All Posts Tagged: EFSA

Antimicrobial resistant microbes in food

The European Food Safety Authority has just published an assessment on the potential contribution of food and food-producing animals to the public health risks posed by bacteria that produce enzymes that makes them resistant to treatments with certain broad spectrum antibiotics. In particular, E. coli and Salmonella species produce the enzymes which confers on them antimicrobial resistance. The BIOHAZ expert panel of the EFSA concluded that decreasing the overall use of antibiotics in food-producing animals should be of high priority in the EU as these bacterial strains are often resistant to many other commonly used veterinary drugs. It was also concluded that an additional risk factor is the extensive trade of animals in EU Member States. See the full story here - http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/110802a.htm?WT.mc_id=RSS&emt=1

New industry body for sprouted seeds proposed

The Grocer magazine reports that Freshfel, the European fresh produce association, has sent a letter to sprouted seed suppliers across Europe, proposing the creation of a formal European Sprout Association and a quality label. The aim, Freshfel said, was to “guarantee a minimum level of food safety towards the authorities and the market”. This has come in the aftermath of the European E. coli 0104:H4 outbreak. Freshfel added that a European association would work with EFSA, which will be compiling a risk assessment for sprouts over the coming weeks, and could respond specifically to the challenges faced by European suppliers, Freshfel said. The full article can be found here: - http://www.thegrocer.co.uk//Articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=219955