Social media activity around avocado, almonds and quinoa far outstrips that of activated charcoal, collagen or pea protein – suggesting that consumers are more interested in foods that are easy to understand and naturally healthy, a social media analysis by New Nutrition Business reveals.

McDonald’s has announced it will partner with franchisees and suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to McDonald’s restaurants and offices by 36% by 2030 from a 2015 base year in a new strategy to address global climate change. Additionally, McDonald’s commits to a 31% reduction in emissions intensity (per metric ton of food and packaging) across its supply chain by 2030 from 2015 levels. This combined target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

A team from Madrid University (Spain) has just published a multi-centre randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study regarding the safety and tolerance of three of LHS probiotic strains in healthy infants. The strains tested individually are Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52, Bifidobacterium infantis Rosell®-33, Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell®-71, all part of the ProbioKid® formula, previously shown to help prevent the reoccurrence of winter infections in children. The eight weeks intervention study involved a large population sample as 221 healthy infants (3-12 months of age) were recruited in total, divided between four groups (placebo and each of the three probiotic strains). No serious adverse events were reported and the Spanish authors concluded that the use of the three probiotic strains in infancy is safe, and well tolerated.
Bérengère Feuz, Marketing Group Manager, commented about the study: “We already have a track record of safe use of our Probio’Kid formula as it has been marketed for around 15 years around the world (e.g. China where it is a best-selling probiotic formula for children since 2003). This study reinforces the assurance we have in our product. Moreover, I must say that we are very impressed by the quality and impact of this very-well designed study as it involves a large population of healthy infants and assesses independently each of the individual strains of Probio’Stick.” She added: “The protocol allowed to go beyond the safety and tolerance assessment since many parameters were also included: this will be analysed in a second step and shall give us new information about each strain modes of action in healthy individuals such as interactions with the microbiota and immune system”.
Such safety study contributed to the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status recently obtained in the US for both ProbioKid® formula and its individual strains for infants and children, and the approval by Health Canada of the formula for children from 3 months old.

www.lallemand-health-solutions.com

The rise in unexplained European cases of Salmonella poisoning linked to the use of cucumbers in ready-to-eat foods reminds manufacturers about the need to stay informed on food compliance matters. SGS Digicomply provides tailored data to help businesses mitigate against the risk of non-compliance.  
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reported 147 cases of Salmonella enterica poisoning linked to the use of cucumbers in ready-to-eat meals. So far, five countries have been affected – the UK, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Ireland – with the UK being worst hit with 129 cases.  
Beginning in 2014, initially the number of reported cases was low, but these have since escalated with early 2017 and 2018 being identified as peaks. Authorities are predicting that the trend will continue with early 2019 anticipated to be another peak.
The EFSA and European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to link all these cases to a single strain of Salmonella enterica – S. agona – and to the use of cucumbers in ready-to-eat meals. However, despite being able to identify the cucumber’s country of origin – Spain – they have so far been unable to find a connection between supply chains and no single primary producer growing the affected cucumbers. The EFSA reports, “laboratory results for Salmonella in all cucumber samples, taken either at primary production level in Spain or during distribution to/within UK, were negative.”
The food industry is therefore being warned that, without the clear identification of a point of contamination, it can expect more cases of Salmonella enterica poisoning in early 2019. Those involved in the food processing and ready-to-eat food sectors are therefore advised to remain alert to changes in food safety regulations and compliance, and ensure their quality assurance management systems are operating effectively.  
SGS recently launched the latest version of its SGS Digicomply online regulatory intelligence platform. The system provides economic operators with a single, comprehensive and targeted online data source to help them stay up-to-date with news concerning changes to food regulations and compliance.

www.foodsafety.sgs.com

Tortilla wraps made with 50% seaweed will normalise sustainable eating thanks to their affordable price and ease of use, according to Dutch start-up Seamore.