Harmonization of legislation and regulations to achieve food safety: US and Canada perspective

Trade in food and food ingredients among the nations of the world is rapidly expanding and, with this expansion, new supply chain partners, from globally disparate geographic regions, are being enrolled. Food and food ingredients are progressively sourced more from lesser developed nations. Food safety incidents in the USA and Canada show a high unfavorable correlation between illness outbreaks and imported foods. In the USA, for example, foodborne disease outbreaks caused by imported food appeared to rise in 2009 and 2010, and nearly half of the outbreaks, associated with imported food, implicated foods imported from areas which previously had not been associated with outbreaks. Projecting supply chains into new geographical regions raises serious questions about the capacity of the new supply chain partners to provide the requisite regulatory framework and sufficiently robust public health measures for ensuring the safety of the foods and foodstuffs offered for international trade. The laws, regulation and legislation among the many nations participating in the global food trade are, at best, inconsistent. These inconsistencies frequently give rise to trade disputes and cause large quantities of food to be at risk of destruction on the often dubious pretext that they are not safe. Food safety is often viewed through a political or normative lens. Often as not, this lens has been wrought absent scientific precision. Harmonization of food safety legislation around sound scientific principles, as advocated by the US Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), would ultimately promote trade and likely provide for incremental improvement in public health. Among the priority roles of most national governments are the advancement of commerce and trade, preservation of public health and ensuring domestic tranquility. Achieving these priorities is fundamental to creating and preserving the wealth of nations. Countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Japan and the USA, for example, have very stable governments, are leaders in trade and commerce and enjoy high standards of public health. It is not by accident or coincidence that these nations are also among the world's wealthiest. Attainment of national priorities, especially those related to promoting trade in foodstuffs and also in preserving public health (food safety), would benefit greatly from international efforts in harmonizing food safety regulations and legislation. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sanitation's impact on the effectiveness of the pest management programs of food processing facilities

Pest management in food processing facilities strives to prevent product loss due to insect consumption or infestation of raw or processed product. Facility managers may use a combination of different control methods to prevent or eliminate insect outbreaks. Prior research has suggested that sanitation, a preventative measure, may improve the effectiveness and reliability of other control methods, which may also reduce the cost of pest management for food processors when using these methods. Two food processing facilities in the Midwest were evaluated on their levels of sanitation and then monitored for insect pests following fumigation with Profume™. Facility managers were interviewed regarding their facility's pest control and sanitation programs, as well as their own attitudes and opinions regarding pest control. Bioassay results suggested an equal level of effectiveness of fumigation for both facilities, but monitoring data suggested that the cleaner facility (Facility A) had slower pest population rebound rates than the less-clean facility (Facility B). Comparison of pest control costs in each facility revealed that Facility A spent less than Facility B on pest control as predicted, but also spent less on sanitation. This suggests that greater investment in sanitation is not required for improved facility cleanliness and pest management effectiveness. Knowledge and involvement on the part of management and the employees in the facility's pest management program, may serve as a better indicator of sanitation's impact on facility pest management. These findings appear to correlate with the early results of an online survey that seeks a broader perspective of industry trends.     

Convergence on EU and USA Food Safety Regulation Approach,Regarding Foodborne Outbreaks

International food trade facilitates transport of either fresh food or traditional products worldwide. This facilitates availability of foodstuff, and enables migration of unsafe food. The most common food safety risk are foodborne pathogens, since they are ubiquitous and can cause epidemic spread. European Union and USA markets are the most dynamic in the world, so it was necessary to obtain satisfactory regulations at national and international level. Official number of foodborne outbreaks in 2013 are 5196 for Europe and 818 for the US. FSMA is the latest US policy change in approaching to Europe practice of preventing rather than reparing.     

中国食品安全的过去、现在和将来

本文从国家食品安全管理体制、食品安全国家标准以及风险分析框架的应用三个方面来回顾中国的食品安全,并展望将来。中国的国家食品安全管理体制从单一部门管理为主,演变为多部门的分段管理,又发展为市场监管总局、海关总署和农业农村部为主。法律层面也从《食品卫生法》发展为遵循风险分析框架的新《食品安全法》(2015年10月实施)。中国的食品安全国家标准也从食品卫生标准发展为食品安全标准,从互不协调、相互矛盾的三套强制性国家标准整合为一套食品安全国家标准,在覆盖面、技术水平、实用性,以及与国际标准接轨方面,都取得了长足的进步。对于国际公认的风险分析框架,从缺乏认识,到增加理解和认真实施,在全面开展风险监测、建立适合国情的风险评估制度、加强风险交流等方面取得了突出的成绩和进步。然而,也应该清醒地看到,中国当前在食品安全方面还存在很多问题。食源性疾病的监测和控制还比较薄弱,食品掺假或欺诈还相当普遍,风险交流面临严峻挑战(消费者对食品安全的过度担心)。为了尽快提升中国食品的质量和安全性,一是要做到从农田到餐桌的全产业链食品安全保障,二是政府要做到全产业链的一体化无缝监管。     

Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes to high pressure processing: A review

Listeria monocytogenes has been regarded as an emerging food pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a serious disease given its high mortality rate. The need for better food processing methods has led to an increased interest in high pressure processing (HPP), a novel nonthermal method presented as “producer” of safer food products. This review provides an overview of the effects of HPP on Listeria monocytogenes and on L. innocua, with the latter often used as an amenable surrogate for the pathogenic species. The factors that affect the susceptibility of listeriae to HPP, as well as the long-term implications of postprocessing recovery, are discussed in the perspective of the use of HPP to improve the safety of potential food vehicles.     

A novel real-time polymerase chain reaction method for the qualitative detection of pistachio in food

In order to provide an appropriate method for the detection of pistachio (Pistacia vera) in food products, a novel real-time PCR was developed. The pistachio-specific primers and the TaqMan fluorogenic probe were designed to target the internal transcribed spacer between 18S ribosomal RNA and 5.8S ribosomal RNA genes. Using dilutions of the pistachio DNA, the intrinsic detection limit of the method was determined to be 0.012 pg. At specificity testing, the method was positive for 11 pistachio varieties and negative for 26 plant and animal species used in food industry. A detection limit of 0.0004% (w/w) was determined for pistachio nuts in model pastry. Practical applicability of the elaborated method was tested by the analysis of 44 food samples, out of which 7 food products were identified as containing undeclared pistachio. The developed real-time PCR may be utilized for sensitive and selective detection of pistachio in food products.     

QS认证审核现场存在问题与对策研究

食品质量安全市场准入制度(QS)认证主要针对食品企业的食品卫生状况,食品是否进行强制性检验以及食品进入市场前的管理是否规范进行定期的检查和整改。本文是结合QS现场审核标准对A食品厂提出该食品厂存在的问题,提出了相应的对策。     

A Comparison of Canadian and Colombian Food Inspection Systems

This article compares food inspection systems of Canada and Colombia. The Canadian Processed Products Establishment Inspection Manual (PPEIM) for products of plant origin is used as a model. The Canadian food inspection system has the advantage of including specific regulations per product type, making the establishment inspection more precise. Colombia lacks a sound health risk model to establishment inspection. The Canadian Health Risk Assessment Model might serve as a basis for building a health risk model. In Canada, establishment registration is mandatory and is a requisite for food product marketing. In Colombia, establishment inspection is mandatory but not requisite for product registration and marketing. Colombian regulations should be reviewed to make the food inspection system stronger and more soundly based on preventive dispositions, specifically establishment inspection as a prerequisite for product registration and marketing.

In Canada, specificity of inspection instruments such as the PPEIM increases food safety. In Colombia, the Food Processing Establishment Check List (FPECL) is not specific about product or process type. There is no specificity in regards to the control process, making this inspection instrument weak when inspecting different process types. In Colombia, there is a need for guide instruments such as a manual to support the FPECL assessment criteria used during establishment inspections. In Colombia, the FPECL does not include inspection of a recall system and process records.     

中国食品卫生监督管理现状与发展

目的分析介绍我国食品卫生监督管理状况。方法分析目前我国食品卫生存在的问题,介绍卫生部门在加强食品卫生监督管理方面所开展的10项重点工作。结果从危险性评估、危险性管理、危险性信息交流的角度,提出了今后重点工作方向。结论中国食品卫生监督管理取得了很大的成绩,但仍需进一步完善。     

浅析美国食品药品监督管理局强制性食品召回制度

强制性食品召回制度的建立和完善,是提高政府执政水平、构筑食品安全最后一道防线的现实需要和必然要求。本研究从我国强制性食品召回存在的现实问题出发,分析了美国食品药品监督管理局(Food and Drug Administration,FDA)强制性食品召回制度的立法背景、法律基础和召回程序,进而总结出FDA强制性食品召回的主要特点,最后在明确其实施成效的基础上提出了完善我国强制性食品召回体系的具体建议,具有一定的现实意义。     

Biosecurity Measures to Control Salmonella and Other Infectious Agents in Pig Farms: A Review

Salmonellosis is the 2nd most common cause of human bacterial food poisoning and can be acquired from meat or eggs, either via direct consumption or cross‐contamination in the kitchen. The European Commission has set the criteria to control Salmonella infections within the poultry sector and it is proposed that the swine sector should follow. Pork is considered, after eggs, the major source of infection in humans in the EU, with Salmonella typhimurium, including monophasic strains, being frequently implicated. Good control measures at the farm level are likely to correspond with lower prevalence of Salmonella infection and, subsequently, a reduction of cross‐contamination of carcasses processed at the slaughterhouse and a reduction in human salmonellosis. This review focuses on biosecurity measures in pig farms that can help to control important pig diseases at the same time as reducing the within‐herd prevalence of Salmonella. This information is likely to provide an economic incentive for farmers to apply improved general standards of farm biosecurity and hygiene management that would have a positive impact in food safety.     

浅谈HACCP食品安全管理体系运行

通过对国内一些食品企业HACCP食品安全管理体系的实施和运行情况进行分析,阐述在食品企业中实施HACCP管理体系的基本要求,分析了HACCP体系运行中常见的问题,以及如何有效地实施和运行HACCP体系.     

《食品安全法》实施前后全国食物中毒流行病学特征变化的对比分析

目的考察《食品安全法》对食物中毒流行病学特征的影响,并提出监管对策。方法以2009年底作为《食品安全法》实施前后的分界线,以国家卫生行政部门公开的食物中毒事件的通告数据为基础,对《食品安全法》实施前后全国食物中毒事件基本特征进行描述性分析和对比分析。结果《食品安全法》实施后,食物中毒报告数和中毒人数均明显下降,且在总体维持较低的水平下呈现平稳趋势;食物中毒发生原因的主次顺序已由微生物性、有毒动植物性、化学性、不明原因,转化为有毒动植物性、微生物性、化学性、不明原因;在食物中毒发生场所中,集体食堂所占比重已从32.8%下降至22.4%,家庭所占比重从38.4%上升至49.7%,家庭已成为食物中毒发生的最主要场所。结论《食品安全法》实施后,我国食物中毒情况明显好转;食物中毒发生原因及发生场所的特征变化,为制定相应的食物中毒防范措施和监管政策提供了依据。     

关于我国食品防护计划实践应用的思考

2015年12月21日国家质检总局发布《关于进一步加强出口食品防护的公告》(质检总局【2015】155号公告),提出"鼓励出口食品加工企业将《出口食品全过程防护工作指南》及GB/T 27320-2010《食品防护计划及其应用指南食品生产企业》转化为企业管理制度,建立并实施食品防护计划。"2016年5月27日,作为美国《食品安全现代化法》(FSMA)7个配套法规之一的《保护食品预防故意掺假缓解策略》(Mitigation Strategies To Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration)法规颁布,明确要求输美食品生产企业要建立并实施预防食品故意掺假的防护措施。但现在很多企业的食品防护计划存在漏洞,存在不能够充分分析企业潜在的薄弱环节、显著性薄弱环节等问题。本文简要介绍了食品防护计划国内外运用的现状,重点概述了食品防护计划建立和实施的步骤,并就如何提高食品防护应用有效性进行分析,提出了相关建议。     

A novel real-time polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of pecan nuts in food

A real-time PCR-based method for the detection of the pecan (Carya illinoiensis) component in food is described. The method consists of DNA isolation by chaotropic solid phase extraction and the subsequent PCR with pecan-specific primers and a TaqMan fluorescent probe. The primers and the probe are targeted to the putative gene for allergenic vicilin-like seed storage protein of pecan. The method was positive for 10 pecan varieties and negative for all other tested plant materials used in food industry, including walnut. The intrinsic detection limit of the method was 1 pg pecan DNA which corresponds to 1.2 haploid genome copies. Using a series of model pastry samples with defined pecan contents, a practical detection limit of 0.01% (w/w) pecan was estimated. Practical applicability of the PCR method was tested by the analysis of 13 food samples; no discrepancies between the declared and detected pecan contents were found. The presented PCR method is useful for sensitive and selective detection of pecans in food samples and can be performed in one working day.     

A novel real-time polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of macadamia nuts in food

A real-time PCR-based method for the detection of macadamia nuts (fruits of Macadamia integrifolia or M. tetraphylla or their hybrids) in food products is described. The method consists of DNA isolation by chaotropic solid phase extraction and subsequent PCR with macadamia-specific primers and a TaqMan fluorescent probe. The primers and the probe were targeted to the gene encoding for vicilin precursor. The method was positive for M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla and negative for 16 other plant species used in food industry, including peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachio nuts, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts, and chestnuts. The DNA-based detection limit of the method was 1.45 pg. Using a series of model samples with defined macadamia nut contents, a practical detection limit of 0.02% (w/w) macadamia nuts was determined. Practical applicability of the PCR method was tested by the analysis of 14 confectionery samples. For all of the samples, results conforming to the labeling were obtained. The presented PCR method is useful for relatively fast, highly selective, and moderately sensitive detection of macadamia nuts in food samples.     

An RFID application in the food supply chain: A case study of convenience stores in Taiwan

Food hazards can appear at any stage of global food supply chains, making it essential to define critical control points to capture the data about ingredients, manufacture and dates-certain (sell-by, use-by), etc., and provide it in a transparent manner to supply chain participants and consumers. The government of Taiwan has appointed a non-profit research organization to conduct a pilot project to launch a potential national-wide food traceability system to increase the intangible value of purchased food and to enhance food safety. This paper discusses a financially viable business model for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) application to a food traceability system. We conduct a case study of RFID implementation in the chain of convenience stores in Taiwan. The Taiwanese experiment may have implications for policy-makers, industry and public health officials elsewhere.     

澳大利亚食品强化管理法规标准分析

为给中国的食品强化工作提供借鉴,介绍了澳大利亚在食品强化方面的立法管理状况,并分别就强制性强化和自愿性强化这两种不同的强化方式的强化载体、强化量、危险性分析等内容展开讨论,分析其可借鉴之处,为完善我国的食品强化政策体系,修订相关卫生标准提供参考依据和建议。     

日本《食品安全基本法》的立法创新与立法价值及其启示

日本《食品安全基本法》在立法内容上建立食品安全全过程可追溯质量保证体系、构建具有一致性的食品安全监管组织体系及食品安全标准,并对食品安全的有关违法行为实施严厉处罚制度,充分体现了其以国民健康的有效保障为根本、注重食品安全监管的实效和灵活性,以及保证食品安全责任与危害性相匹配等立法价值。对此,可以借鉴日本《食品安全基本法》的立法创新和立法价值,从健全以HACCP体系为中心的强制性质量认证规定,建构统一的食品安全监管机制,加大对食品安全相关违法行为的惩罚力度等途径来完善中国食品安全法律和监管体系。     

基于推广视角的后奥运时代食品供应链可追溯体系框架设计研究

随着编码和信息通信技术的发展,可追溯体系被逐渐应用到食品供应链管理中,以确保食品安全。本文通过建立一般通用的食品可追溯体系框架结构,为北京后奥运时代食品可追溯体系在供应链中的实施和推广提供一种整体分析的方法。