RSPH Level 3 Award in HACCP for Food Manufacturing 

25th and 26th April at Linlithgow Rugby Club 

The above course will be running at Linlithgow Rugby Club and will run from 0900 to 1700 each day. RSPH Level 3 Award in HACCP for Food Manufacturing 25th and 26th April at Linlithgow Rugby Club The HACCP level 3 RSPH certificated course has plenty of work shop activities and is completed with a 1.5 hour exam set and certificated by RSPH, probably the best recognised certification body in the UK. The course aims to ensure that delegates gather the necessary skills and confidence to be able to originate or contribute to HACCP studies. Currently over 50% of delegates attending this course with us are still achieving distinction level. The course includes all the workshop materials and templates, Carol Wallace course book as well as lunch and refreshments both days. Cost £550 + VAT per delegate. Let us know if you would like to book any places.

Food Standards Agency - Hungarian horse meat labelled as beef

Food Standards Agency - Hungarian horse meat labelled as beef

Level 3 RSPH HACCP Training

The next Level 3 HACCP training course run by Outsource Solution Ltd with trainer Duncan Perry is on the 25th and 26th of April 2013.

As an organisation and the with the quality of delegates we train our distinction rate is still over 50% over the last 7 years.

The course is certificated by the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) and will be held at Linlithgow rugby club.

The course includes the Carol Wallace course book, exam and certification and workshop materials. Lunch and refreshments are provided also.

The course has a detailed focus on the requirements of HACCP but also to provide an understanding of how to write and implement HACCP. To facilitate this there are frequent work shop exercises which follow through the principles of HACCP.

The course objectives is to ensure that delegates have the confidence and ability to write, implement, validate, verify and review their effective and compliant HACCP plans.

For more information on Outsource Solution Ltd please visit www.outsourcesolution.co.uk 

or email at perry@outsourcesolution.co.uk

Weekly update on seasonal infections: 31 January 2013

Weekly update on seasonal infections: 31 January 2013: Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) up to 31 January 2013 show that flu activity remains at a similar level compared to the previous week based on a number of indicators, including GP consultation rates in England and the proportion of calls to NHS direct.

Case of novel coronavirus identified in the UK

Case of novel coronavirus identified in the UK: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm the diagnosis of a further case of novel coronavirus infection in a UK resident, who had recently travelled to the Middle East and Pakistan. The patient is receiving intensive care treatment in a Manchester hospital. This latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 10, of which two have been diagnosed in the UK.

EAACI pledges to push for stronger allergen labelling rules

EAACI pledges to push for stronger allergen labelling rules:

The European Academy of Anaphylaxis and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) has said it will push for stricter EU legislation on allergen labelling, saying that current laws on ‘may contain’ labelling are insufficient to protect those with food allergies.

Pesticides and pollutants in foods may be linked to diabetes risk, study suggests

Pesticides and pollutants in foods may be linked to diabetes risk, study suggests:

There is a direct relationship between exposure to organic pollutants and pesticides in food, air and water and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, warns new research.

EU fisheries 'discard ban' can help meet booming omega-3 oil demand: IFFO

EU fisheries 'discard ban' can help meet booming omega-3 oil demand: IFFO:

Banning European fisherman from throwing away unintended catches and fillet waste can provide a significant boost to fish oil and fish meal supplies, says a global marine ingredients group.

Aldi recalls all batch codes of own brand Today’s Special Frozen Beef Lasagne and Today’s Special Frozen Spaghetti Bolognese

Aldi recalls all batch codes of own brand Today’s Special Frozen Beef Lasagne and Today’s Special Frozen Spaghetti Bolognese: Recalled from customers

China: Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Found in Pig Manure

China: Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Found in Pig Manure:
Manure from Chinese pig farms contains both antibiotic residues and high concentrations of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, a new study published Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study adds to evidence that antibiotics used by China’s pork producers pose health risks.
The study, led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, found there is a risk of antibiotic resistance moving into the bacteria that infect humans and make the resulting diseases more difficult to treat.
James Tiedje, Michigan State University microbiologist, assisted in the study and said the Chinese were “quite forthcoming.”
Antibiotic residues in pig manure was monitored at three Chinese pig farms. Tiedje said the study did not intend to single out China’s pig farms as antibiotics in pig manure is a worldwide problem, with similar findings already recorded in Europe.
In China, Tiedje found more than 100 different resistance genes with levels 200 times higher than in manure from pigs that had never used antibiotics. They study also found that once manure leaves the farm, its potential for spreading antibiotic resistance to other surrounding bacteria in the environment is much diminished.
Pork production with antibiotic use has been growing rapidly in China, where half of world’s pigs are grown for a country with a growing appetite for pork.

NI cold store tests find horse meat

NI cold store tests find horse meat: As part of its ongoing investigation into mislabelled meat, the FSA has tested a quantity of frozen meat currently detained in a cold store on the premises of a company called Freeza Meats in Northern Ireland, which is potentially linked to the Silvercrest factory in the Republic of Ireland.

Findus beef lasagne products found with horse meat

Findus beef lasagne products found with horse meat: As part of its ongoing investigation into mislabelled meat, the Food Standards Agency has confirmed that the meat content of beef lasagne products recalled by Findus has tested positive for more than 60% horse meat.

Tesco finds horse meat in some Everyday Value Spaghetti Bolognese product

Tesco finds horse meat in some Everyday Value Spaghetti Bolognese product: Tesco has this evening announced that it has found horse meat in some Everyday Value Spaghetti Bolognese.

FSA raids meat plant involved in alleged supply of horse meat

FSA raids meat plant involved in alleged supply of horse meat: As part of its ongoing investigation into the mislabelling of meat products, the FSA and police today entered two meat premises, one in West Yorkshire and the other in West Wales.

UK processors ordered to test beef products following 100% horse meat discovery

UK processors ordered to test beef products following 100% horse meat discovery:

UK meat processors and retailers have been ordered to conduct testing on all processed beef products after ready meals on sale in supermarkets were found to contain 100% horse meat.

Chemical contaminant linked to obesity in mice

Chemical contaminant linked to obesity in mice:

Food chain contaminant tributyltin (TBT) causes transgenerational obesity in mice, according to researchers in California, suggesting it could raise similar concerns to Bisphenol A (BPA).

Tests reveal horse DNA in Spanish burgers

Tests reveal horse DNA in Spanish burgers:

A consumer group in Spain has claimed it has discovered horse DNA in beef burgers sold by Spanish supermarkets.

Norovirus cases increase in UK

Norovirus cases increase in UK:

Norovirus cases have risen 72% from this time last year, according to the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Water jet technology extends celery shelf life

Water jet technology extends celery shelf life:

A fresh produce firm claims its adoption of an automated water jet machine for topping and tailing celery has enabled it to extend the shelf life of the product.

Tesco horse meat probe into beef burger contamination

Tesco horse meat probe into beef burger contamination
Tesco and three other retailers are investigating how beef burgers on sale in Britain and Ireland became contaminated with horse meat.
http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Ingredients/Tesco-horse-meat-probe-into-beef-burger-contamination

Horse Meat in Beef burgers

The latest FSA response detailed prior to this post appears to be cautious in its response. To have horse meat included in a beef burger at 29% amounts to deceit, negligence and complete failure to fulfill due diligence requirements by all stake holders. The legislation must be used in the manner it was intended to stop this type of practice by ensuring that the appropriate penalties are applied. The FSA released a statement earlier that this was not a food safety issue, however, any organisation that is willing to add horse meat, sold as beef must be assumed to be corrupt and food safety is the last thing that can be assumed.

Food Standards Agency - Update on investigation into horse and pig DNA in beef products

Food Standards Agency - Update on investigation into horse and pig DNA in beef products

Last updated on 16 January 2013
Update on investigation into horse and pig DNA in beef products


As the next step in the investigation into the results of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland survey of beef products, the Food Standards Agency has met this afternoon with representatives from the food industry (producers, processors and retailers) from all parts of the UK.

The meeting explored the reasons that could have led to a number of beef products on sale in the UK and the Republic of Ireland containing traces of horse and pig DNA. Industry representatives confirmed the existing processes that they follow to ensure that the products that reach consumers are of the highest standards. These include quality controls in place at all stages of the food chain. They also set out the actions that they have already taken in response to this incident.

It was noted that there are two distinct types of case:

In all but one of the cases, the levels of horse and pig DNA were extremely low.
In the one exceptional case, the level of horse meat accounted for 29% of the meat content.
The causes of these two problems are therefore likely to be different and the focus of the investigations into the causes will be different.

The FSA has now set out a four-point plan for its investigation, which it will be implementing in conjunction with other Government departments, local authorities and the food industry:

1. To continue the urgent review of the traceability of the food products identified in FSAI’s survey. The retailers and the UK processor named in the survey have been asked to provide comprehensive information on the findings by the end of Friday 18 January.
2. To explore further, in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the methodology used for the survey to understand more clearly the factors that may have led to the low level cases of cross-contamination.
3. To consider, with relevant local authorities and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, whether any legal action is appropriate following the investigation.
4. To work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the devolved rural affairs departments and local authorities on a UK-wide study of food authenticity in processed meat products