News 34814

Beef: Its Safe for Dinner

By Teresa Esquivel
Managing Editor

After a two-year enhanced-surveillance effort, USDA has transitioned to an ongoing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance program. This transition comes after sampling more than 759,000 animals since June 1, 2004, and finding only two animals that tested positive for BSE, or mad cow disease.

Weve accomplished our enhanced- surveillance goals, and its time to move forward with a level of surveillance that corresponds to the very low level of BSE in this country, says Mike Johanns, secretary of agriculture. Going forward, the program will sample some 40,000 animals each year, and USDA will continue to collect samples from a variety of sites and from cattle populations where the disease is most likely to be detected.

The purposes of ongoing BSE surveillance are twofold: to continue to assess and monitor change in the BSE status of U.S. cattle and to provide mechanisms for detection of BSE prevalence if it were to increase above one infected animal per 1 million adults. According to USDA, the new program will provide testing at a level 10 times higher than those set forth by the World Organization for Animal Health, Paris.

Following on the heels of this decision, USDA announced Japans decision to resume imports of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months of age or younger. This has been a long process as weve confirmed that our system is in full compliance with Japans import requirements and provided Japan with clear, scientific data confirming that American beef is extremely safe, Johanns says.

This marks the second lift of a Japanese ban on U.S. beef. In Dec. 2005, Japan lifted a two-year ban on U.S. beef, only to reinstate it less than two months later after an animal spine was found in a beef shipment.

In response to Japans resumption of U.S. beef imports, Jay Truitt, vice president, government affairs, National Cattlemens Beef Association, Centennial, CO, states that the announcement represents a move toward trade policy that is based on sound scientific principles, and it is an appropriate first step.

In 2003, immediately after the first U.S. cow tested positive for BSE in Washington state, Japan and South Koreathe No. 1 and 3 importers of U.S. beef, respectivelyclosed their borders to beef from the United States. South Korea partially lifted its ban in Jan. 2006, with restrictions remaining on ribs and other bone-in beef, which constitutes some 45% of the potential market.

In 2003, the United States exported $1.4 billion worth of beef and beef products to Japan. I look forward to the day when we resume that level of trade, says Johanns. To that end, I have asked the Japanese government to meet with us this fall to discuss the next steps toward strengthening our beef trading relationship and graduating to standards based in science.

In addition to the continued ability to detect one infected animal per 1 million adult cattle with a high degree of confidence, the new guidelines provide a mechanism for review and evaluation to help ensure that the new BSE surveillance program is providing the appropriate type and quality of information.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Think BIG

National Cattlemens Beef Association, Centennial, CO, announced formation of Beef Innovations Group (BIG). The group will serve as a resource for new-product information and leadership. To that end, BIG has set up a website (www.beefinnovationsgroup.com) and plans to conduct research on the beef preferences of youth, as well as develop a line of hand-held beef products, among other initiatives.

Inulin Approved As Dietary Fiber

In July, Health Canada approved the classification of inulin as a dietary fiber, which allows Canadian food manufacturers to make fiber-related claims on packaging. Health Canada defines dietary fiber as: Endogenous components of plant material in the diet which are resistant to digestion by enzymes produced by man. They are predominantly nonstarch polysaccharides and lignins and may include, in addition, associated substances.

Soy Claim Hits Malaysia

Malaysian health authorities have ruled its nations food manufacturers can claim foods containing soy protein help reduce cholesterol. Food manufacturers in Malaysia can use the nutrient function claim on labels of foods and beverages that contain at least 5 grams of soy protein per serving, in conjunction with a statement explaining that the amount required to reduce cholesterol in blood is 25 grams per day.

SUPPLIER NEWS

American Sugar Buys Sweetener Division

American Sugar Refining, Yonkers, NY, purchased the specialty sweetener division of Chr. Hansen, Milwaukee, as well as production facilities in Louisiana and Illinois.

IBR Opens New Plant

Integrated Bakery Resources (IBR), Arlington, OR, celebrated the opening of its new blending plant. The 50,000- sq.-ft. facility employs 21 people from the surrounding area, and IBR will have access to local farm products for use in its baked goods.

David Michael and SPI Polyols Join Forces

David Michael & Co., Philadelphia, and SPI Polyols, Inc., New Castle, DE, formed a partnership to promote the use of Maltisweet IC maltitol syrup in no-sugar-added and reduced-sugar ice-cream applications. The companies joined forces to develop custom-tailored systems that provide the taste, texture and sweetness of a full-sugar ice cream in a low-guilt alternative

Tate & Lyle Invests in the Future

Tate & Lyle, London, launched a new venture-capital fund. The limited-partnership fund will invest in start-ups and expansion-stage companies that reflect Tate & Lyles drive for strategic growth through next-generation food ingredients, as well as innovations in industrial ingredients, biomaterials and biofuels.

Red to the Core

HortResearch, Auckland, New Zealand, has developed a red-fleshed apple. A high concentration of anthocyanins gives the fruit a rosy color to the core. The fruits juice was designed to increase mental acuity and alertness.

LycoRed Enters Premix Market

LycoRed Corporation, Fairfield, NJ, announced its entry into the U.S. vitamin and mineral premix market. As part of this expansion, the company acquired a production facility in Fairfield, NJ.

Virginia Dare Grows

Virginia Dare, Brooklyn, NY, completed a 5,000-sq.-ft. addition to its new product-development laboratories. The addition includes new laboratories dedicated to sweet goods and beverage applications, and a beverage pilot plant with a state-of-the-art UHT beverage processing installation.

All American Acquires Forester

All American Foods, Inc., Mankato, MN, acquired Forester Foods, Inc. This move adds Foresters proprietary line of food ingredients, used primarily by the frozen-dessert industry, to the companys capabilities.

Pharmachem Forms New Food Group

Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., Kearny, NJ, announced formation of a new business group to focus on the needs of the food and beverage industry. The Food & Beverage Group will identify custom manufacturing and branded ingredient opportunities across all Pharmachem companies.

Omega-3s Go to School

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, announced that Good Foods Enterprises launched Mr. Cookie with MEG-3® omega-3 EPA/DHA. Each cookie contains 25 mg of the EPA/DHA, and is nut- and trans-fat free. Mr. Cookie is now part of the lunch program in elementary schools in Ontario.

Solae on the Move

The Solae Company, St. Louis, announced plans to relocate its global headquarters to the Center of Research Technology and Entrepreneurial Expertise, also in St. Louis. A new multimillion dollar research center planned for the site is set for completion in the second half of 2008.

Ottens Flavors Merger

Ottens Flavors, Philadelphia, announced its merger with MK Flavors & Co. Mexico, Mexico City. The Mexican operation is now called MK Ottens Flavors.