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As IAFP Report enters
its second year of publication, we wish to thank our Members for
reading, contributing content, and sharing suggestions throughout our
successful first year. Your continued participation in 2008 will ensure
that we achieve our mission of providing you with timely and useful
global news and resources relevant to the field of food safety.
All Members are welcome to forward content for possible inclusion, and
contributors will be acknowledged by name in the issue to which they
have contributed. Contact information for IAFP Report is provided at the end of every issue.
We are also grateful for the generous support of our sponsors: BCN
Research, Universal Sanitizers and Supplies, Inc., DuPont Qualicon, and
Litmus Rapid-B. Sponsorship of IAFP Report
is provided on a quarterly basis. By clicking on the sponsor ad, you
will link to the company Web site to learn more about their products
and services.
IAFP Updates
IAFP's First Timely Topics Symposium to Be Held January 24
"Prepared, But Not Ready-To-Eat Foods" kicks off the first IAFP Timely
Topics conference, to be held on January 24 in Arlington, Virginia.
This is the first in our ongoing series of symposia addressing current
issues of interest to a high number of food safety professionals. Visit
our Web site now for program and registration details.
[Link to IAFP]
IAFP 2008: Abstract Deadline Approaches
Preparing to submit your technical or poster abstract for presentation
at our 95th Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio? To be considered for
acceptance, abstracts must be received at the IAFP office by January 29. Visit our Web site for further information on abstract submission and other developments of IAFP 2008.
[Link to IAFP 2008]
Featured Abstract from Journal of Food Protection
"Fate of Escherichia coli
O157:H7 during On-Farm Dairy Manure-Based Composting" was the most
widely-read article in the December 2007 issue. Read the abstract here.
[Link to abstract]
January Food Protection Trends: Abstracts and Monthly Columns by IAFP President and Executive Director
Regulatory processes in the
New South Wales poultry industry are reviewed and related to those
occurring in Australia; a survey reveals food safety measures in US
meat slaughter plants; US childcare centers in six Midwestern states
are studied for their employees' food safety beliefs and perceptions,
and how these attitudes would impact a HACCP-based program; an
observation from Gary Acuff's teen years proves useful in understanding
and celebrating the diverse attitudes and methodologies behind IAFP
Membership and its Annual Meeting; David Tharp gives an overview of the
Association's 2008 activities, commenting on its growing number of
opportunities for food safety professionals everywhere.
[Link to January FPT]
Food Safety News
Super Science Versus Super Bugs
At the University of Manchester, a chemical biologist and a geneticist
are the forces behind the development of new lipopeptide antibiotics
capable of conquering super bugs, which are growing increasingly
resistant to other classes of
antibiotics.
[Link to article]
Donair: The Dish on the Meat
You say donair, I say gyros.
A December 12 broadcast news story from Global Edmonton in Canada
examines the food safety issues surrounding a spicy, Turkish meat dish
with cross-cultural popularity. From the link page, scroll down and
click on "Donair Details."
[Link to Global TV]
Beef and Dairy Outbreaks See Rise in 2007
In 2006, produce was under the contamination radar. In 2007, according to the updated Outbreak Alert!
report and database from the Center for Science in the Public Interest
(CSPI), it was beef, with more than 30 million pounds being recalled
for E. coli contamination.
[Link to CSPI]
Study Aims for Effective Treatment Options Against Shiga Toxin
Biologists at the University of Buffalo are working to develop
treatment methods that would give human cells the ability to become
resistant to Shiga toxin, which was linked to the E. coli contamination in bagged spinach in 2006.
[Link to article]
Regulatory Updates
FSIS Develops New Compliance Resource
The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) Web site has made available an information table, to be updated
monthly, summarizing innovations and improvements to food safety
technologies.
[Link to FSIS]
FDA Improves Access to Guidance for Food and Cosmetics Safety
In response to industry and stakeholder comments, the Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) of the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has simplified the information available in the
2003 Food and Cosmetic Security Preventive Measures Guidances.
[Link to CFSAN]
Research & Reports
Annual Report on Zoonotic Diseases Now Available
This joint report from the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for
Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) examines infectious diseases
transmissible from animals to humans.
[Link to article]
The Risky Business of Nanotechnology
The list of consumer
products claiming to be using nanotechnology is growing. This report
addresses the lack of knowledge surrounding the safety of these tiny
particles.
[Link to article]
E. coli in Feral Swine
This study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigates the involvement of feral swine in the Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination of fields and waterways, which was linked to a major outbreak from bagged spinach.
[Link to CDC]
Risk Assessment of Microorganisms Used in Food and Feed Production
The European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) has issued this opinion introducing a Qualified
Presumption of Safety (QPS) approach for assessment of selected
microorganisms.
[Link to EFSA]
Items of Interest
EFSA Celebrates 5th Anniversary
With five years under
its belt, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reflects on its
accomplishments and goals as Europe's food safety watchdog. This
article includes a link to the Webcast of the Scientific Forum and Food
Safety Summit held in November 2007.
[Link to EFSA]
Safety Resources for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers
The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) is developing on-farm food
safety training materials for Canadian producers and packers of
horticultural products. A materials production timeline for the eight
crop groups is available at the Web site.
[Link to CHC]
Fourth Volume in Reference Series Examines Enterobacter sakazakii
Leading experts in the critical field of Enterobacter sakazakii have published this essential, comprehensive fourth volume of Emerging Issues in Food Safety for regulators, policymakers, and academics involved with this organism and the issue of contaminated powdered infant formula.
[Link to info page]
Spread of Exotic Virus Spurs New Research
This article published in Volume 318 of Science Magazine
focuses on the chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne disease once thought
to be contained to developing countries in Asia and Africa.
[Link to article]
FSA Updates Food Safety Resource for Young People
This December press
release from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) announces the update of
its food competencies resource, a framework of core skills and
knowledge for young people that builds on the previous version,
"Getting to Grips with Grubs."
[Link to FSA]
Comments or suggestions for IAFP Report may be sent to report@foodprotection.org, or directly to the Contents Editor, Dr. Jeff Farber, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada. E-mail jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca
Thank You to Our Contributors
Publication images: FDA/CFSAN, J. Farber
Photos: CDC/PHIL
Logo: CDC, EFSA
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