Levels of nitrate in Swedish lettuce and spinach over the past 10 years.

Monitoring of nitrate in Swedish-produced lettuce and spinach over the past 10 years (1996-2005) showed that more than 95% of the samples were below the maximum levels established by the European Commission in 1997. The good agricultural practices used by Swedish farmers may partly explain these results. Analytical results of organic farming production of lettuce from 2000 showed low nitrate levels compared with conventional production.

Breastfeeding and allergic disease: a multidisciplinary review of the literature (1966-2001) on the mode of early feeding in infancy and its impact on later atopic manifestations.

Background: Strategies to prevent children from developing allergy have been elaborated on the basis of state-of-the-art reviews of the scientific literature regarding pets and allergies, building dampness and health, and building ventilation and health. A similar multidisciplinary review of infant feeding mode in relation to allergy has not been published previously. Here, the objective is to review the scientific literature regarding the impact of early feeding (breast milk and/or cow's milk and/or formula) on development of atopic disease.

Liquid chromatographic determination of residual nitrite/nitrate in foods: NMKL collaborative study.

Nitrite and nitrate are used as additives in the food industry to provide color and taste and to control undesirable gas and flavor production by anaerobic bacteria by virtue of their antimicrobial properties. The analytical method that has been widely used to determine nitrite and nitrate involves the use of toxic cadmium. In response to a request from the Nordic Committee on Food Analysis, a study was performed to obtain an alternative chromatographic method to determine residual nitrite and nitrate in meat products.

Development and validation of a quantitative method for determination of carmine (E120) in foodstuffs by liquid chromatography: NMKL Collaborative Study.

A liquid chromatographic method for quantitative determination of carmine (E120) in different foodstuffs is described. Qualitative and semiquantitative methods for analysis of carmine and other related dyes are well established. However, quantitative methods available are based mainly on enzymatic reactions that are time-consuming or specific for analysis of carminic acid in yoghurt.

Labelling of potential allergens in food.

In order to avoid food that they cannot tolerate, consumers suffering from food allergy or intolerance need sufficient and correct, information about food products. Labelling requirements are not satisfactory in this regard. Registration of adverse reactions in Sweden show that out of 77 cases, 51 were a result of inadequate labelling, six cases were fatal and several others required hospitalization.