Author - Area Laboratorio

Nitrites and Nitrates in food: european commission reduces limits

The use of nitrites and nitrates is widespread in the production of meat, sausages, cheeses and particularly perishable products, in which they are added with the aim of preventing the development and proliferation of micro-organisms harmful to human health, especially the C. Botulinum. In any case, nitrites and nitrates are not limited to being merely deterrent to microbial proliferation, [...]

Chemical contaminants in food: the new European regulation repealing EC Reg. 2006/1881

On 25 May 2023, the new Chemical Contaminants Regulation will enter into force, definitively repealing Regulation (EC) No 2006/1881. The general objective of the Regulation has remained unchanged and is to set maximum levels for the various contaminants potentially present in the individual product categories, so that foodstuffs listed in Annex I may not be placed on the market, or [...]

Eggs: nutritional and hygienic aspects

Eggs are a nutritious and versatile, relatively cheap and easy-to-find foodstuff that, either directly or as an ingredient in other preparations, characterises the usual diet of a large part of the world's population. Nutritionally, they are a source of protein of high biological value, being complete with all essential amino acids, and are rich in nutrients such as vitamins B12, [...]

MOCA, food contact materials

Food Contact Materials: how active and intelligent packaging can improve food shelf life and reduce food waste

The Food Contact Materials sector (FCM) is particularly suited to technological innovation. The so-called "active" and "intelligent" packaging allows interesting applications in food packaging that promote a substantial increase in the commercial life of packaged food. Regulation (EC) 450/2009 defines specific rules for active and intelligent materials and objects in addition to the general rules of Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 [...]

I vantaggi nutrizionali degli alimenti fermentati

The nutritional benefits of fermented foods

In recent years, the attention paid to fermented foods has increased considerably, mainly because they are increasingly classified as "functional foods"defined by the European Commission Concerted Action on Functional Food Science in Europe (FUFOSE) as "foods that demonstrate a beneficial effect on one or more specific functions of the body, beyond nutritional effects, which improve health and well-being and/or [...]

EU Regulation n. 2018/775: obligation of origin on the label from 1 April 2020

EU Regulation 2018/775 introduced the obligation to specify on the label the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance: in the event that the omission of such indication could mislead the consumer with regard to the country of origin and the actual place of origin of the food and in particular if, as a whole, the [...]

Understanding the rules of food labeling

To obtain a high level of consumer health protection and ensure their right to information, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have issued Regulation (EU) n. 2011/1169 concerning the supply of food information to consumers. Regulation (EU) n. 1169 /11 imposes clear, understandable and legible labeling for the consumer; the information must be visually accessible to [...]