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three dozen scientists from across the us will meet later this month to examine the genomes of lactic acid bacteria, the so-called 'friendly' bacteria which play a major role in cheese and yoghurt production or wine fermentation. the meeting at the joint genome institute (jgi) next week will allow food scientists to analyse the dna of the various strains of lactic acid bacteria, thereby enhancing preservation and safety of fermented foods.

an additional requirement that imports of bulk tallow and bone-derived gelatine from cattle must also be guaranteed bse-free is just one of a number of proposed changes to the food standards code proposed by food standards australia new zealand (fsanz). the new code will come into force on 20 december, replacing the existing australian and new zealand food standards and labelling regulations.

as further trials of genetically modified crops begin in the uk, a survey from the consumers' association has shown that consumer confidence in the so-called benefits of gm foods remains low. the new ca report released earlier this week, entitled 'gm dilemmas', reveals that consumers believe that the main beneficiaries of the use of gm in food production are the companies that develop the technology, while consumers themselves see little in it for them.

dutch starch producer avebe has unveiled a new line of functional starches designed to improve the texture and processing of savoury snacks. the snacktex range can be used in extruded snacks, sheeted and fried or baked snacks and coated nuts. the range includes cold soluble as well as cold water swelling starches based on potato and waxy maize, providing, according to avebe, excellent dough sheetability and highly expanded snacks.

the uk's fears about gm foods, and the insistence of the government that gm trials should continue - highlighted by the publication of the consumers' association report which we report on elsewhere today - are shared by the swiss public and authorities, it seems. earlier this week, the swiss parliament rejected a five-year moratorium on outdoor trials of gm crops, prompting outrage from gm opponents who have called for a referendum on the whole gm issue.