 |
|
Consumer Demand Flavors Food Import Safety Issues
October 22, 2007COLLEGE STATION - An ever-changing U.S. consumer who enjoys the convenience of ready-to-eat produce and seasonable fruits during the dead of winter has brought new challenges to food import safety, experts said Oct. 18.
With U.S. food imports set to top more than $2 trillion this year and expected to triple by 2015, a panel on food safety commissioned by President Bush met at Texas A&M University to discuss ways to strengthen the national and global import infrastructure.
Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Food and Drug Administration commissioner, said the nation's consumer is one who "expects to eat strawberries in February."
That has led to more change and complexity among how food is processed and delivered into the U.S.
"This nation and the people we serve, and their health that's so critically important, is threatened - not that we haven't been doing a good job," he said.
"In fact, we've been doing an incredibly good job. But the world is rapidly changing around us. Although we have been the gold standard (in food safety), we must respond and be prepared for new challenges that are emerging from radical changes."
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples told the group "consumers' tastes and preferences are changing.
"They are demanding specialty products from around the world, seasonal products such as fruits and vegetables," Staples said.
The working group, comprised of senior officials from 12 federal departments and agencies, is charged to report an action plan by mid-November. Additional information on the panel's activities can be found at http://www.importsafety.gov .
The panel recommendations for the day were summarized by Dr. Kerri Harris, director or the Center for Food Safety and one of the organizers of the event.
They were:
- No single entity has sole responsibility for making sure
imported food is safe. Cooperation between all entities -- including governmental agencies, industry and universities -- is essential to regain public trust.
- All decisions have to be based on the best available science.
- Current technology for traceback and communication has to be
applied and new technology developed.
- A push for a major education and training component has to be applied in the U.S. and internationally.
- Data sharing - even though there may be legal hurdles to
overcome - between industry and government would be very beneficial.
The meeting at Texas A&M included import safety experts from eight universities and five corporations. Issues such as global process control, verification activities, and supply chain management were discussed throughout the day.
"Texas A&M is a leader in food safety research, and we're very honored to be host of this important conference," said Dr. Elsa Murano, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M.
Texas A&M Agricultural Communications
That has led to more change and complexity among how food is processed and delivered into the U.S.
"This nation and the people we serve, and their health that's so critically important, is threatened - not that we haven't been doing a good job," he said.
"In fact, we've been doing an incredibly good job. But the world is rapidly changing around us. Although we have been the gold standard (in food safety), we must respond and be prepared for new challenges that are emerging from radical changes."
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples told the group "consumers' tastes and preferences are changing.
"They are demanding specialty products from around the world, seasonal products such as fruits and vegetables," Staples said.
The working group, comprised of senior officials from 12 federal departments and agencies, is charged to report an action plan by mid-November. Additional information on the panel's activities can be found at http://www.importsafety.gov .
The panel recommendations for the day were summarized by Dr. Kerri Harris, director or the Center for Food Safety and one of the organizers of the event.
They were:
- No single entity has sole responsibility for making sure
imported food is safe. Cooperation between all entities -- including governmental agencies, industry and universities -- is essential to regain public trust.
- All decisions have to be based on the best available science.
- Current technology for traceback and communication has to be
applied and new technology developed.
- A push for a major education and training component has to be applied in the U.S. and internationally.
- Data sharing - even though there may be legal hurdles to
overcome - between industry and government would be very beneficial.
The meeting at Texas A&M included import safety experts from eight universities and five corporations. Issues such as global process control, verification activities, and supply chain management were discussed throughout the day.
"Texas A&M is a leader in food safety research, and we're very honored to be host of this important conference," said Dr. Elsa Murano, vice chancellor and dean for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M.
Texas A&M Agricultural Communications
Food Safety Current Events and Food Safety News RSSLet them eat snail
A nutritionist in Nigeria says that malnutrition and iron deficiency in schoolchildren could be reduced in her country by baking up snail pie.
Teens less likely to wash hands when cooking, more likely to cross-contaminate raw food than adults
A Kansas State University study has shown that when preparing frozen foods, adolescents are less likely than adults to wash their hands and are more susceptible to cross-contaminating raw foods while cooking.
American Dietetic Association supports IOM recommendations on school meal programs
The American Dietetic Association welcomes a report issued Wednesday, October 21, by the Institute of Medicine encouraging federal school meal programs to adopt standards that increase the nutrition content and limit the calories in meals served to schoolchildren.
Receptor activated exclusively by glutamate discovered on tongue
One hundred years ago, Kikunae Ikeda discovered the flavour-giving properties of glutamate, a non essential amino acid traditionally used to enhance the taste of many fermented or ripe foods, such as ripe tomatoes or cheese. New research now reveals that the tongue has a receptor that is exclusively activated by glutamate.
As H1N1 Looms, Study Shows Students Aren't Protecting Themselves
As public health experts warn of potential widespread outbreaks of H1N1 flu this school year, a new study from North Carolina State University shows that students do not comply with basic preventative measures as much as they think do. In other words, the kids aren't washing their hands.
Pew-commissioned poll finds large majority of Americans want stronger food safety rules
Among likely voters surveyed across the nation, about 9 in 10 support the federal government adopting additional food safety measures, and 64 percent believe that imported foods are often or sometimes unsafe.
Pew poll: 9 in 10 Iowa voters support more government oversight of food
Ninety percent of voting Iowans believe the government should be given additional authority to ensure the food they eat does not make them sick, according to a new poll commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts and conducted by Hart Research and Public Opinion Strategies.
UBC scientists find new way to extract diluted and contaminated DNA
University of British Columbia researchers have developed a new way to extract DNA and RNA from small or heavily contaminated samples that could help forensic investigators and molecular biologists get to "the truth."
Alternative agricultural practices combine productivity and soil health
The progressive degradation of useful soils for agriculture and farm animal husbandry is a growing environmental and social problem, given that it endangers the food safety of an increasing world population.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria found in fertilizer
Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) have been found in sewage sludge, a by-product of waste-water treatment frequently used as a fertilizer.
More Food Safety Current Events and Food Safety News Articles
 |
Essentials of Food Safety and Sanitation (4th Edition) by David McSwane (Author), Richard Linton (Author), FMI FMI (Author), Nancy R. Rue (Author) If you deal with food in any capacity, whether in a deli, hotel, day care center, healthcare facility, catering, food service operation or restaurant, it's your responsibility to make sure the food is safe to eat. Protect yourself and others by knowing the code, The Food Code. Essentials of Food Safety and Sanitation, Fourth Edition is compliant with the 2003 Supplement to the 2001 FDA Food Code and is designed to serve as a workplace reference guide to safe food handling procedures. Fully colorized, this edition features stories, and examples, expanded appendices, index and chapter references including related websites. Questions at the end of each chapter can help students prepare for exams and tests in the classroom. Use this book to prepare for any one of the national certification... |
 |
Food Safety: Old Habits and New Perspectives by Phyllis Entis (Author) Food Safety offers an intriguing, anecdotal assessment of food- and waterborne illnesses "from farm to fork." It examines how modern technology and traditional views about food safety and food handling can affect consumer safety and it concludes that the responsibility for a safe food supply lies with a variety of people, including regulators, food producers, food handlers, and consumers. Readers will become familiar with the history and causes behind many well-known outbreaks from cholera to E. coli O157:H7 to mad cow disease. This informative book is accessible and engaging, with minimal jargon. Extensive references are included at the conclusion of each chapter, and three appendixes detail the pathogens that cause most foodborne illness, key terms, and common abbreviations and... |
 |
Food Alert!: The Ultimate Sourcebook for Food Safety (Facts for Life) by Morton Satin (Author) Food Alert is the definitive consumer guide to the causes, dangers, and prevention of foodborne diseases. With obvious passion and an authoritative voice, a renowned expert provides the most current, accurate, and complete information on the subject. The book includes several checklists on what to look for when buying food, proper storage of food, hygiene tips, food preparation and consumption, and safe microwaving. Other features include: Deficiencies of modern food handling that allow germs and bacteria to thrive Protection and prevention from exposure to foodborne illnesses The 20 most common causes of food-borne illness in the kitchen A special reference section covering all of the potentially dangerous diseases and bacteria carried by food ... |
 |
The Future of Food Starring: Exequiel Ezcurra, Sara Maamouri, Percy Schmeiser, Andrew Kimbrell, Dr. Charles M. Benbrook Directed By: Deborah Koons Garcia THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled patented genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. From the prairies of Saskatchewan Canada to the fields of Oaxaca Mexico this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed about the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply. Shot on location in the U.S. Canada and Mexico The Future of Food examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to... |
 |
Borner Food Safety Holder by Borner Provides perfect slicing of vegetables and fruits while protecting your fingers. Great kitchen tool for salads, party trays, hard cheeses(best when cold) and hard sausages (best when cold). |
 |
Food Safety Culture: Creating a Behavior-Based Food Safety Management System (Food Microbiology and Food Safety) by Frank Yiannas (Author) Food safety awareness is at an all time high, new and emerging threats to the food supply are being recognized, and consumers are eating more and more meals prepared outside of the home. Accordingly, retail and foodservice establishments, as well as food producers at all levels of the food production chain, have a growing responsibility to ensure that proper food safety and sanitation practices are followed, thereby, safeguarding the health of their guests and customers. Achieving food safety success in this changing environment requires going beyond traditional training, testing, and inspectional approaches to managing risks. It requires a better understanding of organizational culture and the human dimensions of food safety. To improve the food safety performance of... |
 |
Fluke FP FoodPro Plus Food Safety Thermometer Tester Test Equipment by FLUKE NETWORKS The FoodPro Plus non contact thermometer provides defense against improper holding, storage and receiving temperatures. Using infrared measurement techniques, the extremely accurate FoodPro Plus measures surface temperatures quickly, allowing workers to make frequent and rapid temperature measurements which is quicker than conventional contact instruments and without the risk of cross contamination. The easily visible illumination light exposes the measurement area. The FoodPro Plus combines a probe thermometer, integrated countdown timer, and an infrared surface temperature scanner for full inspections of food temperatures and monitoring cooling and cooking intervals. The FoodPro Plus thermometers are hand washable and feature unique HACCP check lights that immediately indicate safe or... |
 |
Haccp Food Safety by Atlantic Publishing HACCP reports annually on food safety issues such as food pathogens, chemical contamination of food, the size and diversity of the food industry, the diversity of food products, food handling, and international trade. |
 |
KidCo Food Mill by KidCo Give your baby all the advantages of wholesome, home-cooked meats, fresh fruits and vegetables. This lightweight, travel-anywhere food grinder makes it easy! Medical-grade, stainless-steel components and precision-sharpened plastic blade lets you quickly hand-grind fruits and vegetables into a smooth puree for easy digestion. Food strains automatically into a 4 oz. feeding dish. This item does not come with a carrying case. Dishwasher safe. |
 |
Life+Gear LGLE01 Life Essentials Survival Kit by Life Gear 3 day supply of food/ water, thermal blanket in a convenient carrying case. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |