Taiwanese researchers have found that people eating hot soup from melamine bowls excreted higher levels of melamine in their urine than those eating from ceramic bowls. [ + ]

Working with cleaning products, flour or enzymes can increase your risk of adult-onset asthma, a new study from Imperial College London has shown. [ + ]

APPMA has issued a gentle reminder that submissions for the 2013 APPMA Awards of Excellence are due in March. The awards recognise innovative and outstanding packaging and processing solutions. [ + ]

Introductions of foods and drinks making a high-protein claim are almost three times higher in the US than anywhere else in the world, accounting for 19% of global new product launches in 2012. [ + ]

The US Pharmacopeial Convention has added nearly 800 new records of ‘food fraud’ to its Food Fraud Database, which contains information about foods that are vulnerable to fraudulent manipulation in today’s food supply. [ + ]

McDonald’s take-away bags and fountain beverage cups will get a redesign in 2013, with packaging to include QR codes to give consumers greater information about its products. [ + ]

A few simple actions like buying oddly shaped fruit and freezing food could dramatically reduce the 1.3 billion tonnes of lost or wasted food each year, according to a new global campaign to cut food waste. [ + ]

The humble lupin is being hailed as Australia’s secret ‘wonder food’. The high-protein, high-fibre legume has an effect on satiation and satiety, which plays a role in weight management. [ + ]

We’re often told to eat our carrots to ensure good eyesight, but rarely does sweetcorn get a mention when it comes to eye health. A new variety of ‘superyellow’ sweetcorn could challenge the carrot’s reputation as the most eye-friendly vegetable. [ + ]

The Australian Diabetes Council (ADC) has welcomed the introduction of the new Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, Health and Related Claims, which became law on 18 January 2013. [ + ]

The Attorney-General’s Department is seeking feedback on the draft National Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern. [ + ]

The recently launched Fresh Produce Safety - Australia & New Zealand website was established as part of a major project to identify priorities for fresh produce safety research and to raise awareness of the challenges and importance of enhancing current safety practices. [ + ]

In Ireland, food authorities have discovered that beef burgers are anything but, with a large proportion containing horse and pig meat. [ + ]

Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, Health and Related Claims has become law, effective from 18 January 2013. The Standard regulates nutrition content claims and health claims on food labels and in advertisements. [ + ]

A further seven cases of Listeria linked to batches of Jindi soft cheese have been identified, bringing the total to 18 cases nationally. [ + ]