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We are pleased to share with you
the success of IAFP's first Timely Topics Symposium held January 24 in
Arlington, Virginia. "Prepared, But Not Ready-To-Eat Foods" was
attended by 116 food safety professionals examining the regulatory and
preparation issues of popular convenience foods, which have seen a rise
in outbreaks of foodborne illness. Many thanks to our accomplished
speakers; our fellow cooperators, GMA and AFFI; and the sponsors who
generously supported this endeavor. To view the presentation slides, go
here >>.
Of course, the success of these events is dependent upon the talent and
dedication of individuals representing the food safety profession. With
so many individuals worthy of recognition for their efforts in the
field, we encourage you to step forward this month and nominate a
deserving colleague for one of our prestigious awards to be presented
at IAFP 2008 in August. Nominations must be received at the IAFP office
by March 4. To find the forms and criteria for each award, go here >> .
IAFP Updates
Online Voting Simplifies Process for Electing IAFP Secretary
On January 31, all IAFP Members were E-mailed the necessary link and
password to cast their electronic vote in the Association Secretary
election, which ends March 17.
If you missed the message, visit our Web site to review the candidates
and to access the link to the voting center, which will provide you the
information needed to complete this easy process.
[Link to IAFP]
February Food Protection Trends: Abstracts and Monthly Columns by IAFP President and Executive Director
Vacuum-packaged crab meat is examined for changes resulting from
pressure treatments and storage; a music-based food safety curriculum
is measured for its impact on test scores among high school students in
Idaho; home gardeners in New England are interviewed following a survey
on their awareness of contamination sources; Gary Acuff reflects on why
the world's food supply and consumers depend on the work of food safety
professionals, and how IAFP Members can publicly honor the efforts of
deserving colleagues in this important field; David Tharp explains the
new electronic voting process for the Secretary election, and
highlights the exciting preparatory activities taking place now for
IAFP 2008.
[Link to FPT]
Featured Abstract from Journal of Food Protection
"Predicting Survival of
Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Dry Fermented Sausage Using Artificial
Neural Networks" was the most widely-read article in the January issue.
Read the abstract here.
[Link to abstract]
Food Safety News
Great Lakes Region Sees Rise in Avian Botulism
Necropsies of bird
carcasses found on the shores of the Great Lakes reveal that loons and
other fish-eating bird species are being poisoned with Type E botulism.
[Link to article]
Listeria monocytogenes: Resistant to Pasteurization?
In January, several cases
of listeriosis were linked to consumption of pasteurized milk, a rare
occurrence for a bacteria usually associated with raw and processed
foods.
[Link to article]
Plant Herbicide Fights Common Human Parasite
Scientists at Washington
University have found a way to hinder the production of abscisic acid
(ABA), which reduces the severity of human infection caused by
Toxoplasma gondii.
[Link to article]
Regulatory Updates
EFSA Says Producers and Consumers Share Risk Management in Ready-to-eat Foods
The Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) of the European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its opinion on reducing the
risk of human illness from Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods.
[Link to EFSA]
FDA Gives Food from Animal Clones a Passing Grade
On January 15, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the
release of three documents maintaining the safety of foods derived from
animal clones.
[Link to FDA]
Research & Reports
Optimal Welfare for Pigs Promotes Food Safety
The European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) recently published this opinion on the food safety
aspects of different pig housing and husbandry systems.
[Link to EFSA]
Report Investigates Turtle-associated Salmonellosis
This new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documents an ongoing, multistate outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B Var. Java infection traced to the handling of turtles.
[Link to CDC]
CDC Study Links Animal Agriculture to MRSA Infections
This study published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links a new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to more than 20 percent of human MRSA infections in The Netherlands.
[Link to CDC]
Items of Interest
Strategic Plan Published for Nanotechnology
This 51-page document
describes the vision, goals, and priorities of the National
Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to ensure that the US remains a global
leader in the research and development of nanotechnology.
[Link to PDF]
Comments Invited on Ethical Implications of Animal Cloning
Through February 25, the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Group on Ethics
and New Technologies (EGE) are accepting comments for their scientific
opinion on the ethical aspects of animal cloning for the food supply.
[Link to EFSA]
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: National Nanotechnology Initiative
Photos: National Geographic, CDC, USDA, US Fish and Wildlife Service
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