issue 1 2017

industry news
09
Antimicrobial resistance remains high
Bacteria found in humans,
animals and food continue
to show resistance to widely
used antimicrobials, says
the latest report on
antimicrobial resistance
(AMR) in bacteria by the
European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) and the
European Centre for
Disease Prevention and Control
(ECDC). The findings underline that AMR poses a serious
threat to public and animal health. Infections caused by
bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobials lead to about
25,000 deaths in the EU every year.
Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU Commissioner for Health and Food
Safety, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is an alarming threat
putting human and animal health in danger. We have put
substantial efforts to stop its rise, but this is not enough. We
must be quicker, stronger and act on several fronts. This is why
the Commission will launch a new Action Plan this summer
that will give a new framework for future coordinated actions
to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.”
The report shows that in general multi-drug resistance in
Salmonella bacteria is high across the EU. However, experts
note that resistance to critically important antimicrobials used
to treat severe human cases of Salmonella infection remains
low. Salmonellosis, the disease caused by these bacteria, is
the second most commonly reported foodborne disease in the
EU. n
Budget 2017 – Canada to capitalise on
agri-food for innovation and growth
Food & Consumer Products of
Canada (FCPC) applauds the
government for highlighting agrifood
as one of three industries in
Canada with ‘great potential for
growth and job creation’ and
featured as a key component of
the Innovation Agenda in the 2017
federal budget. The government
stated, “Canada is in a uniquely
strong position to capitalise on
global agri-food growth.”
“We are very pleased with the government’s bold strategy to
grow the agri-food sector,” says Michael Graydon, CEO.
“Budget 2017 reflects FCPC’s efforts over the years with the
federal government to highlight the sector’s importance and
proactively position the industry as a partner in driving
innovation and inclusive growth.” n
A third (32%) of Brits reduce or
limit their alcohol intake
While the majority of Brits enjoy a tipple, it
seems today’s consumers are taking a more
conservative approach towards their alcohol
consumption. Indeed, new research from Mintel
reveals that as many as one third (32%) of all
Brits have reduced or limited their alcohol intake
over the past 12 months in comparison to what
they would usually consume. What is more, half
(51%) of the
nation’s beer, wine
and cider drinkers
say they are
drinking less
alcohol than a few
years ago,
confirming Brits
are actively
moderating their
drinking habits.
While many
glasses may now
be half empty, it
is economical
factors which are
encouraging consumers to cut back. Over two in
four (44%) Brits who have reduced their alcohol
have done so in order to save money, while 41%
of those choosing to limit alcohol intake have
done so to lose or avoid gaining weight.
Improving personal health (39%) is also a notable
trigger for cutting down and a further 30% have
cut back to reduce the risk of disease.
Additionally, some 14% of all those who have cut
back on alcohol have done so because they are
worried about becoming dependent on alcohol
and the same proportion (14%) have cut back to
stay within current NHS and government
guidelines.
The consumers most likely to have cut back at
some point are those aged 25–34 (35%) and
35–44 (36%); meanwhile, geographically this
peaks at 41% in the North East and dips to 27%
in the South East/East Anglia.
Today, one fifth (19%) of adults report they do
not drink alcohol, with a slightly higher proportion
of women (22%) than men (17%) being
teetotal. n
A ROUND-UP OF
INDUSTRY NEWS
www.foodmagazine.eu.com issue one | 2017