Since its inception, NSF International has established itself as the company of standards – one that has been setting the bar in public health and safety for nearly 65 years. As a world leader in the testing and certification of products, NSF develops standards, tests products, certifies compliance as well as provides educational opportunities through its Centre for Public Health Education.

IFR is publicly funded and can undertake the kind of long term fundamental research that cannot economically be undertaken by industry, but will lead to product and processing innovations in years to come. Past breakthroughs include pioneering work in the 1930s on controlled atmosphere storage to enable the transport and increased shelf life of foods. Research from the 1970s underpins UK policy on dietary fibre and work from the 1990s informed policy on fruit and vegetable consumption.

Of primary concern to today’s food manufacturers is the threat of food contamination resulting in regulatory enforcement, product recalls and consumer litigation. Food retailers and their branded suppliers fear instances of food contamination resulting in public notices, widespread food recalls, or even worse, consumer illness. Even before causation is demonstrated in a court of law, production down time, regulatory scrutiny and litigation fees can cost a manufacturer millions in lost revenue.

The European Commission’s (EC) strategy in the past ten years has been changed from stimulating and supporting scientific projects in specific research areas towards more integrated research projects.

Changes are afoot at the EHEDG this month as Ellen Go Yanko leaves her position as Office Manager and is succeeded by Hans-Werner Bellin. Other organisational changes mean that next issue’s update could take on a very different style.

Intralox, L.L.C. has announced the release of its new Series 1650 SeamFree™ Minimum Hinge Flat Top belt, the latest addition to the EZ Clean family of products.

BioCentrum (BiC) is an Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and represents the largest concentration of biotechnological research at university level in Denmark. BiC has a long tradition of food research and teaching and has for many years been involved in different MSc programmes in Food Science and Technology. It is involved with food graduate schools in partnership with the Faculty of Life Sciences at University of Copenhagen (LIFE KU) under the name the Centre for Advanced Food Studies (LMC).

With the cooking system “COOK-IT” and the cooking mixers of Stephan Machinery, Hameln, you can produce plain faire as well as exotic recipes and gourmet products. The quality of the used raw materials is utilised as best as possible according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Preparations for the joint conference in Lisbon are well underway as the event draws closer. The programme promises to cover most aspects of hygienic manufacturing and will contain invaluable advice for those who attend. The EHEDG has also updated one of its guidelines and released a new document. Read on to find out more.

MoniQA is an EU funded Network of Excellence (NoE), which works towards harmonisation of analytical methods for monitoring food quality and safety in the food supply chain. The MoniQA NoE (Contract N0. FOOD-CT-2006-36337) is coordinated by the Vienna-based ICC (International Association for Cereal Science and Technology) and is set to receive €12.3million by the European Commission for its activities between 2007 and 2012 within the Sixth Framework Programme Topic T5.4.5.1: Quality and safety control strategies for food (NOE).

Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is a provider of scientific research, information and consultancy for the global food and drink sector. It is renowned for its comprehensive World Food Legislation services, applied Bioscience Research and Food Ingredient expertise. Paul Berryman gives an overview of LFI’s capabilities to develop innovative solutions to the major issues facing the food & drinks sector.

The EHEDG is as busy as ever with a meeting in Parma, Italy and plans for a conference in November, as well as numerous meetings throughout the year. On top of this, the organisation needs a new secretariat to organise all these dates. Read more about the group’s activities this quarter.

TNO Quality of Life is one of the five core areas of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research. TNO carries out research aimed at providing concrete solutions to problems encountered by industry and government bodies in six areas of activity: Work and Employment, Chemistry, Innovation Policy, Prevention and Healthcare, Pharma and Food and Nutrition.

The major innovations still happen. They obey what is termed the technological ‘Zen principle’. One of these innovations is the F1 filler, a new generation of filler design at KRONES. It scores essentially in terms of three innovative features: modularised construction of the entire machine with no front table, a redesigned filling system and a completely new filling-valve actuation concept.

2007 is now well underway and with the passing of another year, the EHEDG has taken time to reflect on its major achievements. The result has seen the compilation of the group’s main guidelines and documents in the form of a 2007 Yearbook – an excellent way to get the most from years of work! But life doesn’t stand still for the EHEDG and important events are already planned for later this year.

Having outlined the origins and aims of the Food Innovations Network Europe (FINE) in the latest issue of New Food, you can now read about the group’s Action Programme and plans for cooperation to achieve their goals.

The principal priorities for all food companies are safety, quality, efficiency and innovation. Everyday, CCFRA helps food and drinks companies to achieve these – and so succeed in business.

On June 21 2006 the new European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) subgroup ‘Conveyors’ was chartered in Amsterdam. The initial meeting was led by Jacques Kastelein, EHEDG Executive Committee member and chairman of the Equipment and Components group. Team members are delegates from different companies which are each involved with some aspect of designing machines, systems, components or cleaning issues for food processing equipment and conveyors.

Scientists have decided that the time has come to put an end to disparities in food regulations between countries. There is no reason why food safety should be different depending on where a person lives. The following article provides an explanation on the why and – most importantly – the how.

The global food safety standard ISO 22000 was launched in September 2005. Since then the standard has been extended to more than 50 countries around the world, and in this way it is the first global standard of food safety. This article outlines some industry experiences from the first year of the standard.

Until recently, the food industry was considered to be a traditional industrial sector with a low capacity for innovation, mainly due to the ‘basic’ character of food products. However, the globalisation of the food market in addition to changing consumer preferences profoundly affects the food sector. Nowadays, innovation is put forward as the main instrument to generate added value and to stay competitive within the fast evolving global food market. Innovation also plays a central role in European policy, put forward in the Lisbon Agenda (2000) setting the objective of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, with innovation as the key instrument.

When deciding which tank cleaning equipment to purchase, it is important to consider hygiene along with criteria such as effectiveness and price. The very first EHEDG-certified rotary jet head is now on the market.

With 2006 drawing to a close, the EHEDG has managed to find time to fit in an extra course in Denmark, as well as a seminar in Barcelona. Ellen Moens provides the final quarterly update for 2006…

An efficient manufacturing process is the cornerstone of any food company’s profitability. However, once that cornerstone is in place, improving it is the key to long term progress. Here, David Bryant, managing director of Major International discusses the company’s continuing development practice in both automation and process improvement. He believes that the company’s future lies in automating processes to improve profitability, customer focus and the company’s positive environmental stance.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the Republic of Ireland, Mr Micheál Martin, recently announced a major investment of €28m by Dawn Farm Foods Ltd. in Naas, Co. Kildare, with the support of Enterprise Ireland. The investment relates to the development of a state-of-the-art meat science innovation centre together with significant investment in research and development and additional capital investment.

The EHEDG has been busy recently. Two new guidelines have been published and the new Conveyors subgroup has had its first meeting. Read more about the Group’s quarterly achievements

Over the past decade, the presence of chemical contaminants in foods has probably had a greater impact on the global food trade than any other food-related issue.The reasons for the continued attention directed towards chemical contaminants are complex and associated with a number of separate, yet interrelated factors.

2005 was a busy year for EHEDG with much achieved and many developments made. Dr Matilda Freund, EHEDG President and Director Global Microbiology and Food Safety, Kraft Foods, sums up the past year’s achievements

Quality indicator (QI) tests represent the large majority of routine tests currently performed by food microbiology laboratories. Although not necessarily pathogenic, indicator organisms, such as Total Plate Count, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds can alter the appearance and taste of a product when present in large quantities. The enumeration of the microbial flora present indicates the microbiological quality of the raw materials and the finished product, as well as ensuring in-process control. QI tests are therefore of major importance in establishing a consistent level of hygiene during food production and a good quality product.

In this, the final article resulting from the HYFOMA project, Jacques Kastelein and Hilde Cnossen of TNO outline the reasons why equipment certification is essential to the food industry.

Failure in cleaning and disinfection increases the ability of bacteria to survive, adapt and establish in food processing equipment or other environments, with the potential to transfer to food products. The antimicrobial effects of disinfectants depend upon several factors. This article focuses on the properties and mechanisms of bacteria involved in increased tolerance to disinfectants used in the food industry.

Daniels Chilled Foods are a manufacturing company whose product ranges includes New Covent Garden Soup, Johnson’s Juice, Fruit All Fresh Salads, Sandwich Fillings and a B2B Ingredients business, with their own distribution arm to support the operation.

ISO 22000:2005, Food safety management systems - Requirements for any organisation in the food chain has just been published (October). This new international standard provides a harmonised framework for the implementation of a hazard analysis system to identify and control food safety hazards within any type of organisation dealing with any type of food product.

Food safety hazards may be introduced at any stage of the food chain and adequate control throughout the food chain is therefore essential. Thus, food safety is a joint responsibility that is principally assured through the combined efforts of all the parties participating in the food chain.

Research continues in the area of hygienic engineering and design, particularly in innovative techniques using safe construction materials to develop functional as well as easily cleanable equipment for handling, processing and packing foodstuffs. This is the motivation behind the work of the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), which regularly publishes detailed guidelines and guidance on engineering aspects of food production.

The food industry is assisted optima forma when a clear and rapid insight could be given into the presence and behavior of microorganisms in ingredients, processing, final product and health. A clear insight regarding the microbiology of food products and production is essential for prediction and management of food quality and safety.

Hartwall Ltd is Finland’s leading beverage supplier and part of the Scottish & Newcastle Group. It has a 44 per cent share of the market through its strong portfolio of beers, soft drinks, bottled waters, ciders and other alcoholic beverages and functional drinks; as well as imported wines and spirits through its fully-owned subsidiary Hartwa-Trade.

Machines and Processes for Safe Food is the theme of the EHEDG seminar on September 14th at Drinktec, Munich. State-of-the-art engineering tools for hygienic design of both machinery and processes are essential for safe food and beverage manufacture. EHEDG speakers involved in work groups will share their expertise and know-how on this and related topics. See programme details.

During the last 25 years, there has been a steady evolution in the way the food industry organised itself to ensure delivery of safe and consistent quality food to the consumer.

In recent years a wide-reaching recognition of the importance of production consistency and quality has emerged in the food industry. With the recent recognition by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Process Analytical Technology (PAT) has become the key issue in statistical process design, monitoring and control for pharmaceutical industries worldwide

The UK cheese market is now worth £1.7 billion per annum and, despite being a very mature product that’s already consumed in 98 per cent of UK homes, its growth shows little sign of slowing. The whole category is being driven forward by a wide range of domestic manufacturers producing quality cheese that ranks amongst the best in the world.

Each cluster consolidates related topics, elements, equipment and processes that were previously dealt with by the 20-odd separate subgroups. This approach facilitates cross-referencing of industry practices, sharing of available research and expertise, as well as solutions to related problems.

Worldwide membership of EHEDG stands at 50 corporate members and 380 individuals representing 350 companies/institutions in the field of manufacturing (equipment and food), supplier/ consulting services, research and education.