Food

Natamycin (E235) is a polyene antibiotic of the polyene macrolide group used in the food industry as an antifungal preservative for cheeses and sausages. Natamycin is believed to be effective by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane which limits fungal growth.

Regulation (EU) 2015/647 amended Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 regarding the use of certain food additives and specifies that natamycin may only be used for the surface treatment of uncut hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheese having a maximum surface concentration of 1 mg/dm2 (not present at a depth of 5 mm).

There were two revised EN ISO standards published in May 2018 describing the determination of natamycin in cheese rind:

EN ISO 9233-1:2018 – Cheese, cheese rind and processed cheese – Determination of natamycin content – Part 1: Molecular absorption spectrometric method for cheese rind (ISO 9233-1:2018)

EN ISO 9233-1:2018 supersedes EN ISO 9233-1:2013 describing a method for the determination of the natamycin mass fraction in cheese rind and the natamycin content in the surface-area in cheese rind using molecular spectrometry.

The method takes a weighed sample of the cheese and dissolving in a methanol/water mixture. The fat from the cheese in solution is precipitated by cooling the methanol/water mixture and the precipitate is removed by filtration. The natamycin in the filtrate can then be determined using molecular spectrometry for the natamycin mass fraction above 0.5 mg/kg in cheese rind and the surface-area related natamycin mass in cheese rind content above 0.03 mg/dm2.

EN ISO 9233-2:2018 – Cheese, cheese rind and processed cheese – Determination of natamycin content – Part 2: High-performance liquid chromatographic method for cheese, cheese rind and processed cheese (ISO 9233-2:2018)

EN ISO 9233-2:2018 supersedes EN ISO 9233-2:2013 describing a method for the determination of the natamycin mass fraction in cheese, cheese rind and processed cheese as well as the natamycin content in the surface-area of cheese rind using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet-visible (HPLC-UV) spectrometer detector.

The method takes a weighed sample of the cheese and dissolving in a methanol/water mixture. The fat from the cheese in solution is precipitated by cooling the methanol/water mixture and the precipitate is removed by filtration. The natamycin in the filtrate can then be determined using HPLC-UV for the natamycin mass fraction above 0.5 mg/kg in cheese, cheese rind and processed cheese and the surface-area related natamycin mass in cheese rind content above 0.03 mg/dm2.

EN 15662:2018 – Foods of plant origin – Multi-method for the determination of pesticide residues using GC- and LC-based analysis following acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and clean-up by dispersive SPE – Modular QuEChERS-method

EN 15662:2018 supersedes EN 15662:2008 and describes a method for the analysis of pesticide residues in foods of plant origin, such as fruits (including dried fruits), vegetables, cereals and processed products using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS) or coupled to two mass spectrometers in tandem (GC-MS/MS) and/or liquid chromatography coupled to two mass spectrometers in tandem (LC-MS/MS).

The method applies the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) modular approach. The food is shaken in acetonitrile solvent with a small quantity of water to extract the pesticide residue. The acetontrile/water extract is separated from the food by partition using buffering salts. The acetonitrile/water extract requires further clean-up to enable injection onto a gas or liquid chromatography system and this is done by adding bulk sorbents to absorb impurities and magnesium sulphate to absorb water in a process known as dispersive solid phase extraction (D-SPE). The use of an internal standard allows quantification of the pesticide residue and it is added to the extract after the initial addition of acetonitrile.

Further information on food legislation can be found on the Government Chemist website:

Food and feed law: Compendium of UK food and feed legislation with associated context and changes during October to December 2017 – Government Chemist Programme Report

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has today (20 June 2018) called on communities across Wales to enter their villages, towns and cities into the Great British High Street competition 2018.

The competition celebrates the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets and is an opportunity for councils, businesses, community groups and volunteers to learn from the very best.

The last competition in 2016 saw 900 entries from across the UK and over 500,000 public votes with Blackburn’s high street crowned Britain’s best. Prestatyn’s high street in north Wales was a close runner up in the coastal communities category.

In 2014, Colwyn Bay ran out winners in the coastal category.

This year a new award structure has been developed and winners will be named in each of the four UK nations – Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland – across two categories: Champion High Street and Rising Star High Street.

The Champion High Street category will recognise the nation’s best high streets while the Rising Star High Street category will recognise the nation’s most ambitious high streets, which are taking the lead and working together to revive, adapt and diversify.

An overall High Street of the Year in Great Britain and Northern Ireland will also be named.

So with new categories and new prizes at stake, the Secretary of State for Wales said he expected to see far more competition entries from Wales’s high streets this year.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

The Great British High Street competition is a chance to showcase the strengths of Wales’ high streets, to bust myths about the long-term future of our town centres and to reward the local talent, team-work and energy that goes into making our high streets great places to visit, work or live.

This is why I am proud to be the advocate for the Great British High Street competition in Wales. We want to find the hidden gems the country has to offer. So whether you’re a market town, coastal village or city centre, there are so many high streets across Wales doing fantastic work. Let’s get behind them and put Wales’ high streets firmly in the running to take the plaudits when the winners are announced in the autumn.

This year it is easier than ever to enter your high street into the awards.

If you are a local community team, association or authority that represent your high street then click here to register your interest and receive further information and instructions on how to apply.

If you are a member of the public and you would like your high street to be entered into the Awards then please get in touch with your MP or your local authority directly to encourage the council to register on behalf of your community.

Notes to editors.

• Details of how to enter the competition can be found at: www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk or via @TheGBHighSt on Twitter.
• ENTRIES CLOSE AT 23:59 22ND AUGUST 2018
• Shortlisted finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony in London in November celebrating the high streets that are succeeding and influencing change.
• In addition Visa GBHS Street Teams will be visiting randomly selected high streets during the Awards to promote entered high streets and surprise and delight local businesses and consumers with activities and giveaways

To enter your high street you will need to be a representative of a:

• Business Improvement District
• Local Authority
• Parish Council
• Town Team
• Coastal Community Team
• Town Centre Partnership
• Community Interest Company
• Chambers of Commerce
• Trading Association

We have started a very ambitious programme of court reform, which aims to bring new technology and modern ways of working to what is – and will remain – the best justice system in the world.

The principles that underpin the system are enduring. But our systems and processes have not kept pace with the world around us. We know we can make justice less confusing, easier to navigate and better at responding to the needs of the public.

In collaboration with the senior judiciary and the Ministry of Justice, we are investing £1bn to reform our courts and tribunals system. We have made a good start. But we can’t do it alone; and we certainly can’t do it well unless we involve all those who work within it and care about it.

We are keen to share our plans, listen to those who use our courts and tribunals, and work together with our partners to achieve the best possible outcome.

Further detail can be found in our
HMCTS reform update
(PDF, 1.08MB, 22 pages)

Reform projects

There are over 50 projects included in the reform programme – see the descriptions of each project.

News and announcements

We will publish our latest news and announcements on our GOV.UK homepage.

Newsletter

We will issue a monthly external email newsletter on our reform progress. To receive the newsletter, please sign up to our email alerts and select the relevant topics of interest to you. Previous editions of the newsletter can be seen below:

• June 2018

Inside HMCTS blog

We will use our Inside HMCTS blog on GOV.UK as a communication channel that encourages two-way engagement on our reform progress, included providing regular updates on our projects and new online services.

Reform roadshows

Over the last six months, we have held a series of roadshow events to engage and inform legal professionals on the reform agenda, and we held another event in London on 24 May 2018 as part of an ongoing schedule of activities designed to hear your views.

Consultations

All of our consultations (those open and closed) are published on GOV.UK.

Further information

• Transforming our justice system – joint statement (September 2016)
• Speech by The Right Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon: The Age of Reform (June 2018)

Online services

As part of our reform programme we have launched new online services, these include:

• Apply for a divorce
• Make a money claim online
• Appeal to the tax tribunal

We want to hear your views

As our reform programme gathers pace, we want to continue the conversation with you. You can find out the latest and tell us what you think in any of the following ways:

• E-mail us with suggestions, issues or questions, or requests to hear more about particular projects
• HMCTS Youtube
• @HMCTSgovuk
• HMCTS LinkedIn

Innovate UK has up to £5 million to support capital investment in equipment that increases the UK’s capacity to produce and commercialise genomic analysis technologies.

Genomic analysis can help in the understanding and treatment of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

The funding is part of government’s £210 million data to early diagnosis and precision medicine challenge under its Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. The funding is provided by UK Research and Innovation and delivered by Innovate UK.

The aim of the challenge is to help business and researchers to create new products and services that diagnose diseases earlier and more efficiently.

Projects should help take new products to market

Funding under this competition aims to help businesses working in genomic analysis, nucleic-acid-based diagnostics and related areas by supporting investment in equipment that will help them take new products to market.

Projects must demonstrate that the investment will:

• advance the UK’s ability to manufacture genomic analysis technologies
• encourage partnerships between public and private organisations
• maximise further investment

Projects should have a clear plan of how the capital investment will lead to the translation and commercialisation of research including manufacture of new products.

Equipment manufactured could be laboratory-based or deployable in the field.

Competition information

• the competition is open, and the deadline for registration is at midday on 11 July 2018
• projects must be led by a business with a relevant manufacturing facility either working alone or in partnership with other businesses or researchers
• funding is for capital investment, including refurbishment and equipment
• we expect total project costs to be up to £10 million and for projects to last 3 to 5 months
• businesses could attract up to 50% of their project costs
• a briefing event will be held on 22 June 2018

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister began by thanking the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Chairs for their valuable contribution to business and innovation in the UK developing skills, delivering infrastructure, and securing investment.

She noted the steady growth of the economy in recent years and the record levels of employment, crediting this progress to the joint efforts of LEPs, Government and private sector entrepreneurs in driving growth across the country.

Co-chair Mike Blackburn OBE, Chair of Greater Manchester LEP, praised the strong track record of delivery seen from LEPs so far. He welcomed the enthusiasm of the Chairs and the opportunity to build on the success of recent years by furthering the close collaboration between LEPs and government, particularly in delivering the modern industrial strategy across the country.

Guests discussed the particular strengths that LEP business leaders bring to the table, including their ability to broker new partnerships and connections, their importance in delivering the objectives of the industrial strategy within their communities, and their role in fostering strong collaboration between local institutions, individuals and government.

Attendees also reflected on recent successes such as the HS2 College in Doncaster – supported by Sheffield City Region – which is equipping local young people with the skills they need to build our future railways.

Attendees agreed that LEPs have a particularly important role to play in connecting the business and educational sectors. They emphasised the value of the partnerships LEPs bring in helping to enable people of all ages to develop the modern skills that our businesses require to thrive.

Welcoming the government’s ambitious technical skills agenda, they also praised the opportunities for local innovation that the industrial strategy has launched.

Looking ahead, the business leaders considered key growth areas for the UK economy, highlighting the example of the medical technologies sector as an area where LEPs can help drive this expansion.

There was also discussion around the LEP review, announced as part of the modern Industrial Strategy last year. It was noted that it would be an opportunity to identify where government can strengthen and support LEPs further in their work across the country.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that LEP leadership truly represented the communities they served, pointing to the progress made in the number of women on FTSE100 boards as an example to follow.

She also noted that this council will serve as a regular occasion for Chairs of LEPs to come together and talk openly about how they can work more closely with government to achieve shared aims.

The Prime Minister concluded by reflecting on the opportunities ahead to maximise the convening power of LEPs in delivering the modern industrial strategy for all.