 |
|
Plant pathologists call for more data to support pre-harvest food safety interventions
March 25, 2009In meetings with USDA, FDA, NSF, EPA, the Office of Management and Budget, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy last week, key leaders from The American Phytopathological Society (APS) Public Policy Board (PPB) addressed concerns related to human pathogens on plants and noted that significantly more research is needed to ensure national food safety.
"Plant pathologists are well positioned to provide valuable knowledge on these issues, given their unique expertise investigating the complex relationships between microbes and plants," stated Jacque Fletcher, APS Public Policy Board Chair and regent's professor of plant pathology at Oklahoma State University. "APS is calling for new fundamental and practical research to identify best management practices and to investigate contamination routes, environmental survival, and interactions of human pathogens with plants in pre-harvest situations." To provide additional investment in this critical food safety research area, the APS PPB is recommending an interagency research program specifically focused on gaining fundamental and practical knowledge of human pathogen-plant interactions.
"The strategy for response must include a pre-harvest perspective," said Fletcher. "New targeted research will provide the necessary tools and strategies, as well as creative cross-disciplinary approaches necessary, to design effective solutions to microbial contamination of food plants, which is vital to the protection of U.S. crops." While increased funding for food inspections is important, checking processing sites will not prevent food contamination if human pathogens are already colonizing the plant.
Fletcher, along with other key plant pathologists, provided case studies including the outbreaks of shigatoxin-producing E. coli in spinach and lettuce, as examples of the tremendous costs and threat that these agents can create on fresh produce. These discussions were part of the annual meetings that the APS Public Policy Board has with the leadership of relevant federal agencies and departments to acquaint them with the high programmatic priorities of APS.
American Phytopathological Society
Fletcher, along with other key plant pathologists, provided case studies including the outbreaks of shigatoxin-producing E. coli in spinach and lettuce, as examples of the tremendous costs and threat that these agents can create on fresh produce. These discussions were part of the annual meetings that the APS Public Policy Board has with the leadership of relevant federal agencies and departments to acquaint them with the high programmatic priorities of APS.
American Phytopathological Society
Food Safety Current Events and Food Safety News RSSFlaxseed oil and osteoporosis
Animal studies suggest that adding flaxseed oil to the diet could reduce the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and women with diabetes, according to a report to be published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.
Let 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.
More Food Safety Current Events and Food Safety News Articles
 |
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... |
 |
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... |
 |
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... |
 |
The HACCP Food Safety Manual by Joan K. Loken (Author) This comprehensive yet simple-to-use guide is organized according to the logical Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points steps. Each step includes a short description, practical applications, supporting narratives, posters, charts and workbook projects to facilitate understanding. Features a section on foodborne illness containing training aids, food microbiology, preparing for and handling complaints. Illustrated throughout with flow charts and diagrams. |
 |
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). |
 |
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... |
 |
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... |
 |
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. |
 |
FOOD SERVICE TYPE DISPOSABLE POLYETHELYNE GLOVES MEDIUM 100/BOX by CORDOVA SAFETY PRODUCTS 'Domestically made of hot cast smooth film polyethylene. Cool, soft & comfortable to wear gloves, slide on/off hands easily without sticking or tearing. Cauntlet cuff angles up to prevent contaminations from getting inside. 100 per box. Medium sized.'' |
 |
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. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |