy Industry Association.

Ankush at large

Kiwis must capitalise on China by developing Brand NZ

The last time I went to China was last year, to visit an old friend who had moved to Shenzhen by marriage. The Chinese government might tout Shenzhen as a...

Gluten-free app could drive nutrition innovation, says research fellow

A gluten-free scanning app in Australia could prompt industry to improve nutritional content and label on-pack, says a research fellow from the George Institute for Global Health.

A2C prepares first a2 infant formula shipment to China

A2 Corporation (A2C) – the New Zealand-based manufacturer of a2 fresh milk – has commenced packing of its new a2 Platinum infant formula range, and hopes to make its first...

Ankush at large

Come on governments: hand food safety over to the private sector

Watching Asia from a Western prism gives you the advantage of seeing the bigger picture. But on the flip-side, you end up benchmarking what you see against what has happened...

Food safety

Beware of pesticides in Chinese imports: study

The initial findings of a research study has shown that pesticides are the number one problem reported by consumers around the world concerning food imported from China.

New administration outlines China’s tough food-safety agenda

China’s new administration is continuing to demonstrate its newfound determination to tackle longstanding food-safety problems by issuing a blueprint of measures it plans to take this year.

Beverage safety

Bottled water catfight exposes China’s reliance on muddled standards

Bottled water producer Nongfu Spring has launched an attack on the company it claims is behind allegations that its product contains more chemicals than are allowed in China’s tap water....

Ankush at large

FSANZ standard should be adopted by Asian giants

Health claims in food and beverage products is perhaps the most talked about topic in the entire food production chain outside of GM. In mature markets like the US—and now...

Fruit safety

NZ ministry investigating chemical residue in kiwifruit

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries is working with the kiwifruit industry and the supplier of a range of organically-certified citrus-based products following the unexpected discovery of very low residues...

Chinese dairy safety concerns 'adversely affected' 2012 results - Mengniu

Chinese dairy giant Mengniu has reported a drop in both revenue and profits for 2012 – a result it has attributed to continuing consumer concern about the quality and safety...

Swiss infant formula recalled in Shanghai over repackaging claims

Swiss infant formula manufacturer, Hero, has moved to dispel concerns about the safety of its Nutradefense brand infant formula in China after authorities in Shanghai ordered retailers to pull it...