The Congress of the Chinese Government is reviewing the legislative proposal regarding food safety which may pass by the end of the year.

Among other things, the legislative proposal requires for international trade of food products that:

1. For first-time introduction of new food additives and food-related products or for first- time introduction of food products for which there are no national standards and international standards, treaties and agreements, the importer of record shall apply for food safety evaluation and the competent government agency shall make a decision within 60 days from the date of acceptance of the application.

2. The exporters of food products and their agents shall record with the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (“AQSIQ”).

3. The manufacturers which produce food products to be sold to China shall register with AQSIQ.

4. The packed food products to be introduced into China shall have label and descriptions in Chinese and the information origin. The name, address and contact information of the distributor in China shall also be included.

5. The importers of the food products shall maintain records for importation and sales for at least two years.

6. Any product found unsafe shall be recalled immediately.

7. Exportation of food products is subject to AQSIQ inspection and export permit.

8. The producers of food products shall be recorded with AQSIQ.

9. AQSIQ shall establish and release the safety performance records for importers, exporters and producers of import and export food products.

WATCHDOG GROUP SEEKS
BAN ON SYNTHETIC DYES IN FOOD

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is asking America’s parents for help in its campaign to convince FDA that synthetic dyes, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, don't belong in foods, especially those consumed by children. CSPI says the dyes are being phased out in European countries because of important new evidence showing that the dyes, and perhaps the preservative sodium benzoate, cause hyperactivity and other behavior problems in children.

CSPI is urging parents who believe their children are harmed by food dyes to file reports online at http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes. The watchdog group periodically forwards the reports to FDA which denies that dyes cause any problems.

CSPI filed a regulatory petition in June that called on the FDA to ban Yellow 5 and 6, Red 3 and 40, Blue 1 and 2, Green 3 and Orange B.

ECONOMY IMPACTING
ORGANIC FOOD SALES

The high cost of gas and food prices appear to be nibbling away at the high growth rates long enjoyed by organic and natural food makers and sellers, reported USA Today.

While sales growth has slowed, it still remains strong because of the loyalty of core organic buyers. But some industry executives say new customers are tougher to attract with the cost of organics running 10 to 50 percent more than non-organic rivals.

Sales of organic foods and beverages are expected to reach $24 billion this year and average about 18 percent annual growth through 2010, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Almost 70 percent of U.S. shoppers bought something organic over a recent three-month period, says Laurie Demeritt, president of The Hartman Group. However, Hartman’s consumer survey showed that organic use has been leveling off since 2006 – a trend Demeritt expects to continue this year due to the economy.

An Information Resources survey of 1,000 consumers also found 52 percent said they were buying fewer organic products because of cost.

HEALTH AWARENESS DRIVING
SOFT DRINK MARKET

The global market for non-alcoholic beverages will remain dominated by more perceivably healthy soft drink options, amidst a growing population concerned with well being in what they drink, according to a report by research group Global Industry Analysts.

The global growth in the beverage segment is attributed to a shift from carbonated beverages to juices, sports and energy drinks, particularly in young people.

But even traditional soft drinks like soda and juices stand to benefit from the innovation drive towards more functional product varieties. Functional additions such as vitamins and minerals will be increasingly joined by herbs, nutrients and other emerging compounds in the global market.

Consumers looking for healthier products will also ensure growth in the bottled water market, particularly in innovation of packaging convenience and flavors.

The European and North American sports drink market is also expected to show sales growth for lower sugar, sodium and carbohydrate variations, the report indicated.

RUTGERS TO UPGRADE
FOOD SCIENCE LAB

Rutgers University is looking to upgrade its food chemistry and food analysis laboratories for future food science students. Equipment needed includes: visco-amylograph, water activity meter, texture analyzer, two viscometers (different capabilities) and gas chromatograph. If you would like to make a monetary or equipment donation to the Rutgers department of food science, please contact NAFFS for details.

NAFFS WELCOMES
NEW MEMBER

Aromatech Flavorings, Inc.
5770 Hoffner Ave., Ste. 103
Orlando, FL 32822
Phone: (407) 277-5727
Fax: (407) 277-5725
e-mail: dpujol@aromatech.fr
Contact: David Pujol, Managing Dir.
Products: Natural/Nat. & Art./Artificial/Organic Flavors

NAFFS CALENDAR

Be sure to save these dates when filling in your calendars:

October 23-26 - The 91st Annual NAFFS Convention, The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Fla.