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Facts Alerts

After the horsemeat scandal, the UK’s National Food Crime Unit was formed. This time round, they’re investigating Tesco’s in-house honey,...

Tesco’s house-brand honey suspected of adulteration

01 December 2019
After the horsemeat scandal, the UK’s National Food Crime Unit was formed. This time round, they’re investigating Tesco’s in-house honey, ‘Tesco Clear Honey 454g’. British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer Tesco was thrust into the spotlight after tests suggested their honey had been bulked out with cheap syrups. The UK imports 90% of the 24 000 tons of honey sold in the country annually, much of it from China. A laboratory in Richmond, south-west London, indicated that the honey contains cheap syrups made from ordinary sugar. Sugar is one of the most common adulterants used in honey fraud. A spokesperson for the Richmond council said, “The findings of the analysis are that there is likely to be adulteration with non-natural products.” The results have been handed over to the Food Standards Agency and the National Food Crime Unit to follow up with Tesco. The retailer insists its £1.35 (R25) honey is genuine. Professor Chris Elliot, who led the horsemeat investigation, told The Sunday Times newspaper that the retailer should act swiftly in removing the product from their shelves. Tesco’s spokesperson said: “Tesco-brand honey is 100% pure, natural, and can be directly tracked back to the beekeeper. “We carry out regular tests to ensure our honey is fully compliant with all the legal requirements.” But as a precautionary measure, they have temporarily withdrawn the product to conduct further tests. Adulteration of honey chips away the worth and value of pure honey, as it does not have the same health benefits that the natural sweetener is known for. FACTS offers Honey Authenticity Screening through sugar profiling, diastase activity and pollen screening. Contact us today to find out more.
Energy Drink Two lots of one product, an energy drink called ‘BLACK HORSE energy drink, blue ENERGY’, have been recalled by the Spanish ...

Misleading labels cause product recalls

01 December 2019

Energy Drink

Two lots of one product, an energy drink called ‘BLACK HORSE energy drink, blue ENERGY’, have been recalled by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN). The product contains almost no vitamins, contradicting the details on the product label. The label claims that per 100 millilitres (ml), the product should contain 0.54 milligrams (mg) vitamin B2 and 2mg vitamin B6. Tests conducted by CAFIA’s laboratories found significantly lower concentrations of both. According to CAFIA, “Information on the labelling misled consumers as regards actual content of vitamins B2 and B6.”

Protein Powder

Bull Sport Nutrition’s Anabolic Door Sabor Fruit Punch and Anabolic Door Limon Fruit Punch protein powders, available in 3kg containers, have been recalled. The presence of sulphites undeclared in the labelling of these food supplements, which have a ‘best before’ date of 04/2021, has been confirmed with AESAN. “As a precautionary measure, those consumers allergic to sulphites who might have the aforementioned product in their homes should refrain from consuming it,” AESAN advised. South Africa is not without its own protein powder issues. In October 2019, South African researchers reported that of the protein powders evaluated nearly 70% of products misreported their total protein content. In addition, amino acid content (indicative of protein quality) was assessed on a subsample of 15 products. The protein quality of 40% of these products was below the threshold (according to current draft label regulations for foods), thus disqualifying them from making any protein benefit claims on product labels.

Collagen tablets

AESAN warns of the presence of an ingredient derived from undeclared fish in the hydrolysed collagen product produced by Natur Nutrition. “The competent authorities of the Autonomous Communities have been informed of these facts through the National Food Alert Network (SCIRI). “As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that those allergic to fish who have the aforementioned product in their homes, refrain from consuming it.” For the full list of lot numbers allocated to these recalls, click here. FACTS can assist you with Regulatory and Labelling Assistance, Allergen Testing and Nutritional Analysis. Contact us today!
On the 21st November 2019, police raided the premises of a building in Meyerton, Gauteng operating as a factory, allegedly producing ‘fak...

Spice fraudsters caught by law enforcement

01 December 2019
On the 21st November 2019, police raided the premises of a building in Meyerton, Gauteng operating as a factory, allegedly producing ‘fake’ spices. Counterfeit goods believed to be worth millions have been confiscated. The police also seized bags of different types of powder used to produce these ‘fraudulent’ spices, as well as machinery and equipment suspected of being used to process and package them. Ten foreign nationals found on the property were handed over to immigration officers at the Department of Home Affairs for verification of their status in the country. Eight were from Mozambique, and two were Chinese. Provincial commissioner Lt Gen Elias Mawela said: “Operations of this nature, over and above Operation O Kae Molao, will continue and will be intensified, as police gear up to turn the tide against crime. Police will be conducting more operations to ensure that the residents of and visitors to Gauteng enjoy a safer festive season.” As a member of the food Industry, you need to be aware of the tools available to you to protect your reputation and maintain a trustworthy supplier base. This can be done through microscopic analysis, allergen testing and food fraud prevention. FACTS offers all these services and more. Contact us today if you have any questions or need assistance.

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