MORE research is needed before it can be claimed that probiotics prevent common childhood illnesses, an Irish dietitian has contended.

AN Irish dietician has challenged EU scientists who say probiotic yoghurt health claims cannot be proven.

THE number of BSE active surveillance tests is to be reduced from next January, according to the European Commission.

THE island of Ireland is in the best position in Europe to be a GM-crop-free region, Environment Minister John Gormley told his EU counterparts in Paris.

CONSUMERS are moving closer to eating meat, milk and cheese from cloned animals, with EU proposals on how they could be approved and authorised for sale.

INTERNATIONAL controversy is growing about the safety of a plastic widely used to make baby bottles, sealants on food and drink cans and reusable food and drink containers.

THE European Food Safety Agency has recommended that the EU’s ban on the use of growth-promoting hormones in cattle be kept in place.

IRELAND is joining a group of five EU countries opposed to any use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in a move that could lead to clashes with Irish farming interests.

FINLAND yesterday summoned the Italian ambassador to protest about comments made by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi about Finnish President Tarja Halonen.

Ireland: The EU is expected to halt all imports of US animal feed after it was discovered that an unauthorised GM maize variety has found its way onto the market.