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From November 19 to 21, the planning for IAFP's Fourth European Symposium on Food Safety will be brought to fruition at the SANA Lisboa Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.
"Advancements in Food Safety" is our collaborative effort with ILSI Europe, the Society for Applied Microbiology, and the World Health Organization, with the technical cooperation of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. The eight-session, comprehensive program will be presented by more than 25 prominent speakers from Europe, South Africa, and the United States.
To join us in Lisbon, click on the meeting logo for further details and registration!
IAFP Updates
IAFP 2009: Calls for Abstracts and Award Nominations
Now is the time to be preparing your technical or poster abstract for presentation at our 96th Annual Meeting in Grapevine, Texas. To be considered for acceptance, abstracts must be received at the IAFP office by January 21. Nominations for IAFP Awards, as well as applications for the Student Travel Scholarship, must be received by February 3. Be sure to visit our Web site today to review the developments of IAFP 2009.
[Link to IAFP 2009]
November Food Protection Trends: Abstracts and Monthly Columns by IAFP President and Executive Director
To aid in the selection of conveyor belts used in the production of ready-to-eat foods, various belts are studied for their impact on Listeria monocytogenes to form biofilms; food producers in four Chinese cities are surveyed and interviewed on the problems surrounding the country's third-party certification of agro-products; Stan Bailey discusses the food safety challenges of our global food supply, and the importance of working to harmonize the regulatory systems and standards among countries; David Tharp offers thanks to all who shared in the success of IAFP 2008, and guides readers through the contents of FPT's traditional "Annual Meeting issue."
[Link to FPT]
Featured Abstract from Journal of Food Protection
"Rapid Discrimination of Salmonella Isolates by Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism Analysis" was the most
widely-read article in the October issue. Read the abstract here.
Link to abstract:
[Link to abstract]
Food Safety News
Mad Cow Disease: Nanoscale Resonators Forge Path for Early Detection of Prions
Scientists in New York, funded by the National Research Initiative (NRI) of the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CREES), have created a novel tool for the detections of prions, the abnormal proteins that cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
[Link to USDA]
The Mechanics of Salmonella Attachment
Researchers from the United Kingdom's Imperial College London have discovered that Salmonella enterica Senftenberg use their stringy appendages, known as flagella, to bind themselves to salad leaves and other vegetables.
[Link to article]
FDA Further Examining Safety of BPA
On October 28, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged the efforts of scientists who reviewed its draft assessment of the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), found in polycarbonate plastic. Consumers were advised that current exposure levels do not pose an immediate health risk, but that further research was being conducted.
[Link to FDA]
Regulatory Updates
Canada Moves toward Prohibition of Baby Bottles Containing BPA
In response to the global uncertainty some studies have raised regarding potential effects of low levels of bisphenol A (BPA), the Government of Canada announced on October 17 that it would begin drafting regulations about polycarbonate baby bottles while moving to limit the amount of BPA being released in the environment.
[Link to Health Canada]
FSANZ Proposes Change to Food Standards Code
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering the exemption of an allergy warning for isinglass in beer and wine. Public comments are being accepted through November 12.
[Link to FSANZ]
Research & Reports
Listeria in Pasteurized Milk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published this investigation of a 2007 outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in pasteurized milk from a Massachusetts dairy.
[Link to CDC]
GAO Calls for Vigilance in Fresh Produce Safety
This report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides a summary of the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) activities in managing the safety risks of fresh produce, and a list of recommendations made to the agency.
[Link to GAO]
Study Examines Massive Recall of Canned Foods in North America
The Food Industry Center at the University of Minnesota published in August this 44-page study of a major recall of canned foods following an outbreak of botulism in 2007.
[Link to report]
Infant Formula Contamination in France
In its September 25 journal, Eurosurveillance published this report concerning the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Give sourced to infant milk formula in France.
[Link to report]
Reporting Outbreaks in Accord with IHR
This report from the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assesses outbreaks of foodborne disease traced to internationally distributed foods, applying questions in the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) decision-making algorithm to measure reportability obligations.
[Link to CDC]
Items of Interest
WHO Calls for Data on Melamine and Cyanuric Acid
In preparation for a December expert meeting, the World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking information on the toxicological aspects of melamine and cyanuric acid. The submissions deadline is November 15.
[Link to call for data]
CDC Tips for Traveling to China
In response to the well-publicized contamination of melamine in Chinese milk products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published advice for those traveling to China, particularly those who will be accompanied by infants or children.
[Link to CDC]
Update to 1999 JIFSAN Resource
The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) has announced a 2007 update to the 1999 Audits International Cold Temperature Database, made available through its online resource, Foodrisk.org.
[Link to site]
Nanoscience in Food and Feed Safety: EFSA Calls for Comments
Through December 1, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is accepting comments on its draft scientific opinion regarding nanotechnologies in food and feed safety.
[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
Logos: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Publication images: International Health Regulations (2005, WHO)
Photos: Science Photo Library (BSE-causing prion, by Alfred Pasieka; Bisphenol A organic pollutant molecule, by Dr. Mark J. Winter; food cans, by Crown
Copyright Courtesy of CSL)
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